Alpha's Regret: Marked By The Lycan King

Chapter 149: Chapter 149: Moonlit Reunion

Estelle’s POV

“Zayne?” I breathed his name, barely believing my eyes.

He stood there in the moonlight, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit that made his silver hair look almost ethereal. Those electric blue eyes found mine immediately, and my heart did a flip.

“Good evening, Estelle,” he said, his voice low and husky.

Without thinking, I closed the distance between us. He opened his arms as though waiting for me to run into them, but I stopped at the last second, hesitating. My head was buzzing with one too many drinks, but even then, I still found a sliver of sobriety to wonder if this was appropriate.

Before I could overthink it further, his hands settled gently on my waist. He drew me closer with such tenderness that my knees nearly gave out. The familiar scent of him surrounded me completely.

My cheeks burned with heat as I looked up at him. “Aren’t you supposed to be resting?”

“I was resting,” he replied, his lips quirking upward. “But then I thought I heard a certain someone wishing I was around. I could hear your sighs all the way from the royal palace.”

“I was not sighing,” I protested, though my voice came out breathier than intended.

Zayne gave me that pointed look of his that told me he saw right through my denial. My resolve crumbled instantly.

“Okay, maybe I was sighing a little,” I admitted. Fueled by liquid courage, I continued, “I missed you. I heard you weren’t coming tonight, and I may have been just a tad bit disappointed.”

I may be here on official business, but I couldn’t help wanting to see Zayne, especially since this was supposed to be a lycan-werewolf convention. As the Lycan King, it seemed odd that he, the most famous lycan at the moment, wasn’t attending.

He laughed, the sound low and rich. “Grandmother gave me very clear orders to stay home and recuperate. No exceptions.”

But then, he smirked charmingly. “I had to sneak out when she wasn’t looking. She’s probably going absolutely mad searching the palace for me right now.”

I frowned at him. “Zayne, that’s not good. You shouldn’t worry her like that.”

“Don’t worry,” he assured me with obvious amusement. “She’s already scolded me through the mindlink about a thousand times since I left.”

Despite myself, I smiled. But I still reached up and smacked his chest playfully. “You’re terrible.”

His expression grew softer, more serious. “I missed you too, Estelle.”

Something in his voice made my breath catch. His eyes looked so gentle and full of warmth. It made my pulse race. I felt compelled to lean closer, drawn to him like a magnet.

Our faces were inches apart now. His hands tightened slightly on my waist.

“You look incredible tonight,” he murmured, his gaze dropping to my lips.

“You don’t look too shabby yourself, Your Majesty,” I whispered back.

The moonlight cast everything in silver, and the moment felt almost dreamlike. His thumb traced a small circle on my waist through the silk of my dress.

Then he leaned down, and I rose up on my toes to meet him halfway.

Our lips touched under the moonlight, soft and sweet at first. Then he deepened the kiss, and I melted against him completely. His hand moved to cup my face while the other remained firmly at my waist.

***

Third POV

Meanwhile, back in the ballroom, Asher felt like he was suffocating.

The crystal chandeliers that had seemed impressive earlier now felt oppressive. The classical music sounded too loud in his ears. Even the expensive champagne tasted bitter on his tongue.

Eloise had kept her promise to introduce him to people, but they were all the wrong people. They were all either Lunas who smiled politely before dismissing him, or Betas who shook his hand and immediately forgot his name. Among them were a couple of lower-level pack officials who were barely more connected than he was.

He hadn’t had a single meaningful conversation with any Alpha yet.

Worse, he hadn’t even gotten to meet Logan Greene, the Beta from Tidal Valley Pack, despite him being the only Beta who mattered.

Across the room, he could see a group of Alphas laughing together near the orchestra. Those were the real connections Asher was hoping to make, the kind of men who controlled territories and commanded respect.

That’s where he needed to be.

“Another drink, darling?” Eloise appeared at his elbow again, pressing another champagne flute into his hand.

Asher took it automatically, but his attention remained fixed on the group of Alphas. He watched them with growing frustration, calculating how he might approach them.

Just then, he noticed movement near the group. Alpha Jude was walking toward someone, his tall and broad figure blocking Asher’s view of whoever he was approaching.

But Asher caught a glimpse of an icy blue satin that caught the light.

It took him only a second to recognize that it was the same dress he’d seen earlier.

The same dress that the woman who looked like Estelle was wearing.

His grip tightened on his champagne flute as Alpha Jude’s imposing frame continued to block his view. All Asher could see was that flash of blue fabric and the hint of an elegant silhouette. Her face was right out of Asher’s line of sight.

His heart began to race. If that really was Estelle, what was she doing here? How could she possibly be at an event like this?

And why was one of the most powerful Alphas in the room speaking with her so familiarly?