Estelle’s POV

Rebecca fumbled with the contract, her hands shaking slightly. “There was a small issue with the paperwork. Nothing that can’t be resolved immediately.”

“I see.” Killian’s expression remained neutral, but I could sense the threat beneath his calm demeanor. “And what exactly was wrong with Miss Harper’s paperwork?”

“Nothing!” Sarah blurted out before Rebecca could speak. “Everything was properly processed. The transaction was complete.”

Rebecca shot her employee a murderous look. “Sarah, please return to your duties.”

“Actually,” Killian said, “I’d like to hear what Sarah has to say. She seems to have a better grasp of the situation.”

Sarah straightened her shoulders, finding courage from Killian’s support. “Miss Harper followed all procedures. She paid in full and signed all necessary documents. The only issue was when Miss Hart knocked the pen from her hand, causing an ink smudge.”

Killian turned his attention to Vivian, who was now looking decidedly uncomfortable.

“Miss Hart,” he said thoughtfully. “As in Alpha Matthew Hart’s daughter?”

“Yes,” Vivian said, lifting her chin defiantly. “My father and I have been loyal customers here for years.”

“Interesting. Your father and I are old friends. Nearly two decades already, actually.”

I watched Vivian’s confidence crumble. Going up against a random nobody was one thing. Challenging a Beta from the Blackmoon Pack was entirely different.

“I’m sure Matthew would be very interested to hear about his daughter’s behavior today,” Killian continued casually. “Especially since the Scarletfang Pack has always prided itself on maintaining good relationships with neighboring territories.”

Vivian’s face flushed bright red. “I was just... There was a misunderstanding about the timing of my purchase.”

“Of course.” Killian’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “These things happen. Perhaps it would be best if you contacted your father before making any more... claims.”

The threat was clear. Vivian could continue this fight, but it would mean facing the consequences of offending the Blackmoon Pack.

“Actually,” Vivian said quickly, “I think I may have been hasty. Perhaps this particular villa isn’t what I’m looking for after all.”

“How fortunate,” Killian said. “That makes everything much simpler.”

Rebecca immediately sprang into action, desperate to salvage the situation. “Of course! Miss Harper’s transaction was perfectly valid. Sarah, please finalize all the paperwork immediately.”

Within minutes, I had the keys to my new house and all the necessary documentation. Rebecca practically bowed as she handed everything over.

“Thank you for your business, Miss Harper. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need anything at all.”

Vivian had already fled, probably to call her father and explain why she’d almost started a territorial dispute over a house.

As we walked toward the parking lot, Oliver chuckled. “Well, that was entertaining.”

“I didn’t think it would be handled so easily,” I confessed, still processing everything.

“You’re the daughter of Alpha James Harper,” Beta Killian firmly said. “That name carries weight in every territory across this continent.”

We paused beside a beautiful SUV. It was beautiful, sleek, and powerful. “Funny enough, we were here to look for a welcome-home gift for you,” Oliver said. “Such a coincidence you were here today.”

He gestured to the SUV, and my eyes widened.

“You mean this car?” I asked. Oliver nodded with a smile.

It was everything I’d hoped for. I had driven that ratty, beat-up old car of Asher’s for so long that it had been malfunctioning more often than not. This was a perfect replacement.

“Estelle,” Killian said, his expression growing serious. “Oliver told me you’ve lost most of your childhood memories.”

I nodded. “I don’t remember much.”

Otherwise, I would’ve returned home. When Asher and his family found me, I remembered nothing but my name.

“You’ve also accepted our invitation to come to the Blackmoon Pack,” Killian continued. “Would you like to join us now?”

The offer was tempting and terrifying at the same time. Part of me desperately wanted to see where I’d come from. But another part was afraid of what I might find.

Seeing my hesitance, Killian added, “You needn’t move over immediately. I understand that you still have some things back home to settle.”

Asher and Finn’s faces flashed through my mind.

The Blackmoon Pack was my home. Once I had accepted the inheritance, I always knew it was only a matter of time before I returned. I couldn’t run from it, nor should I.

Finally, I nodded.

The drive to Blackmoon territory took almost two hours, with Killian behind the wheel.

As we crossed the territorial boundaries, I was struck by the immediate difference. The roads were better maintained. The landscape was more carefully cultivated. Everything seemed more prosperous and organized.

When the pack house came into view, I had to pull over for a moment just to take it in.

It was enormous. Three stories of elegant stone and timber architecture, surrounded by perfectly manicured gardens. The building stretched across what looked like several acres, with multiple wings branching off from the main structure.

It made the Moonveil pack house look like a cottage.

“Impressive, isn’t it?” Killian said, walking over to my window.

“It’s incredible,” I whispered. “I lived here?”

“For the first seven years of your life. Your father loved showing you around the gardens. You had a particular fondness for the rose bushes.”

I tried to imagine myself as a small child, running through those gardens. But the memories remained frustratingly blank.

“Are you ready?” Killian asked gently.

I nodded, though my stomach was full of butterflies.

We parked near the main entrance. The front doors were massive, and they bore wolf carvings on them.

“Before we go in,” Killian said, “I should warn you. The house is currently occupied by Luna Helena and Benedict.”

“Luna Helena?”

“Your father’s second mate. After you disappeared, he eventually remarried. Helena came with an adopted son, Benedict. Your father raised him as his heir.”

My lips stretched into a thin line. “So they won’t be happy to see me.”

Killian’s expression grew grim. “They may be... difficult. Helena has been acting as the pack’s Luna for over a decade. Benedict has been groomed to inherit everything. Your return changes all of that.”

Great. I was walking into another hostile situation.

“But you’re the rightful heir,” Killian continued firmly. “This is your birthright, not theirs.”

The interior of the pack house was even more impressive than the outside. Soaring ceilings, marble floors, expensive artwork covering every wall.

Two people were waiting for us in what looked like a formal sitting room. They were positioned on a large sofa like they were holding court.

The woman stood immediately when she saw us. She was tall and elegant, with perfectly styled blonde hair and cold gray eyes.

The man remained seated, but his dark eyes fixed on me with unmistakable hostility. He was younger than I’d expected, maybe mid-twenties, with sharp features and an air of barely contained resentment.

“Helena, Benedict,” Killian said formally. “I’d like you to meet Estelle Harper.”

Helena approached me slowly, her gaze calculating and assessing. She looked me up and down like she was evaluating livestock.

“So,” she said finally. “You’re James’s lost daughter.”

Her tone was perfectly polite, but there was no warmth in it. I felt like I was being examined by a predator trying to decide if I was worth the effort to kill.

“Yes,” I said simply.

“Please, sit.” Helena gestured toward a chair across from their sofa. Everything about her body language suggested she saw herself as the authority here.

I sat down, acutely aware that both of them were studying my every move.

“Please give us some space to talk, Killian,” Helena said. She didn’t even look at Killian once.

Killian could only offer a supportive look before he backed off, closing the door behind him.

After he was gone, Benedict finally spoke, his voice dripping with disdain. “You don’t look like much for an Alpha’s daughter.”

The insult hit like a slap. I kept my expression as neutral as possible.

“Benedict,” Helena said mildly, but I could tell she wasn’t really scolding him.

“Is that all?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Helena settled back onto the sofa with fluid grace. “Well then. Since we’re all adults here, perhaps we can skip the pleasantries and get straight to business.”

She leaned forward, her gray eyes boring into mine.

“I want you to renounce your claim to the Blackmoon Pack. Publicly declare Benedict as the rightful Alpha, and step aside.”