“I need to see Rachel Barron,” I found myself saying to the front desk nurse.

She typed something on her computer and then glanced up at me.

“She’s in room 303. You can use the elevator and go to the right.”

I nodded my thanks, no longer trusting my voice. I wasn’t sure if it was a good idea for me to do this alone; I didn’t tell Nan that I was coming here, and I certainly didn’t tell Irene.

I stepped into the elevator and waited with bated breath for the doors to open back up. Once I was on the upper level, I stayed to the right, just as instructed, and found door 303. Through the small window, I saw that Rachel was awake. She was scrolling through her phone with a small smile on her face.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the room, shutting the door behind me. Rachel looked up, and her eyes widened when she saw me standing in the entrance.

“Judy?” She asked.

“Hi…” I said, my voice coming out breathless.

She placed her phone on the bedside table, her eyes never leaving mine.

“Gotta say, I’m surprised you’re here. If you’re looking for Gavin—”

“I’m actually here to speak to you,” I told her quickly.

“I see,” she said, raising her brows.

She glanced at the chair at her bedside.

“Please,” she said. “Have a seat.”

With a shaky breath, I stepped closer towards her bed and took a seat, my legs barely allowing me to walk as I did so.

Rachel plastered a smile, though I could tell it wasn’t genuine.

“What honor do I have for this little visit?”

“The news article…” I began, my voice coming out barely above a whisper. “Is it true?”

Her eyes lit up, and a small smirk appeared on her face; it was almost devilish.

“Are you asking me if my unborn baby belongs to Gavin?” She asked, amusement clear in her tone.

I swallowed, feeling the heat creep up the back of my neck.

“Yes,” I whispered.

She grinned as her aura darkened.

“Poor little Judy. It must be so difficult to watch the man you love having a baby with another woman” Rachel taunted, my heart shattering in my chest. “Let me make one thing clear. Gavin has always been and will always be mine. Yes, we’ve had our share of difficulties, but that doesn’t make us love one another any less. He’s learned to trust me again, and he wants me in his life… clearly, or he wouldn’t have gotten me pregnant. So, whatever little fling the two of you had, it ends now.”

I stand to my feet much faster than I intended. My breathing was coming out in shallow breaths, and suddenly, there didn’t seem to be enough air in the room. My wolf was itching to be released so she could scratch this woman’s eyes out.

Rachel just laughed at my expression, and then she shook her head.

“You didn’t really think you’d ever have a chance with Gavin Landry, did you? You’re his daughter’s agez He only spent time with you because he felt bad for you. I hear you’re nothing more than a little orphan. Not even your birth parents wanted you. How sad and pathetic is that? And you thought Gavin would want you? If I were you, I’d save myself the further embarrassment and run away. Go as far as you can and never look back because if anyone else finds out about your sad obsession with Gavin Landry… your entire reputation will be tanked. No one will trust a Gamma with an obsession like that.”

She was right needed to leave. I couldn’t stay here and watch Gavin… the man Hove… have a baby with another woman. I don’t think I or my wolf could handle it. Too much had happened in Gavin’s territory Ethan… his family… now Gavin and his family. I needed to get out of here.

Rachel’s grin grew wider when she saw my face. I couldn’t speak; I couldn’t even move. I needed to leave. I turned away from her before she could see the tears burning in my eyes.

“Congratulations,” I managed to whisper before I ran from the room.

By the time I was outside, I was clutching my phone to my ear like it was my lifeline. I didn’t trust my voice, so I prayed to the Moon Goddess that it didn’t break while I spoke.

I waited with bated breath as the phone rang, praying that the other person would

answer.

“Hello?” Said a male voice on the other end.

I was quiet for a moment, my heart racing in my chest. I had no idea what I was going to say; I had no idea how to approach this.

“Miss Montague?” He asked, having my number in his phone so he could see it was me calling.

“Hey,” I managed to croak before clearing my throat and trying again. “I want to take you up on your Alpha’s offer, Beta Ron. How soon can you get me out of here?”