Bye, My Ruthless Alpha
Chapter 30: Being Framed as a Thief

Chapter 30: Chapter 30: Being Framed as a Thief

If it weren’t for Sophia’s father’s incredible status and insane prestige, there’s no way he’d get this kind of honor—an audience with the king himself. That kind of thing just didn’t happen for most people.

Back in the day, Alpha Marcus’s wolf pack was barely a blip on the map—a small, insignificant clan tucked away on the borders of wolf territory. Then, out of nowhere, he managed to get in with the Beta forces working under the king.

And just like that, his pack shot straight to the top, becoming one of the king’s trusted allies.

That alliance was a total game-changer. It fueled the rise of Alpha Marcus’s now-famous food empire—a massive conglomerate that brought together the brightest minds from across the wolf clans.

With a network like that, Alpha Marcus didn’t just make money—he built a fortune so big it could rival entire kingdoms.

King Rowan, of course, didn’t meddle in the nitty-gritty of everyday politics, but make no mistake: his power was absolute.

And for reasons no one could fully figure out, he’d always had a soft spot for Alpha Marcus and his pack, placing a lot of trust and high expectations on them.

Kas had texted me all of this earlier, breaking it down piece by piece. As I read through her messages, everything started to click into place.

It was like stepping into another world when we stepped into the banquet hall. The place was lit up with warm, golden light, the chandeliers sparkling overhead like a thousand tiny stars.

The room buzzed with energy—laughter, chatter, the clinking of glasses—and servers floated through the crowd like ghosts, handling every guest with practiced precision.

"Has King Rowan arrived yet?" Joy asked as soon as we sat down, practically bouncing in her seat. Subtlety was not her strong suit.

I glanced around, my eyes skimming over the crowd—until they landed on him. And, wow. Even in a sea of finely dressed people, he stood out like a goddamn beacon.

He was tall, broad-shouldered, and his suit? Tailored so perfectly, it looked like it might’ve been sewn onto him. The way he moved, with that effortless, almost lazy kind of grace, made every head in the room turn.

His coat shifted as he walked, almost like the damn thing was alive, emphasizing every bit of his raw, unshakable confidence. He didn’t just command attention—he owned the room.

And then there was his smirk. It wasn’t loud or obvious, just the barest curve of his lips, like he didn’t give a damn about impressing anyone but still knew he was better than all of them.

It was the kind of smile that made one wonder what he knew that they didn’t.

"Holy shit," Joy muttered, gripping Sophia’s arm like a lifeline. "Look at him. That’s King Rowan."

"God, he’s unreal," Sophia whispered, eyes wide with admiration. "I mean, handsome doesn’t even cover it. He’s... breathtaking."

King Rowan might have the entire wolf kingdom in the palm of his hand, but he didn’t carry himself like some stiff, old-fashioned ruler.

Kas had told me before that he’d always been different. He wasn’t one for useless tradition or ceremony—his focus was on strengthening his people and solidifying his power.

But his aura? Near suffocating. It wasn’t something one could ignore. Being in the same room as him was like standing next to a live wire—one wrong move, and people would get fried.

Most wolves couldn’t even look him in the eye, let alone strike up a casual conversation.

"Tori, come on," Sophia said, breaking me out of my thoughts. "I’ll introduce you to King Rowan."

She didn’t wait for me to respond, just grabbed my arm and started leading the way. Kas and Joy trailed behind, their excitement bubbling over.

As we approached, the scene around Rowan became clearer. He was surrounded, as expected. People were practically tripping over themselves to get close to him, their desperation so evident it was almost embarrassing.

His Beta, ever loyal, stayed close, expertly keeping the crowd at bay and only letting through those who actually stood a chance of getting his attention.

"If it weren’t for Cayden and his Beta being so tight, we wouldn’t even be here," Kas muttered under her breath as we got closer. "Seriously, the guy’s got half the kingdom trying to kiss his ass. It’s exhausting just to watch."

As we neared, bits of a conversation drifted our way. One of the Betas was talking to Rowan, his tone casual. "Your Majesty, where’s that diamond brooch you’re always wearing? Decided to switch things up tonight?"

Ah, the diamond brooch. Everyone knew about it. It was practically legendary. Some people thought it was a symbol of divine protection. Others swore it was a gift from someone important—a person so significant that Rowan never let the thing out of his sight.

"It’s gone," Rowan said, his tone clipped. His brows furrowed slightly, just enough to show he wasn’t happy. "I’ve been looking for it for days."

"The king’s brooch has been missing since Thanksgiving," the Beta said, his tone carrying a mix of frustration and concern. "We’ve searched every inch of the palace, turned the place upside down. Every soldier, every servant’s been interrogated. Still nothing. It’s like it vanished into thin air."

A moment later, Sophia finally had her turn to speak with King Rowan.

"Your Majesty, it is such an incredible honor to meet you," she began, her tone dripping with sweetness. "I am Sophia, daughter of Alpha Marcus... and this is Miss Tori from the Black Shadow Pack. We’re so grateful to have the chance to stand before you."

Her face was stretched into a smile so fake it practically screamed desperation.

King Rowan’s brows furrowed, deeper this time. His expression said it all—he wasn’t buying this nonsense. If anything, her groveling seemed to annoy him more than anything else.

"Oh yeah, she’s obsessed with you," Joy chimed in from the side, the sarcasm in her voice practically cutting through the air. "Like, absolutely head over heels."

Even the Beta, ever composed, couldn’t hide his discomfort. He shot Sophia a look, then muttered some generic pleasantries, probably just to keep things from getting too awkward.

That’s when I felt a sharp jab in my back. I turned slightly, only for Joy to lean in and whisper, "Tori, show him your necklace. Seriously, take it out. Once he sees it, you’ll have his attention for sure."

I hesitated, unsure of what she was trying to accomplish, but eventually, I reached up and pulled the chain from beneath my collar. The diamond pendant swung into view, catching the light in a flash.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Sophia and Joy exchange a quick, smug glance.

"Tori’s done for," Sophia muttered with a grin.

At first, I didn’t understand what she meant. The necklace itself was harmless. But then it hit me—Sophia had tampered with it. Dangling from the bottom of the chain was a small charm: a six-pointed star.

For anyone who knew the king, that symbol was unmistakable. It was the emblem of his greatest enemy. By wearing it here, in front of King Rowan, I wasn’t just being disrespectful. I was committing outright treason.

In the werewolf kingdom, King Rowan’s word was law. Every pack bent the knee to him. And here I was, wearing the insignia of his sworn enemy right to his face.

If the king decided I was a traitor, the news would spread like wildfire. The Black Shadow Pack wouldn’t protect me. Hell, no pack would. I’d be cast out, labeled rogue, and left to fend for myself.

Sophia’s plan was brilliant in its cruelty. She thought I didn’t know enough about the king or his history to realize what I was wearing. She assumed I’d walk straight into her trap, clueless and helpless.

She stood there now, practically glowing with anticipation, waiting for King Rowan to lose it. But then something unexpected happened.

The king didn’t react. Not the way she thought he would, anyway. Instead, his eyes moved—just slightly—shifting toward me with a calm, steady gaze.

"What the hell?" Sophia whispered under her breath, her confidence faltering. "Why isn’t he mad?"

Ignoring her, I reached up and unclasped the necklace. Slowly, I held it out for everyone to see.

It wasn’t a six-pointed star. The pendant was a triangle—a bold, unmistakable emblem of King Rowan himself.

Sophia and Joy froze. Their faces turned pale, all traces of smugness wiped clean.

"You—" Joy stammered, her voice shaking as she pointed at the necklace. "How... how did you..."

Her shock was so overwhelming she forgot herself completely. Her voice rose, frantic and high-pitched. "That’s not what I gave you! How the fuck did you switch it? Are you a witch or something? Did you do some kind of magic? That’s impossible!"

She was unraveling fast, her composure in shreds.

"It was a gift," I said simply, my voice steady. "From Kas."

I glanced toward Kas, silently thanking her. If she hadn’t known King Rowan as well as she did, this entire setup might’ve worked. I’d be standing here as a traitor, condemned to exile or worse.

Joy looked like she’d seen a ghost. Her face went pale, her eyes wide with panic as she turned to Sophia for help, practically begging her to do something.

Sophia, ever the quick thinker, recovered almost instantly. Clearing her throat, she forced a casual smile and tried to smooth things over. "Joy, this is just a necklace Kas gave Tori. It’s clearly not the one you’re thinking of."

Then, with the kind of fake charm she’d mastered, she turned to King Rowan. "Your Majesty, please forgive her. Joy’s been a little forgetful lately."

Rowan’s sharp gaze lingered on Sophia for a moment before shifting to Joy. His Beta didn’t even try to hide his skepticism, but neither of them said a word. Still, their silence spoke volumes.

Whatever patience Rowan might’ve had was wearing dangerously thin.

And it wasn’t just with Joy. Sophia’s attempts at damage control clearly weren’t doing her any favors either.

Without a word, Rowan turned, his body language screaming disinterest, and started to walk away.

Kas, standing close to me, leaned in with a smirk. "Well, that backfired, didn’t it? That sneaky bitch thought she could make the king hate you, but all she did was turn him against Joy instead. Classic. But let’s be real—there’s no way Sophia’s letting him leave without pulling another stunt."

I laughed quietly, masking the tension bubbling beneath my calm exterior. "Oh, she’ll try again," I said softly, keeping my eyes on Sophia.

"Why else would she go through the trouble of showering me with all those ‘gifts’?" My smile stayed firmly in place, carefully measured, but I was already bracing for her next move.

Sophia’s first attempt had been bold but stupid. She thought that a six-pointed star pendant would ruin me. What she didn’t know was that I’d swapped it out long before now.

Her confusion was written all over her face—she couldn’t figure out how I’d done it or why I’d known to do it in the first place.

But she wasn’t the type to give up after one failure. I knew she had something else up her sleeve.

Just as Rowan was about to leave, Sophia made her move. She rushed after him, practically brushing his sleeve as she spoke softly, almost pleadingly. "Your Majesty, you work so tirelessly for the kingdom. It’s truly admirable. My family will be hosting a grand party soon—one that will gather the finest elites from across the realm. We would be honored if you could attend."

Rowan paused, just for a second. He didn’t turn to face her or even bother to acknowledge her words. But his Beta? Not so restrained.

"Excuse me?" the Beta snapped, his voice sharp and biting. "And what, exactly, makes you think you’re important enough to invite the king? Who the hell do you think you are?"

Sophia flinched, clearly not expecting such a blunt response. She opened her mouth to reply, but no words came out.

Rowan remained indifferent, as if the entire exchange had nothing to do with him. His expression didn’t change, though there was the faintest hint of a smirk on his lips.

It wasn’t amusement—it was cold, dismissive, and arrogant in a way that only someone like him could pull off.

And then, without warning, his gaze shifted to me. Unlike the apathy he’d shown Sophia, there was something sharper in his eyes now. Anger. Suspicion.

He was looking at me like I was a puzzle he was trying to solve.

Before I could react, Joy gasped audibly, as if she’d just had some earth-shattering revelation. She leaned toward the woman beside her, her voice low but trembling with excitement. "Look! Tori’s brooch—it looks exactly like the one King Rowan lost!"

Her words hit the room like a bomb going off. The quiet hum of conversation stopped instantly, replaced by an almost deafening silence. All at once, every pair of eyes turned to me. Their stares were heavy with curiosity, judgment, and something darker—accusation.

Rowan’s gaze didn’t waver. If anything, it grew colder, more piercing, as if he was trying to see straight through me.

"She must’ve stolen it!" a sharp voice rang out. A noblewoman, her tone dripping with venom, pointed an accusing finger at me. "She’s probably working with someone inside the palace. That brooch is priceless, and she clearly doesn’t belong here!"

The tension in the room shifted, the crowd now murmuring with rising suspicion. The accusations spread like wildfire.

"To think someone would sink this low just to get the king’s attention," someone muttered.

"Exactly," another voice added, their tone full of disdain. "And how convenient is it that her brooch just happens to look exactly like the king’s missing one?"

Joy, ever the opportunist, jumped in eagerly, her voice loud and biting. "Tori, what are the odds? I mean, come on. How do you just happen to have something identical to the king’s missing brooch? Explain that."

“This whole thing was painfully obvious. Tori must’ve bribed or blackmailed someone in King Rowan’s inner circle—maybe one of his servants, perhaps even a soldier—to steal the brooch he treasured so much.”

“Then, she waltzed in here, wearing it as if she’d bought it at some exclusive auction, hoping to catch the king’s attention—a pathetic, desperate attempt to win his favor.”

"Look," someone muttered from the crowd, their voice sharp with judgment, "wanting to impress the king, trying to climb the social ladder—that’s normal. Everyone wants to move up in the world. But stealing his brooch? Something so important to him? And then pretending to return it like it’s some kind of noble act? That’s not ambition—that’s just disgusting."

"She doesn’t deserve to stand here. People like her—deceitful, conniving—they should be exiled on the spot," another added, their tone self-righteous. "Let her be a lesson to anyone else thinking about pulling this kind of stunt."

Things escalated quickly from there. Joy, emboldened by the murmurs of the crowd, stepped forward and did something unthinkable.

Without asking, she reached out and began digging through the inside of my shawl, her fingers clawing at the fabric in a frantic search for the brooch.

Her smugness lasted all of five seconds. As she searched, her confidence wavered. No matter how many times she patted or rummaged through the folds, she couldn’t find anything. The brooch was nowhere to be found.

"Where is it?" King Rowan’s cold, cutting voice shattered the tension in the room. His gaze was locked on Joy, his tone sharp enough to make everyone flinch.

Joy stood there, frozen like a deer in headlights. All that bravado, all that smug energy, drained in an instant. "I-I don’t..." Her voice faltered, panic creeping into her features as she realized how this was starting to look.

"What the hell are you doing?" Rowan snapped, his patience clearly at its limit. "Where’s the brooch?"

Sophia, sensing the situation spiraling, stepped in. With a forced calmness, she yanked the shawl off my shoulders herself. "Let me check," she said tightly, trying to regain control of the narrative.

She flipped the shawl inside out, searching it so thoroughly she’d think her life depended on it. But it didn’t matter how desperate or meticulous she was—the shawl was empty.

"Where is it?" Sophia asked again, though this time, her voice lacked the confidence it had before.