Chapter 21

Gavin’s POV

Her scent of Lavender and fresh vanilla was intoxicating. Even drunk, she was oddly captivating. But she was young, almost my daughter’s age and I wasn’t someone who would take advantage of a young girl. There was a reason she decided to drink so much tonight; the last thing she needed was someone, old enough to be her father, to have his way with her. I already saved her from one creep; I refused to be another.

I was almost grateful that my phone rang, interrupting wherever this was about to lead. But when I saw the caller, I internally groaned. I pushed Judy slightly so she would give me some space as I swiped across the screen.

“Yes?” I said into the phone, ignoring Judy’s pout.

“Is that any way to greet your mother?” My mother asked.

“I’m kind of in the middle of something,” I told her, ignoring her comment.

“Aren’t you always,” she murmured. “Too busy to speak with your mother. I gave birth to you and raised you, but you are too busy to take my calls. That’s the thanks I receive?”

I can’t help but roll my eyes.

“What is it you want, Mom?” I asked, trying to keep the annoyance out of my tone.

My mother had a way of bringing out my aggravation. It wasn’t that she wasn’t a good mom; we were pretty close growing up, though I was much closer to my father than anything. My mother was always pushy though and she didn’t stop until she got her way.

The day my father passed away, it only caused things to be worse. She clung to me like I was her saving grace; I suppose in a way, I was. I was there for her when she needed me the most. It’s not like my sister, Sarah, really cared about anything or anybody other than herself. She was too busy drowning her sorrows in a bottle of whiskey and taking drugs her abusive boyfriend would give her.

Meanwhile, my younger brother, Noah, moved to a different country to be with his mate about 19 or 20 years ago, and the two of them are currently raising a new family together. Noah checks in once in a while and I’ve gone to visit with him and his family a few times. I’ve even taken Matt and Irene to visit with them a couple of different times. But my mother never bothered to visit them; she resented him for leaving for 20 or so years and nothing he said would ever change her mind.

My mother was a stubborn woman and since my father died a few years ago, it’s only gotten worse.

“I was only calling to remind you about our family dinner tomorrow,” she told me. “Your grandparents, along with my sisters and brother will be in town I’m cooking a meal to welcome them.”

I sighed; it’s not that I forgot about the event, but something terrible always happens when they all get together. My mother doesn’t get along well with her sisters and her mother does nothing but criticize her. It makes my mother that much crazier.

It’s always a shitshow.

She gets blamed for literally everything, including the fact that Sarah went off the deep end.

“I’ve remembered,” I told her after a brief silence. “I’ll be there.”

“You should bring Daisy with you,” she blurted not too subtly.

“Why would I do that?”

“Because she likes you, Gavin,” my mother told me. “I always thought the two of you would make a good couple. I think it’s about time you start dating seriously now, don’t you think? Enough with these one-night stands and meaningless relationships. Daisy is a proper woman and deserves to be treated as such.”

My mother was a big advocate for Daisy Sparks, my late wife’s sister. I was never a fan of Daisy myself, but I understood why others were. She was gorgeous and a famous fashion designer. She was a strong and successful woman; in another life, maybe I would give Daisy a shot. But being around her reminded me too much of my wife. They looked similar enough that it was unsettling.

My mother didn’t seem to see it that way though.

I glanced over at Judy, and I saw that she had completely fallen asleep. Her head was resting on the window and she was breathing heavily.

“I’m not interested in her,” I said in a low tone.

“I just want you to be happy, Gavin,” my mother breathed.

“My romantic life isn’t your concern,” I told her, my voice firmed. “I will see you tomorrow.”

Without another word, I hung up the phone. Turning my attention back to Judy, she was still asleep.

“Alpha, we have arrived,” Leroy said as he rolled down the window separating the backseat from the front seat.

I nodded and slid out of the backseat, making my way to Judy’s side, I pulled the door open, catching her before she fell out of the car. She weighed practically nothing when I lifted her into my arms as she rested her head on my chest and she made a satisfied noise, it went straight to my cock.

I internally cursed as I walked to her front door. Her purse was on her shoulder, so I reached inside to grab a set of keys. I was surprised at how dark her house was; it was as if nobody else lived there, but I knew at least her mother should be home at this hour. It was ghostly quiet, and it gave me an eerie feeling.

It didn’t take me long to find the staircase upstairs and even less time to find her room. The scent of her room drove me in the right direction. Her room was the perfect figment of who she was as a person. Her academic awards were showcased on her wall; her athletic achievements were on her bookcase across the room. Clothes were scattered across her floor and draped over her desk chair. She had a nice desktop computer setup and numerous textbooks and notebooks across her desk.

She had a photo of herself with her parents on her nightstand, and she looked so happy. She also had a photo of herself with her friend Nan who I recognized from Carter’s Resort.

I didn’t bother changing her out of her clothes; I wasn’t going to cross that line. Instead, I tucked her into bed, making sure the covers were completely on top of her before I left.

…..

“You are late,” my mother said as I walked into the house.

“I’m right on time,” I told her, glancing at the clock.

“If you aren’t early, then you are late,” she told me, raising her brows. “Everyone is in the kitchen already. Dinner will be ready shortly.”

“Hi, Grandma,” Irene said as she stepped around me and into the house.

My mother’s face softened as she reached her arms out and wrapped my daughter in a hug.

“Oh, Irene sweetie. I thought you were going to be too busy to join us this evening. I’m so glad you’re here,” she breathed.

“I wanted you to officially meet my fiancé,” she said, motioning for Ethan to step beside her.

Ethan stepped closer and gave my mother a polite smile.

“It’s an honor to finally meet you, Mam,” he said, bowing his head in respect.

My mother chuckled and put a hand on his cheek in a warm gesture.

“He’s quite handsome,” my mother said to Irene with a sly wink.

Irene blushed and wrapped her arm through Ethan's, resting her head on his shoulder.

My mother’s eyes found Matt and she smiled sweetly at him.

“Hello, Matthew. You are looking rather handsome yourself,” she added, motioning for Matt to come with her.

He looked up at me with uncertainty on his face. He doesn’t often come to my mother’s house, but I insisted he come along for this dinner. I gave him a short nod and followed my mother through the living room and into the kitchen.

I motioned for Irene to do the same. She took Ethan’s hand and pulled him along with her. I sighed and followed the kids into the kitchen. The moment I stepped into the kitchen, I wished I could have turned around and walked back out.

“Gavin, you’re here!” Daisy exclaimed as she walked around the table to greet me.

Beta Taylor was also there; he was often invited to my mother’s family events because he’s been pretty much family my entire life. I gave him a stern look and he gave me an apologetic smile for not warning me that Daisy was going to be here.

She immediately wrapped her arms around me and hugged me; I shimmed out of her embrace.

“What are you doing here, Daisy?” I asked, not bothering to hide the edge in my voice.

“I invited her,” my mother said, beaming up at Daisy.

“I thought we already discussed this, Mom,” I said through my teeth, my anger rolling off me in waves.

“You know your mother and I have always been close friends,” Daisy said, batting her lashes at me. “Me being here isn’t any different than Beta Taylor being here, Gavin. I also assumed you would have come to your senses since the last time we spoke.” She folded her arms across her chest.

“How about we just sit down for dinner,” my mother suggested, ushering Daisy to her seat. I stood, staring at the nicely set table and noticing that the only seat available was right next to Daisy.

I had to fight to control myself.

Taylor stepped beside me and leaned in so only I could hear his words.

“Melissa died years ago, Alpha. Perhaps your mother is onto something. You should be moving on.”