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    Chapter 49: A Tantalizing Offer


    Chapter 49: A Tantalizing Offer


    Ruby''s POV


    The spoon nearly slipped from my hand as I stared at the man standing before me. His presence was unexpected. At least, not this soon. This man-Cami''s lover (or perhaps her ex by now)-daring to meet me could only mean one thing: the situation had be urgent.


    I wondered if he had been waiting for this chance to talk to me.


    Had he been following me ever since I left Ravenhold Pack''s territory?


    My wolf let out a low growl in the back of my mind, a warning to stay calm. As much as I disliked being stalked, my wolf was right. I needed to keep myposure if I wanted answers.


    I finally nodded as respon, gesturing toward the empty chair across from me. He pulled it out and sat down with a quiet elegance that contrasted with the weariness etched into his face.


    Despite the weight pressing down on him, there was no denying that he was a handsome man. His strong jawline and sharp cheekbones were softened by slightly tousled ck hair that fell just above his eyes. His deep brown eyes, filled with something akin to regret, held my gaze for a moment before he blinked. He carried an air of authority, yet it was overshadowed by the burden he seemed to bear alone.


    I had to admit-Cami was impressive to have shaken a man as formidable as him.


    Noticing the tension in his posture, I waved over a waiter.


    "Please bring something for my guest," I said. But the man raised a hand, politely declining.


    "Thank you, Luna, but I''m fine. That won''t be necessary. I didn''t mean to intrude." His tone was courteous, yet there was hesitation beneath it, as if he wasn''t entirely sure whether he should be here.


    I took a slow sip of my beer, letting the silence stretch for a moment.


    "You''re not intruding," I replied, offering him a friendly smile. "If anything, I''d like to know why you''re here."


    He offered me a small smile, one that didn''t quite reach his eyes.


    "I apologize for my rudeness earlier. My name is Jake Smith. A wolf from the Rivermoon Pack."


    I didn''t particrly care about hisck of manners or the dy in introducing himself. My focus was on the small piece of information I had just received. That name caught my interest.


    Rivermoon was a small pack near the border, one I didn''t know much about. They stayed far from the politics ofrger packs like Ravenhold, let alone kingdoms like Sundrench, and their territory was dangerously close to the neighboring


    country.


    There wasn''t much interaction with them, but from what I knew, they were known to be a friendly pack with a well-structured system that ensured the welfare of their members.


    "Ruby Lucienne," I replied, though he clearly already knew who I was.


    He nodded. "Yes, I''ve heard about you."


    "From whom?"


    He hesitated for a moment, his smile fading slightly. "From someone close."


    I raised an eyebrow but said nothing-because, of course, I already knew the answer without him needing to borate. Instead, I took another sip of my beer, studying the man named Jake Smith carefully. There was something about the way he spoke, something that suggested he was more than just an ordinary pack member.


    A memory from the masquerade ball resurfaced in my mind. If I wasn''t mistaken, this man held an important status in his pack. It was evident in the way he carried himself-the confidence, the precision in his words-it all felt familiar.


    "I''m curious, Mr. Smith. You''re not just an ordinary wolf, are you?" I asked, my thumb absentmindedly tracing the rim of my beer ss, my gaze never leaving his. "These eyes can''t be fooled."


    His lips twitched into a faint smirk, amused by my question.


    "No, I suppose I''m not. I''m Rivermoon''s new Beta."


    I leaned back in my chair, not entirely surprised. "Congrattions. That''s an important role."


    "Thank you," he said, tilting his head slightly. "I


    ously."


    Sessfully unlocked!


    Despite the polite conversation, the atmosphere betweenres grew headed ced my spoon down after my second bite of stew, but the warmth in my stomach did little to ease the tension hanging in the air.


    "You didn''te here for small talk, did you?" I stared directly into his eyes.


    Beta Jake let out a long sigh. "No, I didn''t."


    Chapter 49: A Tantalizing Offer


    "Then get straight to the point, Mr. Smith. Time is ticking."


    Jake''s expression hardened abruptly, his hand clenching slightly atop the table.


    "I came here because of Cami Lucienne-your sister."


    Hearing her name sent a cold wave crashing over me. I kept my expression neutral, though my wolf let out a low growl in the back of my mind. Of course. Finally.


    "Go on," I ordered calmly.


    Jake held my gaze for a moment, emotions flickering in his eyes before he leaned forward, lowering his voice as he nced around cautiously.


    "Cami and I... we were involved. For months."


    I feigned surprise at his confession, allowing him to believe I still knew nothing about their rtionship.


    "I could hardly believe it when I heard about her marriage to Alpha Dominic," he said bitterly. "And even more so when I found out she was pregnant."


    I clenched my hands as if in distress. "So, what exactly are you trying to say?"


    He took a deep breath, his deep brown eyes locking onto mine.


    "I''m saying that the child she''s carrying... is mine."


    My heart pounded, and outwardly, I let a tremor of shock ripple through me. This was the confession I had been waiting for I hadn''t expected him toe to me and say it outright.


    “That''s a bold im,” I said, pretending to waver. "But sorry, I can''t just take your word for it. My sister is a woman who-


    "I have proof," he cut in.


    Jake reached into his coat and pulled out a folded piece of paper. He smoothed it out on the table and slid it toward me. My breath caught as I instantly recognized


    it. Ab report. The same one Killian had given me.


    I stared at the paper, pretending to feel faint as I picked it up and read its


    contents.


    "This... How did you get this, Mr. Smith?"


    "I had my suspicions," he admitted, running a frustrated hand over his face. "I needed proof, and now I have it, Luna."


    I set the paper down, my hands trembling. Jake leaned forward, his voice turning serious.


    "I''m not trying to destroy your family, Luna Ruby. But I have the right to the truth. I have the right to my child."


    He looked at me with a gaze that was almost desperate.


    "And I still love her," he added quietly.


    That nearly shattered myposure. My nails dug into my palms as I forced myself to stay calm. A small part of me pitied him. Cami had someone who truly loved her, and she discarded him as easily as throwing trash into a gutter.


    "And why," I asked, my voice turning slightly cold-like a woman too exhausted to deal with yet another family crisis, "do you think I would help you? You''re telling me all this now, after I''ve lost so much, Mr. Smith. My husband. My dignity. My honor. What makes you think I owe you anything?"


    Jake''s jaw tightened, his eyes shing with a golden, feral glint.


    "Because I will help you," he said firmly. "I''ll help you get whatever you want, as


    long as my child is acknowledged. As long as this sham of a marriage is annulled."


    I stared at him, my mind racing. The air between us was thick with tension, and for


    a few moments, neither of us


    I had my own ns for revenge, but that didn''t mean I couldn''t improvise.


    "And what makes you think I want your help?" I pressed.


    Jake''s lips curved into a sharp smile.


    “Because, like me, you have a lot to gain."


    口