Betrayed by Blood, Claimed by the Alpha-Chapter 206: Epilogue

Five years later~

The meeting room hummed with low voices as Cain leaned back in his chair, tapping a pen idly against the table. It had been a long morning of negotiations, and he was just about ready to leave when the doors burst open.

Lydia burst into the room, looking as wild as ever. Hair disheveled, cheeks flushed. "I’m sorry, I’m sorry." She rushed out only to deflate when she realized they were done with the meeting.

Cain merely arched his brows as he stood up from the chair, humming in amusement. "I didn’t expect much punctuality from a newly mated....hovering over each other like bees."

Lydia glared at him, dropping her bags on the table. "Please... like you’re any better." She crossed her arms. "It’s been five years, and not even I, who mated just a month ago, can compare to the obscene amount of PDA you and Avery manage. It’s disgusting."

Cain smirked unapologetically. "You’re just jealous," he said, gathering the things he had gotten earlier that morning.

Lydia’s gaze shot to the things he was carrying, and she shook her head. "Are all of these for Avery?" She asked, and he hummed.

He hummed, checking the load in his arms.

"It’s not enough, right? She’s been complaining so much lately... I just grabbed a few things I thought would help," he said, almost to himself. Then he frowned thoughtfully. "I should get more. Maybe some of those paddings. Or maybe that soft foot massager. She said her feet were killing her yesterday."

"How is she doing? I can imagine how difficult she’s having it." Lydia replied, making a mental note to drop by the next day.

Cain’s expression softened immediately. "She’s stubborn. Keeps trying to do everything herself. But... she’s amazing," he said quietly.

Lydia made a note to visit the next day. She had just returned from her two-week break with her mate, and all she’d managed so far was a few phone calls to Avery. She missed her terribly.

Cain shook his head, breaking him out of the Avery haze he was in. He turned to leave only to pause at the door, turning to look at Lydia.

"That reminds me. Xander called. He said he’s gonna be at Blood Moon a little longer."

Lydia’s brows furrowed at this. "He is? Wasn’t he supposed to have been back three weeks ago?" She asked, thinking back to how long Xander has been there.

Cain hummed, "He is...."

Why would Xander stay three weeks in blood moon when he should be back the very next day?

"Why would he..." she trailed off, suddenly able to piece it all together. Her eyes widened at the thought and she looked up at Cain who had a knowing smirk.

"Xander found his mate in Bloodmoon?"

Cain smirked at her, "Just so you know, you have your work cut out for you."

Lydia’s eyes widened even more at the implication. "What! No! You can’t be serious, Cain. How would I even—" she rushed after him. "At least tell me who she is. How they met? Where they met? Cain!" She yelled

But cain was long gone, leaving her talking to the door. She sighed, running her hands through her hair. This was such a welcome gift for her. Burying her in this much work so he could run back to his mate.

Still she couldn’t help the smile on her face. Xander found his mate and that too in Avery’s pack.

How classic.

~~~~~

Cain didn’t waste another minute. After tossing a few curt goodbyes over his shoulder, he strode out of the meeting room, arms full of supplies.

He made a mental list as he walked, bath oils, candies, cooling cream for her back... but it still didn’t feel like enough. Nothing ever felt like enough when it came to Avery.

He sighed, he’d probably spend the rest of tomorrow morning at the market again. He nodded to the greetings of the guards as he walked into the house.

The pack house came into view, familiar and bustling. They hadn’t moved far, no, they hadn’t moved at all.

Instead of leaving, they’d simply renovated one of the wings of the pack house. It’s tucked away enough to give them a bit of privacy.

He stepped into the house, expecting the usual energy burst of greetings he was usually met with. He glanced at the guards, his brows furrowed.

"Where are—" He doesn’t get to complete his words as he’s suddenly bombarded by small arms wrapping around his legs, nearly toppling him over. A little voice squealed with joy.

"Daddy!"

Cain chuckled, managing to catch himself before his daughter could bring him down. With one swift motion, he scooped her into his arms, smiling despite himself at how strong she was getting.

"Hey bug, look at you getting bigger," he teased, his voice warm. "Getting stronger every day. You’re going to be the one carrying me soon."

She giggled, wiggling in his hold. "I’m going to be bigger than you, Daddy!"

"Hmm... that’s what I like to hear, baby. But you know you can only be bigger than daddy if you eat your vegetables." Yeah, that’s right. He’s going down this route.

Elaine presses her hands over her ears, babbling her tongue at him.

Cain shifted his supplies into one arm and adjusted his hold on her with the other, pressing a kiss to the crown of her head.

"Alright, Gremlin," he teased, "you almost took me out at the knees. That would’ve been a crime against your poor old dad."

Elaine only giggled harder, her little hands clutching the front of his shirt with all the strength her tiny four year old body could muster. "You’re not old, Daddy! You’re just grumpy!"

Cain barked a laugh, the sound echoing down the hallway.

"Smart mouth," he muttered, not even trying to hide the pride in his voice.

Before he could say anything else, a voice floated down the stairs.

"Elaine, baby, what did I say about stampeding through the house like a little wolf?"

"But I’m a little wolf." Elaine replied grumpily.

Cain chuckled, turning towards the staircase just as Avery came into view, and his breath caught, just like it always did.

She was on the phone, looking half exasperated, half amused, a hand pressed to her round stomach.

"I don’t want half information!" Avery said into the phone, her tone sharp but not unkind. "Tell Xander to stop sugarcoating and send me the full report. Or I swear, I’ll come down there myself and—"

She broke off when she spotted Cain and Elaine, her whole face softening.

"Never mind," Avery muttered into the phone, waving dismissively as she ended the call. She made her way down carefully, a hand bracing the railing.

Cain moved immediately, shifting Elaine onto one hip and meeting Avery at the bottom of the stairs. "You’re supposed to be resting," he said, voice dropping into a low, protective rumble.

Avery rolled her eyes but smiled up at him, her free hand ghosting over his arm. "And you’re supposed to stop buying out the entire market every time I complain about something," she countered sweetly, kissing his cheek.

Cain leaned into it, breathing her in for a moment before pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Different rules. Daddy’s rules."

Elaine wriggled between them, reminding them she was still there. "Bug’s hungry!" she declared.

Avery laughed, reaching out to stroke her daughter’s wild hair. "Of course you are, Bug. You’re always hungry."

Cain grinned. "She gets it from me."

Avery snorted. "Unfortunately."

He chuckled, shifting the supplies awkwardly.

"I brought snacks," he said proudly, as if that solved everything. "And foot cream. And... I think some herbal candies?"

Avery laughed again, a full, rich sound that Cain would never get tired of hearing.

"You’re ridiculous," she said, eyes shining.

"Ridiculously in love," he corrected smugly, kissing her again just because he could. Avery pressed her hand against his chest, holding him back.

"Elaine doesn’t need to see this." She mumbled, walking towards the kitchen where the maids were already preparing their food.

"What? What study says that Mrs. Alpha Queen? As a matter of fact, Elaine seeing mama and daddy kiss boosts her confidence."

Avery hummed amusedly, "And what study shows that?"

"Alpha King, Cain knight’s study? That’s what." He huffed out, dropping Elaine and passing the things he bought to a maid.

Cain walked over to where Avery was, wrapping his arms around her protruding stomach. "Come on, you need to rest more, Avery." He murmured, pulling her gently out of the kitchen, ignoring her whines.

Before Avery could answer, Lydia’s loud voice echoed in the air like a war cry. "WE ARE HERE!"

Selena and Millie followed behind her, arms full of bags and food containers, looking like they’d barely survived the trip.

Avery laughed but before she could even move fully, a blur shot past her.

"AUNTY LYDDIE!" Elaine squealed, barreling straight for Lydia.

Lydia barely caught her in time, stumbling a little under the tiny hurricane that was Cain’s daughter. "Hey, Bug!" Lydia laughed, lifting her easily. "Missed me that much?"

Selena snickered behind her, and Millie trailed in last, juggling way too many boxes for someone so small.

"I thought you were coming tomorrow. What happened to that plan?" Cain asked Lydia.

"Well turns out you still have a lot of work to do. Crystal Moon’s pack alpha was overthrown by his brother today."

"No work talk today please." Avery grumbled, waddling towards some sweets Millie carried.

"It’s not work if it’s urgent." Lydia shot back at her. In return, Avery glared sharply at her.

Cain smiled as he walked over to Avery, helping her with the sweets she couldn’t bend to pick. "Whatever you say baby." He glanced at Lydia. "No work talk today."

Avery was just reaching for a second sweet when she froze mid-step, a funny look crossing her face.

Cain, noticing immediately, set the box he was carrying down. "Avery?" he asked carefully, stepping toward her.

Avery blinked down at herself, then back up at him, her expression caught somewhere between shock and panic. "I... I think—" she started, but before she could finish, a soft gasp escaped her.

A wet sound followed, and Avery looked down in horror as a puddle began to form around her feet.

"Oh my god!" Millie shrieked, nearly dropping the box she was holding.

Selena clapped her hands over her mouth.

Lydia’s eyes went wide. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

Elaine, perched on Lydia’s hip, just stared in fascinated confusion.

Cain didn’t move for a half-second, his brain short-circuiting.

Then everything snapped into focus.

"Her water broke!" Selena cried, helpfully stating the obvious.

"I KNOW THAT!" Cain barked, already moving to Avery’s side. He scooped her up effortlessly, ignoring her protests.

"Cain! I can walk!"

"You’re not walking anywhere!" he snapped, already barking orders over his shoulder. "Get the midwife! Someone get towels! Call Xander !"

Millie and Selena bolted like startled rabbits, tripping over each other. Lydia, somehow still calm despite the chaos, started issuing quieter, smarter orders to the maids. "Get the doctor..." she began.

Cain cradled Avery against him, brushing sweaty strands of hair from her face as he carried her toward their room. "It’s okay, baby," he murmured against her temple. "I’ve got you. I’ve got you."

Avery clung to his shirt, trying to breathe through the rush of panic and nerves.

"Cain—" she gasped, a laugh bubbling out of her despite the situation. "You’re more scared than I am."

He huffed out a shaky breath, pressing his forehead against hers for a moment as he kicked open the bedroom door. "Terrified," he admitted hoarsely. "But only because I love you so damn much."

He set her gently onto the bed, kneeling beside her and holding her hand tightly.

Their eyes locked and in that moment, everything else disappeared. The world outside, the noise, the chaos, none of it mattered.

It was just the two of them.

And soon, it would be the four of them.

And then—

Four hours later...

Nathan Knight was born.

The doctor placed the tiny, wailing bundle into Cain’s arms, and for a long moment, all he could do was stare.

He was small. Perfect. His.

He turned to Avery, who was watching him with tired, tearful eyes, and he couldn’t stop the broken laugh that slipped out as he sat beside her, cradling their son between them.

"My whole world," Cain whispered, pressing a kiss to Avery’s forehead, then to the baby’s.

And for the first time in his life, Cain knew peace.

———

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