Alpha's STOLEN Mate (by Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Kaius

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The morning light streaming through the tall windows caught the deep navy of my dress shirt as I adjusted the silver cufflinks with practiced precision. The charcoal suit jacket hung perfectly across my shoulders, tailored to emphasize every line of muscle earned through years of warfare. My reflection stared back from the mirror-storm-gray eyes sharp as blades, dark hair swept back to showcase

the brutal angles of my face.

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Let’s see what pathetic excuse for a male thinks he can touch what’s mine.

The thought burned through me like acid, chasing away the last remnants of guilt from my conversation with Elowen’s parents. Yes, I felt responsible for driving her away-twice. But that didn’t change the fundamental truth: she was still my mate. The bond she’d refused to sever four years ago made that crystal clear.

‘Indeed, what male could possibly compete with you?” Frost s amused voice drifted from the doorway.

I spun around, annoyed that my thoughts had been so transparent. ‘I wasn’t-

‘Please, Frost interrupted with that infuriating smile of his. “You’ve been preening in front of that mirror for the past ten minutes. Either you’re planning to seduce someone, or you’re imagining what you’ll look like when you tear apart whoever dared to kiss your mate.”

Rather than dignify that observation with a response, I stalked past him toward the study. The massive windows offered a commanding view of the mountain peaks that stretched to the horizon, their snow-capped summits gleaming like weapons in the morning sun. I braced my hands against the windowsill, letting the sight of my domain steady my racing pulse.

“I’m not jealous of anyone,” I said, my voice deadly quiet. “But she is still my fucking mate. She didn’t accept my rejection four years ago, which means she belongs to me. No one else gets to touch what’s mine.”

Frost moved to stand beside me, his reflection joining mine in the glass. “Oh, my dear Alpha King,” he said with obvious amusement, “but you do realize that everything that’s happened is entirely your fault? If you want to blame someone for this situation, you should start

with the wolf in the mirror.”

I turned to face him, my hands clenching into fists. “You think I forced her to jump off that cliff? Forced her to run away?”

“Didn’t you?” Frost’s tone remained conversational, but there was steel underneath. “You rejected her publicly, imprisoned her, and then murdered a defenseless pup in front of her. What exactly did you expect her to do? Thank you?’

“That woman is too fucking stubborn for her own good!” I snarled, beginning to pace. “If I find her again, I’m locking her up somewhere she can’t run. Somewhere she has to listen to reason instead of throwing herself off cliffs like a dramatic child.”

“Charming approach,” Frost said dryly. I’m sure that will win her heart.”

I shot him a warning look, but he seemed entirely unimpressed by my attempt at intimidation.

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14:36 Tue, Jan 13

Chapter 31

“Although I must admit, I’m curious about something,” he continued, settling into one of the leather chairs with infuriating casualness. “You’ve had four years to search for her. Four years during which you showed absolutely no interest in tracking down your supposedly

precious mate. So why the sudden obsession now?”

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The question hit too close to home. I’d been asking myself the same thing since that moment on the cliff when I’d watched her white form disappear into empty air. Why hadn’t I searched for her before? Why had it taken seeing her again to make me realize what I’d lost?

“Don’t ask questions you don’t want answered,” I said instead, my voice carrying enough menace to make lesser wolves submit.

But Frost just shrugged, apparently immune to my intimidation tactics. “Fair enough. Though I hope when you do find her, you’ll try actually courting her instead of just relying on the mate bond. Some she-wolves prefer to be wooed rather than claimed through

supernatural compulsion.”

“My good beta,” I said through gritted teeth, “I accepted you as my second-in-command because of your strategic mind and intelligence.

Not to receive relationship advice.”

“Noted,” Frost replied with a grin. “Now, shall we focus on the practical matter of actually finding your wayward mate? Because I can assure you, locating a white wolf who’s managed to stay hidden for four years isn’t going to be simple.”

Comments

R Visitor

I’m loving Evelyn and Frost!

4 days ago