Page 31

I t was late afternoon when Alphose finally decided to go to the Tower and check on the Alpha King.

Before he made that decision, he'd been in an argument with himself about whether to go visit or not. Wolfaraine had a lot of recovering to do, so he needs to spend some intimate time alone with his mate.

But at the same time, he knows that the longer he stays without telling him about the human in Naturiah, the more it's gonna cause a problem when he finds out on his own. Hence, his decision.

At the Tower gates, the changelings on duty greeted the cougar Alpha with a bow of their heads as he entered and headed for the entrance door.

The smell of sex harassed his nose even right from the third stair and only got stronger with every step he took closer to that door. So, Alphose hesitated at the door, not wanting to interrupt anything. He pitied and admired Ismena .

Poor little woman. She has a lot of giving to do if those infected, rhodium wounds are ever gonna heal early. And from the scent of it, she was giving a lot.

"Good morning, Alpha Alphose. Are you looking for the Alpha King?"

Alphose turned to the voice of the housekeeper coming from behind him, "Good morning to you too, Mirian. You are looking very good this morning."

A sweet smile spread over the older woman's face, "Thank you so much, but you flatter an old woman, My Lord."

"Sixty is the peak of life, Mirian." Alphose drawled, giving the older woman a smile that younger changeling females call 'charming' and swooned over, "Yes, I am indeed looking for the Alpha King. His door is locked, so I was reconsidering knocking. I don't wanna disturb them."

"Oh no, you can't disturb them. It's only My Lady inside that room now, still catching her nap. The poor woman hasn't woken since morning." Worry flashed on her face before it dissolved, "The Alpha King is in his study. He is working."

"Oh?" He thought about that, "Alright, I'll go to his study. Thank you, Mirian."

"You're welcome, My Lord."

The enticing scent of sex was starting to mess with him, so, Alphose was quick to leave so it doesn't make him start craving one too.

At the huge door of the study, he paused and knocked once.

"Come in." Came the familiar deep voice .

He entered, his eyes automatically finding Wolfaraine where he was seated on the huge throne-like chair behind an equally huge gold table that looks like it's been carved from the best stone.

The Alpha King's eyes were focused on a paper resting on the table, his brows furrowed in concentration. Even with the frown on his face, Alphose noticed that he was looking visibly relaxed and refreshed this morning. That is a good sign.

"Good morning, Alpha King. I trust you had a good night's rest?" His eyes went to his legs—or where they would be if not for the huge table shielding his view.

"Good morning, Alphose. I had the best a night can ever offer. I hope you did the same?" He spared his friend a glance.

"I did." No, he didn't. His night was restless because his dreams were filled with Kassandra and intimate moments with her. He'd woken up heavily aroused.

Finally, Wolfaraine put the papers away. He straightened, giving Alphose his full attention. "How is the cougar clan?"

"Bountiful. Velez's mate gave birth while you were away. They have been celebrating."

"Congratulations to him," Valez is one of Alpha's sentinels, "It is great news."

"It is indeed. The little lad has a strong vocal cord. He can cry." Alphose revealed, pride reverberating from him.

"I will send my gifts to them later." A small smile touched Wolfaraine's lips.

He does not want children, but he was always happy when his people reproduce not only because more children means more life for Naturiah, but also because his people love and absolutely adore children. He is happy for a child being born, and he even sends gifts too. But he never visits.

"I'm sure Valez will be beside himself with happiness to hear that."

After that, Alphose cleared his throat and adjusted himself uncomfortably on his seat.

Wolfaraine saw it and arched his brows, knowing something was up. He did not say anything, which only made Alphose warier.

He cleared his throat again, "I found my mate." He blurted out.

Clearly, that wasn't the news Wolfaraine was expecting. The frown disappeared from his face and his eyes widened, "By the heavens, that is great news!"

"It is, isn't it?" Alphose let out a nervous laugh.

But the Alpha King was very happy and it showed on his face. For the first time since Alphose can remember, a big smile was on his face.

It completely transformed his face; shaving off a few years from his age, making him look young and strikingly handsome.

Alphose was too dumbfounded to say any word. He has never seen Wolfaraine smile this way before.

Wolfaraine rose—automatically Alphose rose with him—he walked around the table and hugged his good friend. "I am happy for you, Alphose."

His reaction was everything to Alphose. The cougar leader was surprised when tears burned the back of his eyes but he quickly blinked them back, "Thank you, Wolfaraine. I am happy for myself too. "

"You should be. I know how long you've wanted this." The Alpha King pulled away and surveyed his good friend, Sentinel, and Alpha, really well... "You do not look too happy though."

"Is anything the matter?" Wolfaraine went ahead to ask, "Did she reject you? Which clan is she from? If it's anything dire, I'll speak to the clan leader on your behalf."

"No, no, it's nothing like that. Actually, she doesn't know that she is my mate yet. She is not from any clan because she is human." He finished, looking Wolfaraine in the eyes.

Wolfaraine blinked in confusion, "I know you do not have hatred for humans as I do, so I do not understand how that is a problem.

Even before I met Ismena, I have always accepted the human mates of my people.

If a human is your other-half, your soulmate, I will not temper with that no matter how much I dislike their kind.

Instead, I set my differences aside and embrace my people's human mates. "

"I guess I've always known that." He has always known that, but it still feels great to hear it from his mouth.

He stepped back and surveyed him carefully, "What exactly is the problem, Alphose? There is more that you are not letting on here."

"I am not sure she is mine. I am not sure she is my mate." He let out at last.

The Alpha King's confusion was apparent, "I do not understand."

"The cougar goes crazy for her, just like I do. Even worse. The cougar is possessive of her, it's practically been restless since I separated myself from her. I've tried running, hunting, and even fighting games but it's not working. I...the cougar... we want her."

"So, go get her. It's very obvious that she is your mate. The animal never gets involved unless she is a mate. You know this more than I do. You have enthusiastically followed up on mates and mating all your life."

"I know, Alpha King, I do. That is the only hope I have.

" He took a deep breath and turned back to face his King, "she does not have the scent, any scent at all.

She does not have the scent of a potential mate and I've touched her a few times but she doesn't have my scent too.

Not even a little. Just her unique, feminine scent. "

Silence descended afterward. It was heavy. Pregnant.

Wolfaraine walked back to his seat and lowered himself on it.

"Oh. That is a problem." Wolfaraine admitted at last.

"Yeah." Alphose followed him, taking the chair directly in front of him with his huge table separating them.

"So, you have to bring her to Naturiah and spend some time with her. Give it more time."

"I have brought her here." He confessed.

"You have?"

"Yes, Alpha King." Alphose was not seeing any way to get around that particular bump so, he went for the truth, "The truth is; while you were away, Ismena's younger sister had a critical problem that landed her in the emergency room.

Eline brought a crying Ismena to me who began pleading that I take her to her sister.

I tried to dissuade her, but it did not work. So, I agreed to take her."

Wolfariane’s brows arched, his face held that unreadable note of expression that was no stranger to him .

He continued in a rush, "We stayed for only a few hours in the hospital and that was where I met her, my mate.

Turns out she is Ismena's best friend, her name is Kassandra.

She came to the hospital too. After I explained things to your mate, she talked Kassandra into following us back to Naturiah. All this was a week ago."

Silence.

Resounding, loud silence.

"You took Ismena to the human world without my permission? Knowing fully well how dangerous it is for her there with the ring still missing?" He asked calmly.

Alphose has heard that calm voice a good number of times to know how much of a sham it is, especially in situations like this. Wolfaraine was furious.

He rose from his seat and inclined his head, "I apologize, Alpha King. I acknowledge my wrong and I will take any punishment you wish to give for that."

"Was there any attack?"

The cougar Alpha hesitated, "Yes. Wolfhunters came to the hospital. I killed all of them but their leader went missing. There was something strange about it all..."

His brows arched again. He said nothing.

"In less than thirty minutes after we arrived at the hospital, they were there already.

Usually, it takes time for them to get wind of our movement into their world and when they do, it takes time for them to arrive too.

" He cocked his head to the side in thought, "It was as if they were right there when we arrived.

But there was no other changeling in that area which they would have been there for—and I checked too—so it's just us. "

Another round of silence descended between them. This time, longer and more deafening than the first time. It made Alphose more uncomfortable.