ITHRA
I relaxed on the tree and finished off the remains of my roasted meat.
I couldn’t lie. Zadok was one hell of a cook. It made me wonder just how many things he excelled in.
My eyes raked over his sturdy back as he stood watch a few metres away from me. He felt my gaze and said without glancing back, “Done having dinner?” He stated.
“Yes, thank you.” I find myself replying. We shared a moment of silence before I spoke again. “Do you plan on staying there all night long?”
“Someone’s got to keep watch.” He answered with a shrug. “You can go to bed.”
I resist the urge to say something rude. “If you are staying awake, why can’t I?”
A brief and tired sigh left Zadok’s lips. For the first time, I saw his shoulders sag. How tired was he?
“I don’t have enough strength to bicker with you, Ithra.” He said, finally turning around. “Go to bed already. We have a long day ahead.”
ZADOKI sat in the throne room with my parents, playing with the hourglass I stole from the witch’s lair. “Daddy, how much time do I have before I begin training to be alpha?” I asked, genuinely interested in his answer. “Oh, Zadok, eager to displace your daddy, aren’t we?” Mum said with a soft smile. “He’ll make a perfect Alpha, love. I can tell just by looking at him.” Daddy said with a proud look on his face. “Gatria said I can begin my training after getting my wolf.” I pouted, “Why can’t I begin the training now so that when I transform into my wolf, I’ll have more power to control it.” That caused my parents to burst into a fit of laughter. “Oh, Zadok, you don’t control your wolf. You partner with him.” My mom said between laughs. “But you said I can only partner with my mate,” I dropped the hourglass on the floor and looked up, “Why do I need to partner with my wolf when I have my mate?” “Oh dear, he asks a lot of questions.” Father huffs, “I’ll leave you both to it, oka
ITHRAZadok took out his blade, ready to fight. “Get behind me.” He hissed, eyes focused on our newfound mutual enemy. I took out my blade and thanked God for Zadok, who thought it wise to pick them up earlier. I couldn’t imagine being in this situation with nothing to defend ourselves. “We need to go south,” Zadok said to my hearing, our backs touched as we prepared for the battle. “No matter what, make sure you don’t get hurt.” I nearly rolled my eyes at his insinuation. “I can take care of myself.” I brisked, “Just focus on getting us out of here.” “I don’t care what happens,” A slash of Zadok’s sword split a scorpion in half. “You must protect yourself first.” He said, “And that’s an order!”I didn’t bother to reply to that. I was too busy with the influx of scorpions that seemed to multiply by the minute. Maintaining close distance from Zadok, I killed every scorpion, leaving dead bodies in my wake. Zadok wasn’t doing too bad. He was doing beautifully. I almost got distract
ITHRAI rushed to Zadok with my heart beating fast. “Open your eyes!” I held him and placed his head on my lap. “Don’t even think about dying on me.”His eyes fluttered open, and blood gushed from his head down to his face. “Ithraa,” He said, breathing heavily. It was a struggle for him to breathe. “Shush,” I said, “Just stay with me. Let’s get you out of here.” His mouth was slightly open, and I could tell he wanted to say something, but I didn’t let him. Without further interference, I helped him up to his feet. Damn, he was heavy! He put his weight on me, and there I noticed something odd. His clothes were soaked. Instinctively, I raised his clothes and noticed a gash on his stomach. Blood dripped from the wound, and I contemplated putting him down and searching for some herbs to stop the blood. “Don’t. Find a place. Let’s get out of here.” Zadok wheezed, “You’re bleeding!” I spoke like it was news to him, panicking. “It’ll heal.” He said, “This place,” He coughed, “this fo
ITHRAI returned to a barely alive Zadok and immediately fed him the fruits. As I fed the fruits to him, I prayed to the heavens above that I wasn’t wrong with my administration. I remember watching my mother boil the fruits, pound them and administer the content after drawing out its nutrients using water. With our current predicament, we didn’t have such luxury. I gave Zadok the fruits raw and hoped that would help while I got to creating a fire to roast another batch. My snake bite burned like fire, but I didn’t let it distract me. I put some fruits in my mouth for the poisonous effects of the snake bite and went on to put on a fire in the cave. It took a while, and eventually, the fire burned. The cave glowed with a fiery red tone. I returned to Zadok, using my mediocre skills to assess the extent of damage. Thankfully, his breath evened and gone was his previous laboured breathing. He was still unconscious, but I hoped he wouldn’t die. While roasting the fruits, I thought a
ZADOKI 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
ITHRANot as good as my tits?I huffed as I walked through the woods, trying and failing to put off the flames in my cheeks.Zadok was unreasonable, I thought. Remembering his lopsided grin as he teased me without shame. I couldn’t have it with him. I walked through the bushes, placing thoughts of Zadok in the corner of my mind. My stomach growled, reminding me of the hunger that ate at me. There was nothing in the forest - not even a single bunny. I wondered where the animals fled and why. A scare came upon me at the thought of them running away. If they had all run away, I presumed something scared them - and whatever it was, I knew I needed to be wary of it. I pulled out my knife and stayed guard, and my eyes opened for any unfriendly attacks. I heard rustling in the bushes and turned around with my hands clutched tightly on my knife. I smiled when I saw an antelope feasting on leaves. I felt joy as I checked out its large behind and hinds. Meat. I thought with a smile, gettin
ITHRA Zadok was brimming with energy. He carried the dead meat and led us back to the cave without breaking a sweat. I even felt stupid for worrying over him. From my observations, he was as strong as a calf. His Alpha genes must have hastened his healing, thus giving him back his strength. It was beautiful to behold him back as the protector I knew him to be. A butterfly flapped in my stomach, and I killed its motion before it could take off. I couldn’t be fawning over Zadok. I shook off the weird thoughts that plagued me and walked by his side - ridding me of the view of his legs from behind. I didn’t miss the feeling of despair that hit me at the loss of that precious view. This time, I violently shook my head, trying to rid the thoughts that brought heat to my cheeks. What was going on with me? I thought. Unknown to me, Zadok’s attention was well on me. “Any problem?” He asked with a gruff voice. I was startled, but I covered up with a tense smile. “What do you mean?”
ITHRA “Ithra! Please, help us!” My mother screamed as she burned alongside my sisters. My eyes were red with tears as I helplessly watched the fire devour them while they screamed for help. I couldn’t come close to them. I got held by Athaliah and Azriel - who refused to leave me as the others burned every hut in the Celtz clan. “Please. Stop it, I already pledged my life to him, I already agreed to help him! Please, just spare their lives. I beg of you.” I cried, “It was stupid of you to think I will let these scoundrels live. You are lucky you are still alive. Had it not been for our Alpha’s generosity, you should be burning with them!” Athaliah said, eyeing me with disgust. “Kill me!” I screamed, unable to hold myself. “Kill me right now because death is worse than this! I can’t live with this memory. End my life this instant.” I yelled, getting tired of the torture. “Gladly,” Azriel said, tightening his hold around me. “I would love to rid this earth of trash like you, but