Christina’s POV

For a long moment, neither of us said a word.

"It’s getting late. I need to go into the studio tomorrow," I said flatly.

Hudson frowned. "You’re not well enough."

"I’m fine," I insisted, my stubbornness flaring up. "The studio’s reputation isn’t exactly stellar right now. Landing a new client is rare, and I don’t want to lose this one. The fever’s gone. A proper night’s sleep is all I need, and I’ll be back to normal in the morning."

I slid under the duvet and turned my back to him, ending the conversation.

It took Hudson a long moment before he finally relented. "Alright."

The next morning, I turned down Hudson’s offer to drive me and went to work on my own. I needed space to think, and his overpowering Alpha presence wasn’t helping my clarity. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

By lunchtime, my stomach was rumbling, but I had no appetite.

Priya, however, had other ideas and dragged me out of the studio.

"You need to eat to keep your strength up," she insisted. "You’re still recovering. You need proper nourishment."

We’d just reached the front door when I spotted Niall waiting outside.

Remembering the last time Niall had caused a scene, Priya eyed him suspiciously.

"Let’s have lunch," Niall said, getting straight to the point. No ’hello,’ no ’how are you feeling?’

"I’m having lunch with my colleague," I refused, gesturing toward Priya.

"I have news about your father. Don’t you want to hear it?"

Priya leaned in and whispered, "Do you want me to call the police?"

I shook my head. As much as I despised Niall, Franklin Vance was a topic I couldn’t ignore.

Taking the hint, Priya said, "I’ll be right over there," and shot a warning look at Niall.

I turned to Niall. "You’d better not be lying to me."

"I’m not." He smiled as I’d agreed, and he led me to a nearby restaurant.

"Well? Talk," I said the moment we sat down.

"Are you really that uncomfortable just being near me?"

"I told you, my husband gets jealous."

"Don’t give me that crap. If you’re going to make excuses, at least make them convincing. I know a thing or two about what’s going on between you two."

"That’s between my husband and me. It’s none of your business. I don’t care what you think you know, I don’t want to hear it." I fixed him with a cold stare. "Are you going to tell me about Franklin or not?"

"I know where he is. Or, was." Niall took out his phone and played a recording.

I recognized Clive Granger’s voice immediately. It was muffled, as if coming from behind a closed door.

Niall explained, "I recorded this when my father was in his study."

The recording continued. Clive was talking to someone, his voice rising in anger. "...no! That’s not my problem... I can’t... it’s too much... don’t you dare!..."

I frowned, concentrating.

Then the second man’s voice came through, and I froze completely.

Hearing Niall tell me my father was alive was one thing. Hearing his voice, even just on a recording, was something else entirely. My stomach clenched, and Akira grew still inside me, both of us processing the shock.

Franklin Vance’s voice was just as I remembered, though maybe a little raspier. Unlike Clive’s shouting, he spoke in a calmer, more measured tone.

I managed to pick out snippets: "...rely on you... nowhere else... old friends... I’ll have to do it, though I’d prefer we don’t come to that..."

Clive shouted something angrily, followed by the sound of heavy footsteps, like he was pacing.

Then: "How much?"

Franklin said something I couldn’t make out.

The recording cut off abruptly.

I looked at Niall, my heart pounding. "This is recent?"

"Very. I was standing outside my father’s study. Daniel showed up, so I had to leave."

"My father went to see your father," I said.

Niall nodded. "They were friends. The Crescent and Frostpelt packs had a lot of business dealings together back in the day."

I remembered. Our packs had been allies for generations. Niall had spent so much time at our house as a kid; it was a big part of why I’d foolishly thought our mating bond would lead to happiness.

Niall continued, "I suppose Franklin was asking for help. He needed money."

I nodded. That much had been clear from the recording. It also sounded like Franklin had some kind of leverage over Clive.

"Did your father end up giving him the money?" I asked.

"No idea," Niall said. "But my guess would be no, because my father skipped town the day after this conversation. Probably trying to dodge your father."

Before he went to prison, my father had lived a very comfortable life. He had a taste for nice things: big houses, luxury goods, expensive whiskey. Alpha of the Crescent pack wasn’t just a title, it came with wealth and privilege. It made sense he’d need money now that he was out.

I wondered if he’d already tried contacting my mother, but I doubted she’d take him in. They were still mates, and Caroline had always shared his appetite for the good life. Now that Franklin was broke and disgraced, would she even want him around?

Was that why he’d gone to Clive?

And now that Clive had also run off, who would Franklin turn to next?

"You," Niall said, as if he’d read my mind. "I’m worried Franklin will come after you next."

Akira snarled inside me. "Let him try. We’re stronger now."

"I’ll be fine," I said, echoing Akira’s confidence. "I’ve changed my number, and he doesn’t know where I live."

He did know where Hudson’s house was, though. He’d been there before.

But would Franklin be bold enough, or stupid enough, to try and squeeze money out of an Alpha of the Sabreridge pack?

I wouldn’t bet on it.

Franklin was always the type to bully the weak and fear the strong. If he thought there was someone he could push around for cash, it would be me, or Caroline, or Beatrice.

Never Hudson.

"I’ll find a technician to clean up the recording. We might be able to hear more," Niall said. "I think I vaguely heard Franklin mention an address. Could be where he’s staying, or at least it’s a clue."

It was a sensible idea. "I can handle that. Can you send me a copy?"

Niall took his phone back and slipped it into his pocket. "Not so fast."