The Alpha Can’t Sense His Mate

AZRIEL’S POV

We returned to Zadok’s office, leaving Aaron half-dead in the dungeons.

“What happened?” I asked for the nth time, while Zadok paced in the office.

“I should have finished him up! I should have killed him with my bare hands.”

Athaliah stepped into the office, sporting a worried look

“You want to know what happened?” He finally said, taking a seat. “I met my mate at the ceremony!” He announced with an evil smile.

“What do you mean?” I asked, confused.

“Athaliah,” He called, “Please tell Azriel what happened at the ceremony tonight.” He said with a deranged expression, “Tell him how I watched my mate get mated to another, how my mate was stolen away before my eyes.”

“Alpha…” Athaliah began but he shut her up.

“Listen.” Zadok chuckled, “I went to the darned meeting, ready to perform my assignment.” Cole stepped up a few minutes to midnight – ready to make an announcement.” Zadok’s laugh was maniacal. “You would never believe who I saw, walking through the midst of the crowd and glowing with majesty.”

He suddenly sat up, and smiled, revealing his pointy sharp canines. “It was Ithra!” He announced. “The same one that told Aaron she was dead and needed me to give up looking for her. The same Ithra appeared as a ghoul in the dark forest, saving his life from harm. Do you remember?” His eyes narrowed at me. “That same Ithra walked up to the stage as Cole’s chosen mate!” He said, banging his fist on the desk.

“You can’t be sure…” Athaliah said, startled. She was cut short by the growl that left Zadok’s lips.

I could feel his alpha power filling the air. It was only a matter of time before Kir showed up. “Alpha,” I said, hoping to calm him but it was useless.

“You cannot imagine my joy when I saw her.” He inhaled, closing his eyes in bliss. “She looked so beautiful with her short hair and glamorous dress. She looked so beautiful and mine.” Suddenly, the smile on his face was gone, replacing it with a grim and angry look. “Neither can you imagine my shock when she looked me in the eye and asked who I was.”

“That was his announcement?” I asked, bewildered in my spot. “How did he find her? You spoke to her?”

“I must bring her back,” Zadok said resolutely. “I have to bring her back to where she belongs. I don’t know what Cole did to her, little wonder he was so persistent to have me in the meeting. He wanted to show her off to me. To spite me.”

“I don’t think so.” Athaliah squeaked from the corner, getting our attention. “Forgive me but I don’t think that is the case, Alpha.” She said and I looked at her like she had grown a second head.

Was she trying to get killed?

Zadok was calm – it felt like the calm before the storm. “Please tell us why you don’t think so.”

Even Athaliah seemed shocked by his reply. That made the both of us.

“That couldn’t have been Ithra.” She managed to speak. “Her hair was shorter and she looked so taken with Cole. I even did a bit of digging and found out she has been with him for years in the MoonLight pack.” that caught my attention. “That is not the Luna we know and love, she is just a lookalike.”

Athaliah continued while Zadok remained silent. “If she were truly your mate, she would have recognised you. I saw the way she looked at you, there was nothing. She didn’t even know me, she didn’t know you.”

“It’s okay,” I said to Athaliah, but she continued.

“No. He needs to hear this and stop embarrassing himself!” She fumed. “Today was an opportunity to choose another mate, one who would fill the big shoes of our Luna and help you heal, but what did you do? You went after another man’s woman like a love-sick puppy and ended up getting thrown out of the ceremony!”

“I thought we were over this. I thought this was a new beginning, but you have returned where you started. I advise you to end this madness and pick another mate-”

Athaliah was shut off by Zadok, who suddenly threw the table over and attacked her with an arm to her neck. My breath nearly seized as I watched her dangle from Zadok’s hold, trying to breathe to no avail.

“Alpha.” I rushed to him, dragging him away but he remained rooted to his spot – squeezing life out of her. “Alpha! You are going to kill her!” I shouted, and fear gripped my heart when her eyes began to close. “ZADOK!”

Zadok let go of her, and she dropped to the floor. “How dare you?” He said to Athaliah, who shivered, drawing back as she held her neck.

“Please..” She coughed, “Please. I spoke foolishly..”

“Get out.” He ordered and she disappeared, scrambling out of the office and leaving me alone with Zadok.

For a minute, I thought he would come at me for throwing him back, but he walked to his window with a thoughtful expression.

My heart slowed when I realised she wasn’t dead after all, only to hurt when I remembered the motive of Athaliah’s earlier outburst. I had to talk some sense into her. It was fine if she didn’t want me, but heaven forbids her to kill herself in her pursuit to become Luna.

For now, we needed to sort this out once and for all.

“There might be a chance she isn’t the real person,” I said, testing the waters. Zadok’s shoulders tensed and I knew he was listening. “And there is also a chance she is the real person we have been looking for all these years.” I balanced my words.

Zadok was silent, but I could tell he was listening.

“We have to be sure of what we are dealing with. We have to be sure it’s the Luna before taking action.” I said and he turned back, sporting a frustrated look.

“And how are we supposed to do that? Cole will not let me a few feet close to her. The only way to get her is by war.” He announced with a smirk. “And I am ready to do that.”

“No.” I shook my head, “There are other ways to discover her true identity. Give me time to dig deep into this matter, and I will uncover everything about her.” I said, hoping he bought the idea. “War should be a last resort.”

Zadok hissed, looking me in the eye. “You don’t seem to get it, do you?” He clenched his jaws. “I cannot live another day without seeing her. I cannot wait for you to carry out your darned research on her. I know my mate, and I am going to get her back. Case closed.”Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

“I know that feeling,” I said, feeling the familiar ache in my heart. “I will get her back to you, just calm down and listen to me. I have a plan.”