Chapter 7 Vanya's POV ' Is this the reason for his lie ? It's too clumsy .' I came to this dinner not to compete with Melinda for Cliff.Such childis I had a more critical goal . " 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 . jealousy is no longer something I would do . Then , he grabbed my arm . " Let Elliot accompany you inside . It's not good for you to be alone . " Cliff didn't want me to enter with them . 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 . 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 . 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 . " Hello , " 1 greeted him with a smile . After all , it was just basic mann 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 ," 1/3 28 W Chapter 7 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 . I remembered that there was an ordinary obsidian at this auction . It looked gray and unpolished , with a rough and uneven surface , so no one paid much attention to it . But in reality , it was an obsidian blessed by the Moon Goddess . If placed within a pack , it could influence the pack and the surrounding area . It could even strengthen the protective barriers of the pack's territory . Now that I've decided to leave Cliff , I need to secure my own future . I turned my head , watching Cliff and Melinda talking and laughing together , and then quietly averted my gaze . Melinda indeed had some skills , which was one of the reasons Cliff was attracted to her in the future . Recalling my past life , Melinda had once helped Cliff identify a great piece of land . 1 The land itself was excellent , and there were real estate developments built by the Silver Moon Pack's companies around it . Melinda didn't hesitate to raise the price with Cliff's money . It increased the value of the land and the surrounding properties . Even without Melinda's interference , Cliff would have definitely taken that land . It was part of his plan . Sure enough , as soon as the auction began , Melinda immediately started bidding . She successfully acquired the first three prime pieces of land . Cliff sat beside Melinda like a formidable bodyguard , his face stern . He looked particularly calm , as if everything was under his control . " A newly mined obsidian rough , starting bid at one hundred thousand dollars , " the auctioneer's voice echoed through the venue . My heart suddenly raced , my gaze tightly locked on the seemingly ordinary obsidian on stage . Took a deep breath , trying to calm myself down , and slowly raised my bidding paddle . I crisply shouted , " Five hundred thousand dollars . " 2/3