Chapter 91: Chapter 91: Estelle’s Mysterious Visitor
Third POV
Hazel watched Asher’s face carefully as her words sank in.
“A ploy?” Asher repeated, his voice growing steadier.
“Think about it,” Hazel pressed on, sensing an opportunity. “Estelle has always been clever. She knows exactly how to get under your skin. What better way to make you come crawling back than to make you think she’s moved on?”
Asher’s jaw tightened. The broken man from moments before was disappearing, replaced by wounded pride and growing anger.
“She’s playing games with me,” he said slowly, his green eyes hardening. “After everything I’ve done for her. After giving her a home, a family, a position in this pack.”
Hazel nodded eagerly. “Exactly. She’s trying to manipulate you into begging. She wants you to look weak in front of the other packs.”
“That ungrateful little—” Asher slammed his fist on the desk. “How dare she think she can toy with me like this?”
The shift was remarkable. Where desperation had been, now burned righteous indignation. Hazel had to hide her relief. This version of Asher she could work with.
“She probably expects you to chase after her,” Hazel continued, stroking his wounded ego. “That way, you will publicly humiliate yourself by begging her to come back. But you’re better than that, aren’t you?”
“Damn right I am.” Asher’s voice grew stronger with each word. “I’m the Alpha of Moonveil Pack. I don’t beg anyone for anything.”
Hazel stepped closer, placing a gentle hand on his arm. “That’s the man I know. The strong Alpha who built this pack from nothing.”
“She thinks she can just walk away?” Asher stood up straighter. “Leave her responsibilities behind and force my hand? Well, she’s got another thing coming.”
***
Estelle’s POV
“Well, well, look who’s back,” Caleb’s familiar voice called out from the entrance of the Blackmoon pack house. He jogged over with his usual grin. “How did things go with the infamous Lycan King?”
I couldn’t help but smile at his teasing tone. “It went fine, thank you very much.”
“Fine?” Caleb raised an eyebrow. “That’s all I get? Come on, Estelle. You spent two days with the most powerful man in our world and all you can say is ‘fine’?”
I brushed him off with a wave, but the smile stayed on my face. Truth was, things had gone surprisingly well. I felt like I understood Zayne better now. Now, I could see that there was more to his cold exterior.
“How have things been here?” I changed the subject as we walked toward the main building. “Any issues while I was gone?”
Caleb fell into step beside me. “Actually, things have been running pretty smoothly. Juliet and Edmund handled the agriculture sector well. No major problems to report. Everyone’s been on their best behavior.”
“That’s a relief,” I said, genuinely pleased. “I was worried about being gone so long, especially with that issue still in the air.”
“You worry too much,” Caleb chuckled. “Though there is one thing. You have a visitor.”
I paused mid-step. “A visitor?”
“Yeah, he showed up yesterday looking for you. When we told him you weren’t here, he left and came back this morning. He’s been waiting in the parlor for about an hour now.”
My mind immediately went to the worst possibilities. Had someone from Moonveil come looking for me? Or worse, was it some kind of threat?
“Who is it?” I asked carefully.
Caleb shrugged. “He didn’t give us much information and refused to even leave a name. But my dad vouched for him and said the old man was to be given VIP treatment. That’s the only reason we let him into our borders.”
If Killian trusted this person, it couldn’t be too bad. As the previous Beta of the Blackmoon Pack, he surely needed to have impeccable judgment.
“Can you take me to him?” I asked.
“Of course. Follow me.”
We made our way through the pack house corridors. My curiosity grew with each step.
Caleb pushed open the parlor doors, and I saw an elderly man seated on one of the couches. He appeared to be in his sixties or seventies, with kind eyes and a gentle demeanor that immediately put me at ease.
“Good morning,” I greeted him warmly. “I’m Estelle Harper. I apologize for keeping you waiting.”
The man’s face lit up as he stood to greet me. “No apology necessary, my dear. I’m just thrilled to finally meet the famous Estelle Harper.”
I laughed softly. “I wasn’t aware I was famous.”
“Oh, but you are,” he said with genuine enthusiasm. “Your accomplishments as Luna of Blackmoon have been talked about far and wide. Quite impressive for someone so young.”
“Thank you,” I replied, though I still felt curious about his identity. “And you are?”
“Cyril,” he said simply, offering no additional information about his pack or position. “I’ve come hoping to discuss a potential partnership between my pack and Blackmoon.”
I glanced at Caleb, who gave me an encouraging nod. Something about this man felt trustworthy, almost grandfatherly. Despite not knowing anything concrete about him, I found myself wanting to hear what he had to say.
“I understand if you’re wary,” Cyril continued, seeming to sense my hesitation. “If you’re too busy or uncomfortable, please don’t feel obligated to entertain me.”
“Not at all,” I found myself saying. “Would you like a tour of our territory? I’d be happy to show you around.”
Cyril’s smile widened. “I would be delighted.”
We spent the next few hours walking through Blackmoon’s key areas. Cyril asked thoughtful questions about our operations and seemed genuinely impressed with the improvements we’d made. His easy conversation and warm personality made the time pass quickly.
As afternoon approached, Cyril glanced at his watch. “It’s nearly tea time. Would you be interested in heading into neutral territory? I know a lovely place where we could grab some food and perhaps do a bit of shopping.”
I hesitated, checking my own schedule mentally.
“Go ahead,” Caleb chimed in. “I’ve got everything handled here. You’ve been working non-stop since you arrived. You deserve a break.”
“Alright,” I agreed. “That sounds nice, actually.”
There was something comforting about Cyril’s presence, like spending time with a favorite grandfather. I didn’t mind sparing the time.
We made our way toward the neutral territory, chatting easily about pack management and leadership challenges. Neither of us noticed the figure that had been carefully tracking our movements since we left Blackmoon lands.
