Betrayed by Blood, Claimed by the Alpha-Chapter 142

Betrayed by Blood

Cain sat behind his desk, papers scattered across the dark wood surface, reports detailing the aftermath of Silvermoon’s downfall, but his focus was on the two before him, Nathan and Lydia.

"Nathan, I want you to head to Silverstone with Xander. I need a full report on the state of the pack and any remaining threats. Report back to me directly when you’re done."

Nathan nodded firmly. "Understood."

Cain nodded, dismissing the two with a wave of his hand, his attention going back to the papers he had to work on. A few minutes passed before he looked up, Lydia still in the office, her gaze on him.

Cain arched an eyebrow and leaned back in his chair. "What is it now?" he asked.

Lydia didn’t flinch. "I want to know what your plans are with Avery."

He frowned instantly. "Excuse me?"

Lydia shook her head, stepping closer. "No—it’s just—I have no idea what your plans are with her, and I just—"

"Why should you know what my plans are with her? How is that any of your concern?" he shot back.

Lydia sighed. "I’m trying to protect her, Cain. Before, I could tell where your mind was headed. You were also pretty clear on the fact that you didn’t want her, but now... I don’t know. What do you want with her?" she asked firmly, her gaze unwavering as she stared him down.

She was well aware that she was crossing her boundaries, and yet she didn’t care. It’s not like crossing boundaries has ever stopped her before.

Cain’s jaw tightened, irritation flashing in his eyes. "What I want with her is none of your business." His voice was low, dangerous—a warning in every syllable.

But Lydia didn’t back down. She took another step forward, defiance burning in her eyes. "It is my business when she’s confused and scared, Cain."

His expression darkened. "She’s not scared of me."

Lydia let out a bitter laugh, folding her arms tightly across her chest. "You can’t possibly be serious. You think dragging her up the stairs, fixing her up in your quarters, and marking her fixed everything? You think that was enough to erase everything you’ve done to her?"

Cain’s silence was sharp—an answer in itself.

"She’s terrified to let her guard down around you. You rejected her, humiliated her, made her feel like nothing—like she wasn’t worthy of you." Lydia’s voice softened, but her words cut deeper than any blade. "You can’t just mark her and expect her to forget that."

Cain’s fists curled on the desk, his jaw clenched tightly.

Lydia stepped even closer now, lowering her voice so it hit him like a cold truth. "You need more than your claim to be worthy of being her mate. She deserves more than fear and confusion."

Cain’s eyes flickered with something unreadable—a crack in the wall he’d built so carefully around himself.

He didn’t say a word and only stood up, the chair screeching against the marble-tiled floor. He walked over to the window, his hands slipping into his pockets.

His gaze drifted over the sprawling landscape of Vehiron, but it wasn’t the beauty of the land that caught his attention. No—it was her.

Even here, he somehow could only see her. He was losing his mind with each passing second. His mind only wanted her. Her name was being repeated in his mind like a goddamn chant. Her scent wrapped around his mind like a fog. One he couldn’t get out of. One he didn’t want to be without.

She stood near the garden, sunlight kissing her hair, making the white streaks gleam. She was talking to two maids, a soft, genuine smile lighting up her face, and then she giggled.

Cain froze.

He couldn’t remember ever hearing her giggle or even seeing her smile. At least not with him, not with such ease and innocence.

Just as he was about to turn away, a man appeared. He smiled at her, and Avery smiled back. He watched the man pause to talk to her.

Cain’s jaw locked. His fists clenched tight in his pockets until his nails bit into his skin. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

Behind him, Lydia’s voice broke through. "That’s the new recruit," she said quietly, stepping closer. "He’s from Northern Ridge—Xander says he’s one of the most capable fighters they’ve seen in a while."

Cain didn’t answer. His eyes didn’t leave Avery—not even as their conversation continued. The man leaned in slightly, saying something that made her laugh again. That sound. It made something burn inside Cain’s chest.

His muscles tensed, every instinct screaming at him to move.

Lydia stepped forward, her gaze trailing his to Avery and the man outside the window. She instantly glanced at Cain, already sensing the shift in his energy, placed a cautious hand on his arm. "Cain—"

But he was already striding out of the office, leaving her words hanging in the air.

Each step echoed through the halls as he made his way down. By the time he reached the garden, the man was still there—still too close, still making her smile.

Cain didn’t think. He acted.

He closed the distance in a breath, his hand reaching out to grip Avery’s wrist—gentle, yet firm enough to pull her just a little too close. She froze instantly, her body going stiff against him.

The man’s friendly demeanor vanished, his eyes wide as realization struck. He bowed deeply, voice steady despite the sudden tension. "Alpha Cain—It’s an honor. I was just introducing myself to Avery—"

"Avery?" Cain interjected, his eyebrows cocked up. The man gulped hard, his gaze flickering to Avery for a brief second. "I-I-I’m newly recruited into Vehiron and eager to learn under your leadership."

Cain’s jaw ticked. "Is that so?" His voice was low, dangerously smooth. "Then you should be training, not wasting time here."

The recruit straightened immediately, nodding. "Yes, Alpha. I’ll head there now." His gaze flickered to Avery one last time before he walked away.

Cain turned to look at Avery, his jaw clenched hard. He was about to speak—about to say something—when a sharp voice interrupted.

"Alpha Cain," Lydia’s panicked voice reached Cain in time. She glanced at Avery and then back at Cain.

"The king has sent a summons."