Alpha's STOLEN Mate (by Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 255

Chapter 255

Blowen

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The weight of the choice crushed down on me. Stay here forever, become this monster’s prize-or watch Evelyn die.

“How do I know you’ll keep your word?” My voice sounded distant, like someone else was speaking.

“You don’t.” Zane’s smile was razor-sharp. “But you know for certain what happens if you refuse.”

Scarlett grabbed my arm, her eyes desperate. “Elowen, we’ll find another way-”

But what other way was there? Every second I delayed, Evelyn suffered.

“I need Faclan released too,” I said quietly. “If I stay, he goes free.”

Zane considered this, then nodded. “Acceptable. The scholar is of no use to me.”

“Elowen, NO-” Evelyn’s protest cut off as another wave of pain hit her.

I closed my eyes, feeling my world narrow to this single, impossible decision.

“I accept.”

The words tasted like ash.

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Zane’s triumph was written plainly across his face. “Excellent. I’ll have you escorted back to your chambers. We’ll formalize the arrangement tomorrow.” He waved dismissively, and suddenly vampire attendants appeared. “Oh, and don’t try anything foolish. Any attempt to escape or conta your wolf king will result in the witch’s immediate death. Understood?”

I nodded numbly.

As they led us away, I desperately reached through the mate bond, trying to contact Kaius. To let him know what was happening, to-

The bond slammed shut. Blocked from his end.

My heart stuttered. What? I pushed harder, but it was like hitting a wall of ice. Kaius had deliberately severed our connection.

Rage and betrayal flooded through me. Even now, even in my darkest moment, he’d abandoned me?

Back in our chambers, Scarlett paced like a caged animal while I sat motionless, staring at nothing.

“We’ll find a way out,” she kept saying. “There has to be a way-”

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14:49 Thu, Jan 22

Chapter 255

A knock interrupted her. A vampire servant announced that Lord Zane requested our presence at a celebratory feast.

Because of course he did. The bastard wanted to parade his victory.

The feast was grotesque in its opulence. Blood-red wine, exotic delicacies, hundreds of candles casting everything in warm golden light

that felt like mockery. Vampire nobility filled the hall, all watching me with predatory curiosity.

And there, seated near Zane, was Arabella.

I moved toward her, Scarlett trailing behind.

“Arabella!” I grabbed her arm. “Evelyn is in terrible danger! Zane is extracting her bloodline-*

“Oh, I know.” Arabella’s smile was serene, infuriating. “But you’ve solved that beautifully. By staying, you’ve ensured Evelyn survives with

most of her power intact.” She patted my hand. “Thank you, dear.”

The world tilted.

“The original contract stipulated complete extraction-fatal. But Zane’s new arrangement allows partial extraction. Evelyn will be weakened but alive.” Her expression was genuinely grateful. “You saved my daughter’s life.”

Understanding crashed over me.

“You planned this.” My voice strangled. “The magic in the letter-the passages-you knew I’d come. You traded both of us!”

Arabella looked mildly offended. “Don’t be dramatic. I engineered a favorable outcome. Evelyn lives, my debts clear, Zane gets what he wanted.” She gestured at me. “You. Far more valuable than my daughter’s bloodline.*

“You bitch- I lunged for her.

Zane was there instantly, his hand on my throat, lifting me off the ground with inhuman strength. The entire hall went silent.

“Now, now.” His voice was soft, deadly. “We had an agreement, Elowen. You stay peacefully, or the witch dies. Remember?”

He released me, and I dropped to my knees, gasping.

“The contract is the contract,” Zane continued, addressing the room now. “Arabella fulfilled her obligations creatively. I fulfilled mine by accepting alternative payment. And you…” He looked down at me with dark satisfaction. “You walked into this of your own free will. No deception. No trickery. Just choices and consequences.”

Arabella smiled serenely. “The magic I left simply gave you information. What you did with it was entirely your decision.”

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14:49 Thu, Jan 22

Chapter 255

I wanted to scream. To rage. To transform and tear them both apart.

But Evelyn was still trapped in that ritual circle. Still vulnerable. Still dependent on my compliance.

“Come.” Scarlett helped me to my feet, her face pale with fury and helplessness. “Let’s go.”

Back in our chambers, I sat on the bed, staring at my hands. Hands that had killed dozens of vampires tonight. Hands that had signed

away my freedom.

“We’ll figure something out,” Scarlett said quietly, though neither of us believed it.

I nodded mechanically, my mind already racing through impossible scenarios. Because I had to find a way out of this.

I had to.

Even if Kaius had abandoned me. Even if Arabella had betrayed me. Even if Zane held all the cards.

I was still the White Wolf.

And I wasn’t done fighting yet.

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