Betrayed by Blood, Claimed by the Alpha-Chapter 138

Betrayed by Blood~

The dungeon was cold, damp, and filled with the stench of blood and sweat. Kendra sat on the narrow bench against the wall, her back straight despite the discomfort. She had stopped crying by now and was only filled with anger.

How could Cain do this to her? Her of all people? Locking her up in this filthy place. How could he be this cruel to her?

Her once-beautiful golden hair was tangled and dull, her expensive dress now smeared with dirt and dried blood. Her skin that usually glowed with perfection was now dull and ashy.

The sound of approaching footsteps made her lift her head. The guards stationed outside her cell straightened. And then she saw her.

Carol stepped into view, her heels clicking against the floor as she approached the cell. Kendra’s breath hitched the second she laid eyes on her mother.

The guards stepped aside without question, allowing Carol to stand just outside the iron bars.

Carol glanced at the guards. "Open it," she ordered.

"I’m sorry, Lady Williams, but we can’t. Alpha Cain hasn’t given any order of such, and therefore we can’t do anything against his orders," the guard replied monotonously.

In the blink of an eye, Carol’s whole stance changed. Her eyes immediately teared up, and soon enough, she burst out into tears. "Please, just this once. She’s my daughter, and I know what the alpha has said, but won’t you take pity on this old woman and help me just this once. I’m not asking for much. I would just like to hug her."

The guard glanced at Kendra and back at Carol, then nodded. "Just for a few seconds. Alpha Cain mustn’t find out," he said, and she nodded, sniffling.

"I promise he won’t."

The iron bars creaked as the guard unlocked the cell, stepping aside to let Carol in.

The moment she stepped into the cell, her tear-streaked face transformed, the false show she’d been putting on vanished like a mask discarded after a performance.

Carol didn’t hesitate. Her hand shot out and slapped—

The sharp slap echoed through the dungeon as Kendra’s head snapped to the side. The sting burned across her cheek, sharp. "You stupid, reckless, insufferable girl," Carol hissed, stepping closer. "What the hell have you done?"

Kendra blinked, her shock quickly replaced by seething rage. She turned her head slowly, glaring up at her mother. "What have I done?" she spat. "What have I done, Mother? I was trying to take what’s rightfully mine! That whore has no place next to Cain, and you know it!"

Carol’s lips curled in disgust. "And what did your little tantrum accomplish? You got yourself thrown into a dungeon like some common criminal." She grabbed a fistful of Kendra’s dirty, tangled hair and yanked, forcing her daughter to look up at her. "Do you have any idea how much damage you’ve done?"

Kendra gritted her teeth, refusing to wince. "Cain should be mine," she snarled. "I’ve done nothing wrong!"

Carol let out a humorless laugh. "Nothing wrong?" She released Kendra’s hair with a shove, making her stumble back against the stone wall. "You humiliated yourself! You embarrassed me! And now look at you." She gestured to the filthy dress, the bruises marring Kendra’s once-pristine skin. "You look like a wretched beggar. Tell me, was it worth it?"

Kendra clenched her fists, shaking with fury. "I won’t give up. That girl—Avery—she won’t last. I’ll make sure of it."

"Kendra!" Carol snapped angrily.

"I didn’t ask you to come here. I never asked you for anything! You want to pretend like you’re better than me when you’re not. All of this is your fault!" She screamed with rage. "If you hadn’t gotten involved with Dad, then this wouldn’t be happening. This is all your fault!"

"What?" Carol snarled.

Kendra didn’t back down. "Yes! If you had gone for a wealthier man instead of settling for Dad, then I wouldn’t have to do half of what I am doing. You wanted me to be close to Cain, right? You want me to mate him, and now that I’m doing exactly that, you cannot stand it. Is that right?" Kendra screamed.

Carol stepped back, a disbelieving scoff leaving her lips. "Doing what, Kendra? You’re in the dungeon if you can’t see it."

"And I will get mated to Cain. He’ll get me out of here. He’s just angry right now, but when he comes to understand that everything I did, I did for him. For us. He will get me out of here and profess his love to me." Kendra spat out, her chest heaving heavily.

"Even if he doesn’t. I’ll get out of here and be with him even if it’s by force. I swear on my life, Cain’s only ever going to be mine. I won’t lose him. Not to that two-faced slimy bitch. I will not lose him—" she gritted out, her gaze settling on Carol once again.

"I’m done listening to you. If you have nothing else to say, then leave."

Carol hesitated, "Kendra—" she began but is cut off.

"LEAVE!"

Carol’s lips pressed into a thin line, her gaze studying Kendra for a long, silent moment. There was madness in her daughter’s eyes. An unwavering, obsessive fire that refused to be snuffed out.

For the first time, Carol felt fear.

She inhaled slowly and stepped back, smoothing her dress and schooling her shocked expression back to being cold. "You are a fool, Kendra," she said quietly, shaking her head. "And fools meet ugly ends."

"I’m not you, Mother."

Carol paused, her gaze heavy on Kendra as her words echoed in her head.

Kendra didn’t flinch, didn’t move, only watched with burning hatred as Carol turned toward the cell door.

The guards hesitated as Carol stepped out, glancing at Kendra before locking the bars shut once more.

Carol didn’t look back.

She walked away, her heels clicking against the floor.

Kendra was left alone once more, fists clenched, anger vibrating through every inch of her body.

She would get out of here.

She would win.

And when she did, Avery would pay.