Estelle’s POV

The day’s discussions had gone better than expected.

After the morning’s confrontation with Vivian, the various pack leaders seemed more receptive to hearing about the Blackmoon Pack’s future plans. Several Alphas approached me throughout the afternoon sessions with genuine interest in potential alliances and trade agreements.

The whispers about substandard accommodations had actually worked in my favor, painting me as someone who wouldn’t be pushed around.

By evening, I felt cautiously optimistic about the summit’s outcome.

Now, the grand ballroom buzzed with conversation and laughter. Crystal chandeliers cast warm light over the masked figures swirling across the polished marble floor. The masquerade ball was the summit’s final event, and everyone seemed determined to enjoy themselves.

I smoothed down the navy silk dress Zayne had bought for me a week ago. The fabric felt luxurious against my skin, and the color complemented my dark hair perfectly. My mask was simple but elegant, adorned with small silver details that caught the light when I moved.

“You look pleased,” Caleb said, appearing at my elbow with two glasses of champagne.

He wore a deep blue suit that matched his eyes, and his red hair was perfectly styled. His mask was a simple black design that didn’t hide his friendly smile.

“I am,” I admitted, accepting the glass gratefully. “The gossip seems to have shifted in our favor.”

“Absolutely.” Caleb’s eyes sparkled with satisfaction. “Most of the Alphas I spoke with are excited to see what you’ll do with the Blackmoon Pack. Alpha Rodriguez from the Crescent Shore Pack specifically mentioned wanting to discuss trade routes with you next month.”

“That’s excellent news.” I took a sip of champagne, letting the bubbles dance on my tongue. “Thank you for all your help today, Caleb. I couldn’t have managed without you.”

He waved off my gratitude with characteristic modesty. “It’s my job to help you succeed. Besides, watching you handle Vivian this morning was entertainment enough.”

I laughed softly, remembering Vivian’s frustrated expression when her plan backfired. “Lena was the real star of that show.”

“True.” Caleb’s expression grew slightly wistful. “She’s always been good at cutting people down to size when they deserve it.”

We stood comfortably in a corner of the ballroom, away from the main crowd but with a perfect view of the festivities. Couples glided across the dance floor while others mingled around the edges, their masks adding an air of mystery to every interaction.

“Speaking of cutting people down,” Caleb said, his voice dropping to a whisper, “has Zayne mentioned when he’ll be arriving tonight?”

I glanced around the ballroom instinctively. The ball had been going for over an hour, but I hadn’t spotted Zayne’s distinctive silver hair anywhere. I would be lying to say I wasn’t wondering it myself.

“No,” I said. “Why do you ask?”

Caleb nodded subtly toward the opposite side of the room. “Rosalind has been hovering near the entrance for the past thirty minutes. She keeps scanning the crowd like she’s looking for someone specific.”

I followed his gaze and spotted the strawberry blonde immediately. Even with her ornate gold mask, Rosalind’s entitled posture was unmistakable. She stood near the main doors, her pale blue gown pristine and perfectly fitted. Every few minutes, she would turn toward the entrance expectantly.

“You’re his fiancée,” Caleb continued carefully. “I thought you might know his plans.”

The word ‘fiancée’ still felt strange. I took another sip of champagne to buy myself time to respond.

“This is an arranged marriage,” I said finally. “We don’t necessarily coordinate our social calendars.”

That was the truth, though not the complete truth. An arranged marriage was exactly what it sounded like—an arrangement. A business transaction dressed up in romantic language. Emotions were typically left out of the equation entirely.

And even if they weren’t, I wouldn’t trust emotions so easily anymore. Asher’s betrayal had taught me that lesson thoroughly. Love, affection, trust—they were all weapons that could be turned against you when you least expected it.

I found it difficult to completely fall into another relationship, even one as potentially beneficial as my arrangement with Zayne.

What I hoped for was that our arrangement could be comfortable and friendly at the very least. Mutual respect and shared goals seemed like a more stable foundation than fleeting feelings.

“Really?” Caleb’s eyebrows rose skeptically. “Just an arrangement? Because there seemed to be something between you two when—”

I shot him a warning look.

Caleb immediately raised both hands in surrender, champagne glass still clutched in one. “Alright, alright. I promise to stop asking for tonight at least.”

“Good.” 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

A young woman with auburn hair approached our corner nervously. She wore a simple green dress and kept fidgeting with her mask’s ribbon ties.

“Excuse me,” she said softly, looking directly at Caleb. “Would you like to dance?”

Caleb glanced at me apologetically, but I smiled and made a shooing motion with my free hand.

“Go ahead,” I encouraged. “Don’t let me keep you from having fun.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

Caleb set down his champagne glass and offered the young woman his arm with a genuine smile. “I’d be delighted.”

They moved toward the dance floor together, leaving me alone with my champagne and thoughts.

The solitude didn’t last long.

Unbeknownst to me, several pairs of eyes had landed on my lonesome figure. They began to murmur among themselves, talking about all that had happened earlier today.

“That’s the new Luna of the Blackmoon Pack, isn’t it?”

“What do you think she is doing there alone and without a dance partner?”

“Maybe she is waiting for the Lycan King.”

“The Lycan King? What makes you say that?”

“Didn’t you hear? Apparently, it wasn’t a servant who assigned her the room in His Majesty’s private wing. It was Zayne Silvius himself!”

Vivian had caught the rumors while she was strolling around the room. Upon catching the familiar names, she had charged straight towards where I stood.

I could hear the stomping of her heels before I even caught sight of her. Vivian’s cheeks were slightly flushed red due to the glasses of wine she had consumed in the last hour.

“Well, well,” she sneered. “Look what we have here.”