The Alpha's Forsaken Feisty Mate

"Friendly? Don’t you know that both sides are just waiting for a single moment to break the pact?" the man on the left stool scoffed, swirling his drink.

The one on the right chimed in. "Ever since that Alpha’s father joined hands with a witch, any semblance of peace between us has vanished. Now, we’re all just waiting for the chance to rip each other’s throats out."

Radulf’s grip tightened around his glass. His father’s name was tarnished, spat upon, and blamed for the divide. A lump of frustration and resentment formed in his throat. Without a word, he tipped back the glass and downed the whiskey in one swift motion, feeling the burn scorch down his throat.

"You seem new here," the man on the left remarked, eyeing Radulf with mild curiosity.

Radulf gave a slight nod as he took a seat beside them. "Yes. I recently arrived, looking for trading opportunities," he replied smoothly, his gaze shifting between the two men. He leaned back, feigning casual interest. "I was intrigued by the idea of meeting witches. But from what I hear, that seems nearly impossible."

The man on the right let out a dry chuckle. "Hey, it’s not that difficult to meet a witch. But most people prefer to stay away from them, especially when it comes to business." He took a slow sip of his drink before adding, "Though, funnily enough, the richest woman in Herah happens to be a witch."

Radulf’s brows lifted slightly as it piqued his interest. Perhaps, he could meet her. But a witch could even see through the lies. He needed to make sure he would not be caught and most importantly, trusting a witch was itself a big risk.

Radulf placed a few coins on the counter, nodding at the bartender before swiftly exiting the establishment.

As he stepped into the cold embrace of the night, he noticed how quickly people hurried home, locking their doors as if afraid of something unseen.

The absence of the moon cast an eerie darkness over the town. It was finally the new moon night, a curse for the werewolves while a night of power for the witches.

The once-bustling market had fallen into eerie silence, with only a few lone figures hurrying through the dimly lit streets.

Radulf quickened his pace toward the guest house, his sharp gaze sweeping over the corridor. There, pacing back and forth, was Victor, standing guard as expected.

Upon spotting Radulf, Victor immediately stopped and straightened his posture.

"Thank you for all your hard work," Radulf said. He placed a hand on Victor’s shoulder in acknowledgment. "You should go and rest now."

Victor gave a small bow. "As you wish," he murmured before walking away, disappearing into the shadows of the hallway.

With the corridor now empty, Radulf retrieved the key from his pocket, inserting it into the lock. Pushing the door open, he stepped inside, his gaze immediately falling on Zenna.

She was still fast asleep. Radulf exhaled softly, closing the door behind him.

Radulf silently removed his boots and socks, setting them aside before shrugging off his thick coat.

As he approached the bed, a faint murmur reached his ears.

"I-I will do it, Father. Pl-please don’t lock..."

He paused, watching Zenna’s face contort slightly in distress. ’She’s sleep-talking again,’ he thought as his brows furrowed together.

Without hesitation, he lifted the duvet and carefully slid in beside her. His arms wrapped around her gently, pulling her against his chest.

"You’re safe," he murmured.

Zenna stirred slightly, but the warmth of his embrace seemed to soothe her. Radulf held her close, hoping to chase away whatever nightmares haunted her even in sleep.

~~~~~

Aster pressed a hand against her chest, a strange discomfort settling deep within her. It was difficult to describe, but she couldn’t afford to dwell on it. She had a dinner to attend with Gregor and his family.

"Miss, are you feeling alright?" Ella, her lady-in-waiting, asked with concern.

Aster quickly lowered her hand, masking her unease with a small smile. "Yes, I’m fine," she replied. She stood up from the vanity chair and made her way to the dining room.

Gregor rose from his seat, offering Aster a warm smile as he approached her. With gentle care, he guided her to the chair opposite him and helped her settle into it.

Jasper and Annette exchanged knowing smiles, pleased to see how their son already seemed deeply enamored with his mate.

"The dress looks stunning on you," Annette remarked, her eyes gleaming with approval. "Gregor personally chose it for tonight’s dinner."

As Jasper subtly signaled the servants to begin serving, Aster glanced at Gregor, momentarily taken aback by the thoughtfulness behind the gesture.

"Thank you," she said softly, her fingers brushing against the fabric as she lowered her gaze. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"Start eating, dear," Annette encouraged, noticing that Aster had yet to lift her spoon.

Aster hummed softly in acknowledgment and finally took a bite. The meat was far more tender than what she had eaten the previous day, and with each bite, she found herself savoring the meal. To her relief, the dull ache in her chest had also faded away.

As the dinner concluded, Jasper cleared his throat, drawing Aster’s attention.

"Aster, we’ve decided to meet your family," he announced. "With your wedding approaching, Gregor’s mother and I believe it’s important to include them in the preparations."

Aster hesitated, setting her spoon down. "That sounds good, but... I was banished by them. Will it really be okay to contact them?"

Jasper remained unfazed. "It’s fine. I will personally send a message to your brothers. Just tell me their names tomorrow." A reassuring smile touched his lips. "We believe your family will be happy to see you getting married."

"Yes, dear," Annette chimed in, her voice warm. "Gregor’s father will take care of everything."

Aster nodded in agreement and glanced at Gregor, who simply smiled at her.

Jasper and Annette stood up together. Seeing them, they both also left their seats and said good night to them. Once the elders left, Gregor shifted his focus to Aster.

"I have something to give you. Come with me," Gregor said.