Chapter 81: Chapter 81: Sabotaged Her Chances

Estelle’s POV

“What did you just say?”

I slowly turned around. The words hit me like ice water, but not for the reason Hazel probably expected.

Seeing that she had my attention, Hazel smiled triumphantly. “Oh, you heard me correctly. I know it’s true, Estelle. You’re doing all of this because Asher didn’t reciprocate your feelings. You’re so bitter and pathetic that you’re trying to drag Moonveil down with you.”

Her voice grew louder, more confident. “Every bit of skill you have, you only have because Moonveil invested in you all this time. If we hadn’t taken you in, if we hadn’t trained you and fed you and clothed you in your early years, you would never have achieved anything. You’d be nothing more than a worthless rogue.”

I could hear murmurs starting around us. Several conference attendees had stopped to watch our exchange. Most of them were Alphas, Betas, and Lunas from upper-middle-tier packs. I noticed them pointing and whispering among themselves, their expressions growing increasingly displeased.

But Hazel didn’t seem to realize the negative attention she was drawing. If anything, she looked pleased with the audience.

“Look at her!” Hazel continued, gesturing dramatically. “She abandoned the Moonveil Pack right when we needed her most. She left her adopted son, her responsibilities, everything. And for what? Some petty revenge fantasy?”

Her eyes locked onto the contract file in my hands like a predator spotting prey. “Whatever deal you think you’ve made, it’s built on lies. This woman is a fraud and a traitor.”

“Logan! There you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

A carefree voice suddenly joined our conversation. Logan straightened and bowed slightly.

“Alpha,” he said respectfully.

I looked up to see a tall man approaching us with an easy smile. By the way Logan had addressed him, this must be Alpha Jude Reed. I remembered seeing him briefly at the Lycan Summit, though we hadn’t really spoken then.

He was undeniably handsome, with dirty blond hair and warm green eyes that sparkled with amusement. Despite being an Alpha, he had a boyish charm that made him seem approachable.

He slung an arm casually around Logan’s shoulder in a friendly gesture.

“Remind me again never to come for one of these,” Jude whined. “I should just leave all these boring discussions and conferences to you. Goddess knows I’ve made a mistake to come here today.”

Logan rolled his eyes but didn’t shrug off the touch. If anything, the expression in his eyes even looked a tad bit doting.

“Alpha Jude!” Hazel immediately perked up, her voice taking on that sickeningly sweet tone again. “What perfect timing. I was just trying to help make sure Tidal Valley doesn’t make a terrible mistake by working with this woman and whatever pack she’s representing.”

Jude’s smile widened, turning his attention to Hazel. “Oh, I have every confidence in Estelle and her pack,” he said cheerfully.

“But Alpha, you don’t understand,” Hazel pressed. “This woman—”

“You know what, Logan?” Jude interrupted, completely ignoring Hazel. “I’m tired and hungry. This conference is absolutely exhausting.”

Logan huffed. “I already warned you the conference would take all day. I told you to eat a hearty breakfast, but you insisted on just coffee.”

“Did I really?” Jude looked genuinely surprised.

“Yes. You’re simply suffering the consequences of your poor choices,” Logan replied dryly.

“Alpha, please,” Hazel tried again, stepping closer. “If you would just listen to my proposal about the Moonveil Pack—” 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

But both men continued their conversation as if she wasn’t there. Hazel’s face grew redder with each passing second as she was completely ignored.

“Fine, fine,” Jude said with an exaggerated sigh. “Let’s go find some food. But you’re buying lunch as punishment for being right.”

“That makes no logical sense,” Logan pointed out.

“Doesn’t it, though?”

Logan looked like he was fighting a headache. “Let’s just go.”

Right before they turned to leave, Jude looked directly at me. His green eyes sparkled with something that looked almost like mischief.

“You’re a very lucky woman, Estelle,” he said with that charming smile. “To have a mate who sees your worth and your potential.”

He didn’t clarify who he was referring to, but there was something knowing in his expression.

“Thank you,” I replied, though I wasn’t entirely sure what I was thanking him for.

Jude winked and began dragging Logan toward the hotel restaurant.

“Wait!” Hazel called out desperately. “You’re talking about Asher, aren’t you? But she doesn’t deserve—”

Her voice grew shrill as the two men disappeared around the corner, leaving her shouting at empty air.

The other pack leaders were now staring at her with open disgust. I could hear their whispered comments about her behavior and lack of composure.

“Alpha Arlo!” Hazel suddenly called out as a man with salt-and-pepper hair passed by.

The man looked trapped but stopped politely. “Luna Hazel.”

“I was wondering when we might be able to sign that alliance deal we discussed?” Hazel asked eagerly.

Alpha Arlo immediately stepped back, creating distance between them. “That was merely a preliminary discussion, Luna. Nothing has been confirmed. I still need to consult with my pack’s council before making any decisions.”

He practically fled the lobby, clearly using the council as an excuse to escape.

I let out a cold laugh. The show Hazel had just put on had likely destroyed any chance of Moonveil forming new alliances here.

I didn’t bother to wait around to watch the show. My heels clicked against the marble floor as I headed for the exit.

The cool evening air hit my face as I stepped outside the hotel. I pulled out my phone, intending to call Caleb about our successful meeting with Tidal Valley.

Instead, I saw three missed calls and several unread messages, all from Asher.

[How long are you planning on ignoring me, Estelle?]