Alpha's STOLEN Mate Chapter 10

Elowen

After Frost left, I stood at the window watching moonlight slowly creep across the mountainous landscape. My body had recovered significantly, but exhaustion was beginning to settle into my bones like lead weights. What bothered me most wasn't the lingering aches from torture or the phantom pain from silver burns—it was the smell.

His blood. It clung to me like a second skin, metallic and rich with something darker underneath. Iron and winter storms, with that distinctive Alpha musk that made my stomach churn. No matter how thoroughly I'd scrubbed in that luxurious bathroom, I could still taste it on my tongue, smell it in my hair.

*Fucking disgusting.*

Worse than the revulsion was what that scent did to my body. Every time I caught a whiff of it, heat pooled low in my belly, my skin growing hypersensitive in ways that made me want to claw at myself in frustration. The mate bond had definitely been strengthened by his blood—there was no other explanation for this treacherous physical response.

*I need to calm down. Just breathe.*

The massive bed dominated the room like some kind of monument to his power, all dark furs and silk sheets that probably cost more than most wolves made in a year. I stared at it for a long moment, then made a decision.

*Fuck it.*

I launched myself onto the mattress, spreading my arms and legs wide like a starfish, taking up as much space as possible on his precious Alpha King bed. The furs were incredibly soft against my skin, and despite everything, I felt some of the tension leave my shoulders.

Deep breath in. Deep breath out. Just focus on getting through tonight.

"You feeling better? I thought we were going to die in that dungeon."

The voice in my head made me bolt upright, a grin spreading across my face despite everything.

"Nyx! You're finally talking to me." I flopped back down, relief flooding through me. "Well, this little bread shopping trip nearly got us killed. I swear I'm never going back to that bakery again. How was I supposed to know the Alpha King's territory had expanded that far?"

"Who told you to be such a foodie?" Nyx's mental voice was full of amused reproach, like a scolding friend. "I warned you that place felt off, but noooo, you had to have the 'good stuff.'"

I sat up cross-legged, crossing my arms defensively. "Oh, don't you start! I haven't even gotten to the part where I'm pissed at you yet. What the hell was that lust-fest you were having earlier? You were practically purring when he was touching us!"

A low, sheepish whine echoed in my consciousness. "Look, his blood made me stronger, okay? More... receptive to his presence. I couldn't help it!"

"So you're telling me his blood has aphrodisiac properties too?" I threw my hands up in exasperation. "Of course it does! That bastard probably planned this whole thing!"

Nyx's laughter was like silver bells in my mind. "Since we're getting out of here tomorrow anyway, why don't you just fuck him tonight? I know you've been horny for a long time."

Heat flooded my cheeks. "Oh my God, shut up! How can you have zero self-control?"

Even as I said it, I knew she was right. My body had been responding to him in ways that had nothing to do with the mate bond and everything to do with four years of involuntary celibacy. But admitting that would give her too much ammunition.

"Wait," I said, suddenly focusing on what she'd said earlier. "Tomorrow. You're thinking the same thing I am?"

"Of course. Time to blow this popsicle stand." Her mental voice turned more serious. "But I'm starting to wonder where the hell Scarlett and Evelyn are. We've been missing for days now. Shouldn't they have made some kind of move by now?"

I shrugged, even though she was inside my head and couldn't see it. "How should I know? Evelyn's witch abilities should have been able to track our location by now. But this is Alpha King territory—maybe she can't penetrate his defenses. Besides, I don't want them exposed. Our pack has stayed hidden for a reason."

The Silent Forest. My domain, my sanctuary, hidden behind layers of Evelyn's most powerful illusions. To any outsider, it appeared to be nothing more than an empty stretch of woodland, so unnaturally quiet that most wolves avoided it instinctively. I'd chosen that particular protection for a reason—absolute silence unnerved even the bravest predators.

"Or maybe," Nyx said with obvious mischief, "they have too much faith in us. Even in Alpha King territory, they probably figure we can handle ourselves."

I rolled my eyes. "Your confidence is touching. But tomorrow's escape is going to be brutal. I can feel it."

"Good!" Nyx's excitement was infectious, bouncing around in my consciousness like an overeager puppy. "I've been dying to stretch my legs properly! That fucking wolfsbane had me locked down for too long. I want to run, fight, maybe tear a few throats out."

"Okay, okay, whatever," I laughed despite myself. "Let me get some sleep. You need to stay quiet so I can rest."

She vanished from my conscious mind with an almost audible *whoosh*, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I stretched out on the ridiculously comfortable bed, letting myself imagine tomorrow's freedom. Running through familiar forest paths, the scent of home filling my lungs, my beta Scarlett's probably-worried-sick face when I showed up at our borders. Maybe Evelyn would have that new protection spell ready, the one she'd been working on before I left.

*Almost there. Just one more night.*

Footsteps echoed in the corridor outside, slow and deliberate. My entire body went rigid.

*Is he coming back?*

The thought sent unwanted heat spiraling through my core, memories of his hands on my skin, his mouth against mine. *Fuck. Can't I just have one peaceful night? One last evening where I can pretend this place has some redeeming qualities?*

But the footsteps passed by without stopping, and I exhaled slowly. At least I'd have tonight to—

Pain slammed into me like a physical blow, radiating from somewhere deep in my chest where the mate bond lived. I gasped, doubling over as a wave of sensation that wasn't mine crashed over my consciousness.

*What the fuck—*

Then I felt it. Felt him. The bond was carrying echoes of his physical sensations, magnified by whatever his blood had done to strengthen our connection. He was... oh God, he was fucking someone. The phantom sensation of his arousal, his movements, hit me with nauseating clarity.

*No, not just someone. Two someones.*

The images slammed into my mind like a physical blow: him, driving into one woman from behind, her whimpers echoing through the bond, while his fingers rhythmically plunged into another, her body arching in response.

The realization made me want to vomit. I could feel echoes of his pleasure, the rhythm of his movements, even hints of the sounds he was making. Four years ago, the bond had been weak enough that I'd never experienced anything like this. But now, thanks to his "healing" blood, I was getting a front-row seat to his sexual activities.

*Well, at least he's not coming back here tonight.*

I gritted my teeth, pressing the heels of my palms against my temples as another wave of secondhand sensation washed over me. The irony wasn't lost on me—here I was, getting aroused against my will by feeling his pleasure with other women.

*Tomorrow,* I promised myself, squeezing my eyes shut and riding out another wave of unwanted sensation. *Tomorrow I'm getting the hell out of this nightmare and never looking back.*