Chapter 69: Chapter 69: Not Who She Expected

Third POV

Zayne said nothing, but his expression darkened. Mason had spent enough time with Zayne to know that silence was confirmation.

“It seems like Estelle has run into some problems in Blackmoon,” Mason said, pulling out a tablet from his jacket. “Several pack members are questioning her authority. They’ve been rebelling with work strikes, refusing to work, or purposely sabotaging certain operations.”

Zayne’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.

“They’re only a few individuals,” Mason continued, “but those people are usually in middle management. It’s causing issues for the entire production line.”

Mason swiped across his tablet screen. “Also, I did hear that Estelle will be meeting with the Silverclaw Pack tonight.”

Zayne’s eyes sharpened. So that was why she said she wasn’t available for dinner.

“Find out where Estelle is meeting the Silverclaw Pack for these discussions,” Zayne ordered. “And clear out my evening schedule.”

Mason nodded. “Understood, Your Majesty.”

***

Estelle’s POV

The club that the Silverclaw Pack had chosen for our meeting looked sketchy from the outside. Neon lights flickered against the dark brick walls, and the music from inside was already too loud.

Caleb stepped closer to me as we approached the entrance. “Why would they pick a place like this for business negotiations?”

I honestly didn’t know. But I needed to win over the Silverclaw Pack for this deal to work. They might have some resentment towards me, considering how I used to handle things in Moonveil, then suddenly abandoned everything and tossed it to Hazel.

It wouldn’t have been too bad if Hazel could actually meet what was required of her. The problem was that she didn’t, and Asher was also useless.

“Don’t be brash,” I warned Caleb in a low voice. “The Silverclaw Pack is a sleazy bunch. Their Alpha and Luna are mainly alright, but everyone else can be difficult to talk to.”

Caleb nodded, his expression serious.

As soon as we entered, a manager in a wrinkled suit hurried over. He led us through the crowded main floor, past drunk patrons and servers carrying trays of drinks. The smell of alcohol and cigarettes hung heavy in the air.

We followed him up a narrow staircase to a private room on the second floor. The manager knocked twice, then pushed open the door.

Inside, I was surprised to see a familiar face sitting at the head of the table.

Hayden Jayne, Hannah’s older brother. I had only seen him once, a few years ago, when I visited Silverclaw as Moonveil’s representative. He looked just like he did before.

He was a copy of his younger sister. Hayden’s dark hair was slicked back, and his cold gray eyes lazily scanned the room. He wore an expensive suit, but something about his posture suggested he was ready for a fight.

I was caught off guard, but I maintained my professionalism. My expression remained calm and composed. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

“Hayden,” I said evenly. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Ah, Estelle. You know, for a second there, I thought my sister had gone crazy when she told me that you are the new Luna of the Blackmoon Pack. You’ve kept it quite well under wraps! I suppose I should be addressing you as Luna Estelle now?”

I ignored his tone. “I was under the impression that this meeting was supposed to be between Alpha Hugo and myself.”

“Alpha Hugo is busy,” Hayden replied, gesturing to an empty chair across from him. “He can’t make it. He sent me in his stead.”

I glanced around the room. Besides Hayden, there were three other men sitting along the walls. I didn’t recognize any of them, but the way they were looking at me suggested malice. These weren’t Hugo’s usual team members.

These were Hayden’s men.

I highly suspected that Hayden had played some tricks to get himself this opportunity. As Hannah’s older brother, he was probably here to make things difficult for me after what had happened with his precious little sister.

“Congratulations,” I said. “I heard that you’ve been promoted to the position of Silverclaw’s Gamma.”

“Thank you,” Hayden said, smiling. The smile didn’t reach his eyes. “My dad wasn’t willing to retire, which delayed my promotion by a few years, but here we are now.”

“Although I’m surprised the Gamma is here,” I said instead, taking the offered seat. Caleb positioned himself behind my chair. “Even if Alpha Hugo is unavailable, I thought he would’ve sent his Luna or Beta for a negotiation of this magnitude.”

Hayden’s smile widened. “I’m afraid I’m all you’re going to get, sweetheart.”

Just then, a server entered carrying a tray loaded with bottles of alcohol. It was far more than what would be appropriate for a business meeting.

The server placed everything on the table and left without a word.

I turned my eyes away from the tray. “Well then, let’s discuss the trade agreements and proposals.”

I pulled out the carefully prepared reports from my briefcase and placed them on the table between us.

“I’ve arranged and planned everything according to Silverclaw’s requirements. I’ve assumed that nothing much has changed over the last few months, so do let me know if any adjustments are required—”

Hayden immediately poured amber liquid into a glass. Without breaking eye contact, he placed the full glass directly on top of my reports, cutting me off.

I frowned but said nothing. I met his eyes steadily.

“Patience, Luna Estelle,” he said.

Hayden’s smile never wavered.

“Drink,” he said pleasantly. “Then we’ll talk.”