Estelle’s POV

The impact sent me stumbling backward, my balance completely lost. Just as I thought I would hit the floor, strong arms caught me around the waist, steadying me before I could fall.

“Whoa there,” a warm voice said close to my ear.

I looked up to find myself staring into striking blue eyes framed by red hair. The young man who had knocked into me was now the one keeping me upright. He had an athletic build and a friendly face dotted with faint freckles.

“Caleb!” Killian’s sharp voice cut through the moment. “What have I told you about rushing through doorways?”

The young man immediately released me and stepped back, his cheeks flushing red. “Sorry, Dad. I wasn’t paying attention.”

Dad? I glanced between them, noting the family resemblance now that Killian had identified him.

“Luna Estelle,” Killian said with an apologetic tone, “this is my son, Caleb. He’s training to become the next Beta of Blackmoon Pack.”

Caleb straightened his shoulders and offered me a respectful bow. “My sincere apologies, Luna. I actually came out here looking for you and my father.” He gestured toward the council room behind him. “The council members have been waiting, and they’re eager to begin now that you’re here.”

“It’s quite alright,” I replied, smoothing down my jacket. “No harm done.”

“Well, now that everyone’s here,” Killian said, “we can finally proceed with the meeting.”

Caleb opened the door wider and gestured for us to enter. “After you, Luna.”

As I stepped into the grand council room, I was struck by its imposing atmosphere. A large oval table dominated the space, surrounded by high-backed leather chairs. Seven older werewolves sat around the table, their eyes turning to me with a mixture of curiosity and assessment.

“Gentlemen,” Killian announced, “may I present Luna Estelle Harper, daughter of our late Alpha James and rightful heir to the Blackmoon Pack.”

The council members stood in unison, offering respectful nods. I could feel their scrutiny as they evaluated whether I lived up to their expectations of an Alpha’s daughter.

However, just as I expected, there were several gazes that were filled with contempt as they studied me up and down. I could see the scowl on their faces. Not everyone here was friendly, which I was prepared for.

In fact, I would’ve been surprised if Benedict and Helena didn’t have any supporters of their own despite being in a position of power for so many years.

“Alright then,” Killian said, taking his place at the table. I sat down in the empty seat to his left. “Let’s begin.”

***

Third POV

Meanwhile, back at the Moonveil Pack, Asher sat at the head of his own emergency council table. The atmosphere in this room was tense and uncomfortable. Several higher-ranking officials shifted nervously in their seats as they waited for their Alpha-to-be to address the crisis.

Nigel cleared his throat and stood, a folder of documents in his hands. “Alpha Asher, I have the reports you requested regarding our recent partnership issues.”

“Go ahead,” Asher said grimly, rubbing his temples where a headache was already forming.

“Three major werewolf packs have cancelled their partnerships with Moonveil Pack in the past week,” Nigel announced. “The Riverside Pack has terminated our hunting territory agreements. The Oakwood Pack has pulled out of our mutual defense pact. And most concerning, the Firemoon Pack has cancelled the trade agreements that provided us with sixty percent of our medical supplies.”

Murmurs of concern rippled around the table. Asher’s jaw clenched as he realized the full scope of the damage.

“With the Silverclaw Pack pulling out from the purchase of our crops, that would be four packs in total.”

“This is catastrophic,” Elder Thompson said, shaking his gray head. “These partnerships were crucial to our pack’s financial stability and resource security.”

“What reasons did they give?” Asher asked.

Nigel consulted his notes. “All three packs cited communication failures as their primary concern. They claim they attempted to reach our pack’s liaison multiple times but were unable to get through. The Silverclaw Pack gave the same reason previously.”

“Our pack liaison...” Asher trailed off, knowing exactly who that was. Pack communications had always been Estelle’s responsibility. She was efficient, professional, and had maintained these relationships for years.

“Why didn’t Luna Estelle handle these calls?” Elder Roberts demanded. “This is precisely the kind of irresponsibility we cannot afford during the transition period.”

“Perhaps she was too busy with other matters to attend to her duties,” another council member suggested disapprovingly.

Nigel shifted uncomfortably. “Actually, when I investigated further, all three packs mentioned that Luna Estelle’s phone line was constantly busy. They said they tried calling repeatedly but could never get through.”

Asher’s blood ran cold as realization dawned on him. Estelle’s phone had been busy because his mother and sister had been calling her non-stop, demanding she drop everything to help with Ashley’s twins. The same twins that weren’t even Estelle’s responsibility.

“If Luna Estelle’s line was busy,” someone else spoke up from his position near the wall, “why didn’t these packs try reaching our acting Beta, Hazel? Surely important pack business should have backup contacts.”

The question hung in the air. Several council members exchanged uncomfortable glances.

“That’s... that’s a valid point,” Elder Thompson admitted reluctantly. “Where was Acting Beta Hazel during these communication failures?”

Asher felt heat rise in his chest. This meeting was spiraling in a direction he couldn’t control. The last thing he needed was for the council to start questioning Hazel’s competence or commitment to her duties.

“I think we’ve discussed this enough,” he said firmly, standing up from his chair. “This meeting is adjourned. We’ll reconvene tomorrow to develop solutions rather than assign blame.”

Before anyone could protest, Asher strode toward the door. “Nigel, you’re with me.”

Nigel quickly gathered his papers and followed Asher out of the council room. They walked in tense silence until they reached Asher’s car.

“Where are we going?” Nigel asked as they climbed into the vehicle.

“Your place,” Asher replied curtly. “I need to have a conversation with my mother and sister. Meanwhile, call Estelle about today’s council meeting.”

The drive to Nigel’s house took fifteen minutes. As they pulled into the driveway, Asher could see his mother and sister peering out the front window. Their faces lit up with anticipation, clearly expecting to see Estelle emerge from the car ready to apologize for her supposed transgressions.

Instead, only Asher and Nigel stepped out.

Jessie hurried outside, her expression shifting to confusion. “Asher, dear, where’s Estelle? Didn’t you bring her to apologize?”

Ashley appeared beside her mother, holding one of her twin babies. “I’ve been waiting all day for her to come and explain herself. The way she spoke to us was completely unacceptable.”

Asher stared at the two women who had single-handedly destroyed three crucial pack partnerships through their selfishness and manipulation. His mother’s entitled expression and Ashley’s self-righteous posture made his anger flare white-hot.

“Do you know what you two have caused recently?” he snapped.