Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Too Busy For Dinner

Estelle’s POV

“Hello?”

“Estelle.” Zayne’s voice came through clear and steady.

I had not spoken to him since the Lycan Summit. The ring that he had gifted me was still sitting at the bottom of my bag, untouched. I had forgotten about it entirely until now.

I pressed my back against the cool stone wall of the alcove.

“To what do I owe this pleasure, Your Majesty?” I asked, keeping my voice professional.

There was a brief pause on the other end. When he spoke again, his tone was slightly different. It sounded less formal than usual.

“Zayne.”

I blinked.

“What?”

“Call me Zayne,” he repeated. “First name is fine.”

The simple request caught me off guard. We were engaged, but there was never a proposal or a contract to define our relationship.

After the Lycan Summit, I wasn’t even sure if the engagement was still on. However, if Zayne Silvius didn’t tell me himself that the engagement had been called off, I wouldn’t say a word to remind him.

It made no difference to me anyway, whether or not I was attached. But if this engagement went through, I would be at an advantage to have the lycans behind me.

“I was wondering if you would like to join me for lunch today,” he continued before I could respond.

Lunch? I glanced at my watch. It was almost nine in the morning, and I had a mountain of work waiting back in my office. It could theoretically work, but it would also be difficult to squeeze time out. I was originally planning to have a simple lunch while I worked.

“That’s very kind of you,” I said carefully, “but I’m afraid I’m quite busy today.”

“I could arrange something at a neutral territory restaurant near Blackmoon,” Zayne offered. “Or I could come to you.”

The thought of the Lycan King showing up at Blackmoon made my pulse quicken. That would immediately make the headlines. Considering our engagement wasn’t revealed to the public yet, I didn’t think that would be a good idea.

“I appreciate the offer, but I really can’t step away right now.”

“Dinner then?”

I closed my eyes briefly.

Tonight was impossible. I had just arranged a meeting with the Silverclaw Pack for tonight, and their Alpha wasn’t the type to appreciate rescheduling. This alliance was crucial for Blackmoon’s future, especially with all the internal discord I was dealing with.

If only he had called next week. By then, I would have had more breathing room.

“I’m sorry, but I have something planned for dinner as well,” I said, genuine regret creeping into my voice.

There was another pause. It lasted so long that I wondered if the call had actually ended.

“I... I really do need to get back to work,” I said softly. “But thank you for thinking of me, Your Majesty.”

I ended the call before he could respond. This trade agreement with Silverclaw should be my utmost priority at the moment. Everything else could wait for later.

***

Third POV

The line went dead in Zayne’s ear.

He stared at his phone for a long moment, processing what had just happened. Estelle Harper had hung up on him.

More than that, she’d called him “Your Majesty” again after he’d specifically asked her to use his name. As much as he hated to admit it, that caused more irritation than he expected to surge through him.

Zayne slipped his phone into his jacket pocket and walked back toward his office. His footsteps echoed down the long corridors of the lycan palace.

When he reached his office door, Mason was already there waiting. His second-in-command straightened as Zayne approached, falling into step beside him as they entered the office together.

Mason closed the door behind them with a soft click.

“How did the meeting with the council go?” Mason asked, standing right behind the chair across from Zayne’s desk.

“Fine,” Zayne replied curtly. He dropped into his chair, looking slightly defeated.

Mason waited, clearly sensing there was more. He raised an eyebrow, waiting for Zayne to continue.

“And?” Mason prodded.

In the public eye, Mason knew to keep his distance. However, behind closed doors, the two were as close as brothers. Elder councilman Cyril was the only one who knew this.

“Did they ask about Lady Rosalind again?”

Zayne finally looked up. His expression was as cold as ice. Mason instantly raised his hands in surrender.

“Forget I ever asked.”

“I need you to find out what’s happening at Blackmoon,” Zayne said.

Finally.

Mason was quiet for a moment, his expression thoughtful. “Well, there’s nothing particularly noteworthy in our recent reports.”

Zayne nodded, but something in his expression must have given him away.

Mason leaned forward. The only thing he could think of that would pique Zayne Silvius’s interests would be none other than Estelle Harper, the woman who would eventually become the lycan queen. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

“Unless... Is this about Miss Harper specifically?”