Alpha's STOLEN Mate Chapter 11

Elowen

Dawn crept through the massive windows like an unwelcome visitor, dragging me from restless sleep filled with phantom sensations and borrowed pleasure. My body felt fully restored now—no lingering weakness from the wolfsbane, no numbness in my limbs. Just pure, coiled energy that demanded action.

*Today's the day.*

I rolled out of bed and began pacing the room like a caged animal, my bare feet silent on the plush carpet. This was it—my chance to get the hell out of this nightmare and back to my real life. But first, I needed to understand exactly what I was up against.

The room had multiple windows, each offering different vantage points of the fortress. I moved systematically from one to another, cataloging guard positions, noting patrol patterns, searching for weaknesses in their defenses.

Most of the views showed nothing but sheer drops and heavily fortified walls. But then I spotted it—a window on the far side of the room that seemed to offer a broader perspective. I dragged a heavy chair across the floor, wincing at every scrape against the stone, and climbed up to get a better look.

*Holy shit.*

From this height, I could see the entire layout spread out below me like a strategic map. The castle perched on the highest peak, surrounded by treacherous mountain faces on three sides. Impassable terrain that would kill anyone foolish enough to attempt a climb.

But the western approach... that was different. The mountains there were lower, more manageable, with what looked like natural handholds and ledges. And beyond those peaks, stretching to the horizon like a promise of freedom, was a vast forest.

*Perfect.*

Dense forest meant cover, meant places to hide and lose pursuers. If I could just reach those trees, I'd have a fighting chance. The thick canopy would mask my scent, the undergrowth would slow down any pursuit parties, and with enough of a head start, I could disappear completely."

I was so focused on memorizing the terrain that I almost missed the familiar scent drifting under the door. Sandalwood and winter pine, with that metallic undertone that made my stomach clench.

*Fuck!*

I leaped down from the chair, shoving it back to its original position with perhaps a bit too much force. By the time the door opened, I was seated primly at the small table, hands folded in my lap like a perfectly behaved prisoner.

Kaius stepped inside carrying a tray, and I watched his eyes widen slightly as he took in my appearance. The deep blue dress Frost had provided fit me perfectly, and my silver hair fell in waves around my shoulders, catching the morning light. After days of looking like something dragged through hell, I probably seemed like a completely different person.

*That's right, asshole. Get a good look at what you threw away.*

His gaze lingered on my face for several heartbeats, something unreadable flickering in those storm-gray eyes. When he finally spoke, his voice was rougher than usual.

"The dress suits you."

I blinked. "That's it? Just the dress?"

He set the tray down without responding, and I got my first look at what he'd brought. Fresh bread still warm from the ovens, butter that looked like it had been churned that morning, honey that gleamed like liquid gold, and some kind of fruit preserve that made my mouth water. Almost as appealing as my favorite honey cinnamon bread. 

I didn't wait for permission. I reached for the bread immediately, tearing off a chunk and stuffing it in my mouth. My body was running on empty after yesterday's ordeal, and I needed fuel for what was coming.

"Manners?" Kaius said dryly. "You're not the mistress of this castle, you know. You're still a prisoner until you explain—"

 "I have limited energy," I interrupted around a mouthful of bread. "Limited capacity. I'm fucking starving here. Not like some alphas who had unlimited energy last night—enough to fuck two whores before finally burning it all off."

The words hit their mark. Kaius went completely still, that predatory mask slipping just enough for me to see the surprise underneath.

"Who I fuck, and how many, is none of your business," he said after a moment, his voice carefully controlled.

I grabbed another piece of bread, slathering it with butter and honey. "Except I felt it through the goddamn mate bond! You know how hard it was to fall asleep last night? Feeling you taking turns with two different bitches, releasing all that 'energy' on them?"

His eyebrows shot up, genuine surprise replacing his usual calculation. "The bond is that strong now?"

"Apparently your blood has some interesting side effects," I said bitterly, taking another aggressive bite.

A slow, cruel smile spread across his face. "I'm glad you're only feeling it now. If our bond had been this strong four years ago, you wouldn't have slept well for a single night."

Rage flared in my chest, hot and immediate. I opened my mouth to tell him exactly what I thought of him and his revolting sex life, then caught myself. Getting into a screaming match right now would only make him more suspicious. I needed him gone so I could execute my escape plan.

"Well," I said instead, forcing my voice to remain casual, "at least you had the decency not to come here last night. Otherwise I might have actually bitten your throat out."

He laughed, the sound low and dangerous. "Oh, I wanted to. After that blood exchange, all I could think about was coming back here and finishing what we started in the medical wing."

Heat flashed through me despite my best efforts to remain unaffected. The memory of his hands on my body, his mouth claiming mine, sent unwanted shivers down my spine.

"But," he continued, his voice dropping to something almost intimate, "I was afraid I wouldn't be able to control myself. Afraid I might mark you before I'm satisfied that you're truly innocent."

I stared at him, torn between relief and indignation. Relief because being marked by him would be the ultimate humiliation—a bond I'd never be able to break. Indignation because he was still treating me like some kind of threat.

"Smart choice," I managed to say, reaching for more food to cover my emotional turmoil.

Before Kaius could respond, urgent footsteps echoed in the corridor. A soldier appeared in the doorway, face flushed with exertion.

"Alpha King," he panted. "The rogue attacks have escalated. Three more villages hit during the night. Beta Frost requests your immediate presence in the war room."

Kaius nodded curtly, but his eyes never left my face. "I have to go deal with the rogue situation," he said, his tone casual but his gaze sharp as a blade. "I know exactly what you're thinking, little wolf. But don't even consider it."

My heart hammered against my ribs, but I kept my expression carefully neutral.

"I've stationed my most trusted warriors throughout the castle," he continued, stepping closer until I could feel the heat radiating from his body. "Wolves who've served me for years, who would die before letting you escape. You'd better stay right here until I return."

The threat was clear, but I nodded obediently. "Of course. Where would I go?"

His smile was sharp enough to cut steel. "That's what I thought."

After he left, I forced myself to finish every scrap of food on the tray. My body needed the fuel, and there was no telling when I'd get another chance to eat. When the last crumb was gone, I moved to the window and began a more careful survey of the guard situation.

Two guards flanked the door to my chamber. Three more patrolled the corridor beyond, their movements predictable and routine. Worse, I could see figures moving on the floors below—more guards, more obstacles between me and freedom.

A direct assault would be suicide. The moment I started fighting my way out, every warrior in the castle would converge on my position. Within minutes, Kaius and Frost would be back, and my chance would be gone forever.

But I'd learned a few things during my years of independence. Sometimes the best weapon wasn't strength or speed.

I moved away from the window and positioned myself near the center of the room. Then I took a deep breath and began to implement the plan forming in my mind.

First, I triggered my gag reflex, forcing up some of the food I'd just consumed. The retching sounds echoed off the stone walls, harsh and convincing. Then I threw myself to the floor, clutching my stomach and letting out agonized groans.

"Help!" I gasped, making my voice as weak and desperate as possible. "Something's wrong! The food—"

More retching, more pitiful moans. I curled into a ball, letting my hair fall across my face to hide any telltale signs of deception.

"Guards!" I called out, my voice breaking with apparent pain. "Please! I think I'm dying!"

Footsteps thundered in the corridor. Multiple voices called out in alarm. Within seconds, I heard the jingle of keys and the scrape of the door opening.

*Perfect.*