The Alpha's Forsaken Feisty Mate

With firm hands, Zenna pushed Radulf back with an unsteady breath. "If we leave tomorrow, have you made all the preparations?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Radulf exhaled sharply with impatience. "Is this really the time to discuss that?"

"No, but I need to know," she insisted. "We’ll be away from the pack for days..." Her words trailed off as worry flickered in her eyes.

Radulf softened, his fingers sliding to the nape of her neck. "Everything is taken care of," he assured her. Then, with a slow pull, he brought her closer, his lips pressing against the delicate skin of her throat before trailing up to her chin, stealing the rest of her thoughts.

"I forgot that the door—Mmm." Her words were cut off as Radulf captured her lips in a deep, demanding kiss. The thought slipped from her mind the moment his mouth moved against hers, stealing her breath away.

His hand traced a slow path down her arm, fingertips gliding over her skin before reaching her thigh. He caressed it gently, then tugged up the hem of her gown, his touch becoming more possessive. His fingers trailed higher, lingering just long enough to make her shiver before he gave her thigh a firm squeeze.

In the next breath, he lifted her effortlessly, holding her against him as he strode toward the bedroom. He laid her onto the mattress, his body following as he hovered over her. He devoured her mouth, until the need for air finally forced them apart.

"What’s wrong with you?" Zenna asked, her brows knitting in confusion.

"Everything," Radulf murmured with a tease. His smirk deepened as he tilted his head. "Why? Do you not like saying my name?"

Before she could answer, he dipped his head, pressing a lingering kiss to her collarbone. His fingers traced over the mark he had left on her skin, watching as it shimmered with a golden glow. A flicker of satisfaction crossed his gaze. "It suits you," he mused.

"When will you mark me?" Radulf asked suddenly.

Zenna’s breath hitched as his fingers tightened around her waist.

"I need your mark on me," he continued as his gaze darkened with possession. "I want the others to know that you’ve claimed me—just as I have claimed you."

"I thought you wouldn’t want it," Zenna murmured with hesitation.

Radulf’s brow arched. "Why would you think that?" That’s upsetting to know," he whispered, then pulled up her dress, straightening before turning his back to her.

Zenna watched him, uncertainty twisting inside her. Was he... angry? The thought unsettled her. The idea of marking him had never crossed her mind—not because she didn’t want to, but because she had assumed he wouldn’t let her.

She sat up while fixing her gaze on him. "I can mark you," she said softly. Gathering her resolve, she moved closer, wrapping her arms around him from behind.

Radulf remained still for a moment before exhaling sharply. But then, without another word, he pulled away. "I will see you later," he asserted, rising from the bed.

He didn’t look back as he walked out, leaving Zenna staring after him, her heart sinking.

"I didn’t mean to hurt him," she mumbled, hugging herself.

~~~~

By late afternoon, Radulf finally finished his work. His muscles ached from the long hours, but the real weight pressing down on him wasn’t exhaustion—it was the lingering ache in his chest.

Zenna had come to call him for lunch half an hour ago, but he had refused, muttering that he had no appetite. The truth was, he wasn’t hungry for food. He was restless, consumed by the sadness he couldn’t shake.

She had never thought of marking him. Why?

Did the bond mean so little to her?

His jaw clenched as the thought settled deep within him. To him, their connection was undeniably fierce and unbreakable. But from her side... was it weaker? Did she not crave to claim him the way he longed for her?

"Alpha, what are you doing here?" Savio asked as he stepped into the office, his brows furrowed in confusion.

"Work," Radulf replied flatly. "I’ve finished everything," he added.

"Oh. That’s wonderful," Savio said while nodding at him. He hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Then you should go and prepare. We need to leave for the palace soon."

Radulf exhaled slowly, his fingers tapping against the desk.

"What happened to you?" Savio questioned, eyeing Radulf with concern.

"Nothing," Radulf replied curtly.

Savio scoffed. "You’re wearing a big frown. That’s not ’nothing.’"

Radulf exhaled sharply, his hands balling into fists. "Zenna never thought of marking me," he admitted with frustration. "Why? I was going crazy to make her mine. Her scent, her pheromones—they drove me to the edge of insanity. But it didn’t happen to her." His jaw tightened. "It makes me wonder... does the mate bond only torment me?"

Savio observed him for a moment before sighing. "You should talk to her instead of sulking. Maybe she has her own reasons."

Radulf let out a humorless chuckle. "Or maybe she just doesn’t feel the same way."

"Are you serious?" Savio scolded, his tone sharp with disbelief. "She loves you. You know this well."

Radulf’s jaw clenched. "Then what about the mark?" he pressed. "If she truly wanted me, why didn’t she think of it?"

Savio sighed, shaking his head. "Maybe because she thought you wouldn’t want it," he reasoned. "Think about it, Radulf. All you’ve done is snap at her or push her away whenever your emotions got the better of you. Maybe she assumed you’d reject her mark, just like you used to push her out of your sight."

Radulf stiffened at the words, something uneasy settling in his chest. Had his own actions made her hesitate? Had he been the reason she never considered marking him?

"Talk to Zenna. It’s not like she won’t answer you. You two are going so well. Now, if you’ll get upset like a kid, things won’t go better. Also, Zenna hadn’t touched her lunch meal because you refused eating too. I don’t get you sometimes," Savio said while shaking his head.