The Alpha's Borrowed Luna (Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 57

7

I woke with a start, my hand Instinctively reaching across the bed. Cold shoots met my fingertips. Kalus was

The room was dark, but a faint glow from beneath the door told me someone was in the adjacent sitti bed, wincing as my silver–burned shoulder protested the movement

was gone.

sitting room. I slipped from the

Frost sat in an armchair, his posture tense despite his seemingly related position. He looked up as I entered, his ice blue eyes assessing me quickly,

“Where is Kaius?” I asked, the memory of last night’s conversation rushing back.

“You need more sleep,” he replied, evading the question.

“Gone, where?” Alarm sharpened my voice,

“Gone.” He stood, moving toward me with that fluid grace all powerful wolves seemed to possess.

“I know he is about to b

to be punished; I need to be there. The words tumbled out before I could consider them.

Frost’s expression hardened. “You don’t need to worry; he’ll be back to a while, and Ill be here with you.”

I turned, heading back toward the bedroom to dress.

“Where are yo

you going?” Frost called after me.

“I know he is about to be punished; I need to be there,” I repeated, pulling clothes from the wardrobe simple black pants and a sweater, something unobtrusive.

Frost appeared in the doorway. “He doesn’t want you there.

“I don’t fucking care v what he wants. The vehemence in my voice surprised even me.

His eyebrows rose slightly at my outburst. “He would be mad.”

“I’m sorry,” I softened my tone. “Could you just take me there, please

Frost studied me for a long

ng moment. “You are very determined to watch Kaius being punished; I wonder why.”

I didn’t answer, just continued dressing, avoiding his penetrating gaze.

“It’s taking place on the training grounds,” he finally said, relenting

“The training grounds?” I looked up, surprised,

“Yes. Usually the younger ones won’t be present.”

it Kajus would

“Before everyone? The thought of public punishment made my stomach knot. No wonder Ophelia had warned me that suffer for my actions.

“Yes, Usually the younger ones won’t be present.”

“But that’s just so… wrong. The words felt inadequate for the barbaram they represented.

1/3

“Just like what Kalds had done, it was so… wrong. Frost’s tone held hudgment, just a statement of fact.

“Nothing could be done?‘ I asked, a last desperate hope that somehow this could be avoided.

If Kalus wanted this blown over, trust me, it would have been so. 1 simply wouldn’t show up and the elders would eventually get tired of waiting and leave, but he chose to respect this law to prove to them he couldn’t be affected by it

His explanation made sense, in a twisted way. Kalus would never show weakness, never demonstrate that he feared punishment. That would undermine his position as Alpha more than any physical pain could.

“You don’t seem bothered by this, I observed, noting Frost’s calm demeanor.

“Oh, I am.” Something flashed in his eyes–a glimpse of the worry he kept carefully contained.

“Well, you

you’re doing a very good job hiding it.

“What do you suggest I do? Tremble? The hint of sarcasm in his voice reminded me that Frost, too, played a role–the steady Beta, unshakable in crisis.

I glanced down at my simple attire. “I should have picked out something better to wear,”

“Don’t worry, the last thing anyone would be doing is looking your way. His assurance was meant to be comforting, but it only highlighted how significant this event must be if even the Luna–albeit a temporary one–would be ignored.

Frost’s expression softened slightly. “Elowen, do you think you can handle this?”

“I’ve watched people been whipped before; I can handle it.” The memory of Dorian’s casual cruelty flashed through my mind. But somehow, I knew this would be different–more formal, more ritualized, and potentially far more severe.

Frost nodded once, then led the

e way from our rooms.

The training grounds were already crowded when we arrived, though the sky still held the deep blue of pre-dawn. Pack members stood in concentric circles around a raised platform at the center. Upon it stood a simple stone pillar with iron chains hanging from its top.

ty stomach lurched at the sight. Kalus–proud, powerful Kalus–would be chained there like a common criminal.

My

we wouldn’t be

“We would get a better view here,” Frost said, guiding me to a position near the front, yet slightly to the side where we immediately visible.

The

e crowd parted as we approached, eyes widening at my presence fare quickly looking away. Clearly, I wasn’t expected to witness this. Was it tradition for mates to be spared the sight of their partre’s punishment, or was Kaius specifically trying to shield me?–

A hush fell over the assembly as twelve figures in white robes entered the training ground. They moved with an unnatural grace that made the hairs on my neck stand up. These weren’t ordinary wolves there was something ancient and otherworldly about them. their faces obscured by deep hoods.

“The elders,

s.” Frost murmured unnecessarily.

They formed a semicircle on the platform, their white robes stark against the predawn darkness. One stepped forward, taller

the rest.

“Where is he?” I whispered to Frost.