Betrayed by Blood, Claimed by the Alpha-Chapter 179

Betrayed by Blood

Kendra’s smirk deepened. "Good."

Avery squared her shoulders, ignoring the way the gathered warriors were murmuring among themselves. The excitement in the air was unmistakable.

She glanced at Lydia, whose frown had only deepened. "Are you sure?" Lydia murmured under her breath.

Avery nodded once. "I can handle it."

Lydia crossed her arms, glaring at Kendra. "Don’t hold back just because she’s smaller than you."

"Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it." Kendra smiled sweetly, stepping onto the training grounds.

Avery exhaled, stretching her limbs before stepping forward. Kendra was bigger, more experienced, and clearly confident. But Avery had trained under Cain and Lydia. She’d endured grueling hours of sparring, of pain, of learning every weakness she had and sharpening her instincts. She could do it.

She rolled her shoulders, shaking out her hands before stepping into position.

"Rules?" she asked.

Kendra hummed, tapping her chin. "Let’s keep it simple. No shifting. First to pin the other wins."

Lydia turned to look at Kendra. "No claws. No lethal strikes."

Kendra placed a hand over her chest in mock innocence. "Of course."

A warrior stepped forward to officiate. "Ready?"

Avery locked eyes with Kendra.

Kendra smirked.

"Begin!"

Kendra lunged first.

Avery barely had time to react before Kendra was on her, her fist cutting through the air toward her ribs. Avery twisted at the last second, the blow grazing her side instead of landing cleanly. She barely had time to plant her foot before Kendra spun, using the momentum to send a sharp kick toward her chest.

Avery blocked, but the force sent her stumbling back a step. Kendra smirked. "Not bad."

Avery didn’t answer. She steadied herself and shifted her stance, her muscles tensing.

Kendra darted in again. Avery was ready this time.

She ducked under Kendra’s next swing, swerving behind her and driving an elbow toward her back. Kendra twisted at the last moment, blocking it and retaliating with a swift jab toward Avery’s stomach.

Avery barely dodged, but the next blow clipped her shoulder.

Pain flared, but she gritted her teeth and pressed forward. Kendra was fast... faster than Avery had expected.

She shifted, feinting right before kicking out at Kendra’s leg. Kendra dodged, but not fast enough. Avery’s foot connected, throwing her off balance.

Avery didn’t hesitate. She lunged, grabbing Kendra’s arm and twisting it behind her back.

The crowd inhaled sharply. From the corner, Cain stepped out, his gaze fixed on the two on the training grounds. His jaw clenched hard as he watched.

Kendra stiffened. For a second, Avery thought she had her—Then Kendra moved.

She twisted sharply, breaking free and slamming her elbow into Avery’s ribs. Avery gasped, her grip loosening, and Kendra didn’t waste the opportunity.

In a blur of motion, Kendra swept Avery’s legs out from under her.

Avery hit the ground hard.

The crowd murmured again, shifting uneasily.

Kendra hovered over her, offering a hand. "You fought well," she said smoothly. "But—"

Avery grabbed her outstretched arm and yanked hard. Kendra’s eyes widened as she was pulled off balance. Avery twisted, kicking up from the ground and catching Kendra’s side.

Kendra staggered back, and Avery was on her in an instant. She slammed Kendra down, pinning her arm behind her back just as Lydia’s voice rang out.

"Enough!"

Avery panted, her heart thundering.

Kendra lay beneath her, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, she smirked.

"You’re stronger than I thought," she murmured.

Avery hummed, "You do have a knack for underestimating, don’t you?" Avery held her position for a second longer, her grip firm. Then, she exhaled and pushed off, releasing Kendra and stepping back.

Kendra slowly pushed herself up, brushing dust off her clothes before tilting her head toward Avery. "You did well, I won’t go easy on you next time."

Avery frowned slightly, about to retaliate when a voice cut her off before she could respond.

"She did very well."

Avery’s heart skipped a beat.

Cain stood at the edge of the training grounds, his expression unreadable, his eyes locked onto her. He had been watching.

A muscle in Kendra’s jaw twitched. Then, she chuckled softly, stretching out her arms as if shaking off the tension. "Of course, Alpha," she said smoothly. "She’s your mate. It would be disappointing if she didn’t do well."

Cain hummed, "Next time, she’ll do even better."

Kendra forced the smile on her face. "Of course, Alpha." She gritted out then bowed, glancing at Avery one last time. "Good fight, Avery," she said before walking away.

"Phew! I thought that would go on for longer." Lydia’s voice cut through the air.

Avery chuckled. "Oh ye of little faith."

Cain’s gaze lingered on Avery for a moment longer before he finally turned. "Come," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Avery hesitated, glancing at Lydia, who only smirked and gave her a knowing look. With a sigh, she followed Cain, matching his strides as he led her away from the training grounds.

They walked in silence for a moment before Cain finally spoke. "You fought well."

Avery blinked, surprised. "You think so?"

Cain’s eyes flicked to her. "I know so."

Warmth spread through her chest. She hadn’t expected him to acknowledge it so openly.

"You’re stronger than you were before," he continued, his voice quieter now. "Faster. More controlled."

Avery exhaled, rolling her shoulder where Kendra’s blow had landed. "I still have a lot to work on."

Cain hummed, his gaze sweeping over her. "That’s what training is for. But today, you won."

Avery bit her lip, glancing up at him. "You were watching the whole time?"

Cain hummed. "Of course. Why wouldn’t I?"

The way he said it with certainty, with pride, it made something tighten in her throat.

Avery let out a quiet breath, a small smile tugging at her lips. She didn’t need to say anything else; she just walked beside him, her pulse still thrumming from the fight.

She had won today.

And Cain had seen it.

That was enough.