Chapter 747
“Gavin Landry,” Zachary said as he stood, drawing my attention from the old woman and to the mysterious man in front of us… the urban legend himself. “It’s been a long time.”
“It has,” Gavin replied, nodding his head slowly. “I was surprised when I received the invitation to join you and your family for dinner. I hope you don’t mind, I extended the invitation to my mate.”
“Of course not. The more the merrier,” Zachary replied, his eyes finding mine and holding them for a bit too long, giving me an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. “I wasn’t aware you
took a mate.”
“It’s fairly new,” Gavin explained, draping an arm around my waist to keep me by his side. I wasn’t going to complain about that.
Zachary’s gaze dropped to my belly for a moment before lifting and meeting my eyes once again.
“Seems that’s not all that’s new,” he said, the corner of his lips lifting slightly. “I suppose congratulations are in order.”
“Thank you,” Gavin replied, tightening his hold on me. “I apologize if we are a bit late. Took longer than expected to get here.” I knew Gavin was trying to steer the conversation away from me and our baby. I was appreciative of that because I wasn’t sure how long I could handle Zachary Blackwell staring at me.
Zachary’s eyes,flickered to Gavin.
“You aren’t late at all. Right on time,” he retorted. “Dinner will be served shortly. Please, take a seat.”
He motioned for a couple of empty chairs that sat side by side. Gavin walked along with me towards the chairs, and we both gingerly sat down, feeling more than a little awkward. His hand found mine under the table, and I felt relieved that he wasn’t letting me go. It’s like he knew that I needed his touch to get through this dinner.
Or maybe he needed mine.
“I’m not sure if you met my family, but this is my wife, Selene,” Zachary said, nodding towards the gorgeous woman who sat beside him.
“I’ve heard plenty about you, Alpha,” Selene said, nodding her head slightly. “You are more handsome in person, I must say.”
I felt my wolf growing anxious over her words, and I had to bite back a growl. I had to remind my wolf that now was not the right time or place. Gavin’s hand squeezed mine reassuringly, and at that moment, I knew he was tuned into my feelings. I felt my wolf relaxing from his attention. Latest content published on find(ɴ)ovel.net
Gavin didn’t bother responding to her; he just nodded politely.
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“And this is my son, Emmet, and daughter Lila,” Zachary continued.
“Charmed,” Lila said, a sly grin spreading across her face. Clearly, she hasn’t told her father that she already knew us and wondered why that was. The poisonous way she stared at us made my chest tighten.
Emmet only nodded; he looked disinterested in this conversation as he scrolled through his phone.
“Emmet,” Zachary said through his teeth. “We are at the dinner table. Put the phone away.”
Emmet glanced up at his father with a frown.
“It’s important,” he murmured.
“So is time with your family,” Zachary retorted, clearly trying to keep his cool.
Emmet’s frown was deep.
“Noah isn’t here,” he said, narrowing his eyes. “If it’s so important, shouldn’t he be here as well?”
“Noah has other arrangements this evening,” Zachary said, his eyes never leaving his son’s. “You are present… so be present.”
After a moment of what seemed like a silent conversation between the two, Emmet finally put his phone down and folded his hands in his lap.
Zachary, looking satisfied, relaxed his shoulder and turned to Gavin.
“I apologize for my eldest son’s absence. Noah is very busy and couldn’t make it this evening.”
“It’s okay,” Gavin said. “He’s always been quite busy. I understand.”
I wasn’t aware that Gavin even knew Noah Blackwell. I only knew their names and their ranking in the family. Though Lila Blackwell had been a mystery since her birth, almost like she’s been hidden within the manor walls for all these years, only allowing her brothers and parents to shine until recently.
“I’m sure soon you two will be able to catch up. You were always close growing up,” Zachary replied.
I raised my brows at Gavin, who glanced at me briefly before turning back to Zachary.
“We’ve both aged,” Gavin replied. “I’m not looking to regain a childhood friendship I once had.”
“Of course,” Zachary said, the corner of his lips twitching slightly as if he found Gavin almost amusing but trying not to show it. After a moment, Zachary cleared his throat. “Do you remember my mother, Esme?”
He motioned for the old woman who sat beside Lila. Her eyes were still transfixed on me, though she hadn’t said a word. My heart thudded against my rib cage… it was the same woman as in my dreams. Only in my dreams was she a little younger, and she wasn’t in a wheelchair. But there was no mistaking… it was the same woman with the same piercing blue eyes and looking directly into my soul. 1