Chapter : 856

Judy’s Pov

Everything was quiet as the Blackwells entered the room. Taylor was right behind them, looking annoyed as he folded his arms across his chest.

“I tried to stop them,” he muttered, shaking his head with dismay written all over his face. “But they were insistent that she speak to Judy right away.”

My eyes never left Selene, who was staring at me with tears filling her own eyes. My heart clenched in my chest at the sight of her; if everything I had found out these last couple of days was true….. that meant Selene was my birth mother and Zachary was my birth father.

It didn’t feel real to me… but now I understood why I felt so drawn to her and them…. why I felt drawn to their home and photos.

Blood calls to blood.

They were my blood… they were my family, and they were calling for me. Esme was calling for me.

“It’s true then…” Selene said through her watery gaze. “You truly are my daughter. I knew I felt a pull towards you… I just wasn’t sure. I didn’t think it was possible… but it was… You are her… my daughter. My little girl.”

Selene went to hug me, but Gavin was quick to step in front of me, shielding me from their view. He was growly, and I could tell his wolf was on the edge. Seeing me in potential danger didn’t sit right with either of them, and my heart tugged at my chest at his protectiveness.

I put my hand on his back, trying to calm him a bit.

“Gavin, it’s okay… they aren’t going to hurt me,” I assured him, my voice as low as a whisper.

“We don’t know that. I’m not taking a chance,” he said, his eyes never leaving the Blackwells.

“I know they won’t hurt me,” I told him, my voice sounding stronger than I felt. “They are my family… my true family.”

Even as I spoke those words out loud and meant them, I couldn’t help but feel the ping of guilt that gnawed at my chest. The Montgomery’s were my family… they were the only family I’ve ever known, and I loved them with my entire heart. I would never trade them for anything.

But Selene and Zachary were my blood, and a part of me felt like I was finally coming home. Perhaps my wolf and spirit already knew that my place was with the Blackwells.

“We don’t wish to have conflict,” Zachary told Gavin, his eyes narrowed. “We only wish to speak to our daughter.”

“You didn’t know she was your daughter until 5 minutes ago,” Gavin said. “How do we know we can trust you?”

“Because you signed a business

contract stating me as your partner,” Zachary said, raising his brows. “If you didn’t trust me at least a little bit, you would have never signed ime as your partner.”

Gavin stared at him for a long while; I kept my hand on his back, rubbing soothing circles and trying to appeal to his wolf. I could feel his emotions going awry, and I didn’t want him to lose control.

“It’s okay…” I said softly. “Let them talk.”

Gavin finally relented and stepped aside, allowing Selene to approach me with her tear-filled eyes and outstretched arms.

“I’m so sorry we didn’t know sooner,” Selene breathed as she wrapped me in her arms. “Our daughter…”

“I always knew something was off. It all happened at once, my mother stopped talking, my sister left… you seemed different. I couldn’t explain it. But felt the shift even back. then, Zachary said, running bis fingers through his dark hair. “I should have looked into it further, and for that… I am so sorry.”

I shook my head, giving him a small smile.

“I had an incredible life,” I assured them. “I love my family, and I love the outcome. I’m not sure I’d be here with Gavin if things hadn’t turned out the way that they did. I’m grateful for the entire roadmap that led me here…”

I touched my belly, feeling the warmth spread throughout my entire body.

“I wouldn’t change anything,” I added, a faint smile decorating my lips.

“Where is Lila?” Zachary asked, turning to look at Taylor. “Has she been held in custody?”

“Yes,” Taylor replied. “I don’t trust her to not try anything against Judy so we will keep her in custody until it’s safe.”

Zachary nodded and then turned to Selene.

“I think we should speak to her as well,” Zachary told his wife. “She was the girl we raised for 23 years after all.”