Free Web NovelChapter 166: Chapter 166 Bouquet Toss
Christina’s POV
People around us were still talking.
"That’s the Alpha of the Moonstone Pack, right? Is that Alexis Rivera with him?"
"Yes, she’s his Beta’s sister."
"They make a stunning couple."
"Not just good-looking, but good connections too. Probably planning an engagement."
"He’s never brought anyone to public events before. If she’s here now, it must be serious."
Their voices blended into one long string of smug admiration.
Ysolde’s hand brushed against mine.
"Let’s go," she whispered.
Before we could slip away, Cassian spotted us.
His body stiffened momentarily, but it was too late; he had already strode over.
He stopped in front of Ysolde and gave her a quick nod. That was it. Just enough to be polite without actually being friendly.
"What the hell are you doing here?" I snapped. "You’re blocking our way."
His smile twitched once before vanishing completely. "Ysolde—"
"I’m leaving now. Let’s go, Chrissy."
We pushed through the crowd toward a side hallway.
At the end was a narrow balcony hidden behind a white latticed door.
The music sounded distant out here.
"Still not over him?" I asked softly.
Ysolde sighed lightly. "It’s only been a few weeks. If I could move on that quickly, I’d be just like him."
She used to tell me constantly that she was over him.
At least now she was being honest.
"He’s gone through two already," she said coldly. "I don’t know why I ever thought I was special."
I remained silent.
She wasn’t looking for advice.
"It’s fine. I’ll be sad for a while, then I’ll get better. I just need some time."
I patted her hand gently.
Then someone from her family called her name.
"Want me to come with?" I offered.
"No, I’m okay." Ysolde gave an apologetic smile before walking away, her back straight.
I wandered toward the balcony alone.
I turned the corner—and stopped.
Someone was already there.
I turned to leave.
"Christina."
"Damn it," I muttered under my breath, reluctantly turning back around.
Niall stood by the railing.
His face was paler than usual, his hair messier. A dark patch of stubble covered his jaw. His suit jacket hung crookedly, as if he hadn’t noticed the wrinkles.
"Were you looking for me?" he asked.
"Don’t flatter yourself. I was just wandering around."
I turned to leave.
"I’m filing for divorce."
I stopped.
"From Beatrice," he added, as if I might misunderstand him.
I slowly turned back.
He stepped forward. "I’m ending things with Beatrice. If I really do this... we could—" The rest caught in his throat.
I’d anticipated the stupid question coming, but he didn’t have the guts to finish it.
"Your divorce has nothing to do with me."
He moved closer, growing agitated. "If I end all of this, then we could still—"
"You still wouldn’t have a chance."
I saw Hudson rounding the corner, striding over quickly. His gaze locked onto Niall like he was deciding where to strike first.
Niall took half a step back.
"Flirting with my wife in public?" Hudson stopped in front of him. "Didn’t you see the ring? Or are you selectively blind?"
"I..." Niall licked his dry lips.
Hudson turned to me, brushing a strand of hair from my temple and tucking it behind my ear.
He took my hand. "The ceremony’s starting. Let’s go."
I nodded. "Okay."
He placed his hand on my waist, guiding me inside.
I could feel Niall watching us.
Hudson leaned close to ask, "Was he harassing you?"
His lips brushed against my ear.
"No, I probably said two sentences, that’s all."
When we reached the ballroom entrance, we were surrounded by sounds—clinking cutlery, a string quartet playing soft jazz covers, bursts of laughter.
The crowd noticed us or more specifically, Hudson and shifted.
Conversations slowed.
People leaned across tables, cupping champagne glasses in their hands.
Hudson walked beside me.
He leaned slightly toward me, close enough that I could hear his soft breathing.
We took our seats at the main table.
I lifted my chin and straightened my spine, feeling eyes from all directions focused on us.People stared, then quickly looked away as if caught doing something embarrassing.
Ysolde hurried back, dropping into the seat next to me.
"Ceremony starts in two minutes," she whispered.
The vows took forever. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com
At one point, Ysolde sniffled, dabbing at her cheeks with a cocktail napkin.
Her mascara had smudged beneath her eyes, but she was still smiling.
Next came the bouquet toss. The band switched to playing some sugary pop music mashups.A cluster of women scrambled onto the stage—Rachel Carlisle’s bridesmaids shoving to the front, screaming like they were at a shoe sale.
"Not going to participate?" Hudson asked me quietly.
"I’m already married, aren’t I?" I showed him my ring.
He leaned back, satisfied.
The flowers flew.
When people noticed Alexis had joined in, the bouquet was already in her hands.
She walked down from the stage looking as if she hadn’t just sprinted in heels and elbowed her way past five bridesmaids.
People turned.
Some gasped.
Someone laughed briefly before being shushed.
Alexis returned to her table casually, cradling the bouquet lightly.
Cassian leaned back as she offered it to him.
He didn’t take it.
She placed the bouquet on the table between them, adjusted a petal, then silently picked up her drink.
That was enough to set the room buzzing again.
Heads together.
People whispering behind napkins.
"Did she just propose to him?"
"Looks that way."
"Shouldn’t the man propose?"
"But he didn’t accept."
"They’re probably already engaged and this is just for show."
"I bet they’ll announce next week."
The music started again.A server passed by with chocolate mousse in tiny glasses. Someone tapped a spoon against a flute.
I glanced at Ysolde. She was laughing at something a woman in an emerald dress had said, her lips glossy from drinking, not a trace of annoyance or tension on her face.
Her posture was relaxed.
"Are the flowers always this abundant?" Hudson asked, looking down at the centerpiece between us.
It was a massive, ridiculous feast of peonies and garden roses, mostly white with occasional pale pink blooms.
"Depends on who’s paying and whether the bride’s mother is in therapy."
"Hmm." He paused, his gaze settling on the arrangement. "Would you want a bouquet like this? For yours."
Akira perked up inside me. "He’s thinking about flowers for you. That’s sweet."
"He’s just making conversation," I replied mentally.
"No, he’s being thoughtful. Notice how he’s been more attentive since Niall showed up?"
I studied Hudson’s expression. His eyes were soft, genuinely curious.
