The Alpha Can’t Sense His Mate

ZADOK’S POV

I couldn’t stop looking at her – My Amore, my Ithra, my mate.

I knew it was stupid to agree with Azriel’s plan to pay her a visit without a concrete plan to recover her but I couldn’t resist the temptation of even a chance of seeing her again.

I needed to see her again, to be sure I wasn’t crazy. I needed to see her and touch her. To feel the little sparks between us to know that I was indeed living a life where my Ithra was still alive.

Nothing prepared me for the sight of her, standing under the sun while she forced herself to kill against her will. It took a miracle to prevent me from blowing up at Cole, who was having difficulty reading the room.

I got angry at how many other things he was forcing her to do against her will. We were leaving the field after Ithra blatantly confronted Cole, declaring she was unable to kill.

At that moment, I felt my member harden at her confidence. Pride flooded me and I could hear my wolf’s approval of her standing up for herself. However, the next moment I was worried about her, seeing she was still in the hands of that bastard who had taken her outburst as an insult.

It was clear in the stupid smile he held while he tried to cover his anger.

“As much as I’d have liked to entertain you with my mate’s beautiful skills, it will not be possible today.” He said as we walked out of the field. “Maybe some other time.” He added, leading us back to the house.

Some other time? I thought, baffled. This fool thought I would allow him to do that to my mate some other time? Over my dead body.

“I think it’s best to handle the dirty dishes by yourself, don’t you think, Alpha Cole?” Azriel took words from my mouth. “If our females are made to do the dirty jobs, then it should be a shame to the males.”

Cole looked like he had been slapped. I wondered how his face would look after I brushed his face with my fist.

“I believe in making my males and females the best they can be.” He said in a clipped tone, “If everyone is strong enough and with equal opportunities, then gender roles would be useless.” His eyes fixated on me – like he was waiting for me to speak.

I didn’t give a fuck about gender roles. What I did know was that there would not be a next time to this bullshit. I was going to see to that myself.

Cole sent us off in a hurry. “Thank you for your time, I hope-”

His words were cut short by the opening of the doors behind us. “Alpha! Alpha! The Luna! She Collapsed!”

My body froze as I heard the words. Ithra was in danger.

Without a second thought, I turned around, ready to seek her out when I was stopped by a hand on my wrist – a strong hand belonging to Azriel.

“Alpha… please.” His words drifted into my mind but I felt confused.

What was he begging me for? My mate was in danger! Surely he didn’t think I would return to the pack as though I didn’t just hear what was said.

“I have to leave,” Cole said and turned to the guards around. “See them out.”

With that, he left us at the door, rushing inside while we stood, surrounded by guards.

“I can’t leave.” I gritted to the hearing of Azriel. “You heard it. She collapsed. I need to save her.” I said firmly.

“We will,” Azriel assured, but I was not moved.

“Leave without me. I will get her out today.” I spat, “Enough is enough.”

It seemed like Azriel wasn’t the only one listening to our conversation. Because as soon as I turned, the guards had tripled. Each of them stood in a defensive stance.

“You may leave now.” The guard who led us to Cole appeared before us, showing us the way out.

I didn’t move. How could I? My heart lurched and I ached to know her condition.

“Alpha,” Azriel called again, his tone begging for me to do the right thing. “We will come back for her.” He promised through the mind link. “We will stop at nothing to get her back.”This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

I didn’t even know what was right anymore. What if she died before we were able to get her?

Without a word, Azriel led me back to the car, and I let him, till we drove further away from my mate.

*****

I reported to the dungeons as soon as I stepped into the pack lands.

I needed to release the pent-up anger within me and I knew just the right person. Azriel and Athaliah followed silently, and I could sense their worry and dread.

My hands itched as I drew closer to the cell where Aaron was kept – away from others and at the far left, where I dealt with people like him.

Aaron must have sensed his death because as soon as I opened the gates of his cell, his eyes flew open, and his horror was visible.

I couldn’t believe he still had eyes. What on earth was I doing the entire time I was here last time? My mate was unconscious, so therefore, unable to use her eyes.

It was an injustice for him to be able to use his eyes.

I wanted his eyes closed. Forever. My instinct screamed at me to do the right thing. To finish him off in the cruellest way – Good thing I didn’t have a problem with finishing my dirty dishes.

Without a second thought, I grabbed a knife from the weaponry and with swift motion, tore through his eyes – blinding him in one slash.

Arggghh!

His scream was music to my ears. “Are you ready to fess up?” I asked a rhetorical question.

I didn’t expect him to answer. You can imagine my shock when he said the words that changed everything.

“Please! Please Alpha! I will confess!” My eyes narrowed and I turned around, finding my beta and Gamma standing by the door.

The door suddenly shuts close and I see Azriel lock it from behind. “If he’s going to confess, no one else needs to hear it.” He answered my questioning look.

With a nod, I turned around, facing the now-blind Aaron. “I don’t have much time,” I said in a clipped tone and he shook in fear.

“Athaliah! It was Athaliah!” He said and I couldn’t believe my ears.

I turned around and the look on her face confirmed my doubts.