The Alpha's Fake Luna Is the Lycan King's Mate

Eleanora POV:

My fingers were steady as I dialed the number on Alistair Vanderbilt's black metal card. The satellite phone felt heavy in my hand, a lifeline to a world I had long since abandoned.

The call connected after three rings. A man's voice came through the line, deep and unhurried, used to being obeyed. "Who is this?"

The sheer authority in those three words made my inner wolf shrink back. I forced my own voice to remain even.

"Eleanora Carlisle."

There was a beat of silence on the other end, a silence so heavy it felt like a physical weight. Then, the voice came again, a subtle shift in its tone. A flicker of... interest? "Carlisle. I've been expecting your call."

My heart skipped a beat, but I pushed the surprise aside. "Mr. Vanderbilt, I'm aware our families had an arrangement. I wish to execute it now."

A low chuckle rumbled through the phone, a sound that seemed to vibrate right through my bones. "'Execute'? An interesting choice of words. What is it you want, Eleanora Carlisle?"

"I need an ally," I said. "An ally who can make the Slate Pack regret its existence. In return, you will have the friendship of the Carlisle Pack. And me."

At that moment, a familiar mental pressure brushed against my mind. Jaxon, trying the mind-link again. I didn't block him. I let the connection hang, a silent, one-way channel.

His voice, dripping with false concern, echoed in my head. "Nora, baby, don't be angry. Open the door, please? I had the kitchen make your favorite dessert."

I ignored it, my focus entirely on the man on the phone.

"Are you busy?" Alistair asked, his perception unnervingly sharp.

"Just cleaning out some trash," I replied calmly.

Through the open link, I heard Jaxon's attention shift. Kiley's soft, cloying voice joined his. "Jax, is Nora still not opening the door? Do you think she might... do something?"

Then, the little boy's voice, high and demanding. "Daddy, I want Daddy!"

Daddy.

Jaxon's mental voice immediately softened, full of doting affection. "Finn, be good. Daddy will be right there."

My hand tightened on the phone, my knuckles turning white.

"Eleanora," Alistair's voice cut through my haze, sharp and concerned. "Are you alright? Your breathing has changed."

I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing the white-hot rage back down. This was my war. I would not lose control.

"I'm fine, Mr. Vanderbilt." I sat up straighter. "About our alliance..."

"Alistair," he corrected me. "Tomorrow, my team will be in touch. The Slate Pack is bidding on the Blackwood Creek development project, are they not? Tell Jaxon Slate that the Vanderbilt Group will negotiate only with you."

This was it. My first weapon. "Good."

Just before he hung up, Alistair spoke again, quiet and final. "Eleanora. No one gets to hurt you again."

The call ended. Strength, plain and steady, flooded back into me. I was no longer alone.

Jaxon's link was still there, a pathetic, pleading presence in my mind. Time to give him a response.

I took a shaky breath, manufacturing the perfect tone of a woman shattered by betrayal. "Jaxon," I projected, my mental voice trembling. "I heard... I heard the child call you daddy. I'm your Luna. How could you... how could you have a son with someone else?"

I focused on the son, the affair. Not the contract. Let him think I was just a jealous wife.

The mental link went dead silent with his panic. He hadn't expected me to hear.

A moment later, his frantic thoughts crashed back. "Nora, you misunderstood! It's not like that! Open the door, I'll explain everything!"

I cut the link.

Then, I walked to the door and slid the bolt open.

Jaxon stood there, his face a mess of guilt and desperation.

I looked up at him and gave him a fragile, heartbroken smile.