Chapter 816

“You don’t step foot on Blackwell property without me,” I told her with finality.

“Then come with me,” she said without hesitation. “I’d feel better if you were there anyway.”

“Okay,” I said with a nod. “We’ll leave tomorrow for the manor, but the second I sense something is wrong…we leave.”

Her smile grew wide, and she leaned over to kiss me deeply. I let her kiss linger, enjoying the taste of her a bit longer before pulling back.

By the way,” she said, nibbling on her lower lip. “I might have told Irene that I had an appointment with Eliza tomorrow because I didn’t want to tell her that I’m going ot see Selene. So, we’ll have to make an appointment so I don’t look like a liar.”

The seriousness on her face was enough to make me laugh out loud.

…..

The drive to the Blackwell estate felt longer than it was. The roads wound through the dense trees, mist curling low along the asphalt. Judys sat beside me, staring out he window, chewing on her lip like she was working through a hundred thoughts she wasn’t ready to share.

It was mid-morning, the day after she told me about going to the manor. A part of me hoped she would have changed her mind by now, but I knew it was wishful thinking.

“You don’t have to do this today,” I found myself saying, hoping to convince her not to.

“Yes, I do,” she said with a soft tone. “If I wait, I’ll talk myself out of it.”

I understood that kind of ear; the kind that grew teeth when ignored. But still, I hated this place. It gave me an eerie feeling that even I couldn’t ignore.

I parked the car and we both got out at the same time, my eyes scanning the perimeter. The manor hadn’t changed much since the last time I saw it—massive stone pillars, sprawling gardens that looked more like stage scenery than nature. The place screamed wealth, but underneath it, I could still smell the same rot of arrogance.

The door opened automatically as we neared; the butler stood tall and bowed his head in our direction.

“Alpha Landry, Luna Landry.”

Judy flushed at the title, but she didn’t correct him. There was nothing to correct after all; she was going to be my Luna.

Just as we stepped into the manor, Selene Blackwell came into view.

“Judy, it’s so good to see you. I’m glad you could make it,” she said, kissing each of Judy’s cheeks lightly before pulling back. “I hope you are prepared for your lessons today. We have much to cover in such a short time.”