Chapter 17
Zachary’s POV?
After the breakfast fiasco, I was still agitated when my phone rang.
One of our trackers from the southern border was on the line.
“Alpha, we’ve spotted a few wolves watching us from outside our border. Their scent tells us they’re rogues. It has been happening since few days now. It’s outside our territory and in a different pack’s area, so we couldn’t gather more details”
I immediately arranged an ad hoc meeting with my beta, gamma, and other high-ranking members.
Sam spoke up first, “Our southern border is shared with Alpha Zoro’s pack. He has a small pack and a handful of loyal members. We’ve never had any issues with them before. Alpha Zoro is known to be friendly and kind.
It’s strange that he might be aiding rogue activities or helping Maximus plan an attack on our pack”
Mason added, “All the phone lines for Alpha Zoro’s pack are down, hence we are not able reach them either. It’s an odd situation”
“You guys are right. Even I feel it strange. I have a feeling that something happened with Alpha Zoro’s pack. It can also be a trap for us” I conveyed my feelings.
Everyone in the meeting shared their opinions on what we should do next. After careful consideration, we decided it would be best to go to Alpha Zoro’s pack and confirm.
“We should go there to check on Alpha Zoro and find any possible details on rogues. Sending warriors won’t look good. I think it would be best if I go there with a handful of warriors. I don’t want the situation turning ugly” I said.
“It feels like a trap to lure us in. I can feel it in my gut” Aiden admitted. I nodded in response.
Finally, we decided to leave tomorrow morning. Sam and I would go with 15 of our best warriors, while Mason would stay behind to take care of the fort. The meeting was adjourned.
After everyone left, Mason pulled me aside. “You should inform Amara about your leaving for the southern border. You have a few hours before you leave. You should go now and tell her”
“Mason is right. I want to see mate, before leaving” Aiden gets exited.
Even I want to see her, hold her, hug her and do some non innocent stuff with her. I feel blood rushing down to my lower body. I’m getting hot and my cock is twitching. Aiden starts purring. I closed my eyes to avoid the dreamy thoughts. It’s not the right time.
It feels uneasy, in leaving her behind. What if she gets into danger? I trusted Mason to take care of her and our pack in my absence, but the thought of her safety gnawed at me.
I reached Amara’s home and knocked on the door. To my surprise Ethan opened it, shirtless and smelling like Amara. The images from my nightmare, where Amara and Ethan were making out, came rushing back fueling my rage.
“Good evening, Alpha Gray. What a surprise to see you here” Ethan said, his tone casual and cheerful.
Without thinking, I grabbed him and shoved him against the kitchen wall, punching him hard in the face. Blood trickled down his nose.
He pushed me hard. Surprise written all over his face. “What the hell, man?”
That’s when Amara saw us, her eyes wide with shock. She rushed down, her touch on my arm cooling my anger instantly. She even called out to Aiden, asking him to calm down, and miraculously he obliged.
“Ethan, go outside for a while. I need to talk to Alpha Gray” she said firmly.
Ethan hesitated, concern etched on his face as he glanced between me and Amara.
“Just go, Ethan. Trust me on this Please” Amara insisted.
Reluctantly, Ethan nodded and left the room, his eyes never leaving mine until he was out the door.
Amara turned to me, fury in her eyes. “What the hell is wrong with you, Zachary? Why did you hit him?”
This is the first time she called me by my name. If I was not in this mess, I would have celebrated this moment. “I’m sorry, Amara. I...I saw him shirtless and he smelled like you. I thought...I thought you two...” I stammered, feeling my anger and frustration melt into regret.
“Finish your sentence, Alpha. You thought we were what?” she demanded.
“I thought there was something going on between you two. I’ve been having these dreams of you and Ethan together and I lost control. I know I was wrong and I overreacted” I admitted, running a hand through my hair.
“You can’t just go around punching people because of your feelings. Ethan is my best friend, my family. We’re here to support your pack, remember? You need to control your emotions” she said, trying to keep her voice steady.
“I know. It’s just...seeing you with him makes me feel jealous and possessive. I wanted to avoid these feelings, but I can’t help it” I said, feeling the weight of my own inadequacies.
“I don’t care what you feel. You don’t own me, Zachary. We’re not mates. You made that very clear four years ago. You can’t just forget everything and act like a possessive boyfriend. We need to coexist peacefully until Dr. Smith wakes up. Once that’s done,
I’m leaving your life and your pack for good” she said, her voice full of anger and pain.
Tears threatened to spill from my eyes. “Amara, please. I’m sorry. I...” I stepped closer, but she backed away.
“I think I’ve made myself clear. I will never forgive you. Stay out of my life” she said, her voice breaking slightly.
I stood there, feeling helpless as tears rolled down my cheeks. “As you wish. I’m sorry for everything” I whispered before leaving her home, unable to tell her the real reason I had come.
I met Ethan wandering outside her house. I guess he was coming back. “I’m sorry man. I shouldn’t have done it. It’s just a misunderstanding” I left before hearing his reply.
I went straight back home, my heart heavy with regret and guilt.
I failed her again. I had failed my mate multiple times, but I couldn’t afford to fail as an alpha.
I needed to protect my pack from danger.
I would try to sort things out with Amara once I returned, but for now, I had to focus on the mission ahead.