Betrayed by Blood, Claimed by the Alpha-Chapter 203

It didn’t take long before the door was opened, and Elder Loris stepped in with a wide smile on her face.

"Oh, child, how are you feeling?" She asked the second her milky eyes settled on Avery.

Avery sat up slowly, smiling at the woman even though she couldn’t see her. Cain hovered beside her like a shadow, ready to catch her if she so much as swayed, but she waved him off with a tired smile. "I can manage," she whispered.

Elder Loris sat next to her. The moment their skin touched, Elder Loris inhaled sharply — a soft, broken gasp that made even Cain stiffen.

Avery blinked at her, confused. "Is something wrong?"

But Elder Loris shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. "No," she whispered. "Not wrong... blessed."

Her thumb traced a small circle over the back of Avery’s hand as if feeling something only she could sense. "The goddess herself has laid her hand on you. You carry more light than you know," Elder Loris said gently. "And more strength."

Elder Loris sniffled, wiping her tears. "You’re perfectly okay, Luna. Just rest more, and you’ll gain all that you’ve lost."

Avery smiled at this. She looked at Cain, whose eyes were already on her. He nodded at her and looked at Elder Loris, who was already standing up.

"My job here is done, Alpha. May I return to Bloodmoon?" She asked.

"Of course, Elder Loris. You don’t have to ask twice." He glanced at Avery, letting her know he would be back soon.

"Come with me, and I’ll set you up," he tells Elder Loris and walked out of the room with the woman.

Avery barely had time to catch her breath after all that’s happened when the door slammed open, and a familiar small figure rushed in.

"AVERY!" Millie cried, tears streaming down her cheeks. She launched herself at the bed, throwing her arms around Avery’s waist with a force that almost toppled her back.

Avery let out a breathless laugh, wrapping one arm weakly around the girl. "Millie," she croaked, brushing her messy hair back from her face. "I’m okay."

Millie only sobbed harder, clinging tighter. Avery felt her throat tighten again. "Don’t ever do that again. I was worried sick," she sobbed.

Avery chuckled, "I won’t. I promise."

At the door, another figure lingered.

It was Selena.

She stood frozen, her arms wrapped around herself, shame etched deep into every vein in her body. Her eyes glistened, but she didn’t move, as if too afraid she didn’t deserve to.

Avery’s smile waned off a little, remembering all that Lydia told her. So it was Selena who told Alaric about her abilities. She knew Selena was battling with something she refused to talk about back then, but not once did Avery think it could ever pertain to her.

Now, watching Selena sob inwardly, her body trembling, eyes filled with so much guilt it made Avery’s heart ache. Avery knew she couldn’t hold it over Selena’s head. She only did what she did to save her brother.

"Selena," she whispered, opening her arms, a silent invitation.

Selena made a broken noise and ran, nearly tripping over herself in her rush. She collapsed into Avery’s side, joining Millie, her cries muffled against Avery’s shoulder.

"I’m here," she whispered. "I’m not going anywhere."

It took several minutes before the room quieted again, everyone trying to blink back tears.

Selena leaned back, wiping her tears. "I’m sorry, Avery. I’m so sorry. If I could go back in time, I would never—"

Avery stopped her from speaking further, shaking her head. "It’s in the past, Selena. So many things have happened that I don’t want to dwell on anymore. I want to live anew and be with those who love me. No grudges."

A tear slipped down Selena’s cheek. "You’re too good, Avery. Too good," she whispered, and Avery chuckled.

"Tell me everything I’ve missed. I can’t believe it’s been two months. One minute I was getting ready for my mating ceremony, and the next I’m being whipped away." Avery shook her head as the memories from that day rushed back into her mind.

"It’s all in the past. Now, we just have to wait and pray for Sir Xander—" she paused, her eyes widening. She wasn’t supposed to say anything.

Avery’s brows furrowed. "Pray for Xander? Why? What happened to him?"

Millie and Selena exchanged a panicked look, but Avery saw it. "Tell me. What happened?" she insisted.

Millie sighed, "He’s in a coma. He went with the alpha to the forest and got attacked. He’s been unconscious ever since they returned. The healers say there’s nothing they can do."

Avery’s breath hitched. Xander was also injured? He went into the forest for her too and got injured there? Just how much damage was done because of her being unconscious.

No. Xander has already gone through so much. He doesn’t deserve this.

Avery pushed off the covers. Her muscles screamed in protest, but she forced herself to stand.

Millie gasped and tried to stop her. "Avery, you can’t! You’re still healing—"

"I have to see him," Avery said stubbornly. "He’s in that state because of me."

Selena shook her head desperately. "Please, Avery. Alpha Cain said you needed to rest. If he finds out—"

"What Cain doesn’t know won’t kill him," she said, her legs shaking. Millie caught her elbow, steadying her, but Avery shook her head. "I need to see him with my own eyes."

For a moment, none of them moved. Then Selena sighed and nodded.

"Alright," she said. "But we have to be quick. Alpha Cain’s still with Elder Loris... If we’re fast, we can make it."

Soon they arrived at the room where Xander was being kept. Selena pushed it open carefully, and the first thing Avery saw wasn’t Xander. It was Lydia.

She stood over the bed, a cloth in her hand as she gently wiped down Xander’s chest and arms. Her usual stern face was softer now, almost maternal as she cared for him.

Lydia froze when she noticed them. "Avery? What in the goddess’s name are you doing here?" She wiped her hands on her skirt and took a step forward, already preparing to shoo them out.

"You shouldn’t be up, much less here..." Avery didn’t flinch. She didn’t even seem to hear Lydia’s words. Her gaze was locked on Xander.

He looked so small like this. So frail. His face was pale, dark shadows under his eyes. Tubes and bandages covered him. It was all wrong. Xander wasn’t supposed to look like this.

"Avery," Lydia said more gently now, her voice dropping. "You need to rest. Cain will—"

"Please," Avery whispered, cutting her off.

Lydia hesitated, her mouth opening, then closing again. Whatever she saw in Avery’s eyes made her step back silently, giving her room.

Avery walked towards the bed, she sat down in the chair Lydia had been using, her trembling hand reaching for Xander’s.

He was cold. Too cold.

Avery bit down hard on her lip to keep herself from crying again. How many times will he get hurt because of her?

"Hey, Xander," she whispered, "I’m sorry." It was a long overdue apology. She’d been avoiding him like the plague after what happened. Not because she was scared of him but rather the guilt she felt. If she hadn’t gotten involved with him, then he wouldn’t have lost his arm.

She swallowed hard, standing up again. She placed her hand on his forehead and shut her eyes tight. Something inside her pushing her to do so.

She waited a second until feeling like she was connected to her core and then swallowed, "Wake up."

For a moment, nothing happened.

The room was so still that Avery could hear the ticking of the clock on the far wall, the shallow breathing of Millie and Selena, even the faint rustle of Lydia’s skirt as she shifted uneasily.

Then, under her palm... something shifted.

Avery gasped softly. Xander’s forehead twitched. His fingers curled weakly against the blanket, and his eyes shot open.