The Alpha's Forsaken Feisty Mate

His hands slid beneath the delicate fabric of her gown, teasing her skin. A sharp inhale escaped her lips as his mouth found her leg, trailing kisses up the smooth expanse of her thigh.

Zenna’s breath caught in her throat, her fingers gripping the sheets beneath her. Her disheveled hair framed her flushed face, and as Radulf’s lips continued their path upward, a deep warmth pooled within her, her entire body trembling in anticipation of what was to come next.

Radulf’s eyes remained glued to hers as he grazed his teeth on her thigh and nipped that spot. She cried in pain, but he was quick to replace that pain with a kiss, leaving a red mark behind. He did the same with her other thigh.

"Radulf," Zenna extended her hands out, wanting him to move up and just enter her. She was more than ready for him.

Radulf grabbed her hands and flipped her onto the mattress, pressing his naked chest against her back. His right hand found the curve of her waist, while his left kept a tight hold on both of her hands, pinning them above her head.

"Ahh...nhgh..."

The moans grew louder. Her mind reeled as Radulf drove her insane with pleasure. He let go of her hands, his left hand now gripping her waist while his lips found her nape.

A ragged moan escaped her lips as his mouth trailed along her flushed skin, his hot breath fanning over her neck. Her body arched instinctively, desperate for more, for all of him.

"Zenna," he murmured, his voice a seductive command as he reached her ear. He nipped at her earlobe, making her shiver. "Cry my name."

"Radulf."

A smirk played on his lips as he trailed kisses lower down her back, leaving a path of burning desire. His hands kneaded her curves, sending waves of heat through her.

This torment was too much for Zenna. "Radulf, it’s too much. Please... just—" Her words melted into a soft whimper as he pressed a kiss to her shoulder, silencing her plea.

"I want you to feel every ounce of pleasure," he murmured. In one fluid motion, he flipped her onto her back, his heated gaze drinking in the sight of her beneath him. Before she could process his next move, the fabric of her gown tore apart.

"Why do you always ruin my dresses—" She barely managed to finish before his lips crashed against hers, swallowing the words and her protest along with them. His hands moved between her legs, stripping away the last barrier between them, leaving her utterly bare beneath him.

Zenna gasped, her breath hitching as his fingers skimmed her most sensitive spot, teasing her entrance with a feather-light touch. Her body arched instinctively, seeking more, but Radulf only chuckled against her lips, savoring the way she trembled under him while moaning against his mouth.

~~~~~

Zenna rested her head against Radulf’s chest, her body molded against his in a peaceful afterglow.

He was half-lying back against the headboard, his strong arm draped around her while his fingers idly threaded through her hair.

The silk sheet barely covered their entwined forms, warmth still lingering between them.

"Thank you, Zenna," he murmured. His fingers continued their slow and soothing caress. "For bringing peace to my racing mind." His gaze held hers with a deep sincerity.

She traced idle patterns over his toned chest. "After we returned from Herah, you didn’t seem well," she whispered. "I knew it was because of the unsettling truth." She didn’t look away from him.

"Hmm." A brief pause followed before he exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "The water must be ready by now. Let’s go."

A few moments later, they sank into the steaming bath, the warmth easing the tension in Zenna’s sore muscles.

She sighed in comfort as the heat enveloped her, melting away the remnants of exhaustion. Her head rested against Radulf’s chest once more, his steady heartbeat a comforting rhythm against her ear.

His arms wrapped around her protectively, and for a moment, the world outside ceased to exist.

He lifted his palm, carrying a small amount of water, and let it pour over her shoulder. His mouth brushed her ear.

"Mmm... Don’t, Radulf," Zenna urged.

"Why?" he whispered.

"Because it’s impossible to stop then," Zenna admitted. She slowly turned to look at him, keeping a small distance between them. "And we haven’t had our dinner yet. What do you think Pia and the other servants would be thinking?"

"That their Alpha and Luna are making love," Radulf replied promptly.

Zenna’s cheeks instantly turned red, and she playfully hit his chest.

"What? Isn’t it allowed?" Radulf asked.

"It is but... Ahh, never mind," Zenna murmured, fanning her hand over her face. How was she supposed to tell him that Pia and the other servants always teased her whenever they got intimate—especially because her dresses would always end up torn?

Radulf drank in her beauty. *Why is she so alluring?* he thought. He lowered his head and rested his face against her shoulder, startling her.

"Zenna, you are glowing. Is it because of what we did earlier? Tell me, how do you wish to be pampered in bed?" Radulf asked, his fingers holding a few strands of her hair.

"What kind of question is that?" Zenna mumbled. She lowered her head and looked at his face. He looked like a child, craving her attention.

"I like you when you are without clothes," Radulf suddenly said.

"Huh? Are you serious?" Zenna frowned at him. She couldn’t hide the deeper shade of red creeping up to her ears. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"With or without clothes, I like you," Radulf said. "One thing I know for sure is that I can’t live without you, Zenna." He grabbed her left hand and brought it out of the water, his gaze settling on the ring on her fourth finger. "Thank you for giving me a chance. I hope I’ve turned into the husband you always desired. I’ll keep trying to be the best version of myself."

Zenna smiled, her eyes glistening with tears. Those words carried the depth of his feelings, which he hardly ever confessed to her.