The Alpha Can’t Sense His Mate

ITHRA

“Stand back,” Zadok said in a low voice.

His eyes focused on the sleeping Boar while mine remained on the book.

“I need to get the book. I’ll be quiet.” I said, and without waiting for a reply, walked towards the beast with steady steps.

Before I could take one step, Zadok dragged me back by the arm.

“Are you stupid?!” he whisper-yelled. “Or are you trying to get yourself killed?”

“Leave me alone,” I replied in a hushed tone. “It’s asleep. I’ll just get the book, and we will be off.”

I made to move, and he held me back, much to my frustration.

“You know what?” He said, holding his forehead in an exasperated manner. “Just stay back. I will get it myself.”

It was my turn to hold him back.

“What do you mean?” I asked in a hushed tone, picking offence. “I am more than capable of handling it.”

“We don’t have time for this, Ithra,” Zadok said in a slightly raised voice. “I’ll quickly get it, and we will be on our way.”

I didn’t hear what he was saying. My eyes widened to the size of saucers as I took in the sight before me.

“Z-Zadok,” I stuttered, unable to word what was behind him.

“Shush!” He whisper-yelled. “I swear you are gonna wake it up,”

I shook my head, staggering back as I watched the boar rise behind Zadok. Its eyes were on us as it got on its four paws.

“What’s wrong?” Zadok asked as I stepped backwards.

I didn’t have the time to answer him. He immediately turned around, going face to face with the beast. He turned back with an eerie calmness, and the next second, he shouted at the top of his voice.

“Run!”

Zadok took into a sprint while I remained rooted to my spot, fear distilled within me. A loud screech came from the boar. Fear gripped me as I heard his powerful paws on the ground.

Suddenly, I felt a strong hand wrapped around my wrist, and instinctively, I ran like my life depended on it.

The boar screeched as it pursued after us. We ran in circles, refusing to lose sight of the book.

“We can’t continue like this,” I said between laboured breaths. “How do we kill it?” I asked as we ran through the woods.

“Find a tree and stay on top,” Zadok ordered. “I’ll keep it busy while you secure your safety. Only come down when it’s dead.”

A frown marred my face, “Can I hear of a plan that doesn’t involve me hiding like a loser while you take the glory?”

My words brought a smile to his face. His smile disappeared at the screech of the boar, which happened to be much closer than ever.

“We don’t have time for jokes, Ithra.” He said, “Please, do as I say.”This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

I ran as fast as my strength could allow. I couldn’t lie. I was enjoying this much more than I should. “No.” I called out, “I’ll do this my way. It’s my book.”

Zadok disagreed with my words. I could tell by the eye-roll he sported. “And what will that be?”

I smirked, “We will both go against it in our way. May the best man win!” I declared. In a swift motion, I dragged my hand free from his hold.

Zadok’s eyes widened at my act. But I wasn’t done. I jumped and held on to a branch with my weight, so much it broke in half.

Without a glance back, I ran with the tree branch, with Zadok ahead of me- who looked back with a worried look etched on his face.

He must be thinking I’ve gone nuts. If I was being honest, I had no idea what I was doing. However, I had one overarching rule that governed my actions.

To stay alive. No matter the cost. And for both our sakes, I also hoped that was Zadok’s overarching rule.

While I ran, I wondered the best way to kill the boar without getting myself killed. I suddenly felt the weight of a pocket knife tied to my thighs. Such a weapon was useless against a boar as it couldn’t harm a chicken.

“Ithra!” I heard the panicked voice of Zadok and saw him far to the right. “Climb the tree! Now!” His orders were precise, and I found myself doing as he instructed.

I kicked off my feet with a powerful jump and lay hold on a tree branch. However, I pulled myself up and climbed the tree using all my strength.

I looked down and saw the boar walking around the tree with its eyes on me. Zadok’s timely intervention saved me this time around. I shuddered at the thought of getting bitten. Or worse, killed by the boar.

Suddenly, the boar turned around, seemingly distracted. I looked towards that direction, and I didn’t see Zadok anymore. A giant black wolf stood in his place, fangs bared and in a predatory position.

I couldn’t help but marvel at the sharpness of Zadok’s canines. It shone like a sharpened knife. I saw myself using it to kill off the boar with a strike to the head.

A bulb went on in my head, and an idea hit me.

I brought out my blunt knife and my tree branch. While the animals battled, I watched in tension as I sharpened the edge of my tree branch.

The fight became intense as Zadok bit into the boar that seemed to never run out of strength. It wasn’t an ordinary boar! It seemed possessed with power and will to kill.

With one hit from the boar, Zadok’s wolf was flying back. The force nearly brought down a barren tree. The boar heads in for him, and I silently urge Zadok to get up and out of the way.

Thankfully, Zadok is up and misses another hit by the sleeve.

Finally, my wood is sharpened and ready for the job. I jumped down from the tree and attracted the attention of the Boar – whose attention flickered between us.

It was two against one, and I had plans to end this. Zadok transformed back to his human form, and he seemed upset.

“Get back up there,” He ordered with gritted teeth, but I didn’t care.

“May the best man win,” I muttered, and with a vengeance – I charged towards the boar like my life depended on it – because it did.