Betrayed by Blood, Claimed by the Alpha
Chapter 67

Chapter 67: Chapter 67

Betrayed by Blood

"The meeting is over."

Lydia stood up, her chair screeching against the marble-tiled floor. She walked over to her table, eyes flickering over the many papers. She had just completed a meeting with the head guard, warrior, and every damned person that needed to be spoken to.

Callum, however, remained seated. His jaw was set tight, his eyes fixed on the floor as if he were trying to contain his frustration. His fingers dug into the armrests, but he said nothing as the others walked out of the room, leaving him alone with Lydia.

Once the last person had left, Callum stood up, his posture stiff. He ran a hand through his hair, the disbelief clear in his eyes. A scoff escaped his lips, half frustration, half disbelief.

"How long do you plan on keeping this a secret?"

She didn’t speak immediately, her gaze flicking over the space between them before locking onto his.

"However long I can. What’s this about, Callum?"

"What’s this about?" Callum huffed out. "What do you mean what’s this about? How much longer are we going to keep silent about this? What happens when Alpha Cain finds out, huh?" He gritted out.

Lydia let out a frustrated sigh, dragging her hands over her face. Exhaustion was evident in the slump of her shoulders, the dark circles under her eyes. She hadn’t had more than an hour of sleep in days, and the weight of it all was beginning to show.

"He’s not finding out anytime soon," she snapped, her irritation boiling over. "Not unless you run to him with your tail between your legs and tell him. Cain will know nothing."

Callum stared at her blankly, his jaw tightened, his voice sharper now. "And how long do you think it’ll take before someone else runs to tell him exactly what is going on? Do you think everyone is on board with this bullshit? Do you realize the extent of what you’re doing, Lydia?"

"Do I realize—?" Lydia scoffed, incredulous. She took a step closer, her cold composure beginning to crack. "Xander is my brother, Callum. I can’t just let—"

"Oh, spare me the bullshit." Callum cut her off harshly, "He’s your brother, but you have a duty to this pack, and right now your brother is a threat to the pack. He escaped, Lydia! He escaped, and Cain doesn’t have an idea about it. What happens when he finds out you kept this from him on purpose? What happens when Xander is still not found, and Cain learns the truth? How do you plan to explain yourself then?" Callum spat out.

Lydia’s chest heaved heavily, she took a step back. "Then I’ll deal with that when the time comes." She replied stiffly.

Callum’s hands curled into fists at his sides. "Xander is a traitor, Lydia," he said, his voice cold. "The sooner you come to realize this, the better. He killed five guards and escaped. He’s no longer a member of Vehiron. He’s a snake, a traitor, and should be given the same treatment as any other criminal."

Lydia’s gaze darkened, her lips pressing into a thin line. She opened her mouth to retort but found no words.

"You think this is about loyalty?" Callum continued. "It’s about survival. Cain will not forgive this. And when he finds out you’ve been covering for Xander, he won’t stop at punishment. You’ll lose everything—your rank, your standing, maybe even your life. And for what? To protect a traitor who doesn’t care about anyone but himself?"

Lydia’s fingers dug into her palms, "I know the risks," she said finally, her voice strained. "And I’ll handle the consequences when they come. But until then, Xander is my responsibility. I’ll decide how this ends."

Callum shook his head, his frustration spilling over. "You’re playing with fire, Lydia. And when it burns you, don’t expect me to put it out."

He turned on his heel, his footsteps echoing in the room as he walked out. Lydia let out a shaky breath, her mask slipping just for a moment. She glanced at the papers on her desk, her hands trembling ever so slightly.

She was doing everything she could. She had sent hundreds of troops out, hundreds of guards, warriors to search for Xander. They were all out, combing the forest, searching homes all to find him before Cain learns of it.

She grabbed her phone and dialed the number; it rang once, and the person picked immediately. "How far have you gone?" Lydia asked.

"We’ve searched all the north and west. We’re currently searching the east and south, and I’ve also sent spies over to the northern ridge pack in case they took him in. We should find him soon." The person replied, and she cut the call.

Lydia closed her eyes, trying to regulate her breathing. She was thankful Avery’s heat hit during this period, giving her time to search for Xander. She only prayed they find him soon. Before Cain learns of it because then, it would be bloody.

_________________________________________

Lydia sat in the office, her head throbbed, her vision blurring slightly from the endless hours of reading and writing.

She dipped her pen into the ink, scrawling her signature across yet another report when a sharp knock echoed through the door. Lydia tensed, her head snapping up.

"Come in," she called, her voice strained.

The door creaked open, and a guard stepped inside, his uniform slightly disheveled, a sheen of sweat on his brow. He bowed and then straightened up.

"Speak," Lydia said, setting her pen down.

"We’ve found someone," the guard began, his voice steady. "The young warrior...the one last seen with Avery Jae before her disappearance."

Lydia’s heart skipped a beat. She leaned back in her chair, "Where is he now?"

"Detained," the guard replied immediately. "He was found near the southern border, trying to slip past the patrol. He didn’t put up much of a fight."

"Good," Lydia said, her tone clipped. She stood up, smoothing her hands over her dress. "Let the guards know, I’ll be questioning him myself."

The guard hesitated, shifting on his feet. "With all due respect, Beta Lydia, do you think that’s wise? Alpha Cain—"

"Cain is occupied," Lydia snapped, her tone sharp, "He doesn’t need to know about this yet. I’ll handle it."

The guard bowed his head, his reluctance was clear, but he obeyed without further argument. He stepped back through the door, only to pause when Lydia calls him back.

"Yes, Beta Lydia." He turned around to look at her.

"No one must know of this. If I hear a single word outside, I will be sure to rip off every one of your tongues. No one must know." She ordered.

"Yes, Beta Lydia." The guard nodded and bowed again before walking out of the room.

The door shut with a quiet click, leaving Lydia alone in the suffocating silence of the office. She exhaled a slow breath, her hands gripping the edge of the desk. Her fingers tapped the wood, a nervous habit she hadn’t indulged in years. The last person seen with Avery. The person who abducted Avery.

Lydia walked out of the office and through the pack house. She made her way over to the dungeon. The dungeon was beneath the pack house, dark and damp, a far cry from the polished and prime interior above. The scent of fear lingered in the air, a testament to the countless souls who had been dragged down here over the years.

The guards at the entrance straightened as Lydia approached, their hands resting on the hilts of their swords. One stepped forward, bowing.

"Beta Lydia, the suspect is in Cell 4."

"Open it," Lydia ordered flatly.

The guard hesitated for a second before nodding. He led her down the corridor. They stopped in front of a cell.

Inside, the young warrior sat slumped against the wall, his hands bound in iron cuffs. His face was pale, streaked with tears, his dark hair was matted with sweat. He looked up as the door creaked open, his eyes narrowing when he saw Lydia step inside.

"Leave us," Lydia commanded the guards.

"Beta—" one of them started, concern evident in his voice.

"I said, leave us," she snapped. The guards exchanged a look then stepped out, leaving her with the said man.

Lydia took a step closer to the young man, her gaze piercing and heavy. He was young, not more than twenty, and he sure did look scared. Good. "You were the last person seen with Avery Jae," she said finally. "Start talking."

The warrior swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing. "I—I don’t know what you’re talking about."

Lydia scoffed, her hand drifted to the knife hidden in her dress. She pulled it out slowly, and she walked up to the man, his eyes filled with fear. She grabbed his hair tight, forcing him to look at her, the knife pressed to his cheek, slowly tearing his skin. "Let’s try that again," she said, her tone ice-cold. "Where were you taking her, and who sent you?"

The young man swallowed hard, his body trembling. He wasn’t even a warrior yet, just one in training. A coward. He shook his head vehemently. "I swear, Beta, I didn’t know—I was just following orders!"

"Whose orders?" Lydia demanded.

"P-please let me go. I- I made a mistake. M-my mother is sick. I only did it to save her. She needs surgery. I can’t-" the knife presses even more to his cheek roughly, drawing out blood. "Whose orders." Lydia gritted out.

He hesitated, his lips trembling. "Lady Kendra," he whispered finally. "It was Kendra. She paid me to lead Avery to the southern border. She said it was important... that no one else could know."

Lydia’s grip tightened on the knife, her mind racing. Kendra. Of course, it had to be her. She pushed the man back roughly and straightened up, turning to leave.

"Please have mercy. I did wrong. I was wrong but have mercy. Please!" The young warrior yelled out, his voice heavy with fear and desperation. Lydia doesn’t stop, she walks out of the cell, her mind set. Kendra has finally made that one mistake. She’s never getting out of this one.

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