Chapter 117: Chapter 117: No Other Choice
Third POV
“Don’t say that,” Asher said, his voice strained. “I didn’t want this to happen.”
Hazel’s shoulders shook beneath the oversized scarf. Even with her face partially hidden, Asher could see the pain in her expression. The sunglasses couldn’t hide the tears threatening to spill over.
“But it did happen,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “And you weren’t there to stop it.”
Guilt twisted in Asher’s chest like a knife. She was right. He had promised to protect her and give her the life that she deserved. Instead, he had been dealing with pack politics while she faced the council’s wrath alone.
If he had arrived on time, maybe he could have prevented Hazel from getting kicked out of Moonveil entirely.
“Hazel, I’m sorry,” he said, reaching for her hand. “I know I messed up.”
She pulled away from his touch. “Sorry doesn’t fix this, Asher. Do you understand what my life is like now?”
Her voice grew louder, drawing curious glances from passing shoppers. Asher looked around nervously before gently guiding her toward a quieter corner near the fountain.
“If any Moonveil warrior sees me with you, they can arrest me,” Hazel continued, the words tumbling out in a rush. “The council made it clear that I’m banned from pack territory. I don’t have a pack anymore, Asher.”
Asher pursed his lips together.
“I’m basically a rogue now,” Hazel continued, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. “And if your council members—or really anyone from Moonveil or who knows someone from Moonveil—catch me with their Alpha, I could be stripped of my rank entirely. They could make me an omega, Asher. Do you know what that would do to me?”
The thought made him sick. Hazel had worked hard to earn respect in the pack hierarchy. She had been acting Beta, for crying out loud. To lose everything and become the lowest-ranking member of werewolf society would destroy her.
“That won’t happen,” he said firmly, pulling her into his arms despite her resistance. “I won’t let it happen.”
She melted against his chest, her carefully constructed composure finally cracking. The tears came freely now, soaking through his shirt.
“How can you promise that?” she sobbed. “You couldn’t even prevent this mess in the first place.”
Her words stung, but he deserved them. He tightened his embrace, breathing in the familiar scent of her hair.
“Because we’re in neutral territory,” he said, stroking her back gently. “This area is miles away from Moonveil borders. None of our people come out this far.”
Hazel sniffled against his shoulder. “Are you sure?”
“Positive. I specifically chose this location because it’s safe.” He pulled back to look at her face, carefully wiping away her tears. “I’ve rented us a small apartment here. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s private and comfortable. We can stay here for the next few days while I figure out how to fix this.”
A spark of hope flickered in her eyes. “Really?”
“Really. And today, I want to spoil you.” He managed a smile, trying to lift her spirits. “I just closed a major deal with the Stormhowl Pack. The commission alone will cover months of expenses for the entire pack, much more for the Alpha’s family. So what do you say to a shopping spree followed by dinner at that expensive restaurant you mentioned last month?”
Hazel’s face brightened slightly. “The one with the imported wine?”
“The very one. I already made reservations.”
She looked around at the bustling mall, then back at him. “You promise this area is safe?”
“I promise. Besides, even if someone did recognize us, we’re not doing anything illegal. Couples visit neutral territory all the time.”
“But you have to promise me something else,” Hazel said, her voice growing serious again. “You cannot make Estelle the Luna of Moonveil.”
Asher nodded without hesitation. “Of course. I promise.”
The lie came easily, but internally, his thoughts raced in the opposite direction. Making Estelle Luna wasn’t just a possibility anymore—it was becoming a necessity.
Ever since she had left, Moonveil’s situation had grown increasingly desperate. The Stormhowl deal was the only successful negotiation he had managed in weeks. Every other pack either ignored his proposals entirely or made demands he couldn’t meet.
The council had noticed his failures. They questioned his decisions more frequently. Asher didn’t think they would make good use of their threat, but they did. They started making major choices without consulting him.
Worst of all, he had heard whispers about replacement candidates. If his performance didn’t improve soon, they might vote to remove him from the Alpha position entirely. His family had ruled as the Alpha family of Moonveil for generations. Asher could not let it fall right now.
Estelle’s return could solve everything. But he couldn’t approach her yet. Right now, he hadn’t figured out how to eventually reclaim power from her once she fixed his problems.
A public rejection could work, but only if the pack supported him more than her. Given his recent failures, that seemed unlikely.
Maybe he could invite her back and steal all her credit and hard work, give it to Hazel, then publicly reject Estelle. With the credit on Hazel’s shoulders, the pack wouldn’t be as supportive of Estelle, and they would want Hazel’s return.
“Asher?” Hazel’s voice cut through his spiraling thoughts. “Are you listening to me?”
He blinked, refocusing on her face. “Sorry, what did you say?”
She pointed toward a row of boutiques across the mall corridor. “I said I want to check out that store over there. The one with the designer handbags.”
Asher followed her gaze to an upscale boutique with gleaming window displays. Price tags were visible even from a distance, and they made him wince internally. But he had promised her a shopping spree.
“Whatever you want,” he said, forcing enthusiasm into his voice. “Lead the way.”
Hazel’s mood improved dramatically as they walked toward the store. She began pointing out different items in various shop windows, her earlier tears completely forgotten.
“Oh, and I saw this adorable dress in a magazine,” she chattered excitedly. “It would be perfect for pack events. You know, once I’m officially Luna.”
Asher nodded and smiled at appropriate moments, but his attention was divided between her words and his mounting financial concerns. The Stormhowl money was significant, but it wasn’t unlimited. And with pack expenses continuing to pile up, he needed to be more careful about personal spending.
But as they entered the first boutique and Hazel immediately gravitated toward the most expensive section, Asher realized he might have underestimated what he had gotten himself into.
However, Asher soon found out that Hazel could be quite the menace while shopping.
