The Alpha Can’t Sense His Mate

ZADOK

Where is she? I wondered as I trudged through the dark forest alone.

I heard the snap of a branch, and turned to see a giant spider walking towards me with the intent to kill me.

Not today. I thought and immediately picked up a large, strong tree branch. Before it could get to me, I charged towards it and hit it severally till it reduced to tiny pieces on the floor.

I threw the branch as I continued my search for Ithra. I can’t believe she wandered off on her own. What exactly did she think going off to her death?

I followed her trail eastward, carrying a decent tree branch, just in case anyone else tried something funny, hoping I got to her before danger did.

“Zadok…” I heard a voice behind me, and I turned around with a swift movement.

Nobody. There was nobody behind me.

I continued my journey with vigilant eyes. I had heard stories about the deadliness of the dark forest. And how it reduced even the greatest to a delusional moron. I was determined to make a mess of that myth.

The dark forest was home to a lot of creatures and beasts. Some of which had the power to create hallucinations and draw their prey as they fit. My case was different.

Thanks to the darned curse that brought me here, I was already a mess in the head, and there was nothing else they could do to top my current predicament.

“Zadok!” I hear a voice whisper behind me, and it sounds oddly familiar.

A breeze blew through me, and I felt a strong presence behind me.

“Alpha! I don’t have much time.” It said, and I turned around, branch in hand.

Without as much as a look, I struck the person behind me, only to find air. I knew there was someone. I saw their shadow just behind me, and now, nothing.

“Listen!” A grey light appeared before me, and the face I saw took a breath out of my lungs.

Shilhi. There she was in the grey light, looking like a hologram. She sported a frown I knew too well.

“You’re not real..” I muttered and shook my head, “This is the dark forest. Nothing is as it seems.” I rehearsed, closing my eyes. “You are not real,” I said, gathering the courage to face what I believed to be a fae.

“Yes.” The voice admits, and my eyes fly open, shocked. “This is a vision. A hallucination. Call it whatever you will, but I need you to listen carefully.” She said, surprising me with her words.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

I remained silent, unsure what to make of the scene before me.

“You must not return without the ghost orchid.” She said, and my eyes widened. “Time is running out. You can’t return without the flower because the dark forest only allows you entry once in a lifetime.”

My eyes narrowed in concern, “What are you talking about?”

“If you leave the dark forest without the ghost orchid, you can forget about breaking the curse forever. The dark forest never allows a creature twice into its domain, including the chosen one. Once you leave the dark forest, it’s over. You can never enter its grounds again.”

My brain worked overtime and decoded the implications of her words. Sudden anger brewed within me. “And you are telling me this now?”

“My apologies for the late information. I couldn’t help it. I’ve been trying to reach you all these while, and after many unsuccessful attempts, I finally got to you.” She said, seeming worried.

I let out a deep breath, trying to stop the anger that ate at me. “So what next?” I asked, “How do I get my hands on the ghost orchid without a map? I can’t even find Ithra!” I said in frustration.

Shilhi’s face turned grim. “You can’t afford to lose her. You must work with her, Alpha. Find her and get her to work with you. I will stay in contact with you as you proceed to help your quest, but you need to find Ithra. And fast.”

“I will find her,” I said with determination. My eyes searched my immediate surroundings. “She couldn’t have gone that far.”

“Find her. You must protect her at all costs, Alpha. If she dies, your purpose is defeated.” Her words struck a chord in me.

My mate. If she dies out here, it would cost me my mate.

“My time is up!” She announced, and her hologram started disappearing, “I will reach you later. But first, you must wake up and find her.”

Her words rang endlessly in my head, and my eyes flew open. It was a dream.

My body acts on reflex, and I search my surroundings for Ithra. I realised with terror that I was alone, lying by a tree.

Shook to the core, I jumped on my feet and looked around. My heart raced as I remembered my last interaction with Ithra. We decided to spend the night together and go our separate ways at the crack of dawn.

She fooled me and took off the moment I went to sleep. I couldn’t even perceive her intoxicating scent. She left without a trail.

If she dies, your purpose is defeated.

The words of Shilhi return to me with a vengeance. Goosebumps wash over me as I hear her voice – speaking in an endless cycle and bringing a wave of fear.

I couldn’t lose Ithra. I couldn’t lose her.

You must wake up and find her. I heard Shilhi’s words, and the dream gained a new meaning. It wasn’t a mere dream – she said it herself. It was her way of communicating with me.

Suddenly, I remember the words of Ithra. The visions! They were real.

My thought process cut off, and I felt a paralysing fear that brought me to my knees. For some reason, I could tell that this fear wasn’t mine.

It belonged to someone. It felt so real, and my heart pricked at the level of fear that overwhelmed me. I look around my surroundings, and there’s no threat whatsoever.

A thought hit me, and instinctively, I took off in a sprint, headed towards the east.

Ithra was in danger.