Alpha's STOLEN Mate Chapter 36

Kaius

I stared down at Elowen's unconscious form, fury and something dangerously close to regret warring in my chest. Her face had finally relaxed from that stubborn defiance into peaceful sleep, but even unconscious, there was something unbreakable about her that made my wolf pace restlessly.

*She resisted my Alpha aura. Even drugged with wolfsbane, even weakened, she still fought me.*

The thought should have impressed me. Instead, it filled me with frustrated rage. I hadn't wanted to hurt her—had tried every other method to get answers. But her complete refusal to cooperate had left me no choice.

*Why is she so fucking protective of that pack? Does she really see me as some kind of tyrant who'd destroy everything she's built?*

I shook my head, pushing away the uncomfortable implications. It didn't matter what she thought of me—what mattered was getting the truth.

Unconsciously, I gathered her limp form into my arms, her body fitting against my chest with maddening perfection. Even unconscious, her scent wrapped around me like a drug, making my control slip dangerously.

I carried her out of the dungeons, taking the stone steps two at a time. She couldn't stay in that silver-lined hell. Not when she looked so fragile, so broken from our battle of wills.

As I reached the main level, a familiar blue-haired figure stepped into my path. Frost stood blocking the corridor, his usually composed expression tight with disapproval.

His gaze fell on Elowen's unconscious face, taking in her stubborn mouth that even in sleep carried traces of defiance.

"I see your methods are as effective as ever," he said coldly, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "She's truly the picture of a submissive queen."

I felt my jaw clench. Frost was angry with me—had every right to be, considering how I'd deceived him into returning from his surveillance mission and then banned him from interfering with my interrogation.

"Don't worry," I said evenly. "She just passed out from resisting my Alpha aura. She'll be fine."

Frost's expression grew more sardonic. "How remarkable. I thought white wolves were supposed to have extraordinary abilities." His tone turned cutting. "But perhaps it's simply that her hatred for you runs so deep she'd rather lose consciousness than submit."

Irritation flared hot in my chest. "Enough! Remember your place, beta."

Frost's head dipped slightly in acknowledgment, but his voice remained steady. "I think you should take her to your chambers. Have the physician examine her properly."

I let out a harsh laugh. "Before she learns to show proper respect, I'm not giving her such privileges."

"What the fuck, Kaius!" Frost exploded, his composure finally cracking. "This is your mate, not your prisoner!"

My eyes narrowed dangerously. "She's my mate precisely because she needs to understand that fact. Until she accepts her place, she'll be treated accordingly."

Without another word, I strode past him, carrying Elowen deeper into the castle.

---

The room I'd chosen was in the middle levels—technically still a prison, but a comfortable one. A proper bed with warm blankets, basic furniture, even a small window. I laid her down carefully, watching as her breathing evened out into natural sleep.

*Much better. She looks almost peaceful.*

I sat on the edge of the bed, unable to resist reaching out to cup her face. Her skin was soft beneath my palm, and I couldn't stop my other hand from tracing the curve of her waist. My wolf stirred restlessly, torn between possessive satisfaction and frustrated hunger.

*Patience,* I told myself firmly. *She'll come around eventually.*

Before leaving, I stationed Gamma Cross outside her door.

"Sir," Cross said hesitantly, "I do have other pressing duties to attend to—"

"Right now, guarding her is your most important task," I cut him off sharply. "Don't engage in any conflicts with her, just ensure she stays in this room. If anything happens—anything at all—report to me immediately."

Cross nodded reluctantly, and I headed back to my office.

---

Work was impossible. Every time I tried to focus on territorial reports or military assessments, my mind drifted to Elowen. How to approach her next time without triggering another confrontation. How to make her understand that I wasn't her enemy.

By evening, Cross's subordinate arrived with the first report: "Alpha King, the prisoner is refusing all food."

*Fuck. What game is she playing now?*

But even as annoyance flared, another part of me reasoned that hunger would eventually win. She couldn't starve herself indefinitely.

I tried to return to my paperwork, but my concentration was shot. Images kept flashing through my mind—Elowen sitting alone in that room, deliberately weakening herself out of spite.

*Just eat, damn you.*

Half an hour later, the guard returned with worse news: "Sir, she's now refusing water as well."

My control snapped completely. I shot to my feet, fury overwhelming every rational thought.

*She's trying to kill herself rather than submit to me.*

I stormed through the corridors toward her room, my wolf snarling with protective rage.

---

The door was already open when I arrived, as if she'd been expecting me. Elowen sat in the chair with her back to the entrance, a bowl of untouched food on the table beside her. She knew I was there but refused to acknowledge my presence.

"Why aren't you eating?" I demanded.

Silence.

My patience evaporated. "Turn around and answer me, or I'll use my Alpha aura again!"

I saw her shoulders tense slightly before she slowly turned to face me. Her amber eyes burned with defiant hatred, but there was something fragile beneath the surface that made my chest tighten unexpectedly.

"Now pick up that bowl and fucking eat!"

For a moment, I thought she would obey. Her hand moved toward the food, lifting the spoon with careful deliberation. Relief flooded through me.

*Finally. She's being reasonable.*

Then the bowl exploded toward my head with vicious force.

"I'd rather die than eat!" she snarled.

I barely ducked in time, the ceramic shattering against the stone wall behind me with a crash that echoed like gunfire. Food splattered everywhere, and her open rebellion sent fury exploding through my system like molten metal.

In two strides, I was across the room, slamming the door shut with enough force to rattle the frame. The sound reverberated through the small space like a death knell.

My hands shot out, capturing her wrists in an iron grip while my other hand seized her chin, forcing her to meet my gaze. She fought like a wildcat, twisting and struggling against my hold, but I was far stronger.

"Look at me!" I roared.

She finally stopped struggling and glared at me with pure, undiluted venom. The hatred in her amber eyes was so intense it was almost physical.

"You pull something like that again," I said softly, my voice dropping to a deadly whisper that made her go very still, "and you will learn exactly what happens when you test my patience. I promise you that."

Her laugh was bitter and reckless, like she was daring fate itself. "What's the matter? The big, bad Alpha King can't handle one moody mate? Who knows what I'll do next—maybe I'll set the room on fire!"

"At least you're finally admitting you're my mate," I growled, my grip tightening on her chin. "I want you to remember that. You. Are. Mine."

"Yours?" she spat, her voice rising with indignation. "What do we have besides sharing some memories I'd rather forget? I'm never going to be yours! You'd better just give up and—"

Something inside me snapped at her continued defiance. Before she could finish that poisonous rejection, I crashed my mouth against hers with bruising force, one hand tangling ruthlessly in her hair while the other roamed her body with possessive hunger.

She tried to fight me at first, her fury making her struggle violently against my grip, her teeth threatening to bite. But I held her fast, claiming her mouth with relentless intensity until I felt the exact moment her anger began to dissolve under my assault.

Her body betrayed her conscious resistance—soft whimpers escaping as I devoured every inch of her mouth, her pulse racing beneath my palm, her breath becoming ragged with unwilling arousal.

When I finally pulled back, we were both breathing hard, the air between us electric with tension. I stared down at her flushed face, dark satisfaction curling through me at her obvious response.

"So that's what kissing you feels like," I murmured, my voice rough with desire and triumph. "Hot. Wild. Intoxicating. Makes me want to do so much more than just kiss you."

I could see shame and confusion warring with her lingering anger, and it only made my possessive instincts burn hotter.

"Now," I said, my tone turning ice-cold and absolutely authoritative, "you're going to eat. And drink. Every last bite."

Before she could mount another rebellion, I leaned close enough that my breath ghosted across her ear, my voice dropping to a whisper that carried the weight of absolute certainty.

"Because if you don't," I promised with deadly calm, "I'll drag you into the great hall and mark you publicly. In front of every member of this pack. Make sure everyone knows exactly who you belong to, while you're helpless to stop me."

Her eyes widened with shock and outrage, her face going pale as the full implications hit her. Public marking wasn't just claiming—it was complete humiliation, stripping away every shred of independence and dignity.

I released her and stepped back, watching with grim satisfaction as she processed my ultimatum, her hands unconsciously moving to her throat.

"Prepare fresh food for her," I told the guard waiting outside, my voice carrying absolute authority. "She's suddenly developed quite an appetite."