The Alpha's Borrowed Luna (Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 252

The Alpha’s Borrowed Luna

Chapter 252

I looked back at Kaius, his proud head now bowed with pain and confusion. The choice before me was clear but terrible: destroy his love for me, make him hate me with his entire being, and in return, e would live. He would lose his wolf–his power, his birthright

-but he would live.

Or I could refuse, and watch him die.

My fingers brushed his cheek again, feeling the faint stubble that had grown during his captivity. I’d always loved that roughness against my skin, the contrast to his usual groomed appearance, How many mornings had I watched him shave, cataloging every plane and angle of his face?

I always knew Thalia wasn’t a good person; from the very first time saw her, something about her was off–putting, but this was beyond evil. She was not only going to torture Kaius but torture me too. He would hate me; even in my death, he would never discover the truth that she had been the one compelling me, and yet. it would be worth it if he stays alive in the end. Yes, he

wouldn’t have his wolf, but he would still have his life.

“And how do I know you won’t still kill him after I am done with what you’ve asked?” I turned back to her, straightening my shoulders despite the pain lancing through my body.

“You don’t really have a choice here, do you?” Her smile was all teeth, no warmth.

I took a deep breath, making my decision. The air felt thick in my lungs, heavy with the scent of wolf’s bane and Kaius’s fading power. “When should We start this?”

“Give him a day; he is too weak to react now.” She gestured to Kaius, who had slumped further in his chair, his eyes now closed, breathing shallow. “When I bring you to him again, I want him able to understand exactly what you’re saying.”

The guard threw me back in my cell, the door slamming shut with a finality that echoed through the small space. I curled up in the corner, arms wrapped around my knees, and finally allowed the tears to come. They burned hot tracks down my bruised cheeks, my body shaking with silent sobs.

Kaius. My Kaius. Reduced to that broken figure, his magnificent strength siphoned away drop by drop. And tomorrow, I would have

to look into his eyes and deliver the final blow to his spirit.

I pressed my forehead against my knees, memories washing over me Kaius’s rare, genuine smile that transformed his entire face; the intensity in his amber eyes when he looked at me; the gentleness of his touch despite his immense strength; the way he’d/ protect me fiercely while treating me as an equal.

All of it would be gone after tomorrow. He would look at me and see only betrayal, hatred, a nightmare where once there had been love.

But he would be alive. And that was all that mattered.

The next day came too quickly. The cell door creaked open, and Thalia entered carrying a tray of food. The smell of it–real food, not the scraps I’d been given before–turned my stomach.

“Eat,” she commanded, setting it down before me.

“No.” The very thought of food made bile rise in my throat.

“You’ll need your strength for what’s to come.” She nudged the tray closer with her foot. “Eat, or I’ll force it down your throat myself.

I picked up a piece of bread, chewing mechanically. Each bite tasted like ash, sitting heavy in my stomach. The act of eating–of

preparing myself to hurt the man I loved–felt like a betrayal in itsel

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Chapter 252

When I’d finished enough to satisfy her, Thalia led me through another series of corridors to a small bathroom. “Clean yourself up.” she ordered. “I want you looking your best when you break his heart

Under the watchful eye of a fen le guard, I stripped and stepped under the shower. The hot water stung the cuts and bruises decorating my body, but welcomed the pain–a small penance for what I was about to do. I scrubbed myself raw, as if I could somehow wash away the horror of my situation, the betrayal I was about to commit.

When I emerged, wrapped in a threadbare towel, Thalia was waiting with clothing I’d never seen before–a tight black dress that would leave little to the imagination.

“Put this on,” she demanded, thrusting the garment at me.

I stared at it, fingers tracing the silky material. “Why this?”

“Because I want you looking your best when you tear his heart out.” She smiled coldly. “Make him remember exactly what he’s losing.”

As I dressed, I felt eyes on me. Glancing toward the door, I saw Kieran watching with undisguised interest, his gaze traveling over my body as if appraising merchandise.

“She is some pretty thing,” he remarked to Thalia, not bothering to hide his interest or lower his voice.

“You really want to kill her?” His question sparked a fleeting hope that died as quickly as it had formed.