The Alpha's Forsaken Feisty Mate

"Aster, are you inside?" Gregor asked as he knocked on the door. He pushed it open and peeked in while holding a red envelope tightly in his hand.

Aster’s scent drew him toward the balcony, where she was sitting on the swing, enjoying the sunset.

Her head turned on its own upon sensing Gregor’s presence, and she found him at the balcony door. She stood up while he approached her.

"Your family responded to Father’s message. Here’s the letter from them for you. We didn’t open it, so you should check it out," Gregor told her.

Aster was shocked to learn that her family had sent a response. She hoped for a positive reply, opened the envelope, and took out the neatly folded letter from inside. She began reading its contents.

"Dear Sister,

This is your older brother. We searched for you everywhere for a while. Theo and I will be coming to the capital to visit you. Give my greetings to the Alpha and Luna of White Silver Pack. Take care.

Isaac Westwood."

Gregor read her expression, which seemed neutral to him. "What does it say?" he asked softly.

"They were looking for me," Aster said, handing the letter to Gregor.

He skimmed through it. "They will be here soon," she asserted.

"Maybe your brothers are guilty for not standing up for their sister. I will deliver the same message to my father and mother," Gregor stated. He noticed Aster wasn’t as happy as she should be.

"What happened?" Gregor asked.

"When I asked my brothers not to do this to me, they didn’t listen. They said I cut their noses and destroyed the family reputation. I don’t find the genuineness in this letter. What if they are ready to forgive me just because I found you? Your pack’s name is well known, and I feel my brothers would be relieved to see the family reputation restored again," Aster explained, revealing the feelings she had kept inside.

Also, in the past, she had once sent a letter to her brothers. However, she never got a response that time.

Gregor understood her distress. "It hurts, right? When your own family doesn’t stand by you," he said.

"A lot. Your family is supposed to stand for you in your worst time," Aster stated. "I think after your parents pass away, even your own siblings turn their backs on you. At least, that’s what I’ve learned from my life."

Gregor held Aster’s hands and made her sit on the swing. He put the letter back into the envelope and placed it on the small table nearby.

"Consider my parents as your family from now on. My mother is already calling you her daughter. You don’t know how happy she was when I told her I found my mate. Even in the past, she used to say to me that she would keep her daughter-in-law as her daughter."

Gregor tried to uplift her mood.

"I know. I am so happy to have found your mother. She’s such a sweetheart," Aster said with a smile. "Even your father is so good to me," she added.

Gregor remained silent for a moment before speaking again.

"When will your friend return? I think I need to see her to share my complaints with her. She has siblings as well, right?" Aster remarked.

"Half-siblings," Gregor replied.

"Isn’t that the same?" Aster inquired.

"No. Zenna’s life has been the toughest," Gregor said, and the gentle expression on his face disappeared. It was replaced with a sad one, as if it always pained him to see her in that state.

"What do you mean?" Aster curiously asked. "Isn’t she a princess? Illegitimate or not, but she’s a royal. More powerful than anyone among the packs," she added.

"No. That’s not true," Gregor replied. "Zenna spent eighteen years of her life in the cold palace’s four walls. She wasn’t allowed to communicate with anyone. She was supposed to take everyone’s orders and fulfill them without complaints," he affirmed.

"What? Why—why was she locked in the cold palace? And why was she supposed to only fulfill orders? Isn’t that what slaves or servants do?" Aster frowned at him.

"Well, Zenna was always a culprit in the Queen’s and her children’s eyes. The Alpha King never let Zenna do anything she wished for. It was the price she had to pay for being the daughter of an omega servant," Gregor explained with a heavy heart.

"Then how did you two become friends? She wasn’t allowed to meet anyone, you said," Aster asked with a confused gaze.

"Father helped me. I always wanted to protect Zenna as a friend. My heart always ached seeing her in such distress," Gregor admitted. "Aster, I shouldn’t be talking about another woman. Forgive me if I went overboard."

"No, it’s fine. I don’t mind. I’m glad you have been such a good friend to Zenna. She was all alone, surviving on her own. Now, I feel my life was much better after being banished. At least, I wasn’t forced to live on another person’s terms," Aster murmured, feeling a bit upset.

"Is she still the same? Even after marriage, does she still have to listen to the Alpha King?" Aster asked.

"No. Radulf protected her," Gregor said with a wide smile. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"You’ve told me about him. Everyone fears him, honestly. The Alpha of my pack studied with Radulf at the same academy. I heard that Radulf can make people speak the truth if he wants. He is a dominant Alpha," Aster stated, her eyes lighting up.

"So, how did Radulf protect her? Can he stand against the Alpha King even after what his father planned—a treason?" Aster questioned.

"Radulf has earned favors from the Alpha King after winning the toughest war in the Western Frontier. They had a lot of problems initially, but finally, they are doing well," Gregor stated, not going into more details.

"Zenna seems to be a great lady to me. I’m eager to meet her, Gregor. I think I’m going to be her best friend. What if I replace your position?" Aster arched her eyebrow.

"I would be happy if Zenna made another best friend," Gregor said with a smile.