Alpha's STOLEN Mate (by Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 99

Chapter 99

Kajus

71

After a full day of patrolling with nothing to show for it, I returned to my office exhausted and frustrated. My gamma was waiting with a

stack of correspondence that made my stomach sink.

“Letters from the regional alphas,” he said grimly, placing them on my desk. “Multiple packs are reporting missing members. No patterns,

no witnesses, no evidence. They’re asking for your guidance.”

I flipped through the reports, my jaw tightening with each one. This wasn’t isolated to Elowen’s territory or even my own pack anymore.

Whatever was happening was spreading across the entire region.

“This is going to trigger war,” I said quietly. “When alphas can’t protect their own people, they start looking for enemies to blame.

Suspicion breeds conflict.

“What should I tell them?” my gamma asked.

“Tell them I’m working on a solution. We’ll have answers soon. The words felt hollow even as I spoke them.

My gamma nodded but didn’t look convinced. I understood his doubt-the disappearances weren’t coincidental. They were most likely abductions. Whoever could kidnap wolves from heavily guarded packs, including my own territory, possessed power beyond anything we’d encountered before. And those enhanced rogues were just the visible threat. What else was lurking behind them?

My thoughts drifted to Elowen. Based on how much she seemed to understand about these creatures, she must have done considerable

research on them.

After my gamma left, Frost burst through the door with unusual urgency.

“How did things go with the witch? I asked immediately. “Did she help with your scent problem?”

“That’s not important right now,” Frost said coldly, his expression harder than I’d ever seen it.

I felt a spike of concern. “What happened?”

Frost dropped three words like stones: “Matthias Greystone.”

Then he explained what he’d discovered-the elder had been purchasing large quantities of forbidden drugs from Lysandra.

Disbelief washed over me. “That’s impossible. The Greystone family has stood with my bloodline for generations. Matthias is one of the most respected elders in the council. He wouldn’t-”

“I saw the shipping labels myself, Frost interrupted. “He’s buying experimental substances from a witch who supplies whoever pays her,

1/3

19:09 Wed, Jan 14

Alpha’s STOLEN Mate

Chapter 99

Kaius

71

After a full day of patrolling with nothing to show for it, I returned to my office exhausted and frustrated. My gamma was waiting with a

stack of correspondence that made my stomach sink.

“Letters from the regional alphas,” he said grimly, placing them on my desk. “Multiple packs are reporting missing members. No patterns,

no witnesses, no evidence. They’re asking for your guidance.”

I flipped through the reports, my jaw tightening with each one. This wasn’t isolated to Elowen’s territory or even my own pack anymore.

Whatever was happening was spreading across the entire region.

“This is going to trigger war,” I said quietly. “When alphas can’t protect their own people, they start looking for enemies to blame.

Suspicion breeds conflict.”

“What should I tell them?” my gamma asked.

“Tell them I’m working on a solution. We’ll have answers soon.” The words felt hollow even as I spoke them.

My gamma nodded but didn’t look convinced. I understood his doubt-the disappearances weren’t coincidental. They were most likely

abductions. Whoever could kidnap wolves from heavily guarded packs, including my own territory, possessed power beyond anything we’d

encountered before. And those enhanced rogues were just the visible threat. What else was lurking behind them?

My thoughts drifted to Elowen. Based on how much she seemed to understand about these creatures, she must have done considerable

research on them.

After my gamma left, Frost burst through the door with unusual urgency.

“How did things go with the witch?” I asked immediately. “Did she help with your scent problem?”

“That’s not important right now,” Frost said coldly, his expression harder than I’d ever seen it.

I felt a spike of concern. “What happened?”

Frost dropped three words like stones: “Matthias Greystone.”

Then he explained what he’d discovered-the elder had been purchasing large quantities of forbidden drugs from Lysandra.

Disbelief washed over me. “That’s impossible. The Greystone family has stood with my bloodline for generations. Matthias is one of the

most respected elders in the council. He wouldn’t-”

‘I saw the shipping labels myself, Frost interrupted. “He’s buying experimental substances from a witch who supplies whoever pays her,

1/3

19:09 Wed, Jan 14

Chapter 99

no questions asked.”

:

71

I ran my hand through my hair, trying to process this. “I’ll investigate this thoroughly, but you have to understand-his family has been

loyal for centuries. I can’t believe he’d betray that legacy without solid proof.”

“The proof is right in front of you!” Frost’s voice rose with uncharacteristic frustration. “We need to act now. Use our intelligence network.

Have him followed. Track his contacts and movements. We can’t wait on this.”

I nodded and immediately opened a mindlink with Wraith, instructing him to come to my room at first light for an urgent assignment.

When I finished, Frost finally seemed to relax slightly, sinking into a chair as if all his energy had drained away.

I stood and began circling his chair slowly. “Now that’s handled, my dear beta, perhaps we should discuss what the witch actually told you

about your condition.”

Frost shrugged with feigned nonchalance. “Like I said before-I’m not dying.”

But I could hear all the unspoken problems beneath those words, and his dismissive attitude ignited my anger. “You can’t keep doing this! Not everything requires your self-sacrificing martyr act. Pack matters aren’t the only things that deserve your attention-your own wellbeing matters too!” My voice rose. “I don’t care what solution your condition requires. I’ll find a way to help you, whether you want it

or not!”

“Not everything is yours to decide,” Frost said with a bitter smile. “My situation is my own. I’ll handle it my way.”

I felt my control slipping. He was going to make a choice that would harm himself-I could see it in his eyes, that same self-destructive

nobility that had defined him for years.

“God! My mate is already fighting me at every turn, refusing to submit or trust me. Now my beta wants to do the same? Hiding his medical condition? Making decisions without my input?” I slammed my hand on the desk. “You both belong to me! I have every right to

know what choices you’re making!”

The word “belong” seemed to strike Frost like a physical blow. His expression went ice-cold, something dangerous flickering in his eyes.

“I don’t belong to anyone,” he said quietly, each word precise and cutting. “And I don’t need anyone to belong to me. I made my choice. It’s that simple. If I don’t want to tell you something, I won’t.”

The sudden shift in his demeanor caught me completely off guard. This wasn’t my loyal, self-effacing beta. This was someone else entirely -someone with their own will and boundaries that I’d somehow violated.

Frost stood slowly, his posture rigid. “I apologize, Alpha King, but not everything in this world is yours to control. I’m leaving now.”

I felt a flash of panic at losing him, at pushing too hard. “Fuck! Whatever!” I shouted after him. “If all you care about is the pack, fine!

Tomorrow you’re coming with me to see Elowen. We need more intelligence about these enhanced wolves, and you’re going to help me get it! And I don’t give a damn about what happens to you anymore!”

2/3

19:09 Wed, Jan 14

Chapter 99

God, I hate that I said that. The words tasted like ash in my mouth even as they left my lips.

71

Frost paused at the door but didn’t turn around. “So you’ve finally come around, Alpha.” His voice carried a note of cold satisfaction. “As

you command.”

Comments

1

Write Comments

SHARE

3/3

19:09 Wed, Jan 14

Alpha’s STOLEN Mate