Free Web NovelChapter 261: Chapter 261 Titanova Company
Hudson’s POV
I drove the red convertible through Paris streets, my mind still fixated on Christina and that designer. Lycaon growled softly in my head.
"She’s with him right now," my wolf muttered. "Our mate with another male."
"It’s business," I reminded him, though my jaw clenched involuntarily.
"You believe that?"
I didn’t answer. Instead, I turned the car into an underground parking garage off Rue de Vaugirard where three men were waiting. All members of my former European pack structure—wolves who’d followed me.
One nodded silently, took the keys, and drove away in the convertible. Another opened the door to an inconspicuous black Peugeot.
The car looked ordinary, but I knew better. Armored chassis. Reinforced undercarriage. Bullet-resistant glass. Security modifications that made the interior more cramped, especially with half the backseat occupied by Kylian Martin—a massive wolf built like a concrete wall.
Kylian popped the cork off an empty champagne bottle. "Surprise!"
I stared at him, unimpressed.
"It’s empty," he explained, rubbing his neck sheepishly. "Simon would kill me if I spilled anything in here."
The driver twisted around as I got in. "Welcome back, Alpha!"
"Olivier." I nodded at the red-haired beta. His loyalty had been unwavering since I’d saved him from a rival pack in Amsterdam.
"Kylian told me you got married." Olivier’s grin practically lit up the car’s interior. "Thought he was lying until I saw it online. Still couldn’t believe it. One minute the tabloids say you’re dating some actress, next they claim you’ve eloped with an heiress. No offense, Alpha, but—"
"Eyes on the road, Rusty," Kylian interrupted, sliding closer. "So, is it true?"
Both wolves stared at me expectantly.
"It’s true."
"You’re actually married? Holy shit!" Kylian’s eyes widened.
I held up my hand, the platinum band catching the light.
He leaned so close I felt his breath on my skin. I shoved him back, maintaining my personal space.
"Damn!" He grinned, showing teeth. "Congratulations, Alpha. When do we meet your Luna?"
Christina’s face flashed in my mind, along with Fabrizio coming out of his office when I dropped her off. The way he’d stood too close, matching her stride. My knuckles whitened at the memory.
And she was having dinner with him tonight.
Yes, others would be there, but that didn’t settle the territorial instinct rising in my chest. I knew Fabrizio’s type—he’d offer to walk her home, creating that moment of privacy...
"Alpha?" Kylian’s voice broke through my thoughts.
"What?"
"You okay? You had that look. Like you were about to tear someone’s throat out."
"It’s nothing."
He didn’t look convinced but knew better than to push. "Lea’s in town," he said after a pause. "Thought you should know."
I frowned. "What’s she doing here?"
Titanova’s headquarters was in the Netherlands. That’s where Lea belonged—running operations while I focused on Sabreridge pack affairs.
"She wanted to see you. Flew in yesterday, would have greeted you herself, but got caught in some emergency video call."
"Shipment issues in Montenegro," Olivier explained from the front seat. "Serial numbers didn’t match documentation. Just paperwork problems. Lea’s handling it."
"Speaking of hardware," Kylian reached for a silver case on the passenger seat.
He opened it to reveal an array of handguns—compact, low recoil, matte finish.
"This Glock 43X is perfect. Lightweight, ten rounds, accurate up close, and completely concealable."
I glanced at the weapon in his massive hand. "No."
"No?" He blinked, confused.
"I’m not carrying anymore."
A silent promise I’d made to Christina. She’d seen enough violence in her life.
"You’re kidding, right?" Kylian looked genuinely distressed. "You can’t walk around Paris unarmed. That’s like..." He snapped his fingers. "Rusty, help me out."
"Like going outside without pants," Olivier offered.
Kylian scowled. "Not what I meant."
"Still true," Olivier muttered.
Kylian turned back to me. "His comparison sucks, but the point stands. You’ve got enemies, Alpha."
"None who know I’m here."
"You sure about that?"
"It doesn’t matter. I’ve stepped back from Titanova. And Titanova’s legitimate now. If someone starts shooting in Paris, it means everything I did to clean up the company was worthless—or you’ve ruined it since I left. Is that what happened?"
"Of course not!" Kylian’s hand hit the roof, leaving a small dent. "I’m just concerned about your safety."
"I’ll be fine."
Lycaon rumbled in agreement. "We didn’t need guns anymore. Not with our position solidified."
"We’re meeting Lea," Kylian said, closing the case. "Going over quarterly reports. Operations. Performance metrics."
"I trust your judgment." Kylian was Titanova’s CFO now. His mind was sharper than his fists—and those fists had once taken down a man twice his size. "I can’t stay long. Just give me the highlights. Any issues?"
"Bialystok," Olivier said. "Our office there is trapped in bureaucratic hell. Hidden fees, zoning disputes. Suddenly everyone within a hundred miles claims they own the land. Someone’s deliberately blocking us."
I mentally reviewed my contacts. "I know someone who handles local issues. I’ll make a call."
"This is why you’re still the boss!" Olivier grinned in the mirror. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
The car pulled into a nondescript building in the 15th arrondissement.
"We purchased it," Kylian explained. "Good forward base for Paris operations."
I nodded without comment.
Since handing control to Kylian, Olivier, and Lea, I’d been gradually distancing myself from Titanova. The company would always be part of my history, but it didn’t need to be part of Christina’s and my future.
The elevator took us to the eighth floor, opening directly into a spacious office.
Standing there, tears glistening in her eyes, was someone I hadn’t seen in years.
"Hudson."
