Alpha's Regret: Marked By The Lycan King

Estelle’s POV

Zayne’s eyes widened as he carefully took the wrapped box from my hands. His fingers brushed against mine briefly, sending a small shiver up my arm.

“You really didn’t need to do this,” he said softly, but I could see the genuine pleasure in his expression.

He unwrapped the gift with deliberate care, not tearing the paper like most people would. When he opened the box, his breath caught slightly.

Inside was a gorgeous silver tie that seemed to shimmer under the restaurant’s ambient lighting. The fabric caught the light beautifully, taking on a blue sheen that reminded me of moonstone.

“Estelle,” Zayne said, his voice filled with appreciation. “This is beautiful.”

“I wanted to thank you,” I explained, feeling slightly self-conscious under his intense gaze. “For the ring. And for helping me these past few days.”

He lifted the tie from the box, running his fingers over the smooth silk. “It’s perfect. Thank you.”

The waiter returned with our champagne, and Zayne carefully placed the tie back in its box. The rest of our dinner passed pleasantly. The food was exquisite, and our conversation flowed naturally between pack politics and lighter topics.

I still had the second gift—the cufflinks—tucked safely in my purse. But somehow, I hadn’t found the right moment to present them.

As we finished our main courses, I excused myself. “I’ll be right back.”

Zayne stood as I rose from the table, ever the gentleman. “Of course.”

The restroom was elegantly appointed with marble countertops and fresh flowers. I stepped into one of the stalls.

That’s when I heard the door open, and two women entered, their voices carrying clearly in the tiled space.

“I still can’t believe it,” one of them was saying, her voice thick with emotion and what sounded like alcohol. “Of all people, he chose her?”

I froze, recognizing the speaker’s voice. My curiosity got the better of me.

“Vivian, you need to calm down,” the second woman said, her voice gentler but concerned. “You’re getting yourself worked up.”

Vivian Hart, daughter of Alpha Matthew Hart of the Scarletfang Pack. No wonder she sounded familiar. It had been a while since the last time I saw her. Funnily enough, she had also been worked up over the same thing.

“Don’t tell me to calm down, Mavis,” Vivian snapped. “Did you see them together? The way he looked at her?”

My name hadn’t been mentioned yet, but instinct told me they were talking about me. I remained perfectly still in the stall, trying to make as little sound as possible. It had been such a coincidence that they were at the same restaurant today, even more so that she had entered the bathroom right after I did.

“She’s the Luna of Blackmoon Pack,” Mavis said quietly. “She’s not exactly nobody.”

Vivian let out a bitter laugh. “Luna of Blackmoon? So what? She’s still just a country bumpkin who got lucky. If it had been Rosalind Vurbont, I could understand. At least she’s lycan nobility. But Estelle Harper? What does she have that I don’t?”

“Vivian—” Mavis tried to interrupt.

“No!” Vivian’s voice cracked, and I could hear her starting to sob. “I’m the daughter of an Alpha too. I have everything she has, plus more. Scarletfang isn’t a shoddy, rundown pack, and my bloodline is pure. Why can’t I be his queen?”

The raw pain in her voice was unmistakable. She was clearly intoxicated, her emotions spilling out without filter.

“I saw them at their table,” she continued, her words slightly slurred. “They looked so... intimate. I have never seen him look at anyone like that. It should have been me sitting there. It should have been me he was looking at like that.”

I heard the sound of running water, probably Mavis trying to help Vivian compose herself.

“You’re drunk,” Mavis said gently. “Let’s get you home.”

“I’m not that drunk,” Vivian protested, though her emotional state suggested otherwise. “I just... I can’t stand seeing them together. What does she have that I don’t have? Why can’t he look at me?”

I’d heard enough. This conversation was clearly going nowhere productive, and I had no desire to eavesdrop on Vivian’s drunken breakdown any longer.

I stepped out of the stall calmly and walked to the sinks. Both women froze when they saw me, their faces reflecting shock and mortification.

Vivian’s eyes were red-rimmed, and her carefully applied makeup was smudged. Mavis looked like she wanted to disappear into the marble floor. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

“L-Luna Estelle,” Mavis stammered, her face flushing bright red. “We didn’t realize...”

I turned on the tap and began washing my hands methodically, not bothering to acknowledge their obvious discomfort. In the mirror, I could see Vivian staring at me with a mixture of embarrassment and defiance.

The silence stretched between us, thick with tension. I dried my hands slowly, taking my time.

Finally, I turned toward the door. I had no intention of engaging in their drama or making a scene. The best response to such pettiness was dignified silence.

But just as I reached for the door handle, I felt something cold and wet splash across my back.

I turned around slowly, water dripping from my hair and dress. Vivian stood by the sink, an empty crystal vase in her hands, her eyes wild with a mixture of rage and alcohol-fueled recklessness.

Mavis’s face went white with horror.

“Vivian!”