Alpha's STOLEN Mate (by Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 61

Chapter 61

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I quickly threw myself back into the chair, arranging my posture to look weak and exhausted. No point letting him know how much I’d

recovered.

The door opened with a soft click, and Frost stepped inside with that characteristic grace I remembered. His blue eyes swept over me with

obvious amusement.

“You can drop the act,” he said with a gentle smile, settling a small bag of medical supplies on the table. “I know you’re feeling much

better.”

I straightened slightly, curiosity overriding caution. “Then why did you bring medicine?”

“I wanted an excuse to see you,” he replied with disarming honesty. “To have a conversation without Kaius breathing down our necks.”

The simple sincerity in his voice caught me off guard.

“And to check on your recovery properly,” he continued, settling into the chair across from me with the practiced ease of someone conducting a medical assessment. “Based on what I know about white wolf physiology, neither that level of wolfsbane nor Alpha aura should have caused you lasting harm. By my calculations, you should be operating at about fifty percent capacity by now.”

I couldn’t help smiling at his assessment. “You know fifty percent capacity for a white wolf is still considerable power. Aren’t you worried

I’ll escape?”

Frost leaned back in his chair, completely relaxed despite the implied threat. “I believe Kaius’s methods are too direct, too forceful. You can’t cage someone who doesn’t want to be caged. Only wolves who choose to stay will remain here permanently.”

His insight impressed me more than I cared to admit. Here was someone who actually understood the fundamental flaw in his Alpha’s

approach.

‘You’re perceptive,” I said, studying his face with new interest. “But understanding the problem doesn’t change the facts. I will never

willingly join this pack.”

Frost met my gaze steadily, his blue eyes holding depths of knowledge and something that looked like genuine sadness.

“But you are exactly the queen we need most,‘ he said quietly. “Not just for our pack, but for this entire kingdom. The territories are fracturing, wars are escalating, and wolves are suffering everywhere. A leader like you could change everything.”

Despite my determination to resist his words, something in his tone made me pause. He wasn’t trying to manipulate me–he was sharing a truth he genuinely believed.

“Well,” I said finally, “that’s very moving and noble of you to say. But unfortunately, I can’t be what you need me to be.”

As I spoke, something about his mannerisms was nagging at me. The way he held himself, the particular quality of his voice, the subtle

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Chapter 61

elegance in his movements… But most importantly, those same distinctive pupils.

Even the strongest transformation drugs can’t change a person’s pupils, I thought, remembering something the witch had once mentioned,

Wait.

Recognition hit me like lightning. I shot to my feet, staring at him with dawning realization.

Frost stood as well, a pleased smile spreading across his features. “Guilty as charged. I’m the one who helped you land that lucrative contract. I’m the one who made sure your pack could afford medical supplies, food, everything you needed.”

The admission left me reeling.

“And the kidnapping?” I demanded.

Frost’s expression grew more serious. “That was entirely Kaius’s… creative solution. I disagreed with his methods, but his ultimate goal aligns with mine.” His voice gained intensity. “Our pack needs you, Elowen. This kingdom needs you. More desperately than you realize.”

I could hear the sincerity in his words, see the genuine belief in his eyes. But it only made me angrier.

So now that I’m a white wolf, suddenly I’m indispensable? Where was this desperation when I couldn’t shift?

I crossed my arms defensively. “That’s your problem, Frost. You helped me tremendously, and you can absolutely be a friend to my pack. But staying here? Becoming your queen? Absolutely not. I have my own wolves to protect.”

Disappointment flickered across his features, but before he could respond, he suddenly cocked his head as if listening to something I couldn’t hear. A rueful smile crossed his face.

“Our Alpha King is mind–linking me,” he said with obvious amusement. “Ordering me to stop interfering. He says he has his own methods for handling you.” Frost shook his head. “Stubborn man.”

He moved toward the door, pausing to look back at me one final time. “I hope you’ll reconsider, Elowen. For all our sakes.