Christina’s POV
Normal engaged couples do what? Kiss, cuddle, book fancy dinners, and tell everyone they know about their engagent.
Hudson, though? His idea of celebrating was having sex with nonstop in every corner of his mansion. I’d lost count of how many tis we’d done it—bathroom, balcony, pool, kitchen—in positions I didn’t even know existed. Each ti ended with passing out from orgasms, only to wake up to him kissing all over again.
The man was insatiable.
I finally shoved him off with what little strength I had left. "Hudson, do you even know what restraint ans?"
He just smiled and leaned in to kiss again. "We’re fated mates, Christina. Of course we’re more compatible in bed."
"That doesn’t excuse your behavior," I grumbled, rolling out of bed with muscles screaming from overuse.
Hudson swung his long legs off the bed and stood, pulling against his chest. "Engaged couples are supposed to have sex."
"Not this much."
"We’re making up for lost ti."
He carried to the closet, and if I’d had the energy, I would’ve rolled my eyes.
He dressed since my limbs had apparently forgotten how to function then brought to the shower, his hands wandering to places they shouldn’t.
"Seriously," I groaned, exhausted and annoyed. "You need help. Maybe see a doctor about your sex addiction."
Hudson kissed the back of my neck before pulling away, lathering soap in his hands to wash my back.
He was ridiculously energetic, more energetic than I’d ever seen him. Hudson had always been alert; running the largest wolf pack in the North and a massive company required serious energy. But his sexual appetite was off the charts, like a kid hopped up on sugar, chugging Fanta, and promised a trip to Disney World.
When he finished dressing , he kissed my cheek.
"I love you," he whispered.
My lips parted slightly.
My throat tightened.
The words wouldn’t co out.
I saw the hopeful look in his eyes. I knew exactly what he wanted.
But nothing ca out.
So I kissed him instead.
He straightened, slipping into his cold, proud Alpha deanor. "Let’s go downstairs for lunch."
Anyone watching would think he seed unfazed.
But guilt gnawed at , like I’d disappointed him sohow.
Maybe that’s why I didn’t object when he suggested June 6th for our wedding less than three months away.
Before that, though, I was headed to France.
Fabrizio’s offer had been too good to refuse.
Hudson said he supported , and in so ways, he did, at least on the surface.
But he looked at like I might disappear, fly sowhere beyond his reach, leaving him powerless to pull back.
If not for the endless to-do list of our wedding, he probably would’ve sent out all the invitations to every pack before dinner.
"Why do you look so distracted?" Hudson’s voice pulled from my thoughts as he set a plate of food in front of .
I shook my head. "Just thinking about France."
"Three days," he sighed, sitting across from . "I wish I could co with you."
"You said you’d visit once work settles down," I reminded him.
Akira stirred within . "He’s worried you’ll change your mind about the wedding."
"That’s ridiculous," I thought back. "Why would I?"
"Because you can’t even say ’I love you’ yet," she pointed out.
I shut her out and focused on Hudson. "I’ll be back before you know it."
"It’s not the sa," he muttered, stabbing at his steak.
Three days later, I was packed and ready for France.
Hudson had planned to join , but work had buried him.
He promised he’d co as soon as he could escape, whenever that might be.
The morning of my flight, he insisted on driving to the airport himself.
We pulled up to the curb, and I reached for the door handle, but he caught my wrist. "What’s the rush? You’ve got plenty of ti."
He was stalling. Obviously.
If Hudson had his way, I’d miss my flight, spend another two days tangled in his sheets, and he’d act surprised when I "accidentally" extended my stay.
He leaned over to kiss again.
Stockpiling greetings and goodbyes for the next ten days.
When he finally let go, I could barely breathe.
I pushed against his chest, gasping. "Stop it, for Moon Goddess’s sake. Let go or I’ll miss my damn flight."
"It’s still early."
"No, it’s not." I waved my phone in front of his face. "Look, boarding starts in less than thirty minutes."
He didn’t budge. "The gate is only minutes away."
"Still cutting it close."
Hudson had been unusually clingy lately.
He never sulked or complained; that wasn’t his style.
But recently, he’d drag out breakfast, stick to at night even when we ran out of condoms, and steal glances when he thought I wasn’t looking.
I understood now what a real proposal ant to him.
Our fake marriage had been a business transaction, a contract.
But this was real, the kind of trust where you put your life in soone else’s hands. I’d truly be his Luna, taking on pack responsibilities, bearing heirs, raising cubs.
I couldn’t help wondering if the pressure of being Luna had made book that flight to Paris.
I pulled away, hopped out of the car, and went to retrieve my suitcase from the trunk.
Hudson snatched it from my hands and walked through the sliding doors, fingers laced with mine.
"You could take my private jet. Then you wouldn’t have to leave so early."
"We’ve been through this. I can’t show up in a private jet with a personal chauffeur at my new office. I haven’t even t the team yet. What would they think?"
"How long will you be gone?" he asked, ignoring my point.
"No set date," I said. "Fabrizio’s been communicating with via phone and email. He wants at headquarters. When I co ho depends on what issues we resolve and how quickly I finish the new designs."
"Keep your distance from him when you’re there. I’ll visit when I can."
I gave him an amused glance. "Afraid I’ll run off with so handso Frenchman?"
"Terrified," Hudson answered, not even pretending to joke. "I need to keep an eye on you."
"Relax," I scoffed. "Fabrizio only cares about business. We’re just colleagues."
His grip on my hand tightened. "He’s single and male. Of course I’m concerned."
"Don’t you trust ?" I countered.
"Just be careful in France. Don’t go too wild. Call every day..."
"I know, I know," I cut him off, rolling my eyes. "You sound like a dad sending his kid to school for the first ti."
"You should let hire you an assistant," Hudson said, frowning.
"I’m a big girl, Hudson. I don’t need a babysitter. I’m working with a jewelry designer, not planning a hostile takeover."
"Now that you ntion it..." Hudson paused thoughtfully.
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