The Alpha's Forsaken Feisty Mate

"Take me to the Cold Palace," Radulf used his dominant alpha authority this time on her. His green eyes shone as they locked on hers.

Zenna blinked and nodded at him. "It is a bit far from here," she said and led her way to the North of the palace. After walking for thirty minutes, they were finally outside the cold palace. It was covered in darkness and not a single guard could be seen there.

Zenna came out of the daze and found herself standing in front of the giant gates of the cold palace. She turned his head to look at Radulf. "You used your ability to bring me here!" Zenna said, looking at him in disbelief.

"Yes," Radulf admitted. He held her hand as she turned to leave, but he grasped her hand and continued, "I want to see the cold palace because I want to know in what condition you lived. Is it wrong to learn about your past?" before turning to her.

"It’s not wrong," Zenna responded, meeting his gleaming eyes. "But it’s not the right time to learn about that," she stated.

"Hmm. Do you know you sleep talk?" Radulf questioned her.

Zenna stopped blinking as she didn’t know about this habit of hers. "What do you mean?"

"You talk in your sleep," Radulf clarified to her. "You carry the traumas from your childhood. The cold palace is the answer to them. And I want to know what happened to you in the hall of the cold palace. You speak about it frequently in your sleep," he pronounced.

Zenna’s fingers curled tightly around the fabric of her gown as she stood rigidly in place. Her chest rose and fell with restrained emotion, her voice laced with a quiet bitterness.

"You should have asked me before bringing me here, Radulf," she said, her gaze sweeping over the all-too-familiar surroundings. "This place was a prison to me. I always wanted to escape it."

Radulf regarded her with a measured expression, his voice calm yet firm. "I did ask. You refused every time."

Zenna’s lips parted as if to argue, but before she could respond, Radulf sighed and pivoted on his heels. "Fine. Let’s go back. We won’t step inside." Without another word, he turned, guiding her away from the place she so clearly despised. He didn’t question her further, nor did he try to justify his actions. Instead, they walked in silence, the only sound between them the soft crunch of boots against the gravel path.

By the time they returned to the main palace, a servant hurried toward them, his expression composed but urgent.

"His Majesty has been looking for both of you," the servant informed them with a respectful bow.

Radulf’s brow furrowed. "Why?"

"I’m not sure, Sir," the servant replied carefully.

Zenna’s eyes darkened with apprehension. "Where is my father now?"

"In his chamber, Princess," the servant responded.

Zenna and Radulf exchanged glances. Without hesitation, they made their way toward the Alpha King’s quarters.

Upon reaching the grand entrance of the King’s manor, Radulf signaled a nearby guard. "Inform Phillipe that we have arrived," he commanded, his tone edged with authority.

The guard gave a curt nod before disappearing inside, leaving Zenna and Radulf standing at the threshold. After a moment, he returned and told them they both could go inside.

Radulf and Zenna stepped into the chamber together. The air was filled with the scent of burning wood from the grand fireplace, casting flickering shadows across the lavishly furnished room.

Seated on the velvet-lined sofa, Phillipe regarded them, while his queen, Loretta, sat beside him, elegantly poised with a goblet of wine in her delicate hand. Her piercing gaze swept over them.

"You two weren’t in any chamber," Loretta remarked. She shifted slightly, crossing one leg over the other before her lips curled into a knowing smile. "Tell me, did Zenna truly fall ill, or was that just a convenient excuse, Radulf? Did you weave a little tale just to sneak out of such a beautiful occasion?" She arched her perfectly shaped brow.

Zenna straightened slightly, meeting Queen Loretta’s gaze with quiet composure.

"Your Majesty, I truly wasn’t feeling well," she said. "The flowers used in the hall were poppies, and I am allergic to them."

It wasn’t an excuse—she had felt lightheaded from the strong fragrance.

Radulf turned to her, clearly taken aback by the revelation. He had never known about her allergy, and the realization left a strange feeling in his chest.

Loretta hummed, swirling the wine in her goblet before taking a slow sip. She didn’t press further, her interest seemingly satisfied.

Phillipe, however, had turned his full attention to Radulf with unmistakable pride in his eyes.

"Radulf, you did a remarkable job during your quest," Phillipe said, his deep voice brimming with satisfaction. "I had a long conversation with Alpha Markal, and he was truly impressed by me—after all, I own a gem like you."

Zenna stiffened at her father’s words, her jaw tightening. ’Own?’ Radulf wasn’t some prized possession to be displayed and praised like a well-trained hound.

Radulf, however, remained composed. "Your Majesty, if you hadn’t given me a second chance, I would have failed to prove myself," he responded.

Phillipe leaned back, a pleased smile stretching across his face. "What your father did was absolutely unforgivable, but you are not like Nigel," he remarked.

Radulf kept his face impassive, but beneath his calm facade, his blood boiled. ’One day, Phillipe, I’ll rip off your mouth.’

Despite the storm brewing inside him, Radulf shifted the conversation with careful ease. "Your Majesty, my wife and I will be away from the capital for a few days," he informed Phillipe, knowing it was best to disclose it before the king learned from someone else.

Phillipe’s brows drew together slightly. "Why? Where are you two going?"

Radulf turned to Zenna for a brief moment before facing Phillipe again. "I want to spend some time alone with my wife, far from the pack. We were apart for four years, and I believe I should make up for that lost time with Zenna." His lips curved into a gentle smile, one that softened his otherwise sharp features.

"That’s such a wonderful decision. Definitely you two need to know each other better," Phillipe asserted with a smile. He felt his ambition would be fulfilled soon.