Alpha's STOLEN Mate (by Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 46

Chapter 46

Frost

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I slipped out of the building’s rear exit just in time to see Elowen emerge from the main entrance, her face glowing with the kind of pure

satisfaction that reminded me of a wolf after a successful hunt. Cassius appeared moments later, his expression strained as he forced out

what passed for congratulations.

“Well, I suppose that worked out better than expected,” he said, his voice carrying an edge that made the words sound more like an

accusation than praise.

Interesting. Someone’s bitter about being shown up.

I could see right through his barely concealed resentment. The man was clearly seething that his “help” had been not only unnecessary but counterproductive, and that she’d succeeded despite his interference.

Looks like I didn’t just help her sign a major deal today–I also helped expose a two–faced bastard.

“Anyway, good luck with everything,” Cassius said with forced politeness, offering a stiff smile before turning and walking away, every step radiating wounded pride disguised as dignified retreat.

Elowen watched him go with a flicker of disappointment, but quickly shrugged it off and hailed a passing taxi. She had more important things to focus on than managing bruised egos.

I made my way quickly to the sleek black sedan I’d purchased just days ago–one of several precautions I’d taken since beginning this surveillance operation. The engine purred to life as I pulled into traffic, keeping the taxi in sight while maintaining a careful distance.

Once I was safely merged into the flow of downtown traffic, I activated the Bluetooth connection and settled back into the leather seat.

Thank god this was just an audio connection, I thought with dark amusement. If Kaius had actually seen that little performance through video, he probably would have torn our own pack headquarters apart in a jealous rage.

“Well, my dear Alpha King,” I said with obvious amusement, “I hope you enjoyed that riveting performance of passionate confession and brutal rejection. Quite the dramatic entertainment, wouldn’t you say?”

The silence that followed was deafening. When Kalus finally spoke, his voice was pure venom. “That fucking Cassius! What the hell was all that bullshit about intimate moments‘ and ‘deep emotional connections‘? That bastard was the one who kissed her, wasn’t he?” Something shattered in the background. “If I’d been there, I would have torn his throat out and fed it to him!”

“And that,” I replied with deadly calm, “Is precisely why you’re sitting in your castle while I handle the delicate work. One glimpse of Elowen and you’d have turned that boardroom Into a slaughterhouse. Her career would be over, her life destroyed, and she’d hate you even more than she already does.”

I let that sink in before continuing. “Judging by how she lit up during that negotiation, money isn’t just important to her–it’s everything

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Chapter 46

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“Why?” The word came out like a growl, tinged with bitter resentment. “What could she possibly need that much money for? She seems to be doing just fine playing human businesswoman, building her perfect little career away from her own kind.”

“That’s what I’m here to find out,” I said, following the taxi through increasingly industrial streets. “But I have to say, watching you squirm over her success is almost as entertaining as watching Cassius crash and burn.”

“You’re enjoying this too much,” Kaius snarled. “And explain to me why you helped her close that deal instead of just watching.”

“Call it professional curiosity,” I replied smoothly. “Besides, you didn’t want her heartbroken and drinking herself into oblivion at some dive bar, did you? Drunk Elowen might be even harder to predict.”

“Christ, Frost-” Kaius’s voice cracked with frustration. “This surveillance is killing me. She’s out there living her life while I’m trapped here analyzing reports about suspicious alphas who all look guilty but can’t be proven guilty of anything!”

The desperation in his voice was almost pathetic. “Every second she’s free is another second that bastard Cassius could try something. I should just end this charade and bring her home where she belongs!”

“Listen carefully,” I said, my voice turning sharp as steel. “The moment you try your caveman approach, you lose her forever. She’ll disappear so completely that even I won’t be able to find her. Is that really what you want?”

The pause stretched between us like a taut wire. When he spoke again, his voice was quieter but no less intense. “Then what do you suggest? Because this… whatever this is… it’s not working.”

“Patience,” I said simply. “Learn who she really is instead of who you think she should be. Understand what drives her, what she values, what she’s fighting for. Everything you’ve never bothered to discover.”

“And if I refuse to play your games?”

“Then enjoy your empty castle and your lifetime of regrets,” I replied without hesitation. “Because that’s all you’ll have left.”

“Alright, fine, I understand!” Kajus snapped with exasperation. “But if I don’t get satisfactory results within a week, I’m personally going to drag her back myself. That’s final. Now I have other matters to deal with-

I was left speechless by his ultimatum. Typical Kalus, always threatening the nuclear option.

Just as I heard him preparing to disconnect, his voice cut through the silence again, suddenly sharp with suspicion.

“Wait. I just thought of something. How exactly did your Mike‘ persona manage to fool her detection? You know white wolves aren’t just powerful—they can hide their own scent completely while detecting every trace of everyone else’s. That’s not normal shapeshifting,

Fuck! He did sense something was off.

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“I know normal transformation drugs can manage temporary appearance changes, Kaius continued, his voice dropping to a dangerous register, “but they’re flawed, and they sure as hell can’t mask scent from a white wolf. Don’t tell me you went crawling back to that insane

witch for her forbidden concoctions.”

I glanced at the empty vial of Shadowmere Elixir in my cup holder–evidence of the fifth enhancement I’d consumed this week. The memory of Witch Lysandra surfaced unbidden: snow–white hair cascading like winter itself, a face frozen in eternal youth that could have been twenty or two thousand years old. She ruled the Forbidden Sanctum where even demons feared to tread.

“I only develop the forbidden drugs, darling,” her melodic voice had laughed with dangerous indifference. Side effects? Not my concern! But do come back soon–I’m quite curious to document whatever happens to you. Different wolves react so differently to my creations, and you’re becoming such valuable research data!”

Damn Elowen for being so impossibly sharp, I thought with irritation. If she weren’t so powerful, I wouldn’t need the highest–grade enhancements just to fool her senses.

“Don’t worry,” I said smoothly. “My constitution can handle-”

“Bullshit! Stop making decisions without my fucking permission!” Kaius’s voice exploded through the speakers, raw with fury. “Goddamn it, Frost! I have ten thousand ways to get my mate back without you poisoning yourself with that witch’s experimental shit-

“The taxi stopped,” I cut him off with ice–cold finality, watching Elowen’s cab pull into an industrial wasteland. “This conversation is

over.”