Christina’s POV
"Hudson, tell why? Why on earth did you get engaged to her? You told you had no one you loved, that you’d never love anyone. That’s why I left, because I knew you wouldn’t love either. But now... why? Why her?"
Genevieve looked like Hudson had personally stabbed her in the back and twisted the knife.
I leaned against the wall, not even trying to hide my eavesdropping.
This should be interesting.
"Genevieve, I don’t owe you explanations. Stop making a scene." Hudson’s voice was arctic, completely devoid of warmth.
I frowned, watching their interaction closely.
If it had been any other woman pulling this stunt, Hudson would’ve had security escort her out faster than she could blink. At minimum, he wouldn’t be standing there listening to her whine. He didn’t smile at her, true, but he wasn’t walking away either.
"What the hell?" Akira growled in my mind. "Why is he even entertaining this conversation?"
"I heard all about her from Cassian," Genevieve continued. "He told everything. It’s just a convenience engagent, isn’t it? You only did it to get your family off your back. But now that your grandfather has passed and you’ve taken full control of The Sabreridge pack, you don’t need her anymore, right? Why stay engaged? Even if you wanted to repay so favor, you didn’t need to propose. Why her?" Her voice cracked as she spoke, tears sliding down her perfectly made-up cheeks.
Hudson remained silent.
I knew he wasn’t one to waste words explaining himself. But damn it, I wanted him to speak up this ti—to tell her he hadn’t proposed out of gratitude, that what began as a fake engagent wasn’t fake anymore.
"Hudson, my ankle. I think I twisted it. It hurts so much..." Genevieve suddenly stumbled forward, collapsing against him.
The mont I saw her fling herself into his arms, I’d seen enough. I turned and walked away, my blood boiling.
I didn’t need to stick around to know he’d push her aside without hesitation. At least, that’s what I told myself.
After taking a slow lap around the garden to cool off, the night chill finally drove back indoors.
As I stepped into the banquet hall, I nearly collided with Hudson. His face was stormy, jaw tight, like sothing heavy weighed on his mind.
Was it Genevieve’s tears that bothered him? Was that why he looked so grim?
"Where did you go? I told you not to wander off." His eyes locked onto mine, voice cool and scolding.
"Since when do you get to police my movents?" My temper flared instantly. The image of him with Genevieve in his arms was still fresh in my mind, and now he had the nerve to lecture ?
Hudson must have caught the edge in my voice. He grabbed my hand, his tone softening. "What’s wrong? You sound upset."
His change in tone cooled my anger slightly. "I ran into a creep and didn’t want him following , so I went outside for so air."
It was a hint. I’d gone outside. I’d seen him with Genevieve. Surely an Alpha as sharp as Hudson could read between the lines and offer an explanation.
"Don’t wander off again. What if you got lost?" His eyes had softened, the scolding gone from his voice.
But he said nothing about Genevieve.
"And you? Where were you just now?" I tilted my head, eting his gaze directly.
"I noticed you’d disappeared, so I went looking for you," he replied simply.
So that was it. He wasn’t going to acknowledge what happened. I’d given him the chance, and he’d chosen silence.
His problem, not mine.
"Go handle your business. I’m getting sothing to eat." I turned toward the buffet table, my appetite returning despite my irritation.
I had barely reached the food when a waiter balancing a tray of drinks collided with . The entire tray emptied over my dress, soaking the fabric and making it cling uncomfortably to my skin.
"I’m so sorry! I’m so, so sorry..." The waiter turned ghostly pale as he stamred apology after apology.
"What happened?" Hudson appeared beside us in an instant, his Alpha presence making the waiter shrink further.
"It’s nothing. He didn’t an it, just bumped into . Spilled wine, that’s all." I tried calming both of them. "No harm done. Go on, get back to work. Just watch where you’re going next ti."
The waiter looked ready to burst into tears. "Yes, yes of course. Thank you... I’m really sorry."
"What’s going on here?" Genevieve’s voice cut through the mont as she approached us.
My jaw clenched. I didn’t like this woman, but I forced on a polite smile. "Nothing important."
"But your dress is completely soaked. You must be uncomfortable." Her eyes took in my ruined outfit with fake sympathy. "Why don’t I take you upstairs to change? I brought two gowns, and we’re about the sa size. You can borrow one of mine if you don’t mind." Genevieve smiled warmly, the picture of generosity.
"As if I’d wear anything of hers." Akira snorted.
"What happened?" Cassian joined our little group. "Christina’s dress is ruined. She should change."
Hudson nodded. "I’ll take you to the upstairs lounge."
"I’ll take her," Genevieve jumped in quickly. "Soone’s waiting to talk to you, and besides, it’s easier with another woman." She was already on her phone, instructing soone to fetch her spare dress.
"Go ahead, I’ll handle this. She’s your fiancée, which makes her practically family," Genevieve said with a smile that seed harmless but set off all my internal alarms.
"Let Genevieve go with her," Cassian added. "There’s soone important I want you to et."
"What, you don’t trust ? Don’t worry, I have no interest in won," Genevieve joked with a wink.
"Thanks, but I have another dress in the car," I replied smoothly.
Whatever ga she was playing, whether she’d set up the waiter or it was just a coincidence. I couldn’t be bothered to care. But I definitely wasn’t going to wear her clothes or let her get anywhere near alone.
"I’ll co with you," Hudson stated firmly, in a tone that left no room for argunt.
"Don’t worry, I think I can handle changing clothes on my own," I said, already planning my escape from this increasingly awkward situation.
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