Betrayed by Blood, Claimed by the Alpha-Chapter 36

Betrayed by Blood~

The sound of footsteps echoed through the hall, and soon the door to the office was being pulled open. Lydia stood by the doorway, cleared her throat, and stepped in, her voice steady.

"Alpha Cain," she said, "Silver Moon has arrived at the borders. They’ve entered the territory and are requesting entry."

Cain looked up from the papers he was working with, his eyebrows quirked up at the mention of the pack. "Silver Moon," he repeated smoothly, narrowing his eyes slightly as though tasting the name on his tongue. "They’ve come, have they?"

Lydia nodded. "Yes, Alpha. They’re here, waiting at the gates. The new alpha, Alpha Matt, is leading them."

Cain leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together thoughtfully. A smug predatory smile sat on his lips. He still remembered teaching him a lesson back at the king’s pack when he started to run his mouth. He wondered if the boy had now learned manners or if he’d have to teach him an even greater lesson.

"Very well, they should be let in," he said, and Lydia nodded, immediately passing the information through the mind-link. Cain stood up and adjusted his collar. "We’ll greet them."

He walked out of his office with Lydia behind him. He didn’t particularly care about the arrival of smaller packs, but this he wanted to see. He knows how grating it must’ve been for the Richards to come to Vehiron, knowing they’d be in the same place their son and alpha was killed. The thought brought Cain so much joy.

The Silver Moon pack was now inside the pack house after being let in by the guards. The gathering was modest, a couple of warriors they came with. The Richards stood tall with their heads straight. The Luna, their mother, stood by the side of two young women he’d assume were the children. Beside her was also a middle-aged woman, an elderly man, and finally Alpha Matt, Rowan’s brother.

Even before Cain set his eyes on the young alpha, he could feel the waves of anger radiating through the man, and he smirked. Matt stepped forward, his posture like that of a great alpha. "It is customary for the hosting Alpha to formally welcome all visitors. A token of respect, as a show of honor to all alliances and peace."

Cain’s brow lifted slightly, he smirked, "And here I thought Silver Moon understood that actions spoke louder than empty traditions," he said mockingly, narrowing his gaze at Matt. "Why would I waste my time extending formal welcomes to a smaller pack? Should I bow and scrape for every group that passes through my borders? No. I think you might want to reconsider your place here, Matt."

Matt’s jaw tightened as he took a step forward, his hand tightening at his side. "I believe you misunderstand, Alpha Cain. It is tradition. Respect," Matt pressed.

"Tradition?" he repeated, a dangerous smile on his lips. "You think tradition holds any power here? You’re stepping onto my territory, boy. Respect isn’t a request here; it’s your only option," Cain gritted out.

"I owe you nothing! I haven’t come here out of my own free will," Matt gritted out, his mother stepped forward, clasping her hand over his shoulder.

Cain’s gaze flickered to the Luna and back to her son, "Alpha Cain," The Luna began, her voice steady but careful, "our arrival is not one of war or disrespect. We seek clarity and answers, nothing more."

"Answer?" Okay, now he was beginning to get pissed. "You think you can come into my pack and ask me for answers like I owe you anything? How foolish of you. The only reason you’re here today is because of the hunt. I don’t answer to anyone; the sooner you understand, the better for you," Cain spat out. He then took a step closer to the alpha.

"You will tread carefully on my territory, Matt," he paused, his gaze flickering to the scar he had left on the young alpha’s face. "We don’t want a repeat of the last time, now, do we?"

The words hung in the air like a threat as Cain stepped back, his smirk returning. "See that they are shown their accommodations," he said coldly.

Lydia stepped in. "Yes, Alpha." She then turned to the current head maid and motioned for her to get moving. As the Richards walked into the hallway with the head maid, Cain turned to Lydia.

"Have the guards search their luggage thoroughly. Lowlifes will always be lowlifes. Have the warriors patrol the pack and its environs 24hr daily," he instructed, and Lydia stiffened.

"Alpha, going through their luggage might be extreme. It can be-"

Cain snapped his head at her, "Do what I say, Lydia. Search their things," he ordered coldly.

Lydia sighed internally and nodded, "Yes, Alpha."

Lydia was done with the arrangements and making sure each pack that came for the hunt was okay. She walked down the hall, her bones aching. Her thoughts drifted to Xander, who had left the pack two weeks ago. She wondered if he was showing alright. She’d sent him messages and got no reply. She hoped he was alright even with how dangerous the northern ridge was.

She barely made it out of the hallway when she saw it. Her eyes narrowing as she caught sight of Martha’s familiar figure in the pack house, and she stopped in her tracks. Martha in the pack house?

Oh, hell no!

She quickened her pace, anger bubbling inside of her. Martha—here? After everything?

Lydia’s fists clenched at her sides as she approached, her gaze flickering briefly to Kendra, who stood beside Martha.

"What the hell is this?" Lydia demanded angrily.

Martha looked startled, opening her mouth to speak, but Kendra stepped forward smoothly, a smirk on her face. "Isn’t it obvious? Martha is back where she belongs."

"Belongs?" Lydia spat, "Martha doesn’t belong anywhere near here after what she’s done!" Her glare shifted to Martha, who visibly shrank under her gaze.

Kendra frowned, "Martha is part of this pack, whether you like it or not. She has every right to be here."

Lydia laughed bitterly, her hands tightening into fists, "Are you now delusional, Kendra? You think Alpha Cain will let this slide? I’m going straight to him—"

"Don’t bother," Kendra interrupted sharply, a smug smile on her face. It infuriated Lydia even more. "Cain already knows. In fact, he’s the one who approved her return."

Lydia froze, the words hitting her like a slap to the cheek. Her jaw tightened, her eyes narrowing. "You’re lying."

"Am I?" Kendra said, tilting her head with a mocking smile on her face. "Go ahead. Ask him yourself." Kendra said before dragging Martha along with her. Lydia shook her head; there was no way in hell Cain allowed Martha back.