Chapter 779
Judy’s POV
Tabby was a little tipsy when she arrived. She gave me a large smile and wrapped her arms around me in a big hug. She looked exactly the same, but stronger, and her hair was shorter.
“You smell like tequila,” I giggled, pulling her into the room.
“I just returned from patrol and had a few drinks with some others on the force,” she admitted. “I called you from the bar up the street.”
“It’s so good to see you, Tabby,” I said, meaning it. I had missed my friend, and I felt bad that I didn’t tell her I was going to be in her region. But she was here now, and that was all that mattered.
“Tabby!” Nan said, hugging her next. “Was wondering when I was going to get to see you.”
“Well, if you guys told me you’d be here this weekend, I would have made sure to see you sooner.”
“We just got in this morning,” I tell her. “We spent the day resting. We are jet–lagged and exhausted. But in much need of a girl’s night.”
“We were just about to order room service,” Nan added, handing her a room service menu. “Pick out what you want. I’ll call them and order.”
“Get extra wine,” I tell her as I go into the small kitchen to grab the cups and plates.
“Of course,” Nan said with a grin. “Although you can’t drink it.”
“It’s not for me,” I call back with a chuckle as I grab a water bottle from the fridge.
When I returned to the living space, Irene was seated on the couch, her hands tucked beneath her. She wasn’t looking at Tabby, but she was worrying her bottom lip, so I knew she wanted to ask questions, and she was suppressing them.
“So, what’s been going on with you girls?” Tabby said, sitting on one of the love sofas, her feet tucked beneath her. “What have I missed?”
“A lot, it seems,” I say, glancing at Irene’s face, unsure if I should say anything or just let Irene talk about it when she’s ready. “What about you, Tabby? Anything new happening around here?”
“I’ve been so wrapped up in work that it’s hard for me to have a life,” she admitted. “This week is the only time I have semi–time to myself, so this was a good week for you to visit. Are you here for the ball on Saturday?”
I nodded.
“Yeah, Alpha Jeremy invited us.”
“That’s odd; he never invites outsiders. But I know he’s been wanting to expand and make better connections. So, it makes sense that he’d start with the Landry foundation.”
I bit my lip; I knew it had nothing to do with Gavin’s company and everything to do with the favor Erik pulled.
But I wasn’t going to tell Tabby that information, at least not right now.
“Why do you look so down?” Tabby asked, narrowing her eyes at Irene. “I know we aren’t close, but you could at least say hello.”
“She’s not trying to be rude; she’s just going through a lot,” Nan said in Irene’s defense.
“What’s going on?” Tabby asked, glancing around the room with a frown. “Why do I get the feeling you aren’t telling me something?”
“Have you seen Chuck around?” I blurt, making Irene’s eyes go wide.
Tabby frowned at my question.
“Sure; he’s in my unit,” she replied with a slight shrug. “He’s as cocky as ever. Why do ask?”
“Is he around this week as well?”
She nodded, her brows furrowing.
“Yes, but right now he’s on patrol with some others,” she replied. “What’s this about?”
you
“Do you remember the last time you, Chuck, and Shirley visited our pack?” I asked. “Do you remember how close he was to Irene?”
She thought about it for a moment before a flicker of something went through her eyes, though it was gone in an
instant.
“Oh, yes,” she said, glancing at Irene worriedly. “I do remember them spending a lot of time together and disappearing quite often.”
I glanced at Irene; she was watching me, waiting for me to continue, and my heart was in my throat.
“Is it okay if I tell her?”
After a moment of hesitation, Irene nodded, giving me the consent I needed to tell Tabby the entire truth.
“Turns out they are mates.”
Tabby gasped and covered her mouth with her hands; her eyes went wider than I had ever seen them.
“I didn’t see that coming,” she breathed. “Like fated mates?”
I nodded.
“Yeah, like wolves can’t get enough of each other type of mates,” I say, leaning back against the couch cushion.
Nan joined me on the couch, her phone in her hands.
“Room service is on the way,” she announced. “Hope you’re hungry because I ordered a lot of food and even
more wine.”
“Perfect,” Tabby said with a grin before she turned back to me. “So, tell me what’s going on? Chuck is Irene’s
mate? He’s such a flirt, I honestly thought nothing of it at the time.”
Irene flinched at her words.
“Have you seen Chuck around lately? Like… with anyone else?” I asked, hating that this line of questioning was hurting Irene.
She thought about it for a moment, her eyes darting between me and Irene.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.