The Alpha's Borrowed Luna (Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 269

The Alpha’s Borrowed Luna

Chapter 269

I watched the soldiers as they paid tribute to one of their own, Frost The pack members weren’t the only ones present. Many from other packs came to honor Frost’s burial, and despite how I had promised myself I wouldn’t cry, I couldn’t hold it in.

The funeral was held on a hill overlooking Ravenhollow, Frost’s favorite spot for watching the sunset. His body, recovered from the rubble of the compound, had been prepared with all the dignity befitting a Beta of his status. He looked peaceful, as if merely sleeping, his hands folded over his chest, a single white rose placed Between them.

Kaius stood tall and straight beside me, his face a mask of controlled emotion as he delivered the eulogy. Alphas and representatives from neighboring packs listened in respectful silence many with tears streaming unashamedly down their faces. Even Alpha Orion, known for his stoic demeanor, looked visibly moved.

“How do you do it?” I whispered to Kaius as the soldiers began the tal salute. “How could you be so strong even in a time like

this?”

“If only you know how much I want even a few minutes of weakness, but look around you, everyone is mourning; in times like this we need to stand strong because it gives others hope.” His hand found mine, squeezing gently.

After the formal proceedings, as pack members began to disperse, a woman approached us. She was young, with the same ice–blue eyes that had made Frost so distinctive.

“Elowen,” she said, her voice soft, though the grief was clear beneath it. “I’m his cousin. We’ve met before.”

“He was such a brave man,” I replied, the words catching in my throat, thick with an apology that burned. “I’m so sorry… It was because of me that-”

She interrupted me gently, her smile sad but genuine. “I know how much he loved you, Elowen. That was his choice. You mustn’t blame yourself. Knowing Frost, he would have done the same thing all over again.”

I fell silent for a moment. Whether it was the small comfort her words offered, or simply grief finding a fresh outlet, tears blurred my vision again. “And… his mother?”

Her expression clouded over. “As far as I know… his mother is devastated. Utterly heartbroken. Perhaps she just felt she couldn’t face this.” She nodded, touching my arm gently before moving on to speak with others who had known him.

As the sun began to set, casting long golden rays across the gathering, I stood alone for a moment at the freshly covered grave. “I love you, Frost, but you were right about… everything,” I whispered. The gentle breeze seemed to carry my words away, up toward the darkening sky.

Kaius’s arm slipped around my waist, drawing me against his side. I leaned into him, drawing strength from his presence as we both said a final, silent goodbye to the man who had meant so much to us both.

I returned back to my room, physically and emotionally exhausted. Kaius had been pulled into meetings with the visiting Alphas, diplomac obligations that couldn’t be postponed even for grief.

The emptiness of the room felt oppressive after the intensity of the day. I moved to the balcony, seeking fresh air and the comfort of the night sky. The stars were beginning to appear, bright points of light in the deepening, darkness.

An idea struck me, so suddenly and clearly that it felt like inspiration from beyond.

When Kaius returned, I was waiting with several paper lanterns I’d managed to procure from the storage rooms.

“I have an idea,” I said as he entered, clearly surprised to find me still awake.

“What is that?” He looked curiously at the objects in my hands.

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Chapter 269

tary pre called sy lanterns,” explained, leading him to the balcony. “In some human cultures, they release these to honor those who have passed on. The light guides the spirits to pesce,

tached his lips the first I’d seen since the funeral began. “Show me.”

We worked together to light the small candles within each lantern, the delicate paper expanding with heat until they were ready to float upward. As we prepared to release the first one, I spoke softly:

This is for Layna, for Rowan, for the little girl who was killed, for the soldiers we lost, for Ophelia, for Lysandra, and of course for Frost.”

Kaius added his own tribute: “This is for all the innocents that had been in the wrong place at the wrong time, for the fallen soldiers, for Frost, for Ophelia, for Celestia, and also for Alaric.”

Together, we released the lanterns, watching as they drifted upward, small points of light against the vast darkness. The sight was beautiful in its simplicity, a quiet tribute to those we’d lost.

“You know, Caleb stabbed me with this,” Kaius said suddenly, his hand going to his side where the cursed blade had entered. “It was supposed to take my wolf, but for some reason, it didn’t, but it had killed the elders.”

‘Maybe it has to do with you being a lycan,” I suggested, watching the lanterns climb higher.

“Maybe,” he agreed thoughtfully. “It feels so surreal. Frost had always been there for me, and now…”

leaned against him, offering silent comfort. Words seemed inadequate for the magnitude of our loss, but the shared ritual of the lanterns spoke volumes.