Three Alphas, Fated To One, Played By One, But Mated To One-Chapter 87: Lines in the Sand

The atmosphere around the table seemed to change because the people there had a different opinion of me.

However, I didn’t care much.

I wasn’t there to attract the kind of attention that made enemies so early.

I just wanted to make my presence known in the outside world.

And from the way the people around the table had started to act, I had already achieved my goal.

A woman who had tried to make conversation earlier but in a condescending manner spoke again.

"You speak like someone experienced," the woman from earlier said, her eyes narrowing slightly. "But from what we’ve heard..."

She trailed off deliberately.

I raised my gals to my lips again and after taking a small sip of the wine, I put it back down.

Then, I raised my eyes to look at her.

"What have you heard?"

A faint smile curved her lips.

"That you only recently... stepped into this position."

I am guessing that because of her image and to maintain peace with the Night claw pack, she didn’t dare say the word, ’slave’.

She probably thought that I would be embarrassed by her words, but I am not ordinary.

I nodded immediately and replied.

"That’s true."

She blinked her eyes looking a bit confused.

Clearly not expecting me to admit so easily.

"But experience doesn’t only come from sitting in a particular position," I continued.

One of the older men chuckled.

"Well said."

I could tell that I had gotten the approval of a few distinguished guests. And that was why I had insisted on coming.

If I contact them in the future, they will definitely remember me.

However, the woman from earlier didn’t smile anymore.

The conversation that followed, I was included and said a few words from time to time.

I knew not to overdo it and attract too much attention or hatred.

I didn’t dominate the conversation, but just made sure that I didn’t fade into the background either.

"Excuse me."

Mike’s voice cut through the conversation.

He stood up after excusing himself.

"I need to take a call."

He didn’t look at me as he said it. But I didn’t care much about his attention.

To me, he was only a ticket to the dinner.

A way for me to appear in front of people and now that I had achieved that goal, he could act out all he wanted.

I wasn’t going to interfere.

"Of course." I simply nodded in his direction without showing much interest.

He walked away without another word.

"Well," the woman from earlier said, leaning forward slightly after Mike disappeared from view.

"Now that Alpha Mike isn’t here... we can speak more freely."

I met her gaze without showing any fear.

"What would you like to talk about?"

Her smile returned.

However, this time it wasn’t polite but looked more predatory.

I could guess that I was officially entering the business battlefield, even though the fighters were just some pawns.

"You."

She said casually.

"I’m not that interesting," I said casually.

Taking another sip of my wine.

"Oh, I think you are," another man chimed in.

"Especially considering how quickly you’ve... adapted to the environment."

I didn’t miss the implications in his words.

However, I have lived under oppression for so long that I could tell malice from miles away.

The woman tapped her fingers lightly against the table.

"Tell me, Luna Valerie... what exactly are you trying to do?"

I didn’t understand her question, so I asked directly what she meant.

"Encouraging women in your pack. Challenging internal structure. Now showing up here and positioning yourself as... this."

She gestured vaguely toward me. As if I was some stain she wasn’t willing to be associated with.

However, her statement surprised me at how much other packs knew about the situation at the Night claw pack.

That could only mean that either the pack members were blabbermouths, or there were traitors there.

"This?" I repeated calmly. Looking straight at her and waiting for an answer.

Her eyes narrowed.

"Yes. This."

I smiled at her. Understanding that women didn’t like being outshined and my presence today must have touched upon the interests of some people.

"I’m simply doing my role." I smiled and replied to her.

I didn’t become defensive.

That never helped anyone. Besides, if I wanted to build my own empire, I couldn’t present myself as a victim.

That job was better left to Innocent.

"And what role is that?" she pressed.

I leaned back slightly in my chair, looking composed and relaxed. As if I belonged at that table.

"The Luna. And also, the founder of Vortex Systems."

I thought it was a great opportunity to mention my start-up without looking too obvious.

It wouldn’t be noticed so easily. However, when the people there went back and replayed the conversation at that table, they would definitely remember me and my business.

"That’s a very... broad interpretation," she said tauntingly.

I knew that she must know about Innocent for her to be so tactless.

However, the one at that table was me, not Innocent.

So, I wouldn’t be tripped by something so trivial.

"Not really," I replied.

"The Luna supports the Alpha in strengthening the pack. She also ensures stability in whatever way possible."

The man beside her leaned forward.

"And you believe what you’re doing will strengthen your pack?"

I met his gaze directly without fear.

"Yes."

"Even if it creates conflict?" He asked again.

"Conflict is a good thing among people. It fosters growth."

My answers were impeccable. They couldn’t find anything wrong.

Besides, I was just building an image of a woman with a broad vision for the future.

I had no interest in promoting Night claw pack. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Everyone there understood that growth didn’t come from comfort. But from constant disruptions. Tearing down and rebuilding.

"What an interesting girl. Hello, I am Walker."

Someone walked up to me and greeted me.

I turned to look at him and found a man with a similar build to Mike standing on the side.

He was in a royal blue suit that made him look like the elite of the elites.

I could tell from his demeanor that he was someone worth making connections with.

So, I stretched my hand and returned his greeting.

"Hello, Valerie."

"I like your mindset. The packs need to change the way they operate. Rules and laws made centuries ago must be rectified to fit the current world." Walker said seriously.

I could tell that he wasn’t just trying to make conversation. He really meant what he said.

"That’s true. However, not everyone is willing to accept change so readily."

I didn’t mention that many were afraid of losing power after change.

I was not ready to make enemies yet.

"That is true. But with the way things are going, and with our growing interactions with humans, things need to change." He added again.

I could tell that he was someone with a broad vision. I made the decision to find him when I can and build a business relationship with him.

"Could you give me your phone number? We will stay in touch and perhaps discuss business some time." I said without thinking, but the atmosphere around the table changed.

Some people looked at me as if I was a lunatic. Others looked a bit afraid, but I couldn’t tell why.

Before I could ask, Walter replied to me.

"Sure. Let’s stay in touch."

He asked for my phone, which I offered immediately. He then added his number on my contact list and returned the phone.

This was a new phone Lilith had bought for me.

We were about to continue talking when Mike came back and I could feel the temperature drop with his presence.

However, Walker didn’t seem to be affected.

However, out of respect for me, he said goodbye and promised to call.

After Walker left, the atmosphere relaxed again.

I couldn’t tell why the people there reacted so strongly to Walker but I couldn’t just ask.

So, I pretended everything was okay.

"What did he want?" Mike asked quietly after Walker had left.

I picked up my glass and took a slow sip.

"Nothing much. Just supports my change initiative."

"And what did you offer?"

The way he said it made me sound like a hooker selling my body in exchange for favours.

So, I remained quiet and pretended not to hear him.

I will not take any disrespect from him or anyone else.

"Mmmmh?" Mike persisted and as someone who has decided to live my own life, I couldn’t ignore him anymore.

So I turned to look at him.

"Nothing...."

I said then paused for a while.

"Yet."

If he wanted drama, I wouldn’t back down either.

The rest of the dinner didn’t last much longer.

People began standing, shaking hands, and exchanging polite smiles that meant nothing.

"Ready to leave?"

Mike’s voice was low beside me.

I couldn’t wait to leave this place filled with hypocrisy.

I had already made my position clear and made connections that needed to be made.

So, there was no use staying any longer.

"Yes," I replied calmly, standing.

We didn’t say anything else as we walked out together.