Page 76 of Mate to the Alpha Called God

"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.

---