CHAPTER 207: CHAPTER 207 A TABLE OF LIES

Freya’s POV

While everyone else scrambled for Dr. Ramirez’s attention like eager pups seeking approval from the alpha, Johnny and I hung back. We didn’t need to join that fawning parade.

If we wanted to see Dr. Ramirez... well, it wasn’t exactly easy, but certainly not the impossible feat others seemed to think it was.

Sure enough, after Dr. Ramirez had made his rounds, Johnny’s phone buzzed with a message.

"He wants to see us," Johnny muttered, nodding toward the exit. My wolf stirred inside me, always uneasy around my former mentor. Selene, my wolf spirit, had never quite trusted humans with too much knowledge, and Dr. Ramirez certainly fit that category.

We slipped away from the exhibition hall and headed to the parking lot where Dr. Ramirez stood waiting, his attention focused on his phone. When he sensed our approach, he looked up, his shrewd eyes missing nothing.

I stopped a respectful distance away. "Professor," I greeted, keeping my voice neutral despite the way my wolf bristled.

"Hmm," was his only acknowledgment, cold and clipped as always.

Dr. Ramirez surveyed us with the clinical detachment that had intimidated generations of doctoral students. "I saw your exhibition. Passable... but," his gaze swept over us with arctic chill, "three years and this is all you’ve managed to accomplish?"

Johnny jumped in quickly, "We’re developing a new prototype. Should be ready by next year."

"I see." Dr. Ramirez’s tone could have frozen summer. "Don’t bother visiting me until it’s complete."

Johnny and I responded in unison: "Yes, sir."

Dr. Ramirez’s lips thinned. "I want your analysis of today’s exhibition. In my inbox tonight."

Johnny and I exchanged a quick glance, immediately understanding what he meant—a comprehensive technical assessment of every innovation we’d seen today.

"Yes, sir," we echoed.

Johnny hesitated before adding, "Professor, one night might be... challenging."

Challenging was putting it mildly. The exhibition featured hundreds of innovations, each requiring detailed technical evaluation. A complete analysis would run tens of thousands of words.

"A month, perhaps?" Johnny suggested cautiously.

Dr. Ramirez didn’t speak. He just stared at us with that penetrating gaze that made even my wolf want to bare her throat in submission. For a human, he had the unnerving dominance of an alpha predator.

Johnny straightened immediately. "Understood. We’ll have it done!"

I remained silent, knowing better than to argue.

As the conversation reached its natural conclusion, Dr. Ramirez turned his attention specifically to me.

I stiffened. "Professor?"

"And what sort of mate have you chosen?" he asked, casting a disapproving glance in the direction of the hall where Silvano was undoubtedly still holding court with Aurora at his side.

Without waiting for my response, he turned and walked away, his disappointment palpable.

I stood frozen, the words hitting harder than they should have.

Johnny chuckled beside me. "He’s talking about your husband," he clarified unnecessarily. "Even the humans can see Silvano isn’t worthy of you."

My wolf growled inside me, conflicted between defending her mate and acknowledging the truth of Dr. Ramirez’s assessment. The bond between mates was supposed to be sacred among our kind—something even a human like Dr. Ramirez seemed to understand better than my own mate did.

"He’s always had a soft spot for you," Johnny continued as we watched our mentor’s retreating form. "In his own emotionally constipated way."

"Yeah," I sighed, "nothing says ’I care’ quite like assigning a thesis-length paper due tomorrow."

Johnny grinned. "At least he didn’t ask for blood samples this time. Remember when he had that werewolf healing theory?"

"How could I forget? I had to convince him that drawing my blood for science would violate pack laws." I shook my head at the memory, grateful that we’d managed to redirect his curiosity without revealing too much.

As we turned to head back inside, I couldn’t help but wonder—what would my life have been like if I’d chosen to pursue my research career fully instead of trying to balance it with being Luna to a pack that never fully accepted me?

After Dr. Ramirez left, we returned to the exhibition hall. Given Johnny’s status and reputation, as noon approached, several industry leaders came over to invite him to lunch.

From their conversation, it seemed Silvano would be joining them too. He had already gathered quite a crowd of industry figureheads around him—all apparently planning to dine together.

This was actually an excellent opportunity to gain deeper insights into the future direction of the market. The AI industry’s trajectory largely depended on how these influential figures decided to operate.

Beyond that, these meals often led to successful business partnerships if the conversations went well.

Johnny was clearly interested in going. He looked at me, silently asking for my opinion. Knowing Silvano would be there, he wondered if I would...

"I’m going," I said firmly. Sure, Silvano and I had been treating each other like strangers since we arrived, but that didn’t mean I needed to avoid him entirely. My wolf, Selene, growled approvingly inside me—she never liked showing weakness.

Our group consisted of more than twenty people. The private dining room was spacious, with everyone seated around a large round table.

Naturally, Silvano sat beside Aurora. Johnny quickly claimed the last seat next to me before anyone else could.

Once seated, everyone chatted while deciding on the meal. Silvano handed the menu to Aurora, letting her choose.

"What would you like?" she asked him.

"Whatever you decide is fine," Silvano replied smoothly.

Those seated nearby smiled at this exchange. "Alpha Moretti and Miss Howlthorne seem very close," someone commented.

Aurora’s lips curled into a satisfied smile as she ordered several dishes based on Silvano’s preferences.

Johnny was also looking at the menu, asking about my tastes. After noticing the interaction between Silvano and Aurora, he glanced at me, but my face revealed no particular reaction. When Johnny asked what I wanted, I simply discussed a couple of dishes with him.

When the server came to take our order, Johnny pointed to a seafood platter. "We’ll share this, right Freya?"

I was about to respond when Silvano suddenly interjected, "She’s allergic to shellfish."

The table fell momentarily silent. All eyes shifted between Silvano and me.

Johnny looked confused. "Oh, I had no idea—"

"It’s fine," I cut him off, fixing Silvano with a cool stare. "I developed the allergy a few years ago. There’s no way Johnny would know that."

"I apologize for the interruption," Silvano said smoothly, though his eyes held mine a moment too long. "I just wouldn’t want anyone to have a medical emergency during lunch."

"How thoughtful of you, Alpha Moretti," I replied with a tight smile, my wolf bristling at his territorial display. "But I’m quite capable of managing my own dietary restrictions."

A businessman seated across from us cleared his throat awkwardly. "You two know each other well?"

Before Silvano could answer, I quickly responded, "Alpha Moretti and I have crossed paths at various business functions. The Shadow Pack has extensive connections throughout the industry."

The man nodded, seemingly satisfied with my explanation, though I noticed several curious glances still being exchanged around the table.