Alpha's STOLEN Mate Chapter 78

Elowen

My heart hammered against my ribs as I stood in the shadows of the grand hall, watching Kaius bound in silver chains before the Council of Elders. Two fears clawed at my mind simultaneously—worry for him, and a gnawing dread about what exactly this "fucking Trial of Truth" entailed.

I didn't have to wait long.

Elder Silas leaned back in his ornate chair, a smile playing at his lips as he gestured lazily to Rowan standing beside him. "This Trial of Truth will differ from our... traditional methods," he announced, his voice echoing through the chamber. "Times change. The Elders evolve with them."

A cold sensation crept down my spine. I leaned toward Frost, whispering urgently, "What were the old methods?"

Frost's jaw tightened, his eyes fixed on the wooden goblet sitting on the ceremonial table before Kaius. "You see that cup? The one carved from heartwood?"

I followed his gaze. The goblet was a dark, foreboding thing—its color so deep it seemed to absorb light itself, wood grain forming patterns like veins carrying corrupted blood.

"The Heartwood Goblet," Frost continued, his voice barely audible. "The old way required... blood from the heart. Sometimes literally from the heart itself, or..." He paused, swallowing hard. "Or from more... intimate places. If innocent, the wood absorbs the blood completely. If guilty, it rejects it—black stains spreading like poison."

Ice flooded my veins. "Blood from *that* part?" I hissed. "Jesus Christ, that's already barbaric! And he has something *worse*?"

As if on cue, Silas gestured grandly. "The new method is far less... physically painful."

Rowan stepped forward, circling Kaius like a predator. Her fingers traced the air around him as she spoke. "I've been studying forbidden arts lately—techniques that have... enhanced my Elder abilities considerably." Her aura pressed down more heavily, a tangible weight in the air. "Developed new methods specifically for trials like this." She stopped directly in front of him, tilting her head.

"All you need to do is drop your magical defenses. Let me slip into your mind, peel back those complicated layers of thought, expose your deepest, darkest secrets. Stand naked—mentally—before the Council." Her smile widened. "Then I'll know if you're a murderer. Oh, and as a bonus? I'll discover what you really think of us Elders."

My breath caught. *Fuck.* This Elder was a witch too?

But for an Alpha—especially an Alpha King—this method was worse than physical torture. It was complete violation, utter humiliation.

Frost confirmed my thoughts, muttering under his breath, "Fuck. He'll die before he lets anyone into his head. Especially not here. Not like this."

Sure enough, Kaius's laugh was cold steel. "I prefer the old tradition. Use my blood. Your new witchcraft *disgusts* me."

Rowan's smile never wavered. "Sadly, Alpha, you don't have much choice. My forbidden arts have grown... quite powerful. Especially with you in such a weakened state." She moved closer, her voice dropping to an intimate purr. "I'm curious what an Alpha King hides in that mind of his. What kind of woman occupies your thoughts? Hmm?"

Her hand reached out, fingers trailing across the wounds on his chest. The moment she made contact, Kaius jerked as if struck by lightning.

Alarm shot through me. *Fuck, this woman!*

Rowan's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "Good, good. I can feel you starting to cooperate. Yes, just like that. Relax for me..."

She began circling again, her tone shifting to something clinical. "Before we address whether you murdered the Elder, let's test your honesty with simpler questions first."

Silas and the other Elders leaned forward, clearly fascinated by the prospect of peering into Kaius's soul.

"What," Rowan asked sweetly, "do you think of the Elder Council?"

Kaius's response came without hesitation, his voice flat and distant. "Parasites. Clinging to outdated authority, obstructing my rule at every turn."

Fury rippled across the Elders' faces. They exchanged shocked, outraged glances.

I started forward instinctively, unable to watch this violation any longer, but Frost's hand clamped on my arm. "Not yet," he whispered urgently. "It's not completely out of control yet."

Rowan continued her slow prowl, her hands now openly caressing Kaius's chest, tracing the defined muscles. Rage burned hot and bright in my gut.

She pressed closer, her body nearly touching his, voice dropping to a husky whisper. "You hate the Council—predictable. But tell me, Kaius... do you find *me* attractive?"

"Rowan!" Silas's voice cracked like a whip. "This isn't the time for your games!"

But Rowan ignored him, molding herself against Kaius, lips nearly brushing his ear. "Any kind of attraction. Physical, magical, intellectual. Just answer—yes or no?"

Kaius began to struggle, his body tensing, head shaking as if trying to clear fog from his mind. *Come on,* I thought desperately. *Break free!*

His jaw worked, muscles in his neck straining. Then, horrifyingly, one word emerged:

"Yes."

My teeth ground together so hard I thought they might crack. My hands balled into fists.

I was halfway to launching myself into the hall when Kaius suddenly laughed—a harsh, mocking sound.

"Yes," he repeated, grin sharp as broken glass. "I have a *fucking* interest in seeing you exposed, you ancient hag! All that youth is fake, isn't it? Glamour magic holding together a corpse!"

Rowan recoiled as if slapped. "How—how did you break my control?!"

Kaius's eyes blazed with triumph. "Because I felt my *mate* enter the room."

His gaze found mine across the distance. Despite everything, warmth bloomed in my chest. A smile tugged at my lips.

"Her scent," Kaius continued, voice ringing clear and strong, "her sweetness—*that* brought me back to myself. Not your rotting *stench of decay*!" He straightened despite his chains, radiating authority. "Now! As far as I'm concerned, this trial is *over*. Whatever verdict you fabricate means *nothing*. I am *fucking innocent*!"

Rowan's face contorted with rage. Before my eyes, her glamour flickered—age lines appearing, skin sagging. She looked years older as she stumbled back to Silas, whispering frantically in his ear.

Silas's expression darkened. He rose slowly from his seat, radiating menace.

"This trial," he declared, voice trembling with fury, "is concluded. By unanimous decision of the Elder Council, Alpha King Kaius is found *guilty*. He will be remanded to the dungeons immediately!"