Christina’s POV
It was strange how Niall had completely disappeared after that phone call. He probably realized how ridiculous his accusations were. I’d pushed the whole ss out of my mind.
Today I needed to focus on attending Ysolde’s cousin’s wedding. Since it was such an important event for the Carlisle Pack, everyone who was anyone in Highrise City’s wolf community had been invited.
I was halfway through applying my eyeliner when Ysolde called, just after eight.
"Chrissy, want to pick you up?" Her voice bubbled with excitent through the speaker.
"No need," I wedged my phone between my ear and shoulder, reaching for my mascara. "It’s not even nine yet. The ceremony doesn’t start until noon. I’ll drive myself."
Her laughter spilled through the phone. "I’m already on my way. I couldn’t sleep a minute last night. Rachel’s wedding!"
"Fine, fine. I’ll see you there. I’ll find you when I arrive."
"Please do. Don’t leave alone with my mother’s side of the family."
Ysolde had been ecstatic about her cousin’s wedding for an entire week. She’d ntioned several tis that if it were her own child getting married, she’d be even more excited.
I believed her.
I arrived at the venue just before eleven, leaving plenty of ti before the ceremony. The mont Ysolde spotted , she grabbed my arm and dragged through a side hallway toward the bridal suite.
"Co on, let’s see if Rachel needs anything."
She didn’t.
Rachel had everything perfectly arranged—makeup artists, stylists, planners, hotel staff, plus a picky older woman who might have been the florist or just an opinionated aunt.
We stood there smiling like spare coat racks for about ten minutes before Rachel’s bridesmaids politely suggested we head downstairs.
When we returned, the ballroom was almost full.
Polished floors, crystal glasses, everything trimd with gold.
I didn’t even want to guess what those flower arrangents cost.
Ysolde leaned in, scanning the room. "Isn’t Alpha Hudson coming?"
"He’ll be here, just running late." I glanced at my phone. "He had a pack eting this morning, but said he’d co right after."
Rachel’s father had done so minor business with LGH last year.
Between that and my friendship with Rachel, Hudson would definitely make an appearance.
Ysolde and I lingered near the bar, trying not to stare longingly at the cocktails.
I turned to see Octavia Grey stride through the front doors in a silver dress, heels, and hair pulled back in a low chignon.
Phones imdiately appeared everywhere.
Half the room swiveled toward her.
I stepped away from Ysolde. "Miss Grey, I didn’t know you’d be attending."
Her eyes brightened when she saw . "How many tis do I have to tell you to call Octavia? Rachel and I were in school together. I’m actually giving a speech later."
A crowd was forming.
Those who weren’t filming her looked ready to crawl across the carpet for a selfie.
I tilted my head toward the back. "You’d better keep moving. You’re causing a traffic jam."
She grinned. "Right. I’ll go chat with Rachel for a bit. See you later."
She turned to leave, then spun back around, lowering her voice. "Wait, I have good news for you."
She grabbed my wrist and pulled into a corner behind a flower wall, away from people with caras.
"I heard about what happened with the Aureate Award."
I frowned. "Yeah. How did you know about that?"
How was my disqualification good news?
She snorted. "The sponsors are European. One of their subsidiary brands wants as their spokesperson. I spoke with them yesterday and your situation ca up."
"Oh."
Just hearing about it made everything co rushing back. I hadn’t cried when it happened, but when that phone call ca, I’d wanted to punch through my workbench.
Octavia noticed. She paused, then smiled like she’d been keeping a secret too long. "I got your position reinstated."
I froze. "Are you serious?"
"Of course. They want in their advertisents. They do whatever I say."
Gratitude surged, quickly followed by doubt.
"I don’t know how to thank you. But... what if people find out and say I pulled strings? What if they say I cheated my way in?"
Octavia scoffed. "The position was rightfully yours. I just helped you get it back. If you’d let Hudson handle it, he wouldn’t even have to speak. His beta could make one call and fix everything."
She nudged with her elbow. "I don’t understand why you didn’t ask him. It’s stupid to waste that kind of connection. Sorry to be blunt. Honestly, my first major role ca with his help, but can you say I cheated? Can you say I didn’t have the talent to deserve the opportunity?"
She was right.
Blunt, but factual.
I smiled. "Thank you so much."
"Don’t ntion it. Oh, they want as a judge too. I said yes. Sounds fun. Don’t be nervous when I’m scoring you."
"I won’t be. I’ve dealt with worse."
"Good. I’m going to find Rachel. You should hear from the organizers before the end of the day."
"Got it."
After she disappeared into the crowd, I turned to find Ysolde.
I’d barely told her the news when I heard soone near the appetizer table speak in a low voice.
"Who are they? God, he’s gorgeous."
We both glanced toward the entrance.
Cassian Langford had just walked in with a woman on his arm.
He wore a gray suit, perfectly tailored, with a crisp collar and hair slicked back without a single strand out of place.
There was a woman beside him. She was tall with flawless skin, wearing a light gray dress with sheer sleeves. Her arm was wrapped around his, her chest pressed against his side.
"I really wish Alpha Emtt had beaten him more severely," I said ruthlessly.
I looked at Ysolde.
She stared at the doorway like she’d forgotten how to blink.
This was her cousin’s wedding, her family’s celebration.
Akira stirred inside . "How dare he show up here. After what he did to Ysolde, he should be banned."
"I know," I thought back. "He’s deliberately trying to hurt her."
He just showed up like this, exactly how he wanted her to see him. Like he wanted to scare her.
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