Alpha's STOLEN Mate Chapter 166

Kaius

Three days since Elowen left. Three days of silence.

I stared at the documents on my desk—border disputes, trade agreements, territorial proposals—and couldn't focus on a single word. My hand moved to the mate bond again, reaching out through that connection that should have been constant and warm.

Nothing. Just that same impenetrable wall.

*She's blocking me. Still angry about the council meeting.*

But a darker thought whispered beneath my rationalization: *What if it's not anger? What if something's wrong?*

"You're going to wear a hole in that bond if you keep prodding it."

I looked up to find Frost standing in my doorway, arms crossed, his expression somewhere between concern and accusation.

"I'm fine," I said automatically.

"You're a terrible liar." Frost closed the door behind him and dropped into the chair across from my desk. "You've been trying to reach her every hour. I can feel the magical pulses from here."

I set down my quill carefully, trying to maintain composure. "She went to vampire territory, Frost. Ashenvale. With only Scarlett for backup. To confront a vampire lord over a missing friend." My voice remained level, but my hands clenched. "That's not exactly a casual social visit."

"Then why didn't you go with her?"

The question—the accusation beneath it—hit like a physical blow.

"The northern border situation required immediate attention. We had reports of—"

"Of minor territorial disputes that any competent Beta could have handled." Frost leaned forward, his usual easy demeanor replaced by something harder. "You let her leave angry. You let her go into danger alone. Because you were too busy playing politics."

"I had responsibilities—"

"To her!" Frost's voice rose. "Your mate. Your Queen. She should have been your first priority, not your last!"

I stood abruptly, my chair scraping back. "You think I don't know that? You think I haven't been—" I stopped, forcing my breathing steady. "The mate bond is blocked. She's the one refusing contact."

"Or she can't respond." Frost's words fell like stones into still water. "Have you considered that?"

Ice flooded my veins. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that Elowen might be strong-willed and stubborn, but she's not petty. If she could reach you, she would. Even if just to yell at you." Frost stood, his expression grim. "Three days of complete silence isn't anger, Kaius. It's something worse."

My control finally cracked. "Then what do you suggest I do? Storm into vampire territory and risk starting a war? Abandon my kingdom because my mate is upset with me?"

"I suggest you stop making excuses and go find your Queen before you lose her permanently."

The words hung in the air between us. Before I could respond, Frost turned and walked out, leaving me alone with my churning thoughts and growing dread.

*He's right. Something's wrong. I need to go—*

"Going somewhere, darling?"

My mother's voice froze me mid-step. Sera stood in the doorway Frost had just vacated, her veiled face tilted in that knowing way that had always unnerved me.

"Mother. I don't have time for—"

"For what? For your mother's wisdom?" She glided into the room with that unnatural grace she'd always possessed. "I know what you're thinking. You want to run after that wolf girl. Chase her down like some lovesick pup."

"Elowen is my mate. My Queen. If she's in danger—"

"If she's in danger, it's of her own making." Sera's voice hardened. "She chose to leave. Chose to run off into hostile territory without permission, without planning, without regard for her duties as Queen. And now you want to reward that behavior by abandoning your kingdom to rescue her?"

"She's not—" I took a breath, trying to remain calm. "She had reason to be upset. The council meeting—"

"Where you humiliated yourself for her benefit?" Sera's laugh was cold. "Yes, I was there. I watched you prostrate yourself at her feet. Kneel before her like she was the superior. It was disgusting."

Heat flared in my chest—anger mixing with something darker. "I showed her respect. Showed that I value her as an equal—"

"You showed weakness!" Sera moved closer, her voice dropping to something intimate and poisonous. "You were supposed to be training her. Tempering her wild nature. Instead, you encourage her defiance. Let her keep her Alpha title. Allow her to challenge your authority. And look where it's led—she runs away at the first sign of discipline!"

"She didn't run away. She went to help a friend—"

"Without your permission! Without consulting you! She does whatever she pleases, and you simply... allow it." Sera's hand reached out, touching my arm. "Don't you see what's happening, Kaius? Your father and I warned you about this. About your bloodline. About what happens when you lose control."