Alpha's STOLEN Mate (by Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 53

Chapter 53

Elowen

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The familiar bitter taste of wolfsbane coated my tongue as consciousness slowly returned, dragging me back to a reality I desperately

wanted to avoid. My head felt heavy, thoughts moving through thick fog, but the pain wasn’t as overwhelming as I’d expected. This time,

whoever had dosed me knew exactly what they were doing–enough poison to suppress my abilities without leaving me writhing in agony.

Small mercies.

I flexed my fingers experimentally, relieved to find no shackles around my wrists. My body felt weak, drained, but functional. The wolfsbane had settled into my system like a familiar enemy, dulling my supernatural senses but not completely incapacitating me.

Instinctively, I reached for Nyx, trying to connect with my wolf despite knowing it was probably futile. Nothing. The bond that had been

my constant companion for years was simply… gone. Severed by chemistry and malice.

I forced myself to sit up slowly, fighting through the dizziness that made the stone walls spin. When my vision cleared, I found myself staring at bars I recognized all too well–the same cell, the same silver–laced prison that had held me before.

That fucking bastard.

Rage flared hot and immediate in my chest. Kaius. Of course it was Kaius. The kidnapping on the plane, the professional efficiency of my capture–it all pointed back to my psychotic mate and his complete inability to accept the word ‘no.‘

I was still processing the full implications of being trapped here again when voices drifted in from the corridor outside. Immediately, I lay back down and closed my eyes, forcing my breathing into the slow, steady rhythm of sleep.

‘I still don’t understand why she needs this much wolfsbane,” one guard was saying, his voice young and uncertain. “I mean, we’re in the most secure cells in the castle. The silver alone should keep any wolf contained, no matter how strong.”

“That’s because you’re new here, rookie,” came the amused reply from an older, more experienced guard, “You don’t understand what we’re dealing with. This isn’t just any wolf–she’s white wolf. You have any idea how destructive that kind of power can be if it’s not properly

controlled?‘

White wolf. I almost snorted at their dramatic whispers. If they only knew what I’d really accomplished in the past four years, they’d be shitting their pants.

“No kidding?” The younger guard’s voice carried new respect and fear. “A real white wolf? No wonder the Alpha King gave such specific orders. I heard what happened to the last prison captain who took liberties with a prisoner–exiled permanently.”

*Exactly. Marcus learned the hard way that you don’t fuck with the Alpha King’s direct commands.” The older guard’s voice grew more serious. “But don’t worry too much. She won’t be waking up anytime soon–not with the dose they put in her water. I’d say we’ve got until tomorrow morning before she’s conscious. We just need to check on her every few hours.”

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14:39 Tue, Jan 13

Chapter 53

Their footsteps faded as they continued their patrol, leaving me alone with my fury and frustration. Part of me wanted to leap up and show them exactly how wrong they were about my condition, but I forced myself to stay still.

Use your brain, not your temper.

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The smart play was to rest, to let my body process as much of the wolfsbane as possible while I still had time. Maybe if I was lucky, some

of my abilities would return before Kaius decided to make his grand appearance.

Despite my anger, exhaustion pulled at me like a weight. The drugs, the stress, the sheer emotional toll of being captured again–it all

combined to drag me toward unconsciousness. I let myself drift, knowing that rest was the only thing that might give me a fighting

chance later.

I woke to moonlight streaming through the small barred window set high in the stone wall. Hours had passed–I could tell by the quality of the light and the deep quiet that had settled over the castle. My body felt marginally better, the wolfsbane’s grip slightly loosened,

though I was still far from normal strength.