The Alpha's Forsaken Feisty Mate

Zenna gathered her hair into a neat bun, securing it in place with a delicate hair clip. Excitement bubbled within her as she prepared to step out and explore the city.

"Black suits you," Radulf said, drawing her attention.

She turned, a bottle of perfume held loosely in her hand, and met his gaze. A teasing smile played on her lips. "Are you saying I look more beautiful in this?"

Radulf took a step closer, his presence commanding yet effortless. "Alluring is the word," he murmured.

Standing before her, he reached out, his fingers finding a stray curl that had escaped her bun. Slowly, he wrapped it around his finger before tucking it gently behind her ear.

His nose brushed against the delicate curve of her neck, sending an involuntary shiver down her spine. The warmth of his breath ghosted over her skin as he leaned in slightly.

"Don’t use perfume," he urged, his voice low and deliberate. "I prefer your natural scent."

Before she could respond, he took the bottle from her fingers with ease and set it back on the table. His gaze lingered on her, which was both intense and unreadable, as if he was committing every detail of her face to memory.

"What?" Zenna instinctively touched her cheeks with the back of her palm. "Is there something on my face?"

Radulf shook his head. "No," he said. "But we’re going to find a way to meet a witch today."

Zenna’s brows lifted slightly as she recalled their earlier discussion. "You mentioned she’s the richest woman in Herah. Do you really think she’ll agree to meet us? And even if she does, how are we going to introduce ourselves? I don’t think it’s wise to lie, especially when we’re the ones seeking information."

Radulf nodded his head as he considered her advice. "We won’t be seeing her right away," he explained. "First, we need to find out who she really is. If she’s the wealthiest here, then she’s bound to have ties to Phillipe as well. The kingdom is still under werewolf rule, and that changes everything. We need to keep all of that in mind before making our move."

"Yeah, that’s true. It’s going to be difficult, but I think we can find the right help," Zenna said. "We just need to make sure our approach is safe, where no one reports back to the Alpha King."

Radulf nodded thoughtfully. "Hmm. Let’s see if we can find someone trustworthy to speak with."

With that, the two of them left the room. Radulf locked the door behind them, slipping the key into his pocket. As they stepped into the hallway, his sharp gaze landed on Victor, who was already waiting for them.

"Did you have a good rest?" Zenna asked him.

"Yes," Victor replied.

"Let’s have our breakfast downstairs," Radulf suggested, and the trio went to the ground floor.

~~~~~

"Mother, what do you expect me to do in this situation?" Leon asked, his voice laced with frustration. "Father barely acknowledges my presence because I’m not your biological son. He only wants me to handle the matters assigned to me, nothing more. If I try to push him into granting me authority over the military warriors, he’ll reject me outright—and worse, he’ll start questioning my intentions."

"Leon, you are my son," she said firmly. "Biological or not, that doesn’t change anything. I will protect you, no matter what." Her fingers curled into fists as her anger flared. "I refuse to let your father hand over the throne to the grandchild Zenna may bear in the future. That is not an option."

"Zenna and Radulf have grown closer," Leon stated.

"I’ve seen it myself," Loretta replied.

Leon exhaled sharply. "There’s no way we can eliminate Radulf. He has Father’s favor, and as long as he continues to give Father what he wants, he will remain untouchable."

Loretta’s lips curled into a sly smirk. "Then we don’t need to focus on Radulf," she said. "If we eliminate Zenna, everything will fall into place."

Leon’s stern expression faltered at her words. "Why must we kill her?" he asked, his tone laced with disbelief. "If anyone is at fault here, it’s Radulf."

Loretta’s brows knitted together in frustration. "Are you serious, Leon? Everything is happening because of Zenna! I should have acted sooner, but I never expected her to become a real threat to us."

Leon clenched his fists. "Mother, we can’t do that. Father already knows you’ve been after Zenna’s life. He strictly warned you not to touch her. If anything happens to her, he will not spare you." He paused, his voice softening. "I don’t care what happens to me, but I care about you."

It was only a half-truth. While he did care for his adoptive mother, his concern for Zenna ran deeper—something he could never openly admit. No matter how tangled this web of power and politics became, he didn’t want her to get caught in it, let alone be harmed.

"Mother, I need to report to Father. I’ll see you later," Leon said, bowing respectfully before turning to leave.

As he walked through the corridor, his sharp eyes caught sight of his father approaching from the opposite direction. He came to a halt and bowed deeply.

"Were you with your mother?" Phillipe asked.

"Yes, Father," Leon answered, lifting his head to meet Phillipe’s gaze.

"Hmm." Phillipe gave a brief nod before Leon continued.

"Father, I have reviewed the financial report as you instructed. Additionally, the advisor told me that he has contacted the Witch from Herah, as per your request. She has responded—she will arrive in the capital in a week."

A rare smile crossed Phillipe’s lips. "That’s good news."

Leon hesitated for a brief moment before speaking again. "Father, may I ask you something?"

Phillipe’s expression remained impassive. "Hmm. Speak."

Leon took a steady breath. "Am I not capable of being King in your eyes? I know I’m just a—"

"I will declare you Alpha King," Phillipe interrupted, "if you kill Radulf after he hands over his child to me." His piercing gaze bore into Leon. "Prove your strength to me, and the crown will be yours."

"Yes, Father," Leon said.

Phillipe patted his shoulder and walked ahead to see his queen.

’Father plans to kill Radulf. What about Zenna? Will she survive in his game?’ he thought.

As Leon decided to retire to his chamber, he unexpectedly crossed paths with Nina. The sight of her immediately soured his mood, prompting him to turn around and take the same path he had just come from.

Noticing his sudden retreat, Nina called out with a frustrated tone. "If my presence bothers you that much, then just tell everyone you’re not interested in me. Don’t keep giving me the cold shoulder." She took a step forward, her gaze unwavering. "I have no interest in marrying a man who sees me as nothing more than a problem."

"Then go and say it!" Leon challenged in his sharp voice as he turned to face her. His piercing gaze met her fiery one, neither backing down.

"You can’t escape this marriage of convenience," he continued coldly. "It will happen soon, whether you like it or not. Your hands are tied, Nina. So, learn to live with my indifference."

Nina clenched her fists, her eyes flashing with defiance. "No," she said firmly. "You’re wrong about me. I will not marry you."

Nina turned on her heel and walked toward the path Leon had just taken—the route leading to his mother’s manor. But before she could take more than a few steps past him, Leon’s hand shot out, gripping her arm. With a firm tug, he pulled her to stand directly before him.

"Don’t even think of doing that," he warned.

She lifted her chin. "Why?"

Leon’s grip tightened slightly. "Because your freedom isn’t yours," he said coldly. "You might have forgotten, so let me remind you, Nina—your father lost the battle against us. You are nothing more than a pawn in this arrangement. This marriage will happen, whether you oppose it or not."

Deep down, Leon knew he couldn’t let his parents suspect his reluctance. If they did, it would only anger Phillipe, and his wrath was far more dangerous than Loretta’s.

Nina shoved him back with a force that made Leon take a step back, her wolf’s strength matching his own. Her eyes burned with defiance as she snapped, "If you think I’m some weak, crying woman, then you’re wrong. I don’t care what happens after I tell them the truth about us—because I refuse to live in a marriage where I’m nothing more than a stranger to my own soon-to-be husband."

Leon’s jaw tightened, his fists clenching at his sides. His wolf rumbled deep within his chest, restless and agitated. For a moment, he simply stared at her. Then, exhaling sharply, he finally spoke.

"Fine. Let’s talk," he said, keeping his anger in control. "I won’t ignore you." He met her gaze with a warning glint. "But I hope you don’t expect me to entertain you all the time."