Chapter 438

"Hey," I said to her, putting my hands on her small shoulders. "Just breathe. They are gone... it's okay..."

Judy took in a deep breath as she fought to control her breath. Once she was finally calmer, her eyes peeked up at me through her long and dark lashes.

"Thanks,' she whispered.

"Want to tell me why you didn't tell me about your running in with my mother," I asked, my voice firm, though I tried to keep it calm.

She bit her lower lip and looked away, but I grabbed her chin gently and brought her head back up so she was looking at me again.

"Tell me the truth," I demanded. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because it wasn't exactly a pleasant conversation and I didn't want you to think

so little of me," she admitted, her eyes meeting mine.

My brows furrowed

"Think little of you?" I asked. "What happened?"

"I was out to dinner with my parents and I got up to go to the bathroom and they cornered me," I explained, feeling my cheeks flushing.noveldrama

I felt a surge of protectiveness coursing through my veins and a low growl escaped me.

"What did they say to you?" I asked through my teeth.

"Pretty much that I'm not good enough for you and that you'll tire of me soon enough," I murmur. "That you're destined to marry Daisy and I'm just a distraction. That I won't be a problem for long..."

Another growl escaped me; I was seeing fucking red.

How dare they corner Judy while she was out with her family and then feed her such lies. There was no way in hell I was ever going to mate and marry Daisy, even if Judy wasn't in the picture.

I was furious and I wanted to rip someone's head off their shoulders, but when I saw the tears filling Judy's eyes, my anger started to fade and all I felt was pure guilt and remorse... not to mention protective.

"Hey..." I said softly, my thumb brushing her invisible tears off her cheeks as my fingers traced the nape of her neck. "Why would I think little of you?" I recalled her reasoning for not telling me this information in the first place.

She sniffled as a tear escaped her eyes, I had it wiped away before he even reached the apple of her cheek.

“Because I'm training to be an Elite Gamma... I won the Gamma competition... and yet I can't stand up for myself when it comes to your mother and Daisy," she whispered. "It was embarrassing, and I didn't want you to think I was weak." Cóntent belongs to swnovel

I sighed and pressed my forehead against her, keeping my hand on the back of her neck to keep her in place as I absorbed not only her words but her scent as well.

"It isn't your fault. My mother has a way of getting under your skin," I told her. "Not fighting her was the best thing you could have done in that situation, so you've done well. Don't beat yourself up over it. They shouldn't have cornered you and they certainly shouldn't have said those things to you. None of it is true, so I hope it didn't hurt you too much." swnovel

She looked uncertain and at that moment I realized it did hurt her. I guess considering our

unconventional relationship, it

wasn't hard to believe the words my mother spat at her. I wrapped her in

marms and pulled her flesh

against my chest, keeping her there as the music continued to play around us and people continued their dancing. swnovel

"The next time my mother speaks to you and I'm not present, I need you to tell me right away, do you understand?" I asked, my tone gruff as I thought about my mother cornering her again.

She was quiet for a moment longer, so I squeezed her a little tighter.

"I need you to answer me," I said softly, my face buried in her hair. "Do you understand?"

She nodded her head and wrapped her arms tightly around my waist, holding herself n place.

"Yes," she finally whispered. "I understand. The next time I'm cornered, I'll come to you first."

I let out a breath.

"Good girl," I whispered. "That's my good girl."