Alpha's STOLEN Mate (by Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 254

Chapter 254

Elowen

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Zane’s transformation was complete. Gone was the charming host, the pleasant diplomat with his easy smiles and warm eyes. What stood before us now was something ancient and terrifying-a predator who’d been playing with his food.

His hand moved almost lazily, and the air itself turned heavy, viscous. Blood magic rippled through the temple like invisible chains, wrapping around my limbs, crushing down on my chest. Scarlett gasped beside me, dropping to one knee under the sudden pressure.

“Did you really think,” Zane’s voice echoed with inhuman resonance, “that I wouldn’t prepare for the legendary White Wolf?” He walked toward us with predatory grace, and with each step, more vampire warriors materialized from the shadows. Dozens of them, all elite by the look of their weapons and stance. “You’ve killed many of my kind over the years, Elowen. I’ve studied your fighting patterns. Your strategies. Your weaknesses.”

I tried to shift, to call my wolf-but the blood magic held me fast. It was like trying to move through concrete.

“The magic suppression will last as long as I will it.” Zane stopped in front of me, tilting his head with cruel amusement. “Now. Let’s discuss the matter of your illegal entry into my sanctuary, shall we?”

He produced a scroll from his coat, unfurling it with a theatrical flourish. Even from where I knelt, I could see Arabella’s signature at the

bottom, glowing with binding magic.

“A contract,” Zane explained, his tone almost professorial. “Signed in blood and magic. The witch Arabella borrowed extensively from my coffers-resources, artifacts, political backing. The sum was… substantial. And when she defaulted-as I knew she would-the contract’s penalty clause activated.” He smiled, and it was the smile of a shark. “Her daughter’s bloodline became mine. Completely legal. Completely

binding.”

“You bastard-” I tried to surge forward, but the magic crushed me back down.

“Ah ah.” Zane wagged a finger. “Temper, White Wolf. Though I must admit, your rage is… delicious.” He turned away, clearly savoring his victory. “Such spirit. It will make your eventual submission all the more-”

That was his mistake. The moment his attention shifted, the moment his focus wavered-I felt it. The blood magic’s grip loosened, just a

fraction.

Now!

I didn’t think. I moved. Channeling every ounce of Alpha power, every bit of fury and desperation, I forced my transformation. My wolf erupted outward with explosive force, shattering the magical restraints like glass.

“Scarlett!” I roared through the mindlink. “NOW!”

My white wolf form crashed into the nearest vampire before Zane could react. Fangs found throat. Claws tore through flesh. Blood sprayed

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14:49 Thu, Jan 22

Chapter 254

“What do you want?” My voice came out hollow, defeated.

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“Ah. Now we’re making progress.” Zane’s smile returned, but there was nothing pleasant about it now. Only predatory satisfaction. “Here’s

what interests me, Elowen. You see, complete immunity to sunlight is… useful. But not essential. Vampires have thrived in shadows for

millennia.” He circled us slowly. “What truly intrigues me is something far rarer. Something legendary.”

He stopped directly in front of me, his green eyes gleaming with dark hunger.

“The White Wolf herself.”

My blood ran cold.

“Stay here,” he continued, voice dropping to something intimate and terrible. “Become part of my court. Permanently. And in exchange…” He gestured toward Evelyn. “Once I’ve extracted sufficient power from the witch-enough for my immediate needs-I’ll let her live.

Diminished, certainly. But alive.”

“No!” Evelyn’s voice was weak but furious. “Elowen, don’t you fucking dare-”

“Think about it,” Zane interrupted smoothly. “One life for another. Your freedom for hers. Rather poetic, don’t you think? And before you

consider foolish heroics-know that I’ve prepared for every contingency. You cannot escape. You cannot fight. You can only choose.”

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