The Alpha's Borrowed Luna (Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 27

Dress Test–1

Without waiting for my response, he seized my arm and pulled me from the room. The veiled queen made no move to stop him, her scarred face disappearing from view as we left.

Kaius’s grip on my arm remained bruising as he guided me back to our room. His anger was palpable, hanging in the air between us like a storm about to break. I braced myself for whatever was to com

Once inside, he released me abruptly and paced to the window, his ck rigid with tension.

“Why did you drag me out like-”

“Things went rough with your mother, right?” he interrupted

suddenly, turning to face me.

The question caught me off guard. How did he know? Had he been watching us somehow?

“She doesn’t like you very much,” I admitted, seeing no point in lies.

A ghost of a smile touched his lips. “That’s understandable.” He studied me briefly, his expression shifting to something almost like approval. “You know, you did well today–with my father, I mean.”

I blinked in surprise. “I did?”

“Yes.” His eyes dropped to my modest green dress. “Though I didn’t miss the fact that you had again disobeyed me. You took off the clothes–was it because of your mother?”

“Yes…” I hesitated. “No. I couldn’t walk around looking like a whore

He moved closer, his unsettling grace making my pulse quicken. “You liked being well covered?”

“Yes,” I answered simply.

“Just like my mother, Ophelia?” His voice dropped dangerously.

I froze, suddenly understanding the connection he was making. My mind flashed to Ophelia’s veiled form, her scarred face, her broken spirit.

“How could you allow that to happen to her?” The words escaped before I could stop them, fueled by horror and righteous anger.

His expression hardened. “I would mind my business if I were you; there is a lot you don’t know.”

“But you are just like him–you are just like your father, aren’t you?” challenged, remembering Frost’s warning about Kaius being a control freak. “A control freak–that’s what you are.”

His eyes narrowed. “Frost told you that, I believe.”

Was he wrong?” I demanded.

Kaius moved with preternatural speed, closing the distance between us. His hand gripped my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze I am my father’s son; what do you expect?”

The cold admission sent a chill through me. If he was truly his father’s son…

What other things did my mother tell you?” he asked, his voice deceptively soft.

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Dress Test–1

I swallowed hard. A lot she told me what to expect from men like you.

Something like amusement flickered in his eyes. “And does that change anything? I am more than sure that if time were taken back, you would still sign the contract, even with the knowledge of what would do to you.”

He was right, and we both knew it. For my mother’s freedom, I would have signed regardless. But that didn’t mean i would become like Ophelia.

“Unlike her, I wouldn’t let you treat me that way,” I said firmly.

Kaius’s hand slid from my chin to my throat, not squeezing but making the threat clear. “And what will you do? Fight me?”

My heart hammered against my ribs, but I refused to show fear. “I will not let anyone hurt me again.*

To my surprise, he released me, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “Yes, you won’t. I want to see you fight me; it’s fun to

watch.”

The casual cruelty of his words reminded me of who I was dealing with–a predator who enjoyed toying with his prey.

He stepped back, straightening the cuffs of his jacket. “Frost will be on his way; he will give you a quick tour around the pack house if you are interested; there will be a party at sundown; and there you will be introduced to all the pack members.”

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The Alpha’s Borrowed Luna

Dress Test–2

“You are leaving? I couldn’t hide my surprise.

“Surprise, right?‘ His smile turned knowing, “I would have loved to do just that–punish you.”

A chill ran through me. “But you won’t?”

“Your health comes first, you just had a miscarriage.” His clinical tone stripped the statement of any compassion. I’ll have to wait till I get a clearance from the healers.”

His measured patience frightened me more than any direct threat. He wasn’t sparing me out of kindness–just postponing the inevitable until my body could better withstand whatever he had planned.

“Are you going to pick out another revealing dress for me to wear to the

ty? I asked, testing the waters.

He smiled deceptively. “The blue dress was just another test. I never actually planned to control your wardrobe during your entire

stay.”

“I find that hard to believe,” I said before I could stop myself.

“Why?”

Courage–or perhaps foolishness–pushed me forward. “As the control freak you are, that wouldn’t be shocking news.

To my surprise, he didn’t seem angry. “I would have enjoyed it too, but I don’t think you will end up wearing anything I picked out

for you.”

“And about the test, I imagine I failed?” I ventured.

“Woefully so,” he confirmed with surprising lightness.

He stepped closer, his expression shifting subtly. “There had been a reason I wanted you in that dress, Elowen; let’s say I wanted my

father infuriated‘.”

“That wouldn’t be a good thing since I was hoping to leave a good impression,” I said, confused by this revelation.

“You don’t understand; my father has this strange way of thinking, one I don’t share with him; he believes fear is another means of

power.”

I raised an eyebrow, skeptical. “And you don’t think so?”