Alpha's STOLEN Mate (by Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Elowen

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Blood filled my mouth, but I smiled anyway, showing him crimson teeth. “Don’t pretend you care if I live or die.”

For a moment, something flickered across Kaius’s face–surprise, maybe even hurt. His mouth opened as if he wanted to say something, to argue, but then fury swept over his features like a storm cloud blotting out the sun.

“You’re right,” he snarled, crouching down until we were eye level. “I don’t give a shit if you live or die. But that doesn’t mean I’m giving you the choice to take the easy way out.”

Before I could react, his arms slid beneath me, lifting me from the blood–stained floor with an ease that made me feel like a child. I wanted to fight, to claw at his face, to make him pay for every humiliation–but the agony tearing through my ribs and spine left me gasping and weak.

I braced myself for the inevitable–for him to throw me back onto the bed like a sack of grain, to let me feel his anger through violence. Instead, his movements were careful, almost gentle, as he settled me back against the pillows. The contradiction left me reeling.

What the hell is wrong with him?

The sound of running footsteps echoed from the corridor, and suddenly the room filled with medical staff. A middle–aged doctor with graying temples rushed to my side, his face pale with panic, while two nurses hovered behind him with armloads of supplies.

“Alpha King, the doctor said, his voice tight with barely controlled fear. “What happened here?”

“Just examine her,” Kaius snapped, his tone sharp enough to cut glass. “Now.”

The doctor’s hands moved over me with practiced efficiency, checking my pulse, examining the fresh cuts on my forehead, testing my reflexes. I watched his expression grow increasingly grim with each passing moment.

Finally, he straightened, shaking his head slowly. “Alpha King, the fact that she’s survived this long is already miraculous. But the wolfsbane is still destroying her system from the inside out. Combined with her recent emotional distress and these new injuries…” He trailed off, unable to meet Kaius’s eyes.

“Spit it out,” Kaius growled.

“I’m afraid she’s… she’s unlikely to survive much longer.”

I felt nothing hearing those words. No fear, no sadness–just a cold sort of satisfaction as I watched Kaius’s face transform. His carefully controlled mask slipped, revealing something raw and desperate underneath.

Good, I thought with grim satisfaction. At least death would spare me from whatever twisted plans this tyrant has in store for me.

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10:24 Mon, Jan 12

Chapter 6

AQ

But then Kalas grabbed the doctor by his coat, yanking him close with barely leashed violence. “If she dies, you die. Along with your

entire bloodline. Pada solation or join the ashes of Moonridge.

The doctor’s hands shook as he adjusted his glasses. There is… there might be one option, but it’s risky…”

“Your blood, Alpha King, the doctor said quietly. “Alpha King blood has powerful healing properties, particularly potent against toxins.

And since she’s your m→ He caught himself, swallowing hard as Kaius’s eyes flashed dangerously. Since she’s your mate, the effect would be exponentially stronger. It could not only save her life but heal her completely.

The word mate hung in the air like a curse, and I saw Kaius’s jaw clench.

“But the risk… the doctor continued nervously.

Enough. Kaius cut him off. ‘I have what I need to know.”

The more I listened, the more my stomach churned with revulsion. I could see it in his eyes–that look of control returning, the

satisfaction of finding another way to dominate me.

“No,” I snarled, trying to push myself upright despite the pain. “I don’t want your blood. I’d rather die than-*

His hands clamped down on my wrists before I could hurt myself again, pinning me to the bed with inhuman strength. It was like he’d

anticipated my reaction.

“Everyone out,” he said quietly, his voice deadly calm. The medical staff scrambled for the door without another word.

Once we were alone, Kaius released my wrists but didn’t move away. Instead, he leaned down, his face inches from my neck, breathing in my scent like he was savoring fine wine. The intimacy of it made my skin crawl–and worse, made something deep inside me respond with

traitorous warmth.

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