Alpha's STOLEN Mate (by Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 174

Chapter 174

I took another drag, the smoke helping me think more clearly even as it dulled the sharp edges of my emotions. “Maybe staying here

permanently is the answer. Maybe-”

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“But God!” I interrupted myself, my voice rising. “It’s so fucking hard! My mind is already spinning. I can’t stop thinking about-” I crushed the cigarette against the stone bench. “Fuck! I hate myself! I hate that I hurt Scarlett! I hate that I can’t just-

Lysandra’s expression changed suddenly. Her eyes went distant, unfocused. “Speaking of that girl…”

I stood immediately. “What? What is it?”

“There’s dark magic nearby. Down the mountain.” Her voice had gone cold, clinical. “Black magic energy signatures-multiple sources. And

Scarlett…” She paused. “She’s under attack.”

“Fuck!” The cigarette fell from my fingers as I moved toward the cave entrance. “I have to go. I have to find her-

“Are you certain?” Lysandra’s voice stopped me mid-stride. “You’re planning to rush off and rescue the woman whose heart you just broke? The woman you told never to see you again?” Her tone was sharp. “Besides, she’s strong. A skilled warrior. She may not even need your

help.”

“I don’t care!” I spun to face her. “I can’t let her get hurt because of me. If she came here and now she’s in danger-if something happens

to her because she was visiting me-”

“Frost.” Lysandra rose slowly, and for the first time since I’d met her, I saw something like sadness in her expression. “Think carefully about what you’re doing. Here, in this cave, you’re safe. Protected. No one can disturb your peace. No one can pull you back into conflicts

that will tear you apart.”

The weight of her words hung between us.

“Once you leave,” she continued softly, “there’s no guarantee you can return to this tranquility.”

I met her gaze. “I know.”

“Do you?” She moved closer. “Because I’ve seen this pattern before. You’ll save Scarlett, and then you’ll get pulled back into Kaius and Elowen’s war. You’ll watch Elowen fall deeper in love with her mate, and it will destroy you slowly.”

Every word was true. Every word was logical.

And I didn’t care.

“Lysandra, I’m sorry, but I have to go. Now.”

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19:46 Wed, Jan 14

Chapter 174

70

She studied me for a long moment, then sighed-a sound of resignation mixed with something almost like respect. I expected as much.”

She turned and moved to a shelf lined with vials and bottles. “If you’re determined to throw yourself into danger, at least take this.”

She pressed a small glass bottle into my hand. The liquid inside swirled with an iridescent sheen.

“What is it?”

“Enhanced magical resistance potion. No side effects, I promise.” Her voice was brisk, professional. “It will help you resist curses and

magical attacks. Given what you’re likely walking into, you’ll need every advantage.”

I uncorked the bottle immediately. The scent that wafted up was complex-layers upon layers of different herbs and something else I couldn’t quite identify. It seemed more intricate than a simple resistance potion, but I didn’t think much of it.

“Thank you. Truly, I don’t know how to repay you for everything-”

“We won’t see each other again,” she said abruptly.

I paused, the bottle halfway to my lips. “What?”

A sad smile crossed her face. “This is the path you’ve chosen, Frost. Once you leave this cave, once you step back into that world… your fate will change. Your body may continue to heal, or it may deteriorate again. Your emotions-well. She gestured vaguely. “We both know

they’ll be in chaos.”

“But-”

“And I’ll be relocating my sanctuary,” she continued. “Making it harder to find. I have my own reasons for needing to disappear for a

while.”

The finality in her voice made my chest tight. “Lysandra, I’ll come back. When things settle down, I’ll-

“Frost.” She placed a hand on my shoulder, and the gesture was surprisingly gentle, ‘Good luck. You’re going to need it.”

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19:46 Wed, Jan 14

Alpha’s STOLEN Mate