Alpha's STOLEN Mate (by Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 260

Chapter 260

Elowen

只今

The commotion started before dawn-shouts, running footsteps, the sound of a crowd gathering

I jolted awake, immediately reaching for Scarlett. “What’s happening?”

“I don’t know.” She was already at the window, looking down at the courtyard. “There’s a huge crowd gathering in the main square.

Something’s going on.”

Hope surged through me. “Maybe they’re releasing Evelyn? Zane said the extraction was nearly complete-

We dressed quickly and rushed out, following the streams of vampires heading toward the square. But as we got closer, the hope curdled

into dread.

A scaffold had been erected in the center of the square. A executioner’s platform.

“No.” The word came out strangled. “No, no, no-*

Zane appeared in my path, blocking my way forward. His expression was cold, devoid of the predatory charm he usually wore.

“The agreement is void,” he said simply.

“What?” I grabbed his arm. “What are you talking about?”

“I cannot guarantee your friend’s survival. Therefore, our arrangement is null.”

“You promised-the extraction is complete! You said you’d release her! My voice rose with panic and fury.

“I did release her.” Zane’s tone was infuriatingly calm. “This morning, as promised. She was escorted to the border and told to leave

vampire territory.”

“Then why-” I gestured at the scaffold.

“She refused to go. Turned around and tried to break back into the sanctuary.” His eyes were hard. “Trespassing on sacred ground, assaulting guards, violating the terms of her release. These are capital crimes in vampire law.”

Understanding crashed over me. This was revenge. Punishment for my defiance last night, for refusing his advances, for daring to slap

him.

“You bastard-

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Chapter 260

“The law is the law,” Zane interrupted. Even you cannot be above it. Even as my… well, you chose to refuse that position, didn’t you?”

The execution bell began to toll.

I shoved past him and ran.

The square was packed with vampires, all watching with that cold curiosity their kind seemed to specialize in. On the platform, Evelyn

knelt before the executioner’s block, her hands bound, her head forced down toward the bloodstained wood.

She looked so small. So fragile after days of extraction. But her eyes-when they found mine in the crowd-burned with unbroken

defiance.

“STOP!” I tried to push through the crowd, but vampire guards blocked my path.

The executioner raised his blade.

Scarlett moved before I could. She launched herself through the crowd with a warrior’s roar, daggers flashing. She cut down two guards

before they even registered the attack, her movements a blur of deadly precision.

But there were too many. For every vampire she dropped, three more appeared. A blade caught her shoulder. Another sliced across her

ribs.

I tried to surge forward, but Zane’s hand clamped on my wrist like an iron shackle.

“Don’t,” he said quietly. “If you interfere now, you’ll be declaring war. Your friend dies, and diplomatic relations between our peoples

collapse. Is that what you want?”

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“Let me go-

“Accept my proposal.” His voice was urgent now, almost desperate. “Become my consort. My official partner. Then you’ll have the authority

to pardon her. It’s the only way.”

I stared at him, at that handsome face that hid such ugliness. He was offering me a choice-surrender completely, or watch Evelyn die.

On the platform, the executioner adjusted his stance. Scarlett was down, bleeding, surrounded. Evelyn’s head was pressed against the

block.

“I… The word stuck in my throat.

Time seemed to slow. I could feel Zane’s expectant gaze. Could hear the crowd’s anticipation. Could see the blade beginning its descent.

And something inside me snapped.

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Chapter 260

“No.”

The word came out clear. Final.

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‘I will never forget who I am,” I said, my voice carrying across the suddenly quiet square. “I am the White Wold Alpha Queen. I don’t hide in shadows like you, Zane. I don’t manipulate and scheme like a rat in the dark.” I met his shocked gaze. You’re nothing but a coward who needs chains and contracts to feel powerful. You disgust me.

Zane’s face transformed-pleasant mask shattering to reveal pure, incandescent rage.

“KILL HER!” His roar echoed across the square. “KILL THE WITCH NOW!”

The blade fell.

I transformed mid-leap.

My body exploded into my wolf form-pure white, massive, faster than any vampire’s eye could follow. I kit the platform in a bit of for

and fangs, my jaws closing around the executioner’s wrist a split second before the blade could complete its arc.

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