Christina’s POV

"What did she say to me? Don’t you already know the answer? Some things are pretty obvious, Hudson. Don’t treat me like I’m stupid. I might not be as clever as you, but I’m not a complete idiot," I said.

Hudson studied me with those penetrating eyes. "Some things aren’t what they seem."

"Doesn’t matter anymore." I swallowed hard. "Looks like I expected too much. I should’ve been grateful for what I had, instead of asking for more. I need to get to work."

I walked away without looking back.

He still wouldn’t tell me the truth. He knew I knew about Genevieve. So why was he staying silent?

Back at the studio, I was quiet and withdrawn, wrapped in a cloud of gloom. Priya, bless her, had the sense not to ask what was wrong.

I drifted through the rest of the day in a haze. After work, I went straight to Ysolde’s place.

Hudson said he’d only allow me one night away, but since when did I have to obey him? I wasn’t his employee. Or his servant. I was supposedly his wife, his Luna, though at this point, I wasn’t sure what that even meant anymore.

Ysolde brought back some pastries and insisted on cooking dinner.

I have to say, for a wealthy socialite from the Carlisle Pack, her cooking skills are... not exactly impressive. Honestly, anything more complicated than noodles is wasted on her.

But she’s my best friend, and she went to the effort for me, so what could I do but eat it and try to look grateful?

My stomach paid the price afterward, and between that and how exhausted I felt, I ended up lying down early.

I checked my phone. No calls from Hudson. I smiled bitterly to myself. What did I expect?

I tossed the phone aside. "Ysolde, do you really think I should divorce him?"

Ysolde knows me well. In relationships, betrayal is the one thing I can’t stand. I didn’t even hate Niall as much, because I always knew he still had feelings for Beatrice.

But Hudson was different. He was the one who pursued me. He insisted on marrying me. He planned every step, turned our contract marriage into a real one.

"He said his was my second-chance mate," I murmured. " That he’d wait until I fell in love with him naturally."

There’s no doubt he loves me. Or at least, there shouldn’t be.

So why would he lie to me for another woman?

I couldn’t make sense of it. The more I thought about it, the angrier I got, and the more divorce seemed like the only answer.

But then it hit me. "If I divorce him, doesn’t that just give Genevieve exactly what she wants? Why should I make her happy? Why should she get what she’s after?"

"You’re being silly," Ysolde said, rolling her eyes. "Why punish yourself for someone else’s mistakes? Forget that Genevieve woman for a second. Just ask yourself—are you happy with him? If you’re not, why force yourself to stay? Of course you should leave. Who cares what happens after?"

Ysolde looked at me like I was a hopeless case. "Why can’t you be more like me? If a man isn’t treating you right, just say goodbye and find a better one. I’m getting tired of repeating this—plenty of wolves in the forest."

I shook my head. "Thanks, but I could never be like you. You change boyfriends so fast I can’t even remember their names. I prefer something stable. Something long-term."

"Fine. But that doesn’t have to mean Hudson. You can find someone else for a stable, long-term thing." She winked. "My brother Emmett’s available, you know."

"No thanks," I said. "I’m not nearly good enough for your brother."

Emmett had the face of a film star but the personality of a stern Alpha. Even Ysolde, who was fearless in every other situation, turned into a total mouse around him. Thanks to her, I always felt slightly on edge around Emmett too, as if I were just one step away from doing something wrong and getting a lecture about pack protocols.

Ysolde wasn’t ready to give up. "Oh, don’t say no so fast. My brother’s a real catch. I know it sounds like I’m just boasting because we’re related, but it’s true. He doesn’t sleep around. Okay, so he’s a bit serious and old-fashioned, but I can guarantee he doesn’t have some clingy childhood sweetheart or obsessive ex like Genevieve lurking around."

"Thanks, but no. Someone like your brother deserves a much better woman. I’m not right for him."

Ysolde pouted. "Well then, who ARE you right for? Hudson? Do you really love him that much? Even more than you loved Niall?"

I nodded. "I love him more than I ever loved Niall."

The truth was, apart from this whole Genevieve mess, I couldn’t find a single thing wrong with Hudson. He was everything I’d ever wanted in a mate—strong, protective, intelligent. Even with his cold exterior, there was a warmth to him that he showed only to me.

"You... damn it, fine." Ysolde sighed. "Then you should talk to him properly. Be open and honest. Just ask him straight out whether he can cut ties with that Genevieve and start being truthful with you. If he can, stay with him. If he can’t, leave. It’s better to make a clean break than to drag it out."

It was the most reasonable advice she could have given.

I knew Ysolde was right. But what if I asked him, and I didn’t like what he had to say?

I’d never felt this insecure before. Love really does make you vulnerable. Being mated makes it even worse—the thought of rejecting your fated mate is like contemplating cutting off your own limb.

Ysolde muttered under her breath, "So much for Emmett’s chances."

The doorbell rang.

"Who’s that at this hour?" Ysolde frowned as she got up and went downstairs to answer it.

When she didn’t come back up after a while, I went out to see. "Who is it?"