Alpha's STOLEN Mate (by Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 162

Chapter 162

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“Stop.” Kaius’s voice cut through my words like ice. “The situation is deteriorating too rapidly. I’m starting to question whether saving him

is even the right move anymore. Maybe… maybe there’s another way to stop him.

The implication hung in the air between us, sharp and horrible. He was considering killing his own father.

But beneath that cold pragmatism, I could hear the crack in his voice, see the pain lurking behind those steel-gray eyes. He wanted to

save his father. God, he wanted it so badly it was eating him alive.

Kaius exhaled heavily, dragging a hand through his dark hair. “I need to consolidate our forces. Make everyone understand exactly what we’re facing. I’m calling an Alpha Assembly.”

I nodded slowly. “At least then everyone will know what’s really happening. What we’re up against.”

“Exactly.” He moved to the door, calling for one of his lieutenants. When the man appeared, Kaius’s orders were crisp and clear. “Send word to all the messengers. Three days from now, every pack sends their Alpha to the Royal Grounds for emergency assembly. If they don’t have an Alpha, their highest-ranking Beta attends. No exceptions.”

That was good. At least we’d have some kind of united front. But as the lieutenant hurried off to relay the message, something else tugged at my conscience. I hadn’t been back to my own pack in days. Sure, no one had reached out through the mindlink with emergencies, but that didn’t mean everything was fine. And I was still their Alpha, regardless of whatever was developing between Kaius

and me.

“Kaius,” I started carefully, watching his profile as he stared out the window. “I know you need support right now, but I think I need to go back. To my pack. I need to make sure they’re-*

“Of course you do.” He turned to face me, and his expression had softened again, understanding replacing the earlier fury. “You should go, Elowen. Your pack needs their Alpha, especially now. If anything happens, anything at all, you mindlink me immediately. His gaze held mine, intense and sincere. “Those wolves-your pack members-they mean everything to you. And I need you to believe me when I say they’ve come to mean a great deal to me as well.*

Something warm bloomed in my chest at his words. It was rare to see Kaius so openly vulnerable, so honest about his feelings. No possessive demands, no orders to stay. Just genuine care.

A mischievous impulse seized me-probably the stress making me reckless. I gave him a small smile, deliberately casual. “Well, then. I guess this is goodbye for now. Thanks for, you know, everything these past few days.” I turned toward the door, adding with false lightness, “Who knows when we’ll see each other again. Could be a while, so-*

I didn’t get two steps before his hands were on me, one arm wrapping around my waist and spinning me back against his chest. His other hand cupped my jaw, tilting my face up to meet his blazing stare.

“Don’t you dare. His voice was low, almost a growl, but I could hear the genuine worry underneath. “Don’t even joke about really leaving me. Promise me, Elowen. Three days-you’ll be back here, by my side, for the Assembly.”

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Chapter 162

My breath caught. He was so close I could feel the beat radiating off him, could see the flecks of silver in his gray eyes. For the Assembly? Of course I’ll be there. I’ll attend as the Alpha of my pack, representing my-

“No.” His grip tightened, not painfully but possessively, and a dangerous smile curved his lips. “You’ll attend as my Queen.”

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10:34 Wed Jan 14

ADRES STOLEN Mate

Chapter 165

Elver

A (70)

The inumey back to my pack felt surreal. I deliberately slowed my pace, my eyes scanning every pack territory I passed. The paranola-the

fear that had been lurking in my chest since all those messenger reports-was proving justified.

Every single pack I encountered had their gates locked tight. Not just closed. Barricaded. Like they were preparing for siege warfare.

Guards stood at in their usual numbers, weapons drawn, eyes scanning the treeline with desperate vigilance.

The atmosphere of terror was suffocating.

Jesus. This is bad. This is realy, really bad.

My heart began pounding harder the closer I got to home. What if something had happened while I was gone? What if-

The moment I crossed into my territory, I broke into a run.

My pack house loomed ahead, and I burst through the doors, sprinting down the corridor. My eyes flew over every face I passed, mentally

cataloging, counting-

“Man is still here, I muttered under my breath. “Thank God. And Jenna-okay, she’s fine. Thomas is on guard duty, looking exhausted but alive.” My pace quickened. “Lily’s in the kitchen. Owen’s with the patrol rotation.” Each familiar face loosened the vise around my chest just a little. “Garrett’s training the younger wolves. Sarah’s-

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I nearly jumped out of my skin as hands grabbed my shoulders from behind.

I spun around to find Evelyn grinning at me like a mischievous cat, her red hair wild around her face. Scarlett stood beside her, trying and failing to suppress a smile.

“Relax!” Evelyn patted my shoulder with theatrical reassurance. “I’m still here! Not kidnapped, not transformed into some creepy pet wolf! You don’t need to worry about little old me!” She leaned in conspiratorially. “We’ve all heard the rumors, you know-disappearances getting worse across the packs lately. Word is there’s a witch behind it all. But clearly, I’m fine!”

I couldn’t help but laugh, some of the tension draining away. “Trust me, I wasn’t worried about you.” I turned to Scarlett, immediately moving into her space, grabbing her face and turning it left and right, checking for injuries. “The Flesh-Weaver has zero interest in witches. You, on the other hand-my best Beta-you’re the one I’ve been losing sleep over!”

‘Ow! Elowen!” Scarlett squirmed as I squeezed her cheeks, checking her neck, her arms, looking for any sign of harm. “Stop it! I’m fine! God, you’re worse than my mother!”

‘Our pack is fine too,” she added, finally managing to bat my hands away. “Not a single wolf has gone missing recently. Everyone’s

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