Chapter 108: Chapter 108: Loyal To My Mark
Estelle’s POV
“What man?” I repeated, my confusion deepening. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t play dumb with me!” His voice cracked with frustration. “When I called you the other night, some man picked up your phone. It was the middle of the night, Estelle! What was some random guy doing with your phone if you weren’t sleeping with him?”
I stared at the ground, trying to process his words. A man answered my phone? That was impossible. I kept my phone with me at all times. When could someone else have possibly—
Wait. Could it have been Caleb?
There was that evening when I was discussing business with the Silverclaw Pack representatives. I had been drinking a bit, negotiating some territory agreements. Maybe I had set my phone down somewhere, and Caleb picked up a call for me?
But in the middle of the night? That didn’t make sense either.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said slowly. “I don’t remember giving my phone to anyone.”
“Stop lying!” Asher’s voice turned vicious. “You think I’m stupid? Here I am, worried sick about you, and you’re off playing house with some other man!”
The accusation hit me like a slap. My confusion quickly morphed into cold fury.
“Excuse me?” My voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.
“Moonveil is struggling to keep itself afloat,” Asher continued, his words tumbling out in his anger. “The pack is falling apart without you, and yet you don’t care at all. You’re too busy with whoever this guy is. How can I give you the title of Luna like this? Especially when you’ll just take Moonveil and run off with another man!”
Something inside me snapped.
“How dare you,” I said, my voice deadly calm. “How dare you accuse me of being unfaithful when I have been nothing but loyal to my mark.”
The line went quiet. I could hear Asher’s breathing, but he said nothing.
I almost wanted to laugh at the irony. Here he was, accusing me of cheating, when he wasn’t even the one who marked me in the first place. What was going through his head right now? Did he feel guilty, knowing the truth about our fake bond?
I did have intentions of taking Moonveil for my own, but it was never because of another man. It was because I deserved it after everything I’d sacrificed.
“The only reason you can suggest such a thing,” I continued coldly, “is because you’re considering doing it yourself. Taking Moonveil and running off with another woman.”
“That’s not—”
“Don’t change the topic and flip this on me,” I cut him off sharply.
My anger was building with each word. “If Moonveil wasn’t in the ditch right now, you would never have contacted me. You’re begging me to come back because you need me to save the pack, not because you miss me.”
“I... I... That’s not... That’s not true!” Asher’s voice cracked again.
I let out a cold laugh. “Isn’t it?”
“Estelle, please—”
“No,” I said firmly. “Let me tell you what’s true. I gave up everything for Moonveil. I worked my ass off, took over both Luna and Beta duties, and handled them seamlessly. I kept Moonveil afloat. I made it prosper when I took over from your mother.”
My voice grew stronger with each word. “I earned every right to be named Luna of Moonveil. Especially if you keep saying you need me and miss me so much.”
Silence stretched between us.
“So here’s what’s going to happen,” I continued. “You either name me as the official Luna of Moonveil, or you never contact me again.”
I hung up before he could respond.
***
Three days later, I was preparing to leave for neutral territory with Edmund and the others. We were heading to a celebration, and I was looking forward to getting away from all the pack politics for a while.
As I walked toward the main entrance, I spotted a familiar figure hurrying across the courtyard.
“Oliver?” I called out, surprised.
The older doctor turned at the sound of my voice, his weathered face breaking into a warm smile. “Estelle! How wonderful to see you.”
It had been weeks since I’d last seen him. After he’d helped me understand the truth about my inactive mark, he’d left to continue his travels and wasn’t around Blackmoon most of the time.
“I didn’t expect to see you back so soon,” I said, walking over to him. “How have your travels been?”
“Educational, as always,” he replied, but I noticed he seemed rushed. His usual calm demeanor was replaced by something more urgent.
“Where are you headed in such a hurry?” I asked.
Oliver adjusted the medical bag slung over his shoulder. “I’m about to head into lycan territory. I’ve been summoned by the royal palace.”
My blood ran cold. The royal palace? That could only mean...
“Is Zayne alright?” The words tumbled out before I could stop them. Panic crept into my voice. “Did something happen to him?”
Oliver’s eyebrows rose slightly at my obvious concern, and he chuckled. “His Majesty is perfectly fine, dear. There’s no need to worry.”
Relief flooded through me, but I tried to keep my expression neutral.
“I’ve been summoned to do a routine check-up,” Oliver continued, his eyes twinkling with amusement at my reaction.
“A routine check-up?” I frowned. “On Zayne?”
“No, not on His Majesty,” Oliver said, adjusting his bag again. “On his grandmother.”
I stared at him, confusion replacing my relief.
“Zayne’s grandmother?”
