The Alpha Can’t Sense His Mate

ITHRA

Her smile widened and my eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

“Enchantress Sarai!” I got on my knees, and she placed a palm on my shoulder, urging me up.

“Get up, Ithra. You have a long journey ahead of you.” She said, and I got up.

Sarai was the most powerful enchantress to have crossed the earth. She was the witch who created the Celts forcefield and according to legend, she wasn’t found after she conjured the spell.

Some said she was defeated by the powerful spell while others said she was cast into abyss for conjuring such great magic.

I couldn’t believe I was seeing her.

“Sarai, what happened? How are you here? Have you been here all along?”

“Listen to me,” her voice was desperate. ” I don’t have much time. You must not allow them to win. You must stay true to who you are.”

Her voice faded as she spoke, as well as her body.

“Sarai! What is going on?” I panicked, I couldn’t see her anymore.

“Just LISTEN!” Her voice echoed. “No matter what, you must go to the dark forest. You must recover your powers, you must right this wrong, Ithra.”

“What’s wrong? What are you talking about? Sarai!”

“Go to the dark forest. Recover your powers. Time is running out…”

I couldn’t find her anymore. But her words rang in my head.

Go to the dark forest…

Recover your powers….

There is no more time….

“Sarai?” I called out, taking note of the fact I was alone.

I closed my eyes, fighting the fear that paralyzed me.

“Ahem..” someone cleared their throat and my eyes flew open. “Are you alright?” She asked, eyes narrowed in concern.

I couldn’t bring myself to talk. I was too shocked. Because like magic, I was back at the farm. Squatting exactly where I’d been before I left to the dark forest.

I quickly got on my feet and took a look around. Nothing seemed out of place. The guards were still there, watching me like a hawk.

Was it a dream? It felt too real, I could still hear her voice. I could still hear my rapid heartbeat.

I turned to the woman that stood there, observing me like an odd specimen. It was the caped lady! The same one that disappeared some days back.

“You! You vanished…W-who…who are you?” I asked, taking steps back.

She smiled, “I see you are having a hard time here. You were busy when I left the other time. Come on, I’ll show you where I was.” She beckoned to me and led the way.

I stood for sometime, wondering if it was safe to follow her, and if I was allowed to leave my duty post.

“Don’t worry about them, they won’t speak a word. Follow me.” She urged without looking back.

I hesitated for a few seconds and like a fool, I followed her.

We got to a clearing in the far right end of the farm after a few minutes of walking. I see something of the semblance of a greenhouse.

“This is my favorite place in the world.” She said, opening the wooden doors.

Inside the hut held shelves of dusty old books, a table with various coloured liquid and a boiling cauldron.

It was a typical witch’s coven!

I faced her with a new found wariness, “who are you?” I asked again, one foot out the door.

“I am Shilhi.” The lady said, pulling off her cape and revealing her long violet hair. “You can call me the pack’s herbalist.”

I wasn’t satisfied with her introduction, and she knew it. Without as much as a glance back, she continued.

“This used to be the witch’s coven but it’s been revamped to my workshop.” She said, “I deal with herbs so it’s more convenient having a place close to the farm. And since I love reading, the books added to its appeal.”

I let out a breath, and felt myself relax. However, I had no business here. If the guards found out I wasn’t at my duty post, I didn’t know what would become of me then.

“No need to worry. The guards saw us leave. You can take a few minutes rest, they needed some rest too.” Shilhi said, and I’m surprised at her discernment of my thoughts.

Deciding to take my much needed rest, I walk around the old hut, looking through the ancient books that it held, while Shilhi tests some herbs close to the fire.

For some reason, my eyes are drawn to an open book placed at the table with some experimental glasses. Silently, I make my way over, and carefully observe each cup, wondering what on earth it contained.

Finally, I get to the book. Its pages were old and its contents were written in a language I couldn’t understand.

I remained standing, wondering what language it was and why it fascinated me so much.

“Can you read it?” Her voice startled me, I had almost forgotten I wasn’t alone.

“No.” I stepped aside. “What language is it?”

“The ancient witch’s code.”

My eyes widened at her words. The ancient witch’s code was the language used by the ancient witch clan, dating back to a thousand years.

“I’ve tried to read it for years but I can’t seem to break the code.” She said, carefully flicking through the pages. “Legend says it’s been locked by the ancient witches and can only be read by one they permit.”

I was no stranger to that law. Stories about the ancient witches and their code were told to us as young warlocks. It was basic witch’s knowledge.

“Try to read it.” She demanded, pushing the book closer to me, “you are a witch, who knows, they might reveal something to you.”

I could see the compulsion in her eyes, it wasn’t a request. It was an order. No wonder the guards let me go. It was all a set up.

Unfortunately for her, I couldn’t read it. The words printed on the page were as clear as a dark sky.

“I can’t read it.” I muttered, turning away.

“Try again.” She commanded, holding me by the wrist.

“I can’t.” I withdrew my hand from her, “And even if I could, why on earth would I read it to you? If you don’t mind, I need to get back to work.”

I took one step and she broke into a laugh.

“I knew you couldn’t do it. Just wanted to try.” She said, “You can rest here for a while before returning to work. Don’t let me spoil your day. I’ll be out back.”

Before I could utter a word, she skipped out of the hut towards the back. I stood for some seconds contemplating leaving the hut but decided against it.

I returned back to the book and to my greatest shock, I could make out its words.

“The dark forest mountains retain the power to give and restore a witch’s power.”