Betrayed by Blood, Claimed by the Alpha-Chapter 183

"We’ve doubled the guards leading up to the mating ceremony. No signs of trouble so far, but we’re keeping an eye out," Nathan said as he laid out the details to Cain, who sat in the head chair, staring at the others.

He hummed, his gaze flicking through the reports Nathan and Xander had conjured up. "Good. We don’t need any interruptions."

It was just two days left to the mating ceremony, and now the preparations were at an all-time high. Cain was constantly busy, and Avery was just the same. She might not be Luna officially until the mating ceremony, but she was already taking on the role as Luna.

Xander, seated opposite Nathan, leaned back in his chair. "There was another minor dispute between two families over land inheritance in Silver Moon, but it’s nothing major. Nathan and I handled it."

Cain hummed, ticking that one off the list. There was always some family dispute over some simple land or other property. Greed.

Cain glanced at Callum, who had watched silently all through the meeting, and arched his brows up. "Callum? Nothing to say?" He asked, and the man visibly jolted out of whatever thoughts he was having.

He looked around only to find everyone’s gaze on him, then cleared his throat. "Sorry, Alpha. I was lost in thoughts. I have prepared the wardrobes and guards to be on the lookout for that day. I have appointed only the best to guard the pack house during that time. Everything is in place."

Cain stared at him for some seconds longer then nodded curtly. "Good. Now, if that’s all, I would—" he doesn’t get to complete his words.

"Actually, Alpha. I’m afraid that’s not all. We have a situation we are yet to address," Lydia voiced out.

Cain leaned back against the chair, eyebrows furrowed. "What situation is that?"

Lydia exchanged a look with Xander before turning back to Cain. "It’s the rogues."

Cain’s expression hardened. "What about them?"

Lydia hesitated for only a moment before pushing forward. "They’re gone."

The room went silent instantly.

Nathan shifted in his seat, frowning. Xander sat up straighter, his usual calm demeanor vanishing. Callum stiffened.

"What do you mean they’re gone?"

"The camps we’ve been tracking? They’re empty. Completely abandoned. No sign of a struggle, no bodies, no scent trails leading away. It’s like they vanished overnight."

"No rogue group just up and disappears," Xander said, shaking his head. "That’s not how they operate."

Nathan clenched his jaw. "Unless something scared them off."

Lydia nodded. "That’s what’s worrying me. We don’t know what happened to them or where they went. Rogues don’t just up and leave."

Cain was silent for a beat, his mind working through the possibilities. Rogues weren’t known for their discipline. They were either desperate scavengers or just bloodthirsty fuckers who would do everything within their power to ruin packs. They thrived off hate for packs and made it their life mission to destroy all packs. For them to vanish entirely meant something bigger was at play.

And he didn’t like not knowing.

His expression darkened. "Find out where they went and why." His voice was quiet but firm, laced with authority. "I don’t want any problems before my mating ceremony."

Lydia nodded. "We’ll start tracking immediately."

"Make sure no one outside here knows anything. I don’t want anyone discussing this days before my mating ceremony." He ordered.

"Yes, Alpha." They all chorused, getting up to leave.

"Lydia," Cain called, and the beat paused in her steps, turning to look at him.

"Yes, Alpha?"

Cain looked at her, "Avery. Can you check on her? I haven’t been able to speak to her all day without the haze of the ceremony."

Lydia smiled instantly, "Of course, Alpha, I will do that." She paused for a second. "You know, Cain. You’ve been acting... different. Uptight, even."

Cain sighed internally, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Lydia."

"I mean, I’ve seen you rip out throats without blinking," she went on, grinning. "But this? You’re wound so tight I’m afraid you might actually combust before the ceremony even begins."

Cain stared at her flatly, "Are you done?"

She grinned wider. "Not even close."

Cain rolled his shoulders, forcing himself to remain calm. "Get out."

Lydia chuckled but didn’t argue. "Of course, Alpha."

Avery sighed tiredly, running a hand over the long list in front of her. The mating ceremony was only two days away, and despite everything being on schedule, she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was still so much to do.

The main hall was already being decorated, the kitchens were finalizing the feast.

She needed to double-check the floral arrangements. And the guest seating and—

"Avery," Lydia’s voice cut through her thoughts.

Avery barely spared her a glance, waving dismissively towards her. "I just need to—"

Lydia groaned and marched over, grabbing her wrist. "No, you don’t."

Before Avery could protest, Lydia pulled her into one of the side rooms and all but shoved her onto a chair.

"Sit. Breathe," Lydia instructed, moving behind her.

Avery huffed, trying to rise again. "Lydia, I really—"

Lydia’s hands found her shoulders, pressing down firmly. Avery immediately stiffened, but as Lydia started kneading her muscles, she let out an involuntary sigh.

"That’s what I thought," Lydia murmured, working her fingers into Avery’s shoulders.

Avery rolled her shoulders slightly but didn’t resist. She hadn’t even realized how tense she had been.

"You need to give yourself a break," Lydia continued. "You’ve been running around like a madwoman all day."

Avery sighed, dropping her head slightly. "I just want everything to be perfect."

"For the guests?" Lydia asked knowingly.

Avery hesitated. "For him."

"For him?" Lydia paused, turning the chair around to look at Avery. "Avery, this ceremony is about you two, not just Cain and I’ll have you know. Your very existence is enough for him. You’re all the perfection he needs anyway." She winked.

Avery chuckled softly, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Lydia noticed. Her hands stilled briefly before resuming to massage her shoulders, this time softer. "Avery..."

"I know, I know," Avery cut in, forcing another smile. "I just—I want to do this right."

Lydia squeezed her shoulders gently. "And you will. But you don’t have to do it alone. The girls are helping and I am too. Cain is too. I promise you he isn’t just locked up in that office of his doing nothing. He’s practically losing his mind not being able to talk to you all day."

Avery nodded, but the tightness in her chest only grew stronger. She rubbed at it absently, it was along like something was pressing down on her. It had been there all day. A creeping discomfort she couldn’t explain.

At first, she thought it was just stress, or maybe her wolf whining over Cain’s absence, but now... now it felt heavier.

Her stomach twisted, suddenly she shivered from a nonexistent cold, her skin erupting in goosebumps.

"You okay?" Lydia asked.

Avery nodded. "Yeah, it’s just—" she paused, seeing Lydia’s eyes widen and stuck on Avery’s hair.

"What the hell?"

Avery’s brows furrowed and she quickly turned around, staring at the mirror in front of her, her heart beating faster.

"Is your hair glowing," Lydia muttered, eyes wide. "Or am I losing my mind right now?"