The Alpha's Forsaken Feisty Mate

"My Mate."

Zenna was astounded to hear those affectionate words from Radulf’s mouth.

Trapped between him and the door, his body pressed so firmly against hers that even the thought of moving seemed impossible. His warm breath fanned over her neck, stirring an unease of fear and exhilaration in her. This wasn’t the Radulf she knew. The Radulf she knew despised her with every fiber of his being.

’Is this his wolf taking over? Has he forgotten who I am?’ she wondered, confusion and curiosity warring within her.

Yet, beneath the layers of shock, a flicker of excitement surfaced. She was his mate. The bond she always wanted to hear from him suddenly disclosed like this. In his rut, he was speaking the truth, which he always wanted to hide from her.

"Am I really your mate?" she whispered, her gaze fixated on the door while wanting to confirm once again if she had heard it right.

"Yes," Radulf growled in his low voice. "You are my mate. Do you know how intoxicating your scent is? Sweet, warm—utterly irresistible. It was torment to stay away from you. But now..." His lips brushed her ear, and his whispered words sent a shiver cascading down her spine. "I can’t resist anymore. I want you, Zenna."

Without waiting for her response, his mouth trailed soft kisses along her jawline, down to her neck, igniting a fire in her veins. She gasped as his hand slid to her shoulder, gently tugging down the sleeve of her dress, exposing her cool, damp skin to the warmth of his touch.

"Why are you drenched?" Radulf suddenly asked, his voice softer as he pulled back slightly to meet her gaze. In the dim light, Zenna’s charcoal-black eyes held him captive, their depth stirring his primal desire. He searched her face, as if her answer might unlock truths he had long denied.

"I-I..." Zenna stammered, unable to form words as Radulf’s lips descended once more, pressing into the hollow of her neck. His warmth contrasted sharply with the chill of her wet skin, and she felt a sudden rush of heat flood her body.

"Radulf, stop," she whispered, her voice trembling. "You hate me. You can’t do this. Not to me."

Though it was her chance to get his mark, to mate with him, but Zenna was still frightened with the thought that he might blame her the next morning once his rut was over.

His lips stilled against her skin, but he didn’t pull away. "I don’t hate you, Zenna," he murmured with sincerity. "I’ve never hated you." His hand found the curve of her thigh, igniting a chaos within her she couldn’t suppress.

Zenna’s mind screamed for her to push him away, to resist, but her body betrayed her, leaning into his touch, craving the warmth and connection she’d never thought possible with him.

In the blink of an eye, Zenna found herself sprawled across the soft mattress, her breath hitching as the faint sound of fabric tearing echoed in her ears.

"Radulf, what did you—" Her words were abruptly silenced as his warm lips crashed onto hers, stealing the breath from her lungs. His kiss was fervent, demanding, and unrelenting. He wasn’t ready to let her go. Not tonight. She was his and only his.

His hand slid beneath her dress, gliding along the smooth curve of her thigh, exposing it to the dim light that cloaked the chamber. Zenna’s eyes widened in shock, her body trembling with uncertainty. She couldn’t comprehend what to do, her mind caught between resistance and surrender.

Sensing her hesitation, Radulf’s free hand found hers, his fingers intertwining with hers in a gesture both tender and possessive.

He broke the kiss momentarily, his lips hovering just above hers as his thumb traced the curve of her bottom lip, his gaze filled with intensity.

"Zenna, my dear mate, if you won’t kiss me, then how am I supposed to take it further?" Radulf asked, a smirk spread across his lips.

Before she could respond how unbelievable it was for her, he nipped her lip gently, teasing her before his tongue slipped into her mouth, exploring with unrestrained hunger of not one day but four years.

For four years, he experienced countless ruts and every time he had suppressed it by taking those strong pills. Deep down in his heart, he wanted to hold Zenna like this and soothe the heat of his body.

A soft moan escaped Zenna’s lips which was both unbidden and unintentional, but it ignited a spark of delight in Radulf. His movements slowed, his lips guiding hers, teaching her how to kiss. His patience and tenderness softened the rough edges of his passion, coaxing her to follow his lead.

Zenna’s hesitation melted away as her hands found their way to the back of Radulf’s neck, her fingers clasping tightly as if to anchor herself to the storm he had unleashed. Though her movements were shy and inexperienced, they carried a longing, a deep-buried feeling of love that she poured into the kiss.

Radulf groaned softly, his lips pressing harder against hers, matching the passion she gave him. But then, without warning, he pulled away, leaving Zenna gasping for air. Before she could process the sudden withdrawal, his lips descended onto her collarbone, tracing the delicate curve with burning intensity.

"Your pheromones," Radulf murmured against her skin, his voice thick and gravelly, "they drove me insane in the carriage. I couldn’t think straight." His eyes met hers, turning a deeper shade of red, showing how his wolf had taken over him and at the same time, they were molten with desire.

"What?" Zenna barely had time to voice her disbelief before a sharp nip at her collarbone made her cry out. "Ahhh!" she gasped, her body arching slightly in response.

Radulf smirked against her skin, pleased with her reaction. His hand slid along her side, finding its way to her curve. When he cupped her gently, his fingers moving in slow strokes, a soft, involuntary moan escaped her lips. "Mmmph," she whimpered, her cheeks flushing as the warmth of his touch seeped through her.

"Zenna, my mate, allow me to mark you," Radulf pronounced with a burning desire.