The Alpha King's Nemesis-Chapter 166: Pacing ()

Askel sucked in deep breaths, he had been at this for a short time now and still yet, his anger would not be calmed.

Rage bristled in his heart, intent and potent and his beast was right at the forefront of his mind, whispering words of darkness and bloodshed as it always would.

Words Askel was greatly tempted to give in to, until he would recall that this was his own home, it was not a battlefield.

And all of these people he raged at were his own people, not his enemies and though their actions had pushed far beyond Askel’s limits, Askel still could not shed blood in his own home.

At this moment, Askel stood outside the door to Zariah’s quarters and had lingered here for quite sometime, pacing and timing his breathing, all to no avail.

Askel did not wish for Zariah to see him in such a state or know anymore than she already did of the gathering of his council and the involvement of his mother.

All along, Zariah had constantly rejected Askel and their bond, for reasons Askel still could not understand, Zariah pushed him away and had even tried to severe their bond.

Had Askel not stopped her, Zariah already would have done so, leaving Askel to forever wallow in the pain of rejection.

In such a short time, they had been through so much together and Askel knew Zariah had only just begun to accept their bond and him.

After all this time, Zariah no longer stared at him with chilling cold hatred and loathing in her eyes.

This was all Askel had hoped for, a chance with his mate, and now that the chance was finally within sight, Askel could not understand why his people would stir up trouble at such a critical moment.

He could not understand it and Askel simply did not wish to understand it too.

A quiet sigh escaped Askel as he stopped his pacing and leaned against the wall, lifting his clenched fist to his view.

This extreme anger and inability to retrain himself by his own will were all symptoms that the beast was right on the surface and would not be suppressed.

In that short moment of anger, Askel had let the beast up far more than he had intended and now it was a struggle, with Askel and Vance his wolf on one side, while the beast was on the opposing end.

The struggle was for control and it was one Askel had battled the beast for all his life.

Askel had considered returning to his quarters and holing himself up till he was calm, but at the same time, Askel could not bear the thought of being away from Zariah for any longer and so he had come here.

Close enough that he could still sense Zariah’s presence and he did sense it, but it was not nearly enough.

Askel wanted to see her, he dearly craved to hold her in his arms and bask in her warmth as he had not been privileged to in a month and a half.

It had been such a long time...too long to allow even another moment wasted.

Askel cast aside his inhibitions and reached for Zariah’s door knob, pushing open the door and stepping into her quarters.

The large bed Zariah had been laid on was empty, Askel was not surprised, he had noticed Zariah was in the washroom even while pacing outside, though the thought of that had not helped in calming him in any way.

Askel shut the door quietly behind him and headed over to Zariah’s bed, he was about to take a sit when Zariah’s voice sounded.

"I had thought you would leave without coming in." Zariah said from within the washroom.

Zariah’s voice was low, barely audible but Askel had heard her words clearly.

"I...well...you have known I was outside all the while?" Askel asked the obvious.

Askel shook his head, even without her wolf, Zariah was still one of the most powerful werewolf to have lived, how could she not sense him?

"You stayed because you wished to see me, so come see me... and then talk." Zariah said again.

Askel could have sworn, his heart skipped multiple beats but it was hard to be certain when his breath was also caught in his throat.

Zariah was one who had always prioritized her privacy, Askel had been ready to wait till she was done in the washroom, but she wanted him to come in?

"Can I come in?... Really?" Askel asked to be sure as he walked over to the washroom.

Zariah gave no audible response, but her quiet hum was all the approval Askel needed and he pushed open the door of the washroom, stepping in.

Askel closed the door behind him before his eyes sought out Zariah.

She lay in the bathtub, a cloud of steam rising up from all around her.

Her red tresses were damp and splayed out over the side of the tub, and from where Askel stood, her bare shoulders were visible, skin glistening and inviting.

"You do not wish for me to know what has happened." Zariah said, her words were more a fact than a question which meant she could already guess Askel’s mood.

"It is not that I wish to keep it from you, Mhijani... I just... I have failed to reign in my own people and you have suffered an injustice, I am ashamed." Askel admitted with a heavy sigh.

"I heard nothing of their words, I shall not hear of it too. I have suffered nothing, Askel." Zariah assured, her tone calm and warm.

Askel sighed quietly, he understood Zariah’s meaning. She would not seek to know of what had happened with his council, what demands they had or who were involved.

And the fact that she said these words made it clear to Askel that Zariah already had a rough grasp of the situation or more particularly who was involved.