One of her friends, a semi-popular influencer, cozied up to her side. “I can’t believe you get to work so closely with them! God, could you imagine if they end up courting you?” She wondered, and the other girls chittered.
“They’d be stupid not to!” Another one said, and the group nodded and agreed as Arabella smiled and basked in their praise. I rolled my eyes at the over-the-top display of flattery. Arabella was used to being courted by some of the hottest packs around, and I was sure if she set her eyes on Pack Vale, they’d be next. She had her eyes on the prize, a truly influential pack with more resources than my family had.
Arabella spotted me, and her smile flickered. “Ah, there you are,” she said, walking towards me like she owned the house. She pretty much did - I was basically a guest at this point. “Honestly, Ivy, you disappear every time other people are around.”
Of course I did, that was what made them happy and made my life easier.
“I was helping Mara upstairs,” I said, trying my best not to get any attention from her group of friends.
“Mm.” Her gaze swept over my dress. “See? With enough effort, anyone can clean up.” I swallowed back a response and nodded. One of the photographers looked toward me. Arabella immediately looped her arm through mine before he could move.
“My sister hates photos,” she laughed lightly. “Don’t you?” She asked, her gaze hitting me with a warning to comply. I nodded, heat rising to my face as the photographer smiled awkwardly.
“Alright, gotcha,” he said, turning away to get more pictures of the other girls, who so far had not noticed my presence.
“We leave in five minutes!” Clara said, entering the room and raising her hands to get everyone’s attention. She wore an expensive emerald colored dress and was adorned in probably more diamonds than even Arabella - that was usual for her. All the money the company made seemed to go toward luxuries for her and Arabella. She glanced around, smiling at everyone until she spotted me. Then she hurried over, lowering her voice as she spoke to me.
“Ivy, darling,” She began, and I knew something worse was coming. She only used terms of endearment when she had to say something negative to me in front of others. “The limo is completely at capacity. You know Arabella - she invited all of her friends. Would you mind if we had you arrive in a separate car? You’ll still get there in time.” Of course, Arabella didn’t want me riding to the gala with her friends. But I didn’t want to ride with them, either.
“I don’t mind,” I said, and Clara looked relieved.
“Perfect! Go ahead and follow Alec to the car, then.” Alec was the personal driver who worked for our family. I saw him waiting and turned to follow him as he led the way. Alec was pretty quiet, which I appreciated. I was in no mood to talk to anyone.Arabella and her friends quickly made a line to get into the limo while Alec held open the door of an SUV, where I would be riding by myself. I stepped inside, watching the others laughing and practically bouncing in anticipation.
I used to have friends once - before Clara and Arabella joined the family. But after they arrived, sleepovers were canceled, or I was told my friends were too disruptive to come over. When Arabella had friends over, I would try to socialize, but she would cut me out or always have me running tasks for her, bringing them soda or snacks. Even when I made a new friend, Arabella would take over, her charismatic personality and eventual fame making her a bigger draw for a friend than me.
Over time, I stopped trying. Arabella and Clara had told me so many times that I was clumsy, shy, and socially awkward, so it was easier to just accept that and lean into it than fight against them. And so that’s what I became. An introvert who excelled at product development and had no friends. Life was so much smoother once I let them win. Anyway, I didn’t mind. Being in the lab made me feel closer to my mom, who was one of the few people I knew who had loved me unconditionally.
My thoughts were interrupted by Alec as we pulled up to the gala. Bright light spread out across the massive building, illuminating the long stretch of red carpet that was rolled down the front steps. The Vale Labs Gala looked like a movie premiere. Luxury cars lined the drive while cameras flashed nonstop. The moment Arabella’s limo pulled ahead of us, the energy outside shifted instantly. Reporters clamored forward as she stepped onto the carpet in her gold dress, posing while her friendsgathered around her. She took a moment, smiling at everyone as she basked in the attention.
I reached for the SUV door handle automatically, but Alec stopped me gently. “Miss Clara asked me to bring you through the staff entrance,” he said apologetically, which somehow made it sting even more. While Arabella and her friends strode down the carpet surrounded by cameras and admiration, Alec steered the SUV away from the glowing front entrance toward the back side of the building, where catering vans and security staff hung around the back doors. The glamour vanished, and Alec walked me inside through the building, quietly and discreetly, as if I were not supposed to be there.
I slipped through the side door into the ballroom itself and immediately stopped to look around in amazement. Crystal chandeliers glittered overhead while hundreds of elegantly dressed guests filled the room. Servers stopped by with flutes of champagne while music played. I looked around, amazed at the opulence. This was a big deal, after all. It was one of the biggest collaborations our company had been involved in.
Arabella walked through the ballroom like a model, all eyes on her as she headed toward the man himself -Hunter Vale. He stood there, all alpha height and dark, wavy hair that had been pushed back and styled. But no amount of styling could hide the raw nature of an alpha. He looked around, cold and imposing in his black suit. He gave a slight smile to Arabella as she approached him, holding her hand out as he took it, giving it a slight kiss before nodding at my father’s pack. I wouldn't have been surprised if he had concocted this whole collaboration justto court her, except that I knew Arabella had been clamoring for it for months. I turned away, not wanting to watch any more.
I walked over to one of the cocktail tables near the edge of the ballroom, grabbing a plate and adding a few miniature tapas. With my family distracted, I could eat as much as I wanted without hearing them grumble about it. I sighed as I bit into one of the prosciutto and burrata bread bites, my eyes fluttering at the taste. Now this made the whole trip worth it. I turned to people-watching as I ate my tapas. Around me, the gala was filled with chatter and camera flashes while people circled Arabella and her friends like they were celebrities. There were certainly a lot of social climbers here - including my family.
Arabella stood beside Hunter Vale now, looking radiant beneath the chandelier light while the other socialites competed for her attention. Even from across the ballroom, the man looked intimidating. He barely smiled while people spoke to him. His expression was calm and unreadable. I rolled my eyes at both of them. Surely I’d hear about him courting her within the next few weeks. I could almost bet on it.
“Impressive,” a low voice beside me nearly caused me to drop my plate. “You’re the only one actually trying the food.”
I turned quickly. The man standing beside me wasn't familiar. He was handsome, but he didn’t have that domineering alpha vibe to him - he was a beta. He was lean and tall, with brown hair brushed carelessly away from a handsome face. The moment I saw him, I wanted to look closer. There were faint lines around his eyes that suggested he smiled often, and he seemed to be an intellectual - not that I could tell that from a glance alone, butthe way he assessed me made me think perhaps he might be a professor. Because no one ever assessed me for more than a moment. And unlike everyone else tonight, he looked like he was actually relaxed.
“I- I brought my appetite, thought it was normal at a party,” I said quickly, a bit too apologetic in my tone. I was so used to being chastised at home that I forgot other people might think it odd that I scarfed down food at a party rather than mingling.
His eyes softened, and his mouth curved up as he reached for a drink from a passing tray. “You must be the smartest person here. Get away from the chaos, and actually try the food. Mind if I join you?” He asked, and I gave a stunned nod. Why would he want to hang out here with me?
“You’re going to miss what everyone came here to see,” I said, glancing over at Arabella, who was now being photographed next to Hunter, my family fawning over them both like a bunch of groupies. The man looked over at them and shrugged.
“I’m not one for showy galas. Not my style.” He said, looking at the spread as he grabbed a few prawns. “And anyway, I’d much rather get to know the mysterious woman who isn’t at all affected by the glamour.” I wasn’t sure why, but being near this man put me at ease in a way I hadn't felt in years. Somehow, I knew he was safe. I took a deep breath and felt my body release tension I didn’t even know I was holding onto.
“Not a lot to know, I’m pretty basic,” I responded, shrugging. It was the truth - this was an obligation, not a choice. The manleaned in, his grey eyes watching me in a way that no one ever did. What on earth did he see in me?
“I highly doubt that,” He murmured, but then thankfully took the attention off of me. He motioned to the center of the room. “So, what do you think of him?” He asked casually, and I followed his gaze.
“Mr. Vale?” I asked, glancing toward the infamous CEO again. Power practically radiated off of him. He was dark, imposing, and exactly the type of man who seemed like the type to throw his weight around to get what he wanted. I already had enough people controlling my life, and I detested it. I considered the question honestly for a moment before shrugging lightly.
“I think he’s irrelevant.”
