Alpha's STOLEN Mate Chapter 145

Elowen

We tumbled out of the lightning rift and back into Kaius's pack territory—back to reality—and found ourselves surrounded.

Evelyn, Frost, and Scarlett were already there, waiting. They'd prepared everything: warm food spread across tables, fresh clothes laid out, medical supplies at the ready. The sight of it—of them—made something in my chest crack open.

"You knew!" My voice came out thick with emotion. "You knew we'd make it out!"

Scarlett didn't waste a second. She rushed forward and wrapped a blanket around my shoulders, then pulled me into a fierce hug.

"God, Elowen! Do you have any idea what these past few days have been like for me?" Her voice was muffled against my shoulder. "When Evelyn said her bracelet detected that you'd found the gemstone—that you were safe—I couldn't believe it! I thought she was just trying to comfort me!" She pulled back to look at me, tears shining in her eyes. "Seeing you here, alive and whole... I can't even—"

I turned to Evelyn, pointing at her with a shaky smile. "You. I owe you so much. More than I can probably ever repay."

Evelyn's lips curved into that familiar smirk. "Oh, don't worry. I'll make absolutely certain you spend the rest of your life paying me back. With interest."

Before I could retort, Frost appeared in front of me, circling around to inspect me from every angle. He checked my arms, peered at my face, examined me like a worried mother hen.

Finally, he stepped back with a satisfied nod. "Thank the Moon Goddess. You're completely fine!" Then his gaze shifted to Kaius, and his expression turned sharp. "That bastard over there didn't go too far with you, did he?"

I couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, he definitely went too far. And I fully intend to settle that debt with him." I glanced at Kaius, who was sitting off to the side, already helping himself to food. "But not right now. He's earned a break today. We both have."

Kaius looked up from his plate with an exaggerated expression of disbelief. "Hello? Can anyone see me? Am I invisible?" He gestured at himself dramatically. "And Frost—seriously? Your first concern isn't for your beloved Alpha King?"

Frost crossed his arms, his tone dripping with mock indignation. "Well, forgive me for remembering that you nearly killed me! I know, I know—you were trying to avoid actually hurting me. But the injuries you *did* leave haven't exactly healed overnight, you know!"

Kaius rolled his eyes. "At least you acknowledge I was holding back! That's progress."

He stood slowly, stretching, then turned to address all of us with a growing smile. "Look—we survived. Against impossible odds, we made it through. I think we've more than earned a celebration, don't you?" His gaze settled on me, warm and meaningful. "Especially for you, Elowen."

I nodded, my mind already turning to practical matters. "Yes. A celebration is exactly what we need. And we should use it as an opportunity to announce Morgath's death publicly. Every pack, every wolf needs to know they're finally safe."

Even as I said it, I felt a small chill. Morgath's final words before we escaped—that promise of consequences—still echoed in my mind. But she was dead. Her realm was destroyed. What could a ghost's threat really do to us?

Kaius stared at me for a long moment, then let out a frustrated sigh. "Elowen. Did you completely miss what I was implying? How are you already thinking about politics?"

I blinked. "What do you mean?"

"I'm talking about your coronation!" He threw his hands up. "We should celebrate by officially making you Queen! With a proper ceremony and everything!"

The words hit me like a bolt of lightning. "Oh! Oh god, I'm sorry! I didn't realize—" I felt heat rush to my cheeks. "You were trying to surprise me and I just steamrolled right over it, didn't I?"

Evelyn laughed, clearly enjoying my embarrassment. "You know, I'm not usually one for big ceremonies or social events. But Elowen? I have to admit—I'm genuinely looking forward to seeing you in a Queen's crown." She paused, her smile turning sly. "And once you're Queen with all that power and authority, don't forget you owe me a favor. A big one."

I lunged for her, hands reaching to throttle her, but she danced out of reach, still laughing.

Then Frost cleared his throat, his expression turning serious. "Alpha King, about the Queen's appointment... you're planning to do this through the Moon Goddess trial, correct?"

The warmth drained from Kaius's face, replaced by solemn authority. "Yes. Absolutely." His voice was firm. "I'm the Alpha King. I can't just verbally appoint someone Queen like I'm filling some minor administrative position. This isn't something that can be done casually."

He turned to me, his eyes intense. "Elowen, if you're going to become Queen in truth—not just in name—you need to accept the trial. In front of everyone. Under the Moon Goddess's witness."

I felt my enthusiasm deflate slightly. "Wait, hold on. I thought we were talking about a celebration? How did this turn into a trial?" I couldn't keep the complaint out of my voice. "You know I hate trials! I'm so tired of having to prove myself to people, of performing for an audience!"

Kaius's expression softened, and he actually laughed. "Elowen, love—this is literally the least of your worries! You're the White Wolf! Passing the Moon Goddess's trial will be like breathing for you!" He stepped closer, taking my hand. "And listen—when I say 'trial,' I don't mean the kind of torturous ordeal I went through. There's no pain involved, no suffering. It's basically just a formality at this point."

His thumb traced circles on my palm. "I'm not asking you to endure some brutal test. I just want you to receive the Moon Goddess's blessing in front of our people. To let everyone witness and celebrate you officially becoming their Queen."

The tension in my shoulders eased. When he put it that way... "Well, if you're talking about a blessing ceremony rather than some horrible trial, then I suppose I can live with that."

I found myself actually getting excited about the prospect. "So who's going to be there? Who gets invited to something like this?"

Frost jumped in, his eyes lighting up. "Oh, this is going to be massive! For an event this significant, we're talking about everyone who matters in the supernatural world." He started counting on his fingers. "Representatives from the Elder Council, obviously. Delegates from the witch clans. Even the vampire courts are sending someone. Every major pack will send their Alpha." He paused for emphasis. "And of course, the former Alpha King and Queen—Kaius's parents—will be there to give their blessing."

The more he talked, the more I realized just how enormous this was going to be. But when he mentioned Kaius's mother...

My stomach dropped.

I remembered her warning with crystal clarity. How she'd told me that Kaius's father had changed after making her Queen. That he'd been warm and loving before, then turned violent and controlling afterward. That the crown had transformed him into someone she barely recognized.

And now Kaius wanted to crown me Queen.

Was history about to repeat itself?

Kaius must have sensed my sudden tension because his hand found my back, rubbing soothing circles. "Hey. My Queen—don't go down that road." His voice was gentle, knowing. "You're exhausted. Let me take you back to our room, get you settled."

He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to something more intimate, more suggestive. "Besides, we have a lot of... preparation to do before the coronation ceremony." The look he gave me was absolutely wicked.

I pushed away the dark thoughts, forcing myself to smile. "Good. I was hoping we could spend some quality time alone." My own smile turned sharp. "Because I have quite a few debts to collect from you for the way you treated me these past few days."