174 Chapter 174
Betrayed by Blood
The warriors of the Blood Moon Pack all stood straight and tall, each one of them had anticipated the day when Hugh would no longer be pack alpha and they would be free from his tyranny.
Avery exhaled, glancing at Cain who stood at the side watching her. He gave a curt nod, and she nodded back, finally stepping forward. It started with the head guard who dropped to his knee. One by one, the rest of the warriors dropped to one knee, bowing
their heads.
“You are our rightful alpha,” the head warrior, a grizzled man named Orin, declared. “We pledge our loyalty to you. Blood Moon Pack stands with you.”
Avery swallowed hard before nodding. “Thank you,” she said, her voice steady despite the emotions bursting inside her. She turned slightly, her gaze shifting to Cain. “I’m thankful to each and every one of you. I will be merging Blood Moon Pack with Vehiron,” Avery continued, her tone firm. “The pack has suffered a great loss and will need time to recover and adjust. The first initiative will be to prioritize the people, and that is why the pack will be merged with Vehiron. Alpha Cain has opened the gates of the pack to us. Our people will be stronger as one.”
Murmurs rippled through the gathered warriors. Some exchanged glances; after all, the reputation of the alpha was widespread, yet they had no choice. Merging Blood Moon with Vehiron was unexpected but not unwelcome. Hugh had led them into ruin, and now they had a second chance under Cain and Avery’s leadership.
Cain stepped forward then, his presence commanding attention. “Vehiron does not turn away its own,” he said, his voice calm but firm. “You are Avery’s people, which means you are now my people as well.” His eyes swept over them. “You will have a home, protection, and a future.”
Silence filled the air, not a single soul breathed, then Orin thumped his fist over his heart in a show of respect. “For Luna Avery,” he declared.
“For Luna Avery!” The warriors yelled, their voices strong with conviction.
Avery let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. She’d been worried about
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how the people would take the news, and when she had shared her worries with Cain, he had reassured her, but the nagging feeling didn’t leave. Not until now.
She glanced at Cain and couldn’t help the smile that stretched on her face seeing him. He looked so content and relaxed, something she didn’t really see in Vehiron.
She turned to step away just as everyone was beginning to mingle but then paused when she saw it. A woman stood at the far end in the corner, her gaze heavy on Avery, watching her with her arms crossed over her chest. It was her aunt Darla, Hugh’s wife.
The papers she found in the box flashed in her mind, and Avery stiffened. Perhaps Darla would know something about the papers. Maybe Hugh told her the reason he hid them. What the words meant. Avery shot a quick glance at Cain, who was already occupied with the head warrior and Lydia.
‘Just a quick moment, she thought to herself and slipped away from their midst, rushing after Darla, who was already walking away.
Avery moved quickly as she followed Darla through
e crowd. The woman didn’t
glance back, but it was clear she knew Avery was trailing her.
Suddenly she stopped and turned to face Avery, her arms crossed over her chest, face pulled in a nasty frown. “Why are you following me? Haven’t you done enough damage already?” She snapped.
Avery blanked for a second, the words suddenly jumbled in her mind. “You were watching me.”
“And? Is that a crime? To watch you ruin everything my husband and I have worked for?” She gritted out, stepping forward suddenly. “Merging Blood Moon with Vehiron? That’s the stupidest thing you’ve ever done. Your father would spit at you for ruining the one thing he was so proud of.”
Avery’s jaw clenched. “My father is dead,” she said evenly. “Because of Hugh. Because of
you.”
Darla scoffed, shaking her head. “You know nothing, girl.”
“I know Hugh slaughtered my parents and stole what wasn’t his.” Avery took a step forward, standing firm. “I know he tormented me for years because he was too much of a coward to face his own failures.”
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Darla’s lip curled. “Failures? Hugh built Blood Moon from nothing-”
“Hugh ruined Blood Moon,” Avery cut in sharply. “He turned it into a pack of fear and desperation.
Ook at them, Darla.” She gestured toward the warriors still gathered in the distance. “They chose me. Not because I forced them to, but because they wanted something better. Because they deserve something better.”
Darla’s expression flickered, just for a second, before hardening again. “You think you’re better than us? You think you’re some savior?” She let out a bitter laugh. “You’re stupid just like your father and even worse than you think just like your mother. Too soft. Too trusting. And you’ll end up just like them.”
Avery’s chest tightened. “What do you mean?”
Darla stared at her blankly for some seconds then turned to walk away, but Avery was quick to hold her back. “What do you mean? What are those papers I found in the office? My grandmother’s frame. Tell me what I am missing here.”
Darla didn’t say a word.
“You do know Hugh was burnt, right? I did that! I need you to tell me why I can do that. What is going on? What did he have to hide them? Can you just let me know what I
am-”
“Enough! I’ve had enough. You’re always wanting and wanting but never willing to give. You’ve taken everything away from me and my family and still you want me to help you? How selfish are you, Avery?”
Avery’s hands clenched into fists at Darla’s words. “Selfish?” She let out a humorless laugh. “You and your family stole everything from me. You made me a servant in my own home. You let Hugh torment me, starve me, beat me, and now you dare call me
selfish?”
Darla’s lips pressed into a thin line, she looked away. “It was only necessary. I did what I had to do for my family.”
Avery’s chest rose and fell with steady breaths as she studied the woman in front of her. “And where is your so–called family now? Hugh is locked up. Dean is probably rotting away, and Jasmine is going to work her bones off. All your hard work has been flushed down the drain…” she paused for a second..
“There might be one thing I can do to help you though.” Darla didn’t respond, but
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Avery caught the slight shift in her expression, the flicker of something… hesitation?
Avery stepped closer. “Tell me what my uncle hid and why? What are those papers?” Her voice softened slightly, “If you tell me, I might be able to help you, help Jasmine.”
Darla scoffed. “Help me? Don’t be ridiculous.”
“You think Cain will just let you walk away?” Avery continued, tilting her head. “You’re Hugh’s wife. You were complicit in everything he did. But I could make sure you’re not treated as an enemy. If you tell me the truth.”
For a moment, Darla looked like she might actually consider it. Her lips parted, her gaze darting to the side, but then she shook her head sharply. “You’re just like your mother,” she muttered. “Always trusting the wrong people. Always hoping for something better.” She paused for a second. “I know nothing so stop pestering me and instead get rid of those mongrels you’ve brought here.” She spat out and walked off.
Avery stood still, watching her retreating figure. She had hoped this would be it. That she would finally understand everything, and even though she knew it was a long shot with Darla, she had dared to hope.
“Avery!”
She turned when she heard a familiar voice call out to her. A small smile making its way to her lips when she saw Emma.
“What are you doing back here? Alpha Cain was searching for you.” She mumbled, looking towards the direction Darla just walked.
“Wasn’t that Lu–Ma’am Darla?” She asked.
Avery hummed, “I was hoping she would tell me what the whole words were about.”
Emma arched an eyebrow, “Did she?”
Avery shook her head. “No.”
“Knew it. It’s not like her to ever do anything for free.” she replied and Avery hummed, the two of them walking back to the crowd.
Emma then stops, turning to face Avery. “I might have something for you though.”
Avery looked at her, eyebrows furrowed. “What?”
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Emma stepped closer to her, “I found someone. Someone that can tell you what it means. Someone we haven’t thought of in a long time.”
“Who?”
“Elder Loris.”
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