The Gift chronicles

Book 1 Chapter 28

I woke up in the Alpha's bed, alone. A fleeting thought of escaping passed through my mind.

"Before you think about escaping, pup, just know I'm in the closet changing," His voice yelled out from the closet.

My eyes widened. Sometimes it was like he could read my mind. I wasn't sure if it was because the mate bond was so strong he could intuitively guess my thoughts, or because he really was the perfect soulmate for me.

How did you even know I was awake? I asked through the mindlink, irate that he could anticipate my motives so effortlessly.

"The change in your breathing, not to mention your heart rate accelerates as soon as you wake up." He answered coolly, stepping out of the closet in nothing but jeans. So much for getting dressed.

I frowned at his answer. How can you hear that?

Alpha Cain smirked, the embodiment of smugness, coming to sit next to me on his bed. "Being Alpha has its advantages, mate."

Will I get those powers when I'm Luna? I asked him, slightly hopeful that at least one good thing would come out of our mating.

Grinning, he reached out and stroked the side of my face with his thumb. "As happy as I am to hear that you've finally accepted your destiny to be the Blood Luna, I'm afraid not, little mate. Only the Alphas get enhanced senses and strength."

I scowled. The Moon Goddess is sexist.

The Alpha did not take kindly to my harsh words. He grabbed my chin, forcing me to look him in the eyes. "The Moon Goddess knows that the Alpha Female doesn't need enhanced powers when their mate can protect them."

him, which unsettled my wolf. For some reason, she felt as though she could only respect him if he was stronger and more dominating than her. I didn't exactly disagree with her sentiments. I knew that I had been pushing Cain so far because he let me, and I didn't respect him for it. A strong

to get me to look at him. "You're going to be be

You can't do the Blood Ceremony to complete the mating bond, it's not a

incredibly juvenile for once. "Relax, little mate. It is Blood Lake tradition for all punishments to be doled out in front of the

harsh,

"All Blood Alphas are strict. It is the only way

going easy on me. For what reason, I wasn't sure. It's not like I couldn't handle whatever he was willing

20 lashes, or I will stop when they pass out. Nobody makes it past

scoffed. 20 lashes is

lashes, little mate. But do not fret, you will see what I mean soon. We'll see if

so many different means of torture, he was out of his mind if he thought I would be even slightly uncomfortable watching someone

have something you'd like to wear for the time being. We will take you shopping once I can assume you're no

black cropped tank top and leggings. To my surprise, there were even new shoes in the closet. Most of them were black, and more focused on function rather than fashion. I wondered if Cain had told the maid my style. I picked out a pair of black running shoes, not

picking out the clothes, I went into the bathroom to change, ignoring Cain while he laid on

I could see what Thane and Cain were harassing me about. My cheekbones harshly protruded from my

trouble resting as I did while we were apart. Judging from the darkened circles under his eyes, I would wager yes. I was actually rather surprised he had kept me in the cell for so long. I'm sure it required an incredible amount of control for him to do that. I couldn't imagine his wolf was pleased

through the mindlink, and the sound momentarily startled me, as he usually preferred to speak

sound like it'll be much of a punishment, but sure, let's go see. I wasn't happy that the Gamma was being punished for my

opened his eyes and got off the bed, starting

cloak. He must have taken it off me while I was

warm, and so will your pelt." The damned fur pelt was draped haphazardly across