Chapter 33: They Eat the Bait


    Chapter 33: They Eat the Bait


    Ruby''s POV


    The wedding was a disaster. What should have been Cami''s dream wedding had turned into an unrelenting nightmare. Nathaniel was livid, his face red with rage as he barked, demanding an immediate investigation into the humiliating incident. His pride was shattered, the image he had carefully built was now tainted by the scandal that unfolded before the entire pack and their allies.


    In fact, since the invitation was spread, this had already be shameful news. I don''t understand how I could have been deceived by this stupid species all this time.


    Cami, on the other hand, sat trembling in thevishly decorated bridal chamber, her once perfect dress now wrinkled and disheveled. Her makeup was smudged and she was no longer a joy to be seen. Her mother approached, whispering soothing words while wiping her daughter''s tear-streaked face with a silk handkerchief.


    "It''s ruined," Cami whined. "They''re allughing at me... how did this happen? Who would do this to me?"


    Mother stroked her golden hair, whispering lovingly to her. "Shhh, my dear. We''ll find out who did this. You are still the good Cami and Alpha''s rightful concubine, and once your child is born, no one will question your position."


    I watched them quietly from the corner of the room, keeping my expression delicate and sympathetic. The role of supportive big sister suited me perfectly today, and I had no intention of ruining it.


    The door suddenly mmed open, making Cami flinch. Dominic stormed in, his eyes zing with barely contained rage. His hands were clenched at his sides, his entire body thrumming with frustration.


    "There''s nothing," he growled.


    Hearing that, Nathaniel sighed loudly. "Are you absolutely sure?"


    "I did aprehensive check. But there are no intruders, no breaches, nothing out of the ordinary. This must be an act of an insider!" he raged.


    Cami whimpered again, and as if on instinct, Dominic rushed to her, pulling her into his arms. His hands moved to protect her swollen belly as he whispered something into her ear. She nodded weakly, burying her face into his chest as if only he could protect her from the world''s ridicule.


    Then Alpha''s smoldering gazended on me.


    "It''s you, isn''t it?"


    I gasped, my eyes widening. "Me?"


    Stepping forward with barely restrained rage, he pointed at me and swore at me. "Yes, it was you! You were the first person to know about our rtionship and didn''t ept it from the start. Admit it!"


    I looked at Dominic as if he had lost half his mind.


    "I didn''t do anything, Dominic. Do you have any real evidence that I did?"


    Dominic was still insisting on the usations he was holding. "You never epted our rtionship. You wanted revenge, so you humiliated us in front of everyone."


    I blinked at him, pretending to be tired and disappointed with his attitude as his first wife.


    "Are you seriously saying that, Alpha Dominic?"


    I cast my gaze at the upants in the room, feeling the tears pricking the edges of my eyes. I used the emotion of my sadness for Alicia that I missed in order to push this emotional maniption in front of them.


    "Dad, Mom. Do I look capable of doing that?" I asked in a cracking voice.


    Shaking my head, I looked at Cami and then Dominic. "You''re the Alpha in this pack. You must know that I''m fully busy with all of Luna''s duties. Did I have time to think about that horrible crime?"


    "You could be lying!" Dominic barked.


    "Dominic," I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Think about it, I was disappointed and devastated after finding out about your rtionship. I really was. I had every right to be. But tomit such a wicked crime against my little brother? No, Dominic."


    His lips curled into a sneer. "Stop twisting everything around. You had every reason to, Ruby."


    I tilted my head, changing my expression to or Sessfully unlocked! what exactly will I get out of this? If anything,


    this scandal reflects badly on me as well. My sister just got married,


    Do you think I enjoy seeing our name dragged through the mud?"


    How people are mocking the Alpha of our pack.


    That Lycan king must be proud of me for acting this well. I''m probably close to Cami''s level. How wonderful.


    Before Dominic could answer, my fake mom quickly stepped in to take control of the situation.


    Chapter 33. They Eat the Bait


    "Dominic, please behave. Ruby is my daughter too," she warned harshly.


    Dominic started to back away when he heard that. I refrained from vomiting.


    "My eldest daughter can''t be that cruel," he said as he moved towards me. "She''s always been a good sister... maybe there''s someone else who wants to destroy our pack. Someone who doesn''t like Dominic and is using this opportunity to bring him down."


    I had to fight all instincts to recoil as my fake Mom hugged me, her arms tightening around my shoulders in a gesture meant tofort. The warmth of her touch felt disgusting, a very sweet reminder of how well she yed the role of a mother yet never really loved me. I could even feel as if her knife was always at the side of my throat, ready to rip me to pieces.


    Despite my disgust, I let my body rx into her embrace, cing my hand gently on her back as if I found sce in her words.


    "Perhaps we should conduct a thorough investigation," I suggested.


    Everyone in the room suddenly looked at me. I continued, "Gather the avable members of the pack and interrogate them one by one ording to our procedures. If necessary, we can even bring in a witch... someone who has the ability to detect lies and uncover the culprit."


    Nathaniel, who was still angry, snorted in agreement. "Witch? I don''t like them."


    "Husband, we have to do it. It''s for the sake of our daughter, Cami. I''m sure with this the matter will be resolved quickly." Nathaniel still insisted that he didn''t want to do it but thanks to his wife, he finally agreed even if he had to. "Alright. It might be the only way to get the real answer, he replied reluctantly. Good. They really were fools.


    Murmurs of agreement resounded throughout the room. Many of the nuclear family members supported my suggestion, and I smiled inwardly at how effortlessly I guided them towards the oue I wanted.


    "I know an old friend," I continued smoothly. "Someone who ispetent and experienced. He will find the truth for us. I don''t want our pack''s reputation to suffer any longer, and above all, I don''t want my sister to endure any more pain." Dominic narrowed his eyes, still in disbelief but he could do nothing as the suggestions and arguments I presented in front of his face were crystal clear and logically eptable. Cami''s head snapped up at my words, her eyes glistening with


    tears.


    "Oh, Ruby..." she whispered, stepping forward before throwing her arms around


    me.


    I let out a soft, controlled breath as Cami hugged me. The irony of her embrace was not lost on me. If only she knew the depth of my hatred. If only she knew the


    truth.


    Instead, I hugged her back, gently rubbing her back in what appeared to be a gesture offort.


    "I''ll make sure we find who did this," I whispered with the venom of affection against her ear.


    "I promise, my dear sister."