The Alpha Can’t Sense His Mate

ZADOK

My powerful fists collided with the table and it broke in two.

“I handed her over to you, Azriel! How could you let that happen?!”

My eyes were bloodshot red. The scars on Ithra’s body reappeared in my mind and I felt the urge to slit the throat of whoever did such wickedness under my nose.

Azriel fell to his knees. “I am sorry, Alpha. I will get to the-”

“You have two seconds to tell me what happened, Azriel.” I cut him off, “Who did that to her?”

I saw him hesitate, and it made me furious. He knew what happened, and I wanted to know.

“Alpha-”

“I want an explanation! And so help me God, if you don’t give me one, I will go to the depths of hell to find out what happened and I will take you with me.”

Knocks came from the door, and I shouted.

“Get out! Nobody comes in!”

My blood ticked as I paced around, trying to get my mind together. Azriel could feel it, he always knew when I was on the edge of losing my mind and giving into my intrusive thoughts.

“Alpha, your potion..”

“I want answers, Azriel.” My voice was cold, “this is the last time I’ll ask.”

Kir was itching to come out. I was barely holding him back because I didn’t know what his wolf brains planned on doing in this situation.

Ever since the extermination, my mind and that of Kir was separated. We never seemed to agree on anything other than when it came to killing the bloody witches and rogues that threatened our existence.

Recently, that wasn’t the case. We seemed to be at the opposite ends with matters surrounding Ithra, and I didn’t know what to make of that.

I didn’t know if he wanted to kill her or stop me from killing her. There was only one way to find out and, for some reason, I couldn’t take that risk.

Not with her.

“Since you don’t have answers, our meeting here is done.”

I walked around the broken table, ready to make my findings when his voice stopped me.

“It was Athaliah.”

I turned around, and our eyes connected.

“What do you mean? What has Athaliah got to do with this?” I asked, unable to wrap my head around what he was saying.

“When we first found her, you ordered for her to be put in prison.” He bowed his head, “I only found out later on that she was tortured.”

“T-tortured? On whose orders? By who?”

My arms were itching to kill the person who thought it right to hurt Ithra. I was the only one permitted to touch her.

Who gave them the right to touch what was mine?

“Athaliah.”

For the first time ever, my urge to kill overpowered my wolf’s killer instinct. All I felt was the need to put an end to her existence, to them both.

An unmistakable sense of betrayal hit me and my breathing changed.

“Why will she do that? Why would she hurt her knowing what she meant to me and to this pack?”

I was growing insane as I walked back to Azriel who was kneeling in front of me.

“At the time, she wasn’t aware. She didn’t know who-”

I shut him up with a punch that sent him to the floor.

“Excuses. All I hear is excuses.” I sneered, and kicked him with every word. “I placed her under your custody, and you let her get abused.”

“I apologize, I never thought she would go as far as using the witch’s bane on her. I take full responsibility for my negligence and will accept any punishment you see fit.” Azriel said, coughing up blood.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

“Get Athaliah in here.” I ordered, and went towards the window for some air.

Within a few minutes, the doors open and Athaliah walks in. Two steps inside and she fell to her knees.

Apparently, she’s been briefed.

“Alpha.” She said with her head bowed.

“Get up, Athaliah.” I said with a cynic smile and she shook her head.

“I dare not. I have failed you and I apologize for my actions. I will accept any repercussions you deem necessary.”

“Tell me Athaliah,” I walked towards her, circling her like a prey, “What did you do to warrant repercussions from me?”

She swallowed, not expecting such a question, or calmness on my end.

“I just called for you and you immediately went on your knees, pleading for forgiveness. I wonder what you did that could warrant my being angry with you.”

My tone reeked of sarcasm. So much I fought the urge to roll my eyes at the ridiculousness of it all.

“I didn’t realize she was the chosen one. I tortured her thinking she was a witch that dared to cross our hallowed territory. I apologize for my ignorance.” She breathed with her head bowed. “I now realize the repercussions for my actions and I solely take responsibility.”

“Bravo!” I clapped, “What a moving speech right there.” I turned to Azriel, “You still somehow found the time to inform her of the situation? Where was your competence when Ithra was getting tortured? Why wasn’t I informed with this level of timeliness?” I sneered,

Azriel bowed his head. He knew better than to say anything. It would only put me in a terrible mood.

I turned to Athaliah. “You said you were willing to take any repercussions for your actions?”

She gave an affirmative nod.

“Good. However, I won’t be deciding that. The one whom you have hurt will be deciding your punishment.”

Her eyes almost came out of their sockets.

“W-what?” She stuttered,

“It’s only fair that Ithra decides your punishment, seeing she was the one wronged. Don’t you think so?” I said, daring her to defy me.

“Y-yes A-alpha.”

“Thought so.” I turned to Azriel. “You have one job. Find out what truly happened in the kitchen. I’ll make my findings too. And God help you, I find something different than you did.” I smirked, promising a world of pain.

“You have twelve hours.”