Betrayed by Blood, Claimed by the Alpha-Chapter 112

Betrayed by blood~ freewёbnoνel.com

Silence hung over the grand hall, thick and suffocating. Xander’s words had struck like a lightning bolt, hitting everyone gathered.

Cain’s sharp green eyes remained locked onto Xander, studying him. The initial amusement on his face was gone, replaced by something colder. Calculating.

"You’re saying Matt took you?" Cain’s voice was unreadable, dangerously quiet.

Xander, still kneeling, winced as pain lanced through his injured leg. "Yes." His voice was firm. "I was taken from here during the rogue attack to a cabin at the outskirts of his pack and locked up for days. I wasn’t allowed to leave until I managed to escape when I got the chance."

Lydia’s breath was caught in her throat. Matt took Xander? Her heart pounded wildly. She knew it. Xander would never do such a thing. He would never.

Cain let out a slow exhale, his jaw tightening. "You’re expecting me to believe that Matt—a man who despises me—went out of his way to break you out of my dungeon, just to keep you locked up in his own?"

Xander’s gaze was unwavering. "He wanted me to betray you. He wanted revenge against you."

Cain’s expression didn’t change, but a flicker of something dark passed through his eyes.

"He kept me locked up in his cabin, trying multiple times to turn me against you. He blamed you for Rowan’s death—"

Cain’s fingers twitched at the mention of Matt’s brother, but he said nothing.

"—He wanted me to work with him, to help take you down. When I refused, he kept me locked up. But I got out. And I came back here because I needed to prove my innocence."

Cain’s silence was suffocating. His entire body was still. Xander met his gaze head-on. "I didn’t betray you. And I didn’t try to kill you. It was all Matt. He sent those assassins. He drugged my food so I would act irrationally. He visited me in the dungeon many times, trying to get me to agree with him. He had it out for you and was willing to do anything to get you. I was collateral." Xander said, the words leaving his mouth smoothly.

Okay! Maybe he had agreed to leave the dungeon with Matt’s help. He had even almost joined hands with the bastard but not until he learned the truth. The truth that everything was orchestrated by Matt himself.

The bloodroot poison, the assassins, the smell found on him, the silver piece. Matt did it all to frame him and when he found out...he broke out of the cabin.

Matt had no idea his mother and sister had come by the cabin to talk to him on Matt’s behalf. ’He was frustrated’ the woman had said whilst trying to convince Xander to give in to her son’s demand. Then they left after he refused but they had been so stupid to talk right outside the room. There, Xander had overheard everything.

Then Cain let out a slow, humorless chuckle. He tilted his head, considering Xander with cold amusement. "A compelling story."

Xander clenched his jaw. "It’s the truth."

Cain exhaled sharply, his lips pressing into a thin line. His gaze didn’t waver as he studied Xander.."Truth?" Cain repeated, his voice was quiet. "You say it so easily, as if you think words alone will clear your name." He took a step forward, his boots echoing against the polished floors. "As if I should just believe you."

Xander didn’t move. Didn’t flinch. He knew that to show even a sliver of fear in front of Cain would only make things worse.

"I don’t expect blind faith," Xander said evenly, despite the ache in his leg. "I only expect you to consider the possibility that Matt is playing a much larger game than you realize."

Cain’s gaze flickered for a second but he doesn’t respond. The silence stretched unbearably, eveyone held their breath, waiting for his reply.

Then, Cain turned his attention to the guards, "Lock them up."

Xander stiffened. "What?"

Cain’s expression was impassive. "Until I get all the facts, I won’t take your word for it." He glanced at Ezek, who was barely holding himself upright. "Put them both in the dungeons."

Lydia’s stomach dropped, she stepped forward. "Cain, wait—"

Cain’s sharp gaze cut to her instantly, his brow arched up.

Lydia gestured at his leg. "He’s injured. He might not last until tomorrow if you keep him locked up. Let the pack doctor treat his wound."

Cain scoffed at this. Xander was a traitor but he should allow the pack doctor to treat his wound? "You expect me to treat a traitor like an honored guest?"

Lydia swallowed hard, "I expect you to show mercy to someone who risked everything to return." She stepped closer, "Please. He’s lost enough blood already. I know what he’s been accused of but he came back to the pack of his own free will. He could’ve been on the run for much longer. Please let the doctor treat his injury."

Cain exhaled heavily, his gaze on Lydia. If he was doing this, it was only because of her. Because regardless of whatever, she’s still his sister and not even he was that heartless. "Fine. Have the doctor check on him but he stays locked up. I want his room heavily guarded." He ordered.

"Yes, Alpha!" The guards replied, hoisting Xander and Ezek up to their feet then dragged them away.

~~~~~~~

Cain stormed into the office, his mind clouded with thoughts, words that Xander said, his brain racking through all the information he’s gotten so far.

Lydia walked in after him, slamming the door shut behind her. "What do you plan on doing, Cain?" She asked.

Cain turned around, his jaw clenched hard. "Xander claims Matt did all of this so I want answers. Proof that he truly orchestrated this whole charade." He paused, stepping closer. "Find me proof that all of this was from Matt." He ordered.

"Yes, Alpha." Lydia replied, she bowed and stepped out of the office. She exhaled in relief the second she stepped out of his office. For a second, she had thought Cain was going to make another rash decision and kill Xander but instead he wanted to find out the truth too.