Estelle’s POV

Everyone’s faces went pale. The silence stretched for several uncomfortable seconds.

“No,” Hayden said quickly. “We haven’t spoken to anyone from your pack.”

His friends nodded frantically in agreement. “Never met him,” one stammered. “Don’t even know what he looks like.”

I could smell the lies on them. Their heartbeats were racing, and sweat beaded on their foreheads despite the cool air conditioning.

But I didn’t call them out. Instead, I smiled pleasantly.

“I see,” I said, letting the word hang in the air. “Well, let me be very clear about something.”

I stood up slowly, placing my palms flat on the table.

“This is a private deal between Silverclaw and myself, Estelle Harper. The terms I’ve offered are generous, but only because I’m making up for the lack of communication regarding Moonveil.”

My voice hardened slightly.

“Tell Alpha Hugo that he’s welcome to extend the contract period whenever he wishes. But make sure he understands that these negotiations were conducted directly with me.”

Hayden swallowed hard. “Of course. We wouldn’t dream of—”

“Good,” I cut him off. “And gentlemen? This arrangement stays between us and your Alpha and Luna. No one else needs to hear about our little meeting today.”

“Absolutely,” his friend with the stocky build said quickly. “Complete confidentiality.”

The others nodded eagerly. “Just Alpha Hugo and Luna Penelope,” another confirmed.

Caleb stepped aside, finally allowing them to leave. They practically stumbled over each other in their haste to get out.

As soon as the door closed behind them, my shoulders sagged. The room seemed to spin slightly, and I gripped the edge of the table for support.

The alcohol was hitting me harder now that the adrenaline was wearing off.

“They’re idiots,” Caleb muttered as he gathered the contracts and documents. “The first contract actually had much better terms for them, but they didn’t listen properly. They didn’t even check it when we handed it to them twice.”

He shook his head in disgust. “Instead, they signed one that’s even less favorable for Silverclaw than we initially planned.”

I managed a weak laugh. “Hayden only got his position because it was passed down from his father. For someone who had so much to say about me being handed my role, he’s exactly the same. Except he’s completely incompetent. But that also makes him eager to prove his worth to Alpha Hugo.”

“At least this should quiet the council’s doubts for a while,” Caleb said, sealing the documents in his bag.

I nodded, though the motion made my head throb. “This deal should help. But we can’t relax until our agriculture sector is running properly again. Otherwise, we’ll face serious problems with this agreement later.”

I tried to stand up, but the world tilted sideways. My legs gave out completely.

Caleb caught me before I hit the floor. “Whoa, easy there.”

Everything was becoming fuzzy around the edges. The strong werewolf alcohol was overwhelming my system. Without my wolf to help process it, my human body was struggling badly.

“I’m okay,” I mumbled, but even I could hear how slurred my words sounded.

“No, you’re not,” Caleb said firmly. He helped support my weight as we moved toward the door. “Come on, let’s get you out of here.”

By the time we left the private room, I was barely conscious. The club’s music seemed impossibly loud, and the flashing lights made my nausea worse.

“Estelle? Can you hear me?” Caleb’s voice sounded distant and distorted.

I tried to respond, but my tongue felt too heavy. My eyelids kept drooping shut.

I was vaguely aware of Caleb talking to someone, but his words came in broken fragments.

“...forced her to drink... trade negotiations... that bastard Hayden...”

Then suddenly, I was being lifted by strong, warm arms. The scent that enveloped me was familiar, though I couldn’t place it through my alcohol-fogged brain.

***

Third POV

Zayne had just arrived when he saw Caleb supporting a barely conscious Estelle as they emerged from the club’s VIP section. Jealousy and irritation surged through him instantly. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

His feet moved before his brain could stop them. Zayne was across the room in seconds.

Caleb tensed when he saw someone approaching, shifting protectively in front of Estelle. But when he recognized who it was, relief flooded his features.

“Thank god,” he breathed, carefully transferring Estelle into Zayne’s outstretched arms.

Mason quickly appeared next to Zayne. “What happened?”

“Trade negotiations with Silverclaw Pack,” Caleb explained quickly. “Their Gamma decided to get revenge on Estelle for something that happened years ago. He kept forcing drinks on her.”

Caleb’s jaw clenched. “It wasn’t even her fault back then. His sister dug her own grave, but of course, he doesn’t care about that.”

Zayne looked down at Estelle in his arms. Her face was flushed, and her breathing was shallow but steady. Anger burned in his chest at the thought of someone deliberately trying to harm her.

“We’ll handle her from here,” Mason told Caleb. “You should head back to Blackmoon Pack.”

Caleb hesitated, glancing between Estelle and Zayne. For a moment, it seemed like Caleb might argue.

Then, Caleb’s eyes met Zayne’s. The expression Caleb saw in Zayne’s eyes made him step back immediately.

“Well, now that she’s in good hands, I’ll take my leave,” he said quickly, backing away.

Who was Caleb kidding? He was just Estelle’s Beta, at most a friend. On the other hand, this man standing before him was her fiance!

Caleb continued, “There are some things I have to settle back in Blackmoon anyway.” He bowed. “Have a good evening, Your Majesty.”

On the other hand, Zayne barely acknowledged his departure. All his attention was focused on the woman in his arms.

Estelle stirred slightly, her face turning toward his chest. Her hand came up weakly, fingers clutching at Zayne’s shirt.

He froze completely, his breath catching in his throat.