The Alpha Can’t Sense His Mate

ITHRA

“Why do we have to go this early?” I walked behind Azriel, trying to meet up to his pace.

“Don’t think that because you are now a member of the pack, you have permission to idle away.” He said without a glance back. “We are disciplined, and in order for you to fit in, you must be disciplined.”

“I wasn’t trying to fit in.” I sneered behind him, “Zadok- I mean, the alpha said I would be introduced to the pack. It’s been two days and there’s been no word. Forgive me but I don’t feel like getting attacked by your people.”

Azriel stopped, and turned around. “My people?” he asked in an incredulous tone.

I stared back at him. Surely, he didn’t expect me to refer to them with anything dear. Not when they were all after my life.

When he realized I wasn’t planning on saying anything, he sighed.

“Today is your first day of training. Zadok will meet you in between. I have been assigned to oversee your training.” He took a long look at me, “which unfortunately for you, begins in the early hours of the day. If you’re done complaining, let’s get going.”

My mouth opened but no words came out.

Azriel didn’t care to see if I had something to say. He walked forward and disappeared into a door by the end of the hallway, leading outside.

I took a deep breath and followed him, murmuring all the way.

The vast land became quiet the moment I stepped out. Everything ceased and I felt all eyes on me. The pungent smell of sweat and bodily fluids were heavy on the air.

“Ahem-” Azriel cleared his throat, commanding attention. “This is Ithra.” He introduced me, and I was greeted by hostile hisses and snarls. “She will be training with us moving forward.”

That did it. The wolves broke into a fit of growls and words, communicating how ‘welcomed’ I was in their midst.

“I’d kill her before I let her train with us!”

One of the wolves hollered and a chorus of agreement filled the air.

“A witch training with us? What an insult!”

“She deserves to die for showing her face over here! Let’s show her how brutal the bloodhound warriors can be to flimsy witches like her!”

“I’d like to see you try.” A voice said from the door and the raging crowd silenced.

“Alpha!”

They changed in unison and got on their knees, with heads bowed. Everyone was on their knees including Azriel, however, I remained standing, rooted to my spot as I watched Zadok walk towards me with a displeased look.

His long legs found their way to my side and I found myself mesmerized by his features. His sharp jaws were clenched, tight, and promising a world of pain to whoever thought it wise to cross him.

I looked at his bare chest and rock hard abs. Years of training and hard work are visible in the hardness of it.

So much I want to touch it.

It was hard to withhold myself from touching him. Unconsciously, I reached out, and just before I could perpetuate my thoughts, he stopped me with his next words.

“Rise.”

His voice reverberated through me, and I felt a powerful commanding force following it. The effect of his command was instant.

Forcing the entire people in the training ground up on their feet with a respectful gaze. Gone was the previous hostility and anger towards me.

“Who was that?” Zadok asked, and I felt the fear emanate from the crowd.

Nobody spoke. Everyone remained tight-lipped, refusing to be the scapegoat.

“I figured it’s about time I made things clear to all.”

Zadok hands enclosed around mine and within a second, I was flush and pressed beside him.

“Ithra is my guest.” He announced with an alpha tone, leaving no room for rebuttal. “Moving forward, I expect her to be treated as such.”

He stopped speaking for sometime, and I am awfully aware of the closeness between us and where our hands meet.

Confused murmurs soon reached my ears, and I remembered we were not alone. Zadok always managed to steal my attention anytime he came close.

Suddenly, Zadok let out a short laugh. I felt the vibration of his laugh in my core.

“I didn’t realize I ruled disrespectful wolves.” He muttered and the murmurs seized. “It seems like there is a misunderstanding on who the alpha of this pack is. Maybe I’ll need to defend my title again,” he turned to Azriel. “And him too.”

Swiftly, he let go of me and pushed me behind him.

“Do I need to remind you who is alpha?” He barked, and the wolves went on their knees.

I hadn’t seen such a clear display of power in my entire life.

“No Alpha!” They chorused, and I was amazed.

“Ithra is officially a part of this pack. If any of you, and I mean anyone, go as far as looking at her the wrong way. Blood shall flow. Do you understand?”

“Yes alpha.”

“She shall also be joining the training here.” Zadok said, and stepped beside me. He placed an arm on my shoulder and continued. “Azriel shall-”

“Why?” A wolf interrupted with a hiss.

A cynic smile appeared on Zadok’s face. “Who was that?” He asked, but something told me he knew exactly who it was.

The crowd parted and a young hefty looking man was revealed.

“Come forward.” Zadok ordered.

He hesitated for sometime, and finally came forward, looking at Zadok square in the eyes.

His eyes reverted to me and I saw the malice and anger behind his orbs.

“I believe you have something to say, Essau?” Zadok smiled, “you are free to speak.”

“Thank you Alpha.” He began, his eyes turned fierce and he stared daggers at me, “this witch you-”

Splash!

The splatter of his blood stained my face and I heard the shocked gasps of the crowd before us.

I couldn’t open my mouth for fear of actually tasting his blood. However Zadok had no problem with that.

He just killed a wolf like it was the easiest thing.

“I warned against looking at her the wrong way.” He tsked like it was something normal. However, everyone’s eyes were the size of saucers.

Including mine.

“Anyone else have something to say?” He asked, and this time, no one moved a muscle. “Thought so.”