The Alpha Can’t Sense His Mate

ZADOK

I felt a soft body pressed beside me, and a sweet scent of lavender and spice filled my nose.

My eyes fluttered open, and I came face to face with a mop of red hair. Soft legs wrapped around me, caging me to the silkiest skin I’ve been privileged to feel in my years of existence.

Instinctively, my hands traced the skin of the legs around me, and I felt my wolf purr in delight. Waves of pleasure shot through me, and my arms tightened around her.

It took a moment for me to come to my senses. I was a second too late because Ithra jolted up from her sleep, hitting my head in the process. A sharp pain from my head rocked my body, and I winced at the strange feeling.

“Are you alright? Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry.” Came the panicked voice of Ithra.

I couldn’t speak. It seemed like the pain in my head increased as time passed by.

“It’s the poison. Lay on your back. I’ll get you something to help the pain.”

Poison? I thought, wondering what the hell she was talking about. I didn’t have the time to inquire from her because the next thing I knew, she was pushing me back on my back and rushing away from me.

Within seconds, she sat beside me, holding a palm fruit.

“Where did you get that?” I asked, wary of the fruit.

“It doesn’t matter. Eat.” Her tone left no room for refusal, and for some insane reason, I found myself eager to please her.

I felt a lot better, and my head lightened after I took the fruit. I felt like my memory got lost without hope of recovery.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“What happened?” I asked Ithra, who sat beside me, watching me like a hawk.

“You were stung by the scorpions in the valley of thorns.” She said, and I was surprised even more.

I struggled to understand what she was saying but came up blank. It seemed like she noticed my struggle to recollect what happened and said,

“Don’t worry. I have read that a temporary loss of memory is normal when stung by a scorpion. Especially when its poison stayed a while before an antidote is ministered.”

“Really?” I sat up despite her protests. “I am a werewolf, Ithra. An Alpha. Those things shouldn’t be able to have such hold over me.” I reminded.

She rolled her eyes, “And that’s why you are not yet dead, Alpha.” She pointed back to the rocks that formed my bed. “I suggest you get some rest and recover better so you don’t permanently lose your memory, or worse, your limbs?”

My eyes narrowed, “My limbs?” I asked in confusion.

She took out her knife, eyeing it suggestively, “I can’t help myself if you refuse to help yourself and put all my hard work to shame.”

I bit a smile, “Are you threatening me, princess?”

“I couldn’t if I tried, Alpha.” She said in a sultry tone. “I’m just stating facts. Believe it or not, if you don’t recover well, I might as well end it now.” She looked up at me. “I can’t have a weakling for a partner.”

That hit me in the head. I felt intense pain in my head, and suddenly, the floodgates opened. My memories returned.

The valley of thorns. The scorpions. Ithra’s near-death experience and how she saved my life. Everything else was a blur. I gauged Ithra in a new light.

“You remember.” She stated, reading me like a book.

I nodded my head.

“Good. Now you know why I’d rather kill you myself than watch my efforts go down the drain.” She said and motioned to my makeshift bed. “Rest.”

Her tone was resolute. I couldn’t help but wonder. Was this what getting cared for by a witch felt like? I lay on my bed, and a barely concealed look of approval flashed through her face.

She walked over to a dusty fireplace and picked up something covered by leaves. Ithra returned, and I perceived the smell of roasted meat and her heavenly scent. I leaned into the latter, and a picture of her laying flush against me this morning flashed inside my mind.

My member hardened at the thought of having her close to me again. Refusing to succumb to such thoughts, I violently shook my head, trying but failing to get the vivid thoughts from my head.

“Here’s some roasted meat if you are hungry.” She said, trying to conceal her concern but failing woefully. “I’ll be right back.”

“Where are you going?” I asked and made to stand up, but she held me back.

“Don’t even think about it.” She warned, “I need to get us something for lunch and dinner. You can’t get better on an empty stomach, can you?”

I made to boast how I was an alpha werewolf with superb healing abilities, but my stomach betrayed me with a growl. I felt heat rush to my face in embarrassment.

“Glad the little monster in there agrees.” She added, turning away from me.

I noticed the little cloth wrapped loosely around her arm shifted, revealing a ghastly wound that tainted the whiteness of her skin. I got on my feet on instinct and held her back by the arm.

“What happened to you?” My voice was thick and demanding answers.

Ithra dragged her hand away from mine and faced me with furious eyes. “I said, get some rest.”

I didn’t budge. My eyes remained focused on Ithra, waiting for an answer.

Confusion laced her expression, “What are you talking about?”

I didn’t answer. My eyes dropped to the wound in Ithra’s arm.

She let out a soft oh sound and moved to cover the wound with her cloth, but I didn’t let her. “Tell me,” I urged, refusing to budge.

A sigh escaped her lips, and her shoulders sagged, “I got bit by a snake.”

My eyes widened, “What?”

“Calm your tits, Zadok.” She deadpanned, uninterested in my concern for her. “I am alright. It’s not as bad as it looks. Besides, I already took an antidote for it. I just need to dress it up, and everything would be alright.”

Everything she said registered in my head, but I refused to let go. I held her still, eyes narrowed at the wound. I wanted it gone.

“Did you not hear a word of what I just said?” Ithra sounded irked, “I am fine, calm-”

“My tits?” I supplied with a lopsided grin, “I can’t help that I don’t have some as good as yours. Don’t rub it in.” I said casually, and my eyes dropped to her chest.

Ithra’s face matched the colour of her hair in seconds. I could tell she was embarrassed, and for some reason, that made me feel good inside.

I wondered how red she would turn if I teased a bit more.

I mustered my line of words, and she broke free from my hold.

“I’ll be out getting something to dress my wound. Don’t you even think of moving an inch!”

She bolted out of the cave, leaving me to my antics. I felt light and looked forward to her return.