Filed to story: Luna Graced Book by KristiferAnn Thorne
Ive contacted alphas across the country and asked them to look in their archives for anything related to this, he said.
It will take some time.
Thank you, Michael said stiffly.
Ive been speaking at length with an alpha in the north.
Michaels head snapped up and he let out a low growl, but when Edward held up his hand, his growl subsided.
Alpha Roman of Pack Luko.
Michaels eyes flashed.
He has a reputation for being ruthless.
I wont have my pup put in any more harms way.
Edward took a moment to look at each of them in turn, needing to be sure they all understood.
He lost his mate and unborn pup in a rogue attack five years ago.
His words were followed by a respectful silence.
After a moment, Edward continued.
He does have a reputation, but all is not what it seems.
Hes a fair alpha, and he protects his pack at all costs.
His pack is not what we would consider a normal one.
Most of the members have suffered a loss of some type.
What do you mean? Michael asked.
No one seems to know much about Pack Luko.
His pack consists of families, like other packs, but also of nomads and those whove lost mates or pups.
Pack Luko looks at life a little differently than the rest of us.
Having an alpha that suffered a great loss has allowed them to understand that loss is a part of life, that mates who have lost one another should not be shunned but accepted.
Edwards gaze met Michaels.
He knew his warrior had every right to be angry at his pups humiliation, but as alpha, he also knew he would be obeyed in this, as in everything.
Even so, he wanted Michael to understand his choice.
Not just to accept it, but to trust it.
Abby and Carson will reject each other, Edward said, and after that, your pup will go to Pack Luko.
ABIGAIL I, Abigail Canaver,true mate of Alpha Carson Oru, reject you and our mated bond.
I order you to remove your mark from me immediately.
The fire that had replaced Abbys blood was trying to bring her to her knees, but she wouldnt let it.
She refused to feelanything for her true mate but disdain.
But at her words, Carson fell to his own knees in front of her, an agonized expression on his face, and reached out with trembling hands as if pleading for her to save him.
As she turned away from him in disgust, her eyes caught on her parents.
They looked proud, and she was glad she was handling this better than that pathetic excuse for a future alpha.
Get up, Edward commanded, emitting a powerful alpha energy.
Her mate obeyed, rising unsteadily to his feet, and his father handed him an ornate blade.
Abby had chosen to have her mark carved out with a knife.
She never wanted Carsons mouth near her again.
When she felt a sting on her shoulder, and then a spreading warmth, she was tempted to look down.
But she kept her eyes straight ahead.
On the boy she used to love.
CARSON
Both blood and tears were flowing in the room as Carson slid the sharp blade around the edges of his mark, feeling a matching pain in his own flesh.
But Abby just stood there, silent, her face a stoic mask.
He felt her icy stare deep in his soul.
He reached up with his other hand to steady the blade, but as soon as he touched her skin, it felt like hed been slammed into a brick wall.
He gasped.
Then a brief flash of something he couldnt identify passed across Abbys face before she closed her eyes.
What? His father stepped closer to them, followed by Warrior Michael.
Both were growling at the sudden tension coming from their pups.
I…I felt like I was thrown against a wall.
Abby…I think Ive made a grave mistake.
Yes, Carson, you have.
She kept her eyes closed, but he could feel the devastation roll through her, see his mark not quite carved out of her.
The silver blade clattered to the floor, but his father picked it up and placed it back in his hand.
Finish this.
I…Icant .
You will! I cant! I cant! I see it, I feel it.
I dont understand whats happening! I will cast you out, Carson! Havent you put Abigail through enough! Summoning what little strength he had left, Carson lifted his head and looked at his mate.
He had to put her out of her misery.
He knew this.
But why was he feeling these things for hernow , when it was too late? What was ~wrong~ with him? He forced himself to slide the silver knife through the last bit of her flesh, then staggered to the side and threw up.
His father had to stand him back up, then physically turn him to face Abby.
Shame and despair tore through Carson as he fought to keep control of his body, but he managed to find his voice.
I, Carson Oru, he said, rasping and hoarse.
True mate of Abigail Canaver, reject you and our mated bond.
I ask that you remove your mark from my flesh.
I do not deserve to wear it… The least he could do was take responsibility and accept the consequences.
I am deeply sorry, and I welcome whatever punishment the Moon Goddess chooses to bestow on me for not recognizing our mate bond when it was gifted to me.
He didnt even wince when she cut into his shoulder with the silver blade.
By the time she was done excising her mark, the wound was already healing.
But nothing could alleviate the cold emptiness he felt when she tossed what was left of her mark on the floor by his feet.
Even thoughts of his pup and future mate offered him no comfort.
Carson, he heard his father say through a strange ringing in his ears.
Ill speak with you later.
Warriors are waiting outside to escort you back to your cell.
Numb, he bowed to Abigails family and to his bloody former mate, then walked out the door and surrendered himself to his guards.
ABIGAIL Luna Hazel handed Abby a damp towel, and after wiping the blood off her shoulder the best she could, Abby finally looked down.
There was a crescent moon burned into her chest, signifying that she was only a sliver, not whole.
The mark of rejection.
A message from the Moon Goddess for all to see.
And yet… Carson had felt something for her at the very end, she was sure of iteven though they had partially severed the bond at that point.
And it had rocked her to her core.
Alpha Edward approached her.
Abigail, Alpha Luko and his beta will be here tomorrow to escort you to the north.
She bowed her head.
Yes, Alpha.
You are not being banished.
This pack does not shun you.
Luna Hazel and I adore you as our own, and this pains us more than you will ever understand.
As we both know that this has painedyou on levels that we cannot comprehend.
Yes, Alpha.
She kept her head down.
Abby…please look at me.
She lifted her head and met his eyes.
Know that I have great respect for you, and you will always be welcome here.
Your parents have opted to stay here to give you some room to adjust to your new pack.
But if after twelve moons they still long to be with you, I have already made an agreement with Alpha Luko to transfer them.
It would be an honor for him to have such an esteemed pair of warriors in his pack.
New Book: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
Dayson was the alpha of the largest pack in North America. Powerful figures from other packs sought to offer gorgeous girls as potential mates for Dayson. He steadfastly rejected these advances, he was not a pawn to be manipulated. But eventually there came a mysterious girl he could hardly say No. Who was she?