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Betrayed by Blood-
Cain grabbed a bottle of whiskey and poured himself a cup, his shirt stained with blood, Xander’s blood. He downed the whiskey and immediately poured himself another.
The door to his office slammed open, and Cain’s head snapped up, his jaw tightening as Lydia stormed in. Her face was pale, her eyes rimmed red with tears. She froze when she saw him, her gaze flickering to the bloodstained shirt he wore.
“You didn’t even give him a chance to explain,” she hissed, her voice trembling as she stepped closer.
Cain set the bottle down, his gaze fixed on her, cold. “You were there. You saw what he did. You saw everything, and yet here you stand, in front of me, arguing on his behalf? Pleading his case?”
you!
He took a step toward her, his towering frame radiating barely restrained rage. “Have you lost your mind?” he growled.
Lydia flinched, but she didn’t back down. Her hands balled into fists at her sides as she forced herself to meet his gaze. “I admit it,” she said, her voice shaky. “I admit he crossed a line, but he wouldn’t try to kill you, Cain! You’ve known Xander for years- years! He’s been loyal to you, to this pack. Why would he suddenly-”
“People change!” Cain’s voice thundered through the room, silencing her. His fists clenched, his nails digging into his palms as he took another step forward.
“And I am not going to waste my time trying to understand why he did what he did. The fact remains, Lydia–he changed. He lost his mind by touching Avery. He tried to get me killed.”
He paused, his golden eyes glowing with a dangerous light as he leaned closer, “That’s a crime I cannot forgive.”
Lydia’s breath hitched, his words striking her like daggers. How was she ever going to convince him? She knew it deep down, Xander would never do what he is being accused of. Tears rolled down her cheeks and she wiped them off harshly. “You’re
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wrong about him. You should at least investigate this. He at least deserves-”
“Enough!” Cain roared, his patience snapping. “He deserves nothing from me! He is nothing more than a traitor. You should be grateful I didn’t take his head and settled for his arm. The same arm he dared to touch Avery with”
Lydia staggered back as if struck. A fresh tear rolled down her cheek, and she choked back a sob. “Xander is my brother, Cain. You should at least accord him this–for me. Let me investigate. He doesn’t deserve this. Xander would never-
Her words were cut off as Cain moved in the blink of an eye, his hand shooting out to grab her throat. Lydia gasped, her hands flying to his wrist as his grip tightened. His eyes glowed brighter, his wolf now fully in control.
“You dare to tell me what he deserves?” Cain snarled, his voice deeper, more feral. “Do not forget your place, Lydia.”
Her breath came in short, panicked gasps as his fingers dug into her skin, drawing out blood. For a moment, she thought he might crush her throat entirely, but then he let out a growl and threw her across the room.
Lydia’s body slammed into the bookshelf. She fell to the ground, coughing and
clutching her neck as ot
she struggled to breathe.
Cain stood where he was, his chest heaving, his golden eyes now returned to their normal green. “Get out,” he snarled, his voice low. “Before I decide to make you join your traitor of a brother in the dungeons.”
Lydia trembled as she pulled herself to her feet. “You’re making a mistake, Cain. Xander and I have served you with our lives. We would never–Xander would never do this-” she gritted out and turned, slamming the door shut behind her.
The air in the dungeons was damp and suffocating. Lydia walked down the narrow passage. The guards standing outside Xander’s cell straightened when they saw her coming, already exchanging uneasy glances.
“Open the door, Lydia ordered coldly, her voice leaving no room for argument.
“Beta Lydia,” one of them stammered, stepping forward hesitantly, “Alpha Cain gave strict orders-”
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“I said, open the door,” she snapped, “Or I’ll slit your throats myself and toss your bodies in the woods where no one would ever find them. Do I make myself clear?”
The guards paled, exchanging quick, nervous glances before fumbling with the keys. The cell door creaked open, and Lydia stepped inside without looking back.
“Leave us,” she barked.
“Beta-”
“Do you really want to test me today?” she growled, “Get. Out.”
The guards didn’t need to be told twice. They hurried out, slamming the iron door shut behind them. Lydia exhaled heavily. She looked at the figure slumped against the wall in the corner.
Xander sat on the cold, damp floor, his back pressed against the wall. His shirt was torn, bloodied, and his face was a mess of bruises. The stump where his arm used to be was shabbily wrapped, the bandages stained through. His head tilted up at her entrance, his bloodshot eyes dull with pain and bitterness.
“Why are you here?” he asked, his voice hoarse, “Shouldn’t you be upstairs celebrating my downfall with the rest of them?”
Lydia froze at his words, her throat tightening. “You think I’d do that?”
He let out a bitter laugh. “Why not? Go ahead. Say it. ‘I told you so, Xander. Isn’t that what you came for?”
“Shut up,” Lydia snapped, stepping closer. “You don’t get to sit there and act like the victim. What the hell were you thinking? Touching Avery like that in front of Cain?”
“I wasn’t thinking!” Xander shot back, his voice rising. “I don’t even remember what happened! One moment, I was at the table, and the next-” He stopped abruptly, shaking his head as if trying to clear it. “It was like I had a fog on, everything still seems blurry.”
Lydia cleared her throat. She stepped forward. “Xander,” she began, “you’re my brother. I’ll always stand by you, but you have to help me understand. Cain thinks you betrayed him. Do you realize what he could have done to you? You’re lucky to even be alive right
now!”
“Lucky?” Xander barked out a humorless laugh, gesturing to the bloody bandages.
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where his arm used to be. “This is your definition of lucky?”
“Yes, considering what you have stacked against you. That bead. How did it get into your clothes? Do you realize how tight of a situation I’m in? Three assassins were sent to Cain, and the same bead found on them was found on you. Do you realize how implicating this is for you?” She barked out.
Xander laughed exasperatedly, “Do I realize? Well, seeing as I only have one arm left. Yes, Lydia. Yes, I do realize how implicating this is.” He gritted out.
“If you do, then help me understand what the hell happened.”
“I don’t know!” Xander’s voice cracked, and he slammed his fist against the floor. “I don’t know what happened, Lydia! Everything is a blur to me. I don’t know how that bead or whatever it is got into my clothes. I don’t know why I dragged Avery or held her? I don’t know.” He screamed.
Lydia swallowed hard, her eyes blurring with unshed tears. She took a step forward, but the door flew open, the guard from before stepped in.
“Beta Lydia. I’m afraid your visit has been cut short. Alpha Cain heard you’re in here, and he’s livid. Please leave.” The guard rushed out.
Lydia exhaled shakily, trying her best not to break down. Xander stepped closer, a sad bitter smile on his lips. “Go. Your loyalty lies with him. Don’t let him make a lesson of
you.”
Lydia opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. She nodded slowly and turned to leave. Her feet were heavier than ever, the urge to look back was even greater, but she forced herself to walk away without looking back.
