Betrayed by Blood, Claimed by the Alpha-Chapter 107

Betrayed by Blood

The air in the room was thick as Gerald walked forward, shoulders squared, unwilling to let himself be diminished in the presence of a man he despised.

King Alaric merely chuckled, setting his glass down with a soft clink. "Ah, still as defiant as ever. Some things never change." He gestured to the seat across from him. "Sit."

Gerald remained standing. His gaze flicked around the room, assessing. Guards stationed at the door. Silent attendants lining the walls. Every exit accounted for.

"You’ve gone through a lot of trouble to bring me here," he said coldly. "What do you want?"

Alaric exhaled, almost in disappointment. "Come now, is that any way to start a reunion? No pleasantries? No catching up?" He reached for the bottle of wine beside him, pouring himself another glass. "You’ve been exiled now, haven’t you? Tsk, tsk, tsk. Tragedy strikes for a second time, it’s truly..." Alaric paused, a mocking smirk on his lips. "-Sad."

"But I think you’d be more open to conversation, given your...circumstances."

Gerald’s teeth clenched. He refused to give Alaric the satisfaction of a reaction.

The King leaned forward. "You might be wondering what else I know. Hmm... let’s see. I know that you no longer have a pack to call yours. That’s a pretty disturbing thing, don’t you think? Every wolf should have a pack regardless of who they are. A scorned wolf without a pack? What is that again?" He paused, eyes squinted, his fingers snapping together like he was trying to remember something.

"Ah... It’s a rouge. That’s truly pathetic. The almighty Beta Gerald of the Vehiron pack, be a rogue? Truly pathetic."

Gerald didn’t say a word, only clenching and unclenching his fists. Alaric leaned back, an amused smile on his face. "Sit down, Gerald. I don’t think you’re in the position to refuse anything," he said, lifting the wine to his lips and sipped.

Gerald exhaled, letting his anger vanish temporarily. He stepped forward, pulling the chair out but paused as soon as he remembered. "My daughter-"

"-Is fine. She’s getting the help she needs, so sit down and let’s talk."

Alaric watched with interest as Gerald reluctantly took his seat, then leaned back in his own, his hands clasped in front of him. The King’s eyes sparkled with amusement.

A maid stepped forward with a bottle of wine in her hands, she bowed to the king then proceeded to pour the wine for Gerald.

"So," Alaric continued, swirling the wine in his glass as if the conversation were nothing more than idle gossip. "I’ll go straight to the point. Tell me about Cain."

Gerald’s throat tightened, but he kept his face impassive. It was a trick he’d perfected over years of dealing with power-hungry men.

"I don’t owe you anything," he growled, but the words felt hollow, even to him. The temptation lingered, clawing at the back of his mind. Cain had done everything to disgrace him. This was his chance for revenge—an opportunity he hadn’t dared thought of until now.

"You don’t, but you owe yourself revenge. I know what happened in Vehiron. Heard you were disgraced. Treated less than a servant. He humiliated you but you’ll still protect him? How righteous of you, Gerald," Alaric replied, knowing what he was doing, slowly probing the man where it would hurt.

Gerald’s fists clenched again, he’d die a thousand times before protecting Cain again. "I know nothing. I’ve been out of his life and pack for years."

Alaric arched an eyebrow. "You were exiled because of him. You were once close to him. You taught him the things he knows today."

His pulse drumming in his ears, his jaw locking so tightly it ached. The more Alaric spoke, the more he was reminded of how Cain had gripped his neck and choked him, had glared at him and insulted him. That beast and he knew, he should leap at the chance with Alaric but if there was one thing he’d come to learn, it was never show your cards first.

"I did what I did out of duty."

"And look how well that worked out," Alaric said, leaning forward, his voice lowering to a dangerous whisper. "How quickly he threw you away when you were no longer of use. You did all that for him, and now... what is he to you? Nothing."

Gerald didn’t reply, the silence between them stretching.

"And now," Alaric said, breaking the silence, "you have an opportunity to make it right. To take what is yours. To take Cain down, and watch him fall in front of you."

Gerald looked at Alaric, "What’s in it for me?" he asked.

At this, Alaric smirked, leaning back against the chair. "I’ll make sure you’re well-compensated, Gerald. No more exile. You’ll live here, in my pack. You’ll be far away from those who hunt you and your daughter."

Gerald’s eyes flashed at the king’s words, immediately understanding that the man knew everything.

Gerald nodded, "What do you want to know?" Gerald asked.

Alaric’s smile was sharp and deadly. "Everything."

Gerald’s smirk mirrored his, "Let’s start with his mate. Avery."

_____________________________________

The night was still, well, except for the soft rustling of trees and the occasional chirp of a distant cricket. The lake stretched before Avery, the moonlight reflecting in the water.

Avery exhaled, dropping the basket of fruits she carried. She’d been tasked with fetching them from the farmers and to the pack house, and normally, she should’ve done it the next day, but she wanted to get some of her chores done and over with that day. She didn’t mind walking an extra twenty minutes to get it.

Thankfully, the goddess, she decided to go fetch the fruits tonight, else she would’ve missed the lake. Avery knelt by the water’s edge.

Her fingers brushed the surface. The memory of her aunt’s angry face flashed in her mind. Darla had hated when she swam. Avery could still hear her shrill voice—"A lady has no business splashing about like a wild animal!" So, she had stopped. It had been years since she last swam.

But here, she was in front of a lake. Away from the eyes of anyone who could see her.

She stood, quickly looking around. The lake was within the forest, far from the main grounds of the pack and led towards the farmers’ ground. No one came here. Not really.

Avery decided to swim, just a quick one.

Slipping out of her clothes, she stepped into the water, shivering as the cool air filled her. She waded deeper, sighing in relief. It had been such a long time.

Then she swam.

The motions came back naturally, muscle memory guiding her. Her limbs stretched, her breaths even and steady. She floated on her back, staring at the sky above.

For the first time in so long, she felt... free.

Avery shut her eyes close and allowed herself to feel, ridding herself of all thoughts. Of everything that’s happened in the past few days. Perhaps the water was healing.

Suddenly she felt it. Him.

The scent hit her first - dark spice. A scent that sent every nerve in her body into alert.

Her stomach clenched and her eyes flew open.

Slowly, she turned her head and saw him.

Cain. He stood at the edge of the lake, his green eyes stuck on her, intense, dark, and predatory.