Betrayed by Blood, Claimed by the Alpha-Chapter 9

Betrayed by Blood~

Cain sat at the head of the table as they all gathered around. Nathan and Xander sat to his left while Lydia and Callum sat to his right. Cain’s fingers throbbed against the table, and they all exchanged glances.

Lydia spoke up first, breaking the silence. "Rowan’s family has met with the king. They’re demanding justice for Rowan. They are distraught over the way he was taken and killed. They say his body wasn’t even given to them for a proper burial, so they’re seeking justice. They claim you overstepped your authority and took him without justification."

Cain leaned back against the chair nonchalantly, "I overstepped my authority, did I?" He chuckled humorlessly, "Let them cry to their king. It changes nothing," he replied dismissively.

Lydia snapped her eyes at him, "They’re not just crying to the king," she countered. "They’re accusing you of abusing your power as Alpha. If the king listens to their pleas, it could mean war."

Cain merely cocked his eyebrow up, "Then let there be war. The Richards are weak, clinging to their status. Their son made a mistake, and he was disciplined accordingly. If they interfere in my business again, I’ll see to it that the entire Silver Moon pack burns to the ground."

The room went silent. Nathan shifted uneasily in his seat, glancing at Xander, whose jaw was clenched tight. Callum sat still, his eyes fixed on Cain.

"Rowan betrayed the pack even after our deal. He deserved what he got. They should be grateful Alpha Cain stopped at Rowan only and didn’t unleash his wrath upon their pack," Xander replied gruffly.

Lydia looked at Xander, her face hardened, "Destroying another pack might satisfy your ego, but it would bring chaos to the region. The king would never allow it. We’ve done enough as it is. Six packs in one year! He would be livid."

Cain’s gaze turned icy. "Are you suggesting I bow to the Richards, Lydia?"

Lydia backed down, her gaze softening, "I’m only saying we should be strategic about it. There are other ways to handle this without provoking the king’s wrath," she replied calmly.

Cain scoffed, "The Richards and their son should’ve thought about strategy before crossing me. The king might as well be a sissy if he listens to a word that comes out of their mouth. I fear no one, not even the king."

Lydia’s gaze hardened, her jaw clenched tight. "A war would destroy the region, Alpha."

Cain’s lips curled into a smirk, "And the king would never want the region destroyed during his reign. He wouldn’t go to war with the strongest pack in the region," Cain spat out. It was true. Not only was Vehiron the largest pack in the south region, but it was also the strongest, harboring over a thousand warriors with different skills. The south region was also the largest and biggest region in the world. No one would ever want to wage war against the largest pack in the world, not even the king.

The room went silent again, no one daring to counter his words. After a few minutes, Callum cleared his throat. "Alpha, there’s another matter to address. There has been another rogue attack, and they’ve become increasingly consistent along the east border. The people there are no longer safe."

Cain’s fingers stopped drumming on the table. "How many this time?" he demanded.

"Two attacks in the last week," Nathan replied. "We lost four of our warriors in one ambush and barely managed to repel the others."

"They’re growing bolder," Cain mused. "What about the warriors stationed there? What’s their skill level?"

"60/40," Nathan replied, and Cain hummed. "They’re organized, I’ll give them that."

"Double the patrol. I want every rogue within ten miles of our borders hunted down and killed. I don’t care how organized they are; I want heads rolling," he ordered.

Xander nodded, "I’ll send word to the patrol leaders immediately," he replied.

"Good," Cain said sharply, then stood up. "This discussion is over."

Everyone stood up from their seats, murmuring as they walked out. Lydia stayed behind, waiting until the door was closed before speaking.

Cain moved to pour himself a drink, his back turned to her. "You have more to say?" he asked impatiently.

Lydia stood up and walked towards him, her arms crossed over her chest. "It’s about Kendra and Avery Jae."

Cain paused for a second, his grip on the cup tightening. "What about them?"

"Kendra humiliated her today in front of the other maids. It was dehumanizing, what she did. She ordered her to lick her shoes."

Cain set the glass on the table, turning to look at Lydia with an eyebrow cocked up. "And?"

Lydia’s eyes widened with disbelief. "And?" she snapped. "You can’t let this continue, Cain. Whether you like it or not, Avery is your mate. Allowing Kendra to treat her this way is a direct insult to the goddess who paired you two."

"The goddess? You think I give a damn about her? Avery’s mere existence is a punishment for the crimes I committed," he gritted out tightly, the two of them understanding what he meant by that.

"Is that what you think? That she’s a punishment from the goddess because your father killed his-"

Lydia didn’t get to complete her words as Cain wrapped his hand around her throat tightly, his eyes blazing red, veins popping with anger. "One more mistake, Lydia. One more, and I’ll snap your head off right here and now. I’ll forget our relationship and send you right off to your goddess," Cain growled out angrily, his hand tightening around her neck, slowly lifting her off the ground. Lydia’s vision blurred, the room spun, but she forced herself to meet his red eyes, even as air slipped away and she clawed endlessly at him.

"Alpha-" A knock at the door jolted him. Cain threw Lydia to the ground harshly before calling for the person to step in.

Lydia clawed at her neck as she coughed, her eyes moist. Lucas stepped into the room, his gaze falling to the beta who was on the ground in a coughing fit, glaring hard at the alpha.

"Avery didn’t choose this bond any more than you did, but if you keep pushing, you’re going to provoke something worse," Lydia gritted out.

"Out!" Cain snarled, and she bowed hastily before stepping out, knowing she’d crossed boundaries.

Lucas shifted awkwardly as he watched the alpha pour himself a drink and gulp it down, running his fingers through his hair angrily.

"Have you done what I asked you to?" he asked, and Lucas nodded hastily, stepping forward. freeωebnovēl.c૦m

"Alpha... the things I learned—they’re not what I expected. She’s... she’s dangerous in ways you wouldn’t believe." He hesitated for a second then continued, "I trailed her to the Eclipse Pack. That’s where I found out who she really is. From what I gathered, she’s a manipulator. A liar who only looks out for herself. From what I uncovered, she tried to kill her own uncle—the man who raised her after her parents died."

Cain’s fingers curled into fists on the table, his knuckles whitening. "Her uncle?"

"Yes. He took her in as a child, gave her everything after her parents’ death. It is said that she also tried to seduce her cousin’s mate. She was exposed, and then she fled the pack. No one’s heard from her ever since."

Cain chuckled humorlessly, downing even more whiskey. "So, the goddess bound me to a wretch," Cain said coldly, his voice low and filled with disdain. "A mate who poisons everything she touches. Fitting, isn’t it?"

Lucas hesitated, unsure how to reply. "I thought you should know, Alpha. I wanted to ensure you had all the facts."

"You’ve done well, Lucas. Meet Xander for your reward," he said, dismissing the man.

Cain turned towards the window, the news racing through his mind. He was right after all; Avery was nothing but a blood-sucking leech. Maybe, just maybe, the goddess made him, her mate to punish her for her crimes too.

He chuckled at the thought, sipping more of the whiskey. Oh, how wrong Lydia is. Avery isn’t the innocent girl she pretends to be. She’s just as rotten as he is. A wolf in sheep’s clothing. He is Avery’s karma, and he would make sure she pays for every wrong she’s committed. He would be the one to make her suffer.