Betrayed by Blood, Claimed by the Alpha
Chapter 91

Chapter 91: Chapter 91

(Hi guys, If you read the last Chapter when it was still wrong, please go back to reread it as I have rectified it.)

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Avery hesitated at the door before pushing it open, her heart hammering in her chest. She hadn’t expected to find Cain in his room—she certainly hadn’t expected to face him today, but there he was, standing right by the window, a mug in his hands, his gaze heavy on her. Avery’s breath hitched at the sight of him, and for the umpteenth time since she arrived in Vehiron, Avery cursed her luck.

She just had the worst luck in history. Truly, her mother or father must’ve done something wrong, or maybe it was her. Maybe in her previous life, she was an assassin and killed a king’s daughter or son. That was the only reasonable reason why she had the worst luck in history.

Millie just said it. Every time she came here, he wasn’t around, but today, of all days when she had to come take up her chores, he just magically happened to still be in his room. Avery cursed her luck once again.

The door clicked softly behind her, and she took a steadying breath and stepped fully into the room. She looked up at him only to find him still staring at her. She looked away, "Good morning, Alpha," she said monotonously, moving to get started on her work.

"What are you doing here?" Cain asked.

Avery froze. Her back stiffened, but she forced herself to meet his gaze, keeping her expression neutral. "I’m here to clean."

Seeing as he didn’t have anything else to say, Avery moved toward the bed, carefully setting down the supplies, trying to ignore his presence in the room. She hoped he would get busy and leave, although she had now come to realize that the goodness was keen on doing the exact opposite of whatever it is that she wants.

Cain didn’t move. His silence was unnerving, and his gaze heavier. Avery felt his eyes on her back, following her every move as she busied herself with her tasks. She wiped down the bedside table calmly.

She could practically feel his stare boring holes into her. Her hands trembled slightly, but she clenched them into fists to steady herself before reaching for the cloth again.

Soon, she heard the faint sound of his mug being set down on a nearby table. The noise sent a prickle of unease down her spine. He wasn’t leaving. Why wasn’t he leaving?

Avery shifted her weight, leaning forward to reach the far corner of the bedside table. Her burned hand brushed against the edge of the table, and the sudden pressure sent a sharp jolt of pain up her arm. She flinched before she could stop herself, a sharp gasp escaping her lips.

"What’s wrong?" Cain’s voice was immediate, sharp with concern that he didn’t bother to mask. Or maybe she misread it as concern. She wasn’t sure anymore.

"Nothing," Avery said quickly, shaking her head as she bit her lip hard, hoping the pain would dull down so she could continue cleaning.

Cain’s eyes narrowed, his gaze zeroing in on her, the way she cradled her hand, the way she bit her lip, the strain in her voice. "Don’t lie to me."

Without warning, he was on his feet, the sound of his boots thudding against the floor. He moved quickly, crossing the room in a few strides until he was standing right beside her.

Before Avery could react, Cain grabbed her wrist, and she gasped in shock. "I-it’s nothing," she rushed out.

His eyes flashed with irritation, and in one swift movement, he pulled her hand from her chest and exposed the burn.

A sharp hiss escaped him when he saw the damage. The burn was raw and angry, the skin still blistered and red. Avery flinched at his touch, the pain fresh and overwhelming.

"What the hell happened to you?" Cain’s voice dropped low, his eyes searching hers for an answer she wasn’t prepared to give.

She wrenched her hand back, biting down on the pain. "It’s nothing," why was he acting like he had a shred of sympathy for her in him? His words from the last time echoed in her head again, and she shook her head. "I’m fine. It’s just a little burn."

Cain’s jaw tightened, his expression unreadable as he stared at the burn. He didn’t speak for a moment. His gaze flickered to hers, and for a brief moment, Avery could have sworn she saw something like concern in his eyes, but it was gone as quickly as it came.

"Who did this?" He asked, his voice low and dark.

Avery’s pulse quickened at his words. "It’s nothing," she insisted.

Cain’s eyes darkened as he towered over her, "Don’t test my patience, Avery. You didn’t burn yourself like this." His voice was sharper now.

She didn’t answer, averting her gaze to the floor. Her silence only fueled his frustration.

Cain cursed under his breath. His hand shot out again, capturing her wrist, this time more gentle than the last, though still firm. He pulled her closer, examining the burn with a precision that made her squirm. His gaze flickered to the faint marks on her wrist, the same one he’d left when he dragged her from the hospital. Avery’s eyes traced his gaze to her wrist, and she tried to pull her hand away.

"It’s fine," she said weakly, but he didn’t release her.

"Sit down." He ordered firmly, his voice cutting through her weak protest.

"I don’t need—"

"Sit," he repeated, his voice dropping to a growl.

Avery sat down stiffly on the edge of his bed. He knelt in front of her, and she flinched when his hand reached for hers yet again, but he didn’t give her a chance to pull away. His fingers closed around her wrist, he turned her hand over, his eyes narrowing as he inspected the burn. The skin was red and raw, the mark painfully visible against her pale hand.

"This isn’t healing," he said, and she opened her mouth to speak only to be cut off.

"Lucas! Send a maid in here," he voiced out towards the door.

A moment later, rushed footsteps could be heard, and a familiar figure stepped into the room. "Alpha—" the person began only for the words to die down her throat.

Martha.

The woman froze just inside the doorway, her eyes darting between Cain, Avery. Her gaze lingered on Avery’s wrist, still held firmly in Cain’s grasp, and her expression tightened. She gulped hard, already trembling from within.

"Bring the first-aid kit," Cain ordered coldly.

Martha hesitated, her eyes darting between Cain and Avery. Was she seeing things or has?.. she’s quick to catch herself, "Yes, Alpha."

As she turned and left, Avery felt her stomach churn. She didn’t want Martha anywhere near her. It was ironic that Cain was asking who had burned her and yet the same peak was out to get the first aid kit for her.

Seconds later, Martha returned with the first-aid kit in hand. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, her eyes darting between Avery and Cain with fear. She was scared for her life. What if Avery had told Cain all that happened? Is this how her life would end? These thoughts plagued her mind.

Cain snatched the kit from her hands without so much as a glance in her direction. "Leave us."

Martha’s mouth opened as if to protest, but one look at his face had her thinking better of it. She nodded stiffly and backed out of the room, the door clicking shut behind her.

Avery’s heart raced as Cain turned back to her, opening the kit and pulled out supplies. "This might sting," he said.

Avery bit her lip, unsure whether to feel grateful or irritated by his sudden shift in demeanor. Everything was so confusing; she had no idea what game he was playing now.