73 Chapter 73
73 Chapter 73
Betrayed By Blood-
Lydia spent the day in the office, going through the many files and documents that hadn’t been touched yet. It had been five hours, and honestly, she needed a break but couldn’t… not now. She needed to be done with this and give it to Cain. Hopefully, he is calmer.
A knock at the door jolted her out of her reverie. Lydia looked up, eyebrows cocked up. She had made sure to inform them not to interrupt her, so whatever it was had to be important enough to bypass her orders.
“Come in “,
called out, and the door opened, revealing a guard. He stepped into the room and bowed his head.
“Beta Lydia. I’m sorry to interrupt, but you received a parcel, the guard said, bringing the small bag he held closer.
“A parcel? From who?” Lydia asked, confusion laced in her tone as she collected the bag from the guard.
“It was left at the border anonymously with your name attached to it, the guard replied. Lydia’s eyes narrowed slightly, her brows quirked up. “Someone dropped at parcel for me, and you’re telling me you don’t know who it is? Is that a joke or what?” She hissed out.
The guard stiffened, “It came so quickly we didn’t have-”
“Is that what you’d tell Alpha Cain when he learns of this incompetence? You guard the border to Vehiron for goodness sake. Do you realize the weight of the position you hold? You’re telling me anyone can just drop something off, and none of you would know?” Lydia spat out.
“Forgive our insolence, Beta Lydia. We will do better,” the guard said, getting to his knees.
Lydia shook her head, dismissing him with a wave of her hand. The guards needed a reform. They were way too relaxed for her liking.
She took a deep breath and grabbed the bag, taking a look into it only to find a single
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brown envelope in it. She took it out carefully and pulled the envelope away, Her breath hitched when she noticed the sign on the letter. Her heart raced, her chest tightening inexplicably. She had recognized his handwriting instantly, the slanted. script so familiar.
With a sharp inhale, she broke the seal and unfolded the letter. The words written across the page hit her hard..
Lydia,
I don’t know where to begin, so I’ll start with what matters most. I’m alive. I’m safe–if you can even call hiding away in someone else’s shadows “safe.”
I know I’ve hurt you. The choices I’ve made, the lines I’ve crossed–they’ve left scars 1 can’t undo. I didn’t mean for things to spiral like this. I didn’t mean to drag you into the aftermath of my mistakes. I failed as your brother, and for that, I’m sorry.
You’ve always been the strong one, the dependable one. The one Cain trusted. And I… I betrayed everything you stand for.
Please, don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. I have to believe that, even if I don’t deserve it. I know I’m asking for too much, but please, don’t tell Cain about my letter to you. If he ever finds out… you know what he’ll do. This is between us. I’ll contact you when it’s safe–when I’ve found a way to fix this mess.
Take care of yourself, Lydia.
With all my love,
Xander.
Lydia’s eyes scanned the letter over and over again, her hands trembling with each read, almost like she couldn’t believe it. Xander wrote to her. She folded the letter with -trembling hands, clutching it to her chest as a sob escaped her lips. “Damn you,
Xander,” she whispered hoarsely, her voice cracking.
Her thoughts raced. He was alive. He was safe–for now. Yet she was incredibly confused. Did he really kill those guards that day? How could he though? He’s lost one arm and should be in pain. Xander couldn’t have done that, so who? Lydia knew for a fact, Xander couldn’t have escaped alone, so how? Who helped him? She shook her head, the last part of the letter ringing in her head.
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He didn’t want her to tell Cain, not like she ever could though. Cain has guards out searching for him, his picture was pasted all over the region with a bounty on his head. If Cain ever saw Xander, it was sure he would be killing him Instantly, and Lydia, she could never allow it. Not when she knew something was wrong. Keeping this a secret from Cain was dangerous, and yet, how could she turn her back on her brother? It was impossible. She just had to keep this a secret until she found Xander. Whoever brought this letter over had to know where he is.
She shot to her feet, grabbed her keys, and burst out of her room, her footsteps echoing down the hallway. She didn’t waste time and got into the car, driving straight towards the border.
Martha stood a distance away, arms crossed over her chest, squinting hard as she watched Lydia hop into the car. She stepped out of the shadows as the car sped away, her lips puckered. ‘What’s got Beta Lydia so agitated? She mused curiously to herself. In seconds, Lydia was at the border. She marched over to the guard’s post.
“Who delivered the parcel to my quarters?” she demanded, her voice cold.
The guards exchanged confused glances. “We didn’t see anyone, Beta,” one of them stammered.
“Then check the surveillance logs!” Lydia barked. “Someone entered the packhouse. Find out who it was, now!”
The guards scrambled to obey, Lydia paced back and forth. She needed answers, and she needed them fast. This could be her lead to finding Xander after all.
Minutes later, the guards gathered again, their faces pale. “Beta, I’m sorry, but there was no recording of that moment. We couldn’t find the one who delivered the parcel.”
Lydia clenched her jaw tight, her gaze sweeping across the group of guards intensely. Her voice was dangerously low,
“No recording?” she barked angrily. “How does a border meant to be impenetrable fail to notice someone crossing into our territory?”
The guards squirmed under her scrutiny, one of them daring to speak. “Beta Lydia, it’s possible they used blind spots… areas we’re still working to secure.”
Her gaze darkened. “Blind spots?” she hissed. “This isn’t some amateur’s…ritory. This
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is Vehiron. Your incompetence could have cost us far more than a damned parcel:
The guards fell silent, their heads bowed, as Lydia took a deep, steadying breath. Could she trace the scent on the letter? Whoever brought could’ve left their scent on the letter or maybe even Xander himself. The scent could lead her to him too if he didn’t use scent blockers. She hoped he didn’t use it even though there was a slim chance he went without it.
“I want all blind spots covered immediately,” she snapped. “Double the patrols. And if you can’t ensure security for the pack. I’ll find people who can.”
“Yes, Beta!” the guards chorused, their voices trembling
Lydia turned on her heel, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. This was a fail, but at least she could still trace the scent…
The room was heavy with tension, Cain sat behind his desk, his eyes scanning the reports from the border. His patience, already frayed, was wearing thin. He looked at the man before him, eyes narrowed. “Still no report?” He asked.
Callum straightened up, shaking his head. “Not yet, Alpha. We’re doing everything we can.” He replied.
He opened his mouth to speak but is cut off by the sharp knock at the door. Without looking up, he growled, “Enter”
The door opened, and a royal courier stepped in, flanked by two of Cain’s guards. The man, dressed in the king’s colors (black and red), held a sealed envelope with trembling hands. He bowed low, his voice unsteady as he spoke. “Alpha Cain, a message from His Majesty.”
Cain clenched his jaw tight, a message from the king was never a good thing. The man had just left the pack after the blood hunt, and now this… he should’ve been expecting
this.
“Leave it on the desk and get out.”
The courier hurriedly placed the envelope down and fled, the sound of the door closing echoed through the room. Cain picked up the letter, his thumb brushing over the royal insignia. The king’s demands rarely came with courtesy, and 1
new this
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would be no exception. Damn that man..
Breaking the seal, he unfolded the letter.
“Alpha Cain‘
You are hereby summoned to the capital to address matters of great importance, including recent events in your pack, Vehiron. You are expected to present yourself before the throne within three days. Noncompliance will not be tolerated:
Cain’s jaw tightened, his grip on the letter turning his knuckles white. The audacity of the king, to summon him like a servant. He growled lowly as his eyes scanned the words again, slower this time, as if daring the letter to change its meaning.
“Noncompliance will not be tolerated?” he mocked. He slammed the letter onto the desk, his glare shifting to Callum.
“Get Lydia in here.” He gritted out, missing the way Callum’s eyes ticked at the mention of the beta.
“Alpha, Maybe I can he-” He shuts up immediately at Cain’s venomous glare. “Please excuse me.” He muttered and walked out.
Cain stood up, running his fingers through his hair, his gaze flickered to the letter again. King Alaric was smart, he’d give him that. He took the best opportunity for this seeing Cain’s pack occupied. He thought this would be a weakened only if he knew how wrong he was.
Cain inhaled deeply, regulating his feelings for the first time. Whatever the king had planned doesn’t matter. Cain would always be a step ahead of him.
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