Alpha's STOLEN Mate Chapter 151

Kaius

I watched Elowen's face as the weight of the moment pressed down on her. Her expression shifted—confusion, anger, resignation—each emotion flickering across her features in rapid succession.

Below us, Scarlett had tensed like a coiled spring, ready to storm the platform and pull Elowen away. But Elowen shook her head slightly. She wouldn't run. That wasn't who she was.

Evelyn's voice cut through the murmuring crowd: "Elowen! Don't overthink this! It doesn't mean anything—nothing at all! Just pretend you tripped! Then after tonight, we'll abolish this stupid law together!"

I saw Elowen's lips moving, repeating the words under her breath like a mantra. "Just tripping. Just falling. Fuck... it's nothing. Just an accident..."

But her eyes told a different story. This wasn't nothing to her.

She began walking toward me—each step uncertain, wavering. I could hear her muttering with every footfall: "Whoever invented this ritual was a complete idiot... one gesture means nothing... you want a show? Fine. I'll give you a show..."

My chest tightened. I'd known. Of course I'd known this was the truly difficult part of the coronation—the part that Faelan couldn't bring himself to explain. Most people never brought it up, choosing to let the tradition fade into obscurity. But then Ronan had to appear, dragging this archaic humiliation into the light.

Elowen reached me and stood there, her head bowed. Then her hand shot out and grabbed my arm—hard. Her nails dug into my skin through the fabric, the pain sharp and immediate. I didn't make a sound. She needed this outlet for her fury, and I would give it to her.

"Kaius." Her voice was low, venomous. "You owe me for this. You owe me *everything* for this."

She took a shaky breath. "I'm about to perform my 'accident' now. My little 'trip.' But don't you dare—don't you fucking dare—think this means anything!"

Hearing her like this—my fierce, legendary Queen reduced to performing some degrading pantomime—ignited something savage in my chest.

*No.*

If I let this happen, what did that make me? What kind of King—what kind of mate—allowed the woman he loved to humiliate herself because of some ancient, misogynistic tradition?

*Fuck that.*

As Elowen began to kneel, as her body started lowering toward the ground, I moved.

My hand shot out and caught her, pulling her upright with perhaps more force than necessary.

The crowd gasped—a collective intake of breath that echoed across the sanctuary.

"Alpha King!" Ronan's voice cracked like a whip. "Do not interfere with the sacred ritual!"

I turned to him, and the look I gave him must have conveyed exactly how close he was to death. "Fuck your traditions."

Then I dropped to one knee before Elowen.

She made a small, shocked sound, her hand flying to cover her mouth.

I took her hand in both of mine, bringing it to my lips for a gentle kiss. "My Queen," I said clearly, my voice carrying to every corner of the sanctuary. "You will never—*never*—do something you hate for my sake. Not today. Not ever."

Before anyone could react, before Ronan could protest or the crowd could process what was happening, I moved again.

I prostrated myself fully—forehead pressed to the ground at Elowen's feet, arms extended in the traditional gesture of complete submission. I held the position for a long moment, letting everyone see, letting them understand exactly what I was doing.

Then I rose smoothly, dirt from the ground still visible on my forehead like a badge of honor.

"There." I brushed off my clothes with deliberate casualness. "I've completed the ritual on the Queen's behalf. Consider it my declaration of love—and of our equality." My gaze swept across the audience, settling on Ronan last. "If anyone has something to say about it, speak now. Because whoever dares to obstruct my Queen's coronation will die on this platform. And I'll make sure that law gets written into the new codes by morning."

Silence. Absolute, perfect silence.

Ronan's mouth worked soundlessly. For the first time since I'd met him, the old man seemed genuinely at a loss for words.

I looked to my parents. My father's expression was unreadable, my mother's shocked. But after a long moment—under the weight of my unwavering stare—they both nodded slowly.

Then, like a dam breaking, the sanctuary erupted in cheers.

"LONG LIVE THE KING AND QUEEN!"

"TRUE LOVE!"

"BLESSED BY THE MOON GODDESS!"

I turned to Elowen and extended my hand. She took it, and together we walked to the twin thrones. I helped her settle into the moonstone seat before taking my place on the obsidian throne beside her.

Our fingers intertwined between the two seats.

Elowen looked at me with an expression I'd never quite seen before—shock mixed with joy, disbelief mixed with love. Her smile was radiant.

I smiled back, satisfaction warming my chest. *Good. Finally managed to surprise you in a way that makes you happy instead of furious.*

---

The celebration that followed was magnificent.

Flower petals rained down from above as servants set up tables around the pool. The formal coronation had transformed into a grand feast. Music, laughter, and the sounds of celebration filled the night air.

Elowen and I changed into fresh clothing—something more suitable for mingling and less waterlogged. I kept my arm around her waist as we made our rounds, moving from table to table.

We discussed politics with various Alphas, debated trade agreements, and deflected attempts to forge new alliances. Then we found our friends—Frost, Scarlett, and Evelyn—and the conversation turned lighter, the wine flowing freely.

Eventually, we reached the VIP section where the most important guests sat.

Ronan stood immediately, raising his glass. His pleasant mask was firmly back in place.

"Alpha King." His tone was respectful, almost apologetic. "I must confess—I never imagined the depth of your devotion to the Queen. Such love renders our traditional rituals... obsolete, perhaps." He dipped his head. "I was wrong to press the matter. Please accept this drink as my apology."

He downed his wine in one smooth motion.

I studied him carefully. The old man's face betrayed nothing—no anger, no resentment, just that same affable expression. But his eyes... his eyes held something else entirely.

Still, I couldn't cause a scene. Not now, not here.

"Apology accepted, Elder Ronan." I kept my voice pleasant. "Though I do hope you'll be leaving early tomorrow morning. I'm sure you're eager to return home."

The dismissal was clear. Ronan's smile tightened fractionally—a crack in his mask—but he nodded and sat back down without another word.

Next was Zane, the vampire. He rose with predatory grace, his green eyes glowing with amusement as he addressed Elowen.

"Queen Elowen, I must admit—I had my doubts about your King." His voice was smooth as silk. "But watching him prostrate himself at your feet? That shattered every preconception I had." He paused, his smile turning sharp. "Still, should you ever tire of this Queen business—as I mentioned earlier—the vampire courts remain open to you. Do remember that offer."

I felt my jaw tighten, but Elowen just laughed—easy and unbothered.

"I'll keep it in mind, Zane!" She clinked her glass against his playfully. "And you should know—I have a witch friend who's absolutely fascinated by vampires. Maybe I'll bring her along when I visit!"

"Oh?" A woman's voice—elegant and warm—joined the conversation. "Would that be my daughter Evelyn, by any chance?"

Arabella, the Arch-Witch, smiled knowingly. "She's always been drawn to dangerous creatures. Though I haven't seen her in nearly a decade, I imagine she hasn't changed much in that regard."

Elowen's face went blank with shock. "Wait—you're her *mother*?!"