The Alpha's Borrowed Luna (Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 208

Chapter 208

KAIUS

“Laugh it off, Frost,” I said, running a hand through my hair as we entered my office. The metallic taste of my own blood lingered on my tongue, a reminder of what had just happened.

“I’m worried about her, I admitted, dropping into my chair.

Frost remained standing, his body tense with concern. “Since she left this pack months ago she hadn’t been the same. So Kieran hadn’t been the one, right?”

“He denied.”

“And you believe him?”

I considered the question, remembering the genuine shock on Kieran’s face when I’d confronted him. “I didn’t spot a lie, and he does love Elowen; they were about to get married; I can’t understand how he could have done that. I don’t think it was him.”

“So had there been some other person involved?” Frost leaned against the wall, his brow furrowed in thought.

“Not that I know of, but Kieran does seem to suspect something; he would be here shortly with a sorceress.”

A sorceress? What do we need a witch for?”

“You were right when you said Elowen hadn’t been the same since she returned from the Storm Wardens. Kieran knows something, and apparently the sorceress also has a role to play; if she can help Elowen, I wouldn’t mind letting her into the pack.” It was a significant concession–witches were rarely welcome in werewolf territory, their magic often at odds with our nature.

I fell silent for a moment, my thoughts turning to darker concerns.

“Frost, you know how Daisy, experienced as she is, finds this case strange,” I said, sinking into my chair. “The blood thirst, the pregnancy, the pain–even a healer can’t figure out what’s going on.

“It is strange,” Frost agreed, still leaning against the wall, his brow furrowed. “What do you make of it?”

“Well, she can’t detect a heartbeat from whatever is growing in her womb, and yet it’s in there, growing rapidly. I think the child might be dead.”

“Is her weakness because the child died inside her?” Frost asked, concern evident in his voice.

“No, not just that. This thing is taking more nutrients from her than her body is capable of giving.”

“That explains why she looks so frail all of a sudden.” Understanding dawned in Frost’s eyes, followed quickly by alarm.

“Daisy believes that her chances of survival are very low. The words felt like ash in my mouth, the reality of possibly losing Elowen too painful to fully acknowledge.

Frost straightened, his expression hardening with resolve. “If this thing is not living and it keeps growing and feeding on her, why not get rid of it?”

“That’s what I would have done, but again, this thing is growing in her womb; it’s hers, and we can’t do a thing till she agrees.” The answer felt weak even to my own ears, but I couldn’t bring myself to violate Elowen’s bodily autonomy again, not after everything I’d already done to her.

1/2

Chapter 208

A sharp knock interrupted us, the door opening to reveal Daisy, herce pale with urgency.

“She’s gone,” she announced, her voice tight with alarm.

“What do you mean she’s gone?” Frost pushed away from the wall, his body tensing.

“I went to get some more pain relievers, and I returned to see the bed completely empty; she is not in the pack house either.”

Ice shot through my veins. Elowen, in her weakened state, alone somewhere in Ravenhollow territory. With night approaching and

her condition deteriorating by the hour.

“Organize search parties,” I ordered, already.moving toward the door. I want every available wolf combing the grounds. Alert the border guards. No one leaves the territory without being searched.”

“What about Kieran and the sorceress?” Frost asked, falling into step beside me.

“Bring them directly to me when they arrive. In the meantime, I’ll track her myself.”

Outside, I inhaled deeply, sorting through the multitude of scents until I found the one I sought–Elowen’s scent, changed now with whatever was happening to her, but still recognizable to me. I would always know her, no matter how she changed.

The trail led toward the eastern forest, growing stronger as I approached the treeline. She hadn’t been gone long, her scent still fresh on the evening air. I moved deeper into the forest, following the trail with single–minded focus, my senses fully extended.