Free Web NovelChapter 165: Chapter 165 Requalified
Christina’s POV
It was strange how Niall had completely disappeared after that phone call. He probably realized how ridiculous his accusations were. I’d pushed the whole mess out of my mind.
Today I needed to focus on attending Ysolde’s cousin’s wedding. Since it was such an important event for the Carlisle Pack, everyone who was anyone in Highrise City’s wolf community had been invited.
I was halfway through applying my eyeliner when Ysolde called, just after eight.
"Chrissy, want me to pick you up?" Her voice bubbled with excitement through the speaker.
"No need," I wedged my phone between my ear and shoulder, reaching for my mascara. "It’s not even nine yet. The ceremony doesn’t start until noon. I’ll drive myself."
Her laughter spilled through the phone. "I’m already on my way. I couldn’t sleep a minute last night. Rachel’s wedding!"
"Fine, fine. I’ll see you there. I’ll find you when I arrive."
"Please do. Don’t leave me alone with my mother’s side of the family."
Ysolde had been ecstatic about her cousin’s wedding for an entire week. She’d mentioned several times that if it were her own child getting married, she’d be even more excited.
I believed her.
I arrived at the venue just before eleven, leaving plenty of time before the ceremony. The moment Ysolde spotted me, she grabbed my arm and dragged me through a side hallway toward the bridal suite.
"Come on, let’s see if Rachel needs anything."
She didn’t.
Rachel had everything perfectly arranged—makeup artists, stylists, planners, hotel staff, plus a picky older woman who might have been the florist or just an opinionated aunt.
We stood there smiling like spare coat racks for about ten minutes before Rachel’s bridesmaids politely suggested we head downstairs.
When we returned, the ballroom was almost full.
Polished floors, crystal glasses, everything trimmed with gold. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com
I didn’t even want to guess what those flower arrangements cost.
Ysolde leaned in, scanning the room. "Isn’t Alpha Hudson coming?"
"He’ll be here, just running late." I glanced at my phone. "He had a pack meeting this morning, but said he’d come right after."
Rachel’s father had done some minor business with LGH last year.
Between that and my friendship with Rachel, Hudson would definitely make an appearance.
Ysolde and I lingered near the bar, trying not to stare longingly at the cocktails.
I turned to see Octavia Grey stride through the front doors in a silver dress, heels, and hair pulled back in a low chignon.
Phones immediately appeared everywhere.
Half the room swiveled toward her.
I stepped away from Ysolde. "Miss Grey, I didn’t know you’d be attending."
Her eyes brightened when she saw me. "How many times do I have to tell you to call me Octavia? Rachel and I were in school together. I’m actually giving a speech later."
A crowd was forming.
Those who weren’t filming her looked ready to crawl across the carpet for a selfie.
I tilted my head toward the back. "You’d better keep moving. You’re causing a traffic jam."
She grinned. "Right. I’ll go chat with Rachel for a bit. See you later."
She turned to leave, then spun back around, lowering her voice. "Wait, I have good news for you."
She grabbed my wrist and pulled me into a corner behind a flower wall, away from people with cameras.
"I heard about what happened with the Aureate Award."
I frowned. "Yeah. How did you know about that?"
How was my disqualification good news?
She snorted. "The sponsors are European. One of their subsidiary brands wants me as their spokesperson. I spoke with them yesterday and your situation came up."
"Oh."
Just hearing about it made everything come rushing back. I hadn’t cried when it happened, but when that phone call came, I’d wanted to punch through my workbench.
Octavia noticed. She paused, then smiled like she’d been keeping a secret too long. "I got your position reinstated."
I froze. "Are you serious?"
"Of course. They want me in their advertisements. They do whatever I say."
Gratitude surged, quickly followed by doubt.
"I don’t know how to thank you. But... what if people find out and say I pulled strings? What if they say I cheated my way in?"
Octavia scoffed. "The position was rightfully yours. I just helped you get it back. If you’d let Hudson handle it, he wouldn’t even have to speak. His beta could make one call and fix everything."
She nudged me with her elbow. "I don’t understand why you didn’t ask him. It’s stupid to waste that kind of connection. Sorry to be blunt. Honestly, my first major role came with his help, but can you say I cheated? Can you say I didn’t have the talent to deserve the opportunity?"
She was right.
Blunt, but factual.
I smiled. "Thank you so much."
"Don’t mention it. Oh, they want me as a judge too. I said yes. Sounds fun. Don’t be nervous when I’m scoring you."
"I won’t be. I’ve dealt with worse."
"Good. I’m going to find Rachel. You should hear from the organizers before the end of the day."
"Got it."
After she disappeared into the crowd, I turned to find Ysolde.
I’d barely told her the news when I heard someone near the appetizer table speak in a low voice.
"Who are they? God, he’s gorgeous."
We both glanced toward the entrance.
Cassian Langford had just walked in with a woman on his arm.
He wore a gray suit, perfectly tailored, with a crisp collar and hair slicked back without a single strand out of place.
There was a woman beside him. She was tall with flawless skin, wearing a light gray dress with sheer sleeves. Her arm was wrapped around his, her chest pressed against his side.
"I really wish Alpha Emmett had beaten him more severely," I said ruthlessly.
I looked at Ysolde.
She stared at the doorway like she’d forgotten how to blink.
This was her cousin’s wedding, her family’s celebration.
Akira stirred inside me. "How dare he show up here. After what he did to Ysolde, he should be banned."
"I know," I thought back. "He’s deliberately trying to hurt her."
He just showed up like this, exactly how he wanted her to see him. Like he wanted to scare her.
