Alpha's STOLEN Mate (by Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 81

19:06 Wed, Jan 14

Alpha’s STOLEN Mate

Chapter 81

Sandalwood and winter pine, with that darker undertone that made my pulse race despite every rational thought screaming warnings. It

was faint but unmistakable, growing stronger with each passing second.

No. No, no, no. This is not happening.

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I shot to my feet, panic flooding my system as the familiar presence approached through the building’s corridors. But before I could take a

step toward the exit, Cassius’s hand caught my wrist.

“Hey, where are you going?” he asked with obvious concern. “The client will be here any minute!”

I opened my mouth to make some excuse-sudden illness, family emergency, anything that would get me out of this room-but it was too

late.

The conference room doors swung open with dramatic flair, and Kaius Blackthorne stepped inside like he owned the entire building.

He looked devastatingly handsome in a perfectly tailored charcoal suit that emphasized every line of his powerful frame. A silk tie the color of storm clouds brought out the steel gray of his eyes, while Italian leather shoes that probably cost more than most people’s

monthly salary completed the image of corporate predator.

Everything about his appearance screamed wealth, power, and absolute confidence. He could have been any Fortune 500 executive-if you ignored the predatory grace in his movements and the way his gaze swept the room like a wolf cataloging potential threats.

Cassius had frozen beside me, his grip on my wrist tightening unconsciously. I saw him take in Kaius’s impressive height, the breadth of his shoulders, the aura of dangerous authority that seemed to bend space around him.

“Decent looking guy,” Cassius muttered, his voice carrying a defensive edge I’d never heard before. “Though his fashion sense is a bit

dated. Who wears ties that dark anymore?”

If only you knew what you were looking at.

Patricia practically launched herself across the room, her professional charm turned up to maximum intensity. “Mr. Meridian! What an absolute pleasure to finally meet you in person! I’m Patricia Morrison, senior partner. I hope your flight wasn’t too tiring? Can we get you

coffee? Water? Anything at all?”

But Kaius wasn’t listening to her breathless hospitality. His storm-gray eyes had locked onto mine across the crowded conference room,

and everything else seemed to fade into background noise.

Fuck. He’s really here. In my human workplace.

I tried to edge toward the door, desperation making me careless, but Patricia’s sharp voice cut through my panic.

“Elowen!” she hissed quietly, her smile never wavering as she continued her performance for our “client.” “I warned you-not one step out

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Chapter 81

of line today!”

:

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Before I could attempt another escape, Kaius’s voice filled the room with quiet authority.

“Too many people,” he said simply, his tone carrying the kind of casual command that made everyone unconsciously straighten. “I prefer intimate consultations for personal wealth management. One advisor. One client. That’s how the best work gets done.”

Patricia’s enthusiasm reached new heights. “Of course! We have several exceptional senior consultants who would be perfect for-*

She launched into a detailed list of credentials and success stories, but Kaius seemed completely uninterested in her sales pitch. His attention remained fixed on me with laser focus, as if the other dozen people in the room simply didn’t exist.

When Patricia finally paused for breath, Kaius raised one hand in a gesture of polite dismissal.

“Her,” he said simply, pointing directly at me. “I want her.”

The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees. Patricia’s mouth fell open in surprise, while confused murmurs rippled through my colleagues. But it was Cassius’s reaction that made my stomach clench with dread-the flash of jealousy and possessive anger that transformed his usually pleasant features.

“Elowen is indeed one of our finest advisors,” Patricia managed, her professional recovery impressive despite her obvious confusion. “She has an exceptional track record with high-value portfolio management and-”

“Everyone out,” Kaius interrupted with calm finality. “I prefer to conduct business privately.”

The command wasn’t loud or aggressive, but something in his tone made every person in the room unconsciously move toward the exit. Within moments, chairs were scraping against hardwood and nervous conversations were resuming in the hallway beyond.

I remained frozen in place, watching in horrified fascination as my two worlds collided with explosive force.

How the hell did he find me here?

As the door clicked shut behind the last of my colleagues, Kaius’s predatory smile widened. He moved toward me with that fluid grace I remembered, every step calculated to cut off potential escape routes.

“Hello, little wolf,” he said softly, his voice carrying undertones that made my skin prickle with unwanted awareness. “Did you really think you could hide from me forever?”

I was trapped. In a conference room. With a psychotic Alpha King who’d somehow infiltrated my human life.

This is so much worse than the artificial wolves.

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Alpha’s STOLEN Mate