Chapter 3 Over My Dead Body

• ZADOK
• “It's either you pledge your loyalty to this pack or you face the consequences of entering my territory.” I told her with all seriousness, “and of course, you should know that no witch is permitted to live in my pack.” I reminded her casually.
• She didn't utter a word, her tired eyes skimmed through me like I was nothing and her nonchalance got on my nerves.
• My wolf urged me to slit off her neck, end things here and go to the dark forest myself. But I knew better.
• If she was the chosen one, I'd rather have her do the dirty work and kill her afterwards, than risking failure by embarking on the journey alone.
• “I'll take it that you don't have an answer for me. However, I expect an answer soon. Consider it carefully and in a few days, I expect your answer.” I finally said, finding my way back to Azriel who stood at the door, ready to kill if need be.
• “I will never be loyal to you.” A small voice filled the air, Ithra’s voice.
• Despite its groggy state, I could feel the intensity and determination packed behind it. I turned around, unable to hide my distaste.
• “I suggest you seriously consider your choices before making hasty decisions, witch.” I lashed, “You are in a bit of a tight corner right now, and if I were you, I'd apply wisdom to my decisions.”
• “I will never pledge my loyalty to you, or to this pack. Let me go!” She gritted, eyes ablaze.
• “Over my dead body.” I replied, meaning every word. I could tell she knew it too. “And I'm not dying anytime soon, Ithra.” I added smugly, her name rolled off my tongue like fine silk.
• “She will remain under close supervision.” I said through the mind link and Azriel nodded in answer. “Athaliah, she is under your custody, I don't want mistakes.”
• I said to Athaliah, and with that, we headed out of the prison, leaving the witch to her devices.
• ****
• While I worked in my office, I couldn't get the picture of Ithra away from my mind. Something about her left me replaying our little interaction over and over again in my mind.
• I needed a distraction, something that'll take off the stress from my shoulders, and I knew just the perfect solution. Relaxing on my chair, I sent for Athaliah via mind link.
• Within a few minutes, my door opened and she sashayed towards me with a sultry smile. My wolf growled in disapproval but I shut him off with another potion down my throat.
• I knew what I was doing was all shades of wrong, but I couldn't help it. Athaliah knew what it was for me, she knew I was still committed to finding my mate, and she also knew I was a man with needs.
• Needs that couldn't wait until I figured out how to break the curse. I didn't need to say a word before she captured my lips in a kiss. Athaliah was one hell of a kisser.
• My arms groped her and just when I was getting into it, she pulled back. It took a minute for me to get oriented, and I shot up my eyebrow in question.
• “We need to talk.” She finally said, sitting on my table and caressing my beard.
• I wasn't comfortable with whatever the fuck was going on but I decided to play along.
• “What is it this time?” I retorted, praying to the gods above that it was something short of drama. I didn't have the time to play listener, I had a ton of work to attend to.
• “I heard that the witch is the neutral one.” She said with a pout.
• Her words caught my attention. Just how many people knew I'd secured the neutral one?
• “Who told you?” I asked, grabbing her by the arm. My tone was taut and desperate.
• “Let me go, that hurts!” She cried and I let go of her arm instinctively.
• “I'm sorry.” I apologised, but didn't relent. “How did you know that?”
• She huffed, “I am your third in command, Zadok. Do you really think I wouldn't find out the identity of the prisoner kept under my care? Of course I did my research.” she answered with an eye roll.
• I let out a sigh of relief. Truly, Athaliah took her job seriously, she always delivered exceptionally and it was no surprise that she wanted to know what she was up against.
• “True, and that's why I left her in your custody. Her identity as the Neutral one must be safeguarded at all times.” I said, meaning every word.
• Athaliah was not satisfied, “But why?” She asked, “why are you hell bent on breaking the curse and finding your mate? I mean, you're a powerful alpha and you are within your rights to select a mate in the next mating ceremony, why are you so keen on finding your real mate?”
• “And what's that supposed to mean?” I asked, putting some space between us. I didn't like how this conversation was going.
• “Oh come on, Zadok.” She drew closer to me, “You and I know that you will be fine with or without your mate. I make you happy just fine and I have alpha blood flowing through my veins. What else could you possibly want in a mate?”
• She finished up with a pout, batting her eyes as she trailed a finger down my chest. I stopped her hands mid way.
• “Let this be the last time you utter such stupidity.” I spoke with a low growl, fighting the urge to push her away. “Because the next time you do, I'll show you your place in the cruellest possible way. Am I clear?”
• It seemed like I wasn't clear enough because she continued with her nonsense. “Why are you giving these witches a hedge over you? For all we know, you might not even be cursed! Your wolf acting out might just mean your real mate has been killed. Do you-”
• I cut her off by cutting short her breathing. My fists tightened around her neck, leaving her no room to talk as I strangled her till she was red in the face.
• “Do not test me, Athaliah. You may be my third in command, but you are very much replaceable.” I let her go and she wheezed in some breaths, panting heavily. “Get out of my office.” I barked, using my Alpha tone.
• I was done with her.
• “I'm so sorry, Zadok.” She said with a sombre tone, but I knew she was far from sorry.
• “It's Alpha to you. Now, get out.”