Betrayed by Blood, Claimed by the Alpha-Chapter 25

Betrayed by Blood~

Lydia slowly walked down the stairs, the smell of rust filling her nostrils. She hated this place. The flickering torches along the walls made it even worse. Every cell she passed had the prisoners screaming, clawing at her, whispering, or crying for help.

When she reached Avery’s cell, her heart sank. Avery sat on the cold floor, her knees drawn to her chest, and her head resting atop them. Lydia’s heart broke for the second time that day. Why couldn’t Cain see Avery for who she was?

"Avery," Lydia called softly.

Avery lifted her head, squinting her eyes as though she was trying to make sense of who was in front of her, suddenly her brows furrowed. "Y-you."

Avery scrambled up to her feet, her heart thumping hard in her chest. "M-ma’am," she stammered. She had no idea what Lydia was here for now, all she knew was the woman was an important part of Cain’s cabinet. His beta.

Lydia’s chest tightened at Avery’s reaction. The way she scrambled to her feet, her wide, fearful eyes darting nervously—it was as if she expected more punishment, not kindness.

"Please, Avery," Lydia said gently, raising her hands in a placating gesture. "I’m not here to hurt you."

Avery blinked, confused. Why else should she be here then? "Then why are you here?" she asked, her voice hoarse, likely from exhaustion and lack of water.

Lydia sighed, stepping closer to the bars. "I came to check on you. I couldn’t stand by any longer knowing you’re down here, locked up like this. I know you didn’t do it, Avery."

Avery blinked, the tension in her shoulders softening. It was good to know that someone believed her, but still, what could be done even then? "It doesn’t matter what you think, ma’am. Alpha Cain has already decided I’m guilty. His word is law," Avery replied.

Lydia frowned, "Cain is wrong about this. I’ve tried to reason with him, but..." She trailed off, her jaw tightening as frustration welled inside her.

Avery swallowed hard, "Why are you trying to help me?" she whispered. freewebnσvel.cѳm

Lydia hesitated for a second before sighing softly. "Because you don’t deserve this. I’ve seen the way Kendra and Carol operate. I don’t trust them. And... because I see the bond between you and Cain, even if he refuses to acknowledge it."

Avery’s lips pressed into a thin line, and she shook her head. "There’s no bond, not really. Cain hates me, and honestly, I don’t blame him. I blame the goddess for putting me in this position," Avery mumbled.

Lydia’s eyes widened at her words, "That’s not true, Avery. And I’m going to find a way to get you out of here."

Avery stared at her for a couple more seconds, as much as the hope in her heart wanted to light up, she refused it. At the end of the day, it all came down to Cain, and her being here already shows where he stands.

"Beta Lydia, Alpha Cain has allowed no visitors for the prisoner," a guard’s voice came from behind.

Avery shrunk into herself, cursing her luck once again. Lydia took a deep breath, "Did you leave your room at any point today?" She asked. The guard began to walk by them, his footsteps echoing.

"Beta Lydia..." he called, but she doesn’t respond.

Avery nodded, she’d left the room thrice today. First to finish up with her chores, then the second was to eat, and the third was when she was called by another servant.

"I left my room more than three times today. For my chores, to eat, and when another maid came to call me," she replied.

The guard placed his hand on Lydia’s shoulder, "Beta Lydia." He called out to her, and she snapped her head towards him.

"Get your filthy hands off me, are you insane?" Lydia growled. The guard jerked his hand back as if he’d been burned, his face paling. "I—I apologize for crossing my limits, Beta Lydia. But Alpha Cain’s orders are clear: no visitors for the prisoner."

Lydia’s voice dropped, dangerously calm. "Do you realize who you’re speaking to? I am Beta Lydia, Cain’s right hand. Do you think me so ordinary as to fall under the same rules? Or do you dare challenge my authority because I’m a woman?"

The guard’s knees hit the floor with a dull thud. "Forgive me, Beta. I meant no disrespect."

Lydia rolled her eyes, "Leave." She ordered, and he got up to leave, only walking a few steps away when she stopped him again.

"Wait, bring back some food and water for her. Bring some wrappers too," she ordered. The guard hesitated slightly before nodding and rushing off.

Avery had watched the whole thing in a daze; this woman was really helping her.

"I—You didn’t have to do all of that for me," she muttered.

"No, I had to...it’s the least I can do to make you feel better while you’re in here. Just, be patient, I’ll get you out of here anyhow I can," Lydia said with a smile on her face. For the first time in a very long time, Avery gave a genuine smile back.

~~~~~~~

Lydia stepped into her room, her meeting with Avery etched in her mind. The way the younger looked so cold, fragile even. It made Lydia’s heart clench. What Cain was doing wasn’t right, and he knew it, but he was too much of an egotistical prick to accept it.

"I’ve been waiting for you," a deep voice had Lydia flinching. She looked ahead only to see Xander standing by her table, a book in his hands, eyes on her. "Where have you been?" he asked.

"Out," she replied calmly and walked over to her drawer.

"What did he say about her? Does he have any plan on releasing her?" Xander asked, stopping Lydia in her tracks. She turned slowly to look at her brother, her eyebrows cocked up.

"Why are you concerned about that?" She shot at him.

"What do you mean? Shouldn’t I be concerned about a pack member in the dungeon?" He asked.

"Xander, tread carefully...I’m not blind," Lydia said, her tone sharp, her eyes narrowing at her brother. "Your concern for Avery isn’t just about her being a pack member, is it?"

Xander straightened, closing the book in his hands slowly. "What are you implying?" he asked, though his voice lacked conviction.

Lydia took a step closer, her arms crossed. "Don’t insult my intelligence, Xander. You’re drawn to her. I’ve seen it. The way you hover, the way you stare at her. Don’t think Cain hasn’t noticed either. You’re playing a dangerous game."

Xander’s jaw clenched, his nostrils flaring as he looked away. "I’m not playing any game. I’m merely looking out for her," he refuted.

Lydia scoffed, "Whatever you say it is, don’t forget who you truly serve. Alpha Cain Knight," she replied firmly before grabbing what she’d come to pick initially and walked off with one place in mind, Avery’s room.

~~~~~~|

Kendra sat at her vanity, her eyes focused on the mirror in front of her. She leaned back slightly, adjusting the silk cream robe that clung to her like a second skin. She smirked at her reflection; her mother had done one hell of a good job. Kendra looked exquisite.

Behind her was Carol, she moved slyly towards her, she held a small ivory box in her hands, she caught Kendra’s gaze through the mirror. "You look perfect, my darling," Carol said, her voice dripping with approval. "Like a queen preparing for her coronation."

Kendra smiled, preening under Carol’s words, "That’s exactly what I am, Mother. The queen of his world. He just doesn’t realize it yet."

Carol hummed, "I heard from a little bird, he’s alone tonight and drinking too. He had a fight with Lydia too. It’s the perfect time." She said, a sly smirk making its way to her face.

Carol leaned over, placing a hand on Kendra’s shoulder as she handed her the box. Kendra opened it and revealed a powder inside it. Its faint shimmer was barely visible to the naked eye, but its potency was undeniable. "Use this the moment you’re about to meet him. He’ll fall quickly for your charms. Just one night with you and he’ll forget his mate. That’s how powerful it is. Your aunt, Erika gave it to me. It worked for your father, it will work for Cain."

"This will remind him," Carol said, her voice low, "He might need a little... push, but he’ll come around. They always do. Men are weak when it comes to the things they can’t resist. Your father was exactly like this."

Kendra hummed, rubbing her fingers over the box, "What if this doesn’t work, mother?" She asked.

"Then we escalate. But for now, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Tonight, you’ll use this. Let him see what he would lose if he ever dared to choose her over you. Remind him that you are the only one who truly understands him. Not that servant, not Lydia, only you."