Chapter 0085
Max’s Voice cut through the tension in the room. “He met your cousin.”
Walter’s brows shot up. “Irene?”
Max nodded, the words heavy with implication. “Yeah. Irene.”
Walter felt his stomach churn. He knew Irene was beautiful, but she didn’t compare to Judy—not even close. And yet, Ethan had chosen Irene. It made no sense. His wolf, bound to his fated mate, wouldn’t be so careless—unless there was something more at play here.
“That doesn’t make sense,” Walter muttered, shaking his head in disbelief.
Max shrugged, clearly just as confused. “I don’t get it either. But one day, he met Irene, and the next thing anyone knew, he was proposing to her.”
Walter’s frown deepened. “You couldn’t find out a reason why?”
“There’s nothing documented about it,” Max said, a trace of frustration in his voice. “If there’s a reason, he’s keeping it locked tight.”
Walter’s eyes narrowed. He didn’t need Max to tell him why. It was clear as day: Ethan’s hunger for power. Irene was the daughter of Gavin Landry, one of the most powerful Lycan chairmen in the world. By marrying her, Ethan could secure a path to becoming Alpha.
But to leave his fated mate for something as shallow as that? It sickened Walter.
Did Judy know? Did Irene? Did anyone see Ethan’s betrayal for what it really was?
The questions gnawed at him. He couldn’t tell Judy the truth—not yet. It would hurt her more than it would help. But one thing was certain: Walter wasn’t going to let Ethan hurt her anymore. He would protect her, even if it meant stepping into a battle that wasn’t his to fight.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen…
“I’m guessing you’re done with tutoring already?” Irene asked, glancing over as Matt entered, sweat still glistening on his forehead from his sparring session.
Irene sat at the counter, snacking on some fruit, while Ethan lounged beside her, scrolling through his phone. The air was thick with the remnants of their previous argument. Ethan had spent the night convincing Irene that his intense staring at Judy had no significance—that it was nothing more than an accident. Eventually, Irene relented, choosing to believe him despite the discomfort gnawing at her. She loved him, after all, and would do anything to stay by his side—even if it meant ignoring her doubts.
But now, the evening had settled into the mundane routine of wedding planning. The big day was fast approaching, and there was still so much left to do.
Matt grabbed a water bottle from the fridge and took a long gulp. “Yeah,” he answered between breaths. “Judy and Walter are going on another date tonight, so we ended our session early.”
Ethan’s head snapped up at the mention of Walter’s name. His eyes narrowed.
Third Person POV
“They are going on another date?” Ethan asked, his voice clipped, as though he had just been slapped.
Matt nodded, completely oblivious to Ethan’s building tension. “Yeah. He’s taking her to some night gallery. She just left to get dressed.”
Irene, ever the optimist, smiled thoughtfully. “I’m glad he’s taking a liking to her. They both could use some good people in their lives. Maybe we could do a double date sometime?”
Her words barely registered with Ethan. Instead, he fixated on one detail—the mention of Walter.
“Does your father know that Walter is taking Judy out?” Ethan asked, ignoring Irene’s suggestion.
Matt frowned slightly, unsure of where Ethan was going with this. “He isn’t home yet. Walter said he’ll talk to him later about it. But who knows? Dad can be scary.”
“I’ll be right back,” Ethan said abruptly, standing up. “I need to use the restroom.”
Irene nodded, and she and Matt fell into conversation about Judy and Walter. But as soon as Ethan was out of earshot, he made his way to the parlor, desperate to catch Judy before she left. Her scent lingered faintly in the air, a sign that she couldn’t have gone far—she had just been here.
The voice that interrupted his thoughts came from the corner of the parlor.
“Going somewhere?” Walter’s deep voice was laced with quiet menace.
Ethan froze, his pulse spiking. He turned slowly to find Walter leaning casually against the wall, arms crossed, his gaze unwavering.
“Where I go isn’t your concern,” Ethan replied through gritted teeth.
Walter’s expression remained unreadable, but his voice dropped to a cold, cutting tone. “It is when I know exactly who you’re looking for.” He took a step forward, his eyes never leaving Ethan’s. “Tell me, Ethan—does my cousin know that you’re ditching her to find another woman?”
Ethan’s gaze burned with fury, but he refused to be intimidated. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Walter scoffed, a dry laugh escaping his lips. “Don’t I?” He took another step closer, his presence overwhelming. “Irene might not know where you’re heading right now, but does she know that Judy is your fated mate? Or that she’s nothing but a pawn in your little game?”
