Alpha's STOLEN Mate (by Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 159

Chapter 159

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The eldest among them-a wizened man with a long white beard and eyes that had seen centuries-spoke first. “Elowen, as the White Wolf, your word carries the weight of ancient legend. Like us Elders, you are born of the old ways. We choose to believe you.” He nodded gravely. “And this Flesh Weaver witch you mentioned… we have indeed heard whispers of her existence.”

Relief flooded through me. They believed it. They believed Kaius had nothing to do with Rowan’s death.

Then the old man started laughing. Actually laughing, the sound wheezing and delighted. “But how poetic! That traitor Rowan finally paid for her arrogance! That bitch who thought she could rise above her station, who broke our sacred rules-she’s dead! Ha!*

A striking woman with flame-red hair and sharp features joined in, her smile vicious. “Rowan absolutely deserved it. Conspiring with a Flesh-Weaver? Betraying Silas? She got off easy with a quick death!” Her eyes gleamed with vindictive pleasure. “My only regret is that I

wasn’t there to watch her choke on her own blood.”

The third Elder was different from his colleagues-younger-looking despite his status, with sandy brown hair that stuck up in all directions like he’d forgotten to comb it. He was pudgy, wore rumpled robes, and had the distracted air of someone perpetually lost in thought. Round spectacles perched on his nose, giving him an owlish appearance.

He mumbled something under his breath, barely audible.

“Speak up, Faelan!” the old man snapped.

Faelan-the bookish Elder-flinched slightly but raised his voice. “I said… I think her death is somewhat tragic.” He pushed his spectacles up nervously. “She died trying to save Elowen. Well, perhaps her true intentions weren’t so noble, but her actions… her actions did accomplish that. She paid a heavy price already, didn’t she?”

Kaius’s expression flickered with discomfort and something darker-guilt, maybe, or complicated grief.

I felt my own emotions tangle into knots. The timeline was clear now: I’d been captured. Kaius discovered it and forced Rowan to find Morgath. Rowan confronted the witch and died for her trouble.

How ironic. She died trying to save her enemy-trying to save me, because losing me meant losing Kaius.

Fuck. Rowan, I don’t know if you were stupid or too clever for your own good.

Kaius straightened, pushing through his discomfort to address the Elders with renewed purpose. “You three are wise and experienced. I need your counsel on something else.”

The old man-whose nameplate read “Elder Lachlan”-leaned forward. “Speak, Alpha King.”

“Morgath. The Flesh-Weaver.” Kaius’s jaw tightened. “How do we fight her? And more importantly-” His voice dropped, became almost desperate. ‘Is there any way to save the wolves she’s already transformed? To reverse what she’s done to them?”

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19:43 Wed, Jan 14

Chapter 159

The red-haired Elder-Elder Vivienne-exchanged a look with Lachlan. “Alpha King, with all due respect… you should abandon that idea

entirely. Making peace with the witch is your best option. Her voice turned grave. “We Elders understand better than anyone how

dangerous Flesh-Weavers are. They’ve existed since ancient times, and they’ve destroyed entire civilizations when provoked.”

“Exactly,” Lachlan agreed, stroking his beard thoughtfully. “Maintaining neutrality is wise. Don’t antagonize her further. Let the

transformed wolves go-they’re already lost.”

7

Kaius’s face went tight with barely controlled rage. I placed a hand on his shoulder, understanding his pain. He was thinking about his

father—Marcus, the golden wolf, trapped in Morgath’s collection.

He can’t just abandon him. No matter how hopeless it seems.

Then Faelan mumbled something again, so quietly I almost missed it.

“What was that?” I asked, leaning forward.

Faelan blinked behind his spectacles, surprised to be addressed directly. He cleared his throat nervously. “I said, um, even the strongest

witch has weaknesses. It’s just a matter of finding them.”

Vivienne rolled her eyes. “Faelan, don’t fill their heads with false hope-*

“And the transformed wolves,” Faelan continued, gaining confidence as he warmed to his subject. “Technically speaking, even Flesh-Weaver modifications aren’t permanent. The process can be reversed. In theory.” He pulled out a small notebook from his robes, flipping through pages covered in dense scribbling. “I’ve been studying historical accounts of Flesh-Weaver cases. There are documented instances of successful reversals, though admittedly rare.”

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19:43 Wed, Jan 14

Alpha’s STOLEN Mate