Alpha's STOLEN Mate (by Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 266

Chapter 266

Kaius

The Lycan form felt both familiar and foreign-like putting on armor you’d sworn never to wear again.

Power coursed through me, raw and primal. My muscles could tear through stone. My claws could rend steel. This form made me nearly

invincible, a force of nature given flesh and fury.

But it also made me dangerous. Unstable. The last time I’d transformed into a Lycan, I’d lost control. Hurt people I loved. Done things

that haunted me still.

But at least now I can protect her. At least now I have a chance.

“Frost,” I growled, my voice rough and bestial even in this semi-human form. “Take her. Get her out of here. Now.”

Through the bond, I felt Elowen’s immediate protest. Her terror and determination crashed over me in waves.

No! Kaius, come with us! We can all leave together!

But I couldn’t. Wouldn’t. The rage burning in my chest wouldn’t allow it.

I’d spent days trying to reach her through a blocked bond, thinking she was ignoring me. Days of growing panic and desperation. And when the block finally shattered—I’d felt everything. Her pain. Her fear. Her absolute certainty that she was going to die.

And I’d felt his hands on her. His threats. His intentions.

“I’m not leaving without killing him,” I said, my eyes never leaving Zane’s transformed figure. “Not after what he did to you.”

Zane laughed, the sound echoing across the square. “How touching. The loyal mate comes to save his damsel.” His Blood Lord form rippled with crimson energy. “But I’m afraid no one is leaving. Not yet.”

He raised both hands, and the air itself solidified. A dome of blood-red energy erupted from the ground, encasing the entire square in a translucent barrier. The magic was so powerful I could feel it pressing against my skin like a physical weight.

“A blood barrier,” Frost hissed. “Kaius, he’s sealed us in-”

“I can see that.” I bared my fangs in what might have been a smile. “Good. Means he can’t escape either.”

Through the bond, Elowen’s fear spiked. Kaius, please-

Trust me, I sent back. I’ll end this. And then we’ll go home together.

69

1/3

14:52 Thu, Jan 22

Chapter 266

I hoped I wasn’t lying.

Zane circled me, his movements predatory. ‘Such confidence. Let’s see if it’s warranted, shall we?”

“You touched my mate.” My voice came out as a growl. “You imprisoned her. Threatened her. Tried to break her.”

69

“Touched?’ Zane’s smile turned vulgar. “Oh, I did far more than touch, King Kaius. I dressed her. Adorned her. Had her draped across my

arm at gatherings while other lords salivated.” He licked his lips slowly. “Such soft skin. Such beautiful curves in that emerald silk. The

way the fabric clung to her body-*

White-hot rage exploded through me. “You fucking-”

*She looked absolutely radiant warming my bed chambers,” Zane continued, his tone dripping with implication. “Though she did resist my

more… intimate overtures. Such spirit. Such fire.” He sighed theatrically. “I was looking forward to breaking that spirit. Slowly.

Thoroughly.”

I lunged forward, claws extended. “I’LL KILL YOU—”

“Temper, temper.” Zane dodged lazily. “Though I must say, her protests were quite arousing. The way she’d tremble when I got too close.

That little gasp when I’d-”

“BASTARD!”

My vision went red. The Lycan rage that I’d been barely controlling snapped its leash completely.

I attacked before he could speak again.

In Lycan form, I was faster than any wolf, stronger than any human. My claws raked across Zane’s chest, tearing through his Blood Lord defenses like they were paper. Actual blood-dark and viscous-welled from the wounds.

Zane stumbled back, looking down at the injury with something like surprise.

Then he smiled.

“Oh,’ he breathed, his pupils dilating. “Oh, that’s delicious.”

He touched the blood, brought his fingers to his mouth, and licked them clean. The gesture was obscene, perverse. His entire body

shuddered with what looked disturbingly like pleasure.

“Lycan blood,” he murmured. “Pure. Primal. Unfiltered by the witch magic I absorbed.” His smile widened. “Do you know how long it’s been since anyone drew my blood? Centuries, King Kaius. Centuries of invulnerability, of battles won without a scratch.” He laughed. “This is

exciting.”

Goddess, he’s insane. Completely insane.

2/3

14:52 Thu, Jan 22

Chapter 266

I’d dealt with vampires before, but they were usually coldly rational. Calculating. This-this enthusiasm for violence, for pain-was

something else entirely.

A

Cold-blooded creatures are worse than witches, I thought grimly. At least witches are predictable.

But I couldn’t afford to be disturbed. I pressed my advantage, attacking with everything the Lycan form offered. My claws left deep gouges in Zane’s flesh. My fangs tore chunks from his shoulders. My enhanced strength let me throw him across the square hard enough to crack

stone.

Comments

LIKE

Write Comments

<SHARE

C’

14:52 Thu, Jan 22