Chapter 2. The Trap

In fact, they’re more cunning than you think.

Slap!

“Insolent child!”

Alpha Ian slapped Ruby’s face for the first time in his life.

“How dare you accuse your sister! What has she done to make you hate her so much?”

Ruby was stunned to see the emotion on her father’s face.

“Rose loves you. She always defended you when you were in trouble. And this is what you did to her?”

“How can you not believe me?” Ruby rubbed her sore cheek. Her sister had taken her mate. But her father didn't believe her words.

“Don’t hurt my sister, dad!” Rose appeared and stood before her father like a hero.

“Don’t pretend to be nice! I know you’re an evil woman!” Ruby swore with emotion. It disgusted her to see the traitor’s face.

“Stop it, Ruby! Remember, Rose is your sister. You don’t deserve to speak such harsh words to her!” Alpha Ian warned.

Rose turned to Ruby, the corners of her lips twisted into a mischievous grin.

“Damn woman!” Ruby was about to strike, but her father quickly stepped between them.

“Don’t act like that, Ruby!”

Rose hid behind her father as if helpless.

“I’m sorry, dad. Because I’m the one who made Ruby like this,” Rose said with her face down.

“What do you mean?” Alpha Ian turned to his eldest daughter.

“Yesterday I went to Alpha Levin’s house. There was something I wanted to explain to her and Ruby misunderstood, which is why she’s so angry.” Rose took a deep breath. She looked into her father’s face with a pitying look.

“Alpha Levin found evidence that Ruby was cheating on him.”

Huh!

The situation became tense immediately. It was clear that Alpha Ian’s face hardened with emotion.

“What does that mean?!” Alpha Ian raised his voice.

“He’s lying, Dad!” Ruby shouted loudly. “What are you trying to do, sly woman?!”

“Shut up!” Alpha Ian looked at Ruby with a warning that instantly silenced the girl.

“I’m sorry Ruby, but our father needs to know about this,” Rose said as if it were true.

Sneaky woman! Ruby clenched her fists in anger. What more lies was her sister planning?

“Alpha Levin wanted to cancel the wedding because he found out about Ruby’s affair, but I tried to beg him not to. Because it would bring shame to our family. And that’s when Ruby came and misunderstood.”

“Is what your sister said true?” Alpha Ian turned his head with a darkened face.

“No, it’s not true. She’s lying. I saw her and my Alpha together...” Ruby closed her mouth, not wanting to remember the bitterness again.

Before she could finish her sentence, her father’s confidant, Beta, stepped in.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Alpha. But I need to tell you something important.”

The man handed a brown envelope to Alpha Ian. His name was on the outside and the return address was Levin. He opened the envelope and his breathing immediately stopped for a moment.

“RUBY!!!”

Alpha Ian threw down the photos that were inside the letter. The photos were proof that Ruby was having an affair with someone.

“It’s a fake, Dad!” Ruby took the photos and examined them. Some were real, but they were pictures of her best friend. Some were probably so expertly done that they looked so real.

“I couldn’t possibly do something that bad. I’m not like Rose, who loves another woman’s mate!”

“Stop demonizing your sister. In reality, you are the rotten one!”

“Dad, please don’t get emotional.” Rose held Alpha Ian’s arm. “Take care of your health. Don’t let this matter worsen your health.”

“You sly woman!” Ruby threw a punch at Rose, but her father caught her hand.

“Lock that insolent child up!” Alpha Ian snarled in a commanding tone. “Give her one meal a day. Let her think about the mistakes she’s made!”

“I am innocent. Why am I being punished?!” Ruby didn’t accept it. “You should have punished her!”

“Take her away!” Alpha Ian ordered his men.

Several Betas pulled on Ruby’s arm. The girl rebelled, screaming over and over that Rose was to blame. But no one listened to her. No one believed her.

“Damn child! Why is she acting like this?” Alpha Ian sat down, rubbing his tired and disappointed face.

Rose took a seat beside her father. “We have more important things to think about, dad.”

“I’m worried that this will affect our business, and isn’t your relationship with the Alpha Levin family close?” Rose spoke as if thinking about it.

“We cannot annul this marriage.” Rose looked at her father. “I know I shouldn’t be saying this. But let me take Ruby’s place.”

“What do you mean?” Alpha Ian looked at Rose with pity.

Rose was not his biological daughter, but she had been the one to take care of his family affairs.

“Let me take Ruby’s place by marrying Alpha Levin.”

“I know I’m not Alpha Levin’s mate. I know I don’t deserve him. But I can’t let Ruby’s mistake affect our family.”

“You’re a dutiful daughter, but I’m sorry I can’t,” Alpha Ian refused. “I don’t want to burden your future with this. Let me think about it later.”

“I don’t feel burdened. I’m willing to make sacrifices for my family. What will happen if we annul it? You must know the consequences.”

“And I’m afraid if mom finds out,” Rose added in a worried voice.

Her mother’s health was very poor. Her mother couldn’t even get out of bed. What would happen if this news reached her mother’s ears?

“Sir Alpha!”

A Beta with shortness of breath entered without permission.

“Alpha Levin is here to see you, sir.” He announced with a worried look on his face.