4. Chapter 4
Ivy
The schmoozing was at an all-time high, but for once, I didn’t feel lost in the crowd of high-ranking packs and socialites. The table at the gala was already set with my family and Pack Vale’s seats at the center - but of course, as it turned out, I didn’t have a seat at that table.
“With the last-minute change, we had to seat you where there was space,” Clara explained, her face masked with fake sympathy even though I knew she’d rather have me anywhere than near herself and Pack Vale.
I normally wouldn’t have minded being far away from the group, but something in me was pained that I wasn’t going to spend more time with Elias and his intriguing pack.
“Sure,” I responded, trying not to look deflated as I looked around. I was surprised that I even got to eat dinner. I figured she’d put me in the break room with the staff.
“You’ll be over there, at the table by the flower arrangements,” Clara said in a sweet voice, her hand at my back, practically propelling me toward the furthest table away. I started to head in that direction when a voice, smooth and deep, spoke up behind us.
“What’s going on?” The amount of authority that Hunter Vale had in his voice caused both me and Clara to immediately stop and turn. He was staring at us, a look of concern on his face. Clara froze; a too-arge smile plastered on her face.
“Ivy changed her mind at the last minute, so she didn’t get a place at the table. She doesn’t mind.” Clara explained, then her hand pressed at me to hurry me up. Hunter shook his head.
“Oh no. Absolutely not. We’ll get this fixed immediately.
” He said, waving down a server, and quickly whispered to them.
Then he looked right at me and held out his hand, beckoning me toward him.
“Ivy, you’re sitting at our table with everyone else.
Come here.” I followed without thinking.
Hunter’s aura of authority was so strong that even Clara started walking toward him, stammering some excuse about how it wasn’t an issue.
Hunter didn’t even listen, just walked toward the table where my family was now congregating, and where Arabella looked up in confusion, a flash of irritation momentarily on her face as she saw me approaching.
“Oh, but there’s no space here,” she said, her face looking sympathetic. “Our side is already packed.”
“We have space on ours, if you don’t mind sitting next to our pack,” Hunter said to me, brushing off Arabella’s concerns.
Her jaw dropped as I nodded, realizing I’d be sitting next to all of them, facing across from my family.
Hunter pointed to a spot on the table, and a staff member immediately brought out a chair.
He gripped the back of it, pulling it out for me as several other staff quickly brought over place settings.
Arabella stared at me as I sat down, in a daze at what had just happened.
“Ivy?” Arabella said, her teeth nearly gritting, although she was still smiling sweetly. “I thought you said you preferred to eat alone.” Her statement was loud enough to draw Elias's attention. He looked over at me as my family sat down across the table.
“Is that true?” He asked, watching me. “If you’re not comfortable, it’s fine to eat somewhere else. I don’t want you to feel like you’re being forced.” He said. I nearly blushed at his words. He was so concerned with my comfort, despite not realizing that Arabella was creating the whole narrative.
“I usually prefer to eat alone,” I admitted. It was because eating with my family was usually torture. But he didn’t need to know that. “In this case, I’m happy to join in. It’s a special occasion, right?” I said, smiling at Arabella. If I turned the attention back onto her, she’d back off.
Arabella wasn’t backing down so easily, though.
I could tell that my seat next to Pack Vale was irritating her more than she let on.
“Oh, Elias,” she said, looking at him with big eyes.
“That’s so sweet! It’s because, well.” She looked at me and lowered her voice.
“Ivy hates when people watch her eat. I just want her to be comfortable.” She reached across the table, her hand gripping mine in what might have seemed like a show of support.
But her hand was like a vice on mine, her touch startling me.
“Isn’t that right?” She asked, her eyes on me like a predator.
“I - I…” Arabella was telling the partial truth.
I did hate people watching me eat - especially because anytime Clara or Arabella caught me eating in the kitchen, I’d get in trouble.
I was used to hiding my snacks and taking my meals elsewhere.
But that didn’t mean I minded anyone else seeing me eat.
“I’ll be fine,” I finally managed to stammer, and Elias nodded, but kept looking at me with a watchful eye.
“I just want you to be comfortable,” Arabella said in her too-sweet voice, her blonde hair glowing under the lights as if she had a halo around her head.
“You’re very considerate,” Hunter said as he sat down in a chair next to me.
I felt a rush of endorphins at the closeness of this powerful alpha as he sat inches away.
Even though I was being honest that I didn’t care for people who wanted to be worshiped for their power, that didn’t mean I wasn’t affected by a powerful alpha.
It was hard not to glance over at him, with his tall, perfect posture and the impeccable suit that showed off his frame.
Arabella’s gaze snapped over to him, her face beaming with pride at his compliment.
“Thank you,” she said, her eyelashes fluttering as she looked up at him.
“I only want what’s best for my family. They are everything to me.
” She said, and Hunter nodded approvingly.
I fought the urge to roll my eyes. To be fair, she was a fairly good actress.
I guess most alphas would fall for anything she said, regardless - she was so beautiful that it overpowered common sense.
A clinking sound filled the space as our glasses were filled with champagne. Elias was holding his glass up in a toast.
“Here’s to our new partnership. It’s been a pleasure working with you all so far, and I just know this campaign will be a success.
We’re thrilled to have Arabella as our ambassador,” he said as she glowed, radiating with pride as our family looked on with approval.
“And just from our brief time we’ve spent together, you’re absolutely perfect for the role.
” He said, and I felt the tiniest pang of jealousy.
I thought I was past feeling it - the years of being shoved behind Arabella had almost numbed me to the feeling.
But when Elias praised her, it did something to me.
I shook it off and raised my glass, acting as obedient as ever, giving Arabella a smile as we all toasted to the collaboration.
“Cheers!” Voices rang out as we all clinked our glasses together.
It was an odd feeling, looking across the table at my whole family while I sat on Pack Vale’s side.
I knew that Arabella was hiding her irritation at it, and I figured I’d hear all about it later.
But tonight, I just relished in the attention.
I barely had time to ruminate on it before appetizers were served.
It was a type of crudo, something I’d never had before.
I tasted it tentatively, and it was mouthwateringly delicious.
My stomach grumbled. It had been a while since I’d eaten a whole meal, even with the tapas from earlier. Hunter’s eyes flicked over to me.
“You’re hungry.” He stated, and I bit my lip.
“Just a little,” I admitted, not wanting to make it an issue. He looked at me in a way I couldn’t decipher.
“Anything you want more of, let me know. We have more food than we can even serve.” He said, his voice low and kind.
I nodded, slightly shocked. I hadn’t expected him to be like this.
I thought he’d be another brute alpha, dismissing anyone who didn’t have anything to offer him.
I had nothing to offer anyone. It seemed that he had a warm side, or maybe he was just trying to butter me up since I was part of the family he was partnering with.
“You don’t mind if I take photos, do you?
” Arabella said loudly, interrupting the moment.
I looked over, and she pulled out her phone, taking pictures of the food as it was served.
“It’s sooo incredible, this is really one of the best galas I’ve ever been to!
” She said, preening as she took a selfie.
I noticed that she angled her phone to fit her side of the table with the family - I wasn’t in it.
I was sure she would post the photo to her social media later.
I tried not to roll my eyes at her obvious exclusion of me.
It was one thing when she did it in private, but in public like this, it was just too much.
“Take as many photos as you want. It will only help the campaign.” Hunter said with a smile.
“And we can’t be grateful enough to be part of all of this,” my father said, leaning forward slightly.
“The Vale Pack has built something extraordinary. Your influence in this city alone is unmatched, but it’s the way you’ve grown your business so quickly in such a competitive environment that really sets you apart. ”
Hunter gave a polite nod while my father continued smoothly, clearly in his element now.
“Arabella has admired your company for years. This campaign is an incredible opportunity for our family, and we’re honored you considered us worthy of it.”