The Alpha Can’t Sense His Mate

ITHRA

“Ithra…” A voice called in a ghostly tone,

“There is no more time…”

I looked around the dark forest without fear. “Sarai, where are you?”

“At the heart of the forest. Let’s meet at the heart of the forest…”

The voice returned to me. I nod and turn eastward toward the forest. I stare longingly at the mountain,

“I’ll be there, just hold on!” I called back and started my sprint towards the mountain.

Wait!

The voice called back, Sarai’s voice. I come to a halt.

“Take the book! Don’t come without the book! You need the book!”

Confusion clouded my features, “What book? I don’t have any book.”

“The ancient witches book. Get it, you’ll need it. You’ll need your powers…”

At the mention of my powers, I felt a dark aura surround me. It immediately dawned on me the implications of her words. I still didn’t have my powers. I was still weak.

“Get the witch’s book and get to the heart of the forest, Ithra.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

My eyes flew open, and my heart rate increased. It took a while for me to realise it was just another dream. It’s been a while since I had one of those.

I sat up, and my eyes adjusted to my surroundings. When I saw I wasn’t in my quarters, I got up and stumbled onto a stool by the side, holding a burnt-out candle.

Where am I? I thought with concern. How did I get here?

I slowly found my way out of what seemed to be a storage space I was kept and moved towards a small hallway that led to God knows where.

The room was brighter, and I adjusted my eyes accordingly. Books, bottles, leaves. I was in the greenhouse. Soon enough, I noticed I was alone.

Immediately, the threshold of memories broke, and I remembered everything. The fight with Athaliah, the betrayal from Zadok, a sharp pain in my head, and the book!

The freaking book!

I walked with purpose, going through everything in the greenhouse. The last time I was here, the book was placed on the table, waiting for me to read. It was only a matter of time before the people who left me here returned to check on me.Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

My eyes went through the shelf, reading the book titles of every arranged set in each row. I hear some shifting in the bushes, and I hold my breath. I couldn’t get caught sifting through the items.

I spot a stool close to an open window and naturally find my way to it. I sat down like a thief, and after some seconds, I looked out the window.

The bushes move again. But this time, I see a squirrel run out of the bushes and slip into another. A sigh escapes me, and I get back on my feet, determined to finish what I started.

I get up from my seat and nearly trip on something on the floor. I hold the walls to help myself and look at the darned thing that stood in my way. My breath seized as I took in its blue cover and intricate markings.

The Ancient witch’s book.

I looked around before picking it up and dusting it with my clothes. I took one last look at it and calculated my odds of taking the book out without getting caught.

The darned bushes moved again, and the book fell off my hand. I roll my eyes at the squirrel that hopped out of its hole and picked up the book. I looked between the book and the rabbit hole, and an idea hit me.

I couldn’t get the book to my quarters. But I could hide it in a hole. I could keep it somewhere it could be accessible to me, and when I was finally ready to embark on my journey, I would know where to find it.

Immediately, I got outside the greenhouse, a vast farmland came into view, and I saw a shovel placed by the bark of a white oak tree. I held the book to my chest as I made my way to the tree, looking behind me at every opportunity.

I finally got to the tree and took up the shovel. My heart rate increased as I thought of the best place to bury it. I couldn’t leave it close to the greenhouse. It was a recipe for failure.

However, I didn’t know how much time I had before someone discovered I was missing. While I contemplated my options, Sarai’s voice flooded my consciousness.

“Meet me at the heart of the forest…”

Suddenly, it felt like I’d struck gold – The heart of the forest, the heart of the farmland. I couldn’t forget that if I tried. Careful so I don’t get followed, I hurried towards the heart of the farmland, dragging my book and shovel along.

I got to a point and looked up – A white oak tree stood before me.

Without a second thought, I walk towards it and dig a pocket hole – big enough to size the book. I marked the spot on the tree and returned the same way I came – praying no one saw me.

I get to the greenhouse, and before I can open the door, Zadok stands before me with a disgruntled face. “Where did you go?” He barked, and I felt my anger erupt at his rudeness.

“I went for a walk,” I said in a tone equally as rude.

I made to walk past him, and he held my hand, hindering me from moving. “Let me go!” I gritted, eyes ablaze.

“I warned you,” He breathed, “I will not stand for such disrespect.”

“You promised!” I growled, getting out of his hold. “You told me my people were safe, and what did you do? You send Athaliah to get rid of them!”

Zadok took me by the hand. His eyes searched my features. He said with a rasped voice. “It’s not my fault you chose to believe lies, Ithra.”

I wasn’t having it, “Athaliah told me-”

“Quiet!” He barked, cutting me off. “I have not gone back on my word, but if you choose to believe whatever you heard, that is on you.” He let go of me, “You will go in there and get a proper rest. From tomorrow, your training will become more intense.”

My mouth opened, but no words came out.

He opened the greenhouse and walked in, leaving the door open behind him. I followed him after some seconds, and he suddenly turned back, “And Athaliah will be in charge till further notice.”