Chapter 727
She nodded.
“We should wait to cut the cake,” Nan said, glancing at Chester.
“She wouldn’t want you to put your wedding on hold for her. It might make her feel worse,” I said, looking between the two of them. “Just resume and she will join us soon.”
Judy returned just as they finished cutting the cake; Nan was quick to apologize, but Judy waved off her concern. Judy looked gorgeous, and I was impressed with Irene’s quick handwork.
After a while, I got to talking to Sampson and a few others who were there. Most of the mates were on the dance floor dancing, and that was when I noticed Judy wasn’t amongst them. Frowning, I looked around, not liking that I dind’t know where my mate was. My wolf quickly caught her scent, and we followed it through the reception until we reached the balcony.
Judy stood over the terrace; her eyes fixated on the city below and her hands gently holding the railing. She looked almost peaceful, and it was clear that she was lost in thought.
I thought at that moment, she had never looked more beautiful; even if her hair was still slightly a mess, and despite the makeup, her cheeks were flushed from her earlier vomiting session. Not to mention the stain on her dress that Irene wasn’t able to recover.
She hadn’t noticed me coming… or if she did, she didn’t make it known.
I closed the balcony door behind me, the music and chatter from the reception quieting as the shut door blocked out the sound. I stepped behind her, my fingers grazing her hips, making her jerk slightly.
“Hey…” she said, her voice coming out softer than usual. “I just stepped out here to get some air. I hope I didn’t worry you.”
“I’m always worried when I don’t have my eyes on you,” I admitted. She leaned back into me, resting her body weight against mine as if she could no longer manage it on her Own. was okay with that, thought wanted to hold her up when she couldn’t hold herself. I wanted to be her rock… I wanted to be her everything.
The way the moonlight cascaded its rays down on her fair complexion made her shine in a way that took my breath away. I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear without taking my eyes off hers. A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. And yet, I could still see the vulnerability and insecurity behind her gaze.
“You have no idea how beautiful you look right now, do you?” I asked, my voice a low whisper,
She raised her brows at me, and I could see she was about to say something about the stain on her dress or the fact that her hair and makeup were ruined despite Irene’s efforts, but I stopped her before she could.
“Don’t,” I said, a little too sharply. “Don’t do that. Don’t look at me like I’m crazy… like you’re anything less than the most breathtaking thing I’ve ever seen. Tonight, I sat there helplessly and watched you crumble in that bathroom.
I held your hair and rubbed your back while you got sick… I watched you sob and shake, thinking you were breaking in front of my eyes. But you weren’t breaking… nothing could ever break you. You’re the strongest woman I have ever known, Judy.
She turned around my arms, her eyes glistening with fresh tears. “I don’t feel very strong tonight,” she admitted, her tone coming out weak. I pressed my forehead against hers. “That’s okay,” I whispered. “I can be strong for both of us. You give me strength every day even when I am not near you, you still give me strength. For once, let me give you strength. Let me be your anchor…”