Betrayed by Blood, Claimed by the Alpha-Chapter 189

Avery drifted somewhere between consciousness and unconsciousness. Her mind was sluggish, she couldn’t open her eyes or move her body no matter how much she wanted to.

She could hear voices, some familiar, some strange. They wove in and out of her mind. Every time she tried to focus, exhaustion yanked her back.

First, it was a whisper and then a hand brushing against her skin.

She flinched, jerking away, but the touch was already gone.

Time was meaningless. Maybe minutes had passed. Maybe hours.

Then light.

Avery finally opened her eyes, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Her eyes darting around, fear gripping her soul. She wasn’t back in the pack waiting to be mated to Cain. No. She was still locked up but...

It was different.

The air was cleaner here. The damp, rotten stench of the previous room was gone, replaced by something lighter, something that didn’t choke her lungs. The room was cleaner too. There was a small bed in the corner of the room and two tiny windows to let air in.

She tried to move only to realize she was still chained. Panic clawed at her throat, she yanked at the restraints on her wrists. They rattled loudly.

Her heartbeat pounded in her ears. The walls were clean, and the room was far too bright. The floor, pristine and cold beneath her bare feet.

Only then did she realize that the rogues from before weren’t in this room. She was locked in here alone. She immediately sat up straighter. Whoever kept her here probably thought she was still unconscious, and thus, this was the only chance she had.

She closed her eyes, summoning their bond, trying to connect to Cain.

Nothing.

She clenched her jaw, trying harder, reaching deeper.

’Cain!’ She screamed, but there was no response. It was almost like the bond wasn’t there. Panic settled inside her. How was this even possible? Cain was always there listening to her thoughts, so why wasn’t he there now? Why now?

She opened her eyes, and something inside her cracked. She gritted her teeth, her body trembling as she twisted against the chains.

"Let me out!" she screamed.

No one answered.

She could hear footsteps outside the room, muffled voices even, but no one came in.

"Let me out!" she tried again, her voice breaking, and still no one replied to her.

Avery squeezed her eyes shut. She couldn’t stay here. She couldn’t—

The door clicked open.

She snapped her head up, her eyes widening the second she saw who it was.

It was the king. King Alaric.

He stood before her with a smile on his face. Avery couldn’t believe her eyes. Why would he ever kidnap her? Did Cain offend him? Was this revenge on Cain?

Alaric stepped closer, grinning at her like she was some lead way to a gold factory. "Oh, my dear," he said. "You’ve had quite the ordeal, haven’t you?"

Avery stiffened.

Alaric sighed, stepping closer. "The rogues—those pathetic beasts. They have been so cruel, haven’t they? Keeping you like some filthy animal." He crouched before her, his eyes gleaming with something she couldn’t recognize. "But don’t worry. You’re safe now."

She stared at him, unblinking. Her insides trembling at the fact that the king had kidnapped her.

He reached out, fingers skimming toward her face—

Avery jerked away. "Don’t touch me!"

Alaric chuckled, pulling his hand back. "Fiery little thing, aren’t you?" He tilted his head, amusement dancing in his eyes. "No wonder Cain likes you."

Her stomach turned.

Alaric straightened, clasping his hands behind his back. "It’s just such a shame," he mused. "Your time together had to end so quickly. But, unfortunately, I need you now."

Avery’s heart dropped to her stomach. "Need me? For what?"

She expected him to say something about Cain. Maybe use her as bait. Maybe threaten her. Wasn’t the whole point of this thing to get to Cain?

Alaric tilted his head as though he was studying her for some seconds, he then hummed. "You have powers, don’t you?"

Avery froze.

For a moment, she could do nothing but stare. How did he—?

Alaric’s smile widened at her silence. "Ah," he murmured. "So it’s true."

Avery swallowed hard, panic rising in her chest. She couldn’t let him know the truth.

"I don’t know what you’re talking about," she said, but even she could hear the slight tremble in her voice.

Alaric smirked. "Oh, don’t bother lying to me, little one." He waved a dismissive hand. "It’s fine. Don’t answer. It doesn’t matter. What I need from you doesn’t have to be difficult... well, that’s if you don’t make it."

"W-what do you mean?" Avery stammered.

"I heard you found the emberstone? Some even say you have the ability to burn people? How true is that? Fire just shoots out those fingers of yours?"

With each word that left his lips, the more Avery realized just how much danger she was in, and suddenly, Elder Loris’s words made much sense.

’You must be ready, Child. You possess two great abilities, and you must learn to wield them and hide them properly because there will be those who seek to take them from you. And they will stop at nothing to do so.’

The door opened again. This time a man stepped in. A man so familiar, Avery couldn’t mistake him even if she so desperately wanted to.

Callum.

Avery’s breath hitched the second she laid eyes on him. Seeing the way he bowed to the king. He betrayed them. He sold Cain out and most likely was the one who took her from the room.

Her jaw fell open at the sight. She doesn’t get to say a word as two men and a woman stepped into the room too. Their faces covered by surgical masks and caps. They carried black medical bags.

Avery’s blood ran cold.

"What...?" Her voice barely came out.

She looked between them, her body going rigid as realization dawned.

Alaric turned back to her, his expression calm and detached. "Well," he said, gesturing toward the masked figures. "Let’s begin."

Alaric had said he needed something from Avery, and now she was just understanding what it was. He wanted her abilities. Her powers.

Her heart pounded hard in her chest as she looked at the figures stepping closer, their hands tightening around their medical bags.

No.

She thrashed against the chains, "Get away from me!"

Alaric only smiled. "Don’t make this difficult, Avery. It’s inevitable. You have something I need, and I intend to take it."

Avery shook her head frantically. She tried again to reach for Cain... tried to feel their bond. Nothing. If only she could somehow activate her abilities. If only she knew how to.

Callum stepped closer, his cold eyes raking over her. "Strap her down." He ordered.

The masked figures stepped forward.

And Avery screamed.