Alpha's STOLEN Mate (by Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 124

Chapter 124

71

I smiled grimly. Cross knows what he’s doing. Old soldiers always do.

I raised my hands, feeling the familiar crackle of electricity dance across my fingertips. The lightning responded eagerly now, unhindered by the magical suppression. A rift tore open in the air before me-a swirling vortex of crackling energy.

Without hesitation, I stepped through.

The world twisted and reformed around me. When my feet touched solid ground again, I was standing in the dungeon corridor, just outside the cells. The air here was dank and cold, smelling of stone and misery.

And there, in the cell directly across from me, sat a solitary figure bathed in pale moonlight streaming through a high window.

My breath caught in my throat.

Kaius sat slumped against the far wall, his magnificent body covered in wounds that looked even worse in the silvery light. The wolfsbane lashes from the trial had left angry red welts across his chest and back, some still seeping blood. His face was pale with pain, but his eyes -when they lifted to meet mine-still burned with that fierce, indomitable will.

I rushed to the cell door, my hands trembling as I worked the lock. The moment it clicked open, I flew inside and dropped to my knees

beside him.

Kaius’s lips curved into a weak smile as he took in my appearance. “Serious? My mate has an assassin form now?”

“Don’t joke,” I said sharply, my hands hovering over his wounds, afraid to cause more pain. “You’re hurt.”

I gently touched one of the lash marks on his shoulder. He flinched, a sharp intake of breath betraying his agony.

I immediately pulled my hand back. “Sorry, I—”

“I’m fine,” he lied through gritted teeth.

I slipped my arm under his shoulders, trying to help him stand. “The guards are distracted with a fire outside. We need to move now. I can open a rift back to my pack territory. We’ll get you medical treatment there.”

But Kaius didn’t move. Instead, he leaned closer, inhaling deeply near my neck. “You smell like potions. Where’s Frost?”

The mention of Frost made something uncomfortable twist in my chest. I pushed the feeling away. “The potion-it’s to resist magical interference. I traded for it.” I hesitated. “Frost is fine. He’s just… I won’t see him for a week. Long story.” I tugged at Kaius’s arm urgently. “Come on, we have to go!”

But Kaius pulled away from me, his jaw setting with that stubborn determination I knew too well.

1/2

19:15 Wed, Jan 14

Chapter 124

“I can’t leave,” he said flatly.

I stared at him, certain I’d misheard. “What the fuck? What are you talking about?”

Ø(71)

“Elowen.” His voice was calm, rational, infuriating. “Do you understand what happens if I run? I become a fugitive. A traitor. The Elders will have every right to name a new Alpha King. And then?” His eyes blazed with intensity. “My pack members, my Beta, my Gamma- everyone loyal to me-will be stripped of their positions. Hunted. Killed.”

Fury exploded in my chest. I grabbed one of his wounds and squeezed, making him hiss in pain.

“Fuck that! Better you alive and dishonored than dead in this fucking pit!”

He clenched his jaw against the pain but didn’t back down. “I’m an Alpha King. You know what dignity means to me. I won’t become a coward who fled his judgment. I won’t have every wolf in this territory saying I ran away like a frightened pup.”

I’d had enough of his pride. I stepped back and raised my hands, electricity crackling between my fingers as I prepared to open another rift. The swirling vortex of lightning appeared before us, leading to safety, to freedom.

I grabbed his hand and started pulling him toward it.

Kaius shoved me away.

Something inside me snapped. “Fine!” I snarled, my wolf surging to the surface. “If you won’t come willingly, I’ll knock you unconscious and drag your stubborn ass through that portal myself!”

My body began to shift, bones lengthening, muscles bunching with supernatural strength-

“Wait.” Kaius’s voice cut through my rage. His eyes closed briefly, and when he opened them again, they held a different kind of intensity.

“There’s another way.”

I froze mid-transformation, forcing my wolf back down. “You better have a fucking good explanation,” I growled. “You better tell me you have a plan that preserves your precious dignity and gets you out of this death trap.”

Kaius met my eyes with absolute certainty.

“What if,” he said slowly, “instead of running… we turn this trial into our victory?”

Comments

LIKE

Write Comments

< SHARE

2/2

19:15 Wed, Jan 14

Alpha’s STOLEN Mate