Betrayed by Blood, Claimed by the Alpha
Chapter 75

Chapter 75: Chapter 75

The heavy door to the hall opened slowly, and Cain stepped in. The sunlight streaming through the stained glass windows framed him, making his imposing figure even more intimidating. His piercing green eyes glinted with unmasked arrogance. Behind him were Callum and Nathan.

The king sat on the throne, straight ahead to his right were the three council members. To the far left was someone Cain hadn’t been expecting to see at all. A faint smirk made its way to his lips.

He cleared his throat and stood firm. "Your Majesty," Cain greeted, his voice deep and calm. "I received your summons. I assume it must be something important to drag me away from my pack."

King Alaric squared his shoulders, his jaw clenched hard at the man’s words. "Alpha Cain, it is indeed important," he replied, his voice taut. "I’ll go straight to the point so we don’t drag out each other’s time. I have received hundreds of complaints regarding your pack, and it has come to a point where I can no longer look away. It is no secret that your rule has caused unrest among the packs. Your methods are barbaric and unbecoming of a leader."

Cain’s lips twitched into a smirk. "Barbaric? Is that what they call strength now?" He tilted his head, feigning confusion. "Or is it that the council and the king cannot stomach the fact that I’ve done what none of you could—build a pack that no one dares to challenge?"

Alaric’s jaw tightened, but Cain continued before he could respond.

"Let’s not waste time with pretense. Tell me what this is really about. If this is about the other packs whining about their inability to compete, say that too. But don’t stand there and pretend you have the authority to lecture me on leadership."

Matt jumped up from where he stood, his expression had hardened. "Watch your tongue, Cain. You’re speaking to the king."

Cain turned his gaze to Matt, a flicker of irritation crossing his face. "And who invited the court clown?" His voice dripped with condescension, and Matt bristled, his hands balling into fists. "I’m speaking as a mutt like you would talk? Did you lose every single cell in your brain, or have you lost your mind?" Cain spat out.

"Enough! Enough with your insolence, Cain. This is where it ends. The region has been up in flames over your brutality these past few years, but this takes the cake. Your animalistic tendencies with your former head warrior. The attacks your pack received over the week. All of these attributes to the fact that you’ve fallen. I can no longer stand back and watch your barbaric acts any longer. I am forced to make a decision over your ruthless acts and put you in line just like every other alpha in the region," Alaric gritted out.

"We have come to a conclusion that you aren’t fit to hold your title as alpha sovereign."

The hall fell silent, the weight of King Alaric’s words settling like a heavy fog. For the briefest moment, the air seemed to still, and then Cain’s low chuckle echoed.

"You’ve come to a conclusion, have you?" Cain said, his tone dangerously calm. His green eyes locked onto the king’s predatorily. "And what makes you think you or anyone in this room has the authority to strip me of anything?"

Alaric stiffened while the council members exchanged uneasy glances. Nathan stepped closer to Cain, ready to stop him, but a sharp look from Callum had him stopping.

"The authority," Alaric began, leaning forward on his throne, "comes from the very laws you swore to uphold as Alpha Sovereign. Laws you have twisted and broken for your own gain. This isn’t just my decision, Cain. It is the will of the council and the allied packs. Your power has become a threat we can no longer tolerate."

"A threat?" Cain repeated, his voice low and mocking. "The only threat in this region is the weakness of its so-called King. If I were truly the monster you claim, every one of you would be groveling at my feet instead of hiding behind decrees and councils."

"Alpha Cain! This is the king you speak of. Where are your manners?" One of the council members spat out as he jumped to his feet.

Cain scoffed, "Spare me the bullshit, Michael, and sit back down."

Matt couldn’t stand it any longer. "Do you really think you’re untouchable, Cain? Your reign of terror ends here. The council has already agreed to appoint a new Alpha Sovereign, someone who—"

Cain’s sharp laugh cut him off. "And let me guess—someone like you, Matt?" He turned his gaze to the king, his smirk widening. "Is this your idea of justice, Alaric? You’d rather give this buffoon the title? This sacrilege of an alpha. A man who can’t fight for his pack. A weakling."

Matt’s face darkened, his jaw locked hard, he clenched his fists tightly, resisting the urge to throw a punch at the man. Not like it would end well for him. He opened his mouth, but before he could retort, Alaric raised a hand to silence him.

"This isn’t about replacing you with anyone, Cain," the king said coldly. "It’s about restoring balance and ensuring the survival of the region. Your arrogance blinds you to the chaos you’ve sown. You speak of strength, but strength without honor is nothing more than tyranny."

Cain’s smirk vanished, his expression hardening. "Honor?" he repeated, his voice a growl. "You dare lecture me on honor? You, who sit in your cushioned throne, safe behind your walls, preying on your pack members while I built Vehiron from nothing? While I bled and fought for every inch of my territory?"

"Cain..." Alaric gritted out, his fists trembling with each word that left Cain’s mouth. He stood up, his regalia dragging behind him as he walked slowly towards Cain. He stopped right in front of him, his gaze intense. "Don’t forget who you’re speaking to, Alpha Cain."

"And you don’t know whose pack brings in the most revenue to this region. Whose pack strengthens the hold of the region. Whose pack contributes the most to the economy of the region."

Alaric’s eyes twitched with barely contained rage, his jaw clenched tight as he glared at Cain. "Do you realize what you’re doing?" he growled, "Refusing and directly disobeying the king’s order is paramount to asking for a war. Are you aware of that?"

Cain took a deliberate, threatening step forward. His green eyes locked onto Alaric’s, filled with cold malice. "A war you or the packs under you can’t afford to fund." His voice was like ice. "I suggest you take a step back and remove your interest from my pack affairs and title. The region can’t afford any kind of war. Don’t force my hand, Alaric." He gritted out.

"Is that a threat, Alpha Cain?"

Cain’s eyes darkened, his shoulders squared up. "Take it however you want." He replied curtly, his gaze flickering to the council and back to the king. "If that is all, I’ll take my leave. Say me well to the queen."

________________________________________

Avery moved quietly, wiping the floor clean after washing it. Her hands were stiff from hours of work. She had grown accustomed to the exhausting routines of cleaning and tending to the needs of the pack.

Suddenly, she heard footsteps echo and immediately recognized the sound—it was Martha, undoubtedly. She hadn’t seen the woman since Kendra’s banishment, so she didn’t look up, continuing with her task, but her back tensed as the woman approached.

"You’re still not done? How long does it take to clean this?" Martha’s sharp voice had her stiffening. It wasn’t like the other was still the head maid, but she still hadn’t let go of that part of her.

Avery didn’t respond to her and continued cleaning, but it only irked Martha more. She kicked the bucket Avery was using to clean roughly. "I’m talking to you, you dumb fuck," she sneered.

Avery paused what she was doing, a sigh escaping her lips. "I don’t want any trouble, Martha."

Martha’s sneer only deepened, her eyes narrowing. "Trouble?" she repeated venomously, "You think you’re better than me now? Just because Alpha Cain decided to keep you around? You’re still nothing. You’ve always been nothing."

Avery bit her lip. She wasn’t about to let Martha provoke her, so she kept quiet. However, Martha wasn’t finished. With a quick movement, she kicked the bucket again, this time sending water splashing onto the floor. "What’s wrong? Scared to talk back?" she taunted, moving closer, towering over Avery.

Avery stepped back slightly. "I don’t answer to you anymore, Martha, so please stop and let me do my job," Avery spat out, but it only irked Martha further.

"How dare you even-" She raised her hand to hit Avery on the cheek. Before she could make contact, a hand shot out, grabbing her wrist with an iron grip.

"What do you think you’re doing, Martha?" Lydia hissed out. She was walking by when she saw Martha with Avery. It didn’t take much to deduce what was going on.

"B-Beta Lydia," Martha stammered out.

"That’s enough! You’ve been warned, Martha. Don’t make me remind you again of your place."

Martha’s face flushed with a mix of anger and humiliation. "I... I’m just—"

"No," Lydia interrupted, "You’ve already said enough. It’s clear you’ve forgotten your position. The punishment hasn’t ended for you. And if I see you pulling stunts like this again, I won’t hesitate to report it."

Martha glared at Avery then stormed off without another word. Lydia watched her retreating figure, her gaze hard. When she turned to Avery, her expression softened.

"You alright?" Lydia asked.

Avery nodded. "I’ll be fine, thank you," she replied.

Lydia gave her a tight smile and turned to leave. She paused for a second, turning to look at Avery once again. "Honestly, Avery, I have to tell you to stop letting people walk all over you. To survive in a pack like Vehiron, you need to grow a pair. People like Martha and Kendra will not stop. They never do."