Free Web NovelChapter 146: Chapter 146 Tangled in Contracts and Feelings
Christina’s POV
The moment I heard footsteps, I cracked the door open just enough to see Franklin flying down the stairs like his tail was on fire. His expression was unreadable, I couldn’t tell if he’d gotten what he wanted or if Hudson had kicked him to the curb.
I stepped out into the hallway just as Hudson came out from his study.
"Your heart is beating like a hummingbird’s wings," Akira observed in my mind.
"I can’t let Hudson be manipulated by Franklin," I replied silently.
I rushed toward him. "Did you check your phone? Tell me you didn’t actually give him that contract. Please say you didn’t agree to work with that sketchy shipping company."
Hudson continued walking straight toward the stairs without answering.
What did that silence mean?
My stomach clenched. I didn’t know all the details of his business dealings, but Franklin was as slippery as they came.
"Wait, seriously? You didn’t fall for it, did you? He’ll screw you over if you trust him. Did you really not see my messages?"
Still nothing. Not a single word.
He started down the stairs.
I followed right on his heels, breathing down his neck. The staircase was narrow and slick, and I was barefoot.
So desperate for answers, I wasn’t watching my step. I stepped hard on the back of his shoe.
The moment I lost my balance, my arms shot out. I grabbed his arm to keep from tumbling down.
His reflexes were incredible. Before I could even fully fall, he’d caught me, reaching back with one arm to wrap around my waist and pull me against him.
Then he shifted his position and scooped me up with one arm, carrying me down the stairs.
"You actually tripped over yourself," he said, almost teasingly. "What do you do when I’m not around? Walk straight into traffic?"
When he lifted me, my stomach dropped—brief and weightless, my body not quite catching up.
Then I was pressed against his warm, solid chest, my cheek brushing against his collar.
The scent of cedar mixed with his unique smell enveloped me. Calming.
Without thinking, I wrapped my arms around his neck.
My ears started burning.
"Put me down," I muttered. "I can walk."
His arm remained firmly around my back.
He glanced down at me.
My hair was falling across my face, and I hadn’t had time to fix it.
I must have looked a mess. Nearly falling down the stairs and now being carried in his arms.
I was still catching my breath after almost eating the staircase.
His gaze lingered for a moment.
I averted my eyes. "What are you looking at?"
He didn’t answer, just kept walking straight through the hallway and into the kitchen, still carrying me.
He poured water with one hand while holding me with the other.
When he finally set me down, he didn’t let go until both my feet were firmly on the ground.
"You followed me all the way down here," he said, raising a glass. "Thirsty?"
He took a long drink.
As he swallowed, his throat moved, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down.
I forced myself to refocus on what mattered. Franklin. The contract.
I stepped back and ran my fingers through my hair, tucking the messy strands behind my ears.
"Don’t change the subject," I accused. "I didn’t follow you for water. I asked if you saw my messages."
He smiled again. A knowing smile.
What was so funny?
"He’s mocking us," Akira grumbled.
"Not just mocking," I thought. "He’s deliberately making me anxious."
I turned away. "Whatever. If you want to get involved with the Crescent Pack, that’s your business. It’s your company."
He laughed from behind me.
"Didn’t I get involved with your pack when I made you my contracted mate and companion?"
I stopped, turning back to glare at him.
He reached out and grabbed me, pulling me back toward him again.
"Are you angry now?" he asked casually, handing me a fresh glass. "What if I did decide to work with Franklin? Would you rage? Would you stomp on my head instead of just my foot?"
He found this amusing. I was worried sick, and he was treating it like entertainment.
I scoffed, lifting my chin. "Do whatever you want. My opinion hasn’t stopped you before."
He paused, a smile tugging at his lips.
"Relax. I didn’t. I wouldn’t make any deals with him."
I exhaled.
The pressure in my chest vanished, then returned with twice the force.
Wait. He knew all along he wouldn’t work with Franklin? Why let me worry for so long?
"Then why didn’t you say so earlier? I thought he’d suckered you in with his pathetic fake promotional materials."
"I saw your messages."
"You didn’t reply."
"I was busy." frёewebηovel.cѳm
"Busy watching me panic," I thought.
That smug tone made it worse.
I glared. "You weren’t busy, you just didn’t want to respond."
He didn’t deny it.
At least he was honest. Annoying, but honest.
"Was it fun watching me type like a maniac? My fingers still hurt." I complained.
I drank half my glass in one go. The water was ice cold, stinging the roof of my mouth.
I wanted to throw the rest in his face.
I didn’t.
"But we want to," Akira said.
"Control yourself," I warned her.
"You don’t need to be so worked up," he said, his tone finally softening. "I saw everything, read everything, and heard everything. I didn’t work with him. So what are you actually angry about?"
I set down my glass.
I shouldn’t be angry. He’d done the right thing. But the unnecessary way he’d made me worry was infuriating.
"I’m not angry. It’s your company. My thoughts don’t matter."
"Don’t they?" Hudson grabbed my wrist and pulled me back half a step, his grip firm. "You’re my mate. What you say goes. If you don’t want me working with the Crescent Pack, I won’t."
"Hmm."
"I’ll have Beta Dominic draft a formal notice tomorrow. LGH and all its subsidiaries will sever ties with the Crescent Pack’s shipping company and any affiliated businesses. Would that work?"
Now he was going to the other extreme.
I smacked his arm. "Moon Goddess, calm down. That crappy company doesn’t need a boycott campaign. Just don’t touch it, that’s enough."
Then I poked his chest. "And I’m not your mate."
Technically I was. But that was just a contractual arrangement.
Before he could say anything smug, I turned and raced back upstairs.
