Chapter 49

Estelle’s POV

“Hannah!” Sarah’s voice cut through the sudden tension like a whip. “What’s wrong with you p>

I studied the woman who had spoken. Her black hair was pin-drop straight, and she had a pair of cold gray eyes that stared at me with disdain. Memories of our time back in the program came back to me, along with her name. Hannah Jayne.

Of course. How could I forget?

Hannah had never been part of our close circle back at boarding school. She’d hovered on the periphery, always watching and judging. She had never liked me back during those days.

Most of the other students were there because they were children of pack leaders, groomed to take over family legacies. I’d been the exception as I was the adopted daughter of a small pack.

Hannah had made sure I never forgot that difference.

She’d never been outright cruel, especially since Asher was always by my side. But that didn’t mean I didn’t notice her dislike for me. Whenever I wasn’t looking, she would always shoot me sideways glances and sneers.

Eventually, I found out that it wasn’t just because of my heritage that she disliked me. She had also harbored a massive crush on Asher and wasn’t happy that Asher chose me, someone with unknown parentage, over her, the daughter of a decently powerful pack’s Gamma.

“I’m just stating facts,” Hannah said, shrugging with false innocence. “Check any news outlet. Alpha Asher Daniels announced he has an acting-Luna. He never mentioned Estelle’s name p>

The cheerful atmosphere evaporated. My former classmates shifted uncomfortably in their seats, unsure how to navigate this sudden shift.

“Asher must have his reasons,” Janice said firmly, shooting Hannah a warning look. “Maybe he’s protecting Estelle’s privacy p>

Hannah rolled her eyes dramatically. “Oh, please. Let’s be realistic here. Asher is just another man. Like every man, he’s holding out p>

“Holding out for what?” Connor snapped.

“For someone more suitable. For his fated mate to appear.” Hannah’s smile turned predatory. “Does anyone here really think that when push comes to shove, someone will choose their chosen mate over their fated mate p>

The silence that followed was deafening.

I watched as my former friends avoided eye contact, their faces carefully neutral. But their expressions told me everything I needed to know. Deep down, they agreed with Hannah’s assessment.

The realization hit me harder than expected. Even back in school, they’d probably thought the same thing. No one had said it aloud, but they’d all been waiting to see if one day, Asher would find his fated mate. Would he just discard me?

As an Alpha, Asher had resources. He could travel, meet wolves from other packs, and all of those things would increase his chances of finding his mate. Everyone probably wondered why it was taking so long.

And back then, I’d genuinely believed I was the luckiest woman alive.

“Hannah, just shut up,” Sarah snapped, but her voice lacked conviction.

“I’m speaking the truth,” Hannah replied coolly. “If Asher truly loves Estelle as much as everyone claims, why didn’t he announce her name? Better yet, why didn’t he announce her as Luna instead of acting-Luna? Maybe the woman mentioned in the article isn’t even Estelle p>

“How can it not be her?” Connor protested. “They’re mated. There’s no one else it could be p>

I remained silent, watching the debate unfold. Part of me wanted to laugh at the irony. They were so close to the truth, yet so far from understanding the real situation.

Hannah leaned forward, her eyes glittering with malicious satisfaction. “If that’s really true, then let’s settle this right now p>

“What do you mean?” Bethany asked warily.

“Someone call Asher. Ask him directly. Better yet, ask him to come here right now.” Hannah’s smile widened. “Speaking of which, why isn’t he here? Estelle, shouldn’t you have invited your mate? Considering we were all friends back then p>

Her eyes met mine.

I frowned. I could feel all eyes turning toward me, waiting for my reaction.

Connor shifted nervously. “Hannah, that’s p>

“That’s what?” she pressed. “If Estelle really is his Luna, if their relationship is as solid as everyone believes, then there shouldn’t be any problem with him joining us, right p>

My fingers tightened around my wine glass.

“Unless,” Hannah continued, her voice dripping with false concern, “there’s a reason Estelle doesn’t want us to contact her husband p>

The word ‘husband’ carried extra emphasis, as if she was testing how I’d react to the title.

Janice looked uncomfortable. “Hannah, this is supposed to be a friendly reunion. Why are you stirring up drama p>

“I’m not stirring up anything,” Hannah replied smoothly. “I’m just curious about our old friend’s happiness. Isn’t that what friends do? Care about each other’s well-being p>

Sarah frowned. “This feels more like an interrogation than caring p>

“Does it?” Hannah’s gaze fixed on me. “Estelle doesn’t seem bothered. Are you, Estelle p>

All attention focused on me again. I could feel the weight of their expectations, their curiosity, their growing doubt.

Hannah had always been clever. She was systematically dismantling the image of my perfect marriage, planting seeds of doubt in everyone’s minds. Even my real friends were starting to question things.

The worst part was that her instincts were completely correct. There were problems with my marriage. Massive, relationship-ending problems. But not the ones she suspected.

“Well?” Hannah pressed, clearly enjoying my silence. “Should we call Asher or not p>

Connor cleared his throat. “Maybe we should just p>

“No,” Hannah interrupted, her voice growing bolder. “I think this is a perfectly reasonable request. Connor, you have his number, don’t you? You two were friendly back in school p>

Connor looked trapped. “I… well, yes, but p>

“Perfect.” Hannah’s smile turned triumphant. “Call him. Tell him where we are. I dare you p>