The Alpha Can’t Sense His Mate

ZADOK’S POV

The pack had been quieter than usual lately.

Since the day I banished Athaliah, the air in the pack was filled with a sense of foreboding. I couldn’t stand it anymore.

I decided to visit the training ground. It’s been a while since I’d been there and I needed some fight to burn off the nerves around me.

Pack members greeted me with a bow as I passed, headed for the one place where I knew I would find Azriel – who had also been distant lately.

I stepped foot on the training ground, and everyone stopped sparring. They got on one knee with their heads bowed. “Alpha.” They chorused in greeting and I nodded my head in approval.

“Rise.” They got on their feet at my orders and I walked in front of them, with a proud look. “I can smell the sweat and blood in the air. I’m glad that the Blood-Hound warriors are still what they used to be.” This time, my gaze found Azriel – who championed the training. “I was hoping to get a little training in but I see you have left no grounds uncovered.”

“Thank you, Alpha.” He replied modestly, “However, I believe there is always more to learn from you. The warriors would be glad to have you join the training and show us more insights.”

“The warriors and not you?” I said patronizingly, causing a roar of laughter from the people. “Beta Azriel, why do you sound so arrogant?”

Azriel caught on the joke in my tone and puffed up his shoulders. “I don’t believe I am arrogant, Alpha. The word is confident.”

“Ouuu.” The people reacted, getting excited at our usual exchange.

I didn’t know why I was happy we were doing this. When I came in here, I half-expected him to treat me like every other – with a choking reverence and respect, far from what we were used to.Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

If he had treated me like that, I wouldn’t be surprised, neither would I take it to heart. Believe it or not, Athaliah was his mate, he was in his right to hate me for what I did.

But he didn’t. I didn’t know if I should laugh or cry.

“That would only get you beat up, beta.” I flexed my muscles. “Do you want to get beaten?” I asked with a snide smirk.

Azriel shrugged and looked at the people. “I never get beaten. I get even. You missed me by the hair the last time, I have come very far from what I used to be, Alpha.”

“Are you challenging me to a duel?” I asked with a raised eyebrow, and the people’s roar became louder – So loud I could feed off their excitement. I wanted to do it.

It’d be a great way to break the ice between us and give the people something else to gossip about. I dig it.

“It’ll be my honour,” Azriel said, taking off his shirt. “And the people’s pleasure.”

That did it. I took off my shirt and got into a stance – getting ready to fight.

The people formed a circle around us – some chanting my name and others the name of Azriel. As expected, my name was louder. No one had ever defeated me in a battle and I had no plans of breaking that streak.

But first, I needed to see just how much Azriel had improved. I was a bit rusty, and I couldn’t underestimate my beta. He was my second in command for a reason.

Fight! The flag went off and Azriel came at me like a starved boar seeking its next meal. He moved like lightning and before I could get a grasp on what was going on, he punched me hard in the face.

I didn’t bleed, but damn did it hurt.

Azriel didn’t stop there. He meant business in every sense of the word. He had the first blow, and hell would freeze over if I didn’t have the last.

Aiming at each other’s neck, we battled, throwing punches and kicks. Azriel didn’t lie. He had come a far way from what he used to be, I could see it from his precise hits and attacks. He had the big guns.

“You’re quite impressive,” I said as I blocked another of his killer blows in time to deliver a powerful one of my own.

“You are still the same.” He replied, leaving me stunned. Azriel was not a talker, how much had he changed?

I pushed him back and delivered an uppercut that finally drew blood from his lips. “A hard nut you are to crack,” I said as he came for me with a deadly intent. I stopped him with a spin kick, sending him to the floor for the first time. “A hard nut but a nut anyway.”

When I thought it was over, he got up with a wry smile. “You know what I learned in the last few days?” His smile disappeared, “Live long enough and you will do great things.”

My face morphed in confusion. What was he trying to say?

In my one second of distraction, Azriel delivered a powerful spear hit, ramming his shoulders in my guts and sending me to the floor with a banging hit on my head. A pounding headache followed.

Before I could get up, Azriel delivered another kick on my head, increasing the pain I felt. My wolf was eager to come out, disrespected by Azriel’s actions. Everywhere was silent. No one expected such an outcome. It was unheard of.

Azriel squatted and I saw an evil glint in his eyes when he spoke. “Every second is precious, Alpha. One moment of distraction could lead to your downfall.” He smirked. “You thought me that.”

I couldn’t speak. I lay on the floor, shell-shocked at the beast in front of me. There and then, I realised he had been holding back. He had been holding back on his strength, waiting for the right opportunity to strike, all this while.

I taught him that. I had used it countless times to defeat him. How did I not see through his games? Azriel gave me a hand and I took it while he raised me, to the people’s shock.

“Damn, I didn’t know he was that good,” I said to the hearing of everyone, playfully shaking my head. “I guess I need to brush up on my skills too.”

The crowd roared in laughter and excitement, cheering and discussing the fight without fear as Azriel dismissed the training for the day. After the people dispersed, Azriel approached me, with a letter.

“What is that?” I asked, and he beckoned me to read it.

“Cole is throwing a birthday party.” He finally said – gauging me with a look I couldn’t understand.

“We are going,” I answered his unasked question and he knew better than to oppose me.

“About the fight.” He started and I stopped him, thinking he wanted to apologise.

“It was a game. You won fair and square. No need to apologise.” I waved him off.

He shook his head. “That last hit was for every grudge I held for you.” My eyes widened at his words. “We are even now.”