CHAPTER 206: CHAPTER 206 THE EXPO ENCOUNTER

Freya’s POV

As I approached the exhibition hall, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of anticipation. The venue was already bustling with people when we walked in after having our tickets checked.

The space was enormous, showcasing everything from advanced drones and flying cars to humanoid robots that could pass for real people at first glance. There were so many exhibits, each focusing on different core technologies, that my team and I were immediately overwhelmed with excitement.

Johnny’s reputation in the tech world was impressive. We’d barely been there for a few minutes when people began approaching him, eager to exchange greetings and business cards. He graciously introduced me to several potential contacts, expanding my professional network with each handshake.

While Johnny handled the social aspects, I joined Jack and the others to explore the exhibits. We moved from display to display, analyzing the technologies and discussing their potential applications. For the first time in months, I felt truly alive, immersed in the world of innovation that had once been my entire life.

I don’t know how much time had passed when Johnny suddenly appeared at my side, tapping my shoulder and pointing toward the other end of the hall.

Silvano.

So he had come after all.

His tech company held considerable influence in the domestic market, and he certainly understood the technical aspects of these innovations. I’d suspected he might attend, especially knowing Aurora would be here.

And there he was, standing beside her. They were surrounded by people, the crowd positioning them at the center as if they were officially a couple.

I only allowed myself one glance before turning away.

Then I spotted Levi among the attendees as well.

He was engaged in conversation, unaware of my presence.

"Does he know you’re here?" Johnny asked, nodding toward Silvano.

I shook my head. "I doubt it."

Though Silvano and I occasionally saw each other these days, we never discussed anything about our relationship. The few words we exchanged were always about Isabella, our daughter.

"Are you really not going to say hello?" Johnny asked, his expression displaying clear disapproval.

I knew what he was suggesting. Silvano and I weren’t divorced yet. If I were to publicly assert my position as his mate, it would certainly create an uncomfortable situation for both Silvano and Aurora.

"No," I replied simply.

For one thing, there was no point. And for another... if I pushed Silvano too far, he might retaliate by publicly discussing how I had supposedly "trapped" him into our mating bond—even though I hadn’t. Without evidence to prove my innocence, I’d be the one humiliated in front of countless business owners and tech innovators. That could damage my business irreparably.

I wasn’t willing to satisfy a momentary impulse at such a cost.

As Jack called me over to help explain a particularly complex exhibit, I turned away, no longer concerned with what was happening in Silvano’s corner of the hall.

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Silvano’s POV

"Over there—your mate is here too," Levi murmured, nudging my side with his elbow while gesturing toward Freya’s direction.

I glanced where he pointed and immediately spotted her. She was holding a tablet, explaining something about an exhibit to Jack and his team. They were all completely engrossed in the discussion, oblivious to our gaze.

"Who are those people with Freya?" Levi asked, clearly surprised. "Is she explaining core technology to them? Is she really that knowledgeable?"

I kept my eyes on Freya, saying nothing as I watched her gesturing animatedly while speaking. Something about seeing her in her element, confident and passionate, stirred feelings I’d been trying to suppress.

As if sensing my stare, she suddenly looked in my direction. Our eyes met across the crowded room.

She paused for a moment, her expression unreadable from this distance. Without thinking, I found myself offering her a small smile.

She looked confused before turning away.

"What are you smiling about?" Levi asked.

"Nothing," I replied, the smile still lingering on my lips.

Levi raised an eyebrow, noting how Freya had looked at me as if I were a stranger. "Your mate is either playing hard to get, or she’s being remarkably considerate," he commented. "Knowing you don’t want your relationship public, she’s maintaining distance at both the gala and now here. Not letting anyone see a trace of connection between you two. I’ll give her credit for that."

Before I could respond, Aurora approached us. "What are you two talking about?" she asked, her voice light but her eyes sharp.

"Nothing much," Levi replied smoothly. "Finished your networking already?"

Aurora was about to answer when someone approached with Professor Nolan.

"Professor Nolan, this is Aurora Howlthorne, the algorithm genius I was telling you about," the person said, introducing Aurora.

An announcement came over the speakers that the main conference would soon begin, and representatives from each company should proceed to the meeting hall.

I watched as Johnny and Freya walked toward the front, representing SF AI Solutions.

"Johnny values her that highly?" Aurora muttered beside me, surprise evident in her voice as she saw Freya being ushered into the VIP section.

As we followed, Aurora deliberately ignored Freya when we passed near them, keeping her eyes straight ahead.

"I heard Dr. Ramirez is sitting in the front row," someone nearby whispered excitedly. "Sitting up front means you’ll actually get to speak with him. So lucky!"

"Indeed," another person replied.

I couldn’t help but stare at Freya walking confidently alongside Johnny. A strange mixture of pride and unease settled in my chest. Was this her way of showing independence from me? Of building a life completely separate from our bond?

"Is she planning to betray the pack?" I muttered under my breath, knowing how ridiculous it sounded even as I said it. My wolf growled possessively inside me, disliking seeing my mate so comfortable with another male, even in a professional context.

"Calm down, brother," Levi whispered, noticing my agitation. "She’s just doing her job. Weren’t you the one who wanted her to have her own interests outside the pack?"

"That was before she started pulling away entirely," I replied, keeping my voice low as we found our seats. "I’m not sure what game she’s playing anymore."

"Maybe she’s not playing any game," Levi suggested thoughtfully. "Maybe this is just who she is when she’s not defined by being your Luna."

His words hit harder than he probably intended. Was that it? Had I been so focused on what Freya represented to the pack that I’d forgotten to see who she truly was?

As the lights dimmed for the presentations to begin, I found my eyes repeatedly drawn to her profile, illuminated by the stage lights. Something told me I was seeing the real Freya for the first time in years—and she was magnificent.