The Alpha's Borrowed Luna (Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 257

Elowen

The smell of silver and blood hung heavy in the air. My fingers trented as I stared at the dagger on the metal table, its glint harsh under the fluorescent lights. The skin on my arm still tingled where the silver had made brief contact–a ghostly reminder of what would have happened if Lysandra hadn’t intervened.

When the door swung open, I stiffened, expecting Lysandra’s return instead, Thalia swept in, her eyes instantly drawn to the dagger on the table.

“It’s girls time, Kieran; you should leave,” she commanded over her shoulder to where Kieran lurked in the doorway.

He hesitated, his hungry gaze lingering on me before he reluctantly backed away. The door closed with a heavy thud, leaving me alone with the ancient being who had orchestrated my nightmare.

Thalia approached slowly, picking up the dagger and examining it. I didn’t remember telling you to stop with the dagger,‘ she said, her voice deceptively light.

“It fell. The lie came easily, though my throat felt dry as sand.

She studied me, her ageless face unreadable. Then, to my surprise, she set the dagger down and perched on the edge of the metal

table

“I’m going to tell you a story, one I had never told anyone before. Well, you would die in the end, so it makes no difference.” Her voice took on an almost wistful quality, so at odds with her usual cruelty that I found myself unsettled.

I stared at her, incredulous that she thought I’d want to hear her life story while standing in my own blood. “Thalia.” I shook my head slightly. “I really don’t give a fuck.”

Her smile was cold, expected. “You might, if you knew how similar our paths have been.”

She launched into a tale of her own past–becoming Luna to a cruel Alpha, her secret affair with another, her eventual betrayal. The story washed over me without sticking; I was too focused on the door, wondering when Lysandra would return, if there was still a chance to escape this hellhole and find Kaius.

“…which brings us to now,” Thalia was saying, her eyes focused on something distant. “Ironic, isn’t it? How history repeats–`

The door burst open, cutting her off mid–sentence. Two guards dragged in a bloodied figure, throwing her to the floor at Thalia’s

feet.

Lysandra.

My heart lurched painfully at the sight of her. Her face was nearly unrecognizable beneath the bruises and blood, one eye swollen completely shut. Her blue hair was matted with dried blood, and her breathing came in short, painful gasps.

“We found her trying to leave the compound; one of the guards reported. “She had these. He tossed a set of keys onto the table- keys that would have unlocked my restraints.

Thalia’s expression hardened as she stared down at the broken woman. “What exactly did you say stopped you from using the dagger on yourself as I harcompelled you to?” she asked, turning back to me.

“It fell. I kept my voice steady, though terror clawed up my throat.

“You lie.” She stepped closer, her eyes boring into mine. “She had been here, hadn’t she?”

1/3

The Alpha’s Borrowed Luna

Chapter 257

Elowen

The smell of silver and blood hung heavy in the air. My fingers trembled as I stared at the dagger on the metal table, its glint harsh under the fluorescent lights. The skin on my arm still tingled where he silver had made brief contact–a ghostly reminder of what would have happened if Lysandra hadn’t intervened.

When the door swung open, I stiffened, expecting Lysandra’s return. Instead, Thalia swept in, her eyes instantly drawn to the dagger on the table.

“It’s girls time, Kieran; you should leave,” she commanded over her shoulder to where Kieran lurked in the doorway.

He hesitated, his hungry gaze lingering on me before he reluctantly backed away. The door closed with a heavy thud, leaving me alone with the ancient being who had orchestrated my nightmare.

Thalia approached slowly, picking up the dagger and examining it. I didn’t remember telling you to stop with the dagger,” she said, her voice deceptively light.

“It fell. The lie came easily, though my throat felt dry as sand.

She studied me, her ageless face unreadable. Then, to my surprise, she set the dagger down and perched on the edge of the metal table

“I’m going to tell you a story, one I had never told anyone before. Well, you would die in the end, so it makes no difference.” Her voice took on an almost wistful quality, so at odds with her usual cruelty that I found myself unsettled.

I stared at her, incredulous that she thought I’d want to hear her life story while standing in my own blood. “Thalia.” I shook my head slightly. “I really don’t give a fuck.”

Her smile was cold, expected. “You might, if you knew how similar our paths have been.”

She launched into a tale of her own past–becoming Luna to a cruel Alpha, her secret affair with another, her eventual betrayal. The story washed over me without sticking; I was too focused on the door, wondering when Lysandra would return, if there was still a chance to escape this hellhole and find Kaius.

“…which brings us to now,” Thalia was saying, her eyes focused on something distant. “Ironic, isn’t it? How history repeats-”

The door burst open, cutting her off mid–sentence. Two guards dragged in a bloodied figure, throwing her to the floor at Thalia’s feet.

Lysandra.

My heart lurched painfully at the sight of her. Her face was nearly unrecognizable beneath the bruises and blood, one eye swollen completely shut. Her blue hair was matted with dried blood, and her breathing came in short, painful gasps.

“We found her trying to leave the compound one of the guards reported. “She had these.” He tossed a set of keys onto the table- keys that would have unlocked my restraints.

Thalia’s expression hardened as she stared down at the, broken woman. “What exactly did you say stopped you from using the dagger on yourself as I har compelled you to?” she asked, turning back to me.

“It fell. I kept my voice steady, though terror clawed up my throat.

“You lie.” She stepped closer, her eyes boring into mine. “She had been here, hadn’t she?”

1/3

Chapter 257

“No, she hadn’t. I forced myself to meet her gaze, praying my face revealed nothing of the truth.

Thalia smiled–a terrible, knowing smile that made my blood run cold. Without warning, she drove the silver dagger into Lysandra’s back, twisting it with vicious precision.

‘Stop! Punish me instead, I cried out, lunging forward only to be caught by the guards.

Lysandra’s body jerked, a strangled sound escaping her throat. She turned her head with obvious effort, a single eye finding mine. Her lips moved, forming words I couldn’t hear, but I could read them clearly: “Frost… coming.”

With a final, brutal twist, Thalia withdrew the blade. Lysandra’s body slumped, the light in her eye fading. Another person dead because of me. Another ally lost before we’d ever had a chance

“Now,” Thalia said, wiping the dagger clean on Lysandra’s body with casual indifference, “where were we?”

She gestured to the guards. “Get rid of this. And send Kieran in.” As they dragged–Lysandra’s body away, leaving a crimson streak across the floor, Thalia turned back to me. “Since you refuse to cooperate, perhaps Kieran’s methods will be more persuasive.”

Kieran entered moments later, his eager expression telling me exactly what ‘methods” he had in mind. I backed away until I hit the wall, my heart hammering against my ribs.

“She’s all yours now,” Thalia said, handing him the bloody dagger. “Just make sure she stays alive… for now.”

“Oh, I have plans that don’t involve killing her,” Kieran replied, his eyes traveling over my body in a way that made me want to crawl out of my own skin.

Thalia paused at the door. “Don’t make too much noise. I need to check on our other guest.” With that parting shot, she was gone, leaving me alone with the monster I’d once thought was my savior.

“Finally,” Kieran breathed, setting the dagger aside and advancing toward me. “No more interruptions.”

“Stay away from me,” I warned, though we both knew the threat was empty. I was weakened, cornered, with no weapons and no

escape.

His hand shot out, grabbing my throat and shoving me hard against the wall. “I’ve been waiting for this,” he growled, his other hand roughly tearing at the black dress.

“No, please, no…” I struggled against his grip, panic rising as I felt the fabric tear.

His face was inches from mine, his breath hot against my skin. “I could make you enjoy this, but if you try resisting, then I would do

the exact opposite.”

“You disgust me.” I spat in his face, a final act of defiance even as I braced for the inevitable.

The blo came swiftly, his fist connecting with my jaw. Stars exploded across my vision, the taste of blood filling my mouth. He pressed against me, his weight pinning me to the wall as his hand moved to his belt.

Then suddenly, impossibly, he was gone. A blur of motion, a sickening crack, and Kieran was across the room, crumpled against the far wall. In his place stood Frost, his ice–blue eyes burning with a cold fury I’d never seen before.

“Get away from her be snarled, his normally controlled voice rough with rage.

Kieran struggled to his feet, disbelief and fury warring on his face. You! How did you-”