The Alpha's Borrowed Luna (Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 24

The Alpha’s Borrowed Luna

The Alpha King

Years of frustration boiled over. Her slavery had always defined my fe too. I was rejected at Mistwood because of it and now found myself trapped in another pack because of choices I’d made to free yet.

“You seem to know so much,” I spat. “Strange how you do when you spent your whole life in slavery.”

The moment the words left my lips, I regretted them. My mother’s face went blank, her expression shutting down completely. It was worse than if I’d slapped her.

“Mama, 1-” I began, reaching for her.

She stepped back, her eyes suddenly distant. “No. You’re right. What could I possibly know about the world, about men like him?” Her voice was flat, devoid of its earlier passion. “I’m just a slave. What could I possibly understand about freedom or choices?”

“I didn’t mean-”

“No. No, you’re not,” she said flatly. “But when he breaks you, don’t come running to me. I might not be able to help you.”

Her words chilled me to the bone. Before I could respond, she was gone, the door closing behind her with a soft click.

I stood frozen, staring at the closed door. The mother who had always been my ally, my protector, had just withdrawn her

unconditional support. And it was my fault.

What have I done?

Tears burned behind my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I’d cried enough in the past few weeks. Tears wouldn’t fix what I’d broken, wouldn’t change the reality of my situation.

I caught my reflection in the mirror–the revealing blue dress Kaius had selected mocking me with its exposure of my body.

With sudden determination, I reached behind me and yanked down the zipper. The expensive fabric pooled at my feet, and I stepped away from it, wrapping myself in the plush robe hanging in the bathroom.

I moved to the wardrobe, determined to select my own clothing despite Kaius’s orders.

If I was to meet his parents, I would do so in something that allowed me to maintain my dignity. As I rifled through the hanging garments, my fingers brushed against a simple but elegant dark green dress. The fabric was soft, expensive, and the cut modest yet flattering.

*This one.* A small act of defiance, but it was mine.

I’d just finished dressing when a knock sounded at the door. Steeling myself for Kaius’s displeasure at finding me in a dress he hadn’t selected, I opened it to find Frost standing in the hallway.

“Luna,” he greeted with a formal nod.

“You don’t have to call me that,” I said, stepping back to allow him entry.

He entered with the fluid grace I’d come to associate with wolves of high rank. “Alright, Elowen. But I should probably still call ye Luna since I was sent by the Alpha…

“What a shocker, I muttered under my breath.

To my surprise, his lips twitched in what might have been amusement. “This must be very hard for you; huge changes like these

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The Alpha King

take some time to adjust to.”

I shot him a skeptical look. “Don’t pretend like you are on my side; we both know which side you are on.” I moved to the vanity, quickly pinning my hair up in a simple style. “I’m ready to go.”

“Yes, I obey Kaius; he is my Alpha after all,” Frost acknowledged, leaning against the wall with unexpected casualness. “But I think I

like you.”

The admission caught me off guard. In our limited interactions, Frost had been formal, distant–Kaius’s shadow and enforcer. This glimpse of personality was unexpected.

“My mother thinks Kaius is dangerous,” I found myself saying, watching his reflection in the mirror. “She worries about me.”

“She is not exactly wrong to worry about your safety,” he replied, his candor surprising me again.

I turned to face him. “That’s very helpful, Frost; thanks.”

A rare chuckle escaped him. “I was trying to be truthful. But he isn’t all that bad.”

“That’s a lie, I said flatly.

Frost studied me briefly, his ice–blue eyes thoughtful. “I think you are different, but he could be a very intimidating man.”

“Tell me about it,” I replied with dry humor.

“But he is also a control freak, so obeying him might help.”

I raised an eyebrow. “And I’ll be punished if I don’t?”

A shadow crossed his gaze–caution or worry, I couldn’t tell which. Just don’t drive him to the edge.”

The phrasing sent a chill down my spine. What happened when Kaius was pushed “to the edge“? What had Frost seen?

“What would he think about you calling him a ‘control freak‘?” I asked, testing this unexpected rapport.

A ghost of a smile touched his lips. “Well, I won’t tell him, so who will?”

For a brief moment, I felt something almost like camaraderie with this man–this enforcer who suddenly seemed more human than I’d expected.

“We are running out of time,” he said, gesturing toward the door. “You need to come with me.”

“Where are we going?” I asked, though I already knew the answer.

“I believe Kaius must have told you about this already.” Frost’s expression turned serious again. “It’s time to meet his parents.”