Alpha's STOLEN Mate (by Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 205

Chapter 205

Elowen

I’m back in the cage. Back in this sterile white room that feels more like a tomb than a prison.

70

My body is covered in marks from earlier-claw wounds across my shoulders, my arms, deep scratches along my ribs. They’re not life- threatening, but that’s not the point. Each one burns-not with physical pain, but with something worse. Humiliation. Degradation. The knowledge that he did this to me. That the mate bond I’d trusted, the mark I’d worn with pride, meant absolutely nothing.

I’ve screamed myself hoarse. Shouted until my throat was raw and my voice gave out. And now, as I sit here in this fucking cage, I realize

something bitter and terrible:

Morgath was right.

I would rather have the bond severed. I’d rather cut it out of my soul than feel this corrupted, poisoned connection to the monster that

Kaius has become.

“Little wolf,” Morgath’s voice echoes in my memory, that smug satisfaction dripping from every word. “Now you’re willing to sever it? How unfortunate-because now I’m not.”

She’d stood there, watching Kaius drag me back to this cage, her smile sharp as a blade.

“Your little outburst today earned you punishment,” she’d continued. “But it also ruined my mood entirely. I was so looking forward to reshaping you, but now? Now I need rest. Time to recover my enthusiasm.” Her laugh had been light, almost musical. “We’ll see each other again tomorrow, dear. I promise it will be… memorable.”

I don’t know what “tomorrow” means in this place. I don’t know what fresh horror she has planned.

But at least at least-I’m still myself. Still Elowen. Not some mindless puppet like Kaius.

Fuck. That’s a low bar for comfort.

I force myself to breathe. To think. Morgath broke the crystal’s barrier when she was angry-I saw it shatter. Which means the crystal itself might be vulnerable now. If I could just find it, destroy it, maybe I could collapse this entire pocket dimension.

But I can barely stand. I’m locked in a cage. And even if I got out, Kaius would stop me before I made it ten feet.

A bitter laugh escapes my throat. Great plan, Elowen. Really thought that one through,

The sound of crystal chimes shatters the silence.

The door opens.

1/3

14:42 Thu, Jan 22

Chapter 205

:

I’m on my feet instantly, pressing myself against the back of the cage, every muscle tense despite knowing I’m in no condition to fight.

70

Kaius enters. Still in that monstrous Lycan form-all massive shoulders and red eyes and too many teeth. He moves with predatory grace,

each step deliberate as he approaches my cage.

In his clawed hand, he carries a tray of food.

He sets it down just outside the bars, his movements almost casual. “Eat,” he says, his voice that terrible growl. “Tomorrow, Morgath still

needs you functional.”

Something inside me snaps.

My leg shoots out between the bars, kicking the tray. Food scatters across the white floor, the plate shattering with a satisfying crash.

*Fuck you, Kaius!” The words tear from my throat. “You want to be her dog? Fine! Go ahead and roll over for her! But don’t you dare

pretend I’m anything like you! I’m not! I’ll never be!”

His red eyes narrow. That monstrous face shifts-not quite anger, but something colder. Displeasure.

“Morgath gave me full authority over you until your transformation,” he says slowly, each word precise and measured. “If you don’t follow her rules… if you displease me in any way…” He takes a step closer to the cage, his shadow falling over me. “I can punish you again. Just

like before. Would you like that?”

The threat hangs in the air between us.

I look at him-this half-wolf, half-man abomination-and I feel two emotions warring inside me. Fear, yes. The memory of his claws tearing into my skin is still fresh. But stronger than fear is pure, incandescent rage.

If I could shift right now-if I could call on my white wolf-I would tear his throat out without hesitation.

Instead, I turn my back on him. “Then kill me,” I say coldly. “Do it now. Make it quick. Because if you don’t…” I pause, my voice dropping to something deadly. “The moment I get a chance, I swear I will kill—”

His hand shoots through the bars, massive clawed fingers wrapping around my throat.

I can’t breathe. Can’t gasp. My hands fly up, clawing at his grip, trying to pry those iron fingers away. I might as well be trying to move a

mountain.

He lifts me effortlessly, my feet leaving the floor as he forces me to turn and face him. Those red eyes bore into mine, emotionless and

cold.

“Give up that idea, little wolf,” he says softly, almost gently. “You can’t kill anyone. You can’t protect your pack members. You can’t even protect yourself.” His grip tightens fractionally. “Without the White Wolf bloodline, you’re nothing. Useless. Worthless.” His voice drops to a cruel whisper. “Just like you were four years ago. Accept what you really are. Stop pretending you’re some legendary creature. You’re

2/3

14:42 Thu, Jan 22

Chapter 205

just… prey.”

He releases me.

B

70

I crash into the bottom of the cage, hitting the metal floor hard enough to knock the wind from my lungs. Pain radiates through my shoulder, my ribs, everywhere the metal connected with already-injured flesh.

For a moment, I just lie there, gasping.

What I really am.

What I really am.

The words echo in my head, mixing with the pain, the humiliation, the rage.

“What I really am?” I whisper. Then louder: “What I really am?”

Something breaks inside me-not in defeat, but in fury.

“WHAT I REALLY AM IS THE UNKILLABLE WHITE WOLF!” I scream, pushing myself up to face him. “Your trash master can use whatever magic she wants-trap me, torture me, turn me inside out-but she can’t contain me forever! Even if she turns me into her fucking pet, I’ll still rip out her heart! I’ll still tear out your throat with my teeth!” Hysterical laughter bubbles up. “You think this changes anything?!”

Comments

LIKE