(Mintaka)

The obsession Alnitak has with Amaia makes sense if she turns out to be his mate.

But my mind is so muddled thinking about why he can’t scent her. His wolf, Zevran, is fully functional, unlike mine, who is lost...

Until two days ago when that Chittering attacked and Amaia held me at my most vulnerable.

I felt him stir in my head; it had been so long since he had detached himself from me, and that was the first time I felt him.

Actually, it was her voice that he responded to and awakened me, making me escape my brain and all the turmoil I was stuck in.

How she was able to reach him is beyond me and I want to test this theory again.

But she, being Alnitak’s and that vampire’s mate, is going to complicate the situation.

Alnitak is possessive and vampires are known to be overly controlling and territorial. This is likely why they locked horns on the very first day, and now hate each other’s guts.

Damn!

Nothing about Amaia is ever straightforward and I think there is more to her story than we can see and understand.

I lean against the door as Larissa questions what happened to Amaia.

"She almost fainted after the obstacle training. Could be heat, could be something else," Alnitak edgily says and Amaia sheepishly smiles.

Larissa picks up the jug from the table and fills the glass with the cold water.

"Something else?" She asks, confused.

Alnitak and Amaia pass glances as his eyes drift to her neck. Strangely, she is wearing a scarf around there today. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Oh!

The realisation hits me hard and I understand why.

Offering blood to vampires is not against the law in Orion but it is frowned upon. Vampires are supposed to consume animal blood or bottled blood which is specifically arranged. They are advised to avoid drinking directly from humans and other species. But if someone willingly offers, there is no restriction on that.

"I offered blood to a vampire," Amaia finally says with a sigh, accepting the glass from Larissa.

"Amaia? Why?" Even Larissa, who is the kindest of souls among us appears appalled.

"He needed it," she nonchalantly answers, not even afraid and owning up to what she did.

Placing her cherry-shaded lips she takes a small sip of water. Alnitak grunts at her answer, not at all seeming pleased.

"You lost so much blood lately. Don’t be reckless like that. Your blood type is extremely rare, we only have one match here in Orion for you. We won’t be able to give you another transfusion."

Now that comes as a surprise to me. Humans have rare blood types, but how rare is her blood type that we literally only have one person that matches her blood type?

"Who is it?" She removes the glass from her mouth and tries to nonchalantly ask.

Larissa professionally smiles at her. "I can’t tell you that. It’s confidential information."

Amaia appears disappointed at that.

"Let me fix something up for you. It increases the blood formation in the body and will give you an extra iron boost. Take daily and focus on an iron-rich diet," she instructs before exiting the room.

Alnitak sighs and lowers himself behind her on the bed. The way he watches her is a look I am absolutely familiar with. Like a love-sick puppy, he has fallen so deeply for her, and I am afraid he is going to end up burnt.

His arms instantly go around her. "I am going to be monitoring your food. You can’t be reckless. Promise me you won’t," he requests instead of forcing his decision over her.

My brother is ever so considerate.

She slowly turns her head and watches him. "I can’t make that promise. When it comes to certain people I will always put them first, including you." Her hands affectionately hold his face.

Her words are uttered softly, and there is this light she holds that pulls others towards her. Even I feel it, no matter how I try to deny it.

Her words also remind me of what she had said to me a while ago, when I had warned her against hurting my brother.

’I can never hurt you or him.’

I hadn’t paid much heed to her words at that time but thinking about them leaves me wondering.

The door to the infirmary opens, and in walks Saiph, in his usual domineering self, without realising it. His eyes waver from us and fixate on her.

"How are you?" He asks in his deep voice.

"Good," she softly says.

He gives her a curt nod and his eyes drift towards Alnitak.

"Alnitak I need a word with you."

"Right now?" Ali questions, not seeming pleased.

"Yes! Follow me," he orders and Alnitak lets out a frustrated sigh.

Rolling his eyes in frustration, Alnitak gets up from the bed. Saiph leaves the room and Alnitak turns towards me.

"Stay with her. Ensure she drinks whatever Larissa gives her."

I give him a thumbs up and watch him leave. Unpeeling myself from the wall near the door, I move forward and sit down on an empty chair near Amaia.

"Can I confess something?" I slowly ask, leaning back in the chair.

Her gaze shifts to me, soft and warm. The way she watches me creates this innate want to open my heart to her.

"Of course!"

There is a prickling pain in my chest as I begin.

"I can no longer connect with my wolf. You must have noticed how the trainers don’t put me in combat during shifter sessions. Even my powers have been affected."

That softness in her gaze is obscured by worries. "I am sorry, Min, I didn’t know."

"It’s fine. I haven’t been whole since her passing. The grief broke and drowned me and I think a piece of me died with her."

Her eyes widen at my confession, and strangely, I feel lighter saying it from my mouth. I never speak about her, not even with Alnitak.

"Who?" She asks, her voice comes out like a strangled breath.

"Kayla; Kacir’s sister. She was my mate," I heavily whisper, my throat constricts at the reminder and the memories.