Alpha's STOLEN Mate Chapter 38

Elowen

I woke before dawn, my mind immediately focused on one thing: escape. The familiar weight of determination settled in my chest as I mentally catalogued my options. Should I wait for the perfect opportunity to slip away unnoticed? Or make a bold dash for freedom while I still had the element of surprise?

*Even if I'm not at full strength, once I'm outside this massive castle, I can use the wind to carry me home.*

But if a direct confrontation failed, I'd probably never see anything more comfortable than a dungeon cell again. The risk was enormous.

*Think, Elowen. You need the perfect—*

The door burst open without warning, and three imposing figures filled the doorway. Kaius stood in the center, flanked by Frost and Cross, their combined presence making the room feel suddenly cramped.

My heart hammered against my ribs, but I forced myself to appear calm. "Well, well," I said with mock cheerfulness, "what's the special occasion? Does it really take three grown men to handle one defenseless woman?"

All three looked slightly uncomfortable at my jab, but Kaius's expression quickly shifted to something that made my blood run cold—pure, predatory delight.

"You're absolutely right," he said, his voice carrying the satisfaction of a hunter who'd cornered his prey. "Today will be the day I claim you completely. After that, I'll announce you as my queen to the entire pack."

He gestured casually to Frost. "Bring in her breakfast."

Frost's face showed a flicker of what looked like guilt, but he nodded encouragingly in my direction before moving to comply. The small gesture of support was both comforting and terrifying—if even Frost wasn't going to help me escape this fate...

I stared at him in disbelief, waiting for the punchline. Surely he couldn't be serious. I forced a bright smile, my voice dripping with false sweetness.

"You're joking, right?" I said, tilting my head with exaggerated confusion. "Because that's the funniest thing I've heard all week."

But Kaius's expression remained deadly serious, his storm-gray eyes burning with absolute conviction. The smile slowly died on my lips as the horrifying reality sank in.

*He's not fucking joking.*

Fury exploded through my system like molten metal. I shot to my feet, ready to hurl the breakfast tray at his arrogant head, but something made me pause. The way all three alphas tensed, their bodies coiled for action, told me everything I needed to know.

*Fuck. They came prepared for a fight. That's why there are three of them.*

I slowly settled back into my chair, swallowing my rage with visible effort. Fighting them head-on would be suicide, and I was smarter than that.

Besides, I reasoned, how could I stage an effective rebellion on an empty stomach?

I shot all three men a look dripping with sarcasm before attacking my breakfast with deliberate aggression, wolfing down every bite with exaggerated enthusiasm. The way they watched me—like I might vanish into thin air at any moment—was both flattering and deeply annoying.

When I finished, I shoved the empty plate away with unnecessary force. "There. Happy? I'm just a poor, fragile prisoner—what exactly are you three big, strong men so terrified of?"

Kaius moved closer, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from his body. He inhaled deeply, and I saw something shift in his expression.

"Not lie to me. You've recovered considerably," he observed, his voice carrying new appreciation. "Your scent is much stronger now." Then his nose wrinkled slightly. "Though you do smell rather... unpleasant."

*What the fuck?* Heat flooded my cheeks. *Of course I smell bad! You've been keeping me prisoner without proper bathing facilities!*

But then inspiration struck. Maybe I could use this to my advantage.

"This room doesn't have a bathroom," I said, standing with as much dignity as I could muster. "I need to bathe."

Cross immediately shook his head. "You can endure one more night. Tomorrow, after the Alpha has properly claimed you, you'll have access to whatever facilities you need."

Kaius nodded in agreement, but I caught Frost hiding a smile.

I turned pleading eyes toward the beta, hoping he might be my salvation.

"Alpha," Frost said smoothly, "surely you don't want your queen reeking of dungeon when you mark her?"

I watched Kaius waver, clearly torn between maintaining control and his obvious distaste for my current state.

"Besides," I added with a razor-sharp smile, "surely the strongest members of your pack aren't cowering in fear of me trying to escape? That would be rather... embarrassing for your reputations."

Kaius's eyes flashed dangerously. "Fear? Who said anything about fear?" He gestured sharply toward the door. "Fine. Come on. Let's get this over with."

Despite his bravado, the journey to the bathing facilities still required all three men as escorts. I walked between them, acutely aware that any sudden movement would trigger an immediate response. Pack members we passed stared with obvious curiosity until Kaius's murderous glare sent them scurrying away.

As we walked, I realized the castle was far larger than I'd imagined. We traversed corridor after corridor, climbing staircases I'd never seen before, until we reached a level that took my breath away.

*This isn't a castle. It's a palace.*

The entire floor was a masterpiece of luxury—soaring ceilings, intricate tapestries, marble floors polished to mirror brightness. Everything screamed of wealth and power beyond imagination.

"This level is designed for the king and queen," Frost explained, noting my stunned expression. "Since there's never been a queen, Kaius has never used these chambers."

We stopped at massive double doors that opened to reveal a room that belonged in fairy tales. The bedchamber was enormous, dominated by a bed that could have accommodated six people comfortably. Rich burgundy and gold fabrics draped every surface, while crystals suspended from the ceiling cast rainbow patterns across the walls.

But more striking than the visual splendor was the scent that hit me like a physical force. Something in the air made my skin tingle, made my wolf stir restlessly, made every nerve ending come alive with unwanted awareness.

*What the hell is that smell?*

Frost was watching me with obvious amusement. "Cross and I can't detect anything unusual, but you're feeling it, aren't you?" His smile turned knowing. "This room has been prepared with herbs that have a... particular effect on destined mates. The fact that you're responding to it proves what we already knew."

The implications made my stomach drop. *They've been planning this. The room, the timing, everything.*

"It's also," Frost continued cheerfully, "the perfect location for a marking ceremony."

At the far end of the massive chamber, another set of doors led to what had to be the most opulent bathroom I'd ever seen. Marble surfaces gleamed, and a tub large enough to swim in dominated the space.

All three men stopped at the bathroom threshold. Kaius turned to his companions with casual authority.

"You can go. I'll handle things from here."

As Frost and Cross departed, I caught the look of anticipation in Kaius's eyes, the way his entire body seemed to vibrate with barely controlled energy. He'd made some kind of decision, and whatever it was, it terrified me.

But with the other two gone, maybe I had a chance...

*Just wash quickly and look for an escape route.*

"Go ahead," Kaius said, his voice rough with something that made my pulse quicken. "I'll be waiting."

I stepped into the bathroom, immediately searching for windows or any other means of escape. But the room was sealed tight—no openings except the door I'd entered through.

*Shit.*

The herbal scent was even stronger in here, making my head swim with its intoxicating effects. I stripped quickly and sank into the warm water, trying to ignore how the perfumed air seemed to be clouding my judgment.

By the time I finished bathing and emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a plush towel, my desire to escape had been replaced by something far more dangerous—a building heat that had nothing to do with the warm water.

*The herbs. They're affecting my mind.*

And then I saw him.

Kaius stood in the center of the room, completely naked, his powerful body on full display in the crystal-scattered light. Every muscle was perfectly defined, from the broad shoulders that tapered to a narrow waist, to the strong thighs that spoke of countless hours of training. Battle scars marked his skin like badges of honor, and the way he held himself radiated pure masculine confidence.

*Oh, fuck.*

My body's response was immediate and mortifying. Heat pooled low in my belly, my skin became hypersensitive, and suddenly the towel felt like it was made of sandpaper against my overwrought nerves.

Part of me was still furious, still wanted to fight him with everything I had. But another part—a part that was growing stronger with every breath of that intoxicating air—wanted nothing more than to close the distance between us.

*The escape plan. Focus on the escape plan.*

But as I stared at him, at the promise in his storm-gray eyes, I realized with growing horror that my carefully laid plans were crumbling. The herbs, his proximity, the mate bond that had been strengthened by his blood—it was all combining into a perfect storm that threatened to wash away my resistance entirely.

*I'm in trouble. I'm in so much trouble.*