Christina’s POV
Naomi leaned forward. "Here’s what I’ll do. I’ll show Ryan this bank statent and ask him point blank why he transferred money to so woman nad Catherine. I’ll even suggest he’s keeping a mistress." She smirked, looking pleased with her plan. "He’ll panic, try to explain himself, and I’ll get the truth."
I nodded. "Thank you so much. I hate dumping this on you while you’re pregnant, but I can’t let it go until I know for sure."
"Don’t worry about it," Naomi squeezed my hand. "And try not to overthink everything. I’m sure Hudson had his reasons."
Her expression softened. "Look, I can tell he truly cares about you. From what Ryan’s told , Hudson and Genevieve grew up together. Maybe he just wanted to give her another chance."
I pushed my food around my plate. "I really hope I’m wrong about all this."
"Promise sothing," Naomi said firmly. "Once I get the truth from Ryan, talk to Hudson directly. Ask him why. Marriages need trust, especially mate bonds. Just give him a chance to explain."
"Okay," I agreed. "God, I’m so glad I have you."
"What are friends for?" Her face turned serious. "Besides, at that party, if you hadn’t caught when I fell, I might have lost the baby." She placed a protective hand over her bump. "Every ti I think about it, my heart just stops. We got so lucky, thanks to you."
"I barely did anything. And it was partially my fault anyway."
"Let’s not rehash that. We’re friends, Christina. You can always co to with anything. I’ll always help." The sincerity in her voice was unmistakable.
"Thanks."
"Now eat," she commanded, pushing my plate closer. "You look like you need food more than I do right now."
We spent the next hour eating and talking. Naomi was cheerful and animated, but I couldn’t match her mood. My heart felt like a stone in my chest, heavy with doubt and hurt.
Later that evening, my phone chid with a text.
Naomi: [Asked Ryan. It’s true. Hudson did get him to transfer money to Catherine.]
It wasn’t her fault, but the confirmation still felt like a knife to my gut. I sent back a quick thank you.
Another ssage followed: [Ryan told Hudson. Sorry, I asked him not to, but you know how stubborn he gets.]
My phone rang almost imdiately. Hudson.
"Christina, where are you?" His voice was tense.
"At a friend’s place," I replied flatly. "She got so bad news and isn’t doing well, so I’m staying with her tonight." My voice was deliberately distant, stripped of any warmth.
"So you’re not coming ho?"
"No. I was about to call you actually, but you beat to it. Don’t wait up. I might stay with her for a few days." I couldn’t face him yet. Not when everything felt so raw.
All this ti, I’d believed Hudson was too good for . He wasn’t much of a talker and could seem cold to outsiders, but his love had always felt fierce and real. It almost made feel unworthy sotis.
But I never thought he would help Genevieve lie to . Never imagined he’d find a scapegoat just to cover for her.
"You can stay one night," he said. "But I expect you ho tomorrow."
"Alright." I didn’t have energy to fight.
"Take care of yourself."
"I will. Bye." I hung up quickly.
I hadn’t lied to Hudson—I really was at a friend’s.
Ysolde had taken in without questions when I’d shown up at her door, eyes red from crying.
"Why didn’t you just ask him?" Akira growled inside my head. "Ask him why he did it?"
I gave a weak smile. "What’s the point? If he wanted to explain, he would have. If he really cared, he’d be worried that I found out. He’d try to explain himself. But he didn’t say anything."
"But he’s always been so good to you," Akira insisted.
"I don’t know anymore," I whispered. "Maybe he’s found soone more worthy of his attention." I laughed bitterly. "Maybe I should just be grateful it lasted this long. An Alpha like Hudson... he was always out of my league."
Maybe I should have known better. Nobody’s perfect. Why did I ever think Hudson could be?
I splashed cold water on my face and headed back to the living room where Ysolde was waiting with two glasses of wine.
"Well, if you’re convinced he’s betrayed you, you should divorce him," Ysolde said bluntly, handing a glass. "There are plenty of decent wolves out there. No point wasting your ti on the wrong one."
As my best friend, Ysolde had always been team ’break up,’ not ’make up.’ She lived by that rule herself, changing boyfriends faster than most people changed their Instagram profiles. The second a new guy showed any flaw she didn’t like, she was done. No second chances.
A part of had always admired how decisive she was, how easily she could walk away.
I thought I was like that too—at least, I had been with Niall. I ended things cleanly and never looked back.
So why was I hesitating now with Hudson?
"It’s late. I should get so sleep," I murmured, heading toward the guest bedroom.
Ysolde caught my arm. "You know, most wolves would kill to have what you and Hudson have. You’re fated mates, Christina. Why can’t you just be straight with him?"
I yanked my arm away. "You of all people should understand why."
Her expression softened as she rembered what Niall had put through. "I do. But Hudson isn’t Niall."
"I need ti to think," I said, turning away.
"You can’t run from this forever!" she called after . "If you keep avoiding him, I’m dragging your ass to therapy. This pattern of running when things get tough has to stop!"
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