The next exercise was scheduled for dusk. June had the entire day to prepare herself for the next duel which would involve the use of intellect.
She had high hopes for this type of exercise as it depended on her intelligence and not the physical strength she clearly lacked.
June had yet to speak to her wolf or Augusta. It seemed like they didn’t try to speak to her either because she couldn’t even feel the buzz of their presence.
She didn’t let it bother her and went on with her training. It was very early in the day and June stepped out of bed to sprint.
Zeus joined her on the training ground with a frown marred against his face. “You scared me.” He said,
June was startled. She didn’t hear him come in.
“Didn’t you hear me come?” Zeus inquired with narrowed brows.
“You sneaked up on me,” she spoke in an accusing tone.
“You should have sensed me.” Zeus stated with a blank expression.
“I didn’t, okay?” She deadpanned, tired of the backs and forths.
Zeus walked up to her and took her into a bear hug she didn’t realize she needed.
Just when she was relaxing into the hug, he muttered into her ear. “I could have killed you. It could have been someone else and you didn’t even hear them come.”
June stepped out of his hold with a frown, but he held her back.
“Something is wrong.”
“Because I didn’t hear you walk in?” She probed with an eye roll. “Oh Zeus-”
“I can’t feel your wolf!” He yelled, shaking in anger. “I didn’t feel your wolf all these while and you can’t too if you didn’t hear or feel my presence!”
“I already told you! I shut them out! I put up that mental wall thing so-” June let out a deep exhale. “You know what? Fine! I’ll let up the mental block.”
June dived into the depths of her mind and the results were shocking to say the least. Zeus watched her with keen eyes.
“I-I-” she stuttered, eyes aghast. “I can’t feel them…”
Zeus didn’t blink. “Try again.” He ordered.
June tried and tried. Going as far as speaking to them but it seemed like there was a permanent block between them.
“Nothing…” She said dejectedly.
“Can you tell when this happened? When was the last time you tried to contact them?” Zeus said with panic riddled eyes.
“I don’t know-”
“You need to know! These are my mates we are talking about!” He yelled and she stepped back.
Zeus tried to control his emotions and approached her in a reasonable manner.
“I cannot do anything if you don’t help me, June. Please. Think carefully. Did you hear from them before or after the duel?”
June swallowed and thought carefully. The last time she heard from Augusta’s wolf was the few seconds after she woke up from her concussion.
“She tried to speak to me after the duel.” June said, feeling blue. “I was so angry I shut them out. I haven’t heard or felt anything ever since.”
“Do you think they are upset with me?” June asked worriedly.
Zeus took a deep breath. The problem wasn’t that they were not speaking to her, but that he couldn’t feel their presence.
After Zeus discovered Augusta was his mate, a special bond was created between them. He could sense and feel June no matter where she went.
Hence his shock when he woke up and discovered she was not by his side. He had tried to sense her but there was nothing.
For a moment, he thought she was gone… dead. He nearly lost his mind until he saw the lights in the training grounds.
“Keep trying to reach them.” Zeus said, refusing to give any more context.
“But…”
“I’ll try to reach them too. Keep that wall down no matter what and tell me if there is a change.” He said, turning to leave.
“Wait! Where are you headed?” June held his arm, stopping him from leaving.
“I need to do something.” His voice was vague. “One of the men would train with you this morning. I will be back in time to brief you afterwards.”
June watched Zeus leave the training field. She left the interaction with her wolf open but there was nothing. It was so blank, it felt unnatural and odd.
While she trained, she kept checking in, waiting for Zeus to make an appearance and tell her what was going on. She hated to think that she had caused such consequences by her anger.
Meanwhile, Zeus was in the prison with one of the Alpha chefs. He was tied to the wall and a bowl of wolfsbane drenched in water was placed before him.
“Will you tell me how wolfsbane got into her food or do I get it out of you?” He said with a morbid smile.
“Please Alpha! You have to believe me! I didn’t do anything bad. I have no idea how it entered my kitchen!”
Zeus let out a guttural growl. “You are the only one who had access to my mate’s food!”
“I placed you in charge of that kitchen and assigned you the task to create her food in these sensitive times!”
“But what did you do? You make a joke of things and put her life in danger!”
The veins on Zeus’ forehead were obvious as he pushed the culprit’s head into the water filled with wolfsbane.
A howl of pain escaped the chef’s throat as the water infused with wolfsbane burned his skin.
“I will ask one more time. Who put you up to this?!” Zeus seethed, but the chef was persistent to the last.
“No one…. I didn’t do anything… I promise…” He said with laboured breaths.
“I gave you an opportunity to save your life and you spit it to my face.” Zeus held him by the hair. “There is evidence of you sneaking into the armory and stealing the herbs.”
The chef’s eyes widened when he realized he’d been caught. “I’ll tell you the truth. Please, don’t kill me!”
“You shouldn’t have lied to me.” Zeus said and his eyes turned a light shade of red.
His gifts tingled at his fingertips, ready to be used at the slightest opportunity.
“Please! I didn’t mean any harm! I was only asked to sprinkle a bit!”
“Who gave the order?” Zeus asked, knowing the one behind the situation.
“She threatened me!” The man cried, “My family…”
“Are already dead.” Zeus said with a cynical expression.
The man shook from fear but refused to speak. He was one of those who secretly hated the alpha for invading their pack.
“Liar!” He yelled, “my family is safe! Your mate would lose the game and her wolf will die-”
Before the words were out of his mouth, Zeus’ gifts shot out and the chef was burned alive.