Christina’s POV

"No," I said flatly, staring directly at Genevieve across the table.

"Even if he doesn’t love you?"

"Even if. And I’m pretty sure as long as I don’t bring it up, Hudson never will either." I smiled coldly. "That means you’ll never get to marry him and become the Luna of the Sabreridge pack. You can waste your whole life waiting."

"What’s the point, Christina? What do you gain by clinging to Hudson like this? You’re making everyone miserable; you, him, and me."Her tone grew colder with every word.

"Just name your price. What will it take for you to leave him? I’ll do my best to meet it. I just want Hudson."

I laughed. "I’ve told you already. Don’t waste your time dreaming. I will never divorce Hudson."

"Never," Akira agreed fiercely. "He’s ours."

Genevieve’s composure finally cracked. "You know what I’m capable of. You’ve seen it first-hand. Next time, I’ll make sure the shooter doesn’t miss."

"You mean the one who almost killed the man you claim to love?" I gave a dry laugh. "Maybe hire someone who can actually aim. And don’t forget, Hudson will always protect me. He would never let any real harm come to me. "

"Is that so?" She sneered. "What about when he’s in my bed, telling me he loves me?"

My hands clenched into fists under the table, my eyes fixed on her with mockery. Something twisted painfully in my chest. Was she telling the truth? Had Hudson actually...?

"She’s lying," Akira snarled. "I would know if Lycaon had betrayed us."

I spoke calmly. "I’ll bother being jealous when he actually sleeps with you. Right now, am I supposed to be jealous of some lovestruck lunatic’s fantasy? Please. The line of women who want my Alpha stretches from here to the next district. Who do you think you are?"

My gaze was pure scorn.

"You—!" She clearly hadn’t expected me to be so unmoved.

"Did you go to all this trouble just to tell me that?" I raised an eyebrow. "If this is all you wanted to say, you can save your breath. Don’t bother seeking me out again. I will never divorce Hudson. Not now, not ever."

"What do you possibly gain from this? He doesn’t love you. He hasn’t even marked you or welcomed you properly into the Sabreridge pack. Some Luna you are, when you’re not even part of the pack you supposedly lead."

It was true. But I knew I was just stalling.

I smiled. "I gain the satisfaction of knowing you’ll never be the Luna, no matter how desperate you are to become her."

Genevieve’s eyes flashed. Suddenly, she grabbed the glass of water from the table and threw it in her own face.

I stared. Had she completely lost her mind? I’d expected her to throw it at me.

"What is wrong with you?"

No sooner had the words left my mouth than Hudson arrived. I felt his presence before I saw him—that commanding aura that filled any room he entered. If I could smell like other wolves, I’m sure his scent would have been overwhelming.

It clicked then. Genevieve must have seen him coming.

"Hudson!" she cried, voice trembling. "Your wife... she warned me to stay away from you. She told me to leave you alone, and when I refused, she threw water in my face! Thank god it was only lukewarm, or I might have been scarred!" Genevieve clutched at his arm.

Her hair was soaked, wet strands clinging to her cheeks. She looked genuinely pitiful, and with that wounded act she was putting on, anyone who didn’t know better would have believed her.

Hudson’s eyes found mine across the restaurant. Cool, assessing, unreadable.

I stared back.

Neither of us spoke.

I wasn’t going to say a word. I wanted to see how he would handle this. This moment would tell me everything I needed to know about where we stood.

"Hudson... I just... I never thought she’d be so aggressive. To do it here, in public... I..." Her voice wavered, and her eyes welled up with tears.

Hudson’s brow furrowed. He reached over and picked up the glass of water in front of me. I watched him, my own expression tight.

Did he believe her? What was he going to do? Get revenge for her?

"You threw this at her?" Hudson held the glass.

"I—" I began, but he cut me off.

"I didn’t see how you did it. Here, show me. Do it again."

My eyes widened in utter disbelief. Was he serious?

"Oh, I like where this is going," Akira snickered.

Genevieve’s face paled with panic. "Hudson!"

"Well?" He pressed the glass into my hand, his eyes glinting with something that looked suspiciously like amusement.

"Fine. If you insist." If that’s what he wanted, why wouldn’t I?

I took the glass and threw the water straight into Genevieve’s face. "There. You wanted to tattle to Hudson, didn’t you? Well, now I’ve given you something real to complain about. Go on, tell him."

"I... You..." Genevieve was shaking with anger, speechless. Then she turned a pitiful gaze toward Hudson. "Hudson, look... your wife, she’s bullying me, she—"

"So what if she did? If she feels you deserve it, that’s all the reason I need." His voice was ice. "Shall I pour the next glass myself, or are you done making a spectacle?"

He took my hand and pulled me away.

"Hey, let go of me!" I wasn’t about to be placated so easily. What happened before wasn’t something a few words could smooth over. I wrenched my hand free.

"You’re mad?"

"What was your first clue?" I scoffed, crossing my arms.

Hudson frowned, his eyes searching mine. "If something’s bothering you, you can talk to me about it."

"Nothing’s bothering me. I just wish you’d handle your... admirers yourself. Keep them away from me." I spat the words out, then turned to leave.

Hudson caught up with me and tried to take my hand again.

I shook him off in disgust. "Don’t touch me with the same hands that have been all over another woman."

His frown deepened. "What are you talking about? What’s going on in your head? What did Genevieve say to you?"