Chapter 8

Vanya's POV

"Alpha Cliff, take good care of Melinda, I'll go in first," I said.

Then, I released my arm from his naturally.

Cliff was taken aback. He didn't expect me to say that.

Then, he grabbed my arm. "Let Elliot accompany you inside. It's not good for you to be alone."

I sneered inwardly. Cliff didn't want me to enter with them.

I nodded with a smile, watching Cliff and Melinda approach the door. I turned to Elliot and said, "I left my clutch on the car. Could you fetch it for me? My phone is inside."

"Of course," he nodded and quickly ran off.

Then, I quickened my pace, passing by the guests around me.

As the servants opened the door for Cliff and Melinda, I made sure to walk in right behind them, walking in with my head held high.

I was a Luna who was betrayed by her husband, a Luna who knew my worth.

I paused as I entered the door, a faint smile playing on my lips.

I could hear occasional growls and whispers in the room.

Too many sounds at first for my ears to keep up.

Yet, I reveled in the attention and slowly walked into the venue.

I noticed Cliff turned around, trying to see what everyone was looking at.

However, when he found out that the focus of everyone's attention was me, his own mate, he looked shocked.

I noticed him frowning and looking around, probably searching for Elliot.

Soon, ignoring Melinda's displeasure, he reached out to me, but I pretended not to see and walked right past them as if we were strangers.

This move immediately sparked more whispers.

I went up to greet several couples I knew. They all gave me their brightest smiles, not to mention the awkward situation at all.

I quickly finished greeting them. Since the gathering seemed to be ongoing, I decided to get myself some wine to relax.

From the corner of my eye, I noticed the balcony on the other side of the room was covered by white curtains, obscuring what was happening inside.

I could see a few figures moving around, but that was all.

"Luna Vanya," a male voice came from behind me, and I turned to face a strange Alpha.

He was one of the younger new members, as I didn't recognize him.

In some packs, due to power struggles, the Alphas change quite frequently.

"Hello," I greeted him with a smile.

After all, it was just basic manners.

"I'm Alpha Derrick," the man introduced himself. He looked to be in his late twenties, "Alpha of the Blackthorn Pack."

"Ah, I've heard of it," I became interested.

He smiled slightly and signaled the bartender to pour our drinks, "A glass of champagne for the lady."

"Vanya," another Alpha appeared on my other side, "You are as beautiful and charming as ever."

It seemed both of them thought I was not mated.

How interesting! I was indeed somehow 'not mated' now.

Although I still had the mark of another werewolf on my neck.

But he was now with someone else, living a carefree life.

I remembered in my past life, I was forgotten in the corner, leaving early in that white dress, while they had a great time.

Now, the game began. My heart no longer hurt as much.

I had a pleasant conversation with these young Alphas, occasionally hearing a werewolf growl from a corner of the dinner venue.

But we were used to it. We even joked with a laugh, saying things like, 'That's just how werewolves are.'

My heart wasn't entirely immersed in such socializing.

The auction later was the main event for me.

Cliff's POV

I stood near the bar holding a glass of champagne for a long time but didn't take a sip.

From time to time, many Alphas came to greet me.

After all, the Silver Moon Pack's company was doing very well and had gained a lot of prestige in Los Angeles.

I responded indifferently.

All my attention was drawn to my mate, Vanya.

At this moment, she was surrounded by several unmated Alphas, and they were having a pleasant conversation.

The venue was too noisy, and I couldn't hear clearly.

I told myself that I was paying attention to her because she was the Luna, and I didn't want to lose face in public. However, my wolf kept growling with jealousy.

Soon, she left with her glass of wine.

I searched for Vanya's figure, and Melinda beside me said, "Alpha Cliff... do you really want me to bid later?"

I was pulled back to my thoughts by Melinda's voice. I said, "Yes, I trust your judgment."

A hint of blush appeared on Melinda's face.

It was time for the formal event of the banquet, a small auction.

However, this required an invitation to enter. The Silver Moon Pack's invitation was with me. How would Vanya get in?

But soon, my speculation was overturned.

An Omega servant walked up to Vanya. She opened her clutch, taking out a brand new invitation.

"Luna Vanya also has an invitation? It couldn't be that those Alphas just gave it to her, could it?" Melinda muttered in my ear.

"Don't talk nonsense," I frowned at her and said.