Alpha's STOLEN Mate (by Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 128

Chapter 128

Elowen

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The transformation was instantaneous. My white wolf erupted forth, light blazing from every inch of my fur like captured starlight given

form. I rose into the air, my purification aura washing over the entire sacred ground.

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Wolves fell to their knees, overwhelmed by the divine presence.

“The Sacred White Wolf!” someone shouted.

“A blessing from the Moon Goddess!”

But Silas’s voice cut through the reverent murmurs like a blade. “DON’T JUST STAND THERE! KILL THE KING!”

Rowan raised her dagger, but she’d hesitated a second too long. I teleported-a crack of lightning marking my departure and arrival-and

my hind legs crashed into her chest with devastating force. She flew backward, the ceremonial blade clattering to the ground.

“WHAT THE FUCK!” Silas’s composure shattered completely. “Rowan! Your magical interference-why isn’t it working?!”

He turned to his guards, spittle flying from his lips. “KILL THEM BOTH!”

The guards charged, twenty warriors converging on my position with weapons drawn. But they were pitifully slow compared to my enhanced speed. My claws ignited with white-hot flames, and the first guard to reach me died screaming, his body turning to ash before

he hit the ground.

Another fell. Then another.

“FOR THE KING!” Cross’s voice boomed as he burst from the crowd, a dagger flashing in his hand. He landed beside me, his eyes blazing

with loyalty.

Good man.

I leaped over the remaining guards and landed behind Kaius, my healing light already flowing into his battered body. The chains binding him glowed white-hot before shattering. His wounds closed with visible speed, wolfsbane poison burning away under the purifying magic.

Kaius tried to shift, his body rippling with the beginning of transformation-but nothing happened. He strained, veins standing out on his neck, but remained frustratingly human.

The wolfsbane must be deeper than I thought. He needs more time.

I gently but firmly threw Kaius toward the outer edge of the sacred grounds; away from the immediate danger. He’d be safe there while I

finished this.

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Chapter 128

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My attention snapped to Silas. The head Elder had backed toward the northernmost pillar, his expression cycling between fury and fear.

Time to end this.

I launched myself at him, flames trailing from my claws, ready to tear out his throat and end the Elder Council’s reign forever.

Silas grabbed the ornate staff one of his attendants thrust into his hands-the Elder’s Rod of Authority, carved from ancient heartwood

and topped with a crystal that pulsed with accumulated power. He raised it high, and I felt the wave of his aura slam into me.

It should have stopped me cold. Should have forced submission, planted doubt, maybe even made me attack my own allies.

Instead, Lysandra’s potion surged within me, meeting the magical assault with a wall of absolute protection. The aura broke against my

defenses like water against stone.

All magic is the same in the end. And I’m immune.

I smiled-or rather, my wolf’s expression conveyed pure, predatory satisfaction-and continued my attack.

Silas’s eyes widened in terror as my flaming claws descended toward his throat-

Four Elders materialized between us.

7

They moved with supernatural coordination, forming a defensive formation I’d never seen before. As my claws struck, the nearest Elder’s arm underwent a grotesque transformation-his flesh rippling and hardening, fur sprouting in patches, bones thickening into a armored

gauntlet that caught my flames without burning.

“Partial transformation?” I snarled in surprise.

Another Elder lunged at me, his fingers elongating into wickedly sharp bone spikes that whistled through the air toward my eyes. I

dodged, but barely.

These weren’t the decrepit old wolves I’d expected. They were warriors, enhanced by centuries of accumulated power and techniques I’d

never encountered.

Fine. Let’s see how long you last.

I unleashed everything-flames, lightning, wind-enhanced strikes that should have obliterated them. Cross fought beside me, his gamma

strength considerable even if he lacked my divine power.

The Elders fell back, their defensive formation crumbling as we pressed the advantage. Blood stained the sacred ground. One Elder collapsed, his chest torn open. Another stumbled, his arm hanging useless.

We’re winning. Just a little more-

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Chapter 128

My legs buckled.

What?

Weakness crashed over me like a tidal wave. My limbs felt impossibly heavy, my vision swimming. The white flames coating my claws

flickered and died.

No. Not now. Not when we’re so close-

Pain exploded across my back.

I twisted, looking over my shoulder in disbelief at the dagger protruding from between my shoulder blades. Following the arm holding

that dagger up to the face of my attacker.

Gamma Cross stared back at me, his expression unreadable.

The food, my mind supplied with horrible clarity. He poisoned the food.

“Fuck…” The word came out as a weak growl.

My legs gave out completely. I crashed to the ground, my white wolf form flickering as the poison spread through my system. The transformation began to reverse, my divine power unable to maintain itself against whatever toxin now raced through my veins.

The last thing I saw before darkness claimed me was Rowan’s face, twisted into a smile of absolute triumph.

“Well done, Gamma,” she said. “Well done indeed.”

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Alpha’s STOLEN Mate