The Alpha's Forsaken Feisty Mate

As soon as they settled into the carriage, Zenna turned to Radulf, her voice laced with curiosity and concern.

"Why did you go to such lengths for me?" she asked. "How did you manage to convince my father? Now, Aria is punished, and the royal family has already made you their enemy."

Radulf’s gaze remained steady, his expression unwavering. "Aria tried to kill you," he stated simply.

"I used the same words your father once used on me when I pleaded for my parents’ lives four years ago. Why should Aria be granted mercy when her crime was far worse than anyone can even imagine? Phillipe claims to be fair and just, so I asked him to prove it by holding Aria accountable for her actions. She has humiliated you repeatedly, and this time, she crossed a line that could not be ignored." He exhaled sharply before adding, "As for the royal family, they were always my enemies, Zenna. That hasn’t changed."

Zenna let out a deep breath, her fingers tightening around the fabric of her dress as she spoke softly.

"This is the first time someone from their side has been punished for their crimes," she admitted. "When I saw Aria receiving her lashes, I couldn’t help but remember the day I stood in the same place, completely helpless. No one came to my defense. My cries were nothing more than entertainment for them." A small smile flickered across her lips as she whispered, "Aria, hopefully, will think twice before making the same mistake again."

Radulf watched her intently but didn’t say anything.

"Thank you," Zenna murmured, her smile growing as she looked at him. "Thank you for showing them what pain is."

Her words stirred something within Radulf, and a flicker of satisfaction crossed his face.

But then his expression darkened slightly. "What did Leon say to you?" he asked. "You looked uncomfortable earlier." His sharp eyes bore into her as he added, "And you should tell me everything, even without me having to ask."

Zenna hesitated for a moment before sighing. "I don’t take Crown Prince Leon’s words seriously," she admitted. "He always insists I should give up on my marriage. I hate that he doesn’t see me as his sister. It makes me feel... uneasy."

She turned to observe Radulf’s reaction, and as expected, his demeanor had shifted. His expression was no longer calm. A flicker of something dark passed through his eyes.

"What exactly did he say to you?" Radulf asked again with restrained fury. His wolf stirred beneath his low voice, growling lowly.

Zenna met his gaze and answered carefully. "That I shouldn’t fall in love with you."

She deliberately left out the rest, unwilling to repeat words that might wound him.

Radulf’s jaw clenched, his fingers curling into fists. "What?" he bit out as his anger mounted. "Do you know what I feel every time he looks at you like that?" His voice dropped lower, rough and edged with menace. "I want to rip him apart. And I will—soon. I’ll erase him from our path forever."

Zenna placed a hand on his hand, trying to ease the tension rising between them.

"Radulf, for now, you must hold back," she urged. "After today’s events, they will be looking for an excuse to strike. The Luna Queen will not let this go unanswered. She will retaliate, and what worries me most is the kind of trap they may set for us—just as they did for your parents."

"Loretta won’t dare make a move against us for a while," Radulf stated, his voice steady and laced with confidence. "And even if she does, I’m more than ready."

He continued further, "They’ve spent years making your life miserable, treating your suffering like their entertainment. But that ends now. When the Moon Festival comes, and everyone else is lost in celebration, they will be drowning in their pain." 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"Let’s cast them out of our lives, one by one. That’s our goal, Zenna. This... this is only the beginning. We’ll move carefully, taking slow steps until we destroy them completely."

Zenna nodded at him. "Sure. Let’s enjoy the festival, which will start in a few hours. And once again, thank you for making me feel so special."

~~~~

Nina stood silently, her gaze fixed on Aria as the royal physicians tended to her wounds. The once-proud she-wolf now lay weak and trembling, her body marked by the punishment she had brought upon herself. At the bedside, the Luna Queen clutched her daughter’s hand, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

"Stay strong, my love," Loretta whispered, stroking Aria’s hair tenderly.

Nina, who had been observing quietly, finally spoke. "An Alpha she-wolf heals faster, Your Majesty. Princess Aria will wake up soon."

Loretta’s gaze snapped toward her. "Did you know any of this was going to happen?" she demanded. "You lived under the same roof as them. Did you know Radulf was scheming against my daughter?"

Nina calmly answered, "Your Majesty, Radulf never discussed any of this with me. And as for Zenna’s attack, no one in the pack knew about it. I believe they kept it to themselves, uncertain of who the real culprit was."

Loretta exhaled sharply, her fingers tightening around Aria’s. "Radulf is clever," she muttered, more to herself than anyone else. "Unlike Zenna, he isn’t just enduring our presence—he’s challenging us. And what’s more frustrating? Even the Alpha King listened to him."

Nina turned silent and wondered why Radulf had to do this. ’Seems like he’s already in love with Zenna. He is doing things he isn’t supposed to.’

As the royal physicians were done tending to Aria’s wounds, they took their leave. Loretta asked her lady-in-waiting to stay close to Aria as she had to go and talk to the Alpha King.

"Your Majesty, I will also stay by Princess Aria’s side. Please stay strong," Nina said and lowered her eyes in respect.

Loretta glanced at her unconscious daughter one last time and walked away to see Phillipe. This time, she would retaliate with a strong force.