Christina’s POV
From the delicate curve of the setting to the custom clasp detail,I’d bet my sketchbook it was designed from scratch. And unless Hudson had been carrying it around for fun, it ant he’d pulled this together in the last few hours.
For .
My chest tightened as my lungs forgot how to function properly.
Then he leaned in closer, and suddenly the side of my ear went warm. Sothing light and soft brushed against . Like lips. But it was gone so fast I wasn’t sure it had happened.
My stomach fluttered with butterflies.
He reached forward and gently secured the necklace around my neck, his fingers brushing against my skin with deliberate care.
"That brooch didn’t suit you," he said, voice deep and smooth like aged whiskey. "This fits better. You like it?"
I managed to find my voice, just barely. "Yeah... I like it."
I hadn’t even seen what it looked like on , but I didn’t need a mirror to know it was stunning. It was the kind of piece that made people stop mid-sentence,the type that would make Violet seethe with jealousy.
Hudson gave a little satisfied smile.
Then his eyes flicked to the ring box still sitting on my lap.
"So I gave you a gift," he said,"Aren’t you ant to give one too?"
I blinked.
I had no idea gift-exchanging was part of the program.This wasn’t in our fake marriage contract.
"But I didn’t prepare anything," I said, fidgeting. "Can I get you sothing in a few days?"
"But you have one ready," he said, tapping the ring box with a finger. "Give this."
"What?" I sat up straight, clutching the box tighter. "No, I—"
That ring was from my grandmother.She’d left it to when I was just a pup, before my parents had decided I was worth less than Beatrice.I’d planned to keep it, maybe redesign it one day. Definitely not give it away to soone who was rely my temporary husband.
"Let’s see what it is," he pressed, his tone gentle but persistent.
I reluctantly opened the box.The gold band sat quietly inside, old but elegant. It wasn’t pure gold. Silvery floral designs circled the band, shimring when they caught the light at the right angle.
Hudson’s gaze dipped. "This one’s nice."
I shrugged, downplaying its value. "It’s an old style. Not worth much. Probably not your thing."
"But I think it looks good."
His tone was easy and casual, like he hadn’t just put on the spot. He didn’t push again, which sohow made it worse. Now if I didn’t give it to him, I’d look petty after he’d just gifted sothing worth a small fortune.
I hesitated. Overthought. Stared at his annoyingly handso face while he sat there pretending to be totally chill.
When the silence stretched too long, he said, "If the ring’s too valuable and you’d rather get sothing else for , I understand. It’s fine."
I turned to look at him.
Too valuable? He must be kidding, and he knew it. The grandidierite necklace he gave was worth a hundred of this ring.
His face was calm, sa as always, but there was this... quiet sort of disappointnt in his eyes that tugged at my heart, like I might actually hurt him by saying no.
Goddammit.
I shoved the box toward him. "Fine. But don’t regret it."
"I won’t." He took the ring, waited, looked at expectantly.
When I made no move to put the ring on for him, he slid it onto his ring finger himself. It was a little snug, but still looked good on him, because of course it did. Everything looked good on an Alpha of his caliber.
I bit down on my lip. "Might be too small. I can get a new one."
Hudson held up his hand and turned it, checking it out like he’d just scored sothing from a private auction. "Fits fine."
"...Right."
The engine kicked on with a quiet purr. I told him to drop at Nyx Collective.
On the way, I said, "You don’t have to keep calling Miss Vance, by the way. Especially not in front of people. If we’re doing this fake marriage thing, we might as well commit to the bit."
Hudson glanced at , the corner of his mouth twitching. "What should I call you instead? Mrs. Laurent?"
I rolled my eyes,"Just call by my na."
He nodded, his eyes never leaving the road. "Christina? Or... Chrissy?"
I felt that.
Like an actual physical reaction.
Full-body static, tingly as hell. Just one word and my brain went straight to the gutter, like zero detours.
I could totally picture him saying my na like that in bed, slow and low, all heat and hands and ssed-up sheets.I clamped my legs together on reflex and stared hard out the car window, praying he hadn’t scented my sudden arousal.
"Yeah... Chrissy’s... Chrissy’s fine."
We were about halfway there when he asked,"Still not doing the mating ceremony?"
"Mating ceremony?" I blinked. "Yeah. Still a no."
This whole thing was a contract with a one-year expiration date. A mating ceremony would’ve turned it into front-page fodder for weeks, and worse, made feel like I was actually getting the fairy tale I’d once dread of with Niall. Only this ti, I knew better than to believe in happily ever afters.
He went quiet for a second, then said, "Alright. Whatever you want."
The ntion of the mating ceremony reminded of why he’d agreed to go along with this charade.
I turned to him. "When are we visiting your grandfather?"
"What?" He seed montarily thrown off.
"You said he wanted to see you get married before he... I’d have thought he’d want to et ."
"That... Right, he would love to et you," Hudson recovered smoothly. "I’ll talk to his, ah, doctors and see about arranging a visit."
"Is he staying at a hospital then?"
"A sanatorium. His condition doesn’t permit him to move about much."
"I should bring sothing," I said, ntally running through appropriate gifts for an ailing Alpha. "What kind of presents will he like?"
A smile entered his voice. "Your presence alone will suffice to make his day. That, and the mating ceremony certificate."
"Got it." I couldn’t tear my eyes off the rearview mirror.
The pendant necklace looked like sothing I’d have designed in a fever dream—if I had fifty years of experience, a royal jeweler for a ntor, and spent my childhood playing dress-up with the Crown Jewels.
Wait. Not our mate.My business partner.This temporary arrangent was just that—temporary.
The car slowed as we neared Nyx Collective.
"Give a sec." I took out the marriage certificate, snapped a couple photos.
Hudson glanced over, one eyebrow raised in question.
I gave a sheepish grin. "Promised Ysolde I’d text her as soon as we got it done. Forgot earlier."
He just humd.
Once the car stopped, I jumped out, eager to escape the confines of the vehicle.
As I walked off, I caught a glimpse of Hudson still sitting there, holding his own certificate like he was reading between the lines, the grandmother’s ring glinting on his finger as he turned his hand in the sunlight.
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