Christina’s POV
Hudson nodded quietly.
A pleased smile touched Geoffrey’s lips. "Good. I’ll leave you to it. Just ring when you’re finished."
He hesitated for a mont, then added, "Luna Christina, it’s so good to have you back. You should have seen Alpha Hudson while you were gone. I’ve never seen him like that. He just looked... utterly lost, he really did."
That word, ’lost’, felt like a cold blade slipping between my ribs.
There it was again, that ache for him.
"Goddess, I’m such an idiot," I thought. This man had repeatedly hurt over Genevieve, and here I was, feeling sorry for him.
"Geoffrey, that’s enough. You can go. I’ll call if we need anything," Hudson said firmly.
"Of course, of course. Just ring if you need ," Geoffrey replied quickly.
I only drank the soup, leaving the other dishes untouched. My appetite hadn’t fully returned, and honestly, my mind was too busy churning with thoughts to focus on eating.
When I’d finished, Hudson spoke softly. "Rest for a bit, then take your dicine. After that, get so more sleep. You’ll feel better by tomorrow. I know you’re worried about your studio, but you can only go back to work when you’re well and have your strength back. Understood?"
"I know." I didn’t ntion Genevieve anymore. What was the point? He’d made his position clear through his silence.
After our al, he watched take the pills and then urged to lie down. "Try to sleep. I’m just going to take a quick shower."
I watched him leave, my eyes trailing his movents until he disappeared into the bathroom.
I knew Hudson was trying his best to make things right, but a wounded heart isn’t fixed with a few kind gestures and so soup.
I must have been truly exhausted, and the fever still had its grip on , because I was already asleep by the ti he finished his shower.
I woke up to find myself in Hudson’s arms, my skin damp and sticky with sweat. I’d been sleeping so fitfully that I was drenched, and yet he’d held onto the whole ti.
Maybe it was the sweat finally breaking my fever, or maybe it was just the deep sleep, but whatever the reason, I felt noticeably more clear-headed.
"You’re awake?" His voice was a low, rough whisper against my hair.
"Mmhmm. I’m all sweaty. I feel disgusting. I need a shower." I shifted uncomfortably in his arms.
"You shouldn’t shower straight after sweating like that. You’ll catch a chill."
I frowned. "I’m having a shower."
He tried to talk out of it, but I was adamant. Finally, he let go.
When I ca out, he wasn’t in bed.
He’d probably gone to his study to deal with work. He must have let so much pile up over the past few days while he was searching for and then looking after . The sacrifice was undeniably significant for an Alpha of his standing.
But even this version of him, who was willing to make such grand sacrifices to find and care for , still wouldn’t punish Genevieve for what she’d done.
Did that an her place in his heart was far more important than I had ever imagined?
I changed into fresh clothes, found my new phone, and sent a text to Ysolde to give her the new number.
Her call ca through almost instantly, asking if I was feeling any better.
"I’m okay," I told her. "The fever’s broken."
"Well, thank God for that. I wanted to co over yesterday, but I was afraid that terrifying mate of yours wouldn’t let in." Once she was satisfied on that front, her tone turned serious. "So, have you really thought it through? You’re going to stay with him?"
"I haven’t decided yet," I said, running my fingers through my damp hair.
Ysolde muttered sothing under her breath, no doubt another complaint about not having a backbone.
The truth is, that’s just how I am. On the surface, I seem decisive, like I can get things done in a flash. But when it cos to matters of the heart, I’m all hesitation and second guesses.
It was the sa back then with Niall. I knew perfectly well that Beatrice was the only one on his mind, but I still couldn’t bring myself to let go. We just kept torturing each other, trapped in that cycle, until his slap finally jolted awake.
And now, what Genevieve has done to , not just once but several tis, has hurt far more than Niall’s slap ever did.
So why can’t I just steel myself and leave Hudson?
"Because he’s our mate," Akira answered sadly. "And because despite everything, we still love him."
"Well, you keep thinking about it, then," Ysolde said with a sigh. "When you’ve made up your mind, let know. I’ve got a list of golden bachelors ready to go. Every one of them has a six-pack, a net worth in the billions, and looks that absolutely pass muster."
I had to laugh. "They’re not all your ex-boyfriends, are they?"
"Of course not," she retorted. "I told you, they’re bachelors."
"Does that list include your brother, Emtt?"
"I’d love to add him to the mix, but you said you weren’t interested last ti, rember?"
"I didn’t say I wasn’t interested. I said I wasn’t good enough for him." I fidgeted with the edge of my shirt, suddenly feeling awkward about this conversation.
"So, you ARE interested, then?" she pressed.
I was just about to answer when Hudson ca into the room.
"That’s not what I ant," I said quickly to Ysolde. "Gotta go now. Talk to you later."
I hung up, dropping the phone onto the bed like it had suddenly burned .
"Who was that?" Hudson asked.
"Ysolde."
"I thought I heard Emtt’s na." His jaw tightened.
I stared at him. "Were you eavesdropping?"
"No." Hudson looked at steadily. "Why are you so defensive?"
"I get defensive when I get grilled about private phone calls." I crossed my arms over my chest.
"I’m not grilling you." His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Sure sounds like it." I held his gaze, refusing to back down. If he wasn’t going to address the elephant in the room about Genevieve, he didn’t get to question about innocent phone conversations.
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