The Alpha Can’t Sense His Mate

AZRIEL’S POV

We followed Alpha Cole to a large field, walking past several guards.

For some reason, there was a sordid smell in the air and the lands seemed… dead. The grass was dead and the atmosphere was odd – like a disaster was waiting to happen.

Cole led us, ushering us in while we followed in silence. The Atmosphere around Zadok suddenly tensed and I knew something was wrong. I looked around and that was when I saw her.

Short Red hair, curvy and strong. Standing agile beside a lady I didn’t know. Zadok stilled beside me and I knew he’d seen her too. There was no way in hell it wasn’t Ithra.

Even her presence was familiar. I could feel it despite standing metres away from her. Her back stiffened as soon as Cole spoke.

“Forgive me, my Calla!” He said, slowing his steps as he approached her and carelessly hung an arm around her. “We had guests and I had to play host for a minute.”

Uh-oh. My gaze found Zadok and he was breathing fire, his hand tightened in a fist.

“Have you made your decision?” He asked with a gleeful expression, his back facing us.

I wondered what decision he was talking about. I waited for her to turn around. I needed to see her face. I needed to see her with my own eyes before running to a conclusion.

Something told me it was useless but I held my ground.

Finally, She turned back and my breath was knocked out of me. Zadok’s aura became too tense, too solid and overbearing – weighing me, and innocent wolves around.

Cole soon noticed what was happening and turned around with a thick expression. “Is there a problem?” He asked.

One would think it was a harmless question, or perhaps, he was being concerned, but I saw through his bullshit. We all knew that was a threat in disguise, and slowly, Zadok reined in his aura, letting us breathe properly.

Ithra’s eyes widened as soon as she noticed our presence. I didn’t miss how her eyes naturally gravitated to Zadok, whose eyes had been on her the entire time we came here.

Finally, she spared me a look, and for some insane treason, I felt compelled to acknowledge her. I bowed my head and the words fell out of my mouth before I could stop them. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I said.

I let my eyes find her own, searching for a look of recognition, or anything that said she knew me, or even the familiar hate that she used to direct at me.

To my surprise, there was nothing. Instead, she seemed exhausted – her body language told me she’d rather be somewhere else and for a minute, the thought of Cole maltreating her came to my mind.

The air around me changed, and to my surprise, I realised that my wolf was angry and ready to defend her if it came to that. I wasn’t even sure she was Ithra, yet the fierce will to protect my luna was stirred within me.

“Calla,” She managed to speak and I was lost for a moment. “The name is calla.” She said, reminding me of my unfinished greeting.

Her voice. Unchanging and clear as day. It was hard to forget the voice that taunted and dared me at the slightest opportunity.

“Ah! Forgive me.” Cole said, tapping his forehead. “I didn’t introduce you.” A woman stepped up and stood beside Ithra in a protective stance.

An odd air surrounded her and my first instinct was to be wary of her. “This is Azriel. The beta of Blood Hound pack, and beside him is Athaliah, the gamma.” Cole started, pointing towards us and we bowed our heads as a sign of respect.

“Alpha Zadok needs not to be introduced.” He added in an offhanded manner I didn’t quite appreciate. “And this,” He pointed to Ithra who stood uncomfortably under his arm, “Is the love of my life, my chosen mate and soon to be the Luna of MoonLight pack.”Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

That was a lot to take in – even for me. I wasn’t surprised when the air around us changed again. Zadok was at it again. Athaliah exchanged looks with me and I could see the worry in her eyes.

There was no telling what the Alpha would do next.

“Zadok.” I heard the Alpha say, as he walked forward to Ithra, or Calla, with an outstretched arm. “Allow me to formally introduce myself.” He said, and like magic, Ithra connected hands with her, gazing into his eyes as they entered another world.

A world that consisted of just them both. Because they were made out of the same material. There and then, I believed.

I didn’t know what went wrong, but my gut instinct told me she was Ithra. Immediately, my brain drew out plans that could help us walk out of this pack with her, and all of them involved Cole’s head separated from his body.

What were the odds of killing him in a courtesy visit? I couldn’t tell.

“And this is my beta,” Cole said, dragging Ithra away from Zadok with a maddened look. “Scar.”

Finally. A name to the strange woman.

“You have a woman as your beta?” I spoke my thoughts and it came off ruder than I’d hoped.

Scar’s face turned grotesque and I made to apologise but she beat me to it. “I didn’t realise a dick came with the job description, beta.” She hissed.

Oh well – no need to cry over spilt milk.

Cole laughed, and it has got to be one of the fakest laughs in the history of fake laughs. “She gets the job done alright.” He said, and I could tell he didn’t appreciate my little remark.

Remind me to keep my thoughts to myself next time.

“Matter of fact, she isn’t even your conventional werewolf.” He said with an air of pride.

I was interested. “Do tell, what kind of werewolf is she to carry out such magnanimous duties as your beta?”

“I’ll give you a hint,” Cole said, eyeing us with a smirk. “She’s not a werewolf.”

My eyes widened. I didn’t see that coming. A female beta who was not a werewolf. Fuck me senseless. I gauged Scar with a newfound respect and wariness.

No one could tell what she was, or what she was capable of. Which made her a lot more dangerous. Just when I wanted to bite the bone and ask the forbidden question, Cole spoke up, effectively shutting me up.

“Since that’s over, back to business!” He turned to Ithra, “My Calla! Have you made your decision already?”

Her back stiffened, and she answered, “Yes.”

“Good!” Cole clasped his hands, “Let’s have the morons!” He ordered, and to my greatest surprise, three bloodied and beaten men were dragged out, and placed as baits.

Cole looked deranged and I felt worry when I took in Ithra’s look. What in the world was he making her do?