Alpha's STOLEN Mate Chapter 159

Elowen

My eyes went wide. Then narrowed as fury ignited.

I'd been so focused on playing queen that I'd forgotten what I actually was. The crown had been changing me, diminishing me, making me smaller.

But I didn't speak. I wanted to see how everyone would react. Wanted to see if Kaius would defend me.

The Alphas exchanged glances. Then, one by one:

"She is the kingdom's Queen now. Does she need an additional title?"

"The packs have merged. There's no separate territory to lead—"

"Two Alphas side by side might undermine the King's authority—"

"Historically, we've never had dual Alphas—"

I listened, face neutral while cataloguing every cowardly speaker. Rage simmered beneath my skin.

I turned my attention to Kaius.

His head was bowed, shoulders tense. Was he actually considering this?

Don't you dare.

Then Kaius stood slowly. His face was slightly flushed, expression carefully controlled—not with rage, but with political calculation.

"Mother." His voice was measured, diplomatic. "I appreciate your... concern for tradition. However—" He turned to address the room, not looking at me. "Elowen is my Queen. That should be sufficient."

My stomach dropped. That should be sufficient?

Sera's smile widened. "Of course, darling. I simply think—"

"The matter of titles and territory can be discussed privately," Kaius continued smoothly. "This isn't the appropriate venue for such... domestic arrangements."

Domestic arrangements. The words hit like a slap.

Several Alphas nodded approvingly. "Very diplomatic, Your Majesty."

I stared at Kaius, waiting for him to look at me. To tell me he was just playing politics.

He didn't look at me.

"We should focus on the kingdom's interests," he said carefully. "Elowen has proven her worth as Queen. Let's not diminish that by dwelling on technicalities."

Technicalities. My Alpha status was a technicality?

Aldric cleared his throat. "Perhaps you and your Queen can come to an understanding about roles—"

"Precisely." Kaius nodded. "Thank you all. This meeting is adjourned."

Alphas filed out, some casting sympathetic glances, others looking relieved.

I sat frozen, watching Kaius shuffle papers, still not meeting my eyes.

He hadn't defended me. He'd managed me. Politically maneuvered without actually taking my side.

"Elowen—" He finally looked up, expression blank. "We can discuss this later. In private—"

Then Scarlett's voice crashed through my mind with desperate urgency.

Elowen! I need you! Now! I found something about Evelyn! She's in real danger! This isn't just my paranoia, I have proof! Please, you need to come immediately!

The mindlink hit me like ice water, shocking me out of my spiraling thoughts.

Evelyn. My friend. The one who'd left that terrified psychic imprint on her farewell letter.

And I was here. Sitting in this council chamber. Playing politician. Playing decorative queen. Letting these people debate whether I deserved to keep my own fucking identity—while my friend faced actual, confirmed danger somewhere out there.

Everything crystallized in that moment with brutal, painful clarity.

I'd let Kaius talk me out of going after Evelyn this morning. He'd convinced me to sit through this "important meeting" instead of trusting my instincts, my gut feeling, my psychic impression of her terror. And now here he was, refusing to defend who I actually was because it might be politically inconvenient for him. Because it might undermine his authority. Because tradition said queens should be soft and submissive.

I'd been compromising. Shrinking myself. Becoming someone I didn't recognize—all for a crown that apparently meant I had to stop being me.

All those years fighting to survive, protecting my pack, proving myself—for what? To sit silently in a room while men decided which parts of my identity I was allowed to keep?

Fuck. That.

I stood abruptly, chair scraping.

"Elowen?" Kaius looked concerned. "What—"

"No." My voice came out cold. "I'm done."

Sera stirred. "My dear, if you need time—"

"I don't need time." I faced them all. "Let me be clear. I am an Alpha. I was an Alpha before I was Queen, and I will be an Alpha after. That's not negotiable. Not up for discussion. Not a 'domestic arrangement' to decide in private."

Kaius's eyes widened. "Elowen, that's not what I meant—"

"Isn't it?" I cut him off. "Because you just told this council my identity is a technicality we can smooth over later. That being your Queen should be 'sufficient.'"

"I was deflecting my mother's attack—"

"By throwing me under the diplomatic bus!" My voice rose. "You didn't defend me. You managed the situation."

I stepped toward the door. "And while I was here being managed, being told to focus on 'kingdom interests'—my friend, who I knew was in danger, who I tried to go after—she's out there facing God knows what. Because you convinced me I was paranoid."

Guilt flashed across his face. "Scarlett contacted you—"

"Yes. And I should have listened to myself." I met his eyes. "I'm going to save my friend. And when I get back, we're having a serious conversation about what kind of Queen you want."

I started toward the door, then paused. "Because if being your Queen means I stop being an Alpha—if it means ignoring my instincts, abandoning my friends, letting others define me—then I don't want the fucking crown."