Alpha's STOLEN Mate (by Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 261

Chapter 261

Bone crunched. The executioner screamed. The blade clattered harmlessly to the side.

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I tossed him off the platform with a shake of my head, then stood over Evelyn’s bound form, lips pulled back in a snarl that showed every

fang.

The message was clear: Touch her and die.

But Zane’s attack came from behind—a coward’s strike. His claws raked across my shoulder, tearing through fur and flesh. Pain exploded

down my side, but I spun and snapped at him, forcing him back.

Scarlett had fought her way to the platform, blood-soaked but unbowed. She cut Evelyn’s bonds with shaking hands.

“Can you stand?” Scarlett gasped.

“Barely.” Evelyn’s voice was weak, but she managed to get to her feet. “But I can still fight.”

The three of us formed a tight triangle on the platform-Evelyn swaying but upright, Scarlett bleeding from a dozen wounds, and me in

my white wolf form, shoulder burning from Zane’s attack.

Around us, vampire warriors closed in like a noose tightening. Dozens of them. Maybe hundreds.

“Well,” Evelyn said with dark humor, “at least we’ll die together.”

“ENOUGH!”

The new voice cut through the chaos like a knife. The crowd parted as Arabella strode through, her presence radiating power and fury.

“Zane!” She faced the vampire lord, her eyes blazing. “What is the meaning of this? You gave your word that my daughter would be

released unharmed!”

“Your daughter violated the terms of her release,” Zane said coldly. “She’s a criminal.”

“That’s bullshit and you know it!” Arabella’s composure cracked. “You orchestrated this! Set her up to fail!”

“Did I?” Zane’s smile was cruel. “Can you prove it? Or are you simply angry that your carefully laid plans are falling apart?”

“You promised-”

“I promised nothing about what would happen after her release.” Zane stepped toward her, and something dangerous flickered in his eyes.

“You seem to forget something, Arabella. You thought you were so clever, using your daughter and the White Wolf as payment for your

debts. Trading them like pieces on a game board.”

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Chapter 261

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He circled her slowly, predatory. “But here’s what you never understood-to me, you’re just as much a piece. Just as expendable. You were useful when you brought me the White Wolf. But now?” His smile widened. “Now you’re just another debtor who’s outlived her purpose.”

“Zane, wait-

His hand moved faster than thought, punching through her chest.

Arabella’s eyes went wide with shock. She looked down at where Zane’s hand had pierced her sternum, blood blooming across her elegant

robes.

“Mother- Evelyn’s voice came out strangled.

Zane withdrew his hand, and Arabella crumpled. He let her fall to the ground like discarded trash.

I wanted to shift back, to say something, but any moment of vulnerability would be suicide. I remained in wolf form, every muscle coiled

to spring.

Arabella lay on the blood-stained platform, her breathing wet and labored. Her eyes found Evelyn’s.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “Evelyn, I’m so sorry. I thought-I thought I was being clever. Thought I could save you by-by trading for

something more valuable-” Blood bubbled from her lips. “I was wrong. I was so wrong. Please-*

Evelyn’s face was carved from ice. No tears. No visible emotion. Just cold, absolute nothing.

“You’re right about one thing,” Evelyn said quietly. “You were wrong.”

“Please, baby, I—”

“Don’t.” Evelyn’s voice could have frozen flame. “You made your choices. You sold me. You sold Elowen. You played your games and lost.”

She looked down at her dying mother with eyes like stone. “This is what you deserve. This is your consequence.”

“Evelyn- Arabella reached up with a shaking hand.

Evelyn stepped back, leaving that hand to fall uselessly.

Arabella’s breathing rattled, then stopped. Her eyes stared sightlessly at the sky.

For just a moment-so brief I almost missed it-Evelyn’s mask cracked. Pain flashed across her face, raw and devastating. Her hands

trembled.

Then the ice reformed. When she looked up, her expression was empty again.

“Touching,” Zane said with false sympathy. “A family reunion and goodbye, all at once. How economical.”

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Chapter 261

He turned to us, and his pleasant facade was completely gone now, replaced by something ancient and monstrous.

“Now then. His body began to change, muscles swelling, fangs extending, “Where were we? Ah yes, I was about to kill you all.”

Vampire warriors surged forward as Zane leaped onto the platform.

And the real battle began.

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