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His heart hummed as the memories of being in her dainty arms filled his head.

"There's something that has been bugging me, Alpha King." Alphose indicated softly.

He pushed the memories down where they belonged, "What is that?"

"When we were in the human world, those hunters called Ismena 'The Successful’. They said they had orders to take The Successful back with them." His brows furrowed as if he was still thinking about it.

Wolfaraine paused, "What does that mean?" His brows drew together in a frown.

"I have no idea, Alpha King. But, that was exactly what the man called her."

Wolfaraine resumed walking. He seemed to be thinking about it while they walked quietly through the woods.

"Never take her out of this world again without my permission, Alphose. The reason why I did not say much of anything the first time, was because it was you." He stated, "If I was ever going to entrust Ismena to the hands of anyone, it would be you...and a very few others. But, I do not want that happening again. Not without my permission."

"Copy that. I truly apologize for that, Alpha King."

"I understand."

"How about Nalaila? How is it going with her?" Alphose asked softly, threading carefully.

Nalaila is the most delicate subject you can bring up in front of Wolfaraine, no matter how close you think you are with him.

His arms elegantly crossed behind his back, he began walking. Alphose fell into steps with him.

"She has not changed her mind, Alphose. I will try again with her in a month. Who knows, she might agree to it."

But he doesn't believe that, Alphose thought. It's right there in his voice. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"How is it really going with Kassandra, Alphose? Stop brushing off the topic."

The cougar Alpha took a deep breath and gave in, "I've been spending a lot of time with her like you advised, Alpha King. Everyday, it gets harder to control the cougar in her presence. We want her for ourselves. We want to claim her so badly. But..."

Wolfaraine did not rush him, allowing the silence settle between them. He gave all the time he knows the cougar Alpha needed.

"But, her scent hasn't altered." He admitted, unable to keep the bitterness from his voice.

"Alphose,"

"I just don't understand. I spent all that time with her. If she was mine she would have taken my scent—no matter how faint—at every physical contact we make." He shook his head, "I just don't understand."

"I am sorry to hear about that." Wolfaraine said truthfully.

The small peeping of a baby bird remained in the air. Followed by a faraway trumpet of an elephant.

"Maybe it's time you start looking at all this from that direction that scares you the most." Wolfaraine groaned, at last.

"I don't understand, Alpha King." But dread filled him. His chest suddenly felt heavy. He could almost hear his heart pumping blood.

Wolfaraine stopped walking.

He swiveled his head to face him, "Yes, you do, Alphose. There is a most possible reason why she attracts your other-half but does not have your scent. You are thinking about it too, just like you've thought of it before."

"You've thought of it before but it scares you so much, because it might be the truth." Wolfaraine finished in a soft tone.

Alphose stopped walking too.

Then, he lowered his head in defeat, "Yes. I know what you mean... It's the thought that Kassandra might not be my mate but the mate of my twin, Josiah."