Hudson’s POV
The private room on the second floor reeked of truffle oil and aged bourbon. The fancy scents were pleasant enough for humans, but almost nauseating for a wolf’s enhanced senses.
Cassian stepped forward with open arms, his trademark cocky grin spreading across his face.
"Finally decided to rejoin society, huh? You’ve been dodging these dinners like I’m trying to pitch you a tishare. You ntioned getting into dia, so I brought the heads of three major production companies.Heavy hitters. All with deep pockets."
I gave him a curt nod. "Fine."
As I walked into the room, my eyes automatically scanned everyone there.
Three n stood up imdiately, recognizing my status. Their expensive suits pulled tight across their fras, watches catching the light, smiles just a little too hungry.
Then I saw her.
Rowan Hale sat confidently at the head of the table in a wine-red blazer that made her pale skin glow. Her legs were crossed, stiletto heels looking sharp.
She stood slowly, a smile curving her lips.
Cassian noticed my expression and chuckled softly. "You two already know each other, right? Heard you ran into each other in Riverbend. She’s back in Highrise City now, thinking about signing with us. Figured dinner would be... helpful."
"We actually had dinner just a few days ago," Rowan said sweetly.
The producers’ attention snapped to us.
One straightened his tie with fake casualness.
Another leaned in, suddenly way more interested.
Cassian’s grin got wider. "Perfect, saves the awkward introductions. Should we sit?"
He gave a nudge from behind.
I stayed frozen for a beat, fighting down the growl that wanted to escape.
Nobody pushes an Alpha.
Then I moved forward deliberately and took the closest chair.
I avoided looking directly at Rowan.
I kept my answers short: quick hellos, surface-level questions that gave nothing away.
The n responded eagerly, but their words felt empty and aningless compared to Christina’s real excitent when she talked about her work.
The budgets they threw around, the projects they pitched, all of it seed hollow.
I stared at the fancy spread in front of .
Lobster, black cod, so pretentious beet salad with foam.
I didn’t touch any of it.
"Excuse ," I said suddenly, shoving my chair back harder than I ant to.
Cassian followed into the hallway. "What the hell, Hudson?"
"I needed air."
Cassian looked at my face, then pulled toward the corner stairs and out onto a small balcony.
Soone had stubbed out a cigarette on the railing.
"This about Rowan?" Cassian asked. "Didn’t know there was bad blood. Thought you two were cool."
"We’re not," I said, staring down at the street. "If I’d known she’d be here, I wouldn’t have shown up."
"Old drama between you two?"
"We were photographed the other night. Soone doctored the image to make it look like we were together."
Cassian winced. "Shit. That was with her?"
I nodded once, curtly.
"Great. Now I look like a complete moron," Cassian muttered, rubbing his forehead. "You think she set it up? Had soone tail you, take the photo? For publicity? I don’t need that kind of ss in my agency."
"That’s your theory, not mine," I replied evenly. "Sign her or don’t. Your call. Just keep her away from ."
"Got it."
The tension between us started to fade. Our packs had been allies too long to let this create a problem.
Cassian reached into his jacket, pulled out a pack of Cals, and held one out.
I shook my head. "I quit."
"Since when?"
My mouth twitched slightly. "A while back. Christina hates the sll."
Cassian’s cigarette trembled between his fingers.
He grimaced. "Perfect. Let light one just to punish myself. Since nobody gives a damn if I die of lung cancer."
He clamped down on the filter hard enough to dent it, flicked his lighter, and leaned against the railing next to .
Smoke drifted around his head in the night air.
I cocked my head. "Thought you were marrying the Rivera girl."
"Called it off," Cassian blew out hard. "She’s... too much trouble. Her and her family, I..."
He dove into a long rant, his voice getting louder with each word, hands waving around, swearing constantly.
The cigarette burned crooked between his fingers.
I listened without cutting him off. This was Cassian’s style, always dramatic, always needing to blow off steam.
After several minutes, his tirade finally wound down.
Cassian smacked my shoulder hard. "Figured you were done with after the Zoe ss. You and Emtt iced out of that bidding war, had cursing your na for a week. Don’t partner with that arrogant prick again. Stick with . You know how I work."
"You brought that on yourself," I shot back. "Stop screwing around with Ysolde Carlisle and we won’t have issues."
Cassian groaned. "It wasn’t even serious."
"It pissed Christina off. If my mate’s pissed, I have no interest in being around you."
"She wanted to rip Cassian’s throat out," Lycaon reminded with satisfaction.
Cassian raised his hand like he was taking a vow. "I’m done with Ysolde. Water under the bridge, I swear."
Footsteps clicked down the hallway.
Rowan Hale appeared in the doorway, looking perfectly put together.
"You’ve been out here forever. The room’s packed with industry heavyweights and I’m stuck grinning like so wannabe assistant."
Cassian looked at .
I stayed quiet, letting my face do the talking.
Cassian crushed out his cigarette. "Co on, let’s go back. At least say goodbye before you bail."
"Fine." I walked back in with Cassian next to , Rowan in front, her heavy perfu drifting back toward us, too fake compared to Christina’s orange blossom scent.
Back in the room, soone slid their phone across the table.
"Is this Alpha Hudson and Miss Hale? This just went up. Soone got a picture."
I looked at the screen.
Rowan stood next to in the photo, though we were clearly standing apart.
Neither of us was facing the cara.
But the angle was intentional, intimate, capturing my face completely despite my usual caution.
Cassian had been totally cut out.
The lighting showed it was taken indoors. The image quality was professionally crisp.
I looked at Rowan, my eyes getting narrow.
"Once is accident. Twice is on purpose," Lycaon growled.
Another guest leaned in, phone ready. "It’s picking up speed fast. Might be trending before we finish eating."
My face wasn’t public, but my na was known in business circles.
The online guessing had already started.
Cassian had his phone out, yelling orders at soone, probably his PR people.
Rowan let out a long breath. "Hudson, this is a nightmare. It wasn’t , I swear. I didn’t set anything up. How did they even get inside the building?"
She tapped the image, examining it. "This isn’t from outside. No window reflection, no shine. They had to be inside. Probably one of the other diners."
"They must still be here," one of the n pointed out. "That post went live less than two minutes ago."
Nobody needed more motivation.
All three producers jumped up at once, grabbing staff mbers, all acting like this wasn’t completely for my sake.
"Soone’s ssing with us, "Lycaon snarled. "And I hate being played."
Twelve minutes later, a young guy in a dark windbreaker got pushed through the door.
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