Alpha's STOLEN Mate (by Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 52

Chapter 52

‘I really am going to miss you,‘ she said, jumping up to wrap me in a fierce hug. “Promise me you’ll be careful. Trust your instincts, and if anything feels off…*

“I promise,” I said, touched by the genuine warmth in her embrace. “You worry too much. I’ll be back before you know it.”

But when I glanced toward my dresser, I spotted Evelyn lounging against my pillows, casually scrolling through my phone with a

mischievous grin.

“What the hell are you doing?” I demanded, lunging for the device.

“Just checking your messages,” she said innocently, but her grin was pure evil. “You got some interesting texts from Cassius.”

My blood ran cold as I snatched the phone away and read the message thread:

Cassius: Heard about your Chicago trip – congratulations! About the other day, I think I may have crossed some boundaries and made you uncomfortable. I’m really sorry about that. You know I’ve always been proud of your growth, and I’m genuinely happy for your success.

“Elowen“: No big deal! Though business trips can be so lonely… all that time by myself in a hotel room. I never know how to fill all those empty

hours.

Cassius: If you get bored, you can always call me. I’d be happy to help with… whatever you need.

“Elowen“: Mmm, I do have so many needs that need filling when I’m alone…

“EVELYN!” I shrieked, throwing the phone onto the bed. “You fucking psychopath! Do you have any idea what you’ve done? I just managed to clear up the confusion about our relationship, and now he thinks I’m propositioning him!”

Evelyn was completely unrepentant, practically cackling with glee. “Oh, come on! It was just a little fun! You’re disappearing for many, many days–I won’t have any opportunities to mess with you! I had to take advantage while I could!”

Something about the way she said “many, many days” sent an odd chill down my spine, but I was too angry to analyze the feeling.

‘I can never face him again!” I continued ranting. “My professional reputation is ruined! He’s going to think I’m some desperate-*

“You’ll figure it out,” Evelyn Interrupted with a dismissive wave. “You always do. Besides, isn’t it better to have him interested than

indifferent?”

I wanted to strangle her, but my alarm was already chiming. Time to leave for the airport.

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Chapter 52

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The flight to Chicago was routine until I settled into my seat and immediately caught a familiar scent. Wolf. Definitely wolf, though not particularly strong or threatening. The scent was coming from a few rows behind me–probably just another supernatural trying to make

it in the human business world.

Nothing unusual about that, I thought, pulling out my tablet to review the Henderson files.

An hour into the flight, I started feeling thirsty. The recycled air always dehydrated me, and I wanted to stay sharp for tomorrow’s

meetings.

“Excuse me,” I called to a passing flight attendant. “Could I get some water, please?”

The attendant smiled professionally and handed me a sealed bottle. I drank gratefully, the cool water soothing my dry throat.

But within minutes, an unusual drowsiness began creeping over me. My eyelids felt heavy, and my thoughts were growing sluggish in a

way that had nothing to do with travel fatigue.

That’s… not normal.

The wolf scent was getting stronger now, as if whoever it was had moved closer. My pulse quickened as survival instincts kicked in, but my body felt disconnected, unresponsive.

“Excuse me,” a gravelly voice said beside me. “I think I’m in the wrong seat.”

I turned to see a short, unremarkable man settling into the seat next to mine. He was clearly the source of the wolf scent–stronger now, with an undertone that made my skin crawl. This wasn’t a random supernatural. This was someone who’d been hunting.

Fuck. The water.

I tried to reach for Nyx, to access my wolf’s strength, but there was nothing there. Whatever drug they’d used was specifically designed to suppress supernatural abilities.

“Get away from me, I managed to say, though my voice came out slurred and weak.

I attempted to push him away, but my arm felt like it was moving through molasses. No strength, no coordination, barely able to stay

conscious.

The man’s smile was coldly professional. “Don’t fight it,” he said quietly, his tone almost gentle. “This will be much easier if you just

relax.”

The world began to blur at the edges, darkness creeping in from all sides. My last coherent thought was a bitter realization that Evelyn’s bad feeling had been right after all.