Alpha's Regret: Marked By The Lycan King

Chapter 143: Chapter 143: Handle It Yourself

Estelle’s POV

I stared at the message on my screen. Dorothy was returning.

The thought of seeing Asher’s grandmother again brought a mix of emotions. Dorothy had always been kind to me. She treated me like real family, unlike certain other members of the Daniels household.

However, I wasn’t ready to face her.

Dorothy would ask questions I couldn’t answer honestly. She would want to know why Asher and I seemed distant. The woman might be old, but she was still as sharp as ever. Seeing through our act would be all too easy for her.

I couldn’t tell her the truth that her beloved grandson had been lying to everyone for years. If she demanded answers, she would find out that he had a secret mate, and Finn was actually their child, not adopted. Everything that she believed about our marriage was a complete fabrication.

It would break her heart.

My phone buzzed again. It was another message from Asher.

[Please, Estelle. She specifically asked about you.]

Then another one.

[I know things are complicated between us right now, but she doesn’t need to know that.]

I set my jaw. Of course he wanted me to pretend everything was fine. It would make his life easier while he continued his charade.

My fingers moved across the keyboard before I could overthink it.

[Handle it yourself.]

I put the phone away and focused on checking Zayne’s bandages. The medical supplies were neatly arranged on the side table. Everything looked properly organized.

“Nothing important?” Zayne asked quietly.

I shook my head. “It’s nothing.”

But even as I said it, I knew I couldn’t stay here much longer. Even if Asher didn’t message, I needed to leave lycan territory soon. Caleb was handling Blackmoon alone while I played nurse. That wasn’t fair to him or the pack members who needed their leader present.

“I need to return to Blackmoon,” I said finally. “I’ve been away long enough. Caleb might be struggling to manage everything by himself, especially since I wasn’t planning on leaving for so long.”

Zayne stayed quiet for a moment. His blue eyes studied my face carefully.

“I’ve arranged warriors to escort you out,” he said eventually. “If needed, the helicopter can fly you directly to Blackmoon to save time.”

I nodded gratefully. “I would appreciate that very much.”

“Estelle?” His voice was serious. “If you need any help, you only have to ask.”

“Thank you.”

My phone started buzzing again as multiple messages came in rapid succession. I didn’t need to check to know they were from Asher.

He was probably panicking now. His carefully constructed lies were about to crumble when Dorothy arrived and found no trace of me.

“Are you going to check your phone?” Zayne asked.

I continued arranging the medical supplies without looking at the device. “No.”

When I glanced up, I caught sight of Zayne’s expression. The corner of his mouth had lifted slightly. It was barely noticeable, but definitely there.

“What’s so amusing?” I asked.

Zayne shook his head. “Nothing. Just remind me never to get on your bad side.”

***

Third POV

Asher stared at his phone screen in disbelief.

[Handle it yourself.]

Three words. That was all Estelle had given him after dozens of increasingly desperate messages. She didn’t reply to any of his other messages after that.

It had been a full day since Dorothy’s call. For one whole day, Asher had been sending text after text, explaining the situation, practically begging for Estelle’s help.

She didn’t reply a single time.

His hands shook as he set the phone down. This was a disaster. Dorothy would arrive any minute now, expecting to see Estelle.

A knock at the front door made Asher’s stomach drop. He looked through the window and saw Dorothy’s familiar car in the driveway.

Before he even touched the door handle, the front door opened. Dorothy never waited for invitations to enter her own family’s home.

“Where is everyone?” Dorothy’s voice carried through the house. “This place feels like a tomb.”

Asher hurried to greet her, forcing a smile. “Grandmother. You’re here early.”

Dorothy’s sharp eyes immediately scanned the main living area. “Where’s Estelle? Still on that business trip?”

“Yes, she’s...” Asher began.

“Still?” Dorothy’s eyebrows rose. “How long has she been gone?”

Jessie heard the commotion and came down. She came over to help look for Finn and had been discussing things with Asher in his office prior to Dorothy’s arrival. “Dorothy! What a surprise.”

“Jessie,” Dorothy said, scanning her daughter-in-law from top to bottom. “I didn’t know that you were here.”

Dorothy never liked Jessie, and neither did the latter like her back. However, they always remained a civil front for the family. Jessie also had no choice but to bow down to the previous Luna, who ruled the family with an iron fist once Alpha Cornelius, Dorothy’s mate, passed away.

Asher’s blood turned to ice. Dorothy didn’t know about Finn’s disappearance. It had been a day, and yet there was still no news from the warriors that Asher had sent out.

Asher quickly shot his mother a meaningful stare, hoping she would understand to play along.

“Ah, yes,” Jessie said. “I was here to visit. Asher didn’t mention that you’ll be here as well.”

“When is Estelle coming back?” Dorothy asked directly, ignoring Jessie’s statement. The latter pursed her lips tightly together but said nothing.

“She’s busy,” Asher said quickly. “I told you this yesterday.”

Dorothy’s expression hardened. “Even if Estelle is busy, she cannot be too busy for family.”

Without waiting for permission, Dorothy headed toward the staircase. “I’m going to check on things myself.”