Alpha's Regret: Marked By The Lycan King

Chapter 151: Chapter 151: Much Too Loyal

Third POV

Asher was just about to push the door open, but before he could get a better view, strong hands gripped his shoulders and yanked him backward.

“There you are!” Eloise’s voice was sharp with irritation. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

Asher spun around, his face flushed with anger and frustration. He had been so close. Just one more second, and he would’ve already been able to see the woman’s face, or at least the man’s.

This woman had the audacity to two-time on Alpha Jude Reed of the Tidal Valley Pack. If Asher had been able to get this information, it would’ve been amazing for blackmail. However, everything was ruined, and he had missed the chance.

“I was just—”

“You were just being incredibly rude,” she cut him off, her green eyes flashing. “I brought you here as my guest, Asher. Running off in the middle of our conversation is not acceptable.”

She looked genuinely offended, her red lips pressed into a thin line. Asher realized he was on dangerous ground. Eloise’s connections were the only reason he was here tonight. He couldn’t afford to alienate her.

“I apologize,” he said through gritted teeth. “The champagne must have gone to my head.”

Her expression softened slightly. “Well, that’s more understandable. These events can be overwhelming, especially for someone new to this level of society.”

She sighed, adjusting the voluminous curls of her hair. “I suppose I should’ve guessed that a small pack like Moonveil wouldn’t have known the proper etiquette for an event like this. I could look past this just once.”

The condescension in her voice made Asher’s jaw twitch, but he nodded anyway. “You’re absolutely right. I should have stayed by your side. It was my mistake.”

Eloise smiled and moved closer, her hand trailing up his chest. She adjusted the lapels of his suit jacket. “That’s better. Now, shall we return to Alpha Sylvester? He’s quite influential, and I think you two would get along wonderfully.”

Asher let her guide him back toward the ballroom, but his eyes kept darting toward the balcony. Through the glass doors, he could see that the space was now empty. The mysterious couple had vanished.

His mind raced as Eloise chattered beside him.

At first, Asher was so sure that the woman was none other than Estelle, but now, he wasn’t so sure of it any longer. It couldn’t have been Estelle. She was a rogue now, living somewhere on her own. She wouldn’t have the connections or resources to attend an event like this.

Besides, Hazel mentioned that Estelle could’ve been linked to Alpha Jude. Estelle was much too sweet and much too loyal to play with two powerful men like this.

If the other man could attend such an event, he was surely an important figure in werewolf society as well. That meant that if Estelle was caught, she would be easily destroyed by both men.

Even if she wasn’t their mate, werewolves were extremely territorial. They wouldn’t be too happy to learn that they’ve been sharing a woman.

With Alpha Jude present, if Estelle attended the event with him, she wouldn’t dare kiss another man right under his nose, where she could be easily caught. Thus, she couldn’t possibly be Estelle. This must be another woman romantically linked to that second man. Alpha Jude could’ve just been a friend.

But that meant that Hazel’s theory could still be right, and that Alpha Jude could still potentially be Estelle’s new romantic target.

Asher shook his head, dispelling those thoughts. It was getting too much. Every theory led to more branches, and soon enough, Asher was starting to confuse himself.

To counter this, Asher had to return to square one. He tried to convince himself he was being paranoid. Estelle was probably hundreds of miles away, struggling to survive on her own. She certainly wasn’t kissing mysterious men at high-society events.

Even if she were here somehow, she would never betray him like that. She might be angry with him, but she still loved him. Deep down, she had to. She was too loyal, too devoted to truly move on.

He still had power over her. He was sure of it.

***

Estelle’s POV

My heart was racing as Zayne pulled me deeper into the shadows of the balcony. His strong arms caged me against the stone wall, shielding me from view.

We had just broken apart from our kiss, both of us breathing hard. His forehead rested against mine, and I could feel the warmth of his breath against my lips.

“There was someone watching us,” he murmured, his voice low and protective. “Just now, behind us.”

I nodded, my pulse still hammering. “I thought I heard something too.”

His hand came up to gently brush my hair behind my ear. The simple gesture made my skin tingle. “They’re gone now.”

At the same time, I felt my mark begin to tingle strangely. It was a sensation I hadn’t experienced in a while, like a faint buzzing under my skin. I pressed my hand to my neck unconsciously.

Zayne noticed the movement, his eyes darkening with concern. But before he could ask about it, he leaned closer instead.

His thumb traced along my jawline, and his electric blue eyes held mine captive. “In that case, should we continue where we left off?”