Estelle’s POV

The silence in the room was deafening. Everyone stared at my phone screen, processing what they’d just heard.

Hannah’s face had drained of all color. Her hands trembled at her sides.

“I...” she started, then stopped. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for air.

The crowd began to murmur again, but this time the whispers were directed at Hannah. Everyone already knew that Hannah’s fated mate was someone else pretending to be the Beta of the Blackmoon Pack, but for Caleb to repeat that fact again out loud refreshed the wave of chatter.

It was like the final nail in the coffin.

“How embarrassing.”

“I can’t believe she made such a scene.”

“This is so awkward.”

More voices joined in, growing louder with each passing second.

“Hannah always was jealous of Estelle back in school.”

“Remember how she used to follow Asher around?”

“She probably made this whole thing up to humiliate Estelle.”

“What a desperate move.”

I noticed Hannah’s eyes filling with tears. Her lower lip quivered as she looked around the room at all the judgmental faces.

“Caleb,” I said, looking back at my phone. “You’re dressed quite formally today. What are you up to?”

Caleb glanced down at his outfit. He was wearing a sharp black suit with a silver tie, clearly dressed for an important occasion.

“Oh, this?” He straightened his tie. “I’m at a last-minute charity event. Dad organized it for the Blackmoon Pack. Some of our major donors couldn’t make it to our main fundraiser last month, so we’re doing a smaller, more intimate gathering.”

My eyebrows raised slightly. “Killian organized a charity event? Why didn’t he tell me?”

“It was super last minute. He actually wanted to invite you,” Caleb continued, “but I told him you were busy tonight with your old classmates. He understood, of course.”

The room erupted in whispers again. This time, they were about me.

“She knows Killian Jackson personally?”

“The previous Beta of Blackmoon Pack wanted to invite her to their event?”

“She chose to come here instead of a Blackmoon charity function?”

“Why would she pick this over such an important gathering?”

I could see the wheels turning in everyone’s heads. Their expressions were shifting from curiosity to amazement.

“Thank you for covering for me, Caleb,” I said with a small smile. “I appreciate it.”

“No problem,” he replied. “I should get going though. Dad’s about to start his speech.”

“Of course. Talk to you later.”

I ended the call and slipped my phone back into my purse. The room was buzzing with excitement now.

But some people were still trying to blame me for the situation.

“Estelle, you could have handled this more privately,” one said with a disapproving look. “There was no need to embarrass Hannah like this in front of everyone.”

“You made things so ugly and uncomfortable,” another person added. “This could have been resolved without all the drama.”

I felt my temper flare slightly. “I made things ugly? I simply answered a phone call.”

Hannah suddenly spoke up, her voice shaky but desperate. “The face could have been a filter. There are apps that can change your appearance in real-time during video calls.”

She was grasping at straws now, but a few people nodded thoughtfully.

“That’s true,” someone said. “Technology these days is very advanced.”

“Maybe it wasn’t really him.”

Janice stepped forward, her cheeks flushed with indignation. “Are you serious right now? The call lasted several minutes. No filter is that sophisticated or that stable.”

Sarah nodded in agreement. “Plus, the lighting and angles changed whenever Beta Caleb moved his phone. A filter would have glitched or failed.”

“The conversation was too natural,” Sarah continued. “Filters can’t generate that kind of spontaneous dialogue.”

Connor suddenly pulled out his phone again. “Actually, let me check something.”

He started scrolling through his screen rapidly. “If that really was Caleb Jackson, and he’s at a Blackmoon charity event right now...”

His eyes lit up. “Found it! Blackmoon Pack is live-streaming their charity event on their official social media page.”

He held up his phone so everyone could see. Sure enough, there was a live video feed of an elegant ballroom filled with well-dressed guests.

And there, clearly visible in the background, was Caleb. He was wearing the exact same black suit and silver tie we’d just seen on my video call.

The room exploded with excitement.

“That’s definitely him!”

“Same outfit, same hair, same everything!”

“He really is at the Blackmoon event!”

“Estelle was telling the truth the whole time!”

The energy in the room completely shifted. People who had been doubting me moments ago were now staring at me with awe and curiosity.

“Wait a minute,” someone said slowly. “If Caleb mentioned that Killian originally wanted to invite Estelle...”

“That means she has a personal relationship with the Beta of Blackmoon Pack.”

“She chose to come here instead of attending their exclusive charity event.”

“Unless...” another voice chimed in, “unless she can meet with Blackmoon Pack members whenever she wants.”

“Which would mean their events aren’t that special to her.”

“Because she’s already part of their inner circle.”

The suggestions caused the crowd to become even more animated. People were practically vibrating with excitement now.

“Do you think she really is the new Luna of Blackmoon Pack?”

“It would explain everything.”

“The way Caleb talked to her was so familiar and respectful.”

“And Killian wanted to invite her personally.”

I watched as Hannah finally crumbled under the weight of reality. Her knees buckled, and she sank to the floor, tears streaming down her face.

Several people rushed forward to help her up, but the sympathy in the room had clearly shifted.

“Hannah, honey, you need to accept what’s happening here.”

“Maybe you should apologize to Estelle.”

“This whole situation could have been avoided if you’d just been honest.”

The same people who had been demanding that I apologize just minutes ago were now encouraging Hannah to do the same.

I couldn’t help but laugh quietly to myself. The irony was delicious. The hypocrisy was stunning.

These people switched sides faster than the wind changed direction.

I’d had enough of this circus for one night.

“Well,” I said, standing up and smoothing down my dress, “this has been quite entertaining, but I think I’ll call it a night.”

I picked up my purse and started walking toward the exit.

“Estelle, wait!” Janice called out, quickly gathering her things to follow me.