Betrayed by Blood, Claimed by the Alpha
Chapter 88

Chapter 88: Chapter 88

Betrayed by Blood

Lydia stood outside Cain’s office, her hand on the doorknob, ready to step in when a figure rushed past her.

It was Avery.

Her face was flushed, her eyes red-rimmed, and though she tried to hide it, Lydia saw the tears sliding down her cheeks. Avery’s hands trembled as she hastily wiped her face, her steps hurried and uneven.

"Avery—" Lydia called out, but Avery didn’t stop. She didn’t even look back. Her retreating figure disappeared down the hallway.

Lydia sighed, shaking her head lightly. She didn’t need to ask what had happened. She already had a good idea, and it made her stomach churn.

She pushed the door open and stepped into the office. She hadn’t expected this, but when she stepped inside, her eyes fell on Cain, who was pacing the room, his face contorted with anger.

"Alpha Cain?" Lydia asked, though she could already feel the tension in the air.

Cain whirled around, his dark eyes locked onto her, frustration radiating from him. "What is it, Lydia?"

Lydia pointed at the door, her lips parted open in confusion. "I just saw Avery—"

"Stop." Cain raised his hand, stopping her from speaking further. "I don’t want to hear about Avery from you," Cain interrupted harshly, his voice cold like ice.

Lydia’s brow furrowed, her confusion morphing into frustration. "I haven’t even said a thing. I guess the guilt is eating you up. She was in tears when I saw her, Cain. I heard what you did."

Cain’s gaze snapped at her, his jaw clenched hard. He pointed a finger at her. "I told you I don’t want to hear about it." He snarled.

"But you do need to hear about it. Everyone is talking about it, Cain. You dragged her all the way from the hospital. You made a scene there and—"

"I know, alright! I know what I did and I don’t need you singing it in my ear like a goddamn clockwork." Cain growled angrily, his orbs turning red, veins popping out of his skin.

Lydia stood still, not flinching. "Are you sure you know because I could’ve sworn you were the same person who wanted her to stay far away from you until she presented so you could reject her. Now, you’re dragging her publicly and causing a scene? Why?"

Cain froze mid-step, his broad shoulders stiffening as Lydia’s words pierced through his heart. His jaw clenched tightly, the sound of his heavy breathing filling the room. He turned away from her, his hands clenched into fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

For a moment, he didn’t answer, and Lydia thought he might ignore her entirely. But then he spoke, "Tread carefully, Lydia," he warned, his voice dangerously low. "You might have your beta title back, but that doesn’t mean you’re untouchable. Don’t forget who you’re talking to."

Lydia folded her arms across her chest, she held his gaze without flinching. "I’m well aware of who I’m talking to. The Alpha of Vehiron. The one who everyone fears. But I’m also your beta, and as long as I hold this title, I’ll say what needs to be said. Even if you don’t like it."

Cain growled, his wolf threatening to surface, but Lydia didn’t flinch. She wasn’t like the others who cowered before him. She’d been by his side for years, long enough to see through his carefully constructed walls, even though she has messed up recently according to him, she still wasn’t going to backtrack and act less than she would, especially when it involved Avery.

"Cain, you need to—" she began but is cut off sharply.

"I don’t need anything! Whatever I do, I do." He gritted out through clenched teeth.

"Well, I’m sorry, but I will tell you what I think. You’re losing control, Cain," Lydia continued, her voice softer now. "And it’s not just her that’s suffering for it. The pack is noticing. Your enemies are watching. You can’t afford to make mistakes like this."

Cain’s hand shot to his desk, gripping its edge tightly as he leaned forward, his head hanging low. "You think I don’t know that?" he hissed through gritted teeth. "You think I don’t know."

"Then stop taking it out on her. Whatever it is you feel for her, deal with it. Don’t make her the target of your anger—she’s already been through enough."

Cain’s head snapped up, his red eyes locking onto hers. "You think it’s that simple?" His voice cracked slightly. "She’s in my head, Lydia. She’s everywhere. No matter what I do, I can’t—" He stopped himself, his hands curling into fists as he turned away from her.

Lydia watched him silently for a moment before speaking up again. "Then maybe it’s time to stop running from it, Cain. Because if you don’t, you’re going to destroy her... and yourself along with her."

Cain didn’t respond, his silence heavy and oppressive. Lydia sighed, shaking her head. "You can try to scare me into silence all you want, Cain. But I won’t stop speaking the truth. Not when it’s this important."

She turned to leave, pausing briefly at the door. "Whatever you decide to do, just remember this. You’re the one who dragged her into your world. You can’t keep blaming her for being here."

Cain spun around, his eyes wild, his hand shot out and grabbed a nearby vase and without hesitation, he hurled it across the room. The porcelain shattered against the wall, pieces scattering across the floor with a sharp crack.

Cain stood there, panting, his chest heaving with each breath. He let out a frustrated growl, swiping a hand through his hair tiredly.

What the hell was he doing?

He closed his eyes, trying to find his calm, yet the image of Avery’s tear-streaked face flashed behind his eyelids, making everything worse.

And Lydia’s words—they rang in his ears, tormenting him, refusing to leave.

’You’re the one who dragged her into your world.’

And for the first time in a long time, Cain felt powerless.