The Alpha Can’t Sense His Mate

ZADOK

I couldn’t believe my eyes.

It was her – walking up to Cole with a smile that made my heart come alive. A smile I believed was meant for me.

Because she belonged to me – she was my Amore, My Ithra, My mate.

I watched in shock as she met my eyes, and for a moment, remained rooted to her spot, holding a look of confusion.

“Come on my Calla,” Cole said from the podium, “Don’t be afraid. Come to me.” He said, and like magic, I watched Ithra go on like she didn’t know me, joining him on stage.

“I present to you, my chosen mate and lover.” Cole said with a grin, “Calla!”

The crowd erupted with hoots and congratulations were thrown their way. Meanwhile, my eyes focused on Ithra, unable to believe she was right before me.

“Everyone can attest to how heartbroken I felt when I lost my mate. I nearly went crazy. Losing one’s mate is a pain I don’t wish upon anyone.” He said, and for the briefest moment, his eyes flickered to me, “The moon goddess must have seen my sincerity and decided to favour me with a second chance.” He shot an endearing look to Ithra. “The first day I set my eyes on her, I knew she was a prayer answered and I will spend the rest of my life treasuring her.”

His speech moved the crowd. I could even hear the faint sobs of girls, but that was beside the point. He was holding her, presenting her like a trophy to the world. My mate.

Was this some sort of joke?

Cole looked at the giant clock in the hall, it was a few minutes to midnight. “Oops! I was carried away, I didn’t take note of the time!” His hands tightened around my mate, and at that moment, I wanted to sever his wrist from his arm, all the while, hearing him cry while I watched him bleed. “I’ll leave you all to your business, and hope you find your significant other, while I share a dance with mine.” He announced, and once again, the crowd erupted.

I stood like a statue, watching them walk down the podium. My blood boiled within me. I could also sense stares from members of my pack, watching me while I watched them, no doubt, as shocked as I was.

If I thought seeing Cole hold hands with my mate was painful, nothing prepared me for seeing him dance with her. I hadn’t even danced with her, and he was, doing it right before my eyes.

He was going to pay.

I walked towards them, watching him hold her by the waist as they slowly swung around while he looked into her eyes, leaning in. Ithra tilted her head, and I saw her sport a shy smile, one I knew too well.

He leans in again and this time, their faces touch. Ithra shook her head lightly, but he pressed further. Again, she dodges his kiss and he sends her an insufferable look. As though trying to appease him, Ithra pecks him on the cheek, and they laugh together.

I felt my heart squeeze in pain. This ends now.

I headed towards them, sifting through the herd of couples that danced to the song. I couldn’t get there faster than I’d liked but I got there eventually. I reached out to Ithra, and to my greatest surprise, Athaliah appeared before me, taking my hand.

“What are you doing?” I asked with raging eyes, withdrawing my hand from her.

“A dance,” She said, weirdly doing something with her eyes. “May I have this dance, Alpha?”

I rolled my eyes, stepping away from her. As I approached Cole, she returned to my front, and before I could say a word, dragged me into her arms in a dance.

Now she was getting on my nerves. “What the hell is-”

Before I could complete my statement, Cole’s voice fluttered into my ears. “It’s just one dance, Zadok. Let her have it.” He said with a chuckle.

My eyes turned to him, and amusement danced in his eyes. He was making fun of me. I turned to Ithra and she gauged me with a fascinated look. We shared a moment that came to a short end when Athaliah spoke.

“Let’s not let the music go to waste, I don’t bite.” She said, and Cole backed her with a grunt.

“She doesn’t bite.” He whispered, and I nearly darned punched him in the face.

He was playing a dangerous game here, holding my mate and spewing crap to my face.

“I don’t dance.” I gritted, hoping to end this mess.

“Neither can I.” A soft voice I knew too well said and everything went still. “I came to this ball with zero sense of direction dancing, but thanks to Alpha Cole, I can hold my own on the dance floor.” She said, and I didn’t miss the appreciation in her tone.

“Yes my love,” Cole said, sporting a proud grin. “So you see, it’s not impossible, give it a try, and perhaps, when the song changes, I’ll let you dance with her.” He said, presenting her like a trophy.

I didn’t like the sound of that. I didn’t like the idea of Cole parading her in my face like some darned property with no say on what she wanted. I didn’t understand why I was still listening to this crap and not grabbing my mate.

Athaliah dragged me into the dance floor, navigating us through a slow dance. “Are you crazy?” I finally said through the mind link. “What are you doing?”

“Trying to stop you from doing anything stupid.” Came her reply through the mind-link.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

Now I was offended. “I’m afraid you have forgotten your place, Gamma,” I grounded my teeth in anger. “How dare you interfere in my affairs?”

She drew close to me, so close I could feel every curve, bump and stop in her body. However, I wasn’t moved.

“I know what you think. You think she is the one. You think It’s Ithra.” She said and I shot her an affirmative look. “If she was the one, don’t you think she could have recognised you? Perhaps said something?”

“You intervened before we could get to that,” I said defensively. “So excuse me, I have some important business to handle. And I’ll appreciate if you deferred from trying anything stupid to hinder me.”

I left Athaliah and started my search for Ithra. It seemed like the heavens were on my side because the music stopped and everyone returned to their tables, hanging around. Now I just had to find Cole.

Without further ado, I searched the area, looking for a loud mouth or any mop of red hair. My search was cut short when I saw her, getting up on her feet, and heading out for the occasion in elegance. She appeared to be in a haste and I wondered why.

Instinctively, I followed her, with my heart pounding in my ears.