Three Alphas, Fated To One, Played By One, But Mated To One-Chapter 82: A Seat at the Table

Valerie’s POV

The moment I stepped out of Mike’s office, I didn’t slow down.

I kept walking past the hallways, guards, and the curious eyes that always seemed to follow me everywhere now.

Only when I reached my office did I finally stop.

I closed the door behind me and leaned against it for a brief moment.

My heart was racing.

It was beating so fast that I thought it would give out.

However, feeling the heartbeat was how I knew I had succeeded.

I might have put a brave front in front of Mike, and even mocked Innocent, but I wasn’t confident I would succeed.

With Mike’s relationship with Innocent, I was just trying my luck to see if he would agree to take me along to the dinner party.

I know for sure that if I had hesitated back there; if I had shown even a hint of uncertainty, Mike would have dismissed me without a second thought.

But the good news was, I now had my invitation.

My journey to building an empire was about to begin.

I pushed myself off the door and walked toward my desk.

The laptop screen was still on, the code I had been writing earlier blinking quietly as if nothing had happened.

Good thing that no one showed up in my office without reason.

I opened a new tab and logged back into the secure channel.

My mentor was still online.

That was great.

"I secured an opportunity to attend a high-level business dinner."

The reply came almost instantly.

"Impressive."

A small smile touched my lips at the praise.

"Then you need preparation."

"What do I need to prepare?" My mentor was the only one I could ask.

Then my mentor sent a long list.

"Start with this:

Basic business etiquette

Key figures likely to attend

Current market trends

How to introduce yourself properly

What NOT to say"

I scanned the list quickly and imprinted every word into my mind.

"Thanks, I will do as you say."

"Good. Also...."

I waited for him to finish.

"You need an identity."

My fingers paused above the keyboard.

What do you mean?"

"You can’t walk into a business dinner as just ’the Luna.’"

"Why not? Aren’t I going with the identity of the Night claw pack Luna?"

I got confused by his suggestion.

He continued typing.

"You need a professional identity. Something that connects you to the business world."

I hadn’t thought of this before. It made sense.

"What do you suggest?"

I leaned back slightly.

"Founder."

It was one word, but it was so broad that I didn’t understand its meaning in my situation.

"Of what?"

"That’s your choice."

My eyes drifted to the tab with the program I had been working on earlier.

A secure mobile payment system.

"I’m building a tech company," I typed slowly.

"That’s good. Now, instead of attending as Mike’s mate and limiting yourself, attend as the founder of a tech company."

My grip on the mouse tightened slightly and a small smile formed on my lips.

Yes, why should I live in someone else’s shadow?

"I’ll need a name for the company." I added.

"Pick something simple, strong, and memorable."

I thought for a moment.

Then typed,

"Vortex Systems Limited Company."

There was a brief pause, before my mentor replied.

"Approved. No other business has registered that name yet. I’ll begin registration immediately."

I exhaled slowly.

"Thank you."

"No need. You’re doing the hard part."

I logged out soon after.

Before going back to my coding, I picked up my tablet and sent Lilith a message asking her for information about the people who would attend the business dinner.

If I was going to that dinner, I wouldn’t walk into that room blind.

Hours passed without me noticing.

By the time I leaned back in my chair again, my eyes burned slightly from staring at the screen.

But it was worth it.

I now had a basic understanding of:

The company Mike controlled

Its competitors

Key investors

And most importantly, the people likely to attend the dinner.

One name, in particular, stood out.

A man known for ruthless decisions and unmatched influence.

Someone even powerful packs were cautious around.

The Alpha King, Caelan.

A knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts.

"Come in."

The door opened, and Lilith stepped inside.

"Luna," she greeted respectfully.

"Yes?"

"Lady Bernice asked me to assist you with preparations for the weekend."

Well, news travel fast.

It had been less than half a day and the former Luna already knew about me going to the dinner with Mike.

I nodded.

She walked closer, her eyes briefly scanning the laptop before returning to me.

"You’ll need an appropriate dress and shoes," she said.

"I assumed as much."

"Lady Bernice also said that you need proper etiquette training before the dinner." Lilith added, making me want to roll my eyes.

People in this pack really thought of me like a bumpkin who knows nothing.

"I don’t need training," I replied calmly.

Lilith hesitated, as if not knowing what to do.

"With all due respect, Luna..."

"I said I don’t need training." I said with a firm tone.

She lowered her gaze slightly.

"Yes, Luna."

I softened my expression just a little.

"I will learn what I need on my own."

"Understood."

She paused, then added,

"Still... Lady Bernice insisted I assist you."

I sighed inwardly.

Lady Bernice meant well.

"Fine," I said.

"You can help with the dress."

Relief flashed briefly across Lilith’s face.

"Thank you, Luna."

Later that evening, I stood in front of the mirror again.

Admiring the woman who stared back at me.

The dress I was wearing would impress even the most unaesthetic people.

It was great, because I know first impressions matter.

Lilith stood behind me, adjusting the fabric carefully.

"It suits you," she said softly.

"Good," I said as I studied my reflection.

That night, as I lay in bed, sleep didn’t come easily, because my mind refused to slow down.

I had many thoughts running through my mind.

My fingers curled slightly against the bedsheet as I thought about the first step I was about to take.

The first real step into a world that had nothing to do with the pack.

A world where power wasn’t determined by bloodline, but influence, money, and control.

A world where I could build something of my own.

I wasn’t naive.

I knew it wouldn’t be easy.

I knew people would look down on me, mock me, and dismiss me. Either for my age or background.

But that didn’t matter.

Because their underestimation was my greatest weapon in the early stages of my business.

When the right time came, I just wouldn’t sit at the table.

I would own it.