The Alpha's Forsaken Feisty Mate

A sudden commotion drew their attention, and they turned toward the source of the chaos as terrified screams filled the marketplace.

Amidst the frantic crowd, a berserk wolf rampaged through the stalls, knocking over carts and sending goods crashing to the ground.

People scrambled to get away, their cries of fear echoing through the streets as the wolf’s wild, frenzied movements left destruction in its wake.

A young girl stumbled and fell, her small hands scraping against the rough stone path as she became separated from her mother in the chaos.

Zenna instinctively took a step forward, but before she could act, Radulf had already rushed ahead. In one swift motion, he scooped the child into his arms, shielding her just as the frenzied wolf turned its burning eyes toward them.

’No... If Radulf fights, his identity will be exposed,’ Zenna realized in alarm. Without hesitation, she sprinted toward them.

The rogue wolf lunged, growling loudly as its fangs showed. Radulf braced himself to counter the attack, but before he could move, Zenna darted past him and planted herself firmly in front of them.

"No!" Radulf’s voice rang out, but she didn’t flinch.

Zenna extended her arms, standing as a shield between Radulf and the wolf. It was the first time she had ever faced such danger head-on, but in that moment, she had only one thought— To protect his identity at all costs. Her father should never learn that they were in Herah.

The onlookers held their breath, certain that Zenna would either be gravely injured or killed in an instant.

But to everyone’s shock, the berserk wolf skidded to a halt just inches from her. Its red, bloodthirsty eyes locked onto Zenna’s, which had shifted into a silver hue, a color almost unheard of among wolves.

Zenna’s gaze bore into the rogue wolf’s.

Then, before their very eyes, the wolf’s red eyes dulled, shifting back to a natural shade of brown. Moments ago, he had been wild and uncontrollable. However, now he stood frozen, subdued under Zenna’s piercing stare.

Radulf, who had prepared for the worst, felt his breath hitch. ’This... this isn’t normal.’ The ability to command a wolf with just a gaze was a trait only Alphas possessed. And yet, Zenna, who was an omega, had done it so easily.

For the first time, he looked at her not just with admiration, but with pure intrigue. ’What are you, Zenna?’

The wolf, as if suddenly regaining his senses, lowered itself onto his haunches. It wagged its tail hesitantly, ears flicking back as if ashamed of its previous rampage.

Radulf wasted no time in going to Zenna. He gently set the young girl back on her feet, making sure she was unharmed before striding toward Zenna.

She turned to face him, confusion written all over her face. Her silver eyes flickered back to their usual shade as she searched Radulf’s expression for answers.

"Did... did I do that?" she asked in disbelief.

Radulf nodded, his piercing green gaze locked onto hers. "Yes. You did that."

By the time the warriors arrived, their weapons drawn and ready to subdue the rogue wolf, no longer the frenzied beast from moments ago, he now stood calmly at Zenna’s side.

Radulf’s sharp eyes caught the silent plea in the wolf’s gaze—it was begging Zenna for help. But before anyone could react, fear overtook the wolf once more. Sensing the threat, he bolted, disappearing into the maze of bustling streets and towering stalls in the marketplace.

"We need to catch him!" the warrior leader barked, and without hesitation, the group charged after him.

Radulf grabbed Zenna by the waist and pulled her aside, shielding her from the stampede of warriors. His embrace was protective as he held her close against him.

Zenna clutched his arm, still shaken by what had just happened.

"We need to leave," he murmured. "Before they start asking questions."

Zenna nodded, and they both left for the guesthouse while the crowd started to disperse.

~~~

After settling all the dues at the guesthouse, Radulf, Zenna, and Victor departed from Herah. As Victor guided the carriage through the winding streets, Radulf kept a watchful eye through the window, ensuring they weren’t being followed. Only after they had left the bustling marketplace far behind did he finally lean back in his seat, exhaling slowly in relief.

His gaze shifted to Zenna, who sat quietly across from him.

"Why did you jump in?" he questioned with a restrained fury.

"I didn’t want you to be exposed," Zenna replied.

"You could have gotten wounded. And there was no way an Alpha would be exposed. An Alpha werewolf can easily control such wolves, who get berserk!" Radulf’s voice raised despite the control he had put on.

Zenna’s eyes filled with tears. "I–I didn’t want my father to find out. I thought if anyone found out about you... You may get punished for lying to the Alpha King," she said with a trembling tone.

Radulf’s jaw tightened, and he clenched his fists. "And what about you? What if that wolf had harmed you? Do you think I would have remained sane knowing that!?"

"But nothing happened to me," she whispered, meeting his gaze.

Radulf didn’t respond right away. His heart pounded violently against his chest, fear gripping him at the thought of losing her. Unable to hold back any longer, he cupped her face and pressed his lips against hers.

Zenna froze, too shaken and confused to respond.

’Don’t ever do this again, Zenna. Think of me at least once,’ his voice echoed through their mind-link.

Zenna hesitated for a moment before closing her eyes and kissing him back. ’Forgive me,’ she whispered through the mind-link.

After a few seconds, he reluctantly pulled away. His gaze locked onto hers, ’What are those eyes hiding?’

Yet, it wasn’t just her eyes that intrigued him. There was something about Zenna that was unexplainable. Her scent radiated the soft, submissive pheromones of an omega, yet the way she had stood her ground earlier, the defiance in her stance... it was nothing short of an alpha’s presence.

’What kind of wolf does she possess?’