Chapter 104: Alnilam Simmers With Jealousy

(Alnilam)

The episode with Kacir and Rahria and the training session with Amaia have left me with a lot to think about.

Even being intimate with Jamina isn’t taking my mind off it. And she notices, I can’t even finish when I pull myself out of her and lie down with my arms behind my head, staring at nothing in particular.

Her soft hands slide against my chest while her warm body spoons with me.

"Give me your worries, Alni. You are thinking too much," she purrs quietly. Her index finger slowly rubs circles on my naked chest.

I can’t share my training sessions with Amaia, that’s a secret that is only concealed in my heart. And she already knows what happened with Kacir and Rahria. We have spoken to Jasian and asked him to be more cautious while carrying out training.

"They are still so non-serious and the Inter Guild Wars are only a few months away."

Softly she kisses the side of my chest and snuggles her leg over mine.

"No one can meet your standards, but I understand. With that new vampire’s addition, everyone is on edge. Alnitak already had an altercation with him and after what happened at the training session, I know tension will only double."

She is not wrong.

"In my opinion, Ezran is an excellent addition. He is keeping everyone on their toes and his aura shows he is not some ordinary vampire."

She lets out a small yawn. "I agree."

Turning my head I watch her eyes struggling to remain open. I press a small kiss on the top of her head. "Night Jamina, you should sleep."

"Mmmm!" She mumbles, snuggling close to me, seeking my warmth. Soon she drifts off but I remain wide awake. Sleep has never been my friend and it certainly won’t come today.

***

The next day, both my brothers arrive late for their training session. So much for my lecture being on time. While Alnitak hardly appears apologetic, Mintaka is sending him death glares, which show that Alnitak has made him late again.

"Both of you will clean up the training area after the session," I tell them grimly and Alnitak flashes me that annoying smile of his.

"It’s my fault, I will do Taka’s share as well. Besides, there is something I need to discuss with you, alone." He drags out a spear for his training session and I give him a nod.

"Fine. Get started." I remain on the sidelines today, watching and guiding, not participating.

I only have Serpens and Leo’s with me, Pegasus have their session with their Guildmaster so I am slightly relaxed.

Rahria is back from the infirmary and today I put her with Amaia. Being the only two females I want them to get along with each other.

Besides, Amaia knows how to handle weapons; there is hardly anything I need to teach her, so Rahria will learn.

For the past few days, Amaia’s health has been declining. Her cheeks appear slightly shrunken and she is not as sharp during her training sessions as she was in the beginning.

She seems...almost distracted or ill. Maybe, I should ask Jamina to have a conversation with her. She knows how to talk to others, all sweet and gentle. I lack that touch and Amaia is hardly ever comfortable in my presence.

There could be a girly problem Amaia might be having.

Since she shares a room with a boy and everyone around her is almost male, except Rahria, who is hardly a help, having Jamina speak to her might be helpful.

Kacir is still in the infirmary but recovering, and TJ has informed me that he will be discharged today.

The session goes smoothly. No fights, no one tried to gouge the other’s eye out. It’s always Pegasus and Leos that end up at each other’s throats.

Soon, I am going to get them started on hurdles, challenging as that might be, they need to get stronger.

"Alright! Head over to your next session and don’t forget to read pages 73 and 74 of History of Monsters. We will be tackling a new monster next week." I inform them and they shuffle along, dropping their weapons in the bucket.

Rahria, Amaia and Mintaka are planning to drop by at the infirmary to meet Kacir before heading to their next session with Jamina.

It does bring my heart a little satisfaction. Kacir is one link which connects them all. They all care for him deeply and that might help them become stronger and stay together.

Alnitak lingers collecting everyone’s weapons and tidying up behind them.

I walk over to him once everyone is gone and watch him load the weapon-filled buckets onto the wheelbarrows, ready to wheel them back to the storerooms.

"What did you want to talk about?" I ask.

Alnitak straightens, dusting his hands together and letting out a frustrated sound.

"I am stumped on something. I know you warned me against it, but I can’t help it, and I want to ask how you would handle a similar situation."

I narrow my eyes at him and he just gives me that infuriating smile of his.

"Stop speaking in riddles. What is it?"

He throws his hands in the air. "Fine. I like Amaia. A lot, my wolf and demon like her too. In truth, they are infatuated with her."

My magic roars in my blood, hearing Alnitak’s words, and Snow raises his head, almost possessively growling at my brother and me.

What is it with this woman and having such an effect on our wolves and magic?

"And?" I ask, tad irritated.

Alnitak raises both his brows at me and my tone but continues to speak.

"And I want to take her as my chosen mate at the end of this year." A prickle of jealousy invades me like floodwater and ruins everything it touches. Why am I acting like that?

"What I want to know is. How would you handle Jamina’s situation if you were to find your mate today or any day in future? It’s a possibility that she is out there," he apologetically asks, knowing that’s a touchy subject for me.

But it does throw me down a tunnel of wonder and speculation. This question is the bane of my existence.

"You are not thinking straight, Alnitak. Didn’t I tell you not to get romantically involved with Amaia? Why do you always need to go against my words?" I struggle to keep my calm. He doesn’t know the reality about Amaia and the situation can get extremely serious if her identity is ever revealed.

"I can’t explain what I feel for her. But I can’t back down for now. So just answer my question." His smile drops and I can see my brother is serious about this matter.

This is getting more complex than I had imagined.

"I don’t have a correct answer to your question, Alnitak. Jamina has been by my side forever. She has held me through so many storms and yet there is a deep hole inside my heart which swallows everything she gives and still doesn’t fill. It wants our mate, so does Snow and my magic."

I sigh and don’t even have the heart to tell my brother that what he and his otherselves feel for Amaia is exactly what my wolf and magic do too.

Alnitak steps closer and places both his hands on my shoulders. "Feeling is mutual big brother. The difference is that I, my wolf, and my darkness want her, and I am not going to hold back. Come what may, Amaia is going to be mine."

The determination flashes in his eyes like I have never seen before and somehow my heart hurts.

"We will talk about it later. Good luck with today’s match. You guys better win," I tell him before walking away, simmering with jealousy.