The Breaking Point of Mate: Giving Up on My Alpha novel Chapter 46

Chapter 46

Melanie’s POV

Camille saw me, and her expression was as controlled as ever.

I heard her tell Elmer, “We have another appointment, so we’re leaving now. Talk to you later.”

“Sounds good. Talk later,” Elmer said, shaking hands with them.

Camille didn’t look at me again. She and Marvin turned to leave.

Right beside her- Archer was there, too.

The crowd naturally gave them a wide berth, acknowledging their walk together.

A few strands of powerful Alpha pheromones crisscrossed in the light, their heat cutting through the metal and electric smell of

the convention hall.

I only let my gaze linger on the group for half a second before pulling it away.

The cord behind my sternum suddenly plucked–the old pain from the mating bond curled into a small knot, and Frost whimpered softly in my consciousness.

I deepened my breath, tucking my scent back into a hidden place, preventing any shift from escaping.

As it approached noon, several industry experts invited Elmer to join them for lunch.

A large group of influential figures had already gathered around Archer’s side, clearly planning to eat together.

The direction of the AI sector largely depended on the choices made by these people.

Elmer was interested. He looked at me, a question in his eyes: With Archer there, do you want to avoid it?

“I’ll go,” I gave him a direct answer.

We treat each other like strangers–so, he can’t stop me from showing up in a professional setting.

A few senior executives led us toward Archer’s group.

Archer looked up when we approached, his expression neutral.

Camille’s brow tightened for a second, then relaxed, and she calmly looked away.

Marvin and Daphne arrived and couldn’t hide their momentary stiffness when they saw Elmer and me.

By then, Archer had walked up to us. He shook Elmer’s hand. “Hello.”

“Hello,” Elmer smiled. “Nice to meet you.”

Everyone quickly gathered around Archer and Camille as they led the way to the parking lot, and we followed.

Marvin and Daphne tried to get close to me. I understood their look–they wanted me to back off–but I pretended not to see

them.

We were led to the semi–private area of a high–rise restaurant a full wall of windows and a long table slightly partitioned by a sound–dampening screen and plants, allowing for conversation without disturbing other tables.

About twenty people sat down on either side.

Archer naturally sat next to Camille.

Daphne tried to sit by me to “keep an eye on me,” but Elmer was faster and took the seat tirst.

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Everyone ordered their own food, with only two or three shared appetizers for the table.

Archer handed the menu to Camille.

Someone at the table chuckled. “Alpha Archer and Ms. Haines are so in sync.”

Next to me, Elmer quietly asked for my preferences.

I heard the chatter across the table, gave a brief glance, and focused back on the menu, ordering two small dishes for myself.

Frost gave a little hitch in my consciousness: the proximity to them made the old scars itch.

I suppressed the sting at the side of my neck.

The conversation quickly started. Several industry leaders discussed the information from the expo.

Someone couldn’t resist throwing the ball to Archer. “Speaking of which, Alpha Archer, your autonomous driving stack has high compatibility with Mr. Boyd’s team’s intelligent language. Seriously not thinking about joining forces?”

Laughter and the sound of silverware filled the long table.

Camille used a serving spoon to portion a small appetizer for Archer, and he accepted it naturally.

That brief, casual intimacy was like a thin needle pricking the area behind my sternum.

Frost was impatient. “I’m reaching my limit.”

I firmly suppressed her, putting logic first. “This was a business lunch, not the Stone Circle.”

Mr. Fisher, seated on my other side, proactively engaged me in conversation.

The table was large, and we didn’t want to disturb others, so we kept our voices low.

Someone across the table joked, “Austin, you really can’t turn off work mode. You’re still talking even though we sat down.”

Another person laughed. “He was talking to Ms. Haines for ages at the exhibition hall.”

Mr. Fisher laughed back. “I talk to you guys about technology, and you always push me toward the engineers. Now that I’m quiet, you complain?”

Someone looked at Camille, then at me, “Austin was just saying that there are more talented people appearing. Our future looks promising.”

Given Archer’s status, the social courtesy was more likely to be directed at Camille as his date.

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