Chapter 20

Judy’s POV

Carol’s face paled immediately upon hearing Gavin’s words.

I could see the panic on her face as she tried to desperately come up with a story to justify her actions. I knew Carol was a lot of things, but a cheater?

She had always worked so hard to get to where she was and a part of me still admired her for it despite the fact that we hadn’t gotten along since middle school. But now I was seeing her in a whole new light. She cheated on her exams, forcing someone to take the tests for her so she would pass them.

I didn’t understand why though.

Carol was incredibly smart and more than capable of getting these exams done herself, and she still passed with flying colors. So why would she have someone else take these exams for her?

“I… I don’t understand,” the dean said, narrowing his eyes at Carol. “Is this true?”

“N…no,” she stammered, her nerves evident. “It’s not true. I swear!” She tried to explain.

A new presence appeared in the room, and I recognized him as Beta Taylor; I only met him briefly, but he seemed like a nice enough guy.

“I have the reports you requested,” he told Gavin, handing him a piece of paper.

Gavin looked over the paper, his eyes fixated on each word that passed his vision. His lips were set in a hard line. His expression was hard to read, and I wondered if this had anything to do with Carol and the accusations. He cleared his throat and stepped towards the desk; without sparing me a look, he handed the dean the paper.

“This is proof that Carol had been cheating,” he stated simply. “How did she manage to ace this test with flying colors when she wasn’t even in the class to take it? It’s strange that she can be in two places at once, isn’t it? There’s also proof of transaction along with the student’s names.”

The dean’s brows furrowed in surprise.

“I… it’s not what it looks like…” she stammered nervously.

“You can do further investigating, but that’s what my Beta was able to find under such short notice,” Gavin continued.

“We have no tolerance for cheating,” the dean said firmly as he glared at Carol.

“One of her classes happens to be yours professor,” Gavin said, readjusting his gaze to look at Professor Rodgers. “Are you saying that you never noticed she hadn’t been attending class? Yet you still pass her.”

The professor paled as he looked at Carol.

I realized that they were in this together and my lips pressed in a thin line. I stared at the ground, unsure of what to say or what to do at this moment. Things were too awkward, and I just wanted the ground to open and swallow me whole.

“Miss Judy, how about you head to the feast? I had my assistant send everyone there to begin the celebration,” the dean said, his eyes remaining fixated on Carol; bouncing between her and the Professor.

I wasn’t sure my legs would work if I tried. But as soon as I looked up at Gavin, he gave me a curt nod. I felt my entire body unfreezing and I let out the breath I hadn’t known I was holding.

I stood to my feet.

“Thank you,” I managed to murmur before I left the office; I didn’t bother sparing any of them another look.

When I reached the dining hall where the feast was being held, I was met with a ton of strange stares. Everybody was whispering amongst themselves about me, wondering if I got in trouble or if my reward had been revoked.

“Hope you all got a good show,” Nan said loudly, drawing everyone's attention to her as she stood in the center of the room. “How about you gossip about something different now.”

Everyone looked amongst themselves, their bantering continuing.

Nan only rolled her eyes and made her way over to me, wrapping her arms around me and pulling me in for a hug.

“Are you okay?” She asked me, her voice low and for my ears alone.

I nodded, feeling the burning sensation of unshed tears in the back of my eyes. I refused to let them fall right here though; I wasn’t going to let my peers see me break.

“Yeah, it was just a misunderstanding,” I told her.

“Did Gavin do anything to help?” She asked.

I raised my brow, surprised by her question.

“Why would he do anything to help?” I asked, trying not to sound too awkward.

She smirked and nudged my shoulder as we made our way through the dining hall and toward an empty table.

“Because he ran after you guys so fast; barking orders at his Beta to find information out on Carol,” she explained. “He looked pissed, and I have a feeling it’s because he wanted to protect his darling Judy.”

I knew she was teasing, but her words caused heat to flare on my cheeks.

“You are being ridiculous,” I murmured. “I’m not his darling Judy. We almost slept together once and haven’t spoken about it since.”

“Whatever you say,” she chuckled.

A waitress stopped by the table and handed us a glass of champagne. Just what I needed right now, a little alcohol.

I took a long and steady sip of the drink, wincing at the bitter taste. I really wasn’t a fan of champagne, but I needed something to take the edge off.

“Let’s just enjoy the rest of the party,” she said, giving me a faint smile. “He didn’t revoke your reward, did he?”

I shook my head.

“No, he didn’t,” I answered. “But I never got to make my speech. I’m kind of bummed about that.”

“I’m sorry that bitch ruined your moment,” Nan pouted. “Karma will come back around and bite her in the ass. I’m sure of it.”

I took another long sip of the champagne until the glass was empty.

“I need another one of these,” I murmured.

“It’s an open bar,” she said, motioning towards the bar. “It’s sponsored by the Landry Foundation, as is this entire award ceremony. I found out through the grapevine that Gavin is a huge shareholder in this school. He pretty much owns the place.”

I raised my brows at her words; this was new information to me as well.

I walked over to the bar to get another drink.

“Congratulations on the reward,” a man said from beside me. When I turned, I saw Alpha Edward seated beside me.

Alpha Edward was an Alpha to a smaller nearby pack, and he also always attended these types of ceremonies, as did a ton of other nearby Alphas if they had pack members who were candidates.

“You don’t think I’m unworthy?” I asked, feeling the impact of the alcohol as I continued to sip my drink.

“I think if anyone deserved this reward, it would be you,” he said, winking at me. “I was rooting for you.”

“I appreciate that, Alpha,” I told him.

One of the candidates belonged to Edward’s pack, so I’m surprised he was rooting for me and not her. But I chose not to say anything about it.

“Can I buy you another drink?” He asked.

“It’s an open bar.”

“Then, let me order you another drink,” he rephrased.

I was on my second glass and already feeling a bit dizzy, but I wasn’t going to pass up the offer, I just wanted to numb the pain and embarrassment.

“Yes, that would be great. Thank you,” I told him.

“Can we get the lady something a little stronger? She seems to need it,” He said to the bartender. “How about a tequila shot?”

I knew that was a dangerous road to travel, but I found myself nodding my head, not fully caring that I was probably making a huge mistake.

“I’ll take care of you tonight,” Alpha Edward told me softly. “Don't worry about a thing. You just focus on having fun and forget about that terrible ceremony.”

I smiled, grateful to him.

After my 3(rd) tequila shot, I could barely walk. As soon as I slid off the barstool, I nearly fell to the ground. Thankfully, Alpha Edward was there to catch me. He had his arms wrapped around my body and my face was pressed against his chest as he caressed my back almost lovingly. I had a weird feeling about his touch, and I didn’t particularly like it, but I was too far gone to do anything about it.

“Come on; you can come home with me,” he whispered into my ear.

I could hardly even feel my lips so I remained silent.

He was practically dragging me out of the dining hall. I couldn’t use my feet, so most of my weight was being supported by Alpha Edward. I briefly wondered where Nan was, but I brushed the thought out of my mind as we reached the doorway and the Alpha lifted me off the ground, cradling me bridal style.

My head fell limp against his chest.

I murmured something incoherent, and I felt the rumbling of his chest as he chuckled.

“Alpha!” I heard a female saying as he rushed towards us. I kept my eyes closed because the entire room was spinning, so I wasn’t sure who it was, but her voice sounded so familiar. “What are you doing? You shouldn’t be taking this girl anywhere. She’s far too drunk.”

“We are too consenting adults,” Alpha Edward told her simply. “It’s her choice and she clearly wants to go with me.”

Before she could say anything, another voice spoke in a low and threatening tone.

“Walk away before I break your arms and legs.”

Alpha Edward tensed immediately.

“I tried to stop him, Sir,” the woman said.

When I opened my eyes slightly, I saw that she was the dean’s assistant. Gavin stood beside her; his eyes fixed on me. Alpha Edward held me even tighter.

“It’s okay, Alpha. I know her quite well. I'll take her home—”

“I won’t ask you again,” Gavin said through his teeth. “Or your title will be stripped from you, and you’ll never be able to walk again.”

I felt Alpha Edward shuddering as he stepped towards Gavin. I felt the warm and familiar arms of Gavin as he wrapped them around my body, pulling me out of Edwards' grasp. I immediately clung to Gavin, pressing my face against his broad and warm chest, inhaling his scent.

“I… I apologize,” Edward said, bowing his head.

Gavin said nothing as he carried me away from Edward. I felt the cold air outside the moment we were out of the building. A car pulled up in front of us and the back door opened. Gavin slid me into the seat before getting in beside me, his arms still wrapped around me, keeping me close to him.

Heat spread across my cheeks as my hands roamed up his body. He was so handsome in his suit and tie, I just wanted to undress him right then and there. His scent and overall aura were so intoxicating that my mouth practically watered at the thought of having him, tasting him.

He put his hand over mine as I reached for his tie. The space around me was still spinning, but a confidence like no other rose inside of me.

“What are you doing?” He asked, his tone kept in a low whisper as if it pained him to speak.

My eyes were fixated on his tie as I used my other hand to loosen it.

“I want you,” I whispered to him. “And I know you want me too, Daddy.”

I barely even sounded like myself, but I didn’t care. His eyes darkened and just as I got his tie loose his phone rang.