Chapter 298

Judy’s POV

I wasn’t really prepared for us to leave the pack. But as soon as we crossed the borders, I started to feel even more uneasy. Most of the drive was quiet; I kept stealing glances at Spencer, but his expression was unreadable. It was unlike him.

“Spencer, is everything okay?” I asked him when I couldn’t take the silence anymore.

He blinked and then glanced at me.

“Yeah, why do you ask?”

“You just seem off,” I tell him. “Unlike yourself.”

“I’m fine,” he replied. he gave me a smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes. He seemed almost nervous about something, or maybe it was my own nerves attacking the pit of my belly.

I decided not to worry too much about Spencer; he was Spencer. He was my first friend after Luna Lucy. He made me feel welcomed to not only the team but to the pack as well. I might have only known him for a short time, but he became my best friend.

I relaxed in my seat a little as I was reminded of that fact. Spencer wouldn’t do anything to hurt me.

My mind drifted back to Gavin. I was still so pissed off and hurt that he would barge in here and order me back to his pack. We still had so much to talk about; it’s not like I was going to jump on the opportunity to take in this pack. I wanted to return with him; yes, I’ll miss the friends I’ve made in this pack, but I miss my other friends even more. I would kill for a girl’s night with Nan and Irene. They were my best friends, and I wanted to tell them everything that was going on in my life. I miss my family too; I realized how rash I was in leaving when I spoke to my mom on the phone the other night. I missed her so much, and I know leaving as quickly as I did hurt both her and my father.

I was so quick to leave my life behind to escape something that hurt me that I didn’t stop to think about those I was hurting in return. I was being just as selfish, and I realized that this past week.

I was also aware of the fact that I’m carrying Gavin’s baby.

Instinctively, I put my hands on my belly; it was still flat, a couple of months away from possibly popping. I still couldn’t believe a baby was growing inside of me. My baby. Gavin’s baby. My heart squeezed.

I was scared that Gavin didn’t want me, and in turn, he wouldn’t want our baby. I was scared that I was going to end up having to do this alone. I didn’t know anything about being a parent; yeah, I had amazing parents growing up who treated me like their own, even if I was adopted. I had great role models… but could I really be that for another living being?

What Gavin said earlier was cruel. I wanted us to have a real conversation, but instead he jumped down my throat and ordered me home. He didn’t care about me… all he cared about was his control over me. My heart ached at the very thought.

I stared around the pathed woods were driving through. I frowned as I looked around; I felt uncomfortable being in a forest when we weren’t on packlands. That meant we were traveling through the rogue district.

“Spencer…” I said, a nervous twinge in my voice.

“Hmm?”

“I know we are Gammas and are trained to deal with any situation, but is it a good idea to drive through the rogue district?” I asked him, glancing in his direction just in time to see him lifting one shoulder.

“I barely ever see rogues in this area,” he told me. “So, I don’t really think about it.”

“Where exactly are we going?” I asked him.

Before he could answer, a small cabin appeared. It was in the middle of the forest and hidden from the view of the road, but I realized he was pulling around to park on the side of the building.

He unbuckled his seatbelt and got out of the car, his gaze landing on the cabin. Without much thought, I followed him out of the car.

“What is this place?” I asked him as we walked towards the front door.

“I’m not sure,” he admitted. “I found it when I was young. I was traveling on my own when I wasn’t supposed to. I stumbled upon this cabin and kind of made a second home out of it. I call it my hideout.”

His tone was almost playful and reminded me of the Spencer I knew and cared for. I was relieved that he didn’t sound cold and indifferent anymore. I think we both needed a little space from the pack, and I was glad to be getting away for a little while. At least until I clear my thoughts and figure out how to approach Gavin again.

He stepped into the cabin, and my jaw nearly dropped; it was gorgeous and nicely decorated, with so many handmade crafts that I knew he did himself because he’s always been crafty like that.

Everything was clean, and it smelled like lavender, relaxing me almost immediately upon entry. Spencer seemed to have relaxed as he walked in as well.

“Make yourself at home,” he said, the corner of his lips lifting into a small smile.

“This place is incredible,” I told him.

“Yeah, I did most of the decorating myself,” he told me with a shrug. “The only other person who knows about this place is my grandmother.”

Spencer’s grandmother practically raised him. He lived with his mom, dad, and grandmother. However, he was neglected by his family. Then one day they left and never came back. His grandmother had always been there, though.

“Back when my parents lived in the pack, there’d be moments when I just needed an escape from it all. So, I came here. My grandmother liked to know where I was going and when I’d be back, so I told her about this cabin. She didn’t like it at first because it’s in the Rogue District, but after a while, she realized that I was a born fighter. Rogues don’t mess with me anymore, so they leave this area alone.”

“You scared the rogues away as a kid?” I asked, gawking at him.

I swear I saw him blushing, which almost made me laugh, but I was way too shocked to move my body, let alone laugh.

“Yeah, I guess I did,” he admitted. “Anyways, this place is safe.. It’s my safe space. I hope you don’t tell anyone about it. I’d like to keep it a secret.”

“Of course,” I said quickly. “Your secret is safe with me.”

He looked relieved.

“Thank you, Judy.”

I nodded.

“Is that why you seemed so nervous bringing me here? Because you were worried I would blab about your secret?” I asked, raising my brows.

He shrugged.

“Maybe a little,” he told me. “I’m sorry if I worried you.”

I reached out and touched his hand.

“You don’t need to be sorry. I’m just being paranoid.”

He gave me a sad smile.

“Do you want to talk about it?” He asked. “Now that we are away from the pack, maybe you can finally tell me what happened back there?”

I sighed, my eyes shifting to the ground.

“I should tell you something,” I told him, my eyes remaining downcast. I hadn’t told anybody here about my past or where I came from. Even though Spencer was my friend, I wanted to keep that part of me to myself. At least for right now, but I couldn’t keep quiet anymore; I had to tell him the truth. A secret for a secret.

“I’m listening,” he said, urging me to continue.

“I come from the Silver Crescent pack, Gavin Landry’s territory,” I told him.

He raised his brows, and I knew he was wondering why I was telling him this. I mean, he knew I wasn’t from this territory, so why did this matter? I swallowed the lump in my throat.

“Gavin and I had been sleeping together on and off for almost 2 years.”

Now he looked shocked.

“What??” He asked, his brows raised to his hairline.

“It started off as me tutoring his son, and ended with me in Gavin’s bed.” I gave him the short story, looking a bit sheepish.

“You’re serious/” He asked.

I nodded.

“Yes,” I replied. “Then I found out he was sleeping with someone else, and he got her pregnant. I was told he got engaged to her, and I didn’t want to stick around to watch their fairytale wedding, so I came here after Alpha Levi offered me a job in the Redcliff pack as an Elite Gamma.”

He nodded, his eyes thoughtful, though he still looked shocked and a bit confused.

“So, you’ve known Gavin this whole time?” Spencer asked. “Did you know he was the special guest arriving?”

I shook my head.

“I had no idea until he got here. I tried my hardest to make sure he doesn’t find out where I am.”

I was going to tell Spencer about my pregnancy, but I decided against it. I wanted to keep this baby a secret a little longer; plus, something inside of me was telling me to keep it hidden.

Spencer lowered himself onto the couch, as if the weight of what I had told him was too much for him to handle right now.

“So, you’ve been sleeping with that guy for years?” He asked, his eyes meeting mine.

“2 years,” I told him. “I was so stupid to think that he cared about me… I was only fooling myself, and now I’m left heartbroken and feeling more alone than ever.”

He was quiet for a moment, still processing my words.

“And now Gavin Landry is here…” he said, his brows furrowed. “Is he here for you?” There was a slight bite to his words that took me off guard.

“No,” I said quickly, feeling the need to defend myself. “He came to help the pack. I don’t think he knew I was here. But when he found me…” I paused for a minute as I saw the confused and almost betrayed look in his eyes. “He’s making me return to the pack with him,” I spoke that last part in a whisper, almost like I was giving up the fight.

Maybe I should just return with him. Isn’t that what my end result would ultimately be anyway? Why am I putting up such a fight over it? The second I found out I was pregnant, my future was already decided.

“Bull shit,” he nearly spat, making me flinch. “Why else would he be here? This is Alpha Levi’s territory, not Gavin’s. He wouldn’t come here if it weren’t for an ulterior motive. I knew there had to be something, but I didn’t think you were involved.”

“You’re wrong, Spencer. I’m not involved,” I said, my tone dropping a little; my wolf was getting a bit defensive over Gavin, but I pushed her aside. This was not the time to defend Gavin; I needed to plead my case.

But he spoke again before I even got the chance.

“I don’t believe for a second that he didn’t come here for you, Judy,” Spencer said, shaking his head. “He’s not only deceiving you, but he’s deceiving the pack. I really didn’t think you were the kind to fall for that kind of bullshit, but I guess I was wrong.”.