Alpha's STOLEN Mate (by Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 57

Chapter 57

Elowen

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His predatory smile returned full force. “What the hell do you think?” he said with dark amusement. “You’re my mate, Elowen. I can

release you from this prison, but you’ll never leave my territory again. You’ll stay here where you belong, at my side, for the rest of your

very long life.”

The implications hit me like a sledgehammer. Not just captivity–permanent claiming. The kind of marking that would bind us together

until death.

Fury exploded through my system like molten metal. I shot to my feet despite the chair, despite my weakness.

“Fuck you!” I snarled, my voice echoing off stone walls. “I’m leaving now! I wouldn’t be your mate if you were the last alpha on earth, you

fucking tyrant! My pack would never accept a war–mongering dictator like you!”

Before I could take a step toward the door, Kaius moved with inhuman speed. His arms locked around my waist, pulling me against his

chest with enough force to knock the breath from my lungs.

No, no, no-

Being pressed against his body was like touching a live wire. Every point of contact sent heat racing through my system, my weakened defenses crumbling under the onslaught of sensation. His familiar scent surrounded me, and the solid strength of his frame made my

traitor body want to melt against him.

I hate this. I hate him. I hate that I can’t control this.

“Easy,” he murmured, his voice rumbling through his chest against my ear. “I know how much this hurts. The bond pulling at you, making you want things you’re trying to resist.” His grip tightened possessively. “I feel it too–that constant ache, that need. But we can solve this

problem together. After we finish our conversation.”

The sexual undertone in his words made me want to claw my way out of my own skin. I struggled against his hold, but it was like fighting

steel cables.

“Fuck you!” I gasped. ‘Go satisfy yourself with other she–wolves! Just leave me out of it!

But even as I spoke, I could feel my body responding to his proximity. Heat pooled low in my belly, my skin became hypersensitive, and the scent of his arousal was making it impossible to think clearly.

Kaius seemed to sense my internal war. He shifted his grip, one hand sliding up to cup the back of my neck, holding me in place as his gray eyes bore into mine.

“I had really hoped,” he said with quiet intensity, “that you would choose to trust me with your story voluntarily. But I can see that’s not going to happen.” His thumb traced along my pulse point, making me shiver. “Unfortunately, I can’t leave you in this cold, miserable cell

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Chapter 57

much longer. Which means I’ll have to use my own methods to get the answers I need.”

Dread crashed over me like ice water. “What are you talking about?”

His smile was gentle and absolutely terrifying. “The next thirty minutes are going to reveal everything I want to know: your pack, your

allies, your activities, and the dual life you’ve lived for the past four years–both human and pack. Whether you fight it or not.”

Alpha aura. Fuck!

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I could already feel it building–that crushing weight of dominance that could override conscious thought, that could turn the strongest

wolf into a compliant puppet. In my current weakened state, I’d have no defense against the full force of his authority.

“Now,” Kaius said conversationally, his grip keeping me locked against him as power began radiating from his frame, ‘let’s start with

something simple. Your pack is the Silent Forest Pack, isn’t it? You’re their alpha?”

The compulsion hit me like a physical blow. My thoughts scattered under the weight of his will, every instinct screaming at me to answer,

to obey, to give him everything he wanted.

Tell him, some part of my mind whispered. Just give him what he wants and end this.

But then another voice rose through the fog–memories of wolves who’d fled to my territory with nothing but the clothes on their backs. War refugees whose families had been slaughtered in territorial disputes. Exiles who’d been branded as defective for loving the wrong

gender or failing to shift on schedule.

I won’t betray them. I won’t let him use my pack as another conquest.

Deep in my core, where the wolfsbane couldn’t reach, a spark of defiance ignited. Not my full power, but enough to form a barrier against

his crushing authority.

I shook my head violently, pressing my lips together as the compulsion tore through my mind like claws.

No. I won’t.

Kaius’s eyes widened at my resistance. His grip on my waist tightened painfully, pulling me harder against his chest until I could barely

breathe.

“Stubborn little wolf, he murmured directly into my car, his breath hot against my skin. “But I can feel you breaking.”

His Alpha aura crashed over me in devastating waves. I gasped, blood running from my nose as agony spiked through my skull.

“Answer me!” he snarled, his voice carrying absolute dominance. “This is just the beginning, Elowen. Your pack secrets are only the start- I have a thousand questions about your human life, your lovers, every breath you’ve taken without me!”

His other hand fisted in my hair, yanking my head back to expose my throat. “Tell me everything, or I’ll drag it out of you piece by

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fucking piece!”

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The pain was unbearable–like my mind was being shredded. I convulsed in his iron grip, my body caught between his crushing hold and

the mental assault.

Kaius’s expression shifted as he watched me struggle–fury at my defiance warring with something that looked like regret. But his grip

never loosened.

“Just submit,” he whispered harshly against my ear. “Stop torturing yourself.”

When I managed another weak shake of my head, his face hardened with cold determination.

“Have it your way.”

His aura exploded to maximum intensity, the final assault crushing what remained of my resistance like a tsunami destroying a

sandcastle.

Darkness claimed me as my body went limp in his unforgiving arms.