Alpha's STOLEN Mate (by Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 67

Chapter 67

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Warm sunlight on my face pulled me from the depths of sleep. I blinked against the golden light streaming through tall windows, realizing with a start that evening was approaching. The bone–deep cold that had nearly killed me was completely gone, replaced by

comfortable warmth.

How long was I unconscious?

But as awareness returned fully, mortification crashed over me like a wave. I remembered everything–the desperate way I’d reached for

Kaius, how I’d clung to him like he was salvation itself. The memory made my cheeks burn with shame.

His manipulation worked perfectly. That bastard.

The realization sent a fresh wave of anger through me, quickly followed by panic as the full implications hit. If I’d been unconscious for

hours in his arms, vulnerable and completely at his mercy…

I frantically examined my throat, running my fingers over the skin where a marking bite would have left permanent evidence of his claim. Nothing. The skin was unmarked, unscarred.

Thank God. He didn’t mark me while I was helpless.

Relief flooded through me, followed immediately by confusion. Why hadn’t he taken advantage? He’d had the perfect opportunity.

Looking around, I realized I wasn’t in that opulent chamber anymore. This room was smaller, more personal–clearly Kaius’s actual living quarters rather than some ceremonial space. Dark furniture, military precision in the organization, and the lingering scent of sandalwood

and winter pine.

What game is he playing now?

On the bed lay several sets of clothes–practical garments that actually looked like they’d fit me properly, I dressed quickly, surprised to find everything perfectly sized. Even the shoes were the right size.

How does he know my measurements so precisely?

As I laced up the boots, I noticed something odd. The door wasn’t completely closed–just slightly ajar, enough to reveal two guards stationed outside. But their posture was wrong. Instead of the relaxed vigilance I’d expect, they were tense, alert, constantly scanning the corridors like they expected attack at any moment.

Moving closer to the door, I caught fragments of the chaos erupting throughout the castle. Shouts echoed from multiple directions, running footsteps thundered past, and somewhere far below came the unmistakable sounds of combat–steel against steel, snarls of fighting wolves.

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Chapter 67

What the hell is happening?

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The guards noticed my approach immediately. One of them pushed the door open wider, his face grim with stress.

“My lady, our pack is under attack,” he said with barely concealed urgency. “Please don’t leave this room. We can’t afford to have you

compromised–it would mean our heads.”

Attack? A flicker of confusion and unease shot through me, but hope quickly swept it aside. Perfect timing!

I was about to smile when heavy footsteps announced the arrival of a higher–ranking wolf. A gamma by his scent, his armor splattered

with blood and dirt.

“The western perimeter is being overrun!” he barked at my guards. “Enemy firepower is beyond anything we anticipated. I need one of you

to carry a message requesting immediate reinforcements!”

The two guards exchanged panicked glances. “But the Alpha King’s orders were explicit–we cannot leave our post under any

circumstances!”

While they argued over their impossible choice, I saw my opportunity. Moving with the stealth my father had drilled into me, I slipped to the window across the room. The latch opened silently, and within seconds I was through the opening, dropping soundlessly to the

corridor below.

By the time their heated discussion ended, I was already three floors down and moving fast.

This is almost too easy.

The thought nagged at me as I navigated empty corridors that should have been crawling with guards. Every warrior in the castle seemed to have been deployed to the fighting. I could hear the battle raging to the west–the clash of weapons, explosions that shook the stone

foundations, howls of pain and rage.

What kind of enemy could push Kaius this hard? Force him to commit every available fighter?

Despite my determination to escape, an unwelcome flutter of worry stirred in my chest. Through the mate bond, I could sense echoes of his emotions–strain, frustration, something that might have been genuine concern for his pack’s survival.

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