Bye, My Ruthless Alpha
Chapter 24: The Conspiracy at the Party

Chapter 24: Chapter 24: The Conspiracy at the Party

I had a quick chat with Alpha Marcus.

Sophia and I both fell silent for a while before she came over and brought up the conversation.

"I was in the wrong last night, and I hope you don’t hold it against me," she said. "Cayden’s throwing a party tonight. Why don’t you join us?"

"Oh, no, I mean..." I was just looking for an excuse to refuse when Sophia cut me off.

"You don’t want to go to the party with me; that means you’re still hung up over last night." Her words left me speechless. I didn’t want to cause any issues between the two packs because of me.

"Miss Tori, please don’t refuse. I hope you’ll accept my daughter’s invitation, and I hope you two can get along," Alpha Marcus chimed in.

"Alright, I’ll go." I had no choice but to agree.

"Great!" Sophia’s expression changed rapidly, sending a chill down my spine. "Joy, fetch two of the most beautiful gowns!"

Alpha Marcus seemed pleased with the result. He excused himself, claiming business had called him away.

Five minutes later, poor Joy came downstairs with two gowns, her one arm in a sling, one hand holding two hefty dresses.

Though she was Sophia’s closest servant, she was still no more than a servant. Had Sophia been the one injured last night, I believe the incident would have escalated in a completely different direction.

Why else would Sophia be so eager to offer me a dress?

Labeled as a malicious woman by everyone last night, Sophia quickly apologized to me, obviously not out of genuine concern for me.

Was she in such a hurry to seize the opportunity to retaliate against me?

I pondered, maintaining a composed expression.

"The pink one looks awesome!" Sophia strongly recommended, "You should wear this one!" She picked out two vintage dresses, one light pink and straight, the other sky blue with a cinched waist. Both were made of mediocre-low quality fabric.

The light pink one, like a robe, felt puffy and stiff, while the sky blue one made me look light and lively. Sophia didn’t want me to look good, so she chose the light pink one. Smiling, I followed her wishes and put on the ugly light pink dress.

Once dressed, I let my hair fall to the side of my face, the black making my skin appear even fairer. It also accentuated my eyes, making them look brighter. The style of the outfit was outdated, but it didn’t look particularly bad on me.

"Other Omegas are all tanned. How’d you manage such fair, smooth skin?" Sophia was getting jealous.

I guess she always thought I was an Omega. Sophia would much prefer me to be an ugly or troublesome woman, so much easier to deal with.

At 9 p.m. sharp, the party kicked off.

The spacious dining room was decked in red, black, and gold. A band was playing soft background music, while at the far end of the room, a lovely fireplace made everything warm and cozy.

The room was packed with guests—guys in suits, gals in evening gowns. They were scattered around, mingling in small groups.

As I made my way toward the crowd, I whipped out a light pink ribbon from my pocket and tied it around my waist in a fancy bow.

The ordinary dress didn’t show off my figure, but tightening it by an inch added an extra touch of grace, enhancing my youthful, slender silhouette with a softer feminine curve.

Sophia was caught off guard and immediately tried to untie the ribbon, retorting coldly, "It doesn’t look right; it will ruin the original style of the dress."

Of course, it wasn’t that she was concerned about the dress’s original style or that I didn’t look good. The real reason was that my cinched waist made the dress outline my delicate figure, and she was afraid I’d steal her thunder.

"As an Omega, you actually know how to dress trendy," Sophia complimented, but her disdain betrayed her eyes.

I glanced at her sidelong. Was the facade of kindness wearing thin?

"I like it this way," I said indifferently.

"Suit yourself!" Sophia, unwilling to stir up trouble, had no choice but to put up with it.

Servers were busy laying down the food plated in delicate dishes on the dining table. I couldn’t stop admiring everything. For all the dinner parties I could remember, I was the one busy serving the guests, and never had the leisure to really enjoy the event.

"Alpha, here’s Miss Tori." Jace had brought me straight to Cayden.

Cayden’s blue eyes locked on me. I saw surprise in them, but after that flicker, I couldn’t discern any other emotion.

Was he not pleased with how I looked?

"Alpha..." I said softly. Then, noticing the others in the room. Quickly I bowed my head to him and then did likewise to Alpha Marcus next to him.

"Wow, you look stunning," Marcus said, stepping forward with a smile. "Absolutely stunning."

His words were complimentary, but I was still very uncomfortable around him. The fearful shiver that crept up my spine had me hesitating in my approach.

"Join us," Cayden said and held out his hand.

I looked at Kas and Jace, and they both smiled, giving me the nudge I needed to accept the offer. My hand slid into his.

This was the first time I had felt his hand in mine. His palm was dry and warm, and as soon as he held mine tight, my nervousness about being around Marcus faded away.

I tried to keep myself composed, and just be myself.

A scoff came from Sophia as she looked me up and down. Her glare made her distaste for me clear. "We were still talking..." she grumbled.

However, she seemed to be much more polite compared to this morning. To my surprise, she didn’t finish her sentence. Instead, she bit her lips and managed to put on a smile.

Cayden gave her a glance and then turned back to me. "The conversation can continue over dinner."

"I agree. I would hate to have such lovely women eating cold food because of us. Let us sit down," Marcus added, smiling at me.

"After you," Cayden replied to Marcus and then gestured for me to follow.

I followed behind Cayden as he pulled my chair out for me. After I took my seat, I realized that he had sat me near the head of the table—next to him.

I placed my hands in my lap and waited until the others took their place. Jace took a seat on the other side of me, and Kas next to him.

"Alpha Cayden, thank you again for your hospitality. We very much enjoyed our stay here. I look forward to working together with you." Marcus raised his glass. "Cheers."

"My pleasure," Cayden replied, nodding his head.

I watched as Marcus’s eyes turned towards me.

"I am glad you are able to join us, Miss Tori." Marcus’s words seemed polite, but I just couldn’t shrug off the unsettling feeling he gave me.

As we settled in and the food began to be served, I started to feel trapped in a social situation in which I didn’t belong.

"I have to admit, Cayden, your pack is quite lovely," Marcus said after a moment of silence.

"Thank you. I have been trying to keep up with the changing times," Cayden replied.

If my memory served me right, Cayden had spoken more words tonight than in all the time I had ever been with him added up.

Marcus chuckled at what Cayden said before his gaze slid over me again.

"So, Tori... How did you manage to find yourself in the Black Shadow pack?"

His question caught me completely off guard. But, remembering how to be an Alpha’s daughter, I smiled politely at him.

"I was... saved by Alpha Cayden. He has been kind enough to allow me to stay in his pack until I am well enough to leave."

I wasn’t completely lying, but at the same time, I didn’t want to tell him something I shouldn’t either.

Cayden also tilted his head. Although I couldn’t tell whether he was happy with my response or not, I knew he was listening.

Then I looked at Jace, whose eyes met mine, and a small smile formed across my lips as he gently nodded his head in approval of what I had said.

"So you have plans, then– for what you leave?" Romeros asked.

I stopped eating my food and looked up at him again.

"One day, I hope to be able to do some traveling. There is so much of the world I wish to see, but of course, that will be with permission from Alpha Cayden."

I looked towards Cayden. Seeing no negative reaction from him, I continued, "I love to read, and my books give me ideas of places yet to explore. One day, I hope to be able to see those things for real. There is still so much I know nothing of..."

A cold feeling made me turn my head and look right into Cayden’s piercing blue eyes. There was something in his gaze that made me flinch.

"But of course, that will be with permission from Alpha Cayden..."

My eyes shot toward Kas and Jace. Both smiled, seemingly pleased with what I had said.

"Oh, very interesting," Marcus said, sipping his drink.

"I have never known a book to make me want to visit somewhere..." Sophia said with a sarcastic tone.

I turned to her with a smile. "I’m sure the books you read are equally entertaining in other respects."

She just glared in response to my words.

"Sophia isn’t much of a reader," Marcus replied for his daughter with a chuckle. "But if you happen to pass by my pack sometime... I would love to have you stay with us. Show you around my home and take you to see some of the wonders we hold."

I couldn’t help but feel like there was a hidden message in his words, and that did nothing to make me feel more comfortable about what was going on. Even Cayden’s aura seemed to change slightly, and the tension grew thick in the room.

Laughter filled the air as the conversation changed for the moment. Sophia decided to go on about how she had traveled to different places and learned things from well-experienced Lunas—things she offered to share with Cayden later if he was curious.

As much as it was plain that Sophia admired Cayden, it was the way Marcus looked at him that really made me believe something was going on.

And, like she said, she... was supposed to be the future Luna of this pack.

"You know, Cayden... Having a companion is always a wonderful thing. Besides, eventually, you have to settle down and find a Luna to take care of the womanly things around here. My daughter seems very comfortable in your pack, and I believe she would make an amazing Luna for you. Don’t you think?" Marcus offered boldly.

My eyes widened at his remark, and before I knew what was happening, my fork clanged against my plate.

All eyes turned to me, and a shock ran through me. I coughed, having swallowed my food too quickly, and gave Cayden an apologetic look before looking down at my plate. My face was flushed red with embarrassment.

"I am flattered by your offer," Cayden said, "but I am not seeking a mate at this moment, Marcus."

"That is a pity," Marcus replied. "I thought you would make a wonderful pair."

A giddy laugh came from Sophia, who was next to him.

"Oh, father, that isn’t how you propose a union. Cayden barely knows me yet, and I am sure, if we spend more time together, he may change his mind. I am very skilled at proper etiquette."

I couldn’t help but feel, from the way she said "etiquette," that it was directed at me. As my eyes locked with hers, I saw the sneer on her face—although it faded away as soon as other people turned their attention to her.

"That may be so, dear, but unfortunately, etiquette isn’t the only quality a Luna should hold."

Kas’s voice rang clear, and as I looked her way, I saw the shocked expression on Jace’s face. Kas simply shrugged her shoulders with a smile as she continued to eat.

"I am sure Miss Sophia will find what she is looking for in the capital. I hear the halls are flowing with eligible men." Cayden’s voice was firm in his stance on the situation.

I lowered my gaze and lifted my glass to my mouth to cover up a relieved exhale.

If he were seeking a mate, then he would have no need for me anymore. Although I would need to leave here eventually, I had to admit, by now, that I was more and more drawn to him and was enjoying the small moments I had with him.

"What about you, Tori? I take it you have no mate. Are you looking for one?"

Shock filled me once again, and as I looked up to Alpha Marcus, I found myself speechless. There was a dark look of lust in his eyes, and I wasn’t comfortable with the way he was gazing at me.

I didn’t know how to respond and unconsciously glanced at Cayden.

What would he say?