Alpha's STOLEN Mate (by Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 226

Chapter 226

Elowen

The day before my coronation arrived faster than I’d expected.

According to tradition, all the important guests would arrive a day early to settle in. Kaius and I stood at the castle entrance, ready to

greet them as they came.

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Alpha after Alpha approached, each one offering their respects. But what struck me-what made me want to laugh-was how dramatically

the dynamic had shifted.

*Queen Elowen! It’s an honor to finally meet you in person!” A broad-shouldered Alpha from the northern territories bowed deeply. “Your

defeat of Morgath the Flesh-Weaver has saved us all! You’re a hero to every pack!”

“The White Wolf has returned in our darkest hour!” Another Alpha, this one elderly with silver threading through his hair. “We are blessed

by the Moon Goddess!”

Meanwhile, Kaius stood beside me, practically invisible. Several Alphas barely acknowledged him beyond a perfunctory nod.

One particularly bold Alpha even stepped right past Kaius to address me directly. “My Queen, I must ask-there were reports that our King attacked you during the conflict with Morgath? Some sort of mind control?” His eyes narrowed suspiciously at Kaius. “Are you certain

you’re safe now?”

Kaius’s jaw tightened. “I was under magical compulsion. It’s been resolved.”

“Hmm.” The Alpha didn’t look convinced.

I bit back a smile as I watched Kaius’s increasingly uncomfortable expression. So this was what being Queen meant-apparently I’d already

been elevated to legendary status before the coronation had even happened. Poor Kaius was being treated like an afterthought at his own

castle.

As the Alphas filed inside, I noticed an unusual figure approaching the entrance.

An unremarkable old man shuffled toward the castle gates, moving with an odd, meandering gait. He’d stop every few steps to examine something-a carved stone in the wall, the iron hinges on the gate, the moss growing between cobblestones. He’d mutter to himself, running his weathered hands over surfaces like a tourist seeing a grand building for the first time.

The guards immediately took notice.

Two of them stepped forward, blocking his path. “Hey, old man! Do you have any idea where you are? The taller guard’s voice was sharp

with suspicion. “This is the King and Queen’s castle! State your business!*

The old man looked up with a pleasant, almost vacant smile. “Oh! I’m here as a representative from the Elder Council. My name is Ronan.”

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Chapter 226

He spoke slowly, as if the words required great effort. I’ve come to offer congratulations… and to witness our Queen’s coronation trial.”

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The guards exchanged skeptical glances.

An Elder?” The shorter guard actually laughed. “You? I’ve never seen an Elder with such terrible manners! You look like some country bumpkin who wandered in from a farm!” He gestured at Ronan’s stooped posture. “Real Elders have centuries of discipline. They stand straight as spears, sit perfectly still. And you’re shuffling around like you’ve never seen a castle before!”

The old man’s smile didn’t waver. “Oh, you think I’ve never seen a castle?”

In an instant, everything changed.

Ronan straightened to his full height-which was considerably taller than his previous hunched posture had suggested. His eyes, which had seemed cloudy and unfocused, suddenly sharpened into something piercing and ancient. Though his mouth kept that same pleasant smile, there was steel behind it now.

“I know this mountain is Moon Peak. I know this castle was originally built by the Silverbrook Pack-they brought master craftsmen from

across the kingdom to construct it into the mountainside.” His voice had lost its meandering quality, becoming crisp and precise. “Then,

due to territorial disputes, it was conquered by Thornridge Peak Pack, who held it for three generations.”

He paused, his gaze drifting to the castle walls with something like nostalgia.

“And then, our current Alpha King decided this location was strategically valuable. He brought rather… convenient accusations against

Thornridge Pack. False charges of treason, if I recall correctly.” Ronan’s smile turned sharp. “Wiped them out completely. Took their castle

for himself.

The old man looked back at the guards, and despite his smile, there was something dangerous in his expression. “So you see, I was just

thinking… such a magnificent castle. I wonder who its next owner will be?”

The guards’ faces went pale. One of them opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out.

I heard rapid footsteps behind me-Kaius, striding forward with barely contained anger.

“What exactly are you implying, old man?” Kaius’s voice was low and dangerous.

Ronan’s expression returned to innocent pleasantness. “Implying? Nothing at all! I merely said I’m here to congratulate the Queen and

witness her coronation trial!”

“That’s not what I’m asking about.” Kaius moved closer, his presence radiating authority. “You just accused me of destroying Thornridge

Pack based on false charges. Care to explain that?”

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Alpha’s STOLEN Mate