The Alpha Can’t Sense His Mate

ZADOK’S POV

“This is useless!” I banged my fist on my office desk. “I need to leave. I need to get her out.”

Azriel, the ever voice of reason spoke first. “I understand your reasons. But we need to cover all bases before we rescue her from Cole’s hold. It’s one thing to sneak you into the pack, but It’s another to take her out in one clean try.”

“I don’t care! I don’t care anymore.” I said, getting up on my feet. “If it will take a war to get her out, then rally the warriors. Because I’m done with this shit!”

“We can’t go to war.” Azriel’s tone was levelled. “That would be us sending people to their deaths with the risk of coming up empty.”

“I don’t care what you think. I need to go back and retrieve her. If you are unable to come up with a plan, then rally up the warriors, we move in three days.”

“We can’t go to war.” He said and I saw red.

“And why the hell not?!”

“Athaliah.” He said and my anger rose to an all-time high. “She is the new beta of the Moon Light pack and going to war with them will be delivering ourselves into her hands. She wrote every war plan we have and it will take a lot more time to come up with new plans capable of granting us the needed results.”

Frustration ebbed within me, “We don’t have time!”

“I am coming up with a foolproof plan. Please exercise restraint. The Luna would be in our hands in no time.”

I didn’t speak. I got up and headed towards the window in my office, desperate for air. The door shut and I was left alone. Azriel couldn’t understand. He could never understand the feeling of waking up every day, without her by my side.

He could never understand the nightmare that I lived in, knowing that she was out there but far from my reach. The beautiful night we spent together plagued my every waking moment. I was desperate for more – Another opportunity to feel.

After my return, I stopped taking Shilhi’s potions. It’s been a while since Kir spoke to me, but I could feel his presence, anticipation, and anger towards me. I didn’t know if it was from the months of silencing him or for the fact that I let Ithra remain in captivity all this while.

For some reason, I felt her pain. With our explosive night, a part of our bond was revitalized and I could feel her emotions. The emotions that told me she was still waiting for me to make good on my promise.

I stood in front of my window when I suddenly felt something different. Pain. So much that I was nearly paralysed, and it wasn’t my own. My body froze and I tried to decipher what could be the reason for the sudden feeling of stroke.

To my greatest surprise, I heard the distant voice of my wolf, his words were enough to spur me into action. I couldn’t lose her. I’d die before I lost her the second time.

“Mate is in danger!”

************

I slipped out of my pack against Azriel’s better judgement.

If Ithra died, then the grand plan to rescue her would be just that – A plan unattained.

Clad in black, I decided to get a head start, leaving a note to Azriel in case things went south. I arrived at Moon Light in the dead of the night, taking out the guards and warriors that blocked my path and leaving a trail of dead bodies in my wake.

I rushed inside the pack grounds like a panther. I knew it was only a matter of time before they found out something was wrong, but I was determined to get to Ithra and verify she was fine and alive.

I must have underestimated the security of this pack because I walked right into a trap. I jumped into Ithra’s window like I did the first time, making sure it was dark before committing the act.

As soon as my feet touched the ground. I saw a form lying on the bed and my heart skipped. Was she asleep? I wondered, coming close to her. If I could ascertain she was fine, I would return to my pack and follow through with Azriel’s plan.

I just needed to be sure she was alright and that would be it. So I hoped.

Just when I reached over to touch her, light flooded the room, and I was surrounded.

“Long time, no see Zadok.” Athaliah said in a sultry voice and before I could speak, she ordered. “Neutralize him!”

*********************

I was jolted awake by the splash of cold water on my naked body.

“You are such a fool.” Cole sneered, “Coming here all alone. What did you aim to achieve?”

I struggled behind the chains that held my hands tied in the air. “Where is she?” I growled, seething. “Where did you keep her?”

“Where did I keep who?” He asked and a deranged smile appeared on his face. “Do you mean her?” He got out of my sight and that was when I saw her.

My Ithra. Stripped naked, beaten to a pulp and hung like an animal for all to see. Anger ripped through me and I felt myself rescind. Kir was taking over.

“Not so fast big guy!” Cole said and in seconds, I felt syringes break through my skin and fluids pushed into my body.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

I felt its effects instantly. “What are you doing to me?” I asked shaking uncontrollably as all my body felt like they were on fire.

“Wolves bane.” He said with a smirk. “I’m sure you are familiar with it.”

The wolfbane was the no 1 enemy of a wolf – able to break us from within and if given a high dosage, it could be lethal. My odds were higher as I was an alpha wolf. Though my body’s healing would be delayed, I knew it couldn’t kill me.

“It’s a pity you proved stubborn,” Cole resumed, “Or should I say, stupid?” His gaze flickered to a slumped Ithra and his countenance grew poor. “And for what?” He pointed at her naked form. “This slut who can’t keep it in her pants for one minute.”

I felt anger at his unholy remarks about my mate. “How dare you?” I growled. “You will pay for this,” My eyes went to her forsaken state and my heart stopped. “You will pay for everything you have done to her!”

Cole circled me like a rabid dog. “You should be ashamed of yourself. Look at you, captured and powerless.” He said, “Did you think you would save her? Do you even know the abomination that she is?”

I thrashed against the chains that held me. “Do you think she would go with you if you came running?” He laughed me sore. “She opened her legs for the willing male and now she is carrying a bastard!” He grew madder with every word. “Do you still think she is your mate? Huh? Is she still worthy of being called your mate?”

My eyes shot up at his words, “She is p-pregnant?” I stuttered, unable to believe it.

I must have given him the opposite reaction because his eyes flickered between us both and widened in realization. I let a lazy smirk confirm his thoughts and hell broke loose.

Cole took up a whip made of thorns and whipped me till I could barely see. I didn’t care. I was still reeling from the fact that my mate was carrying my child.

“I will kill you. I promise you will die a shameful and disgusting death.” He vowed, eyes ablaze. “Both of you!”

“Alpha.” A feminine voice I knew too well spoke and Cole stopped his assault. Athaliah.

I struggled to open my eyes, and they shot me up with more wolf’s bane.

“You don’t need to soil your hands. The people are waiting for our coronation. Let’s go.” She said with a seductive tone.

“My queen..” Cole purred, dragging her by the waist.

“Go get clean while I handle things over here.” She said, “I’m your Luna after all.”

My eyes open at her words. Luna?

As soon as Cole stepped out, she wore a mocking smile. “How does it feel? Being with the shorter end of the stick?” She said, “I can’t believe you were this stupid. Coming for her at night, sleeping with her and returning alone. I thought you were smarter than this.”

“I should have killed you.” I managed to say, and I meant every word. “I should have killed you when I had the chance you traitor!”

“Too late to cry when the head is off.” She said, “Thanks to both your stupidity, I have earned my place as the luna of this pack.” She cackled. “As much as I’d loved to have you witness the union, It’s in a few minutes and oops!” She looked at a nonexistent watch. “I can’t be late.”