Estelle’s POV
The crowd murmured with renewed interest. So were nodding, clearly thinking my suggestion was fair.
“My mate is busy,” Hannah insisted through gritted teeth. “He has so many things to do, especially since the Blackmoon Pack is currently in a transitional period. Not to ntion we are planning for our mating ceremony, and his mother recently fell ill, and...”
Hannah looked around nervously, her voice drifting off. More and more people were starting to yell for her to call her mate. The tide was slowly turning against her. The earlier support was wavering as people began to question her claims.
Her face turned pale.
“Fine!” Hannah snapped, pulling out her phone with shaking hands. “You want proof? I’ll give you proof!”
She dialed a number, her fingers trembling slightly as she put the call on speaker. The phone rang twice before soone picked up.
Janice instantly shot a knowing look. She said in a not-so-quiet voice, “And here I thought the Beta of the Blackmoon Pack would be a busy man. He sure didn’t seem so busy, since he’s able to pick up her call so quickly.”
More people started to talk, and Hannah shot everyone a death glare before turning her attention back to her phone.
“Hi sweetheart,” Hannah said, her voice suddenly sickeningly sweet. “I’m here with so old friends from school, and they’d love to et you.”
She paused, listening for a response.
“Could you say hello to them? They’re really excited to et the Beta of the Blackmoon Pack.”
Hannah held the phone away from her ear, switching to speaker mode with a triumphant smile.
A man’s voice ca from the other end.
“Hello.”
I had to turn around and use Janice’s body as a shield to hide my face. I couldn’t resist the urge to smile.
The voice was so completely different from Caleb’s deep, confident tone that it was almost offensive to think they could be the sa person. This man’s voice was higher pitched, nervous, and carried a slight accent that Caleb definitely didn’t have.
The crowd leaned in closer, eager to hear more from this supposed high-ranking official.
Hannah bead with pride. “Everyone, this is my mate! Tell them who you are, honey.”
“I’m... the Beta of the Blackmoon Pack,” the man said hesitantly.
Several people exchanged glances. Even those who didn’t know Caleb personally could sense sothing was off about the man’s uncertain tone.
“He sounds nervous,” soone whispered.
“Maybe he’s just tired,” another person suggested, though doubt colored their voice.
Hannah shot a challenging look at . “See? There’s your proof, Estelle. Now apologize for suggesting my mate was lying.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t dream of doubting him,” I said smoothly. “I’m just curious to hear more. It’s not every day we get to speak with such an important person.”
Hannah’s smile grew wider. She turned back to the phone.
“Sweetheart, I have a friend here nad Estelle. She claims to know you. Do you know soone by that na?”
There was a long pause. I could practically hear the man’s brain working overti.
“Estelle...” he said slowly. “That na sounds... familiar. There are many people in the pack, you know. Hard to keep track of everyone.”
His vague response only made him sound more suspicious. It was difficult to imagine that a Beta of such a powerful pack would be so hesitant and afraid of speaking to his fated mate’s supposed old schoolmates.
“He’s being modest,” Hannah said quickly, sensing the crowd’s growing skepticism. “He ets so many people in his important position.”
“Of course,” I nodded understandingly. “Being second-in-command must be incredibly demanding. Especially with all the current responsibilities he ntioned.”
“Exactly!” the man on the phone jumped in eagerly. “Very busy tis for the pack.”
Suddenly, the phone screen lit up. The man had accidentally activated his cara.
For just a mont, we could all see his face clearly. He was decent looking with sandy brown hair and brown eyes, but he looked nothing like Caleb’s distinctive red hair and blue eyes.
The man quickly realized his mistake. His eyes widened as he muttered a profanity and switched off the cara, but it was too late. Several people had gotten a good look.
“Oh my,” I said with false concern. “He must be quite shy about showing his face. How modest of him.”
“Yes, he’s very humble,” Hannah said, though I caught so doubt in her eyes. Even she looked surprised that he would switch off the cara so hastily.
“I’m sure he is,” I continued conversationally. “It must be especially stressful right now, dealing with all the pack business and his sick mother.”
“Yes!” the man on the phone agreed imdiately. “My mother has been very ill. It’s been difficult managing everything.”
“What a devoted son,” I said warmly. “Family is so important, isn’t it? I’m sure your mother appreciates having you close during this difficult ti.”
“She does,” he replied, his voice gaining confidence now that he thought he was convincing us. “The doctors say it will be touch and go for a while.”
“Well, between caring for your mother and planning your mating ceremony with Hannah, you must barely have ti to sleep.”
“Hardly any ti at all,” he agreed. “The mating ceremony preparations alone are consuming so much energy.”
The crowd was listening intently to every word, so nodding sympathetically while others looked increasingly doubtful.
“We should let you go then,” I said considerately. “Such a busy, important man shouldn’t waste ti talking to us simple pack mbers.”
“Yes, I really should get back to... important Beta duties,” he said awkwardly.
“Of course. Please give our regards to your mother. I hope she recovers soon.”
“Thank you for understanding. Good night, everyone.”
The line went dead.
Hannah imdiately turned to with a victorious expression. “There! Are you satisfied now, Estelle? You heard him yourself.”
I tilted my head thoughtfully. “I did hear him. But I have to tell you sothing, Hannah.”
“What now?” she demanded impatiently.
“That man isn’t the Beta of the Blackmoon Pack.”
The crowd erupted in surprised murmurs.
Hannah’s face flushed red. “How dare you—”
“The Beta’s mother has been dead for years,” I said calmly. “Killian Jackson, the previous Beta, raised his son Caleb as a single parent after his mate died in childbirth. Where exactly would this sick mother co from?”
Hannah’s mouth opened and closed wordlessly.
“You’re cursing his mother!” she finally sputtered. “How can you say such horrible things?”
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