Chapter 97: Chapter 97: It Was All Fabricated
Third POV
Jude studied the two people in front of him with mild curiosity, his green eyes moving between Asher’s shocked expression and Hazel’s obvious panic. A small, polite smile played at the corners of his mouth, but there was something distinctly cold about it.
“I’m sorry,” he said, his tone pleasant but detached. “Do I know you?”
Asher’s mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water.
This young, striking man couldn’t possibly be the man whom Asher assumed was Alpha Jude from the photograph. The man in that picture was obviously an elderly man.
Hazel quickly stepped forward, forcing a bright smile despite her pale complexion. “We’ve actually met the other day, Alpha Jude. We’re from the Moonveil Pack. It is an honor to meet you officially.”
She was laying it on thick, her voice dripping with false sweetness and admiration. “Your reputation precedes you. We are both absolutely delighted to meet the great Alpha Jude Reed.”
Jude’s eyebrows rose slightly. He wore a smile, but he didn’t seem genuinely happy. “How flattering.”
Asher remained frozen, his mind racing. If this was really Alpha Jude, then who the hell was the old man with Estelle in that photograph?
The more he thought about it, the more confused he felt. This Alpha Jude looked like he was barely thirty. There was no way he could be anyone’s grandfather.
He then clenched his jaw. Hazel mentioned that Estelle seemed to know Logan Greene, the Beta of the Tidal Valley Pack, too. He could’ve been the old fool in the photograph.
Before anyone could say more, footsteps approached from behind Jude. A tall, pale man with black hair and dark maroon eyes appeared, his expression serious and somewhat irritated.
“Alpha Jude,” the newcomer said, his voice clipped.
“Ah, Logan.” Jude turned toward the pale man. “There you are. I was looking for you. Did you know that they ran out of champagne already? The event hasn’t even started yet!”
Asher’s eyes widened. If this other man was Beta Logan, then it would throw the possibility of Logan Greene being the man in the photograph straight out the window. Asher was now back to square one.
“Unfortunately, I do not spend my days loitering around the alcohol section,” Logan deadpanned. “But this is perfect. His Majesty the Lycan King is looking for you. Perhaps you may take it up with him directly.” Sarcasm dripped from his voice. “I am sure His Majesty would love to direct you to where they keep the rest of the alcoholic beverages.”
“What does Zayne need me for?” Jude frowned. “It’s his engagement party, not mine. Shouldn’t he be looking for his councilmen or Mason if he needs something?”
Logan’s expression remained impassive. “His Majesty didn’t specify the reason. He simply requested your presence.”
Hazel’s eyes widened in shock. “Engagement party?” she blurted out before she could stop herself.
The three men turned to look at her, and she felt her face burn with embarrassment. She was under the impression that this was some sort of werewolf-lycan diplomatic conference. That was what Asher had told her, at least.
She turned around and glared at her mate, but Asher didn’t meet her eyes. He was much too distracted.
Likewise, the other two men seemed to dismiss her outburst entirely, returning to their conversation as if she hadn’t spoken.
Jude let out an exasperated sigh. “Fine. I suppose I can’t keep the Lycan King waiting.”
Logan’s gaze shifted to Hazel, and recognition flickered across his features. “You’re the Luna of Moonveil Pack.”
Hazel practically preened at the acknowledgment, straightening her shoulders and lifting her chin. Finally, someone was giving her the respect she deserved.
“Yes,” Hazel said, beaming. “I’m Hazel—”
“She isn’t,” Asher rudely cut her off, leaving Hazel wide-eyed and shocked. “Estelle is the Luna of the Moonveil Pack.”
Asher watched both men carefully, hoping for some reaction to Estelle’s name. In his opinion, any sign of recognition, surprise, or guilt would confirm his suspicions. Maybe Estelle still had something to do with either of these men. Perhaps the old man had been someone else working for the Alpha or Beta of the Tidal Valley Pack.
But neither Jude nor Logan showed the slightest reaction. Their expressions remained perfectly neutral, as if the name meant absolutely nothing to them.
“I see,” Logan said flatly. “Well, regardless, I don’t recall the Moonveil Pack being on the guest list for this evening.”
Jude’s smile became decidedly more dangerous, though his tone remained pleasant. “Perhaps you two should consider leaving. I’m sure you have important pack business to attend to.”
The threat was wrapped in politeness, but it was unmistakably clear. Asher felt a chill run down his spine.
Hazel grabbed his arm, her grip tight with urgency. “Of course! We were just leaving anyway. This has all been a terrible misunderstanding.”
She began pulling Asher toward the exit. Asher resisted for a moment, still staring at Jude and Logan, but Hazel’s insistent tugging finally got through to him.
They made their way out of the building in tense silence, Hazel’s heels clicking rapidly against the marble floor in her haste to escape. Neither spoke until they were safely in their car and driving away from lycan territory.
The silence stretched between them as familiar scenery began to appear outside the windows. Asher stared out at the passing landscape, his jaw clenched, and his hands balled into fists in his lap.
His mind was working overtime, trying to piece together what had just happened. Alpha Jude was young and handsome, nothing like the elderly man from the photograph. Beta Logan didn’t seem like a possible candidate either. Neither Jude nor Logan had shown any recognition when Estelle’s name was mentioned.
Slowly, a new theory began to form in his mind. The more he thought about it, the more sense it made.
Neither Alpha Jude nor Beta Logan knew Estelle. They had no connection to her whatsoever. The photograph and the stories about her being with another man could all be fabricated.
Hazel had failed him once more and provided him with wrong information. Estelle was playing games with him.
She was trying to make him jealous and attempting to manipulate him into chasing after her. She wanted him to come crawling back, begging her to return to Moonveil Pack.
The realization hit him like a physical blow, and rage began building in his chest.
How dare she? How dare she try to manipulate him like this? Did she think he was some lovesick fool who would fall for such obvious tricks?
His hands clenched into fists so tight his knuckles went white.
Estelle thought she was so clever, staging this elaborate charade to get his attention. Well, she had another thing coming.
He wasn’t going to fall for her games. Asher wasn’t going to go running after her like some desperate puppy.
Instead, he was going to make her realize exactly what she had lost. He would make her understand that leaving him was the biggest mistake of her life.
By the time he was done, Estelle would come crawling back to him on her own, begging for his forgiveness.
