Alpha's STOLEN Mate (by Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 37

Chapter 37

Kaius

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The familiar sight of Nightfall’s towering gates should have brought relief, but as we drove the salvaged truck up the mountain road–our own vehicle nothing but twisted metal and smoke back in the forest–all I felt was exhaustion seeping into my bones. The silver bullet lodged in my leg throbbed with each heartbeat, a constant reminder of how close we’d come to dying in that godforsaken wasteland.

Gamma Thaddeus Cross stood waiting at the castle entrance, his weathered face grave with concern. Even from a distance, his enhanced senses would have detected the scent of blood and gunpowder that clung to us like a second skin. Behind him, a full squadron of guards stood at attention, their tension palpable.

“Alpha King,” Cross said as I stepped out of the vehicle, his sharp eyes immediately cataloging my injuries. “What happened out there? Who the hell had the balls to attack you?”

“Everything can wait until tomorrow,” I cut him off, though I appreciated his immediate concern. “Secure the pack. Full lockdown protocols until further notice.”

Cross nodded without question, already turning to bark orders at his subordinates. This was why I valued him–no unnecessary questions, just efficient action when it mattered most.

“Kaius.” Frost’s voice carried a note of steel that made several nearby guards shift uncomfortably. “Medical facility. Now.

I waved him off, testing my weight on the injured leg. “It’s not that serious. The bullet’s just sitting there–simple extraction. It’s the silver poisoning that’s lethal, but my bloodline is fighting off the toxins.”

That wasn’t entirely false–1 could feel my enhanced healing working against the silver poisoning, slowly but steadily. The burning sensation in my leg, though contained by my healing, was a constant, agonizing throb.

“Kalus, Frost said again, and this time his voice carried enough authority to make even me pause. “You’ve already made several fucking mistakes today because of your obsession. Do you really want to continue putting the rest of us at risk?”

The words hung in the air like a physical slap. Several guards exchanged uncomfortable glances, clearly unsure whether they should witness their Beta dressing down their Alpha King so publicly.

But I wasn’t angry. If anything, I felt a profound wave of guilt as I looked into Frost’s deep blue eyes–eyes that had been blood–red during his transformation, when he’d risked everything to save my life. Whatever he’d done to enhance his abilities couldn’t have been without

cost.

“You’re right,” I said quietly, surprising everyone present. I’ll go to the medical facility,”

Relief flickered across Frost’s features. “Good. I’ll have Cross escort you down and ensure the medical staff have everything they need. He turned to our Gamma. “I want a full tactical analysis of today’s incident. Someone orchestrated that ambush, and I intend to find out

who.”

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As Cross moved to organize my escort, I caught Frost’s arm. “Before you disappear into your investigation…” I paused, the words harder to

say than they should have been. I owe you an apology. About today. Everything that went wrong was my fault.”

I studied his face, noting the exhaustion he was trying to hide. “But Frost… about what you did back there. The way you changed. We

need to talk about that too.”

Understanding flashed in his eyes, and he raised one hand in a casual gesture that didn’t fool either of us. I’ll be waiting in the study

when you’re ready.”

The pack’s chief physician, Dr. Morgan, was efficient and professional as she administered injections of counteracting agents for the silver poisoning. The bullet extraction was quick but unpleasant–even with numbing agents, I could feel the silver burning against my enhanced

healing as she carefully removed the projectile with surgical forceps.

“Your bloodline saved your life, Alpha,” Dr. Morgan said as she prepared the bandages, her expression grave. “This was no ordinary silver- someone used a specially formulated poison, far more concentrated than standard ammunition. Without your enhanced constitution, you’d

be dead.”

Specially formulated and still couldn’t finish the job, I thought with dark satisfaction. Whoever orchestrated this ambush clearly underestimated what it takes to kill an Alpha King.

“The antidote will clear the remaining toxins from your system within hours,” she continued.

Within minutes of the bullet’s removal and the antidote injection, the burning sensation in my leg subsided to manageable levels.

“However,” she continued, bandaging the wound with practiced precision, “the physical trauma to your leg will still need time to heal properly. The bullet fragmented on impact–I had to remove multiple silver shards from deep muscle tissue. I want you off that leg for at least a week–no strenuous activity, no combat training, and definitely no more adventures involving high–caliber weapons.”

“Noted,” I said dryly, though we both knew I’d probably ignore most of her recommendations.

After a hot shower that washed away the grime and blood of battle, I found myself standing in my chambers wearing loose sleeping clothes, staring out at the moonlit mountains. I needed a moment to process what had happened with Elowen before facing Frost’s analysis. The day’s events played through my mind like scenes from a fevered dream.

So close. I was so fucking close to her.

But more than my frustration at losing Blowen again, I kept returning to those crucial moments during our escape. The way her scent had suddenly strengthened when I needed it most, then disappeared completely once I was safe.

You led me away from danger, didn’t you? I thought, touching the window glass. Made yourself a target to draw those rogues away from where I was trapped. Then guided me to safety before vanishing again.

The implications sent a complex mix of emotions through my chest. She’d saved me. Despite everything–the rejection, the imprisonment,

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Chapter 37

the cliff–some part of her still gave a damn whether I lived or died.

Fuck, Elowen. You’re making this harder than it needs to be.

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But her compassion only made me more determined. If she still cared enough to save my life, then the mate bond wasn’t as severed as she pretended. There was something there, some connection she couldn’t fully cut.

I’m going to find you again. And next time, I’m not letting you run.