Third POV

Jessie’s face immediately hardened at Asher’s tone. She adjusted her posture, crossing her arms defensively. "What we’ve caused? Asher, we haven’t caused anything except trying to get that ungrateful girl to do what’s right."

"Ungrateful?" Asher’s voice rose. "Do you have any idea what your constant phone calls have done to this pack?"

Ashley shifted the baby to her other arm, her green eyes flashing with indignation. "Our phone calls? We barely called her a few times to ask for help with the twins. It’s not like we were asking for the moon, Asher."

"A few times?" Asher stepped closer, his hands clenched at his sides. "You two have been calling her every hour for the past week. Every single hour. Her phone has been tied up with your demands while actual pack business went straight to voicemail."

Jessie waved her hand dismissively. "Pack business can wait. Ashley just gave birth to twins. Estelle should be here helping her daughter-in-law instead of running around playing Luna."

"Playing Luna?" The words came out like a growl. "She IS the Luna. And while you two have been harassing her, three major packs have terminated their partnerships with Moonveil."

Ashley’s expression faltered slightly, but she quickly recovered. "That’s ridiculous. Three packs wouldn’t just decide to leave because of a few missed phone calls."

"Actually, they would." Asher pulled out his phone and scrolled through the messages. "The Riverside Pack, the Oakwood Pack, and the Firemoon Pack. All three cited the same reason—they couldn’t reach our pack liaison. They tried calling repeatedly but Estelle’s line was always busy."

"So?" Jessie shrugged. "She could have called them back later. It’s not like we were talking to her twenty-four hours a day."

Asher stared at his mother in disbelief. "Not twenty-four hours a day? Mom, you called her at two in the morning yesterday because one of the twins was crying. You called her during her lunch break because Ashley wanted a specific brand of diapers. You called her during a pack meeting because you couldn’t figure out how to work the baby formula maker."

"Those are legitimate concerns," Ashley protested. "I needed help with the babies. Nigel was at work, and I couldn’t handle both of them alone. Estelle should understand that. She’s been trying to have a baby for years—she should be thrilled to help with mine."

The casual cruelty in Ashley’s words made Asher’s jaw clench. It was one thing to not care about Estelle as a person, and an entirely different reason for Ashley to be so nonchalant about the pack’s affairs.

"Those partnerships represented sixty percent of our medical supplies," he said through gritted teeth. "Our hunting territories. Our defense agreements. Do you understand what that means?"

Jessie rolled her eyes. "It means Estelle wasn’t doing her job properly. If she had managed her time better, this wouldn’t have happened. We’ve spent thousands of dollars raising her since she was seven years old. The least she can do is show some gratitude by helping when we need her."

"Gratitude?" Asher’s voice cracked like a whip. "You want to talk about gratitude? Estelle has been managing pack communications, organizing events, handling diplomatic relations, and maintaining partnerships for three years. She’s saved this pack more money than you two have spent on anything."

Ashley’s face reddened. "Don’t you dare compare me to her. I gave you a nephew and niece. I’ve given this pack the next generation. What has she done? She can’t even give you one child after all these years."

The baby in Ashley’s arms started to fuss, but she ignored it, too focused on her argument.

"And another thing," Jessie added, pointing an accusatory finger at Asher. "Ever since that woman became Luna-to-be, she’s changed completely. She used to be respectful, quiet, obedient. Now she talks back to us, hangs up on us, and acts like she’s better than everyone else. It’s like she’s become some kind of witch."

"A witch?" Asher couldn’t believe what he was hearing. "She’s standing up for herself because you two have been treating her like a servant."

"And what of it?" Jessie snapped. "Ever since she got that title, she’s become arrogant and selfish. She doesn’t respect me as her mother-in-law anymore. I am her elder! She needs to learn some respect!"

The baby’s cries grew louder, and Ashley began bouncing it irritably. "She’s turning you against your own family, Asher. Can’t you see that? She’s manipulating you."

"Manipulating me?" Asher’s laugh was harsh and bitter. "You two are the ones who have been manipulating everyone. You’re destroying pack relationships with your selfishness."

"That’s enough!" Jessie’s voice rose to match her son’s volume. "I won’t stand here and let you defend that ungrateful girl against your own mother. We raised her. We fed her. We clothed her. We gave her a roof over her head when she was nothing but a stray at the pack borders."

Ashley nodded vigorously. "Exactly. And this is how she repays us? By ignoring us when we need help? By hanging up on us? By turning our own son and brother against us?"

The baby’s cries were getting more distressed, and neighbors were beginning to peek out of their windows.

"She had plenty of time to call those packs back," Ashley continued, her voice getting shriller. "Just because her phone was busy for a few hours doesn’t mean she couldn’t have returned their calls later. This is just an excuse to blame us for her failures."

Asher’s control was hanging by a thread. "She has other pack business to deal with too, Ashley. She can’t just be calling everyone every day!"

"You’re exaggerating," Jessie said dismissively. "Just admit it—that girl has shown her true colors. She’s selfish, ungrateful, and manipulative. She’s turned you into someone I don’t even recognize."

Ashley tried to shush her crying baby while continuing to argue. "She thinks she’s so much better than us now that she has a title. But titles don’t change who you really are. She’s still just the abandoned child we took in out of charity."

That was the final straw. Asher’s anger exploded. "Charity? You think what you did was charity? You think destroying pack partnerships, alienating our allies, and driving away our Luna is acceptable because you changed gave her some food fifteen years ago?"

Before the argument could escalate further, Nigel finally stepped forward. He’d finally received a reply, and his expression was grim.

"That’s enough," he said firmly, his voice cutting through the shouting. "This arguing isn’t solving anything."

Ashley’s eyes immediately turned to her mate. "Oh, so now you’re taking her side too? I should have known. You’ve always had a thing for Estelle, haven’t you, Nigel?"

Nigel ran a hand down his face. "Ashley, we have been through this before. You’re overthinking things."

"Don’t act innocent," Ashley snarled. "You’re always defending her. Why would you do that if you’re not in love with her?!"

"That’s insane," Nigel protested, looking desperately at Asher. "Estelle is your mate. She’s our Luna. I would never—"

"Would never what?" Ashley pressed. "Would never want another man’s mate? Would never fantasize about her? Would never wish she was available?"

Asher stared at his sister in disbelief. The accusation was so far-fetched, so completely out of line, that he couldn’t find words.

"Ashley," he said slowly, "you’ve completely lost your mind."

Nigel raised his hands defensively. "I have nothing but professional respect for Luna Estelle. She’s mated to my Alpha-to-be. The suggestion that I would have inappropriate feelings for her is not only wrong but insulting."

"Then why are you always defending her?" Jessie demanded.

"Because she’s right," Nigel said simply. He turned to Asher and said, "Estelle finally replied."

Asher immediately perked up. "What did she say?"

Nigel glanced uncomfortably at Ashley and Jessie, then back at Asher. "She said she won’t be returning to the pack until your mother and sister apologize to her."