An Enemy Called Mate

XANDER

“Fighting,” Alexei replied, and Ziva chuckled.

My stomach churned at that moment. They behaved like they were family members… No, they behave more like a couple.

Just as the rogue said, Ziva is the key to the Crystal Moon Guardian. She knew about it, but she continued to keep it to herself. That sneaky Darwin’s daughter!

I will find out about everything… Soon! I just need to play along.

While having breakfast, Ziva and Alexei continued to chat with wide smiles on their faces like I didn’t exist.

I almost snapped out in anger, intending to shove the table away and teach them some manners. Instead, I calmed myself and recalled my plans.

“We just need to play along, Maz, and we will have the information to ourselves,” I muttered to Maz.

“There is no need for a reminder. I’m focused and determined,” Maz growled.

~~~

Alexei and I reached the vast, racing field with tall grasses swaying in the wind. The sun is shining, and the sky is a bright, clear blue. I and Alexei stood at one end of the field, prepared to unleash our wolf.

Then came the sweet lavender scent, that of Ziva’s. I turned back and spotted her.

She was in black leggings that hugged her curves with a thin, silver band around the bottom. Also, she wore a lightweight, breathable t-shirt and flashed a smile… at Alexei.

“I will be at the stone tower at the other end of the field. Good luck,” Ziva uttered with another smile that made my heartbeat stop for a second.

“Alright,” Alexei replied. He waved at her and she stepped into a car that drove off.

“She is so sweet, isn’t she?” Alexei began. I turned to him with a deadly glare and he raised his hands as a sign of surrender.

“I wouldn’t dare,” He muttered. I scoffed and turned away.

“Sweet and poisonous. I know her more than you do.”

“Oh, there she is!” Alexei exclaimed. He turned to the tower far away from us, then I spotted Ziva there. She stood on the small balcony with binoculars in her hand.

Just then, a flag was raised, indicating the beginning of the race. Maz took over easily, and he jumped, taking off at a sprint.

At a point, Alexei’s wolf, Brann ran forward. Maz moved faster, and at the end of the race, I won.

I changed into some clothes and at the doorway, Ziva stood with a towel clasped in her hand.

“Can I-”Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

I cut in, “Hand it over and leave.”

She stepped into the room and handed the towel over to me.

“Just trying to act natural and play my role,” She chuckled.

“You can leave now or perhaps do you want to help me change?”

“I wish I could,” she replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm, as she folded her arms. “Sadly, Alexei got hurt and it seemed like you played dirty in the race.”

I turned to her, as worry enveloped my mind. Yes, I cheated. I mean, what am I supposed to do? Watch him win and get the praise?

In every race he competed with, he was always the winner. I could not just let him win and embarrass myself.

Anyway, it was just a thistle.

“It was just a thistle, nothing else,” I spoke with a firm tone.

“Yeah, just a thistle or let me say… A patch of thistles. It got stuck in his paws too.” She exclaimed, almost making me jerk in shock.

“Why are you yelling? I’m the one who should be yelling at you. You lied twice with the Agony Collar around your neck, remember?!” I yelled back and shoved the towel away in anger.

“I told you, I wasn’t lying, and I don’t want to bring up that topic since you won’t believe me anyway.”

“Believe you? In your dreams.” I muttered to myself and stomped out of the room.

“Alexei is with the pack doctor because of that it was just a thistle. I hope you can deal with that,” I heard her say. She rushed out of the room, not without bumping her shoulder against my body.

What’s her deal with that? It’s just a thistle-

“Alpha, Alexei is in the pack hospital with some thistle in his paws.” Lance mind-linked.

I waved him off, “Yeah, I know.”

“His condition is critical, Alpha!” His mind-link echoed, causing me to pause in my tracks.

Critical? Why will a thistle cause something critical?

This is not a prank, right? I stepped into my car hurriedly, as I was worried about Alexei.

As I drove to the pack hospital, I couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that had settled in the pit of my stomach. Alexei was tough and strong, but this was the first time I had seen him injured. The thought of him being hurt sent a chill down my spine.

When I arrived at the hospital, I rushed through the doors, my heart pounding in my chest. I asked for Alexei’s room, and when I reached it, my breath caught in my throat.

Alexei was lying on the bed, his face pale, his eyes closed. My heart ached at the sight of him, and I noticed that his feet were swollen as they looked awful.

The doctor walked in afterward. He had a flicker of sadness on his face, which made me more worried.

“What’s wrong with Alexei’s feet? He was fine a few minutes ago!” I exclaimed.

The doctor bowed his head and responded, “He landed on a patch of thistles… Poisonous thistles.”

Oh goodness! What was I thinking about?!

“He is from this pack, he should be able to heal quickly, right?” I asked, with my voice trembling a bit. I am to be blamed for the thistles. I assumed they were normal, not knowing that they were poisonous!

The doctor shook his head, causing my heart to sink. He continued, “Surprisingly, he is not healing quickly and his system seems to be weak all of a sudden.”

“Then make him better! Get some medicines, do something!” I snapped out with frustration.

“I will try my best, Alpha,” The doctor stuttered, as he lowered his head. Meanwhile, that made me snap out in anger.

I stormed towards the doctor, grabbing him by the collar. “You’d better make him better!” I growled, my voice low and threatening. “And If he doesn’t get better by daybreak, I will bury you and your entire family alive!”

The doctor stumbled backward, his back hitting the wall. “I’ll get the best medicine available,” he stammered, his eyes wide with fear. I shoved him away, not caring where he landed.