Estelle’s POV
“Do it, Connor!” soone in the crowd called out, their voice cutting through the tension.
Connor’s eyes darted to , uncertainty flickering across his face. He hesitated, then ran a hand through his dark hair. “Actually, I already tried contacting Asher.”
My stomach dropped.
“I called him yesterday, even before Janice ntioned you were coming,” Connor continued, avoiding my gaze. “He said he was swamped with pack business and said that he couldn’t spare the ti. He hung up before I could even ask if Estelle would also be too busy to co join us.”
He continued, “So when Janice said that you were coming, I was a little surprised. I thought you wouldn’t be able to co too.” He quickly raised his hands in defence. “Now that I’m not happy to see you, of course. I’m glad you could make it. We all are.”
A murmur rippled through our small group. I could see the wheels turning in their minds.
Inside, I felt a mix of surprise and relief. I was surprised that Connor had actually reached out to Asher. At the sa ti, I felt imnse relief that Asher couldn’t make it. I didn’t want to see him. Considering our current relationship, people would also definitely ask questions.
Hannah laughed, the sound sharp and cutting. “Well, isn’t that interesting.”
“What’s that supposed to an?” Janice demanded, her protective instincts kicking in.
“It ans exactly what you think it ans.” Hannah’s gray eyes glead with satisfaction. “It must be nice, Estelle. Depending on a man for everything while he works himself to death.”
Heat flashed through . “Excuse ?”
“You heard .” Hannah leaned back in her chair, casual as if discussing the weather. “Asher is back ho, slaving away for pack business, while you’re here wining and dining with friends. If work is really that demanding, shouldn’t the acting-Luna be ho helping her mate instead of gallivanting around?”
Janice stood up straighter. “Everyone needs ti off, Hannah. Estelle works harder than anyone I know.”
“Does she?” Hannah’s tone dripped skepticism. “Or is that just for show? Everything Estelle has, everything she’s accomplished—it’s all because of Asher. Not because she contributed anything aningful.”
The accusation hit like a slap.
“So she ran around and did so errands for Moonveil, big deal! That’s what she’s supposed to do. As Asher’s mate, she will eventually beco the Luna of the Moonveil Pack. As the Luna, she’s supposed to work, you know? And you guys are celebrating the bare minimum?” She rolled her eyes and scoffed. “Please!”
Around the table, my forr classmates grew uncomfortable, so looking away while others watched with morbid curiosity.
I set my wine glass down carefully, my composure cracking. “You want to know what I’ve contributed?”
My voice ca out cold and controlled. I could see the smile flickering on Hannah’s face despite her trying to maintain a confident facade.
“The Moonveil Pack was dying when I took over,” I continued, each word precise and cutting. “No food. No alliances. Barely any money left in the treasury. I was the one who traveled to neighboring packs, negotiating treaties and partnerships.”
A few heads nodded around the table. These people knew the truth—they’d witnessed my efforts firsthand as daughters and sons of pack leaders I’d worked with.
“Yes, Asher worked hard. But the Moonveil Pack is where it is today because of .” I turned my attention fully to Hannah, letting ice creep into my tone. “So tell , Hannah. What exactly have you accomplished?”
Her face flushed red.
“You’re the daughter of Silvercreek Pack’s forr Gamma,” I pressed. “But what have you actually done? Besides spending daddy’s money and gossiping about other people’s relationships?”
Hannah’s hands clenched into fists. “I—”
“What are you doing now that your father’s retired?” I cut her off. “Running any pack initiatives? Forming alliances? Wasn’t your dream to marry so rich Alpha? That would make you the Luna, soone who has to work, you know.”
I threw her words back at her. Satisfaction crept through when her smile finally dropped. Hannah’s face turned as red as a beetroot.
I continued, “Or are you just sitting around judging won who actually work?”
The silence stretched taut as a wire. Hannah’s face cycled through embarrassnt, anger, and humiliation.
“Okay, okay,” Connor said quickly, sensing the brewing storm. “This was supposed to be fun, rember? Let’s not turn our reunion into a battlefield.”
“Agreed,” Sarah chid in nervously. “We’re all friends here.”
Bethany grabbed two fresh wine glasses from a passing server. “How about this? Hannah, Estelle—penalty drinks for both of you. Take a sip and call it even?”
She offered us each a glass with a hopeful smile.
I looked at the wine, then at Hannah. Her gray eyes burned with barely contained rage. The humiliation of being called out in front of everyone had pushed her past her breaking point.
Instead of accepting the glass, Hannah’s expression twisted into sothing ugly.
“You think you’re so much better than everyone else,” she hissed.
Her hand shot out, snatching the wine glass from Bethany’s startled grip.
Before anyone could react, Hannah drew her arm back and hurled the contents directly at my face.
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