The Alpha Can’t Sense His Mate

COLE’S POV

I received news from my Allies in Zadok’s pack after three days.

Our gamma wasn’t lying to me. She was kicked out for deceiving the Alpha and causing him to believe his mate was gone.

Although she kept that she had always had the hots for Zadok, I could forgive her. She was too interesting to be killed over something so fickle and mundane.

Other than that, I received a comprehensive detail of who she was, how she joined her former pack and her capabilities. I was sufficiently intrigued.

As I approached her cell, excitement coursed through me. I couldn’t wait to see her face when I told her my condition. I looked forward to that with all eagerness.

I hadn’t seen Calla for the past three days – She was confined to her chambers while I contemplated the best punishment for her misdeeds. It was clear I needed to get her under control. But that would be later.

For now, I needed to sort things out with Athaliah. I approached her cells and her head was raised and waiting. She looked thinner, but her spirit did not waver. I had instructed that she be starved before I left the last time.

I didn’t like how confident she seemed.

I hoped that today, she would be a bit more submissive and docile like the lady she was, but there was no such luck. I would break her from within to get the perfect look to suit her stay in this pack. It could take a while, but I knew it was possible.

Good things come to those who wait.

“Alpha.” She greeted me as soon as her eyes met mine.

“You don’t know if I have accepted you,” I said with an amused glint. “You seem to be doing fine,” I stated the obvious, and her answer was expected.

“Three days without food is nothing to me. If you did your homework, you should know that by now.” Athaliah gritted and I resisted the urge to test how much she could go without food or water.

How long would it take to break her and mould her in an image more suited for her? I shook off my morbid thoughts, focusing on the situation at hand.

“I have decided to take you in as a member of my pack.” I didn’t miss the slight widening of her eyes. She didn’t have anywhere to go. I was her last resort. I might as well exploit that advantage. “But there are some conditions.”

Her face darkened. “What are they?”

I didn’t hesitate. “First,” I let my eyes wander to hers. “You will have to denounce your title as an Alpha.”

Athaliah seemed startled. Did she think I would miss that an Alpha’s blood is higher than a normal wolf’s and almost equal to an alpha’s? It got me wondering when she said she had trusted allies in the Blood Hound pack.

Why would people bound to their Alpha betray him to her?

It was practically unheard of that a wolf should betray their Alpha. The loyal blood in us made it physically and genetically impossible.

But like every damned spell, there was a loophole to that. If the person was compelled or forcefully sired to another Alpha – that was the end. And guess what Athaliah was? An Alpha blood.

The last thing I needed was her raising little minions in my pack. There was only room for one Alpha. And that was me. If she rejects, then she might as well sign her death warrant – Because there was no way I’d let her live.

“Already did.” A voice breathed into my head and I was shocked.

My eyes widened as I asked her, “How did you do that?”

“I submitted to you the moment I saw you.” She gritted painfully and I couldn’t understand.

“How? Why?” My questions were endless.

“Unfortunately, I left out something the last time we spoke.” My breath seized. “I am no longer an Alpha blood.” She declared, her pain filled her voice. “Zadok made sure of that.”

“Explain,” I commanded. And she did, by the time she was done. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. To think that Zadok had such a potion in his possession unnerved me. What else did he have up his sleeve?

I stared hard at Athaliah before I said the words that brought me here in the first place. “Welcome to the pack.”

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

Dinner became a feast and welcoming party for Athaliah.

As a tradition, whenever we had a new addition to the pack, be it a baby or a full-grown wolf, they were welcomed to the fold in this manner.

Today was Athaliah’s turn and I could sense the animosity in the room. Everyone knew who she was and what she represented. I could imagine their thoughts on having an enemy joining the celebration, but I thought them well on how to behave.

I clinked my glass with my spoon at the thick of the celebration, and silence returned. I cleared my throat and started my speech. “It’s a beautiful night to feast and welcome another new addition to the Moonlight pack.” I began and they cheered. “I wouldn’t like to waste your time so I would make this short and snappy.”

“This is Athaliah Montreal,” I said, gesturing to Athaliah – who stood up, clad in a stunning black gown. She gave off a devilish vibe that I was drawn to. “She is a warrior and a new member of our pack.” Murmurs began and I felt my temper ticking. “If anyone had their reservations, do come out.”

I said, waiting for the one I would make an example of. They knew better. No one dared to come out. I trained them well.

“Like I was saying,” I continued, “She will be a part of us and serve as a trainer. We all know her former identity, and I assure you she will be a valuable asset and loyal to us. Cheers to Moon Light.” I finished, and they all raised their glasses.

Soon enough, the dinner was over. I took Athaliah by the arm, and introduced her to people she would be working with, after which we returned to my office for a special assignment I had for her.

“Welcome on board,” I said again, gesturing for her to sit. “Other than your normal duties, I have a special assignment for you.”

Her attention piqued. “What will that be?”

I leaned closer to my table. “It’s Calla. I need you to keep a close eye on her.”

“Can I ask why?” I didn’t like the sound of that.

“You cannot,” I said with a dark glint. “You will become her trainer and are expected to report anything odd to me. You are to report everything to me. Don’t leave out a single detail.”

“If I am going to excel at my job, I will need full transparency. That is a non-negotiable if I am to take on this task.”

My nose flared. “What do you mean?”

“I need you to tell me everything about Calla. I already told you my story. For this to work, you have to trust me.” She said without blinking.

My jaws clenched as I waited for her to chicken out but there was no such luck. I didn’t like her arrogance. But she made a point. Her life belonged to me anyway, so there was nothing to lose if I told her the truth.

And so I did.

“You are sure she has recovered her memory?” She asked after a while.

“That bit is clear. I just need to know how much.” I answered, “Trust you can help me with that.”All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

She nodded affirmatively. I made to dismiss her when she stopped me. “One last thing.”

“What is it?” I was getting impatient.

“During the Mating ceremony. You said she was a half werewolf and half witch.” My attention was sustained. “How did you know that? How did you know she was a hybrid?”

The silence was deafening. “Because those were her first words to me.”