160 Chapter 160
Betrayed by Blood
Chapter 160
The afternoon sun was harsh, and Avery knelt in the dirt, carefully pressing fresh herbs into the soil. Her hands were covered in mud, but she found the work calming. A sense of peace settled over her as she tucked another sprout into place.
Selena and Millie were with her, also digging and planting. They weren’t given as much work as before, maybe because Avery was Cain’s mate, and they understood it. Somehow the favor extended to her friends.
Selena stood nearby, holding a small basket of seedlings. “Here,” she said, reaching down to pass Avery a sprig of rosemary.
As she leaned forward, her sleeve slipped slightly, just enough for Avery to catch a glimpse of bruised skin near her shoulder. It was now a dark shade of purple, which meant it was healing. The faint outline of what looked like a handprint marred her usually flawless skin.
Avery’s fingers stilled in the soil. “Selena,” she said cautiously, eyes flickering up. “What happened to you?”
Selena immediately pulled back, adjusting her sleeve as if she hadn’t noticed. “It’s nothing,” she said, too quickly. “I just–bumped into something.”
Avery frowned. “That doesn’t look like you just bumped into something.”
Selena’s lips parted slightly, but then she shook her head, taking a step back. “It’s nothing,” she insisted again, firmer this time. “I have to go.”
“Go whe-” She doesn’t get to complete her words as Selena dropped the basket and practically ran off.
Avery glanced at Millie, whose gaze was stuck on Selena’s retreating figure. “Is everything okay with her?” She asked, and Millie sighed.
“I don’t know. She’s been weird, but then again, when has Selena never been weird,” she replied, reaching for the basket.
17:26
160 Chapter 160
Avery hummed, “Did you see the bruise?” she asked.
Millie sighed, pausing in what she was doing. “You know, now that you’ve left. She’s my- roommate. I’ve seen more than that bruise. She has a lot more on her neck and back. Whatever she hit must’ve been huge as hell,” Millic muttered.
Avery exhaled, brushing the dirt off her hands as she stood. “I need to talk to her.”
Millie shrugged, gathering the scattered seedlings back into the basket. “Good luck with that. She won’t talk.”
Avery barely heard her. She turned, scanning the garden for any sign of Selena, but her friend was already gone. Just as she lifted her head, a prickling sensation ran down her spine.
She lifted her gaze to the pack house, and there he was.
Cain stood at the window of his office, watching her. His sharp, predatory gaze locked onto hers intensely.
Avery’s breath caught. She had the sudden urge to step back, but before she could even process the thought, his voice came through the mind–link in her mind.
‘Come to me.’
Avery swallowed hard. She glanced at a busy Millie. “Hey, I’ll be back soon,” she muttered, dusting off her hands and started toward the packhouse.
By the time she reached his door, her pulse was hammering against her ribs. She hesitated only a second before pushing it open.
Cain was already waiting.
The moment she stepped inside, he moved.
Before she could react, she was slammed against the wall, a startled gasp leaving her lips as Cain’s body pressed into hers.
His scent surrounded her, intoxicating, possessive, and overwhelming.
“Cain-”
His mouth crashed against hers.
17:26
160 Chapter 160
“W–wait…” she stammered, and he paused. “I’m sweaty and just came from the sun. You won’t-”
“I don’t care,” he said before slamming his lips against hers again. Avery barely had time to think before she was melting into him, her fingers curling into his shirt as his lips moved against hers.
His hands roamed down her body, gripping her waist, pulling her closer, like he couldn’t get enough of her. He growled low, the vibration sending shivers down her spine.
Then, without breaking the kiss, he lifted her, carrying her across the room.
The next thing she knew, she was on his desk, his hands gripping her thighs, pushing them apart as he stepped between them.
“You’ve been avoiding me,” he muttered against her lips, his voice dark, accusing.
Avery gasped as his mouth trailed down her jaw, his teeth scraping lightly against her skin. “I–haven’t.”
Cain pulled back slightly, eyes locked onto hers. “Liar.”
Okay, maybe she’s been avoiding him a little. They haven’t spoken properly since the news he told her. At first, she told herself she was going to settle down and try her best to understand what he just told her, but she couldn’t, and so she did what she thought was best. She went to see Lydia only to find out the beta was out of the pack for three days.
She decided to stay clear of him until she found out if there was something she was missing, and so…she’s been avoiding him.
Avery’s heart pounded in her chest. Cain’s gaze pinned her in place. He was waiting for her to deny it again, but she couldn’t.
Instead, she swallowed, gripping the edge of his desk as his hands slid up her thighs, his touch searing even through her clothes.
“I-” She hesitated, but the words wouldn’t come.
Cain leaned in, his lips brushing against her ear. “Say it,” he murmured, his voice deep, sending a shiver down her spine. “Tell me why you’ve been running.”
17:27
160 Chapter 160
Avery turned her head slightly, their lips inches apart. “I wasn’t running”
Cain exhaled a sharp breath, his fingers tightening around her thighs. “Liar.”
His mouth crashed against hers again, harder this time, more demanding. Avery gasped, her hands flying up to his chest, gripping his shirt as he devoured her. His tongue slid against hers, coaxing, claiming, until she couldn’t think of anything but him.
His hands gripped her waist, pulling her closer, and Avery felt the hard press of his body against hers.
Then, just as his fingers slipped under the hem of her shirt, he suddenly froze.
Avery barely had time to react before Cain pulled back slightly, his eyes dark and searching. His fingers brushed over the side of her thigh, where her pants had shifted just enough to reveal a faint, crescent–shaped mark.
A bite.
Avery’s breath hitched.
Cain’s expression changed instantly. His pupils dilated, his jaw clenched, and his grip on her tightened. “What,” he said slowly, voice low, “is this?”
Avery swallowed hard, instinctively shifting her leg to cover the mark, but Cain caught her wrist before she could move.
“Avery,”
She forced a breath, her mind scrambling for an answer, any answer that would keep him from spiraling.
“It’s nothing” she said quickly, trying to push his hand away. “It’s old. It doesn’t matter.” Cain didn’t let go. If anything, his grip only grew firmer.
His eyes searched hers, and she knew–he wasn’t going to drop this.
But before he could press further, a knock sounded at the door.
Cain didn’t move, didn’t look away from her. “What?” he snapped.
A hesitant voice came through the door. “Alpha, an urgent message from Beta Lydia.”
17:27
161 Chapter 161
161 Chapter 161
