Alpha's STOLEN Mate (by Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 112

Chapter 112

Elowen

71

Throughout the day, I checked on Scarlett multiple times. Each visit revealed Evelyn trying increasingly absurd methods to cheer her up.

“Look at this!” Evelyn thrust a magazine into Scarlett’s hands during my second visit. “Human men! Completely naked! See? There are

plenty of attractive males out there who don’t come with supernatural baggage!”

Scarlett stared at the glossy pages with obvious confusion. “Why are they all oiled up and posing with motorcycles?”

“It’s a human thing,* Evelyn said dismissively. “The point is—options!”

By afternoon, the witch had moved on to her potions collection. “This one is specifically designed for post-breakup emotional recovery! It’s made from heartbreak flowers, tears of the forgotten, and a dash of vodka for good measure.”

“That sounds terrible,” Scarlett said flatly.

*Or!” Evelyn pulled out her tarot cards with theatrical flair. “Let me divine your future mate! I’m seeing someone… tall, yes, very tall. Handsome. Powerful. Much stronger than that blue-haired coward!”

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at the witch’s dramatics, but at least she was trying. Scarlett seemed more annoyed than devastated,

which was probably an improvement.

When I finally told them about my plans to investigate the cave with Kaius, Scarlett’s expression immediately soured.

“Frost isn’t trustworthy,” she said coldly. “What makes you think his alpha is any better?”

Evelyn laughed delightedly. “Oh! Someone’s finally showing some temper! Usually we’re the dramatic ones. I’m so proud of you!”

“I’m still recovering,” Scarlett snapped. “Could you not antagonize me? Do you have any idea how long it takes a body to heal after

severing a mate bond?”

‘Anger looks much better on you than that dead-eyed depression,” Evelyn shot back cheerfully. ‘It’s just one Frost! Our alpha doesn’t even respect the Alpha King-why should you care about his beta?”

I pressed my hand to my forehead. Well, at least with Evelyn around, Scarlett’s emotional state is covered.

I said my goodbyes and headed for the entrance, where Kaius was already waiting. He’d changed into a black shirt that showed off entirely

too much chest.

“We’re going into battle,” I said flatly. “Why are you broadcasting pheromones like you’re going to a mating ritual?”

1/3

19:13 Wed, Jan 14

Chapter 112

71

Kaius smiled that infuriating smile. “I heard that when mates fight together, mutual hormonal stimulation makes both partners stronger.”

I shoved him. “You’re shameless.”

He just laughed and followed me to the central square. I opened a spatial rift, the lightning crackling around its edges as reality tore

open. We stepped through together.

When we emerged, we were standing directly at the cave entrance-my spatial control had improved significantly. The mysterious cavern

still radiated that seductive glow, inviting and dangerous in equal measure.

Kaius grabbed my hand before I could pull away, already striding forward. “It’s dangerous inside. Don’t get separated from me.”

I wanted to protest but he was already pulling me into the cave’s depths. The interior was even more spectacular than before-purple and pink lights danced across walls that gleamed like polished glass.

As we ventured deeper, the tunnel system expanded dramatically. The walls weren’t just reflective-they were actual mirrors positioned at different angles, some vertical, others tilted at sharp degrees, creating an impossible maze of reflected images. Every surface caught and multiplied the colorful lights, making it nearly impossible to distinguish reality from reflection.

The path branched into multiple directions, each corridor lined with these mirror walls that fragmented our images into hundreds of copies. Far in the distance-impossibly far, down what seemed like an endless tunnel-I could barely make out the faint glow of something massive. A gemstone, perhaps, but so remote it was little more than a pinpoint of intense light through the labyrinth of

reflections.

“The magical source is down the center path,” Kaius said, his voice echoing strangely off the mirrored surfaces. “But we’ll have to navigate carefully. These mirrors are designed to disorient.”

I followed as he led us deeper, trying to focus on the distant glow rather than the dizzying multiplication of our reflections. The lights grew more intense with each step, but the crystal remained frustratingly far away, visible only as occasional flashes through the maze of

angles and reflections.

The mirror walls created blind spots everywhere-what looked like an empty corridor might hide an alcove, and what appeared to be a solid surface could be a reflection of empty space. It was a perfect ambush zone.

“Careful,” Kaius warned. “We need to reach that crystal, but I can barely judge the distance. This whole place is a trap.”

Before I could respond, movement exploded from every direction at once!

2/3

19:13 Wed, Jan 14

Alpha’s STOLEN Mate