The Alpha's Forsaken Feisty Mate

"Your Majesty, what has been done can’t be changed. Princess Aria is ready to apologize to Zenna," Loretta stated. "And they are sisters. I am sure Zenna will forgive her since nothing happened to her."

"A simple apology will not answer my fury, Your Majesty," Radulf said, looking at Phillipe. "I want His Majesty to punish Princess Aria severely for her crime. The Alpha King is known for his righteousness and unbiased decisions. This matter isn’t anymore between two sisters," he pronounced and lowered his head.

Phillipe caught in a dilemma. ’I can’t punish Aria, but if I don’t do that Radulf will be upset. I have still a long way to go with Radulf and Zenna,’ he thought.

After a few moments of pause, Phillipe said, "Princess Aria did an unforgivable crime. She will be punished for it. She has to stay empty stomach the entire day and will stand in the palace ground the entire day. Whoever assists her he punished on her behalf," Phillipe pronounced, giving a clear message to Loretta not to come in between this.

"Your Majesty, pardon me but Zenna got such severe punishments even when she never made any big mistakes. Here, Princess Aria tried to kill my wife, yet she got such a soft punishment. This is not justice. I suppose I do not have to tell the Alpha King what punishments are given when someone tries to commit a sin against a family," Radulf affirmed.

"Are you questioning His Majesty’s decision?" Loretta frowned. "This isn’t how a subject should speak before his king," she added.

"Your Majesty the Luna Queen, I understand your love for Princess Aria and hatred for my wife. Please reflect on your daughter’s crime. She didn’t simply hurt her, but attempted to take Zenna’s life. If the situation is reversed, will you have to say the same words for Zenna? Would you have saved Zenna, who’s not your real daughter?" Radulf pressed, staring deep into her eyes.

Loretta turned tongue-tied.

"Radulf, I will apologize to Zenna. I am sure she will forgive me," Aria spoke up finally as she walked to him.

"Your Majesty," Radulf began, ignoring what Aria said, "please punish Princess Aria the same way you do to Zenna. They are both same for you, aren’t they? Justice should never be biased. An attempt to murder has always been a severe crime. Even my parents were killed for such a crime, and I had to witness it. I am not demanding a death punishment for Princess Aria, but all I want is for it to be severe, so that Princess Aria doesn’t repeat it in the future."

He rested his argument, realizing Phillipe was furious because he demanded way too much beyond his capability.

"I don’t make unbiased decisions," Phillipe said. He knew how well Radulf was perceived among the packs now. He couldn’t strain his relationship with the packs by giving such biased decisions.

"Princess Aria’s crime is indeed severe. Because she tried to take the life of her own sister, I will change the punishment too. Thirty lashes will be given to Princess Aria. Take her to the punishment ground," Phillipe announced.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Radulf bowed, feeling victorious while the Luna Queen pleaded to Phillipe to show some mercy.

"Discipline Princess Aria well if you don’t want anything like this to happen in the future," Phillipe announced. "The matter is over and I won’t listen to any pleading," he said.

Two guards came forward and asked Aria to follow them, who already began crying. She urged her father to let her go this time, but Phillipe didn’t listen to her.

"Take her away," said the Alpha King, dismissing them.

When Aria didn’t budge from her place, the guards had to forcefully take her away.

Loretta turned around and went after her daughter. Leon also followed his mother while Radulf and Phillipe remained behind.

"Radulf, tell Zenna that I apologize to her on Aria’s behalf. Also, I am glad to see how you both are progressing in your relationship. Don’t make me wait for too long with the good news," Phillipe affirmed.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I will take my leave, Your Majesty," Radulf said and bowed to him before walking away.

Radulf returned to the carriage and pulled the door open. His sharp eyes softened slightly as they landed on Zenna.

"Come out," he instructed.

Zenna, who had been waiting for him for over thirty minutes, blinked in surprise. "Huh? Why?" she asked, tilting her head. A sense of unease crept into her as she studied Radulf’s composed expression.

"A show is happening inside. You’ll like it," Radulf responded, extending his hand toward her.

"A show?" Zenna hesitated for a moment before placing her hand in his, still unsure of what he meant.

As they walked toward the punishment grounds, Zenna’s confusion only grew. A large crowd had gathered, and at the center of it stood Princess Aria—at the very same place where she herself had been forced to stand weeks ago.

Zenna’s steps faltered. Her brows knitted together as she turned to Radulf. "What is this?" she asked in a wary voice.

Radulf smiled victoriously. "My present for you," he murmured.

Before Zenna could make sense of his words, the sharp crack of a whip echoed through the air, followed by a muffled cry. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw the lash strike Aria’s back, tearing through the fabric of her gown and drawing blood.

Queen Loretta’s desperate cries filled the space, but they did nothing to halt the punishment. The Alpha King stood atop the platform. His gaze flickered between Radulf and Zenna.

Zenna’s hands trembled as she gripped Radulf’s sleeve. "How did she get such a punishment?" she asked in a low voice, and her eyes moved to her father, fear engulfing her insides.

"I made it happen. You should be proud of me, Princess. They did wrong to you. Now, all of them must suffer," Radulf said with a smirk as Aria kept getting struck with the lash. Zenna, on the other hand, wondered how Radulf made it possible.

As Aria lay unconscious in the pool of blood, Loretta shouted at the hunter to stop. He caught the whip and didn’t release it.

"There are two more lashes left, Your Majesty," Radulf interrupted her.

"Are you insane? Can’t you see the blood?" Loretta shouted at him.

"I have seen more blood than Her Majesty," Radulf replied and walked to her. Zenna tried stopping him, but it was of no use.

Stopping just before the Queen, he continued, his voice dangerously low. "If you had shown even a fraction of this mercy to Zenna, I might have been softer on Princess Aria. But you didn’t. And now, remember this—" he took a brief pause, "If you ever plan something evil against us, you may find yourself in the same place as her." His lips curled slightly. "I am not the Radulf from four years ago."

Zenna’s heart pounded as she watched the exchange, which grew the uneasy feeling in her heart.

At that moment, Crown Prince Leon approached her. He stopped beside her while his gaze fixed on Radulf.

"Your husband is quite brutal," Leon mused. "Do you really think he’ll be let off easily after this?" He tilted his head slightly, studying Zenna’s reaction. "You should tell Radulf to stop provoking our father. Aria should never have been punished this way." His voice carried a warning for her. "And, Zenna... don’t fall in love with him."

Zenna met his gaze, trying to comprehend what he meant by that.

"Radulf may be a war hero, but he’s a traitor’s son. You are merely a pawn in our father’s game. That’s why shift your loyalty to me, Zenna. And I’ll provide you everything you desire," Leon said.

"You are my brother. Mind your language, Your Grace," Zenna told him.

"We are not even blood-related. I am not the son of the Alpha King. You know about me well, Zenna. If you want Radulf to live well, don’t get too attached to him. I may not speak often, but you know what I am capable of," Leon stated.

Aria received the last two lashes when Radulf finally turned to face Zenna. He saw Leon was speaking with her while an uncomfortable expression had occupied her face.

’He is my next target. I am going to kill him,’ Radulf thought as his wolf growled.