Chapter 184
I found myself in a grand ballroom, more opulent even than Ravenhellow’s. Couples swirled across the polished floor in elegant evening wear. In the center of it all stood Kaius, regal in formal attire, his amber eyes scanning the crowd. But they weren’t searching for me–they were fixed on Thalia, who approached him with a predatory grace, her ageless beauty enhanced by a blood- red gown.
“No,” I whispered, but no sound emerged. I tried to move toward them, but my feet seemed rooted to the floor.
As I struggled, a figure appeared beside me–Frost, impeccable in a tuxedo, his ice–blue eyes reflecting the chandelier light.
“May I have this dance?” he asked, extending his hand.
Before I could respond, another figure cut in–Thalía herself, somehow now standing beside us instead of with Kaius.
“I need to show you something,” she said, taking my hand without waiting for permission.
She led me through the crowd, through doors I hadn’t noticed before into a corridor that seemed strangely familiar. With growing dread, I realized where we were–the secret passage I’d discovered the night of the ball, the one that had led to the hidden war
room.
“Why are you showing me this?” I asked, but Thalia had vanished, leaving me alone in the corridor.
moved forward as if pulled by an invisible force, pushing open the door to the war room. It looked exactly as I remembered–maps and photographs covering the walls, connected by red string in a complex web that spread across the entire space.
This time, however, I noticed something I’d missed before. Among the photographs of Alphas marked for elimination was a face I recognized–Kieran. His image wasn’t crossed out yet, but a red circle had been drawn around it, marking him as a target.
I jerked awake with a gasp, my heart pounding against my ribs. Sunlight streamed through my window, indicating I’d slept through the night despite the intensity of my dreams.
The dream. The war room. Kieran.
It hadn’t been just a nightmare–it had been my subconscious connecting dots I’d been too stubborn to see. Kaius had been planning something big, something that involved eliminating other Alphas. And Kieran was on his list.
I threw back the covers and dressed quickly, my mind racing. The visitors‘ story suddenly seemed far more plausible. If Kaius was systematically removing rival Alphas, consolidating power under himself…
I needed to talk to Kieran.
I found myself outside his door as the sun was barely clearing the horizon. I knocked, not caring about the early hour.
He opened it almost immediately, as if he’d been awake for some time. He was fully dressed, his expression alert despite the hour.
I’m sorry for waking you up,” I said, suddenly uncertain.
“Is alright,” he replied, stepping back to allow me in.
His room was neat and minimalist, much like mine but with a few personal touches–books on strategy, a map of the surrounding territories pinned to one wall, a wooden carving of a wolf on his desk
“Coffee?” he offered, gesturing to a pot already brewing on a small side table.
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Chapter 184
“Yes, I accepted gratefully, needing the caffeine to organize my scattered thoughts.
He poured two cups, handing one to me before taking a seat across from where I stood. The silence stretched between us, not uncomfortable but expectant.
“You were right,” I finally said, the words feeling strange on my tongue.
“Oh, I was?”
“Kaius might be responsible.”
“So you do believe his plans for a new era‘.”
I took a sip of coffee, gathering my thoughts. “I don’t know, but… I feel like he is involved somehow.”
Kieran studied me over the rim of his cup. “You must really love him.
“I don’t love him,” I replied automatically, the denial hollow even to my own ears.
“I see the way you always keep protecting him, even after what he did to you, even now you know he is behind the attacks.”
I set my cup down with more force than necessary. “It doesn’t change anything; he is a part of my past.” I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what came next. “I would get married to you… but I also want to help them–those people believe I can help them, and I don’t want to let them down. But I can’t do that without you.”
“Without me?” He looked genuinely confused.
“Make me a Turned One. I want this; only then would I be strong enough.”
Understanding dawned in his eyes, followed by concern. “You are strong.”
“Kieran. Please.” I moved closer, taking his hands in mine. “I need this now more than ever. If what they say is true, if Kaius is behind these attacks, he needs to be stopped. And I’m the only one who might have a chance.”
He studied me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. “Tonight is fine. Are we traveling in our wolf form or do you have any other means planned out?”
Relief washed through me. I hadn’t thought that far ahead.”
“Of course I do, but before that, there is one thing that needs to be done.” He set his coffee aside and reached into his pocket, retrieving a small wooden box. “I know we’ve discussed our arrangement, but I want to do this properly.”
He opened the box, revealing a simple but elegant ring–a band of silver with a small moonstone that seemed to glow with an inner
light.
‘Will you do me the favor of marrying me, Elowen?” he asked, his voice solemn.
I stared at the ring, my breath catching. This wasn’t part of our agreement–this was real, a gesture that went beyond our cold bargain. For the first time, I saw Kieran not just as a means to an end, but as a man who might genuinely care for me.
Yes. Yes, Kieran, I would marry you.” The words came easier than I’d expected.
He slipped the ring onto my finger, where it fit perfectly. “Thank your he said simply.
As I looked down at the moonstone glowing on my hand, I felt a strange peace settle over me.
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The Alpha’s Borrowed Luna
