Alpha's STOLEN Mate (by Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 118

Chapter 118

Elowen

I paced the room like a caged animal while Frost sat quietly in the corner, watching me with patient resignation. I kept trying to sense

Kaius through the bond-any hint of pain, fear, anything-but there was nothing. Just emptiness.

And somehow, that void made my anxiety ten times worse.

“Elowen!” Frost finally snapped. “Could you please calm down? I’m anxious too! If something happens to him, you’ll feel it through the

bond.

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I whirled on him. “Oh, seriously? I’ll feel it when something bad happens? Great! Wonderful! So I’ll know when it’s already too late, when the fucking wolfsbane is already burning through his system? That’s so reassuring!”

Frost managed a slight smile. “Well, the trial is what it is. If he doesn’t cooperate, it’ll bring even worse consequences for the entire pack.”

I stopped pacing, turning to face him directly. “Do you think he’ll pass the trial?”

Frost shook his head slowly. “No idea. But honestly, I’m less worried about him failing than about a battle breaking out. You know the Elders practice secret arts, right? Some of their magic rivals even witches. They’ve lived for centuries-one of them arriving today is over eight hundred years old. God knows what methods he has to deal with a rebellious king.”

My worry intensified with every word. I couldn’t take it anymore.

I grabbed Frost’s hand. “Come on. We’re sneaking in to watch.”

“Absolutely not!” Frost tried to pull away.

I caught his waist and started pinching. Hard. “Frost, you know you still owe me an explanation, right? Rejecting my beta, sneaking out of my pack, falling in love with some mysterious person!” I pinched harder, making him wince. “If you don’t take me there, we-can stay here and have a nice long chat about this woman you love. How does that sound? What does she look like? Is she prettier than Scarlett?*

Frost’s normally composed face suddenly flushed red. He struggled to escape my pinching fingers, his voice rising with embarrassment. ‘Fine! Fine! I admit waiting here is driving me crazy too. We’ll go watch, okay?”

I released him with a satisfied smile.

“But,” he warned firmly, “we stay hidden in the back. Don’t let anyone spot us.”

We made our way through the castle corridors, eventually reaching the Judgment Hall. The moment I stepped inside, the sheer scale and atmosphere took my breath away.

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Chapter 118

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The hall was massive-easily able to hold several hundred wolves. Ancient stone pillars rose toward a vaulted ceiling covered in faded

murals depicting centuries of pack history. Weapon racks lined the walls, displaying axes, spears, and other implements that looked both

ceremonial and brutally functional. Everything about the space screamed authority, permanence, military precision.

The gathered wolves stood in perfect silence on either side of the hall, creating a corridor leading to a raised platform. Even the air felt

heavy with centuries of judgment and blood.

On the elevated platform-accessed by several imposing stone steps-sat the most intimidating Elder. His presence dominated the room despite his advanced age. Around him sat other Elders of lesser rank, forming a semicircle of judgment.

Kaius stood tall at the base of the platform, his posture proud and defiant. Guards brought by the Elders surrounded him at a careful distance, weapons ready. They weren’t crowding him, but their readiness to subdue him was obvious.

The lead Elder’s voice rang out with ceremonial authority. “Regarding the murder of Elder Matthias Greystone, you have denied all charges. Therefore, according to precedent, you must undergo the Trial of Truth to determine your honesty!” His voice grew harder. “But before that, you must endure the Wolfsbane Purification-to cleanse your heart of defiance, anger, and sin! Only then can you face trial

with clarity!”

Frost and I had positioned ourselves deep in the crowd, but I could still see everything. My blood was boiling. Fuck! What kind of logic is this? Getting poisoned somehow cleanses you of sin?

Kaius calmly removed his shirt, revealing the powerful muscles of his torso. I could see the faint marks from where I’d nearly killed him just days ago, and guilt stabbed through me.

“Elder Silas!” Kaius’s voice carried across the hall with insolent confidence. “You’ve talked enough! Since you’re so eager for this trial, let’s

speed things up!”

Silas’s expression darkened with displeasure. He made a subtle gesture.

Two guards stepped forward, each carrying a whip that glistened with wet poison. One positioned himself behind Kaius. The other stood

facing him.

My scalp prickled with horror. Both sides? They’re going to hit him from both directions?

The first strike fell.

I couldn’t watch. I looked down, but I couldn’t escape the sound-the crack of leather against flesh, the wet impact that made my stomach turn. Through the bond, I began feeling echoes of his pain, like phantom strikes landing on my own skin.

What shocked me was that Kaius didn’t make a sound. No screams, no groans-nothing.

I couldn’t resist anymore. I peeked through my fingers.

His back and chest were covered in angry red welts that would fade on a normal wolf in minutes. But these marks stayed, darkening as the wolfsbane worked into his system. Only weapons like these could leave lasting damage on an Alpha King.

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Chapter 118

Kaius’s jaw was clenched so tight I could see the muscles jumping, but he kept his eyes locked on Silas, smiling through the agony. His

stare carried such naked threat that several of the lesser Elders actually looked uncomfortable.

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The whips fell faster, creating a rhythm of brutality. I could barely breathe, my hand halfway to my mouth to scream for them to stop-

Frost’s hand clamped over my mouth. “Don’t interfere!” he hissed in my ear. “It’s almost over!”

I bit down on my rage, forcing myself to stay silent even as the bond transmitted waves of Kaius’s suffering.

Finally, Silas raised his hand. The guards immediately ceased, stepping back and away.

The moment they retreated, Kaius nearly collapsed. His hands caught himself on the stone floor, his whole body shaking-but he forced

himself back upright through sheer willpower alone.

A female Elder descended from the platform. She looked impossibly young despite what must be centuries of age, her face preserved through some kind of magic. Honey-colored hair fell in waves over her shoulders, and her figure was deliberately provocative-her robes cut to reveal curves that seemed designed to distract and disarm.

She moved with predatory grace toward Kaius, reaching out to support his swaying form. Looking up at Silas with a coy smile, she purred, “Elder, surely he’s in no condition to face trial now. Perhaps I should escort him to the holding cells? We can resume tomorrow when

he’s… recovered.”

Silas chuckled darkly. “Rowan, you’re too soft-hearted! Don’t tell me you’ve taken an interest in him?” He turned his attention to Kaius with deliberate condescension. “Well? What do you say, Kaius?”

Kaius violently shoved Rowan away from him, fury overriding his pain. “Fuck! I don’t have time to be locked in my own damn prison! Stop with the false concern!” His voice gained strength despite his injuries. “I demand the Trial of Truth begin immediately!”

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Alpha’s STOLEN Mate