ZADOK
It’s been three years since I saw her.
And three years since I heard from my wolf.
Three years of searching the dark forest with my warriors for any sign of Ithra.
Everyone thought I was crazy, Some believed I had lost my senses in the dark forest - including my beta.
“The men returned not too long ago,” Azriel informed me in my office. “We lost a large number of wolves in the Cold Valley.” He said with gritted teeth.
“Did they find her?” I asked the question I’ve asked for the past three years. “Did they find any trace of my mate?”
“No sir.” Azriel answered, “There were no reports of seeing or spotting anything out of the ordinary.”
“Prepare another batch,” I ordered in a dismissive tone. “By tomorrow, let them return to the dark forest.”
“Alpha,” Azriel
AZRIEL’S POVI headed back to the training ground sporting a bruised lip.Odd looks were thrown my way as I passed members of the pack, but no one was bold enough to ask what went wrong.These days, everyone was a shadow of themselves - trying to hide from my sight with hopes that they wouldn’t be the next to die.I missed the days when I was looked upon with love and reverence as a protector and beta of the pack.Now, I was seen as an angel of death - Picking up wolves from their families and sending them to their deaths - just like I was about to do with the next batch of wolves I’d been asked to send.I arrived at the training ground and didn’t miss that we had reduced drastically. I’ve lost count of the warriors we have lost to this cause.The number of people returned a shadow of themselves after being lucky enough to cross the darned portal and return alive.
ZADOKI stood in front of the wall where the portal was supposed to be. The dark wall that led to the dark forest was gone.The blocks returned to sight like there was never a portal there. I turned around with eyes that reflected the storm in my heart.“What happened?” I asked no one in particular, but I was expecting an answer.I needed an answer or hell would break loose.“Alpha!” Azriel burst into the building and rushed to my side.I didn’t acknowledge him. My eyes remained focused on the wall. The door to recovering her. My mate.“What went wrong? Who was the last person that entered this facility?” He asked one of the guard wolves that stood in our presence.“It was Aaron.” He answered, “He was the last one to return yesterday.”“How many people returned yesterday?” I asked the question tha
AZRIEL'S POVIt’s been one week of intense sorrow and pain.Since the portal of the dark forest disappeared and the message from the luna was sent to the Alpha, I had not set my eyes on him.The atmosphere of the pack seemed like we were in mourning. Everyone moved about conspicuously, bearing the pain of our Alpha.I couldn’t believe it myself. Over the years, despite trying to bring Zadok out of his slum by insinuating his mate was dead, a part of me felt she was still alive.Call it a beta’s instinct, but I just had this silent resolve that the Luna couldn’t be dead.Unlike Shilhi, whom I watched explode into a million pieces, she didn’t explode. Ithra disappeared - Just like they had disappeared from the packlands and entered the dark forest.Hearing Aaron repeat what he said to me, everything in me kicked against it. I couldn’t believe that my half-sister and Luna
ZADOKI wore my dress shirt as I prepared to address my people.It’s been three years since I returned. I never reached out to my people or attempted to associate with them.Today was the end. The end of my string of wickedness to my people and the start of a new dawn in the Blood Hound pack.For seven days, I let myself mourn like I should have been for the past three years. I let out all the pains locked in my heart and sought for myself like a pin in a haystack.Hearing the message from Ithra was the wake-up call I didn’t think I needed. I didn’t realise how much I had disappointed myself, my people, and Ithra with my actions over the past few years.I was selfish. Blinded by my pain, I ignored the suffering of everyone else. I had lost my mate and instead of taking it like the strong wolf I was supposed to be, I sent others to their death with a ridiculous mission to find someone who was dead.
ZADOK I watched the people enjoy the comfort that my wolf blasted into the air. It was one of the best feelings in the world. The atmosphere changed and long after Kir retreated from the forefront of my being, his presence was felt among us. I cleared my throat and began my speech when they settled down. “For the past three years, I have failed you.” I started, and they kicked against it. “No, Alpha!” One of the werewolves spoke to my surprise, “We failed you! We failed to understand what pain you were going through and stand with you through it all.” Choruses of yes filled the air, hindering me from talking. When Azriel noticed the situation, he silenced the people, and the peace returned. “I know I have failed at performing my duties as you Alpha in the past three years.” I started. “There are no excuses for my selfish, wicked and terrible acts towards you.” I looked around my people and swallowed the pain that I felt. “For the longest time, I believed I was the only one h
ZADOK“Alpha Cole sent in another letter,” Azriel said, closing the doors behind him. “He is requesting a response on whether you would honour his invitation.”He sat in front of me, “What do we do?”I smiled in my seat. It’s been a while since I’ve seen Azriel this stressed about something, or perhaps I was too self-absorbed to care these past few years. “Come in, Azriel. I didn’t realise you’ve been knocking that long.” I joked and he rolled his eyes.“You knew I was coming, so cut it out,” He said in defence. “What do we do about it?” He said, gesturing to the letter.“That doesn’t negate the fact that you intruded on my privacy, Azriel.” I deadpanned, and he let out a frustrated sigh, “I could be wanking for crying out loud.”Azriel raised his hands in surrender, and said in a dramati
ZADOKI was the last to leave my pack.It was finally the mating ceremony and werewolves from the world arrived at the Moon pack for the event.Werewolves from my pack were not exempted from the fun. As the Alpha, I ensured that the members interested in the event were taken there on time and granted adequate security, just in case Cole tried anything funny.I knew the place would be packed, and there was hardly any wolf he could be targetting but my people were precious to me. After ascertaining their safe arrival, I prepared myself for the event.Wearing a black tux, I was ready to attend the darned event. I took a long look at my reflection in the mirror and commended myself for a job well done.My hair was laid back, my eyebrows trimmed, alongside my beard and other bodily hairs. I looked like a snack if I said so myself.My thoughts were interrupted by knocks that came from my front door. I did
ZADOKI couldn’t believe my eyes.It was her - walking up to Cole with a smile that made my heart come alive. A smile I believed was meant for me.Because she belonged to me - she was my Amore, My Ithra, My mate.I watched in shock as she met my eyes, and for a moment, remained rooted to her spot, holding a look of confusion.“Come on my Calla,” Cole said from the podium, “Don’t be afraid. Come to me.” He said, and like magic, I watched Ithra go on like she didn’t know me, joining him on stage.“I present to you, my chosen mate and lover.” Cole said with a grin, “Calla!”The crowd erupted with hoots and congratulations were thrown their way. Meanwhile, my eyes focused on Ithra, unable to believe she was right before me.“Everyone can attest to how heartbroken I felt when I lost my mate. I nearly went crazy. Losing one&rsq