Matthew pov

　　"Alright, Liam," I say, turning to my Beta who's standing nearby. "I want you to investigate Emma's background. Find out everything you can about her."

　　Liam nods, his expression serious. "Understood, Alpha. I'll get right on it."

　　As Liam leaves, I sink into my chair, my mind swirling with conflicting thoughts. A day has passed since Emma has been living with us, and I wonder if I made the right decision. As the Alpha, my decision to let her stay weighs heavily on my shoulders. I can't afford to trust her blindly, especially considering her ties to the rival pack and the suspicions surrounding her.

　　But Charlotte requested me to treat her well, and I can't refuse her. She also told me that Emma saved her, and my sister is not a liar. So I am indebted to Emma for saving Charlotte. That's why I decided to give her proper treatment, at least until we can ascertain her true intentions.

　　Though, that's not the only problem. There is something about her, something that stirs these strange emotions in me. Last night, I could not help but worry about her health. I was busy the entire day, and believed that she would have resigned back to her room. Liam had been given the responsibility to keep an eye on her when I was gone, and when I returned, she was sitting on my chair, her eyes glued to the computer.

　　She was so entrapped in getting information on her friend's case that she did not even notice my interaction with Liam. When I called her, that's when she got back to her senses. Was this case so important to her?

　　I run my hands through the leather seat, and sniff the air. Her floral scent is present in the office, and it weirdly keeps me and my wolf calm. My thoughts ride back to the time when I saw her in a towel. No matter what, I can't deny that she looked sexy in it, and I could make out the outline of her perky, big breasts.

　　The image of her in that towel causes blood to rush south, and I feel my cock twitch. Fuck! I run my hand through my hair. She is messing with my mind again.

　　—----------------

　　As I sit in my office, lost in thought, the door creaks open, and Liam strides in, a folder clutched tightly in his hand. His expression is grim, and I can tell he has news.

　　"Alpha, I've completed the investigation into Emma's background," Liam says, his voice solemn.

　　I straighten up in my chair, suddenly alert. "What did you find?"

　　Liam places the folder on my desk, and I eagerly flip it open, scanning the pages filled with information about Emma's past. My eyes narrow as I take in the details: her upbringing in the rival pack, her family ties, her role as the Beta's daughter, and her unexpected arrival at our doorstep.

　　But it's the last section of the report that catches my attention the most. There, in stark black and white, are the rumors and suspicions surrounding Emma's involvement in Princess Ava's death in the Moonshadow Pack. My heart sinks as I read through the damning evidence, each word like a weight pressing down on me.

　　She was the only person with Ava when she died or better to say, murdered. A silver dagger coated with blood that matches Ava's blood type had been found at the trunk of Emma's car. What?!

　　"She's a suspect," Liam confirms, his voice heavy with concern. "There are whispers that she had motives, that she was close to Ava and may have been involved in her demise."

　　I close the folder with a heavy sigh, the weight of the information bearing down on me. It's a lot to process, and I can't shake the feeling of disappointment mingled with disbelief.

　　"Thank you, Liam," I say quietly, my mind already racing with the implications of what we've uncovered. "I'll need some time to think about our next steps."

　　Liam nods, his expression sympathetic. "Of course. Just let me know if you need anything else." He heads to the door, and stops. "I personally don't think it's her, Matthew." He comments.

　　I raise a brow at him, "What makes you say that? You only saw her for a day."

　　Liam shrugs, "Call it a hunch, or whatever, but I was there when she was going through your computer to investigate Alpha Davis's daughter's death. She looked like someone who was hurt by how that girl died, and was trying to hide her tears when she went through the articles."

　　My eyes turn round in shock. Emma was crying when she was here?

　　I prop my chin on my fist that rests on the desk, "It's strange how they can conclude she's the murderer just because she was with the victim. As per the information, Emma was drunk and reported Ava's death to the authorities. If she was the culprit, she would have disposed of her body somewhere where it can't be found and acted like she had no idea what happened to Ava. Why will she intentionally become a suspect?"

　　Liam hums, "I have the same question. And it's also reported that Ava was driving her car before the incident. So how did Emma hide the silver dagger from everyone, even the Alpha who was present at the spot and then put it in her car trunk? Don't you think that's absurd?"

　　"It is. If I had been at their place, I wouldn't have come to conclusions so quickly, and run a more thorough investigation to get into its roots. It is too convenient for all the evidence to point towards Emma being the murderer." I comment.

　　"Like someone has set her up," Liam replies, exactly speaking my mind. I am thinking the same thing. It looks like someone had plotted all of this to set Emma up.

　　I have been skeptical of Emma's intentions since she arrived here, but so far that girl has nothing suspicious. I remember how tirelessly Emma had worked, pouring over every detail of Ava's case, determined to uncover the truth. And then there were the moments I'd witnessed firsthand, like when she told Charlotte stories at bedtime, her gentle voice soothing both the young pup and myself.

　　"Damn it," I mutter under my breath, running a hand through my hair. "A girl like her can't be capable of such a crime."