Betrayed by Blood, Claimed by the Alpha-Chapter 42

Betrayed by Blood~

The door slammed shut behind Cain with a force that rattled the frame. His green eyes darkened with anger coursing through his veins. His jaw locked so tightly it sent a sharp ache through his skull. Xander’s words echoed in his mind like a curse, unrelenting.

"Out," he growled, his voice low.

The maids, who had been working about the bathroom for his bath, all froze in their tracks. One of them hesitated slightly, about to drop the towel in her hands.

"I said, OUT!" Cain snarled, the sheer force of his voice causing the woman to drop the towels before scurrying toward the door. The others followed, their footsteps hurried and frantic. The last one didn’t even dare look back as she shut the door behind her.

Cain stood alone in the bathroom, the steam from the already prepared bath filled the air. His fists clenched at his sides, his nails digging into his palms as Xander’s confession replayed in his mind, mocking him.

’I care about you, Avery. More than I can explain.’

How dare Xander—his own kin—undermine him in such a way? How dare he show interest in her? This was a slap in Cain’s face.

His chest heaved heavily, his muscles taut with his wolf clawing from within. He could feel it—his wolf wanted out, wanted to confront Xander, to make him bleed.

But Cain knew better. There would be a better time for that, and when it came, Xander would pay dearly.

He stepped into the steaming bath, the water lapping at his skin, doing little to soothe the rage inside him. His hands gripped the edges of the tub, knuckles white. The words echoed again, taunting him. ’More than I should. More than I ever intended to.’

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Avery shifted the stack of neatly folded towels in her arms as she made her way down the long hall. Voices from a small gathering of maids near the bathroom door caught her attention. They all spoke in hushed tones.

"The Alpha’s furious again," one muttered, glancing over her shoulder nervously.

"What’s new? He’s always angry," another replied, rolling her eyes but keeping her voice low. "I swear, I don’t know how anyone dares to work near him. Did you hear the way he yelled earlier? I thought the whole house would come down!"

Avery slowed her steps, her brows furrowed at their words. He’s angry again? That wasn’t unusual, but it sent a ripple of unease through her.

"I’m just glad we got out of there before he tore someone’s head off," one maid said, brushing her hands on her apron. "He’s in the bathroom now, and I doubt he wants to see anyone for a while."

"I do hope whatever he’s angry about can be solved easily. It would be a shame to see someone punished so brutally," another added with a shudder.

Avery frowned, her grip tightening on the towels, her lip caught between her teeth. She glanced at the towels in her arm, hesitating slightly. If he was in the bathroom, then he would need the towels, and if he doesn’t get them, she would be in even bigger trouble. She had to drop them off as quietly as she could and sneak out.

Just as she turned towards the door, "Don’t tell me you’re going in there." One of the maids whisper-yelled, gaping at her, wide-eyed. "Are you crazy? Do you want to end up like the last maid who crossed him when he was angry?"

Avery shook her head quickly. "I’ll just drop these off and leave," she said quietly.

"Good luck." The girl replied before dragging her other friends along with her.

Taking a deep breath, Avery stepped forward and carefully pushed the bathroom door open, the thick scent of steam and blueberries immediately washing over her.

She carefully shut the door behind her, sighting the rest of the towels and made her way towards it. She’d nearly reached it when she caught sight of him. Cain’s broad shoulders were tense, the lines of his muscles sharp against the light from the wall sconces. He sat in the tub, the water lapping against his skin as he leaned forward, his hands gripping the edge as though he might shatter it.

Avery froze, her breath hitching as she saw him. He hadn’t noticed her yet, all she had to do was drop them and slip out again. Easy peasy. ƒгeewёbnovel.com

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Cain’s eyes were shut, his veins strained against his skin, his wolf was fighting for release, to take over.

And then he felt it.

Her scent drifted into the room, soft and calm. His eyes snapped open, the green orbs blazing as they zeroed in on her slim figure moving. She had come in.

Avery.

She hadn’t noticed him yet—or perhaps she was trying not to—but he watched her every movement, the way her hands trembled slightly as she placed the towels down. His wolf growled low in his chest, both at the interruption and at her audacity to think she could come and go without acknowledgment.

As she turned to leave, he spoke, his voice deep and hoarse.

"What do you think you’re doing?"

She froze mid-step, her back straightening as though she’d been caught doing something forbidden. She slowly turned to face him, her wide eyes barely meeting his before darting away again. He could see the faint flush creeping up her neck, whether from the heat of the room or his presence, he couldn’t tell.

"Do your job," he growled, "Wash me."

Avery’s breath hitched. She wasn’t meant to wash him but only bring the towels in since there wasn’t enough. But still, she swallowed hard and nodded.

Her hands fidgeted slightly before she walked towards the tub. Cain leaned back, his gaze intense on her, as he watched her pick up the soap and cloth from the edge of the basin. She knelt beside the tub, her movements slow as she rubbed the cloth with soap, her eyes refusing to meet his.

Cain stayed silent, his gaze flickering over every part of her face, trying his hardest to block out Xander’s confession from his mind again. Slowly, she placed the cloth over his skin, her touch was light, almost as though she feared provoking him further.

The moment the cloth met his skin, his hand shot out, gripping her wrist tightly.

Avery startled, a gasp escaping her lips as the cloth slipped from her fingers and the bar of soap fell into the water with a soft splash. Her eyes snapped to his, wide and startled, "Alpha.." she said, but before she could react further, Cain pulled her forward with a sharp tug.

The movement was sudden, her body jerking over the edge of the tub before she lost her balance entirely. With a yelp, she fell into the water, the warm water soaking through her clothes instantly as she landed against his chest.

Avery froze, her hands placed against him, the heat of his skin seeping into her palms. She swallowed hard, her entire cloth was soaked, and she shivered internally.

Cain’s gaze swept over her, lingering too long where the wet cloth clung to her skin. Her breathing was shallow, her chest rising and falling against him. His gaze moved back to her face, to the droplets of water that clung to her lashes and the way her lips parted in surprise as she trembled lightly.

She looked like she wanted to speak, maybe plead or even whine about him pulling her into the water. But the words never came.

He groaned low in his throat, the sound full of frustration and need. His wolf snarling inside of him to claim her. He didn’t want to, not after what had happened the last time. Every part of him screamed for him to stop—To keep control...but he was losing it.

And then he snapped.

Without a word, Cain’s hand slipped from her wrist to the nape of her neck, his fingers tangling in her wet hair. He pulled her closer to him, his gaze flickering to her eyes one last time. He crashed his lips against hers with a bruising force.

Avery froze for a moment, her eyes fluttering shut, her mind finally catching up to everything. His lips were hot and demanding, leaving no room for hesitation, no space for her to think.

She should pull away, should resist, but she couldn’t...her body betrayed her as she leaned into him, a soft moan escaping her lips.

Cain deepened the kiss, his tongue sliding into her mouth, eliciting a moan from her, his large hands caressed her body, his fingers trailing every inch of her body. Every stroke of his finger sent a wave of electricity through Avery’s body.

"You’re trembling." He muttered as his hands drifted up her side, pausing by her ribs, feeling the softness of her skin.

Avery couldn’t form a response. His touch sent sparks of electricity through her. Her heart raced so fast she thought it might burst. Cain groaned under his breath, his control slipping further with each passing second.

"Do you have any idea what you’re doing to me?" His voice was rough, filled with frustration.

Avery shook her head, barely managing to whisper, "I—I didn’t mean—"

He stops her, his thumb graced her lower lip, "You are driving me insane." He growled accusingly, almost like he was digging a force within him.

He leaned back, eyes shut, nostrils flared as though he was trying to regulate himself. He then opened his eyes, and she gasped internally, his orbs had changed from their normal green to stark black. He stared at her. "Leave, Avery." He muttered.

This time, she didn’t need to be told twice, the look in his eyes told her everything she needed.