The Alpha's Doomed Mate

Chapter 10: Connections

POV: Asha

“I’m not necessarily saying it is.”

That did absolutely nothing to calm me.

Ry?

I felt a faint hum at the back of my mind, and relief instantly flooded me.

A question pressed against the back of my teeth, one I didn’t want to think about since Zade left. I hesitated.

“Do you know much about mate bonds?”

Hera’s head turned toward me, and I immediately regretted asking while she was still in the room.

Hestia, on the other hand, only looked curious. “I would hope so.”

“Can a wolf be wrong?” I rubbed my thumb against my palm.

“Wrong about what?”

“About its mate.”

Hera pushed off the wall slightly.

“Explain a bit more.” Hestia’s head tilted slightly.

I drew in a soft breath. “Could a wolf think someone was their mate, then later think it’s someone else?”

Hestia didn’t answer right away, which made me even more uncomfortable.

“I mean, could she be confused?” I added quickly. “Or think she had two?”

“A wolf can form strong attachments,” Hestia said finally. “Especially a young one. Sometimes attachment, compatibility, and the desires of the human can become difficult to separate.”

I frowned. “So she can be wrong?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Then…”

“I’m saying that not every strong connection is the same thing as a fated bond.”

I reached for Rylie again as my stomach tightened.

Ry?

Nothing, not a single presence. My brows pulled together as a strange emptiness settled behind my ribs.

I pressed my palm to my chest.

Hestia looked up. “What is it?”

“I…” My head suddenly felt lighter than it should. “The room feels strange.”

Hera moved away from the wall. “Strange how?”

“I… don’t know.”

I reached for Rylie again.

Tired…

I finally heard her, but she was weaker than before.

My fingers dug into the fur. “Rylie’s disappearing again, and I suddenly feel cold.”

Hestia was beside me instantly.

“Your heartbeat is steady,” she said, checking my pulse and pressing two fingers beneath my jaw. “You’re not cold, though. What exactly happened before she surfaced this morning?”

I hesitated. “Alpha Zade was here, he brought breakfast, checked my wrists and then…”

“And then?”

My cheeks heated. “Rylie, my wolf, suddenly came forward stronger than I had felt her earlier, and yelled out… Mate.”

They did not look the least bit surprised, and I wondered if Zade had told them.

Footsteps sounded outside, and then, three firm taps came on the door.

“Come in.” My voice came out stiff.

The door opened, and I caught sight of Zade. The guy I recognized as Dante from that night lingered behind him for only a moment before Zade murmured something too quietly to catch, and Dante walked off.

The second Zade crossed the threshold, I could feel the coldness under my skin ease up. My breathing came easier.

Mate.

Rylie’s voice was back and stronger again.

“We’ve increased the guards around the pack house,” Zade said, his eyes locking on mine. “Until we know what attacked you and a few other details, you will remain in this wing.”

I stared at him.

“You’re locking me in here again?”

His jaw tightened. “It’s temporary.”

I threw the furs off my legs and sat up straighter. “That worked out well last time.”

An emotion I couldn’t make out briefly appeared on his face. He held my gaze for several long seconds.

He didn't answer right away.

“You can leave the wing,” he said finally, as if conceding cost him something. "But not the pack house. And you don't go anywhere without Hera. You’re unknown on these lands."

I blinked, caught off guard by how quickly he'd bent.

“That's it?”

“Would you prefer the first option?” His brow raised slightly.

“No.” I shook my head as if the words alone weren’t enough.

“Then don't make me regret changing my mind.”

The words were cold, but I was too stunned that he had listened.

Zade’s eyes drifted to the tray on the table for only a second before he turned toward the door. The moment he stepped away, the warmth in my chest began fading again.

By the time he reached the doorway, it was almost gone. My fingers curled against the bed.

“Alpha,” Hestia called out, already beside me, pressing two of her fingers around my waist.

Zade stopped and turned his head slightly. “What is it?”

“Please take another step.”

His brows drew tight. “What?”

“Please take another step toward the door.”

He frowned even more. “I was already leaving.”

“I know, just please do it right now.” Hestia gestured to the door with her free hand.

Hera looked just as confused as I felt.

Zade looked like he was about to tell her exactly what he thought of the request. Still, he stepped farther into the corridor.

The warmth in my chest completely disappeared, and an emptiness replaced it. Rylie’s presence in my head almost vanished.

A shaky breath escaped me.

“Alpha, step inside, please.”

Zade’s gaze sharpened, a low growl surfacing from the back of his throat. “Hestia…”

“Please.”

His gaze dropped to me for a few seconds before he finally stepped inside again.

As he made his way back toward the bed, the cold under my skin eased instantly, and Rylie surged forward. I sucked in a breath.

Hestia released my wrist slowly, her pale eyes moving from me to Zade. Then back again.

“Well, what was that?” Zade questioned, his countenance darkening.

“That solves it.” Hestia nodded. “I think we have a problem.”

My stomach dropped.

“What problem?”

“What?”

Both questions flew from Zade and me at the same time.

Hestia folded her hands in front of herself, her gaze settling on Zade.

“Your mate’s wolf wakes up when you’re near her.” She paused. “And she starts disappearing when you leave.”

Silence filled the room.