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CHAPTER 43

Late at night, the royal chef had packed up her essential belongings and was ready to exit the palace. She had never felt comfortable from the day she poisoned Evelyn's meal and heard of her death.

Each time she recalls that, her chest pounds harder like it would break into pieces.

She sneaked out of the palace through the back gate, hoping to sleep over in any tavern she came across and then continue her journey the next day.

The palace was scary for her to stay. She believes her life won't be spared if her offense is ever disclosed and she is aware that Bianca, who was the mastermind, will go scot-free.

As she walked along the way, taking glances at the back several times, she clutched her left palm to her chest while hastening her step. Suddenly, she caught a glimpse of a lady walking ahead of her with another at the front.

She halted. "I can't be caught-" nibbling on her bottom lip, she stepped back a bit, only to march on a piece of cloth. As she stared at the floor, she bent over and took it up. "A scarf!" She took a good look at it and was able to find the name imprinted on it. "Isn't she Lady Bianca's maid?" She looked at the front again to see them still heading, and then she continued, hoping to meet up with them.

While walking, she contemplated-trying to fish out what would bring such a maiden out by that time of the night.

"The scarf must have fallen off from her…" she thought, walking as fast as she could and silently so as to not be noticed.

After a long walk, she noticed they were almost close to the border. "Who is even with her? Is she escaping as well?" she halted, hoping to decide on what to do, and then an idea flashed through her mind.

She darted her eyes around to be sure no one was watching her, and then she continued trailing behind the maid again. She followed them until they reached a hut–like building, and then the one at the front pulled down her veil.

The chef was hiding behind a tree, peeping at them. She gasped when she saw that it was Bianca who was covering herself with a veil while the maid was at her back. "What the heck is she here for again? To get another poison that would kill the Alpha's mate?"

She wanted to pretend she saw nothing, but then, her conscience won't won't let her rest.

For some time, she leaned on the tree, thinking of what to do, not until she came up with something that would help her pull through.

Since she wasn't far from the border, sending one of the gammas there to get any of Alpha's men to arrest Bianca would be best.

With that, she left that spot instantly and headed to the border. As she reached, she was able to meet the first armed warrior of the pack.

She pointed toward the direction that would lead to the hut. "Alpha Dante's sister is in that hut…."

"Hut?" The man picked up his sword from the floor and signaled the two other men who were close to him to come closer, and they did. "Is there a hut nearby?"

They glanced at each other, and one of them nodded.

"If I'm not mistaken, a witch doctor stays there."

The chef covered her mouth to not scream. She didn't expect to hear that. What will Bianca be doing in a witch's hut by that time of the night?

"And you said she's the Alpha's sister?" the first gamma asked again, and the chef nodded. "Then she must be up to something cruel. She should be arrested…." he referred to the other men who agreed with him and began getting ready to leave with the chef.

***

Alpha Dante yawned and rested his back on his throne. It was so early in the morning, and the gammas of the pack awoke him already. He wanted to complain, but since it had to do with the gammas that left their duty post, then it must be something crucial.

He made a long face and looked at the door. "Where is she? I'm fucking tired here and need some days rest….."

The Chief Gamma strolled into the hall and bowed to him. "Long live, Supreme Alpha!!"

"Are you the culprit?" he asked, staring at the young man who shook his head. "Then quit all that and bring in the person. Was it a mistake to answer your call?"

The chief Gamma glanced at the door. "Bring her in!!!" he ordered.

Instantly, Bianca was dragged alongside her maid into the hall and was forced to go to her knees.

His brows arched. "Bianca? How did she become the culprit?" Alpha was stunned by what was before him. He was expecting some pack member that he never knew existed.

The chef was also pushed into the hall and she got to her knees.

"What do I have to do with three ladies? I have a mate!" He reminded them and they were unsure whether to chuckle or not. "Now tell me why they are here….."

The chief Gamma bowed to him. "Your Majesty, this lady in particular-" he pointed at the chef… "exposed your sister inlaw. She was sneaking out of the pack when she saw them heading towards a hut close to the border and decided to report to us. When we reached there, we were shocked to see your sister-in-law and her maid sitting before the witch doctor who was doing some manipulations with some belongings that the chef said belonged to your mate."

Alpha stood and began climbing down from his throne. It was a story he didn't know existed. He would call it a tale if it wasn't his subordinates telling it. He had never believed that witches could manipulate someone, but with the crime before him, he would have no reason not to believe it.

"The witch confessed that your sister wanted your mate dead, and that was why she got her undies and dog blood for the ritual." the chief gamma continued.

Alpha transfixed his palms on his waist while gazing at Bianca, who was unable to raise her head.

"Now, the witch doctor has been arrested and left in her hut while my men are surrounding her. All of her property has been destroyed. I have also ordered that the whole pack be searched to find more witches if there is still any….."

Alpha nodded, licking his lips. "Okay, but why was the chef sneaking out of the pack?" he looked intently at her. "Are you dying here? Weren't you paid per the agreement?"

The chef shook her head. "That's not it, I was behind the poisoning of Lady Evelyn in the cell and Lady Bianca was the mastermind who gave me the poison and threatened to have me killed if I didn't do it. I decided to leave but stumbled on them. I couldn't keep going because I I know she doesn't have a good motive for leaving the palace at night…"

The whole gammas in the hall, including the Don, released a deep breath. It was a deeper story than they thought.

"Murder and treason-" Alpha mentioned and folded his arms. "I didn't expect you to go this far, Bianca." he turned his back to them.

"Your majesty, what will be their penalty?" the chief gamma asked.

He swallowed deeply. "The maids serving Bianca and the chef would be enslaved with torture, while Bianca would be executed. I hope she will tell her sister what brought her to the afterlife so early…" he glanced at the chief gamma. "All the witches and their homes should be burnt to ashes…. none of them must live."

"Yes, Your Majesty!!!" they all chorused, bowing to him.