Chapter 6 His Wolf Had Recognized Her

• Hendrick emitted a soft chuckle, a hint of amusement flickering across his features at the notion of Charlotte negotiating terms with him. It seemed almost ludicrous to him.
• Charlotte, feeling the weight of the moment, swallowed hard, a nervous sweat dampening her back as she looked up at him—Hendrick's imposing height required her to tilt her head back just to meet his eyes. “I understand,” she said with a steady voice, despite her anxiety, “You're pretending to be disabled to discourage the Lanning family from going through with this arranged marriage. I'll agree to your terms, as I have my own reasons for needing this marriage.”
• This declaration sparked a flicker of interest in Hendrick's eyes. “What do you want?” he asked, intrigued. If this was indeed a transaction, then it was clear that terms needed to be discussed and agreed upon.
• Charlotte was straightforward. “One month. We stay married for just one month, and then I'll file for divorce.” She believed a month would be sufficient time to secure the return of her mother's possessions. Once she had what she needed, she would end the marriage.
• Hendrick's brow creased with skepticism. “Is this the proposal you wanted to discuss with me?”
• “Yes,” Charlotte affirmed. “We must marry—it's a commitment made by our mothers, and to honor that, we cannot simply break it. It's a matter of respect for them. But after the wedding, if it becomes clear that our personalities do not mesh well, it would be natural for us to separate. This arrangement will not break any promises made and will allow you to remain true to the guidance of the Moon Goddess. You can free yourself to find your destined mate without being tied down to a woman you don't love. For you, this situation is purely advantageous—”
• She paused slightly, her tone becoming more probing, “I presume, Mr. Zovkic, that you must have found your destined mate already, which is why you were so determined to make the Lannings retract their promise, correct?”
• At this, Hendrick's demeanor shifted abruptly; his expression darkened, marked by a sudden intensity. “I hadn't realized you were quite so astute.”
• Indeed, he had intentions of granting Vivian a formal status, a recognition of the deep connection they shared. His wolf had recognized her that fateful night, and his feelings had only grown stronger since.
• Resting his gaze on Charlotte's face, he feigned a composed exterior. “And what about you?” he inquired, probing deeper. “What do you stand to gain from this month-long marriage?”
• Hendrick was skeptical that Charlotte's motives were solely selfless or altruistic.
• A wave of anxiety gripped Charlotte's heart; she couldn't possibly reveal her true intention was to secure an antidote. Her family's poisoning was a sensitive issue, shrouded in mystery and danger, and she dared not divulge too much lest she alert the actual perpetrator.
• “My mother held this engagement in high regard,” Charlotte explained, her gaze drifting slightly as she spoke to avoid his penetrating stare. “Her health has been failing, and I didn't want to let her down by breaking this engagement.”
• Hendrick's response carried an eerie, intimidating undertone, as though he could see through her evasions. “Is that so?”
• Feeling as though she was being scrutinized too closely, Charlotte found herself at a loss, her discomfort mounting under his intense scrutiny. Just then, his phone rang, breaking the tension. Hendrick glanced at the caller ID, his expression softening momentarily as he turned away to answer the call.
• After a brief conversation, he turned back to Charlotte, a decision made apparent in his demeanor. “Since it's only for a month, there's no need for us to hold a wedding ceremony.”
• Left with no real choice, Charlotte resignedly agreed, “All right.”
• On the eleventh of August, which coincidentally was Charlotte's eighteenth birthday, there were no festivities or celebrations—only a solemn gift from her mother marked the day.
• That evening, her transformation into a wolf had still not occurred; Hazel, filled with remorse, speculated that it was likely delayed by her half-blood lineage.
• Charlotte's heightened senses were not typical of a werewolf; she couldn't find her destined mate through pheromones—instead, she was entering a marriage that was purely transactional.
• The next day, Jason arrived to escort her to her new temporary home. The ceremony was starkly non-existent; there were only legal documents to sign, handled by Hendrick's lawyer.
• Charlotte didn't mind, as she was fully aware that this was nothing more than a mutually beneficial transaction. Had it not been for the agreement between their two mothers, they likely would have never crossed paths in their entire lives.
• The car pulled up in front of a standalone, imposing stone mansion, basking in the sunlight.
• “Go ahead,” Jason gestured, leading her inside without the usual deference expected for a Luna. Clearly, he was well aware that this marriage was merely fulfilling a contract, not a true joining of mates.
• In other words, Charlotte was not the true Luna of Thunderstorm Pack.
• The mansion was expansive but not bustling with activity; only a housekeeper was present. Jason swiftly introduced her and then left.
• Charlotte felt slightly out of place.
• “This is where our leader resides,” the housekeeper, Susan Yowell, informed her. “You can call me Susan.” She showed Charlotte to her room. “If there's anything you need, just let me know.”
• While the duration of the marriage was short, Charlotte brought her essentials, not wanting to trouble Hendrick or his staff. Despite this, she politely responded, “All right.”
• Susan hesitated at the door, then sighed heavily. “Mr. Hendrick probably won't be back tonight; today is Ms. Ballard's birthday.”
• Though Charlotte was nominally his wife, her first day as a married woman was spent alone, as Hendrick attended another woman's birthday celebration. Susan's sympathy was evident, knowing Hendrick's indifference would only grow with time.
• Understanding Susan's concern, Charlotte merely smiled in response. Her marriage to Hendrick was a business arrangement; she had no grounds to question his whereabouts or activities.
• Besides, in the solitude of Hendrick's absence, Charlotte felt a temporary relief.
• She surveyed the room they were supposed to share—a sharply decorated space in black and white, luxurious yet tastefully understated.
• “This is Mr. Hendrick's room,” Susan noted with a smile, implying the expectation of them sharing the bed.
• Charlotte, caught off-guard, could only nod in acknowledgment.
• That night, as she lay awake in the unfamiliar room, she browsed job listings on her phone, planning her next steps to ensure financial independence and care for her mother and the child she carried.
• A job advertisement caught her eye—not for the position itself, but for the requirement of proficiency in the language of Astoria, offering attractive compensation.
• Deciding to apply, she submitted her information, then set the phone aside, the moonlight casting a serene glow across the room.
• The woman on the bed had drifted into a deep sleep without realizing it. Outside, a beam of white light spilled across the courtyard, announcing the arrival of a sleek Maybach that came to a smooth stop.
• The car door swung open and a tall figure emerged. He made his way into the house with a stride that was less steady than usual, betraying a hint of uncertainty.
• Hendrick had spent the evening at a gathering with alphas from various packs, where he'd indulged in a substantial amount of whiskey.
• Despite his usual resilience to alcohol, that night he felt unusually tipsy. Upon entering the house, he casually threw his coat onto the couch and proceeded directly to his bedroom without stopping at the bathroom first.
• The room was cloaked in shadows, its darkness concealing its contents. Unaware of Charlotte's presence, Hendrick headed straight to his familiar spot on the bed and lay down.