Free Web NovelChapter 43: Chapter 43 Return of the Brooch
Christina’s POV
I was about to say no, thanks, we’re not that kind of married, but Hudson’s voice carried that Alpha command that made me instinctively respond.
I slid into the passenger seat,"Thanks. Appreciate it."
He barely hummed as he turned the ignition. The powerful engine of his luxury SUV rumbled to life.
We made it to the next block before he added casually, as if commenting on the weather, "It’s no trouble."
I glanced over at him, studying his profile.
That chiseled, unreadable side profile gave nothing away.The same controlled expression he’d worn since we’d left the Elder Council. From the moment we walked out with that marriage certificate clutched in my hand, Hudson hadn’t shown a single flicker of emotion.
No awkward laughs, no nervous tics like Niall would have displayed.
Just the same ice-cold poise he probably used when asserting dominance over rival packs or firing underperforming staff members from his corporate empire. His wolf was perfectly controlled beneath that expensive suit.
It weirdly helped calm me .
The more he treated this marriage like a business arrangement between Alphas, the easier it was to breathe. No romantic pressure. No messy feelings. No mate bond complications.
Just... clean lines and clear boundaries between two adults who understood the value of contractual obligations.
Then he said, eyes still fixed on the road, his voice resonating with that subtle Alpha timbre, "We’re married, Christina. Driving my Luna isn’t exactly going above and beyond. And you don’t need to call me Mr. Laurent anymore. Just use my name."
The word "Luna" made my face flush red instantly,and I stammered."Alright... Hudson."
***
I’d been to the Granger pack house more times than I could count.
Their housekeeper, Darlene, recognized me right away. She bowed her head slightly, showing respect to someone who had once been expected to become their Luna.
She opened the door with a polite smile and a soft, "Miss Vance."
"Come in and have a seat, dear. I’ll go fetch Mrs. Granger. She’s just been discharged from the hospital. I know she’ll be thrilled to see you."
"Thanks," I said, settling on the nearest sofa and ignoring the familiar scent of the Granger pack. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
I didn’t even get a sip of water before Willow Granger came swanning down the stairs.Her face dropped the second she saw me.
"What the hell are you doing here? Niall doesn’t even live here right now. If you’re looking to throw yourself at him, you’re at the wrong address." Her words came out with a slight growl.
"I’m not here for Niall. I came to see Aunt Louisa."
That only made her scowl harder. "My mother? Are you serious?"
"Do I look like I’m joking?"
"You look like those pathetic women who can’t handle their boyfriends. Crying to mommy for help. What, want her to slap some sense into him again?"
Again? Did Louisa slap Niall?
That was interesting.
Willow stepped closer, narrowing her eyes."Last time, Mom gave Niall a proper dressing down in the hospital. Isn’t that enough? Are you here to open another can of worms?"
"Are you calling yourself a worm?"
Willow looked confused.
When I thought pleasing Niall was still a viable strategy, I’d gone out of my way to stay friendly with her.
Now that I wasn’t smiling and giggling anymore, she stared at me like I’d grown a second head.
She stomped the rest of the way down and zeroed in on the box I’d placed on the coffee table. "What’s that?"
Before I could say a word, she reached out and flipped the lid open.
She stared down at the brooch inside.
Her eyes widened, and she just stood there gawping at it, recognizing the significance of the pack heirloom.
"That’s... a really pretty brooch. Looks kinda... familiar."
Then it hit her, her memory connecting the dots.
"Wait! Isn’t this the heirloom thing my family gave yours when you and Niall got engaged? The symbol of our pack alliance?"
I didn’t confirm or deny. Just let her stew in it.
Willow, of course, decided that meant "yes" and picked it up without asking for permission.
She held it up to the light. Squinted.Gasped a little at the ancient pack symbol embedded in the jewels.
But then she remembered she hated me and slapped on her best suspicious face.
"So that’s why you’re here. You’re trying to use this to guilt-trip my mother, get her to force Niall into staying with you. Bet you dragged your parents into it too, trying to preserve your pathetic mate bond with Niall?"
I didn’t bother replying.
She put the brooch down, then launched into her big speech. "You don’t have to push him so hard, you know. Niall will marry you. He said he would. That should be enough for someone like you. He might not love you anymore, but at least he’s doing the decent thing for both our packs. You should just close one eye to him and Beatrice, and you can still be my sister-in-law.You’ll be the official Luna everybody acknowledges."
I stared at her in amazement. "Goddess, the way you say that makes it sound like I’m the mistress."
That shut her up.
Her face turned an awkward shade of pink.
She looked like she wanted to say something clever but couldn’t find the script her brother usually provided.
Willow muttered after a beat,"Beatrice came first. She and Niall truly love each other. Besides, Niall wouldn’t have looked elsewhere if you’d been a proper mate at home."
Not the words.
The smug little philosophy baked into them.
I’d been such an idiot, hadn’t I?
I’d twisted myself into knots to be nice to this girl,who was nothing but a moral vacuum in designer boots. I thought it would help solidify my position in their pack.
Never again. I had found my pride.
I reached out and took the brooch straight from her hand, asserting dominance. "Save your lecture. Niall and I are over. The pack alliance will need to find another way."
I’d barely finished the sentence when she scoffed loud enough to wake the dead.
"Yeah right. You’re obsessed with him. Everyone in both packs knows you’d do anything to become our Luna. This is just your latest scheme."
Willow flounced onto the sofa like she’d just won something and was waiting for her prize.
We both waited in tense silence.
I could feel her watching me from the corner of her eye, her instincts on high alert, like I was about to pull a rabbit or a prenup out of my handbag.
A few minutes later, Louisa appeared at the top of the stairs.
She’d only just been discharged from the hospital, but she looked better than I’d expected. Fresh lipstick, silk scarf, no IV drip in sight. The woman’s resilience was impressive.
"Christina! I’ve been meaning to call you." Her eyes were kind, genuinely pleased to see me despite everything.
Her gaze dropped to the familiar-looking box in front of me.
Her steps slowed.
