Betrayed by Blood, Claimed by the Alpha
Chapter 68

Chapter 68: Chapter 68

Sunlight seeped through the curtains as Avery stirred, her limbs heavy with exhaustion. It had been three days since she went into heat, and she was wrecked. Her heat had come to an end in the middle of the night. A small smile came to rest on her lips as she clutched the duvet closer to her. She’d spent three whole days in Cain’s presence, and it was the best days of her life so far. It was like he was a different person, not the Cain she’d come to know. The one who was ruthless and rough with everyone. The Cain she’d shared her heat with was everything—

Avery’s smile grew wider as she remembered what had happened. Some of the memories were blurry due to her being out of it, but she still remembered a bit. She remembered him carrying her to the bathroom, bathing her, cleaning her. It was surreal; his touch had been uncharacteristically gentle. For once, she hadn’t felt like a prisoner in his world, but rather... something more.

She blinked sleepily and turned around to look at him, only to find the bed empty. Avery sat up, her brows furrowing, she looked around but he was gone. She felt the mate bond tug in her chest and smiled. He must have work to do. He’s the Alpha, after all. She couldn’t be so selfish and out of touch with reality. The pack was just attacked days ago, and he managed to spend her heat with her instead of tending to the pack’s needs. Avery shook her head as she slapped herself lightly on the cheek. ’You have to do better, Avery Jae.’

Sliding out of bed, she stretched, wincing slightly at the soreness in her muscles. A faint smile played on her lips. For the first time in a long while, she felt lighter.

Maybe things are changing, she thought, her heart daring to hope. For the first time in a long while, she allowed herself to imagine a future here, one that wasn’t entirely bleak.

Avery cleaned herself and quickly changed into her clothes, then left the room. She had to get back to work, especially after what had happened. She made her way to the kitchen, ready to get started on work.

________________________________________

Cain stood over the table, his hands slipped into his pockets, his gaze locked on the pile of work that awaited him. Yes, Lydia had been in charge during his absence, but there was only so much she could do as the beta. He ran his fingers through his hair as he grabbed a paper, his eyes scanning through the content.

"Lucas!" He called as the guard came rushing in, eyes wide. "Alpha Cain, you’re back..." he said.

Cain cocked an eyebrow up, "Do I need to sign an attendance sheet with you or?" He replied sarcastically.

Lucas immediately lowered his head. "Forgive my insolence. How may I be of help you, alpha?" He asked.

Cain scoffed irritably, he reached for some files on the table and threw them at the man. "Take these and go through the calculations. I need reports on them by noon. Also, get Lydia in here. She needs to go through the orders of these with me." He ordered.

Lucas nodded, he opened his mouth to talk but stopped again, shifting his weight unevenly. Cain looked at him again, eyebrows cocked up as though he was questioning what he was still doing. Lucas shook his head and rushed out.

Cain shook his head as he remembered Lucas’s shock when he saw him. A heat would normally take five days, but Avery’s lasted three days. He must’ve thought he’d spend the entire five days out of the office. He shook his head again; he was only gone for three days, and this is the mountain of work he came back to. What if he was gone for the whole five days?

The door creaked open, and Callum stepped inside, his face set with determination.

"Alpha," he said, bowing.

Cain hummed, barely acknowledging him. His green eyes fixed on the reports scattered across the table. "Speak."

Callum stepped forward, his lips parting and closing, yet no words came out of him. His usual confidence was faltering.

"Well?" Cain drew out impatiently.

Callum hesitated slightly, "There’s... been a situation."

Cain’s gaze snapped up, his fingers stilling. The room seemed to darken with his sudden shift in focus. "What kind of situation?"

Callum took a deep breath, and the words tumbled from his lips. "Xander. He... escaped three days ago. Killed five guards in the process."

Silence fell over the room. It was the kind of silence that pressed against your chest, suffocating and heavy.

Cain’s eyes darkened, his expression hardening. "He what?" he repeated, his voice dangerously low.

"Yes, Alpha." Callum swallowed hard, knowing full well the storm that was about to break.

"And you’re just telling me this now?" Cain’s tone was cold.

Callum shifted uncomfortably under Cain’s heavy gaze. "We—Lydia thought it best to handle the matter internally while you were occupied. The attack on the pack’s borders required immediate attention, and the search for Xander has been ongoing—"

Cain’s fist slammed onto the desk, silencing Callum mid-sentence. Papers scattered to the floor. "Do I look like someone you can withhold information from?" Cain growled venomously.

Callum bowed his head, his voice barely above a whisper. "No, Alpha."

Cain ran his hands through his hair, his veins straining against his skin. He was boiling with anger. How dare they hide such a thing from him? How fucking dare them?

"And Lydia?" Cain’s tone was rough, his eyes gleamed with a dangerous edge. "She thought it wise to keep me in the dark about this? My prisoner escapes, five of my men are dead, and my Beta believes she can decide what I need to know?"

Callum hesitated, then spoke cautiously. "She was trying to protect the pack and lessen the bur-"

"Do not fucking patronize me, I swear to the goddess I will rip off your tongue if you do." He snarled angrily, and the man went dead silent.

Cain’s jaw clenched, his fists tightening at his sides. "Lydia overstepped. And where is Xander now?"

Cain swallowed hard, "We’re still searching, Alpha. But there’s more."

Cain’s eyes narrowed dangerously. "More?"

Callum nodded, "We’ve apprehended the young warrior who lured Avery away during the rogue attack. He’s in the dungeon."

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