Alpha's STOLEN Mate Chapter 148

Elowen

Today was the day.

Coronation ceremony. Coronation trial. And somehow, despite all the preparation, no one would tell me what the actual trial involved.

I'd tried asking Faelan yesterday—practically cornered the poor Chief Elder in his study.

"Just give me a hint," I'd pressed. "What am I walking into?"

He'd pushed his spectacles up nervously, that awkward smile plastered on his face. "I... I really shouldn't..."

"Faelan." I'd leaned in conspiratorially. "If you tell me the specifics of the trial, I'll tell you about Evelyn's romantic history."

His eyes had gone wide behind those lenses. "Her... her romantic history?"

"Oh yes. All the juicy details. She claims there were three serious relationships, but..." I'd let the sentence dangle temptingly.

"There were more?" He'd looked like a man dying of thirst being offered water.

"So many more," I'd promised. "But only if you tell me what I'm facing tomorrow."

I'd watched him wage an internal war—scholarly integrity versus burning curiosity. For a moment, I thought I had him. His mouth had opened, words forming—

But then he'd deflated. "I... I can only say this much: it's the simplest trial... and also the most difficult."

The memory still irritated me as I stared at my reflection in the mirror.

"Simplest and most difficult?" I muttered to myself. "What kind of cryptic nonsense is that, Faelan? I saw how badly you wanted that information! You were practically salivating! And you still wouldn't tell me?"

I tugged at my dress, smoothing imaginary wrinkles. What if this was all some elaborate trap? What if—

The door opened, and Kaius walked in.

He stopped dead when he saw me, his eyes widening. For several long seconds, he just stared, not even pretending to hide his reaction.

"Well?" I prompted. "Are you going to say something, or just stand there gaping?"

"You're actually wearing that?" His voice held a note of teasing concern.

I grabbed the skirt and did a playful spin. "Well, do you have something more beautiful in that closet of yours? Because I certainly didn't find anything better."

"No," he admitted, moving closer. "Nothing more beautiful. But..." His smile turned mischievous. "If you show up in something this extravagant—this bridal—and somehow don't pass the trial..."

I whirled on him, eyes flashing. "Excuse me? What did you just say?"

"I'm just saying, if you fail—"

"You told me it was basically a formality! That I'd pass easily!" My voice rose with each word. "You said it was simple!"

Kaius burst out laughing. He moved behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me against his chest. "I'm joking! God, you're so easy to rile up!"

"That's not funny!"

"It's a little funny." He pressed a kiss to my temple. "My queen, this dress will make every other person in that clearing fade into insignificance. Even the Moon Goddess herself will be jealous of how stunning you look." His voice softened. "There's no way you won't pass. It's impossible."

I tried to stay angry, but his embrace was making it difficult. "You still haven't told me what the trial actually is! And I'm not going if you don't—"

"It really is simple!" He tightened his hold when I tried to pull away. "The simplest thing in the world!"

That phrase again—'the simplest.' Just like Faelan had said. Which meant the 'most difficult' part was probably also true.

"But if it's so simple, why can't you just tell me?"

Kaius sighed against my hair. "Because that would be cheating. You know the rules—if I explain it beforehand, it negates the trial's power. We wolves revere the Moon Goddess above all else. She doesn't tolerate cheating, and neither should we."

I huffed, crossing my arms. "Fine. But we're only a few hours away from this thing. When I find out what it really is, if it's anything like what you claimed, I'm going to kill you."

"I'll take that risk." He kissed my cheek, then stepped back. "I need to go prepare. Frost will come get you when it's time to head to the Lunar Sanctuary."

"The what now?"

"The sacred grounds where we perform Moon Goddess rituals. You'll love it—very atmospheric." He winked. "Don't worry so much. I'll see you there."

Then he was gone, leaving me alone with my spiraling thoughts.

---

Time crawled by with agonizing slowness.

I tried to distract myself—read a book, practice some breathing exercises, check my appearance in the mirror for the hundredth time. Nothing worked. My mind kept circling back to the trial, imagining increasingly ridiculous scenarios.

What if I had to fight someone? What if I had to solve some impossible riddle? What if—

A soft knock interrupted my catastrophizing.

"Come in," I called, my voice shakier than I wanted.

Frost entered, looking impeccable as always in his formal attire. He offered me an elegant bow. "My Queen. It's time. Are you ready?"

I let out a slightly hysterical laugh. "Ready? Frost, do I look ready to you? Look at this!" I gestured to my forehead. "I'm sweating! I've faced down enemies that could tear me apart with their bare hands. I've survived torture, betrayal, magical corruption—but this? This stupid ceremony has me more terrified than anything!"

I started pacing, my words tumbling out faster. "I'd rather fight a grizzly bear! Seriously! Put me in a ring with a massive bear, don't even let me shift, and I'd feel more confident than I do right now!"

Frost's expression softened. He pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and approached me slowly, like one might approach a spooked horse.

"Hold still," he murmured, gently dabbing at my forehead. "While I would pay good money to watch you box a bear, I'm afraid tonight's entertainment will be rather different."

His voice was so calm, so steady, that I felt some of my panic begin to recede.

"But," he continued, "whatever happens, I want you to be prepared for anything."

I grabbed his hand, stopping his ministrations. My grip was probably too tight, but I couldn't help it. "Frost, if I fail—if I embarrass myself in front of everyone—I need you and Scarlett to help me leave. Immediately. Because I won't be able to stay in this pack after that. I'll never live it down."

I expected him to laugh it off, to tell me I was being ridiculous, to offer some platitude about how everything would be fine.

Instead, his expression became deadly serious.

"If it comes to that," he said quietly, "if things become truly unbearable—I'll follow you anywhere. No matter where you choose to go."

The conviction in his voice hit me like a physical thing. This wasn't just lip service or empty comfort. He meant it. Completely.

For a moment, I couldn't speak. Faelan's words echoed in my mind: *the simplest... and the most difficult.*

I was starting to understand what he might have meant by 'difficult.'

But Frost's unwavering loyalty, his absolute certainty—that helped. More than any reassurance about the trial itself could have.

I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders, and managed a genuine smile. "Okay. Right then." I released his hand and smoothed down my dress one final time. "Let's go show them what a Queen looks like."