Alpha's STOLEN Mate Chapter 55

Kaius

I still couldn't wrap my head around why Elowen had let me into her hidden pack. This place had been a mystery I'd been dying to unravel for months. I'd wondered what she'd built, what she'd become—but seeing it firsthand left me speechless.

Following behind her and the red-headed woman, I took in everything as we walked toward the main house. Her military formations were flawless, disciplined. The hospital she'd constructed was state-of-the-art, and the dining hall could feed hundreds. But what struck me most was her people—relaxed, content, no trace of the constant anxiety that plagued my own pack members who lived under the shadow of war.

*Elowen's a fucking natural-born leader. Everything I've been struggling to achieve, she's mastered effortlessly.*

The observation stung my pride, but I couldn't deny the evidence before my eyes. Whatever Elowen had built here, it worked.

When we finally reached her office—a surprisingly modest space considering her obvious success—she turned to face me. That familiar mocking smile played on her lips, the one that always made my blood boil and my pulse race simultaneously.

"Now do you see the gap between our packs?" she asked, crossing her arms.

I forced a casual shrug, determined not to give her the satisfaction of my amazement. "I understand what you've accomplished—you've built a war sanctuary. Very impressive for a small operation. But in reality, this model would never scale to larger territories. It's unsustainable."

The words felt hollow even as I spoke them, but my pride demanded I maintain some semblance of superiority.

Before she could fire back with what I knew would be a cutting response, the redhead stepped forward with an urgency that immediately commanded attention.

"Alpha, I need to tell you something serious about today's situation." Her voice carried weight that made both of us focus entirely on her. "That nagging sense of dread I've been ignoring all morning? It's practically screaming at me now." She paused, her expression growing more serious. "According to my... unfortunate predictions, if either you or your mate leaves this pack today, someone will die."

The change in atmosphere was immediate and stark. Elowen's face shifted from mockery to genuine concern, though I caught a distinct flicker of irritation beneath the worry.

"Evelyn!" she said sharply. "Are you seriously telling me that because of your sudden witchy intuition, I need to keep this dangerous man in my pack for an entire day?"

My heart jumped with realization and unexpected delight. *So she's the witch who created the Silent Forest—the magical barrier. God, this is perfect. She's just handed me exactly what I wanted: more time.*

Evelyn waved her hand dismissively, already backing toward the door. "I've said what I needed to say. Whether either of you chooses to leave or stay is entirely your decision—I won't be responsible for the consequences. I'm completely exhausted and desperately need food." Without waiting for responses, she walked out, leaving us alone in suddenly charged silence.

I settled into the chair across from her desk with deliberate casualness, letting a grin spread across my face. "So, care to explain why you really brought me into your pack? Or wasn't last night's private time together quite enough for you?"

"Fuck off," she snapped, but I caught the slight flush on her cheeks. "Do you have any idea that I just saved your worthless life out there?"

I paused, remembering the faint but distinct scent of rogue wolves I'd detected near the border. But they were just rogues—predictable, weak, disorganized. Even if I'd stood completely motionless, they couldn't have posed a real threat to someone of my power level.

Elowen must have read the arrogant dismissal in my expression because her voice turned dangerously cold. "Clearly you still don't understand the actual danger you were in. I should have left you there to get half-dead before stepping in to help. Maybe then you'd realize I'm not engaging in empty threats or dramatics."

Something in her serious tone made me reconsider my assumptions. "What exactly makes these particular rogue wolves special?"

Her eyes hardened with grim knowledge. "They've been magically enhanced—injected with something that makes them immune to pain and exhaustion. They don't retreat when injured; they get stronger and more aggressive as fights continue. They also keep evolving, adapting their tactics. I honestly don't know the full extent of their current capabilities, but based on recent encounters, three of them could seriously injure you. Five working together could actually kill you."

I listened to the first part with growing interest, but when she claimed five could kill me, I couldn't contain my laughter. "God, you're really committed to scaring me! Do you have any idea how many rogue heads I can sever with a single claw swipe? Eight! Fucking eight at once!"

She rolled her eyes in exasperation just as Scarlett—the blue-haired woman I'd briefly met before—entered the office. Her expression showed genuine surprise at seeing me, then she glanced behind me as if searching for someone specific.

"Oh, my dear beta," Elowen said with a teasing smirk, "stop looking around—there's no one here you want to see. Frost isn't anywhere near this place."

*Interesting. No wonder the Moon Goddess paired her with Frost—she's also a beta.*

"I wasn't looking for him," Scarlett protested quickly, then asked with obvious concern, "What's your mate doing here in our territory?"

"Call him Kaius, not my fucking mate!" Elowen snarled with such vehemence that anger flared hot in my chest.

*Every time Elowen denies our bond like that, it makes my blood boil. Her constant denial of what we are was becoming increasingly infuriating.*

Scarlett shifted uncomfortably before asking with obvious concern, "Any news about today's search for our missing pack members?"

"None whatsoever," Elowen confirmed grimly. "Not only no progress, but to temporarily avoid their coordinated ambushes, I had to bring Kaius into our pack territory for protection."

The pieces clicked together. She was worried about the rogue wolves because they'd taken her people. Simple solution—capture one and interrogate it.

But I realized something else. Elowen had been rejecting me all this time not because she didn't love me—but because she couldn't gain anything from me. She already had everything. A thriving pack, financial success in the human world, legendary white wolf status, loyal followers who adored her, even her own witch and military strategist.

*But these enhanced rogue wolves? This is the one problem that's been giving her headaches. This is my opportunity.*

I smiled confidently at Elowen. "Regarding the missing wolves and those increasingly annoying enhanced rogues—consider that problem officially mine to handle."

"Absolutely not!" she said with immediate anger. "You don't understand anything about what we're dealing with. Acting rashly without proper intelligence will cause complete disasters. Besides, the witch just delivered a direct prophecy about today!"

I realized I couldn't push the confrontational approach. "Fine, fine. I'll reluctantly suffer through staying here for one day as required."

After Scarlett left the office, I found myself unable to contain my growing eagerness to solve Elowen's problems and prove my value. I made a casual excuse about needing air and slipped out, quickly moving to catch up with the departing beta in the corridor.

*Perfect. Time to convince this beta to help me slip away so I can go after some rogue wolves.*

Scarlett turned when she heard my footsteps, her expression immediately suspicious and wary. "Alpha King, why exactly are you following me?"

I adopted my most disarming smile. "Simple question—don't you want to know the real reason why Frost keeps rejecting your advances?"