Rejected by the Alpha, Claimed by the Apex

Chapter 3 - The High Council Gala

~ Three Years Later ~

Clara’s POV

"I decline the offer," I said, sliding the contract across the glass table. "Apex Real Estate isn't a charity. If you want my firm to manage your territory, you meet my asking price."

Mitchell stared at the rejected document, his face flushing red.

"Your fees are too high," Mitchell argued, leaning forward, his hands gripping the edge of the table. "My pack is losing land to the Rogues every week. We need your security investments."

"Then you should have managed your assets better," I replied, standing up. "My price is final, Mitchell. Find me when you are ready to sign."

I picked up my purse, turned my back on him, and walked out of the VIP room, stepping onto the main floor of the High Council Gala.

The massive ballroom buzzed with hundreds of elite guests. Packs secured their wealth and traded land deeds during these events. I walked through the crowd, my backless emerald gown sweeping the floor, holding my head high as the other guests moved out of my way. I grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, stopping near a tall marble pillar to check my phone.

Sarah had just texted me the latest quarterly reports. I scrolled through the data, smiling at the profit margins. I spent the last three years building Apex Real Estate into an empire, buying up vulnerable pack territories, restructuring their finances, and leasing the land back to them at a premium.

"You ruined Mitchell's night," a deep voice said from beside me.

I looked up, meeting the sharp gaze of Julian. He was the Apex Alpha of the Obsidian Pack and a billionaire media mogul. He wore a tailored black suit, exuding a quiet dominance that made the other wolves keep their distance. Julian and I had closed several corporate deals together over the last year. He treated me as an equal, never pushing boundaries, though his romantic interest was obvious.

"Mitchell ruined his own night," I countered, taking a sip of my champagne. "He took out bad loans and expects me to fix his mistakes for a discount."

Julian smirked, stepping closer. "I respect your business tactics, Clara. Most wolves would cave under the pressure of an Alpha."

"I don't cave," I said, locking my phone. "I buy the cave, and then I charge them rent."

Julian laughed, opening his mouth to say something else, but his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, frowning at the screen.

"I need to take this," Julian told me, giving a polite nod. "Save me a dance before the night ends."

"I'll think about it," I teased, watching him turn and walk toward the quieter hallway.

I turned my attention back to the crowded ballroom. I walked over to a group of wealthy venture capitalists, joining their conversation about the recent market crashes. As one of the investors complained about falling property values, my eyes caught movement near the center of the hall.

David stood a few feet away, holding a drink in his hand.

I hadn't seen him in three years. He wore a sharp tuxedo, but the untouchable confidence he used to carry was gone. He looked exhausted. He spoke in a rush to an older investor, gesturing with his hands, but the man just shook his head, patted David on the shoulder, and walked away.

David ran a hand through his hair, his jaw tight with stress. The rumors were true. Silver Holdings was going bankrupt, and David was losing pack territory to the human banks and the Rogues. He attended the gala tonight to beg for a bailout, and nobody was giving him a dime.

David turned around, his eyes sweeping across the ballroom. He spotted me standing with the group of investors. He paused, looking in my direction for a long moment. He fixed his posture, put on a charming smile, and started walking toward me.

The venture capitalists excused themselves to grab more drinks, leaving me standing alone near the edge of the dance floor. David stepped up to me, dropping his voice lower.

"A beautiful woman shouldn't stand alone at a networking event," David said, flashing a practiced smile. "Especially one who looks like she owns half the room."

"I own more than half," I replied, keeping my voice smooth and indifferent.

David chuckled, leaning closer. "I like a woman with ambition. I'm David. I run Silver Holdings. We are looking for elite partners to invest in a massive territory expansion. Perhaps we could discuss it over dinner?"

"Oh, please," I scoffed, looking him dead in the eye. "Everyone knows Silver Holdings is a joke."

David frowned, his charming smile dropping. "Excuse me?"

"Your pickup line is cheap, David," I said, my tone turning to ice. "And your company is a terrible investment."

I didn't wait for him to process the insult. I turned my back on him, walking away to rejoin the crowd.

"Wait," David called out, stepping quickly into my path to block me.

He looked frantic, his pride cracking under his desperation for money. He stared at my face, a sudden, jarring confusion flashing across his expression as he studied my eyes. He was trying to place where he had seen me before.

"Who are you?" David asked, his voice tight. "Which firm do you represent?"

I looked at the man who threw my clothes into the dirt three years ago. He was begging a stranger for a lifeline, oblivious to the fact he was begging the mate he discarded.

"If you survive the quarter, David," I replied, a cold smile touching my lips. "I'll be the one signing your foreclosure."

I stepped around him and walked into the crowd, leaving my former Alpha standing paralyzed in the middle of the ballroom.