Betrayed by Blood, Claimed by the Alpha-Chapter 145

Betrayed by Blood~

Cain’s room was dim, the moonlight buttered into the room, the curtains trembled as the air filtered through it. Avery lay on his bed, her legs tucked beneath her. She had his shirt on, the cloth hung loosely around her frame, swallowing her in his scent.

She had a towel wrapped around her head, drying her damp hair. She looked... soft. freeweɓnovel.cøm

Vulnerable, even. The sight of her made Cain’s chest stir deeply—like an ache that tightened his chest and made him forget how to breathe.

Cain took a slow step forward, drawn to her like a moth to a flame. His gaze lingered on the curve of her neck, the delicate rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. His shirt draped over her like a second skin, and it stirred something in him.

"Avery," he muttered.

She looked up at him, eyes soft and trusting. "Fuck." Cain groaned and without thinking, he closed the distance and leaned down, pressing a kiss to her lips. Avery’s breath hitched, her eyelids fluttering closed, allowing herself to be pulled. Her hand reached up, fingers brushing lightly against his jaw, his heart clenched painfully. He needed her.

But his phone buzzed loudly, ruining the moment. Cain let out a breath and pulled back, his gaze flickering to the phone on the bedstead. Nathan’s name flashed boldly across the screen. "I’ll be right back," he said and walked away towards the balcony.

The call was quick. The man only called to let him know they had arrived in Silvermoon and were about to commence their duties. When he returned, the sight before him made him pause. Avery had drifted off, her breathing soft and even. She curled into the sheets, one hand clutching his pillow like she had reached for him in his absence. A piece of his heart cracked at the sight.

Cain stood there, unmoving, his gaze trailing every inch of her like a starved man. The need for her went far beyond desire—it was terrifying in its depth. She wasn’t just his mate. She was becoming his weakness.

Turning away from the emotions clawing through him, Cain stepped onto the balcony, grabbing a bottle of wine left on the table. The cool night air kissed his skin as he leaned against the railing, taking a deep gulp.

His eyes looked up to the sky, the stars scattered across the sky like scattered fragments. He let out a breathless chuckle, shaking his head. "You’re a sneaky one, aren’t you?" he whispered, knowing the goddess could hear him. He sighed deeply and took another swig of the drink. He was truly screwed.

~~~~~~~~~

The dungeon was a pit of rot. The air was thick, clinging to Kendra’s skin like filth. Every breath she took tasted of damp stone and stale blood.

She sat in the corner, her back pressed against the cold wall, legs pulled close to her chest. Her body ached from days of confinement. She hated it. Hated the fact that she had to be in here, with these people. She squeezed her eyes shut, chewing on her lip. It was all for Cain. All for Cain. He had to see that she was willing to go through anything for him. Even stay in a filthy dump such as this.

A sharp kick on her leg had her snapping her eyes open. Before her was a woman, one of the longest ones to stay in the dungeon. Talia.

Of all the wolves in here, Talia was the last person she wanted to face. Once a lowly servant, Talia had lost everything because of Kendra. She had been stuck in the dungeon for two years all because of what Kendra said to the alpha. Talia had gone to serve Kendra but accidentally spilled tea on Kendra’s clothes. Kendra claimed it was an expensive piece and was gifted by Cain. Kendra stood her ground regardless of how much Talia begged and made sure she saw her behind bars. Now, here she was locked in the same cell as Talia.

Whatever happened back then was gone but not anymore.

Kendra arched an eyebrow up. "What is it?" she barked out.

Talia scoffed. "I’m gonna pretend like I didn’t hear that. Get up, grab that hand fan, and start working unless you want me to rearrange that pretty little face of yours."

Kendra’s jaw tightened. "You don’t order me around." Her voice dripped with anger, but her body betrayed her defiance—she didn’t move.

Talia took a step closer, her shadow looming over Kendra like a storm. "You’re not some spoiled little princess in here. You’re just another filthy rat, same as the rest of us. And from where I’m standing, you’re weaker than most."

The words slipped under Kendra’s skin like poison. Her fists clenched so tightly her nails bit into her palms. Weaker? The thought burned her pride. She wasn’t weak. She couldn’t be weak—not when everything she’d done was for Cain.

"Get up," Talia’s voice turned low and dangerous.

Kendra pushed herself to her feet. "Try me, and I’ll rip your throat out," she gritted out.

Talia smirked, stepping in so close Kendra could smell the stench of blood and sweat on her breath. "You’ve fallen off your high horse and yet you still have the ego of a peacock. You really are shit, Kendra."

Talia’s words sliced deeper than any blade could. Kendra’s body trembled with rage, but she refused to show weakness—not here and certainly not in front of Talia.

"I said, try me," Kendra snapped. Her nails bit harder into her palms, drawing tiny crescents of blood.

But Talia only chuckled, sending chills down Kendra’s spine. "You think you’re still someone important? You’re nothing but scraps now. No title. No power. No Alpha." She leaned in, her voice dropping to a taunting whisper. "You’re just another bitch rotting in the dark."

That was it. The dam inside Kendra broke. She lunged forward with raw anger, her hands aiming for Talia’s throat. But Talia was ready. She sidestepped effortlessly, grabbing Kendra’s arm and twisting it behind her back.

Pain shot through Kendra’s shoulder as Talia slammed her face-first into the wall.

Everyone in the cell suddenly sprang to their feet, cheering for Talia.

"You don’t get it yet, do you?" Talia growled into her ear, pressing her body against Kendra’s back. "Down here, who you were before doesn’t mean shit. And no one’s coming to save you."

Kendra’s breath came in shallow, pained gasps. The humiliation burned worse than the ache in her arm. "I’ll make you regret this," she hissed out.

Talia let her go with a shove, sending Kendra stumbling forward onto the filthy floor, right in the middle of the cell where the other women now circled. All grinning sinisterly, all wronged by Kendra, one way or the other. "You already made me regret everything a long time ago," Talia spat. "Now, it’s your turn."