Chapter 32
Betrayed by Blood~
The next day, Avery was up and already working, going about to complete her chores for the day. She had made up her mind to avoid Cain for as long as she could today. The thought of what happened yesterday filled her mind, and she shook her head, trying to drive it away. She had already made up her mind.
Avery placed the last cup of tea on the tray and made her way out of the kitchen. Life had been sort of easier when Martha wasn’t around, breathing down her neck or yelling at her for a mistake she thought Avery made. Martha herself hadn’t been in the pack house for a while now, not since she received her lashings outside the yard. Rumors had it that she’d been tasked with cleaning up the guards’ bathroom and toilets, and some even said she was banned from the pack house. In all, nobody had any idea where she was.
Avery walked towards the guards by the doors and offered them the tea as instructed. Her gaze flickered about, and that’s when she noticed her.
Lydia stood some feet away, talking to a pack member, her hands moving about almost animatedly. As though she could sense Avery’s eyes on her, Lydia snapped her head towards Avery.
Avery gave a small smile and bowed, still thankful for all the woman did for her. It was only then that she noticed the beta already walking towards her. By now, she was already done serving the guards the tea.
"Avery..." Lydia called out her name with a small smile on her face.
"Beta Lydia," Avery called out, bowing yet again. She’d gained even more respect for the woman who had helped her. Lydia’s smile faltered only a bit.
"You really don’t have to call me by my title every time," she said, her gaze flickering over Avery only to stop at something. Avery’s gaze trailed Lydia’s eyes to her arm, and she awkwardly pulled her sleeve down even more.
Lydia was quick to notice the marks on Avery’s arms. They weren’t subtle—angry, dark bruises blooming across her skin like ink stains. It was nothing like she had seen. She opened her mouth to speak, but Avery was faster.
"I should get going. My chores are still much, and I don’t want to miss dinner," Avery replied with an awkward chuckle. She turned to leave but barely made it away.