Three Alphas, Fated To One, Played By One, But Mated To One-Chapter 85: Eyes on the Board

Valerie’s POV

By the time evening came, the entire pack house felt different.

Nothing had changed in the structure of the pack, the routines, or even the people moving through the halls, but something invisible had indeed changed.

It wasn’t anything visible, but a subtle change.

Like a string had been pulled somewhere in the background, tightening everything just a little.

I knew this from the way people looked at me when they thought I wasn’t looking.

Lilith stood behind me as I adjusted the cuff of my sleeve.

"This outfit makes you look intimidating, Luna." She said with some pride in her voice.

I glanced at my reflection in the mirror.

I wasn’t wearing one of those elaborate gowns they usually forced on me. Instead, I had chosen something simpler.

Something that aligns more with my personality.

I wasn’t going as a trophy, but as a force.

I had chosen a fitted black dress with clean lines, long sleeves, and a high slit that allowed for easier movement.

I didn’t go for excessive jewelry or unnecessary decorations.

I wasn’t aiming to look pretty tonight.

I wanted to look untouchable.

"Do you think Alpha Mike will try something?" Lilith asked after a moment.

Her voice was lowered to a whisper as if she was afraid that someone was already listening.

"He already has," I replied casually, causing Lilith to go quiet again.

The door opened before either of us could continue and Janice stepped in.

Her eyes swept over me, and for once, there was no smugness in them.

"Alpha Mike is waiting," she said stiffly.

I nodded.

"Let’s go." I picked up my purse and took the first step towards my bright future.

"Oh, and Janice, remember to knock next time."

I felt that keeping Janice around was a hassle. But she was a coward and easy to control.

If I let her go, some people in the pack will send more of their people to be spies beside me.

At least, with Janice, I already knew how to handle her. What to let her know so that she could spread, and what I couldn’t let her touch.

The walk to the entrance hall felt longer than usual.

Servants bowed to me as I passed, while warriors stepped aside.

Some lowered their heads out of respect.

Others... out of calculation.

They were all trying to figure out the same thing.....

Where do I stand now?

And more importantly, where should they stand?

This was how power works. If you are a slave like I used to be, everyone could step on you to please those in power.

If you are in power, they would grovel at your feet to get crumbs.

And now, because of Mike’s attitude towards me, many were confused.

They didn’t know whether Mike supported me or hated me.

Mike was already waiting outside the front door looking sharp.

He was dressed in a dark suit that fit him perfectly, exuding the kind of cold authority that made people instinctively lower their gaze.

Beside him stood Innocent.

She was clinging to him as if she was afraid that people wouldn’t know she was a mistress.

She wore a soft, flowing, light-colored dress that made her look delicate.

Like she was trying to contrast me on purpose. She looked fragile and gentle.

The complete opposite of what I represented tonight.

Her hand that rested lightly on Mike’s arm made her look as if she belonged there.

My gaze swept over them once, then I kept walking.

I didn’t stop or hesitate.

I walked straight to Mike’s side, and stopped just close enough that he would feel the warmth radiating off my body.

I noticed how his eyes glued to my body and his throat blobbed as if swallowing his desire.

Innocent’s smile faltered a little, but I didn’t look at her.

My focus was solely on Mike. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"You’re late," Mike said coldly.

"I arrived exactly when I intended to," I replied calmly.

Did he really think I would cater to him? How ironic.

Innocent can do that.

His gaze roamed over me for a moment causing his eyes to flicker.

Then it disappeared just as quickly, replaced by indifference.

"We’re leaving," he said shortly.

I didn’t move, and neither did Innocent.

Silence stretched between the three of us, causing the atmosphere to become heavy.

"Is there a problem?" I asked lightly.

Mike’s expression darkened.

"Innocent is coming with us."

I tilted my head slightly.

"As what?" I asked.

I couldn’t care less if Innocent fucked his brains out causing him to be unable to think.

I would not allow any disrespect on such an occasion. Especially, on my debut to high society.

Innocent stiffened at my question.

Mike looked uncomfortable, but still replied.

"As my companion," he said.

"Oh! What about your Luna?"

Innocent let out a soft laugh.

"Oh, please," she said sweetly. "Let’s not make this awkward, Valerie. You don’t even understand business. You’ll only embarrass Alpha Mike."

Her tone was gentle, but every word was a blade.

I turned my head slowly to look at her.

"You seem very confident for someone without a title," I said.

Her smile froze.

"I may not have a title," she said softly, tightening her grip on Mike’s arm, "but I have his trust."

I nodded slightly.

"That explains why you’re still here. But is it trust or just a free sex toy?" I didn’t mince my words.

Causing both Innocent and Mike’s expressions to turn ugly.

Mike stepped forward slightly.

"Enough." He said while looking straight at me.

"No."

I looked up at him and said calmly.

I didn’t shout, but that one word was more impactful than shouting.

Especially since pack members were watching.

His eyes darkened dangerously, but I didn’t back down.

"Don’t push me, Valerie."

"Then don’t disrespect me, Alpha Mike."

The words came out smooth.

"In case you’ve forgotten," I continued, "this is a business dinner."

He said nothing.

So I did.

"And in the eyes of the public, I am your Luna. If you want to be disgraced, do it alone. Don’t drag me down."

Innocent scoffed.

"Public image? You think they won’t see through you? You’re nothing but a...."

"Careful," I cut in before she could finish the sentence.

My voice had dropped sounding soft but deadly.

Innocent froze in place and I could see the fear in her eyes.

"You’re speaking to the Luna of this pack," I said slowly.

"And you..." I let my gaze travel over her briefly, "are still just a mistress."

That word landed like a slap across her face.

Mike’s aura flared slightly.

"Valerie."

His voice carried a warning. Because by calling Innocent a mistress, I wasn’t just scolding her, but also insulting him.

However, his warning didn’t make me back down.

"You can take her if you want," I said calmly.

"Let the entire city see that the Alpha of Night Claw Pack brings his mistress to official business events while his Luna is ignored."

I paused for a moment before adding softly,

"I’m sure that will reflect very well on your leadership."

Mike’s expression turned so dark it could rival the night.

However, I could see the gears turning in his head.

He was raised with his pride instilled in him.

His position and power were more important than love. And when it came to power, Innocent meant less.

Innocent turned to him quickly.

"Mike, she’s just trying to manipulate you..."

"Enough," he said sharply.

She looked shocked, but I wasn’t.

A man like Mike loved himself more than anything or anyone.

For a moment, no one spoke.

Then, Mike slowly pulled his arm away from her.

He had made his choice, and as I expected, it wasn’t Innocent.

Innocent’s face went pale.

"Mike...?"

He didn’t look at her.

His gaze remained on me.

"Okay, let’s go then." He said to me coldly.

However, I didn’t care how he treated me, as long as I went to the business dinner with him.

I would take this as my first victory.

I didn’t show any emotion that suggested I had won or was happy.

I simply nodded.

"Of course."

Innocent stepped closer to Mike and stretched her hand to grab him.

"You can’t be serious! You’re choosing her over me?"

Mike finally looked at her, but when he did...

There was no warmth in his eyes.

"This is business," he said flatly.

"You’re not needed."

Those words were so brutal, but they also confirmed Innocent’s status as someone who couldn’t appear in public.

Another victory for me.

Her lips trembled. Her eyes filled with disbelief.

Then they shifted to me, and the hatred I saw in them could burn me to ashes.

"This isn’t over," she whispered.

Mike turned without another word.

"Let’s go."

I walked beside him, keeping up with his long strides without falling behind.

I wasn’t going to be his backdrop by walking behind him or his escort by walking ahead.

I walked beside him as his equal.