Betrayed by Blood, Claimed by the Alpha-Chapter 177

Betrayed by Blood

Avery stood outside the pack house, ready to leave the Blood Moon pack. The three cars they had brought were parked behind her, and the guards were putting their bags into the boot while some stood behind.

Everyone in the pack had gathered, ready to say their goodbyes to Avery and Cain. Their faces were filled with sadness. She had only been here a short time, yet she had changed so much and had grown so much.

Emma stood before her, a forced smile on her lips, her arms wrapped tightly around herself. "So this is really goodbye, huh?"

Avery’s chest tightened. "It’s not goodbye, not when I’ll be coming back home regularly. This is my pack, Emma. I’m not abandoning my pack again," she said, reaching out to hold Emma’s hands. "I’ll visit. And you—" she swallowed. "You can always come with me to Vehiron."

Emma chuckled softly, though her eyes were blurry with unshed tears. "I think I’ll stay here a while. Blood Moon still needs me."

Avery nodded, understanding. They both turned at the sound of footsteps. It was Orin, the head warrior.

The head warrior stopped a few feet away, his eyes flickering between them before settling on Avery. "My Lady?"

Emma glanced at Orin before looking back at Avery with a small smile. "I’ll leave you to it." She squeezed Avery’s hand before stepping away.

Avery turned to Orin, straightened up, and stepped closer to him. "Orin."

"My lady, I just wanted to tell you... Don’t forget what we spoke about." Orin held her gaze for a moment longer, then bowed before stepping back.

She didn’t get to think too much about him as she felt Cain’s presence behind her instantly. His hand found the small of her back, he said nothing, but she knew he had seen her talking to Orin again.

"Ready?" he asked.

Avery took one last glance at the pack that had once been her home, then nodded. "Yeah."

The ride to Vehiron was smooth and calm. Avery leaned back against the chair, her eyes fixed outside the window. She couldn’t shake the thoughts lingering in her mind. Elder Loris’ warning and Orin’s words.

Cain sat beside her, his gaze occasionally drifting toward her, as if he could sense her unease. But he didn’t say anything. Not yet.

His fingers twitched against the seat. "You’re quiet."

Avery blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. "I am just... thinking."

Cain hummed but didn’t push. Instead, he reached over, threading his fingers through hers. The simple act sent warmth through her, and she snuggled closer to him, his scent penetrating her nostrils.

It didn’t take long before they reached Vehiron, and as they approached the gates, she sat up, her eyes widening.

Banners were hung high, the Vehiron crest was displayed proudly. People lined the entrance, cheers erupting the moment the car rolled in. It was nothing like she’d ever seen.

Cain sighed, rubbing his temple. "Of course," he mumbled, this was Lydia’s work. He was sure of it.

Avery turned to him, confused. "What is this?"

Cain’s lips quirked up, though his amusement was laced with mild annoyance. "A celebration. Looks like word got out about our mating."

Avery’s eyes widened. "It did? But how?"

Cain huffed, his fingers tapping against his thigh. "Lydia, most likely."

Avery barely had time to process before the car door swung open. The moment she stepped out, she was met with an overwhelming wave of cheers.

"Luna Avery!" someone called.

"Congratulations, my Lady!"

Avery went impossibly red. It was one thing to be called Luna in Blood Moon and another in Vehiron. It didn’t feel like real life to her at all.

They all walked into the pack hall where the people had all gathered. Somehow there was food and drinks readily available to celebrate this...? It was like she returned to Vehiron as a new person.

Avery felt her heart pound as the cheers grew louder, the people of Vehiron surrounding them with overwhelming enthusiasm. The entire pack hall was alive with excitement, laughter, clinking glasses, the scent of roasted meats and wine filling the air. The sheer scale of the celebration left her breathless.

She barely had time to process it all before a man stood up on one of the long banquet tables, raising his glass high into the air. His voice boomed through the hall.

"Tonight, we celebrate our Alpha and his mate—our Luna!"

A roar of approval followed, the sound vibrating through Avery’s chest.

Another warrior, a broad-shouldered man with scars across his arms, stepped up beside him, slamming his fist against his heart. "Alpha, we all couldn’t believe it when the news reached us. The Moon Goddess herself must be watching! To think, after all this time, our Alpha has found his mate!"

A chorus of whistles and cheers filled the room. Some banged their cups against the tables, others clapped and stomped their feet, shaking the walls with their excitement.

Avery went impossibly red when she heard what they were saying.

"She’s beautiful! A perfect match for our Alpha!"

"Strong, too! The stories of what she did in Blood Moon have reached our ears!" At that, Avery stiffened, her gaze snapping to Lydia, who reassured her with her eyes. Lydia wouldn’t tell anyone about what happened in the dungeon with Hugh. Whatever it was she said, Avery didn’t know, but judging from how excited the pack members were, Avery was sure Lydia sweetened it up.

"And finally—" A voice, this time a woman’s, rang over the noise. "—we might hear the cries of a pup in this pack soon!"

The hall erupted. Laughter, and teasing whistles shot through the air.

Avery’s entire face burned. "W-what?"

"Or pups! We could be blessed with twins!" Another yelled.

"Ah, Alpha! With a Luna as stunning as this, you must be thinking of an heir!"

"Will we be hearing news of little footsteps soon?"

Avery practically melted into Cain’s side, her embarrassment reaching new heights. Cain, however, was completely composed. He let the teasing build, letting them soar in the moment before finally lifting a hand, just enough for the room to quiet.

"All in good time, everyone."

At this, everyone began laughing again. It was truly the first time Avery had seen anything like this in Vehiron. She still couldn’t believe she was being treated like this.

Before she could say a word, another figure moved through the crowd, stopping right in front of Avery and Cain.

The shift in atmosphere was instant. Everyone went silent at the sight of Kendra.

Kendra’s gaze flickered between Cain and Avery, then a smile slowly made its way to her lips. She curtsied. "Alpha Cain and—Luna Avery."

The room was so silent Avery swore she could hear her own heartbeat.

Then, Kendra straightened, reached for a cup from a nearby table, and raised it high. "A toast," she announced, her voice echoing through the hall. "To the Alpha and his mate. To a bond that will only grow stronger with time. And to Vehiron, which will surely prosper under their rule."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd; it was almost like everyone was hesitant. But then, Lydia was the first to lift her own glass. Whether out of genuine agreement or simply to maintain the peace, Avery couldn’t tell.

"To the Alpha and Luna!"

Cain’s eyes met Kendra’s. "Thank you, Kendra."

She smiled, tilting her head slightly. "Of course, Alpha." Her gaze flickered to Avery, standing close beside him. Then, with a small nod, Kendra stepped back, blending into the crowd.

She didn’t have to wait long before a familiar presence appeared beside her. It was Carol, she held a drink in hand, watching her intently.

"What do you think you’re doing?" her mother asked lowly.

Kendra turned to her smoothly, barely missing a beat as she took the drink from Carol’s grasp and took a slow sip.

A smirk made its way to her lips as her gaze drifted back to Avery, who was busy speaking with a few pack members.

"Mother," she mused, tilting her head, "haven’t you heard the phrase?" She swirled the drink in her hand before glancing at her mother.

"Keep your friends close..."

Her gaze shifted back to Avery, watching the way she laughed softly at something someone had said.

"But your enemies closer."