Betrayed by Blood, Claimed by the Alpha-Chapter 123

Betrayed by Blood

Chapter 123

Avery moved around her small room, straightening the sheets on the bed and folding the few clothes she owned. The morning light streamed through the narrow window, casting golden streaks over the wooden floor. It should have felt peaceful. It didn’t.

Something was off.

The servants had been cautious around her today. Whispers had followed her through the halls, brief glances thrown her way before people quickly looked away. Even now, she could still feel the weight of their eyes burning holes into her back even though she had already left their midst.

She exhaled, gripping the fabric in her hands a little too tightly. She already knew why.

The news of what happened in the courtyard had spread through the pack like wildfire. Avery knew. She could hear the murmurs and it was even worse when she stepped out of Cain’s room early this morning.

She hadn’t realized she actually slept in his room again. Not until she woke up. The realization had sent her bolting out of his bed the moment she opened her eyes, her heart pounding in her chest. He hadn’t been there when she woke. That alone had made her stomach churn uneasily.

Cain was unpredictable at best, cruel at worst. If he hadn’t been there, it likely meant his mood had already shifted. He had probably come to his senses, regretted everything, and decided she wasn’t worth his time again.

She bit the inside of her cheek. That was fine. That was expected.

So why did it bother her?

She shook her head, trying to get rid of the thoughts that immediately filled her head as she thought of what had happened the day before in the courtyard and in his room. She knew this was coming yesterday. He did switch up on her after her heat, so why not now?

The knock on her door was sharp. Before she could answer, it burst open, and Selena and Millie stormed in.

Avery barely had time to blink before Selena was in her face. "Is it true?"

Avery took a step back. "What—?"

"You know what?" Millie whispered like she didn’t want people hearing. "The courtyard yesterday. We heard what happened. Is it true?" Selena interjected, her eyes wide with curiosity.

Avery swallowed hard and looked away. "I don’t—"

"Oh please, Avery... It’s already out there. Everyone has heard by now, but we want to hear it from you directly..." Selena shifted closer to Avery. "So? Is it true?" she asked.

Avery sighed, her gaze darting between the two who stared at her like she held the secrets of the world in her hands. "Yes, it’s true." She replied softly.

Millie gasped, her eyes wide with shock while Selena stared at her blankly. Avery had expected this reaction from Millie but not from Selena. She stared at her with an indescribable expression.

"Alpha Cain is your mate?" Millie whisper-yelled.

Avery’s gaze widened at this too. "What- I-guys-" she stammered.

"Are you denying it? That he’s not your mate? That Miss Kendra didn’t practically scream out there that you were planning on breaking your bond with Alpha Cain?"

Avery’s stomach dropped.

Avery felt cornered. She wasn’t sure what she had expected from them, but the weight of their stares made her feel like a criminal caught in a lie.

She opened her mouth, but no words came out.

"You knew, didn’t you?" Selena asked quietly, her voice unusually serious. "You knew all this time and didn’t tell us?"

Avery clenched her fists at her sides. "I didn’t tell you because it doesn’t matter."

"Doesn’t matter?" Millie gaped at her. "Avery, are you hearing yourself? Alpha Cain—the most terrifying, bloodthirsty alpha in Vehiron—is your mate. How does that not matter?"

Avery flinched. "Because he doesn’t want me!" she snapped, her voice louder than she intended.

Silence.

Selena and Millie exchanged glances before Selena finally spoke, softer this time. "Then why did he claim you in front of everyone?"

Avery sucked in a breath, "He didn’t claim me."

"He was furious yesterday," Millie added, her voice hushed with disbelief. "Kendra tried to embarrass you, and he nearly killed her." She hesitated before continuing. "That doesn’t seem like someone who doesn’t want you."

Avery looked away, her heart pounding. She didn’t know what to say, what to think.

Selena sighed and shook her head. "Avery, you should have told us."

"Then what," Avery asked.

Selena’s eyebrows furrowed. "What do you mean then what? You’re mates with the most powerful alpha in—"

"You think I don’t know that? What was I supposed to say? Everyone hates him. Hates me. But I’m supposed to say hi, My name is Avery and Alpha Cain is my mate? You think I already have it though. What do you think would’ve happened to me."

The two sagged down where they sat, "So that’s just it?" Millie asked quietly.

"He doesn’t want me. I don’t know what you two heard yesterday but I can promise you that’s not how it happened. Alpha Cain hates me. He’s only kept me in this pack so far just to reject me. He despises me."

"Avery..." Selena began but Avery was quicker.

"Drop it already, Sel." She snapped.

Just as Selena opened her mouth to speak, they were interrupted by the door squeaking slightly, a maid poking her head into the room.

"You guys are here? Have you heard?" She asked, her eyes darting between the three of them.

"Heard what?" Selena replied.

The girl’s eyes found Avery’s, "Alpha Cain was attacked last night by an assassin."

_________________________________________

Avery hesitated outside Cain’s door, her fingers curling into her dress. She had rushed here without thinking, the second she heard about the attack, but now that she was standing in front of his room, uncertainty gnawed at her. She remembered how cold and angry he’d been towards her that night after her heat.

Would he yell at her again? Would he look at her with that same cold indifference?

She exhaled sharply, trying to steady herself. Maybe she should just leave—

"How long are you going to stand there?"

Avery’s breath hitched at the sound of Cain’s voice, deep and laced with amusement. She hadn’t even knocked.

"If you’ve come to check on me, at least have the courage to step inside," he added.

She swallowed, feeling both flustered and annoyed that he had caught her hesitating. Taking a slow breath, she pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Cain was standing near his desk, his shirt unbuttoned at the top, revealing a glimpse of his toned chest. His left hand was wrapped in fresh bandages, and the sight of it made her stomach twist.

"What happened?" she asked before she could stop herself, her gaze fixed on his injured hand.

Cain smirked, lifting it slightly as if it were nothing. "Worried about me?"

Avery stiffened. "That’s not—"

"I didn’t know you cared," he continued, stepping closer.

She instinctively took a step back, but he didn’t stop. The space between them shrank, the heat of his presence making it difficult to think clearly.

"I’m fine, if that’s what you were wondering," he murmured, his green eyes flickering over her face. "It takes more than an assassin to get rid of me."

She swallowed hard. He was too close. Too overwhelming. And yet, despite every warning in her head, she couldn’t seem to move away.

Cain tilted his head slightly, watching her with an unreadable expression. "Tell me, Avery..." His voice dropped lower. "Did you come running because you cared or because you..."

He didn’t even finish his words and yet... Her breath caught in her throat.

Before she could answer, the door swung open again.

"Cain- Alpha, I heard what happened. I know I messed up yesterday but I needed to come-" the words died down her throat. Kendra froze mid-step, her sharp gaze snapping to where Cain stood—far too close to Avery.

The room tensed instantly.

Avery took a step back, as if burned. Cain, however, didn’t move an inch. If anything, his expression darkened, his usual smirk replaced with something colder at the sight of Kendra.

Kendra’s lips parted slightly, her eyes flickering between them before narrowing.

"I didn’t realize you had company, Alpha," she said with a stiff smile on her face.

"What do you want, Kendra?" Cain asked, his tone cold and dry.

Kendra stared at Avery for a second longer then stepped fully into the room. "I think it would be better if the help isn’t-"

"If you have nothing else to say, leave." Cain cut her off sharply.

Kendra’s mouth snapped shut, her eyes widening slightly before narrowing into thin slits.

Avery swallowed, shifting uncomfortably under Kendra’s piercing stare. She could see the flicker of anger behind her calm and composed expression, but it was Cain who held Avery’s attention the most.

Kendra cleared her throat, "Alpha, I—"

"Leave Kendra. I won’t repeat myself."

Kendra froze at the tone of his voice. Did she really dig a hole for herself? Is this how she was going to lose Cain? No, it can’t be. She won’t allow it.

Kendra straightened up and nodded, a tight-lipped smile on her face. "Very well, I only came to check on you. News of the attack has spread within the pack." She said and threw Avery a glance before bowing and stepped out of the room.