Alpha's STOLEN Mate (by Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 184

Chapter 184

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Kaius held it up to the light, and I saw something flicker across his face. Uncertainty? Fear? But it was gone in an instant, replaced by

grim determination. He tucked the blade into a sheath at his hip.

Together, we climbed to the highest watchtower overlooking the southern approach to Kaius’s territory. We’d changed into practical

combat gear-reinforced leather and flexible armor that wouldn’t restrict movement. At our feet sat provisions: bread, water, dried meat.

Enough to sustain us through a long watch.

And then we waited.

Hours crawled by. The sun reached its zenith, then began its slow descent toward the horizon. Patrol reports came in regularly-nothing.

No golden wolf. No signs of disturbance. Just the usual forest sounds and the occasional passing deer.

As the sun finally sank below the treeline and the moon began its rise, I felt my vigilance starting to waver. My muscles ached from

standing still for so long. My eyes burned from staring at the same stretch of forest.

I finally gave up and sat down heavily, grabbing a piece of bread and tearing off a chunk. “Well,” I said through a mouthful, “I guess your

father decided to take the night off from terrorizing innocent packs.”

Kaius remained standing, his gaze fixed on the southern horizon. “It’s strange,” he said quietly. “I used to fantasize about this when I was

young. Fighting my father. Testing myself against him.” His voice carried old pain. “I always knew I’d lose. But I wanted to try anyway.

Just once.”

I swallowed my bread, watching him. “I’d rather you never got that chance.”

Silence fell between us, comfortable despite the tension of our vigil. The moon climbed higher, casting silver light across the landscape. It was beautiful-peaceful, even. Hard to believe we were waiting for a monster to attack.

The tranquility made my mind wander to deeper questions. Things I’d been avoiding thinking about.

“Kaius,” I said softly. “If I wasn’t the White Wolf… would you still love me?”

He answered without looking away from his watch. “I’d love you if you were an Omega.”

I kicked his leg lightly. “Fuck off. I’m being serious.”

That got his attention. He finally turned to face me, and in the moonlight, his expression was thoughtful. “You’re asking a hypothetical question that’s impossible to answer honestly. Any response I give-yes or no-could be considered a lie because we’ll never know the

truth.”

“Just answer it,” I insisted.

“If you really want an answer,” he said slowly, “then I suppose the only way to truly test it would be if you lost all your abilities. Became

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19:47 Wed, Jan 14

Chapter 184

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completely ordinary. Then we’d see if my feelings remained.” He paused. “But I have confidence that the answer would be yes. I’d still love

you.”

I gaped at him. “You’re an idiot. That’s the worst way to answer a romantic question I’ve ever heard.”

A smile tugged at his lips. “Fair enough.” He sat down beside me, his eyes glinting with mischief in the moonlight. “Then let me ask you

something. If I wasn’t an Alpha-if I were an Omega, or even more realistically, if I were a Beta like Frost-would you still love me?”

The question caught me off guard. I opened my mouth to answer immediately, instinctively-

Yes. Of course. I love you for who you are, not what you are.

But before I could form the words, Scarlett’s voice exploded into my mind with such force I actually flinched.

ALPHA! Get back here NOW! The pack is under attack! The barrier’s been breached!

I shot to my feet, my heart hammering. “Your fucking father,” I snarled, already opening a lightning rift, “is attacking MY pack!”

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19:47 Wed, Jan 14

Alpha’s STOLEN Mate