Alpha's STOLEN Mate Chapter 33

Elowen

The familiar bitter taste of wolfsbane coated my tongue as consciousness slowly returned, dragging me back to a reality I desperately wanted to avoid. My head felt heavy, thoughts moving through thick fog, but the pain wasn't as overwhelming as I'd expected. This time, whoever had dosed me knew exactly what they were doing—enough poison to suppress my abilities without leaving me writhing in agony.

*Small mercies.*

I flexed my fingers experimentally, relieved to find no shackles around my wrists. My body felt weak, drained, but functional. The wolfsbane had settled into my system like a familiar enemy, dulling my supernatural senses but not completely incapacitating me.

Instinctively, I reached for Nyx, trying to connect with my wolf despite knowing it was probably futile. Nothing. The bond that had been my constant companion for years was simply... gone. Severed by chemistry and malice.

I forced myself to sit up slowly, fighting through the dizziness that made the stone walls spin. When my vision cleared, I found myself staring at bars I recognized all too well—the same cell, the same silver-laced prison that had held me before.

*That fucking bastard.*

Rage flared hot and immediate in my chest. Kaius. Of course it was Kaius. The kidnapping on the plane, the professional efficiency of my capture—it all pointed back to my psychotic mate and his complete inability to accept the word 'no.'

I was still processing the full implications of being trapped here again when voices drifted in from the corridor outside. Immediately, I lay back down and closed my eyes, forcing my breathing into the slow, steady rhythm of sleep.

"I still don't understand why she needs this much wolfsbane," one guard was saying, his voice young and uncertain. "I mean, we're in the most secure cells in the castle. The silver alone should keep any wolf contained, no matter how strong."

"That's because you're new here, rookie," came the amused reply from an older, more experienced guard. "You don't understand what we're dealing with. This isn't just any wolf—she's white wolf. You have any idea how destructive that kind of power can be if it's not properly controlled?"

*White wolf.* I almost snorted at their dramatic whispers. If they only knew what I'd really accomplished in the past four years, they'd be shitting their pants.

"No kidding?" The younger guard's voice carried new respect and fear. "A real white wolf? No wonder the Alpha King gave such specific orders. I heard what happened to the last prison captain who took liberties with a prisoner—exiled permanently."

"Exactly. Marcus learned the hard way that you don't fuck with the Alpha King's direct commands." The older guard's voice grew more serious. "But don't worry too much. She won't be waking up anytime soon—not with the dose they put in her water. I'd say we've got until tomorrow morning before she's conscious. We just need to check on her every few hours."

Their footsteps faded as they continued their patrol, leaving me alone with my fury and frustration. Part of me wanted to leap up and show them exactly how wrong they were about my condition, but I forced myself to stay still.

*Use your brain, not your temper.*

The smart play was to rest, to let my body process as much of the wolfsbane as possible while I still had time. Maybe if I was lucky, some of my abilities would return before Kaius decided to make his grand appearance.

Despite my anger, exhaustion pulled at me like a weight. The drugs, the stress, the sheer emotional toll of being captured again—it all combined to drag me toward unconsciousness. I let myself drift, knowing that rest was the only thing that might give me a fighting chance later.

I woke to moonlight streaming through the small barred window set high in the stone wall. Hours had passed—I could tell by the quality of the light and the deep quiet that had settled over the castle. My body felt marginally better, the wolfsbane's grip slightly loosened, though I was still far from normal strength.

That's when I heard it—the soft sound of footsteps approaching through the corridor. But it wasn't the measured tread of guards making their rounds. These steps were different. Purposeful. Familiar.

And then his scent hit me.

Sandalwood and winter pine, mixed with something darker and more complex—power, possession, and an intensity that made my skin prickle with unwanted awareness. My body reacted before my mind could stop it, a subtle shiver running down my spine that had nothing to do with the cold stone beneath me.

*Kaius.*

I kept my breathing steady, my body completely relaxed, even as every nerve ending went on high alert. He was close now—I could feel his presence like electricity in the air, could sense the weight of his attention settling on me like a physical touch.

I waited for him to enter the cell, for the confrontation I'd been both dreading and anticipating. I'd already planned what I'd say, how I'd tear into him for this latest betrayal. Maybe he'd try to force himself on me, try to claim me properly this time. The thought made my skin crawl, but I was ready to fight him with everything I had.

But the footsteps stopped outside my cell.

He didn't come in. He just... stood there.

*What the hell?*

Minutes passed in absolute silence. I could feel him watching me, studying my supposedly sleeping form with an intensity that made my skin burn. The great Alpha King, too much of a coward to face his captive? Or maybe he was smart enough to know I'd try to claw his eyes out the moment I got close enough.

*Probably both.*

His scent continued to fill the space around my cell, growing stronger and more complex. I could detect layers I'd never noticed before—frustration, longing, something that might have been regret. It was intoxicating and infuriating in equal measure.

And that's when my body started betraying me.

The mate bond might be suppressed by wolfsbane, but it wasn't broken. His presence, his scent, the simple fact of his proximity—it was having effects I absolutely did not want to acknowledge. The aches and pains from my capture seemed to fade slightly, as if his nearness provided some kind of biological comfort.

Worse, other parts of my body were responding in ways that made me want to scream with frustration. Heat pooled low in my belly, my skin became hypersensitive, and I had to fight to keep my breathing steady as arousal crept through my system like poison.

*I hate this. I hate him. I hate that I can't control this.*

How was it possible that the same man who'd kidnapped me, imprisoned me, and was probably planning God knows what other violations, could make my body feel safe and wanted just by existing in the same space?

The minutes stretched into what felt like hours. Still he stood there, silent as a statue, just watching. I began to wonder if he'd stay all night, if this was some new form of psychological torture designed to drive me insane.

Finally—finally—I heard movement. His footsteps retreated slowly, reluctantly, and his scent began to fade. Only when I was certain he was gone did I allow myself to release the breath I'd been holding.

*Fuck.*

I rolled onto my side, pressing my face against the thin pillow as emotions warred in my chest. Relief that the confrontation had been postponed. Fury at being trapped like an animal. And underneath it all, a treacherous sense of comfort that made me hate myself.

How had the mate bond become this strong? Four years ago, I'd been able to walk away from him. Now, apparently, just breathing the same air made my body respond like he was some kind of drug.

*I need to get out of here. Soon.*