But because Irene had never had a mate before, she knew right away that Chuck was hers. However, Chuck, though he feels a connection towards Irene, doesn''t know that she''s his second chance.


    My heart broke for Irene because that must be so difficult.


    "I''m so sorry," I tell her.


    She just shrugged and gave me a sad smile.


    "It''s okay," she told me, even though I knew it wasn''t. "But anyway, it would mean everything to me if you coulde to the charity banquet with me. Please, Judy, I don''t have anyone I can ask. You''re kind of my only friend."


    "Are you sure you even want to go to this event in the first ce?" I asked her. "Especially with Ethan''s family being there."


    She groaned.


    "Don''t remind me," she muttered. "But I have to be here. It''s expected as the Landry Heir."


    I raised my brows.


    "Will Matt be there too, then?"


    She shook her head.


    "He''s too young," she exined. "He''ll stay home with Alex."


    I nodded, still pondering this. I really didn''t want to let her down, but I wasn''t sure I could face Gavin and Rachel again. My stomach was still in a knot from myst interaction with them.


    As if she could read my mind, Irene leaned forward with a sly smile on her face.


    "I''ll have my designer make a gorgeous dress for you," she assured me. "Something that''ll knock the socks off my father. He''ll regret trading you in for little Miss Perfect."


    I hadn''t really gotten the chance to talk to Irene about Rachel. I knew Rachel hade by the mansion once or twice with Gavin/ She had known Irene when she was only a little girl so I assumed it''d be a happy reunion. I didn''t want to hear it from Irene that Rachel was perfect for her father, and she was happy that she returned, so I kept my distance from Irene thesest few weeks.


    But seeing Irene''s face as she mentioned Rachel, it made my brows raise so high they disappeared through my hairline.


    "Not a fan of her?" I asked her, my curiosity getting the best of me.


    "I don''t trust her," Rachel muttered. "I''m my


    does estly surprised me


    does, She gives me a nasty


    in the pit of my stomach."


    "Weird,” I murmured. "Matt kind of said the same thing."


    Her ears perked up at the mention of her brother.


    "He did?" She asked. "So, we are in agreement. Neither of us wants our father to


    be with that woman."


    I nodded.


    "Apparently," I muttered in return.


    After a beat of silence, Irene''s face sobered.


    "How is Matt doing?"


    I met her eyes and decided to be honest with her.


    "He misses you," I admitted. “But it''s better if you both keep your space from each other. His wolf calmed down a lot, and between Gavin and me giving him shifting and control lessons, he''s more in control of his wolf than he initially was. No more idental shifting or letting his rage get the best of him. He''s very strong through; when he ages, he''ll be a powerful wolf for sure. Just like Gavin."


    "Guess it runs in the family," Irene said softly. "Do you think he''ll ever forgive me?"


    I thought about it for a moment and then nodded.


    "I think he already has," I told her.


    give it some time. Once thin


    start slowing down, you''ll be able to see him again."


    She let out a breath and then nodded. We fell into afortable silence for a long


    while before she cleared her throat and looked at me.


    "So, should I call my stylist and have her design you the perfect dress for the


    event?" she asked, a smile lighting up her face.


    After another beat of silence, I finally nodded.


    "Okay, yeah," I told her. "I''ll go."


    She squealed happily as she grabbed her phone to text her stylist.


    "You won''t regret this,'' she told me happily. "We are going to make my father


    regret ever giving you up."