Alpha's STOLEN Mate Chapter 9

Elowen

Understanding flickered across his features. "I have all the time in the world to speak with you," he said, gesturing toward the door. "Shall we?"

I followed him through corridors that grew progressively more luxurious as we walked. Gone were the stark medical facility walls, replaced by rich tapestries and gleaming fixtures that screamed of wealth and power. When Frost finally stopped at an ornate door, I knew without being told that we'd reached the heart of the fortress.

The room beyond was stunning—all dark woods and midnight blues, with windows that offered a commanding view of the mountains.

"The bathroom is through there," Frost said, pointing to another door. "Take all the time you need."

I nodded and slipped inside, closing the door behind me with a soft click. The bathroom was a study in luxury—marble surfaces, a tub large enough to swim in, and mirrors that reflected my haggard appearance back at me with brutal honesty.

But I didn't care about any of that. All I cared about was washing the last few days off my skin.

The hot water was pure bliss, washing away blood and grime and the lingering scent of wolfsbane. I scrubbed until my skin was raw, trying to erase every trace of Marcus's torture, of Kaius's possession, of the fear and pain and humiliation.

When I finally emerged, pink and clean and feeling more human than I had in days, I caught sight of myself in the mirror and almost smiled. The silver hair that had always marked me as different gleamed like moonlight, and my amber eyes held a spark that had been missing for too long.

*I'm getting out of here,* I promised my reflection. *They're waiting for me out there. I just need to be smart about this.*

The dress fit perfectly, the deep blue bringing out the silver in my hair in a way that was almost ethereal. For a moment, I allowed myself to feel beautiful again. To remember what it was like to be more than just a prisoner or a rejected mate.

When I emerged from the bathroom, I took a moment to really look at the room I was in. Everything screamed of power and wealth—the kind of luxury only an Alpha King could afford. The realization hit me like a punch to the gut.

"Yes," Frost said, appearing beside me with that uncanny ability to read thoughts. "This is his room. I imagine you'll be spending quite a bit of time here."

*Like hell I will.* But before I could voice that particular sentiment, my attention was caught by something far more pressing—the plate of food in Frost's hands. My stomach chose that moment to remind me that I hadn't eaten a proper meal in days, and the scent that reached my nose made my mouth water.

Honey cinnamon bread. The same pastry that had started this whole nightmare.

"How did you—" I reached for a piece before I could stop myself, biting into the sweet, perfect texture and nearly moaning with pleasure. It was even better than I remembered.

"Please, sit," Frost said, guiding me toward a comfortable chair by the window. "You must be starving."

I was too busy devouring the bread to argue, tearing through piece after piece like a starving animal. Only when I'd taken the edge off my hunger did I look up to find him watching me with obvious amusement.

"How did you know I wanted this?" I asked around another bite.

His smile was enigmatic. "When you work closely with the Alpha King for as long as I have, you develop certain... insights. Where he grows blunt, I become more perceptive. Where he relies on force, I learn to read between the lines."

Curiosity got the better of me. "I've never seen you before. You didn't grow up in this pack, did you?"

"No." His expression grew thoughtful. "The Alpha King liberated my mother and sister from a pack that had enslaved them. After that... following him seemed like the natural choice."

I nodded, understanding blooming in my chest. *No wonder he's so different from the others. He knows what it's like to be powerless.*

"If you stay with our pack," Frost continued smoothly, "I could arrange to have this bread prepared for you daily. Among other comforts."

I shook my head quickly, then caught myself. I couldn't let him know I was planning to leave—that would make escape impossible. "I... that's very kind of you."

"You mentioned wanting to ask about the pack," he prompted, settling into the chair across from me. "You seemed to have something particular in mind?"

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what might be painful answers. "My parents. Are they... are they well? Do they know I'm here?"

Frost's expression softened with something that might have been sympathy. "Your mother and father are stationed at the southwestern border. The Alpha King's ambitions have expanded our territory considerably—we need warriors like your father to maintain security on multiple fronts."

*Of course.* Even now, after everything that had happened, duty came first for him. I shouldn't have been surprised, but it still stung.

"I know it's difficult," Frost continued gently, apparently reading the sadness in my expression. "But I want you to know—I may not have been with this pack long, but I know your history. Elowen, daughter of Commander Theron, one of our greatest warriors. After you left, your parents searched for you constantly. Every lead, every rumor—they followed them all, hoping to find some trace of where you'd gone."

The words hit me like a physical blow. All this time, I'd assumed they'd simply accepted my disappearance, chosen their loyalty to the pack over their concern for me. To learn that they'd been looking, that they'd cared enough to keep searching...

*But it doesn't change anything,* I reminded myself harshly. *Kaius is still the reason I had to leave in the first place.*

"I understand your anger toward him," Frost said quietly, once again demonstrating that unsettling ability to read my thoughts. "But I believe there's a reason the Moon Goddess bound you two together. You should have seen him when he carried you to the medical facility—I've watched him face our most dangerous enemies without flinching, but I've never seen him look so terrified as he did in that moment."

I looked up from my bread, surprise flickering across my face despite my best efforts to remain impassive.

Frost noticed, and his smile turned slightly predatory.

"Do you know," He said, leaning back in his chair with that calculating look, "in the four years since you left, the Alpha King has never taken a Luna?"

I nearly choked on my bread, staring at him in disbelief.

"Daughters of other Alpha families, powerful she-wolves from conquered packs, even royalty from neighboring kingdoms have all tried," Frost continued smoothly. "But he's rejected every single one. No ceremonies, no marking, no official mate bond with anyone."

I set down my bread, momentarily stunned by this revelation. Four years... no Luna at all? For a split second, something treacherous stirred in my chest—hope, maybe, or vindication.

Then reality crashed back in, and my mind cleared. *Of course he hasn't.* The mate bond might be damaged, but it still existed. Other women probably felt like pale shadows compared to what the bond demanded, even if he'd never admit it. It wasn't sentiment keeping him alone—it was simple biology.

"I'm sure he's fucked countless wolves though," I said bluntly, watching Frost's composed expression flicker with discomfort.

The crude words hung in the air like a challenge. Frost cleared his throat, clearly not expecting such directness, his cheeks actually coloring slightly.

I stood up abruptly, using his momentary awkwardness to regain control of the conversation. "I appreciate your insight, Beta. I can see that you care deeply for your Alpha. But I need to be very clear about something—I will never become his Luna. That part of my life is over."

Frost nodded gracefully, rising as well. "I understand. I hope you'll be comfortable here while you... consider your options."

Something in his tone made me look at him more sharply, but his expression remained perfectly pleasant.

"I should mention," he continued conversationally, "there's been increased activity along our borders recently. Rogue wolves have been harassing some of the outer villages, and the Alpha King is coordinating our military response. During times like these, it's particularly important that all pack members remain where they can be protected."

The warning was delivered with such gentle courtesy that it took me a moment to process the steel underneath.

"The guards throughout the castle have been instructed to ensure everyone's safety," he continued, still smiling. "Any... inappropriate behavior during such a delicate time could result in rather serious consequences."

I met his gaze steadily, reading the message loud and clear. *Try to run, and see what happens.*

"Of course," I said sweetly. "I wouldn't dream of causing any trouble."

"I'm certain you wouldn't." His smile never wavered. "Rest well, Elowen. Tomorrow will be a very interesting day."