Betrayed by Blood, Claimed by the Alpha-Chapter 101

Betrayed by Blood

The grand hall was alive with the hum of conversation and the distant notes of a violin playing a soft, sweet melody. Golden chandeliers bathed the room in warm light, flickering against the marble floors. Tonight, Vehiron celebrated, and the Moonlight Festival had begun.

Kendra descended the staircase, her gown glittering like liquid gold under the chandelier’s light. Every step she took was poised and graceful. Beside her, Carol wore a dark green dress that hugged her figure as they made their way toward the festival.

The moment they stepped into the hall, Kendra’s lips curled into a smirk. "It’s all set," she murmured under her breath smoothly.

Carol glanced at her sideways. "The oil?"

Kendra hummed in response, "It’ll be in his food tonight. Just a drop, and he’ll be mine." Her eyes gleamed with triumph. "He won’t even realize what’s happening until it’s too late."

Carol arched a brow, unconvinced. "This better work or-"

Kendra’s smirk didn’t waver. "Or nothing, mother. It will work. The oil is rare, and she who mixes it is powerful—he’ll feel an undeniable pull toward me. By the end of the night, Cain will be with me, just like he should have been from the start."

The festival had begun. The grand hall was filled with people—warriors, pack members, pack alphas, and Lunas whose packs didn’t celebrate the festival. All of them dressed in their perfect costumes, each one dressed to perfection. It was the one night everyone was allowed to outdo the other. Laughter and conversation filled the air, mingling with the clinking of glasses and the soft rhythm of music. The scent of roasted chicken, flavored wine, and spiced bread filled the room as servants moved swiftly, ensuring every guest was well attended to.

At the head of the room, Cain stood, dressed in deep black, his hair slicked back, accentuating his sharp features even more, his green eyes even more prominent than before. The murmurs in the hall quieted down the second they saw him, everyone getting up to their feet.

Cain cleared his throat and began, "Tonight, we celebrate the start of a new year. A year that will see our pack grow stronger, our enemies cower before us, and our legacy be written in blood. Tonight, we stand as one, stronger than ever. And as your Alpha, I promise this year will be the year of expansion, of conquest, of victory. Happy festivals to everyone."

The hall broke out in cheers, everyone yelling a happy festival to him.

Cain’s eyes scanned the room, ever watchful, and his eyes caught her for a brief second.

Avery.

She moved quietly in the background, carrying trays of wine and food. Her dress was rather plain and dull in contrast to what everyone else had on. Cain’s gaze lingered for a fraction longer before he forced himself to look away.

Across the hall, Gerald was seated among the guests, sipping his wine calmly, occasionally smiling or chuckling at something one of them said. Beside him, his daughter, Nora, wore a navy blue dress, her hair bouncing off her shoulders, and in her hands was a book she had managed to snag from the library. She wasn’t much of a festival person and would rather spend her time reading. Not that her father gave her much of a choice anyway.

Gerald set his cup down and leaned toward her. "Attach yourself to him."

Nora tensed slightly, her fingers tightening around the edge of the book. "I’ve tried, Father. Cain is not—"

"I don’t care," Gerald cut in sharply, his voice low but firm. "You are my daughter, and you will do as I say. Cain respects me. If you push hard enough, he will see reason."

Nora swallowed down her irritation, her jaw tightening. "Throwing myself at him will make me look desperate."

Gerald’s gaze hardened. "It will make you his wife." He leaned back, "Drop that damn book and act desperate if that will get you him."

Nora exhaled slowly, dropping the book on the table and stood up from her seat, making her way toward Cain.

Cain had just finished greeting a visiting Alpha when Nora approached him, her smile bright and sweet. "Alpha Cain," she greeted smoothly. "I believe a dance is long overdue."

Cain arched a brow at her boldness. "Oh, Nora, I can’t-"

Nora stepped forward, her eyes on him. "Please. I know I’m crossing boundaries, but tonight is the Moonlight Festival, and tonight, we’re allowed to ask for what we really and truly want. I’m asking you to dance with me. It is what I want." Nora said, staring at him expectantly.

The hall had begun to quiet as more guests turned their attention to the center of the room where pairs had begun taking their places for the formal dance.

With a sigh, Cain extended a hand. "Fine."

A small and satisfied smile played on Nora’s lips as she placed her hand in his.

The music shifted into a slow, elegant sound, filling the space as Cain led her onto the dance floor. Everyone had either stood up to watch in shock as Cain danced with a woman or joined the floor to dance. The two looked like the perfect image of what a powerful Alpha and his ideal match should look like.

Cain felt eyes on him, and without meaning to, he glanced toward the serving area.

There she was.

Avery.

Her hands trembled slightly as she set down a tray of wine at the high table, her eyes locked on him. She was watching him.

And for some reason, that made his chest tighten.

He looked away, shutting his wolf up without a second thought and focused on the dance.

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"Avery, Millie, Selena, and Pam. All four of you are to serve the dignified guests," the head maid’s voice rang out, already assigning each of them to their positions.

Avery grabbed the tray of drinks, ready to go serve them to where the alphas and Lunas were sitting when she heard the change in tune. Her gaze shifted to the dance floor, and her heart stopped for a second.

There, standing in the middle of the floor, was Cain—his posture perfect, his eyes locked onto Nora as she twirled in his arms. He was dancing with her.

Avery couldn’t tear her gaze away. She wasn’t sure if it was the way he looked or if it was the way Nora clung to him. But she had to look away, or risk staring longer than she should.

Her steps faltered as she approached the dignified table, her hands shaking just slightly from the weight of the tray. She forced a smile as she set down the drinks in front of the guests. She gently placed the drinks in front of each of them, and when she was done, she grabbed the tray, ready to go bring more. Avery turned to leave only to stumble from the force of being pushed.

A sharp gasp escaped her lips as she crashed into someone, stepping on their shoes. Her face ran pale when she saw the marks of dirt smudged on the person’s very expensive-looking shoes. Avery immediately stepped back, bowing repeatedly at the person. "Please forgive me. I’m very sorry. I- I’ll clean it up. I will-" She dropped to her knees, dropping the tray to her side and began cleaning the shoes with her hands.

The crowd around them seemed to quiet down for a moment, a few whispers filled the air. Avery’s fingers trembled as she tried to wipe away the dirt. She didn’t dare look up, only focusing on the task at hand, hoping to remedy the mistake she had made.

Her breath hitched when she heard a low, irritated voice above her.

"Do you know what you just ruined?" Gerald’s tone was thick with irritation as he looked down at her, his eyes cold and filled with disgust.

Avery gulped hard, "I-I’m sorry, I wasn’t thin-" she doesn’t get to finish her words as Gerald’s hand suddenly moved, and he poured the wine in his hand over her head. The liquid poured over her head, drenching her from her hair down to her shoulders, soaking her dress in the process.

Avery froze, her face ran pale from the humiliation. She could feel the sticky liquid dripping down her back, her hair clinging to her face. Her heart hammered in her chest as the murmurs of the guests grew louder, their eyes on her as she knelt, completely soaked.

"Not only did you get me dirty. You have the nerve to touch me without my approval? Have you lost your mind?" Gerald spat out.

Avery swallowed hard. She could barely bring herself to respond. The humiliation was overwhelming. She bowed more, her mouth open to let out a litany of apologies when she heard it.

"What the hell is going on here?" Cain’s gaze scanned the scene, his eyes locking on Gerald and then Avery, who was still kneeling, drenched in wine, and his expression hardened at the sight. He looked at Gerald, his jaw clenched hard.

"What the hell do you think you’re doing?"