Betrayed by Blood, Claimed by the Alpha-Chapter 108

Betrayed by blood~

Avery’s breath hitched.

Cain stood at the lake’s edge, his green eyes piercing through the darkness, staring directly at her. The weight of his gaze burned into her skin, sending a shiver down her spine.

Her heart slammed against her ribs. She had to get out—now.

She swam toward the shore in hurried, desperate strokes, The closer she got, the clearer he became—his tall frame shrouded in moonlight, hands slipped into his pockets, his expression unreadable. His presence alone made the air thick and suffocating.

The moment her feet touched the muddy bottom, Avery stumbled onto land. Her hands reached for the pile of clothes she had left behind, but it wasn’t until the cool air wrapped around her bare skin that she realized—

She was naked.

A shocked gasp escaped her lips.

Heat rushed to her face, she flushed a bright red. She turned away from Cain, her fingers fumbling as she grabbed her dress and yanked it over her head. Her hands were shaking—damn it, damn it, damn it. She barely managed to tie the laces before she turned back, avoiding his gaze entirely.

Her heart was racing too fast, like a caged bird thrashing against its bars.

But Cain didn’t move.

Didn’t speak.

Didn’t turn away either.

Avery risked a glance at him, expecting mockery—some cold, jab. But when she looked up, his expression was different.

Not cruel. Not taunting. Just... watching.

His green eyes flickered over her, taking in every detail, but there was no hint of malice anger, or irritation. Just undeniable intensity. One that made her legs go weak, and her heart beat faster than it had ever.

Avery swallowed hard, unsure what to say.

Then he moved.

Slowly, silently, he stepped toward her.

The space between them reduced the more he stepped closer. Avery’s pulse thundered in her ears. She fought the urge to step back. To shrink back into herself.

But Cain didn’t reach for her.

Not fully.

He stopped right in front of her and she looked down instantly. Her skin trooped in goosebumps just from his gaze. "Look at me." He murmured and she swallowed hard, forcing herself to do as he said.

She gently looked up, her lips palmed into a thin line, she waited, expecting some insult for swimming in the lake. Perhaps, it was something that wasn’t allowed here too.

Instead, his fingers lifted gently, brushing a stray strand of wet hair from her face. His touch was light, barely there, yet it sent a shockwave through her body. Warm, despite the cold.

Avery froze, breath catching in her throat.

She could feel his warmth, could smell the dark spice of his scent, surrounding her like a slow-acting poison.

Cain’s gaze lingered, traveling down to her lips for just a fraction of a second before returning to her eyes. His thumb ghosted over the corner of her cheek as if testing something.

"You have a little something here.."

Avery’s stomach twisted. She didn’t know if it was from his touch, his voice, or the fact that he wasn’t looking at her with hate, for once. ƒгeewebnovёl.com

She parted her lips, unsure how to respond—

"Avery?"

The moment was gone.

Cain’s hand dropped instantly, the softness in his eyes vanishing in a blink.

Avery flinched at the sound of Selena’s voice, calling her.

Her breath came too fast, her head spinning. She took a shaky step back, suddenly hyperaware of everything—the way her dress clung to her damp skin, the way Cain had looked at her, the way she hadn’t wanted him to pull away.

Cain stepped away first. His gaze flicked toward the direction of the voice, then back to her. In that split second, something flashed in his expression—annoyance? Frustration? Or regret?

Avery didn’t know.

And then, just as Selena’s figure appeared between the trees. "Avery, I have been search-" she trailed off the second she laid eyes on Cain.

Quickly bowing, "Good evening, Alpha Cain." She said, peeking up, her gaze darting between Cain and her.

Cain gave a curt nod and turned to leave. Avery stood frozen, watching as he disappeared from her sight. Her bottom lip caught between her teeth, her kind stuck on the last emotion she saw in his eyes. What was it? What could he have-

"Avery!" Selena whisper-yelled, jolting Avery out of her thoughts. Avery turned to look at the girl.

"Hmm." She replied.

Selena stared at her in disbelief, a sharp scoff leaving her lips. "What the hell was that about? You were with Alpha Cain, again?" She shrieked.

Avery’s eyes widen at how loud Selena’s voice got suddenly. She clamped a hand over the girl’s mouth. "Selena!!." She gritted out tightly, her gaze darting back and forth as though someone was watching.

Selena forcefully removed her hand, blowing the strands of hair that had somehow gotten into her mouth. "What is going on? Why were you with him? Is everything okay?" She rushed out and then suddenly stopped, her eyes widening like she just realized something.

"Are you in trouble with him? Is that what this is about?" She asked and Avery rolled her eyes. She bent down and grabbed the basket of fruits.

"Why were you searching for me?" She asked, the two of them began walking back to the pack.

"You were gone for two hours. The head maid asked me to check why you took so long." She replied.

Avery glanced at her, shocked. "I was?"

"Yes! The fruits are to be used for breakfast tomorrow and you were taking too much time. You know how we prepare everything’s night before." She said.

Avery hummed in response. She had not realized she had taken that much time.

"So tell me, what was that about? I don’t think I’ve seen Alpha Cain so much in two days. It’s unnerving."

"You’ve only seen him twice." Avery deadpanned.

"Exactly my point." She emphasized, rubbing her arm. "Seeing him has me breaking out in bumps."

They arrived at the pack house and headed for the kitchen. All the servants had retired to their rooms seeing how late it had gotten already. It was just Avery and Selena. Avery placed the basket on the kitchen island while Selena got out a large bowl to wash them.

"So, are you really not going to tell me what happened?" Selena asked.

"Nothing happened, Selena."

Selena’s eyes narrowed, "Yes and Martha rose from the dead."

Avery’s eyes widen, "Selena!" She whispered-yelled.

Selena shrugged, turning on the faucet to start washing the fruits. "What? I thought we were lying."

Avery sighed, shaking her head. There was nothing for her to say in this context.

"Seriously though, you can’t say it’s not odd that Alpha Cain defended you against Sir Gerald and that too in front of everyone, and then tonight, he’s with you again then he goes ahead to look at you like that." She huffed out.

Avery’s ears perked up instantly. "Like what?" She rushed out.

Selena slowly turned to look at her, a sneaky smile on her face. "Aha! You do agree that there’s something there. Something you won’t tell me."

Avery deflated, she wasn’t sure if it was from Selena’s insistence or the fact that she didn’t say what Cain looked at her with.

"Please, stop already, Selena. You’re going to get me in trouble and I honestly cannot handle being in any problem." She said quietly.

"I’m sorry. I went overboard with it."

Avery gave a small smile and nodded, grabbing the fruits Selena had washed to start cutting.

Minutes passed and the silence stretched between them until Selena suddenly propped her elbows on the island, her gaze on Avery. "So.." she began.

Avery glanced at her, eyebrows furrowed. "So what?"

"Have you given any thought to what I said? The woman who breaks mate bonds. Have you decided on what you want to do?" She asked, her more intense on Avery.

Avery opened her mouth to speak but paused, her mind running through everything that’s happened already. The way Cain had looked at her tonight.

She shook her head, "I’m okay, Selena. I don’t have any mate to break a bond with so I’m good. There’s no reason to go see any woman that breaks bonds."

Selena stared at her for a moment longer, there wasn’t a hint of a smile on her face nor was there any emotion across her eyes. She just stared and after what felt like eternity, she smiled. It was instant.

"Of course, that’s okay!" She then leaned closer to Avery. "Just, if you know anyone that wants to break their bonds, let me know. I will receive a percentage per person I bring to her."

Avery chuckled at this, shaking her head softly. There was something about Selena that made people feel at ease with her and even open up to her.

The two of them continued with what they were doing, oblivous to the ears pressed against the door, listening to each word that left their lips.