Three Alphas, Fated To One, Played By One, But Mated To One-Chapter 86: A Seat at The Table

The car ride was silent.

Not the peaceful kind.

The kind that pressed against your ears until even your own breathing sounded too loud.

I sat beside Mike in the back seat, my posture relaxed, my gaze fixed on the passing city lights outside the window.

For the first time in years... I was leaving the pack.

As the Luna of the Night Claw Pack.

This was after living in the pack for eight years as a slave.

The irony wasn’t lost on me.

"You seem calm."

Mike’s voice broke the silence.

I didn’t turn to look at him.

"I usually am."

Another silence stretched between us, then he spoke again.

"You caused quite a scene back there."

Now I turned slowly to look at him.

"That was entirely your doing."

I wasn’t going to take the blame for something he did.

"That was unnecessary," he said coldly.

"Innocent didn’t need to be humiliated like that."

I tilted my head while looking at him.

"So your concern is her dignity? What about mine?"

"You’re the one who lost it, you could have handled the situation differently." Mike said calmly.

"You created a situation where I had to remind you of mine." I turned back to the window after those words.

I could feel his eyes still on me. Scrutinizing me as if trying to figure out something.

"You’ve changed," he said finally.

"No," I replied softly.

"You just never knew me."

The rest of the ride passed without another word.

The city unfolded before us in lights and motion.

Tall buildings towered towards the sky.

Luxury storefronts displayed expensive products without practicality.

People were moving with purpose.

It was nothing like the pack.

And yet....

It gave me more familiarity.

As if this was where I belong.

When the car finally stopped, I looked up at the building in front of us.

It was a high-end hotel that looked like it was made of glass and steel.

"This is where the dinner is being held?" I asked.

"Yes."

Mike stepped out first.

Then extended his hand toward me like a gentleman.

I looked at it.

Then back at him.

For a brief moment, it felt as if something unspoken had passed between us.

Then, I placed my hand in his.

I didn’t do it because I needed his support, but because tonight, we were playing roles, and appearances mattered.

The moment we stepped inside, the atmosphere changed.

Countless eyes turned towards us and conversations stopped mid-sentence.

Then, whispers followed.

"Alpha Mike."

"Is that... the Luna?"

"I heard rumors, but..."

I could feel their gazes on me.

Some were curious. Others were judging me, while others were simply measuring me as if to determine my weight in society.

Mike’s grip on my hand tightened slightly.

Not enough to hurt, but as if he was reminding me of something.

I could tell that he wanted to remind me he was in control. Or at least, he wanted to be.

We were led into a grand hall with crystal chandeliers hanging overhead.

Soft music played from a live band on the side.

Tables were arranged in rows as if to distinguish status.

People dressed in wealth and influence filled the hall holding wine glasses and chatting.

We approached the main table.

Several powerful figures were already seated.

There were business leaders, pack representatives, and people who shaped things behind the scenes.

And the moment we arrived, all eyes turned to us.

"Alpha Mike," one of the older men greeted with a smile.

"And this must be your Luna."

I met his gaze calmly.

"Yes."

Many people would have expected me to falter or show fear and hesitation facing so many powerful people.

However, I was very calm and even dared to look them in the eye.

After a brief silence, I saw several of them nodding in approval.

They had acknowledged me for who I am, not because I am Mike’s Luna.

Mike pulled out a chair for me and I sat down gracefully without hesitation.

It was as if this was my right. What I deserve.

He took his seat beside me.

No one complained that a woman was sitting at the main table, because I made them believe that was where I belong.

The dinner began and as food was served, conversations flowed. Deals were made and alliances hinted.

I sat quietly eating. But I was listening to every word and learning.

I was learning the rhythm of the game.

Learning about the people there. Who spoke with purpose and who just spoke to be heard.

I could feel Mike’s eyes on me from time to time, but I never looked at him once.

I didn’t interrupt or get involved in the conversation, but my presence could be felt.

Then, one statement pulled me into the conversation.

"Bloodfang Pack has been expanding aggressively lately."

My fingers paused slightly on the glass.

Bloodfang.

That was Karl’s pack.

"They’re ambitious," another man added.

"Too ambitious."

Mike finally spoke.

"Ambition isn’t a problem."

His voice was calm as he said those words and I couldn’t tell whether he was defending Karl or not.

"It becomes one when it threatens balance."

Some people on the table nodded in agreement while others kept eating as if the conversation had nothing to do with them.

I understood why. Because this was no longer about business, but power.

Pack territory and control over the werewolf world.

At some point, one of the men turned to me again.

"You’ve been quiet, Luna Valerie. What do you think about all this?"

I set my glass down and met his gaze.

This was my opportunity to make sure that those who matter remember me.

"I think..." I said calmly,"...that those who underestimate quiet players usually don’t see them coming."

No one could tell whether I was talking about the Bloodfang pack or myself.

The table went silent, then a slow smile spread across his face.

"Alpha Mike," he said, glancing at him.

"You’ve got an interesting Luna."

Mike didn’t smile, but just replied curtly.

"I know."

I wasn’t sure if that was a warning or something else entirely.

Because the way he looked at me was no longer indifferent.