Alpha's STOLEN Mate (by Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 194

Chapter 194

Elowen

The moment we crossed through the portal, gravity disappeared.

We were falling-no, floating-suspended in the violet twilight like leaves caught in an invisible current. Behind us, the portal sealed

itself with a sound like breaking glass, cutting off our only exit.

Cold sweat broke out across my skin despite my mental preparation.

69

We’re trapped.

Then, just as suddenly as it had vanished, gravity returned. But instead of the bone-crushing impact I expected, we landed softly-our feet

touching down on solid crystal as if we’d simply stepped off a low curb.

I looked around, trying to orient myself.

We stood in what could only be described as a village. But calling it that felt wrong-like calling a nightmare a dream just because you

experienced it while sleeping.

Before us flowed a river. Except it wasn’t water. The liquid was viscous, almost syrupy, glowing with faint purple luminescence as it wound

its way through the crystalline landscape. It moved with unnatural smoothness, never splashing, never rippling incorrectly.

“Trees” dotted the area-if they could be called that. They had no leaves, no bark. Just smooth, bone-white trunks that looked like they’d

been carved from polished ivory or bleached driftwood. Cold. Hard. Dead.

The buildings were worse. They rose from the obsidian ground in organic shapes-curved walls and flowing architecture-all constructed from some translucent amber-like substance. I could see shadows moving inside them, distorted shapes that might have been furniture or

equipment or something far more sinister.

Everything had a geometric precision to it that felt deliberate. Calculated. Wrong.

Kaius and I exchanged a look, and I saw my own horror reflected in his eyes.

What have we walked into?

“God!” Evelyn’s voice rang out with genuine delight. “I’m so glad I came! I would have regretted missing this place for the rest of my life!”

I stared at her. “Are you serious right now?”

“What? It’s beautiful!”

1/3

19:48 Wed, Jan 14

Chapter 194

任命

Beautiful?! I knelt by the strange river, dipping my fingers cautiously into the glowing liquid. It clung to my skin but didn’t wet it-just rolled off in perfect spheres, like mercury. “Are we looking at the same place? Or are your eyes wired differently than mine?

Evelyn spread her arms, gesturing at our surroundings. Look at the symmetry! The violet sky absolutely gorgeous. The buildings with their perfect geometric crystalline structures. And this river it flows in an absolutely straight line! Everything here follows mathematical precision. It’s like living inside a massive gemstone!

I watched the purple liquid continue to bead on my fingers, fascinated despite my revulsion. “I think this entire realm is sustained by the power gemstone. Which is incredible, honestly.” I let the liquid drop back into the river. “If they weren’t our enemies-if they hadn’t

declared war on all werewolves-I’d almost feel bad about destroying their home.”

Then I heard it. A scream-unmistakably wolf-coming from one of the amber buildings. Followed by mechanical sounds. Clinical voices

discussing ‘subjects” and “enhancement protocols.”

They’re experimenting on our people. Right now.

“Fuck,” I snarled. “We need to move. Now,”

Kaius pulled out the map, studying it quickly, “This way. Follow the river east.”

We moved swiftly but cautiously, keeping to shadows where we could find them. The river led us deeper into the village until we reached

a structure that could only be described as a shrine.

It was circular, built entirely from the same obsidian crystal as the ground, with an open roof that let in the violet twilight. And in the center, suspended in midair by nothing visible-

The gemstone.

It was massive. Easily the size of a human torso, multifaceted like a cut diamond, pulsing with rhythmic purple light. Energy radiated

from it in waves that I could feel against my skin even from this distance.

“God!” I couldn’t help grinning. “That was almost too easy! We found it already! Now we just need to destroy it and-”

“Wait.’ Kaius grabbed my arm. “Be careful. Don’t make too much noise. We don’t know who-or what-might be nearby.”

I nodded and let my white wolf form surge forward. Lightning crackled along my fur as I gathered my power. Fire bloomed in my throat. I

unleashed both simultaneously at the gemstone.

Nothing happened.

The energy hit the stone and simply… dissipated. Like I’d attacked a wall of water with more water.

What?

2/3

19:48 Wed, Jan 14

Alpha’s STOLEN Mate