Alpha's STOLEN Mate Chapter 34

Elowen

Dawn light filtered through the narrow window as I stretched my limbs experimentally, relief flooding through me. The crushing exhaustion that had weighed me down yesterday was finally gone, replaced by something closer to my normal vitality.

When I tried to sense my body again, I found my abilities were still suppressed. But my wolf seemed to have recovered a little vitality—sleeping, yes, but at least I could feel her presence now.

I sat up slowly, every instinct screaming that today would be different. Yesterday's eerie silence, the way Kaius had stood outside my cell like some twisted sentinel—that had been the calm before the storm.

*He's coming. I can feel it.*

Even before the distant squeal of hinges announced someone's approach, his scent hit me like a physical blow. Sandalwood and winter pine, but this time carrying an emotional undertone that made my stomach clench with dread. Where yesterday's presence had been watchful, uncertain, today's carried pure dominance. Authority. The absolute conviction of someone who'd made his decision and wouldn't be deterred.

*Shit. He's done playing games.*

I stood slowly, forcing my spine straight despite the weakness in my limbs. Whatever he had planned, I wouldn't face it cowering on the floor like a broken wolf. My eyes fixed on the corridor beyond the bars, every muscle in my body coiled for whatever was coming.

The sound of his footsteps echoed off stone walls—measured, deliberate, approaching with the confidence of a predator who knew his prey was trapped. Behind him came the heavier tread of guards, their presence a reminder that I was outnumbered and completely at his mercy.

*Bring it on, you bastard.*

Kaius appeared first, his imposing frame filling the doorway as storm-gray eyes swept over me with calculating intensity. He looked immaculate despite the early hour—dark shirt that emphasized the breadth of his shoulders, every line of his body radiating lethal authority. The sight of him sent unwanted heat spiraling through my core, my traitorous body responding despite my conscious revulsion.

Behind him, two guards moved to follow him into the cellblock, but Kaius turned with fluid grace, fixing them with a stare that could have frozen blood.

"Tell Frost," he said, his voice carrying the deadly quiet that made seasoned warriors step back, "that regardless of what happens here, he is not to enter this area. That's a direct order from your Alpha King."

The guards nodded hastily and retreated, their footsteps fading as they carried his message deeper into the castle. The finality of their departure sent ice through my veins.

*Why doesn't he want Frost here? What the hell is he planning?*

My mind immediately conjured the worst possibilities. Without witnesses, without his more reasonable beta to moderate his actions, what was to stop him from doing whatever he wanted?

*Fuck. This is really bad.*

Kaius produced an ornate key from his pocket, the metal catching the dim light as he unlocked my cell. The door swung open with a soft creak that sounded like a death knell in the sudden silence.

He stepped inside with casual arrogance, his presence immediately making the small space feel suffocating. Without breaking eye contact, he dragged the single wooden chair from the corner and positioned it directly in front of where I stood.

"Sit," he commanded, his tone carrying just enough Alpha authority to make my knees want to buckle.

I lifted my chin defiantly. "I'm fine standing."

His smile was sharp as a blade. "I wasn't asking."

Before I could react, his hands were on my shoulders, pressing me down into the chair with irresistible force. The contact sent electricity racing across my skin, my body betraying me with its immediate response to his touch.

"I don't want this to become difficult," he said conversationally, settling into a crouch that brought us to eye level. "And I'm sure you don't either. Especially considering your abilities are completely suppressed right now. I don't see how pointless resistance would serve you."

Rage flared hot and immediate in my chest. I leaned forward until we were inches apart, letting him see every ounce of hatred burning in my eyes.

"I don't need any white wolf abilities to tear your throat out with my teeth," I snarled, my voice carrying the promise of violence. "Want to test that theory?"

His laugh was rich and genuinely amused. "There we go," he said with obvious satisfaction. "You're finally admitting what you are instead of playing innocent victim. That's progress, little wolf."

He leaned back slightly, those penetrating gray eyes studying my face with renewed interest. "Though I have to wonder—why didn't you just tell me the truth from the beginning? Did you really think forcing me to discover everything myself would work in your favor?"

I turned my face away sharply, refusing to give him the satisfaction of an answer.

*Here we go again. Another round of his twisted interrogation.*

Kaius's hand caught my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. His grip was firm but not painful—yet. "Don't make me resort to colder methods of persuasion," he warned softly.

The threat in his tone made me go still despite every instinct screaming at me to fight. Whatever "colder methods" meant, I had a feeling I didn't want to find out.

"Good," he murmured, apparently taking my stillness as compliance. "Now, let's start with what I know. You're a white wolf—the rarest bloodline in existence. You lead your own pack, hidden somewhere in those enchanted forests. You work among humans to fund your operations."

*Stalking bastard. How much does he actually know?*

My expression must have revealed my thoughts because his smile turned predatory. "Yes, I've been watching you. Learning about the life you built while running from me." His voice dropped to something almost intimate. "Your little human business dealings, your... friendships with ambitious men who seem quite taken with you."

The way he said 'friendships' made my blood run cold. He knew about Cassius.

He leaned closer until his breath ghosted across my ear. "Yes, I know all about that pathetic fucking human Cassius. We'll deal with him later. But right now, what I'm dying to know is what the hell you've become these past four years. Your pack, lurking in the shadows of our world—tell me about it. Your purpose, everything you've built, everything you've accomplished."

I couldn't help it—I started laughing. The sound bubbled up from my chest, bitter and mocking, echoing off the stone walls.

"Again?" I said, shaking my head in disbelief. "I'm so fucking tired of these pointless questions! You want answers? Fine!" My voice gained edge with each word. "Keep stalking me! Keep investigating every corner of my life! Find out everything about my wolves, my history, my secrets! But don't you dare expect me to tell you a goddamn thing!"

Kaius went very still, his expression freezing into something dangerous. He stood slowly, turning his back to me as silence stretched between us like a taut wire.

When he spoke again, his voice carried a strange quality—part threat, part desperate plea.

"Just tell me everything," he said quietly. "The complete truth about what you've done, who you've helped, what your pack represents. I don't care what choices you've made or who you've allied yourself with." His shoulders tensed. "I only want to know about you. All of you."

He turned back to face me, and something in his eyes made my breath catch. "If you tell me the truth—the real truth—you can leave this cell immediately."

Despite myself, I felt a flicker of hope. His words carried the ring of sincerity, the weight of an actual promise. But my survival instincts were screaming warnings.

"Leave this cell," I repeated slowly. "Or leave this pack?"