Betrayed by Blood, Claimed by the Alpha-Chapter 162

Betrayed by Blood

Chapter 162~

The room was warm, and Avery stared awake, her eyes fluttering open as she turned her head slightly, watching him from the comfort of the bed. Cain stood by the wardrobe, pulling on a dark shirt, his back to her. The muscles in his shoulders flexed as he adjusted the sleeves.

She let herself watch him for a moment, still caught in the haze of sleep. It had become a habit now to wake up and find him near, to feel his presence even before she opened her eyes.

"Alpha?" Her voice was groggy, laced with sleep.

Cain turned to look at her, a small smile on his lips the moment he laid eyes on her. "Hey," he said, walking towards the bed and leaned down, kissing her softly on the lips. "Slept well?" he asked.

Avery flushed hard, remembering how last night had gone. Again, she spent it in Cain’s room, which wasn’t surprising at this point. Even though she had her own room, she spent the majority of her time in his room.

"I did," she mumbled, her eyes flicking up and down, taking note of his outfit. "Are you going somewhere today?" she asked.

Cain hummed, "We are going somewhere today," he replied.

Avery blinked, his words slowly sinking in. She pushed herself up onto her elbows, her sleep-muddled mind struggling to keep up.

"We?" she repeated.

Cain sat on the edge of the bed, one hand lifting to brush her hair back from her face. "Yes. Pack your things."

Her brows furrowed in confusion. "Pack my things? Where are we going?"

Cain didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he trailed his fingers along her jaw before standing again, adjusting the cuffs of his sleeves. "Somewhere you’d like," he replied, "It isn’t just you and I though. Lydia is also coming."

"Lydia is?" Avery asked. She had never taken any kind of trip out of Vehiron, and this was really surprising to her.

"Yeah, she is. Nathan will take care of the pack while we’re away," he tells her, turning around. "I have to go now, but pack your things. We leave later," he says, leaning to kiss her again then walked out of the room, leaving Avery confused and very perplexed.

Avery stood beside the car, the cool air brushing against her skin as she watched Cain, Nathan, and Lydia talk a few feet away. Their voices were low, serious, but she didn’t try to listen. Instead, she let her gaze wander until it landed on him.

Xander.

He stood by the door, his gaze on the ones talking, but when she glanced at him, his eyes snapped towards her. Their gaze locked. Avery looked away instantly, still feeling guilt over how things with him had turned out. Ever since his return to Vehiron, she’d made sure to stay away, not even the slightest opportunity to run into him. Not until now.

"Alright, that’s all," Cain’s voice jolted her from her thoughts. She looked up to see him walking towards her. There were at least three cars joining them on this outing. Lydia was in the second one while the guards were in the third.

"Come on, Avery. Let’s go," Cain said as he pulled the door open. Avery gave a curt nod before getting into the car while Cain got in right after.

The car ride was quiet.

Avery kept her gaze on the window, watching as the towering houses of Vehiron slowly faded into forests and open land. The road stretched ahead, and with each passing hour, she became even more curious.

Cain, however, was unmoved.

He sat beside her, laptop open, his gaze fixed on the screen as his fingers moved across the keyboard. He barely spoke, only shifting slightly now and then.

Avery wanted to ask again, "Where are we going?" But instead decided against it. He wouldn’t tell her still, so there was no need.

The steady hum of the car, combined with the warmth of the seat, eventually pulled her into sleep.

She drifted in and out, waking briefly to see Cain still on his laptop, completely unfazed by the hours passing. She turned away, curling into herself, and fell asleep once more.

When she finally woke up for good, the air around them felt different, thicker, heavier.

Something was wrong.

Avery straightened in her seat, blinking away the haze of sleep. Outside the window, the landscape had changed. The trees and open lands were gone, replaced by something she never thought she’d see again.

Familiar stone walls. Familiar gates.

Her breath caught in her throat as they spotted the large gates of the pack.

No.

No, no, no.

The Blood Moon Pack.

Her old pack. The place she had barely escaped from.

Her fingers clenched into fists as panic clawed its way up her throat. She turned sharply to Cain, only to see his gaze on her, watching. "C-Cain, what’s going on?" she stammered.

Cain didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, he shut his laptop, his piercing gaze heavy, never leaving her.

"Do you trust me?" he asked.

Avery swallowed hard, her pulse hammering. She looked around, the guards were busy running about at the mention of the alpha of Vehiron. Avery clenched her fists, her memory rushing into her like a flood. The gates already beginning to open, welcoming them into the very place she had fought to escape.

She tore her gaze from the gates, looking back at Cain.

Did she trust him?

Yes.

But this... this was different.

Her throat tightened as memories she had buried clawed their way to the surface. The humiliation, the beatings, the betrayal. The sheer helplessness.

Cain was still watching her, waiting.

Avery forced herself to take a breath.

She clenched her trembling fingers together, grounding herself in the present. In the feel of the leather seat beneath her. In the warmth of Cain’s presence beside her.

"I trust you," she whispered.

Cain’s gaze softened just slightly. "Good. That’s all I ask for."

~~~~~~~~

The study doors slammed open. Hugh jerked his head up, startled as one of the guards rushed inside, breathing heavily. "Alpha," the man panted, bowing his head. "Alpha Cain of Vehiron...he’s here."

The words sent a sharp chill down Hugh’s spine. He shot up from his chair, gripping the desk to steady himself. "What?" His voice was hoarse. "Cain is here?"

The guard nodded quickly. "Yes, Alpha. His convoy was spotted approaching the gates. They’ll be here within minutes."

Hugh’s heart pounded against his ribs. Why? Why would Cain be here? They were just planning to go to his pack.

Darla’s voice cut through his spiraling thoughts. "What are you panicking for?" She stood from her seat, smoothing her dress with a smirk. "We knew this would happen eventually."

Hugh turned to her. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Isn’t it obvious? Word has spread about Jasmine’s beauty. Cain must’ve heard of her." She smirked, stepping toward him. "You should be proud, husband. Your decision to take Lucian’s pack caught the attention of one of the strongest alphas alive. And now, he has come for our daughter."

Hugh furrowed his brows, considering Darla’s words. She was right. The news of his seizure of Lucian’s pack had spread far and wide. Cain must’ve heard, after all, rumors had just reached Hugh that the man himself had done something similar.

It was wonderful indeed.

Even better now that it was Cain coming all the way to Blood Moon Pack for Jasmine’s hand.

Hugh straightened his shoulders, pride swelling in his chest. His actions had influenced a man like Cain. That alone was an achievement.

Darla smiled, "See? This is the moment we’ve been waiting for." She turned to Jasmine, "Hurry, darling. Make sure you look perfect. The future Luna of Vehiron must be nothing short of stunning."

Jasmine nodded quickly and hurried back inside. Soon, she returned dressed in a pale pink dress.

All of them had now gathered in the grand hall, waiting for Cain’s arrival.

The first car rolled in. Then the second. Then the third. All four of them held their breaths in anticipation.

And then...

The doors creaked open.

Every head turned, expecting to see Cain stride in.

But it wasn’t Cain.

It was her.

Avery.