Betrayed by Blood, Claimed by the Alpha-Chapter 152

Betrayed by Blood

Avery’s breath hitched, her gaze darting towards Lydia, whose eyes were fixed on Kendra.

The words landed like a blow, knocking her off balance more than any slap or insult ever had.

Kendra apologizing?

She swallowed, her throat dry. "What?"

Kendra sighed, shifting slightly on the bed as if the movement itself was exhausting. "I said I’m sorry. For everything. For how I treated you. For the things I said. For the things I did."

Avery’s heart pounded. She searched Kendra’s face for the lie, the manipulation, the cruel twist of a smirk that usually followed whenever she spoke. But there was nothing. No malice. No gloating. There was nothing.

Kendra let out a small, bitter laugh. "You don’t believe me."

Avery didn’t know how to answer.

Could she believe her?

Kendra had tormented her from the moment she stepped into Vaheeran. She had humiliated her, belittled her, hurt her—physically and emotionally. This was the same woman who had watched servants attack her without lifting a finger, the same woman who had sneered down at her as if she were nothing.

And yet, here she was. Apologizing.

Kendra took a deep breath. "When I was locked up in that dungeon, I had time to think. A lot of time." She gave a weak smile. "I won’t lie and say I had some grand revelation overnight. But... it made me realize something."

Avery’s fingers twitched. "What?"

Kendra held her gaze. "That I don’t want to live like this anymore."

The words were soft, almost fragile, and Avery couldn’t ignore it.

Avery exhaled, trying to steady herself. "Why are you telling me this?"

Kendra’s lips pressed together. "Because... I don’t expect forgiveness. I don’t expect anything, really. But you’re the only person I needed to say this to."

Avery’s chest tightened.

She had spent so long hating Kendra, fearing her, bracing for the next cruel strike. And now, standing in front of her like this, she didn’t know what to feel.

Anger? Relief? Nothing at all?

Before she could find the answer, the door opened again, and this time Carol stepped in with a bag. The moment the woman laid her eyes on them, she frowned. "What’s this? What’s going on here, Kendra? Why are they here?" She asked, her voice sharp.

"Mother..." Kendra said, sighing softly and licked her lips. "I think it’s time to bury the hatchet. I’ve done enough harm to Avery, and right now, I’m just so over it." Her gaze flickered to Carol, who now stood beside her, glaring daggers at Avery. "I called Avery to apologize for everything I’ve done to her."

Carol’s gaze snapped towards her daughter. "What? What do you mean apologize?" she snapped.

Kendra sighed softly, "Please, mother, I-This dungeon experience has been enough for me. It’s opened my eyes, and frankly, I just want to put this all behind me." She said and glanced at Avery. "I don’t want to be your enemy anymore."

Avery stared at her, words failing her. What was this about? Avery stared at her, words failing her. She didn’t know if she believed her.

She didn’t know what to believe, and that scared her more than anything.

Then, before she could react, Kendra suddenly reached out, grabbing Avery’s hand in a tight grip. "Please," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Forgive me."

Avery stiffened, startled by the sudden touch, the desperation in Kendra’s grip. Her throat closed up, unable to form words. But before she could even try, Carol cut in sharply.

"She’s apologizing, and yet you can’t even have the decency to at least say everything is okay?" Carol snapped, glaring at Avery with disgust. "You always act like the victim—"

"She is the victim." Lydia’s voice was like a whip, cutting through Carol’s words. Her expression was cold as she stepped forward, placing herself slightly in front of Avery. "Avery doesn’t owe anyone forgiveness, least of all Kendra."

Avery felt a weight press on her chest. The whole thing felt surreal. With a tight-lipped smile, she finally forced out a single word. "Okay." ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

She didn’t know if she meant it. She didn’t even know what it meant. But she needed to get out of there.

Turning on her heel, she walked toward the door, Lydia right beside her. They stepped into the hallway, but before Avery could exhale, Lydia suddenly grabbed her wrist. "Wait here," she muttered, then turned around and marched back inside.

Avery hesitated but nodded, watching as Lydia disappeared behind the door.

Inside, Kendra was with her mother, the two about to start talking when Lydia stormed back into the room, cutting them off. Carol jumped to her feet, ready to let out a barrage of curses but was cut off by Lydia’s sharp glare.

Kendra opened her mouth to speak, but Lydia cut her off before she could get a word out. "I don’t buy it."

"What?"

Lydia scoffed, "This silly ’I’ve changed act’ of yours, I don’t buy it." Lydia said coldly, stepping closer. "You might be able to fool Avery because she sees the good in people even when there’s nothing good left in them. But me?" She leaned in slightly, her gaze sharp. "I see you for exactly what you are. You are rotten inside and out."

"Lydia!" Carol snapped, getting up to her feet.

Lydia’s eyes blazed red. "What? Does the truth hurt? You can’t digest it now, can you?" She spat out, shifting her gaze to Kendra. "I know exactly who you are, Kendra. How you think, how you act. I see you, and I know for certain. You can never change. I will act blind for Avery’s sake, but I promise you, make one wrong move, and I’ll personally have you sent back to that dungeon before you heal fully." She paused, her gaze flickering to the bruises and bandages she wore. "That’s if you are actually injured."

Kendra’s mouth parted slightly, but no words came.

Lydia gave her one last lingering look before turning and leaving the room, shutting the door behind her.