She finally realized - the prominent businessman Jett had mentioned was none other than Maximus . The description couldn't have been more fitting . He wasn't just the Alpha of the Silvermoon Pack ; he'd built the pack's business empire into a commercial powerhouse that made him one of Houston's most influential tycoons . Her emotions remained calm , though her gaze couldn't help but drift toward him . Setting aside their shattered mate bond , he truly was a capable Alpha - good even to the human children in the pack . Everyone except her . Today , he wasn't wearing his usual suit . Dressed casually , his sharp features were softened somewhat , yet he still looked exactly as she remembered . During the event , Maximus was exceptionally generous - donating four million for a new school building , providing scholarships for the poorest children , and even handing out cash red envelopes . After the event ended , Maximus and his assistant headed toward the academic building . After bringing the students back to their classroom , Calista made her way to the medical office . In the staff office , Maximus was still waiting for Jett to finish up . He stood by the window , glanced outside , and saw Calista passing by - he froze in surprise . Calista didn't even look in his direction , walking straight ahead as if he didn't exist . Liam Carter noticed the Alpha's pause and asked with concern , " Alpha , is something wrong ? " Maximus's gaze followed her until she disappeared into another building . " Liam , wasn't my schedule supposed to be kept confidential these past few days ? " " Yes , Alpha . " Maximus frowned . " Then how did Calista end up here ? " She'd done this before - finding out his schedule , carefully orchestrating chance encounters . Eventually , he'd had Liam strictly guard his itinerary . He hadn't expected her to pull the same tricks after all this time . Liam thought for a moment , then ventured cautiously , " Could Luna have ... followed your car ? " . Maximus's expression darkened instantly , but before he could respond , Jett hurried in . " Mr. Gray , I'm so sorry to keep you waiting . We're short - staffed here - I need to see the students off . " " It's fine . Since you're here , I- " 1 Before he could finish , Jett grasped his hand . " Mr. Gray , we've got a lot of kids in this town , but folks keep moving away and it's been hard to keep the place going . Without you , these kids wouldn't have much to look forward to . So - just to say thank you - I've set up a little country - style dinner for you here in town . Hope you don't mind the simple fare . Let us treat you to a proper meal tonight . " Maximus was about to decline , but Jett was too enthusiastic . The " no " died on his lips as Jett declared , " Then it's settled . " 11:27 Rejected by the Alpha , I Became the Pack's Queen 51.6 % Chapter 17 By five thirty , Calista too had been roped in . She tried to beg off , but Jett insisted someone " worldly " like her should help hold the table . Against such enthusiasm , she could only agree . There weren't many at the dinner - seven or eight in all , every one of them from the school's administration . A student had been hurt earlier , and it held Calista up . She walked in last . When the server pushed open the private room door , all eyes turned toward her . She scanned the table and immediately spotted Maximus Gray and Liam . Jett Leach hadn't mentioned this was a thank - you dinner for the donation , and she hadn't asked . She'd just said yes . Besides , Maximus was the type who ate at Michelin - level restaurants and slept in luxury hotels . The last thing she'd expected was for him to stick around for a meal in this little town . Maximus noticed her too , mildly surprised . Then it occurred to him - maybe she'd made a donation just to run into him at dinner . Jett jumped up the moment he saw Calista still standing . " Dr. Vance - come , please sit ! " Doctor ? The word caught Maximus off guard . But as Calista walked in , he instinctively turned away , saying to Liam who was still standing , " Sit down , don't just stand there . " Liam was confused . " Huh ? " By then , Calista had already scanned the table and chosen the seat farthest from Maximus . Maximus noticed , his brow tightening . Liam caught on . So that was it - Alpha didn't want her sitting too close . Yet she'd gone out of her way to sit as far from him as possible . Liam was stunned . He'd been Maximus's Beta for years - he knew Calista's feelings for Maximus bordered on obsession . When had she ever passed up a chance to get close to him ? This ... What the hell was going on ? He couldn't make sense of it at all . ( 0 ) 11.27 7