Alpha's Regret: Marked By The Lycan King

Chapter 131: Chapter 131: Return To Moonveil

Third POV

Hazel stared down at the drunken man slumped against her shoulder. Asher’s cheeks were flushed red, and he reeked of alcohol. Even a human could smell the wine on him from a mile away.

She scowled but tightened her grip around his waist to keep him upright. Behind them, servers hurried to clear the mess he’d left at his table.

This wasn’t the Asher she remembered.

Growing up, their families had been close. Her father served as Beta to Asher’s father, which meant she’d known Asher practically her entire life. Even as a child, he’d carried himself with the knowledge that he would one day lead their pack. He was mature, responsible, and everything an Alpha should be.

When Colin disappeared and Asher took over, he’d become even more disciplined. In Hazel’s eyes, he’d always been perfect.

She’d never seen him this pathetic.

“Come on,” she muttered, guiding him toward the restaurant’s exit. “Let’s get you home.”

Outside, she pulled out her phone to call a taxi. The cool night air seemed to revive Asher slightly, and he began mumbling under his breath.

Hazel strained to listen, then froze when she caught the words.

“Estelle... knew you’d come... always come back to me...”

Pain shot through her chest like a physical blow. He thought she was Estelle. All this time, he’d been expecting his fake mate to rescue him, not his true one.

Anger quickly replaced the hurt. How dare he call out another woman’s name when she was the one helping him? When she was the one who’d dropped everything to come get him?

A taxi pulled up to the curb. Hazel yanked open the back door and shoved Asher inside with more force than necessary.

“Where to?” the driver asked.

“Moonveil Pack territory,” she snapped, then slammed the door shut.

As the taxi drove away, she turned and stalked in the opposite direction. Let him figure out how to get inside the pack house on his own.

***

Estelle’s POV

Three days later, I stood right outside the borders of Moonveil Pack territory. The familiar scent of pine and earth filled my nostrils, but instead of comfort, it brought only tension.

“I still don’t like this,” Caleb said for the third time that morning. “Asher insisted on meeting here instead of neutral ground. That’s already a red flag.”

“Which is why River’s coming with me,” I replied, adjusting the strap of my briefcase. “You need to stay in Blackmoon and handle things there.”

River nodded from beside me. “I’ll keep an eye on her. Besides, this is still my former pack. I know all the escape routes.”

Caleb looked like he wanted to argue more, but he simply sighed. “Fine. But if anything feels off, you leave immediately.”

I appreciated his concern. “I’ll be careful.”

Caleb reluctantly drove off after that.

The pack house came into view as we walked up the familiar path. I’d expected someone to greet us at the entrance, but the front door remained closed.

Minutes ticked by.

My jaw tightened.

“Moonveil really has gone downhill,” River commented, scanning the poorly maintained grounds. “Look at the state of those training facilities.”

He was right. Weeds grew through cracks in the concrete, and several windows had boards over them instead of glass.

Finally, the front door opened. Nigel appeared, looking harried and exhausted. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, and his usually neat appearance was disheveled.

“Estelle,” he said, attempting a smile. “Sorry to keep you waiting. Things have been busy without Hazel.”

“So I can see,” I replied coolly.

He led us inside and down a hallway to a meeting room I remembered well. “Wait here. I’ll get the Alpha.”

Once he was gone, River shook his head. “Busy? What’s he so busy with? It’s not like Hazel actually did much around here anyway.”

I hid a smile. “River, we’re on their territory. Watch what you say.”

“Right, sorry.” But his grin suggested he wasn’t sorry at all.

The door opened again, and Nigel returned with Asher trailing behind him. Ashley followed, carrying a stack of files.

Asher’s face lit up when he saw me, and he moved forward with arms slightly outstretched as if to embrace me. But then his gaze landed on River, and his entire demeanor shifted.

His welcoming smile vanished. His eyes narrowed as he looked River up and down like he was assessing a threat.

I raised an eyebrow at the obvious hostility. “Asher, you remember River, don’t you? He used to live here. He wanted to visit some family while I was in town.”

“River,” Asher said flatly, not extending his hand for a greeting.

“Alpha Asher,” River replied with equal coldness.

I could imagine why River didn’t like Asher. After all, the latter was anything but a capable leader and had essentially forced River to choose between his old friends and relatives versus a better life for himself. However, I didn’t know what could’ve happened for Asher to eye River up like a thief.

Asher forced his attention back to me, his expression warming again. “You look good, Estelle. How have you been?”

“Fine,” I answered curtly. I wasn’t here for small talk.

Ashley rolled her eyes from her position near the door. “You really haven’t changed at all, have you?”

“Ashley,” Asher warned.

But his sister ignored him, fixing me with a look of disdain. “Still the same cold, ungrateful attitude.”

I felt River tense beside me, but I remained perfectly calm. This wasn’t the first time I had dealt with Ashley. I had spent enough years serving her to know her true personality.

I turned to face her directly, my voice steady and controlled.

“Oh? How so?”