Free Web NovelChapter 22: Chapter 22 Sell the Act, Call Me
Christina’s POV
I stood at the entrance to the photography studio, watching Ysolde as she posed for the final shots of the day. Her slender form was draped in a chainmail minidress that caught the light with each movement, transforming her into something otherworldly. Even among werewolves, Ysolde had a presence that commanded attention.
"Perfect! That’s a wrap," called the photographer, and Ysolde’s professional poise immediately softened into her familiar grin.
After she changed back into street clothes, we headed to Spitfire, a boutique tucked away in a corner of West 7th that catered to those with more discerning tastes. The shop carried exclusive pieces that most of the pack wouldn’t appreciate, but that didn’t stop them from pretending they did.
"I had Marissa hold something special," Ysolde said, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "It’s got your name written all over it, Chrissy."
When the saleswoman brought out the dress, my breath caught in my throat. Crimson satin that would shimmer like fresh blood under moonlight. A neckline that plunged dangerously low, and a slit that would showcase the leg I’d spent years hiding under modest skirts.
"You can’t be serious," I stammered."I can’t wear that."
"Why not?" Ysolde asked.
"It’s just... not my usual style."
"That’s the whole point, sweetheart." Ysolde placed her hands on her hips, stance wide.
"Tomorrow night, you aren’t showing up as the Chrissy who’s been hiding in her sister’s shadow. You’re serving as the queen every woman worships and the heartbreak every man will never recover from."
"You’re being dramatic," I muttered, even as my fingers reached out to touch the silky dress.
"I’m being iconic," she snapped back. "Now shut up and try it on."
Even the sales girl joined in."If I had your curves and that ex, I’d show up looking like the goddess of vengeance too."
I bought the damn dress.
Back in my new apartment, I carefully hung the crimson dress in my closet. It was tiny but mine, free from pack obligations. The moving crew had delivered everything earlier today. Neither Niall nor my parents knew this address. A clean break from my past.
During the drive home, I’d stopped by Eldergrove Private Hospital. Louisa was out of surgery, recovering but not accepting visitors yet. I didn’t push. The last thing I needed was her guilting me into reconciling with her son.I left before Niall could catch my visit.
Now I stood in front of the mirror, holding earrings up to my neck. I had absolutely no idea whether the Hudson’s family preferred pearls or diamonds, saints or sinners. Tomorrow’s party wasn’t just about dress codes and appetizer trays. It was his official presentation of me as his "fiancée" to his pack. All I needed to do was smile and play the devoted mate.
I really should have asked him what his pack traditions were like. Would they be the cold, conservative type, or more open-minded toward women who had made at least two horny male colleagues cry in public? Then again, I didn’t even know which territory his pack controlled or what businesses they owned.
Hudson had been vague, saying only that he needed to attend to "pack business," which among Alphas could mean anything from territorial negotiations to eliminating threats. I didn’t even know the name of his company.
But since his family had received an invitation to this pack gathering, they obviously had serious clout. Plus he’d mentioned running for Alpha King.I was pretty clueless about werewolf politics and had never paid attention to which Alphas were in the running. Whatever. I’d figure out his family’s whole deal at the party tomorrow.
The stove timer chimed behind me, and I was turning away when a firm knock sounded at my door.
No one knew I’d moved except Ysolde. I crept to the peephole, my heightened senses picking up a familiar scent even through the door.
Hudson stood there. Casual in a hoodie and joggers, but no less imposing.
"Just got back from my business trip," he said when I opened the door. "Thought I’d check on you."
For a moment, I thought I’d somehow teleported back to my old apartment, where he lived across the hall. But the stack of unopened moving boxes behind me confirmed this was indeed my new place.
"How the hell did you find me?" I asked.
He didn’t blink. "Made a few calls within the pack network."
Of course he did. The same Alpha who’d tracked Louisa’s hospital room faster than emergency services could respond.I should have felt violated by his tracking abilities, resented that smug satisfaction he wore when pulling his little stunts. I hated that I was actually... impressed by him.
"Did you come straight from your apartment? You look—" I paused, noticing his lack of travel gear. His clothes were too fresh, too unwrinkled. "No, you didn’t."
"No," he confirmed, fixing me with that penetrating gaze that made Akira want to both challenge and submit simultaneously. "I acquired the apartment across the hall."
I swallowed hard. We were neighbors again. Perfect.
"If we’re going to be engaged, possibly even mated soon, I thought proximity would help establish our bond," he added matter-of-factly.
My jaw tightened. From fake mate to true husband in ten seconds flat.
"My pack members tend to be... curious about their Alpha’s business," he explained when I remained silent. "Being seen coming and going together will sell our story better."
I nodded, unable to articulate my jumbled thoughts.
"Have you eaten?" I asked abruptly. freēwēbnovel.com
He arched an eyebrow, clearly assessing whether this was an invitation or a dismissal.
"Come in," I said, already sensing I might regret it.
My apartment still smelled of fresh paint and new beginnings. I reheated my simple dinner—leftover pasta with garlic bread that had lost its crispness, and a wilted salad.
Hudson didn’t react to the humble offering.He sat at my small table with the commanding presence of an Alpha at a pack feast, accepting the meal as if it were served at a five-star restaurant.
He ate like he’d learned table manners at some elite boarding school. Knife positioned perfectly, posture straight as a ruler even in casual clothes.
"So..." I ventured,"what exactly do you do, Hudson? Which territories do you oversee?"
He cut his bread. "Business. Multiple sectors across the northern territories."
"That’s specific," I said dryly.
"It’s accurate."
Each time I asked a question, Hudson answered—briefly, precisely, politely. But he never reciprocated with questions of his own. No curiosity, no elaboration. Just clean, efficient responses that revealed little while maintaining the conversation.
I glanced at the TV, searching for common ground. "Do you ever watch The Spite Club?" I nodded toward the screen, where two reality personalities were engaged in petty conflict.
His expression remained unchanged.
But when the financial news appeared, I caught a flicker of attention. Market reports, corporate mergers, the usual economic landscape.
Finance guy, then. Banker or shark. Probably both.Controlled resources beyond just territory.
My phone buzzed with an unknown number. I ignored it, but then a text appeared.
[You should really reconsider pretending to be my mate. Just until my mother recovers. Agree to play along, and I’ll forgive your outburst at the hospital.]
I snorted at Niall’s audacity. Only he could turn manipulation into an act of generosity while still sounding entitled.
I blocked his new number and deleted the text, but not before Hudson caught my expression.
"Niall Granger?" he asked, his voice deceptively casual.
I nodded. "Still trying to cast me in his personal drama."
He said nothing.
Then he rose, disappeared down the hallway, and returned with two garment bags bearing designer labels. Ridiculously expensive. Clearly men’s clothing.
"What’s this?" I asked, confused.
"Stage dressing,"he said."If you’re not ready to escalate the fake engagement into a fake marriage, we’ll need something else to make it believable. Like living together."
"That seems excessive."
"If I could find your new apartment, so can he." His voice was flat. "A few thousand to a private investigator. Or two calls within the pack network."
He had a point. Werewolves were territorial by nature, and Niall wouldn’t easily accept another Alpha’s claim without clear evidence.
"If Niall shows up, I can handle him," I said with more confidence than I felt
"No doubt. But male clothing in your house will make him hesitate. Make him believe our bond is real before he tries to challenge it."
I raised an eyebrow. "Or I could just invite you over when he arrives and give you a hot, romantic French kiss to make him believe I’ve moved on."
Silence.
My cheeks heated. "Sorry. That was—"
"Not an ineffective strategy," he said with an unreadable tone."If he shows up and you need to stage some dramatic ’moving on from my ex’ performance, call me."
I laughed nervously and took the garment bags. "Let’s call that Plan B, shall we? I’ll, um... I’ll hang these up."
