Alpha's STOLEN Mate (by Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 269

Chapter 269

Elowen

Three months.

It had been three months since that blood-soaked day in the vampire territory. Three months since I’d watched Kaius fall, his hand still wrapped around Zane’s crushed heart, his final words echoing through the mate bond before it went silent forever.

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My Queen. I love you. You will always be my Queen.

I stood before the mirror in what used to be our shared chambers, adjusting the silver circlet on my head-the symbol of my sole reign. The room felt too large now. Too quiet. But I’d learned to live with the emptiness, to fill it with purpose instead of grief.

The past three months had been a whirlwind. After Frost carried me back from vampire territory-broken, bleeding, and screaming Kaius’s name-I’d had exactly two days to mourn before duty demanded I rise. The kingdom needed a ruler. The pack needed an Alpha. And with

Kaius gone, that responsibility fell entirely on my shoulders.

So I’d done what he would have wanted. I’d stood before the Council of Elders and claimed my right to rule alone. Not as a regent. Not as

a temporary placeholder. But as Queen in my own right.

Some had protested, of course. Whispers about a female ruling without a mate, about the “unnatural” state of affairs. But those whispers died quickly when I led our warriors back to vampire territory and systematically eliminated every one of Zane’s remaining loyalists. The other vampire lords, eager to distance themselves from Zane’s madness, had actually helped-offering intelligence, safe passage, even

troops to assist in the purge.

Turned out that Zane had been universally hated among his own kind. Who knew?

With the vampire threat neutralized, I’d turned my attention inward. Reformed the Council. Established diplomatic relations with the witches-Evelyn had been instrumental there, despite her complicated feelings about her mother’s death. Even opened talks with the

human settlements on our borders.

And most importantly-most revolutionary-I’d abolished the omega system entirely.

That had caused an uproar. But I’d stood firm. No more slaves. No more breeding programs. No more wolves treated as property. Every member of the pack, regardless of their birth rank, would be valued and respected.

Kaius would have been proud.

Stop. Don’t think about what he would have felt. Focus on what needs to be done.

Today marked my twelfth visit to his grave. I’d gone every week without fail, rain or shine, bringing fresh flowers and updates on the kingdom. Talking to a headstone like he could hear me.

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Chapter 269

Pathetic, maybe. But necessary,

“Your Majesty?” Frost’s voice came from the doorway. “They’re ready when you are.”

I turned to find him standing there with Scarlett at his side, both of them dressed simply for the journey. Behind them, Evelyn lounged

against the doorframe, twirling a flower between her fingers.

“Let’s go then,” I said, my voice steady. “I have a lot to tell him today.”

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The path to the royal cemetery wound through a grove of silver birch trees, their white bark gleaming in the afternoon sun. It was

peaceful here. Quiet. A good place for a king to rest.

Kaius’s grave sat on a small hill overlooking the pack lands-at his own request, apparently, written in a will I’d discovered weeks after his

death. He’d wanted to watch over the territory even in death.

Sentimental bastard.

“You know,” Evelyn said as we walked, her tone deliberately light, “every time we come here, I’m still amazed that Kaius actually managed to kill Zane. That vampire was practically immortal. Enhanced by my bloodline, centuries of experience, Blood Lord transformation-and your mate still tore out his heart with his bare hands.”

“Evelyn,” Scarlett hissed. “Maybe don’t-”

“It’s fine,” I interrupted, surprising them both. “Really. I’m not going to fall apart every time someone mentions how he died.” I managed a small smile. “Besides, I want to hear about it. About him. About how incredibly, stupidly, magnificently brave he was.”

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