<b>Chapter </b><b>749 </b>


    Gavin’s POV


    +15 <b>BONUS </b>


    I hadn’t seen Noah ckwell since I was 16 years old. We used to be best friends, but then something happened, and I was no longer allowed to see him. His entire family fell off the face of the earth. I stopped questioning why after a while; my father refused to talk about it<b>, </b>and my mother imed not to know <b>a </b>thing. But I always felt as if I had missed something.


    I’ve heard of Noah’s work alongside his father in the shadow regions, though, and I knew he wasn’t the same 16–year–old I had once known. He wasn’t someone I would consider a friend. His dark hair <b>was </b>shoulder length, and his eyes were so dark they looked ck, but I knew they were blue like the dark ocean. He looked more like Zachary ckwell than any of the others.


    Back then, he wanted nothing more than to follow in his father’s footsteps. I wondered if he still felt the same way now<b>. </b>


    “Noah,” Selene said with a pleased smile. “Come join us, darling.”


    She motioned for an empty chair, and Noah walked towards it without his eyes meeting mine. He sat down and started to put food on his te.


    “I apologize for myte entrance,” Noah said.


    His voice was deeper, more polished than I remembered. A man’s voice now, edged in teal. Though I’m


    sure mine was too.


    <b>“</b>No apologies necessary. You have quite a bit on your te. We weren’t expecting you to arrive at all,” Zachary said, eyeing his son.


    Noah’s eyes flicked up atst, catching mine across the table. For a moment, I searched for the boy I had once known–the reckless grin, the secret ns whispered in the training yard. But there was nothing left of him. Only a cold, assessing stare.


    “When I heard who our guest was this evening, I knew I had to be here, so I cleared my schedule,” Noah said. “I’m honestly surprised to see you here, Gavin.”


    His lips curved into something that might have passed for a smile if his eyes hadn’t been so empty. I felt Judy shift slightly beside me, her hand brushing against mine under the table. Her touch soothed me, which I knew mine soothed her.


    <b>“</b>Your father invited me. It would have been stupid to refuse the invitation. I’m pleased you were able to clear your busy schedule to join us, Noah.”


    My words dripped with sarcasm, which I didn’t mean.


    Noah’s eyes narrowed as he leaned back in his chair, swirling the wine in his ss before taking a <b>slow </b>


    <b>1/4 </b>


    sip.


    “Still arrogant. I see some things never change.”


    Selene’s softugh followed, low and approving.


    “he does have that reputation, doesn’t he. Darling, have you met his mate, Judy<b>?</b>”


    Noah’s eyes flickered to Judy, and it took all I had not to growl at him.


    “I haven’t,” Noah said, eyeing Judy up and down, making her squirm under his scrutiny. “I wasn’t aware the great Alpha took a mate. And a lovely one at that… It’s a pleasure to meet you.”


    He reached his hand out to shake hers, and she gingerly ced her hand in his. I squeezed her thigh without meaning to. After a quick shake, she drew her hand back as if he had burned her.


    “I must say, you look quite familiar. Have we met before?” He asked her, his eyes lingering on her for way too long for myfort.


    “I don’t believe so,” she replied, averting her eyes from him. <fn7ba3> Checktest chapters at Find?Novel</fn7ba3>


    “What is yourst name?”


    She nced at me briefly as if asking permission to answer his question; it was permission she didn’t need, but I was pleased that she thought of me at that moment. I gave her a small smile and a slight nod, subtle enough for them not to notice.


    “Montague,<i>” </i>she answered, ncing back at him.


    He looked through for a moment before his eyes widened.


    “Holy fuck. You’re the one who won the gammapetition this year,” he eximed. “You have quite the following… me included. I didn’t recognize you dressed so gorgeously.”


    “Judy’s the one who won thepetition?” Zachary asked, raising his brows. He nced at her as if he


    was trying to size her up and figure out what made her so special. It made me lean closer to her, my wolf


    needed to protect what was his. He didn’t like the fact that our mate was the center of attention.


    “She is,” Noah answered, a smile growing on his lips. “I watched her on the television. She was quite impressive and put the others to shame.”


    “Must you flirt with every woman that nces at you, brother?” L asked, rolling her eyes.


    The corner of Noah’s lips tipped upward into a smirk, his eyes never leaving Judy’s.


    “When I see what I like…I go for it. No regrets.”


    This time, I couldn’t stop the growl, and every pair of eyes turned in my direction. It made Emmetugh and L smile to hold back her ownughter. Noah raised his brows, clearly amused, but not showing it


    as well as his siblings.


    “My mate is not up for grabs,” I say, my eyes never wavering.


    The table stilled.