The Alpha's Forsaken Feisty Mate

Radulf leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping against the armrest. "Leon is investigating Sylvan’s death."

Savio exhaled, crossing his arms. "Sylvan left behind two kids and a wife," he reminded him.

"I don’t regret killing him because those letters should have come to me. For some money, he sold his honesty," he admitted. "Does that make me a monster?"

Savio met his gaze. "Maybe a monster in the eyes of his family," he replied. "They don’t know it was you, but once Leon realizes the letters are missing, everything will come to light."

Radulf’s frown deepened. The weight of his actions didn’t shake him. He had done what needed to be done. But he knew Savio was right. It was only a matter of time before the truth caught up with him.

Radulf leaned back, a smirk playing on his lips. "But Leon will never confront me," he said with certainty.

"Of course," Savio agreed. Then, with a more serious tone, he asked, "Why haven’t you told Zenna about those letters? You let the misunderstanding between you both continue. Those letters were special to her. She wrote them from the bottom of her heart."

Radulf shook his head. "She only spoke about them a few times and there’s no more misunderstandings between us," he admitted. "And I believed I should read them all to understand her feelings from that time. How she fell in love with me even though we never talked. I felt that way, I could know her better."

Savio let out a sigh, shaking his head. "Sometimes, it’s hard to understand you."

’I agree with your beta,’ Black, his wolf, chimed in the back of his mind. ’You’re still not confessing your love to Zenna. Why?’

’Black, you should confess then,’ Radulf replied dryly, earning a low growl from his wolf.

Shifting the conversation, Radulf instructed, "Give some assistance to Sylvan’s family."

Savio nodded but added, "I believe the Crown Prince is already handling that."

Radulf remained silent for a moment, his fingers tapping against the desk. "Then let’s make sure they get more than just assistance."

Savio studied him for a second before nodding. "Sure. And you aren’t the monster."

Savio raised an eyebrow as Radulf suddenly thanked him with an appreciative smile.

"Now, I must go and sit with Zenna," Radulf declared, standing up. But just as he was about to leave, a thought crossed his mind, making him pause.

"Savio, aren’t Zenna and I a cute couple?"

Savio blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "Hmm?"

Radulf waved his hand dismissively. "Ahh, never mind," he muttered before striding out of the office.

As he stepped into the living room, he noticed that the assortments of food were nearly finished. Zenna and Aster seemed completely at ease with each other, their conversation flowing effortlessly.

"Forgive me for not joining earlier," Radulf said, finally taking a seat beside Zenna.

Zenna glanced at him before turning to Aster. "Aster, come with me. I’ll show you around the estate. Let these two men talk alone."

Radulf’s smile faltered as Zenna stood up and stepped away. He watched her leave, feeling upset. He had wanted to pull her close, to keep her beside him, and tell her how cute they looked together.

Radulf observed Gregor with a neutral expression. "So, you finally got rid of Aria," he remarked.

Gregor gave a small nod. "Yes. Surprisingly, she didn’t cause any trouble after that. I don’t think she’ll harm my mate either."

Radulf hummed in thought before saying, "You seem already in love with Aster. Is it because of the mate bond?"

Gregor chuckled. "Aren’t mates supposed to love each other from the first glance?" he countered. "It’s true that the mate bond brought us together, but love... that’s something we built. Our feelings grew mutually. I’m already in love with her."

Radulf remained silent for a moment, unable to fully understand Gregor’s perspective. Love in such a short time? He had known Zenna far longer, yet he had never been able to express his feelings so easily. Was it really that simple?

"What’s on your mind?" Gregor asked, watching Radulf’s expression shift subtly.

"Nothing," Radulf replied with a slight shake of his head. His gaze flickered toward the servants as they entered to clear the table.

Gregor studied him for a moment before speaking again. "Did you finally confess your love to Zenna? I have a feeling you’re still hesitating to even say the words ’I love you’ to her."

Radulf’s brows drew together in a faint frown. "Why does that concern you?"

Gregor let out a small chuckle. "Because Zenna is important to me. She’s like family, and I want to see her happy and secure in her marriage."

Radulf scoffed softly, clapping his hands together three times in mock applause. "How thoughtful of you," he murmured, leaning his head back. "I can’t help but feel jealous when you speak about her with such warmth."

"You don’t have to be," Gregor said.

"You know about her more than me. You have seen the parts of her life, which I have missed," Radulf stated and lifted his head to meet Gregor’s gaze. "I should have been there to wipe out all the discomfort from Zenna’s life. I didn’t even know what life she led in the cold palace until others told me. So, all of this makes me furious." 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"That was her past. I happen to be there as a friend, Radulf," Gregor said, his voice softening now.

"Hmm. I get it." After a moment of pause, Radulf spoke, "I wanted to see what the cold palace looked like. But Zenna refused to go there with me. I wonder why."

"Because it’s a haunting place for her. A place she always wanted to escape, which she even did after being offered to you in a marriage. Don’t force her for it. Instead, wait for the time when she will herself take you to the cold palace. You need to strengthen your heart for that time because I know you will want to crush those who locked her there," Gregor said with a stern and serious gaze.

"I will do that one day." Radulf’s words sounded like a promise, and Gregor simply stared at him in disbelief.

’It seems I was wrong about Radulf. He wants to fight for Zenna. I hope he succeeds one day,’ Gregor thought.