Alpha's STOLEN Mate (by Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 85

Chapter 85

Elowen

The town square was nearly empty at this early hour, morning mist still clinging to the old fountain as I waited for Evelyn. When she

finally appeared, shuffling toward me with obvious reluctance, I could tell this was going to be an uphill battle.

“I can’t believe you’re dragging me out here,” she grumbled, pulling her jacket tighter. “Do you have any idea how busy I am? I’ve got

three different scrying bowls that need cleaning, my crystal collection is completely out of alignment, and don’t even get me started on

the herb garden-the wolfsbane is trying to strangle the nightshade again.”

I bit back a laugh at her ridiculous complaints. “Come on, don’t be lazy. Scarlett needs to guard the pack, and I can’t do this alone. I need

backup, and your magic might be useful.”

“But I hate walking,” she whined dramatically. “My feet weren’t made for hiking through forests and climbing over rocks-

I pulled out the bag of premium chocolates and imported pastries I’d picked up specifically for this moment. “I brought snacks.”

Evelyn’s protests died mid-sentence, her eyes fixing on the treats with obvious interest.

“Still,” she said, though less conviction, “my poor delicate feet really can’t handle-”

“Wait here,” I said with a grin, jogging toward the alley where I’d hidden my surprise.

The crimson motorcycle roared to life as I kicked it into gear, its engine purring with barely restrained power. I’d been saving this beauty for a special occasion, and rescuing our missing pack members definitely qualified.

Evelyn’s jaw dropped as I pulled up beside her. “Holy shit! Is that yours?”

“Want to find out how fast it goes?” I asked, tossing her a helmet.

“I’ve been dying to try one of these!” she exclaimed, all her earlier complaints forgotten as she swung her leg over the seat behind me.

We tore out of town like a shot, the motorcycle eating up miles of rough terrain with ease. Rocky hills and scattered boulders flashed past as we headed toward the forest boundary, wind whipping our hair despite the helmets.

At the border of our territory, Evelyn dismounted and placed her palms against the invisible barrier. Ancient words flowed from her lips, and suddenly the protective barrier dissolved. The illusory forest gradually revealed itself, showing a stretch of wild woodland beyond with a clear path leading toward the mysterious cave.

“This bike is incredible!” Evelyn shouted over the engine noise as we plunged deeper into the woods. “I’m so glad you convinced me to come, even if I’m getting really bad vibes about this whole mission!”

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My hands rightened on the hamilchers Don’t you de fin us? You know your had feelings wen: Reneemal people’s bad feelings-wurs

actually come tr

Sex, I can’t help having prophetic anciety she protested. “You think I enjoy knowing when disser is coming”

We were maybe hallway to the cave when a fumitur sent hit me like a physical flow. My heart rate spiked as 1 recognised the

sandalwood and pine mature that meant only one thing

Shit! He’s coming this way?

The rogue wohes Den tensed behind me.

“No, Kaius. He’s beading straight for us.” My voice tightened with urgency. We need to get back to the pack before he finds ust

“Oh, wonderful Even laughed behind me, completely unfired. Your mate shows up at the perfect time. You know I didn’t really want to

investigate some mysterious cave točky angwETË

But That hestur Ny mind raced with frustration. Sharys ruining my plans How the hell did he track me from human society all the way

into werewolf territory? 1 gritted my teeth. No way I have to lose him

“Hold on tight! I called, gunning the engine.

“What? Why are we-OH FUCK!”

The motorcycle leaped forward like a bullet, eating up distance as I tried to outrun the massive black well I could sense gig a s through the underbrush. Part of me was impressed by his speed, but mostly I was annoyed by his persistence.

Went to race? Let’s race.

I opened the throttle completely, the bike’s engine screaming as we tore through the forest. Trees became a green blur, roots and roots threatening to send us flying, but somehow we stayed upright.

Just as I thought we might actually reach pack territory safely, another scent hit me-stronger and more wrong than anything I ever

encountered.

Fuck. They’re everywhere.

The artificial wolves had multiplied again, and this time they were different. Stronger, more sophisticated, their magical signatures practically burning the air. Worse, they were arranged in a search pattern around our territory, systematically hunting for something.

Or someone.

“Shit, shit, shit, I muttered, yanking the handlebars to send us down a barely visible deer path.

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“What’s wrong? Evelyn shouted.

:

“The enhanced wolves are surrounding our territory. If they spot us-”

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“My bad feelings are getting worse!” she interrupted. “Someone’s going to die today, Elowen! I can feel it!”

Great. Prophetic doom on top of supernatural hunters and a psychotic Alpha King chasing us through the woods. Just another normal day

in my life.

I managed to find a route that avoided the search parties, but it meant taking us deeper into dense forest where the motorcycle could barely navigate the terrain. Branches whipped at our helmets and legs as we crashed through undergrowth, the engine’s roar definitely

announcing our presence to anything within miles.

Just as Evelyn was preparing to open our territorial barrier, Kaius’s massive wolf form came crashing through the treeline and landed

directly in front of our bike.

I slammed on the brakes, barely avoiding a collision as he shifted back to human form with that casual arrogance I’d come to hate.

“Elowen! I knew it was you!” he called, his eyes lighting up with recognition, somehow with his clothing perfectly intact. ‘I was just coming to try my luck, but I actually found you! God, do you know I spent all last night thinking about what you said? Actually, I need to

tell you-”

“God, not now!” I interrupted desperately as the sound of approaching footsteps and breaking branches announced that our pursuers were

closing in fast behind us.

“The illusory forest won’t hold for long!” Evelyn warned urgently. “They’ve seen through the illusion now-they’ll find our location very quickly. We need to get inside the pack territory NOW!”

I stared at Kaius in complete disbelief. Here we were, about to be overrun by magically enhanced killing machines, and he was acting like

this was some casual encounter in a park.

“I hate saying this,” I snarled through gritted teeth, “but FUCK! Just follow me!”

His eyebrows rose in surprise, but he didn’t argue as Evelyn’s magic opened a shimmering doorway in the air.

All three of us dove through the barrier just as inhuman howls erupted from the forest behind us. The magical doorway snapped shut with an almost audible sigh of relief, leaving us safe within our territorial boundaries.

For now.

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Alpha’s STOLEN Mate