Alpha's STOLEN Mate (by Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 80

Chapter 80

Elowen

The past few days had fallen into a dangerous rhythm. Every morning, I would slip away from the pack house before dawn, using my enhanced abilities to track the artificial wolves patrolling our territory’s perimeter. Every evening, I would return with a growing sense of

unease.

They were multiplying.

What had started as three creatures had grown to seven, then twelve. Now, as I crouched in the dense undergrowth observing their latest patrol pattern, I counted fifteen of the empty–eyed monsters. Worse, they seemed to be evolving–their movements were smoother, their

coordination more sophisticated.

But they were also getting smarter about our defenses. They prowled the forest’s edge with mechanical patience, testing different approaches without ever crossing into Evelyn’s illusion barriers. Somehow, they understood that the peaceful woodland was a trap designed to confuse intruders.

At least our sanctuary is still safe.

I shifted positions carefully, my scent suppression keeping me invisible to their enhanced senses. The wind carried fragments of their artificial scent–that wrong smell that should have been wolf but wasn’t quite right. Mixed with it now was something new: the acrid tang

of stronger magic.

One of the creatures suddenly stopped, its red eyes scanning the treeline with mechanical precision. For a heart–stopping moment, I thought it might have detected me. Then it resumed its patrol, moving with that eerie synchronized gait that made my skin crawl.

I made careful notes in my mental catalog: fifteen total, three distinct size variations, enhanced sensory equipment visible as faint magical auras around their heads. Someone was pouring serious resources into this operation.

But what do they actually want?

That was the question that haunted me as I used wind currents to carry me silently back to pack territory,

They’re waiting for something. Or someone.

By Friday morning, I was practically vibrating with nervous energy. Leaving the pack felt wrong when we were under surveillance, but I couldn’t afford to miss this mysterious VIP client meeting. Not when Patricia had made it clear my job was hanging by a thread.

“You’ve told us a hundred times already,” Evelyn said with exaggerated exhaustion as I ran through the security protocols one final time. “My head is going to explode if you repeat yourself again. Just go! You’re only gone for one day–what could possibly happen to us in eight hours?”

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Chapter 80

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She grinned mischievously. “Besides, I have a sneaking suspicion their real target is you anyway. We’ll probably get some peace and quiet

with you gone.”

“Hey!” Scarlett snapped. “That’s not helping!”

But Evelyn just laughed, completely unrepentant. “What? I’m just saying–mysterious enhanced wolves show up right after our dramatic Alpha reveals herself as a legendary white wolf? Come on, that timing is a little suspicious, don’t you think?”

Her joking observation sent a chill down my spine, but Scarlett was already moving to reassure me. “Don’t listen to her doom and gloom predictions. We can handle whatever comes up.” Her warrior’s confidence was absolute. “But you be careful in the human world too. If

someone’s targeting you specifically…”

“Well,” I said with more bravado than I felt, “considering my current power level, I don’t think anyone could handle me even if they tried.”

It was mostly true. My control over wind had evolved from crude flight assistance to something approaching teleportation. The journey that used to take forty minutes by car now took less than sixty seconds of riding air currents with supernatural precision.

At least something good came out of this mess.

Sterling & Associates buzzed with nervous energy as I settled into my desk chair. Everyone could feel the importance of today’s meeting radiating from Patricia’s barely contained excitement. She’d been pacing the office like a caged predator since I arrived, checking and rechecking every detail.

“This is it, people!” she announced as eleven o’clock approached. “The Caelus Capital could single–handedly transform our quarterly projections. I want everyone sharp, professional, and ready to impress.”

We filed into the main conference room with the solemnity of soldiers preparing for battle. Patricia had arranged us around the polished table like pieces on a chess board, each positioned to maximize our collective expertise.

I found myself seated near the door–close enough to participate, far enough from the action to slip away if necessary. The placement suited me perfectly.

‘I still don’t understand what makes this client so special,” murmured the woman beside me.

“Some mysterious conglomerate,” Patricia replied, overhearing. “They’re either a super promising up–and–comer or an extremely niche operation. Either way, landing their contract would be like striking gold.”

I was checking my phone for any pack–related messages when it hit me.

The scent.