The Alpha's Forsaken Feisty Mate

"I will befriend anyone but not Leon," Radulf refused bringing the Crown Prince to his side.

"What? Why?" Zenna looked at him with a confused gaze.

"Because I don’t like Leon. I don’t trust him," Radulf stated.

"Don’t talk like that, Radulf. Aren’t you supposed to defeat the Alpha King? And there’s no incident when you and Crown Prince Leon fight with each other. Then, why are so heated up?" Zenna questioned him with a frown.

"He eyes you, Zenna. You think I will forgive him for what he did to you in my absence. I’m waiting for the right time to k–" Radulf stopped himself from uttering the last two words as he noticed the bewildered look on Zenna’s face.

"I won’t join hands with Leon. That’s final," Radulf said.

"He grabbed my hand without my permission once. Nothing more. You don’t need to grow an enmity toward the Crown Prince, who himself is trapped there. Today, when he spoke to me, I could see it in his eyes, he is a prisoner in his own home."

Radulf remained unfazed by those words. "Zenna, I don’t care about his struggles. I’m not taking his help. And I don’t want to hear another word about him."

Zenna looked away, realizing there was no use to argue with him. Once he had made up his mind, it was tough to shake his decision.

"Zenna, he should have protected you as a brother," Radulf snapped as his frustration reached its peak. "But he never did. And now, you think taking his help would be wise? Never." His eyes carried nothing but resentment.

"Don’t forget how you suffered in that palace. Did he ever step forward to shield you? No. He turned a blind eye, just like the rest of them. And now, you really think his concern is genuine?" Radulf scoffed, shaking his head. "He’s only worried about one thing—that the throne might slip from his grasp. That’s the real reason behind his words."

His gaze softened for a fleeting moment before turning steely once more. "Zenna, the choice of whether you bear a child or not is yours alone. No one, least of all him, has the right to interfere in that decision."

With that, Radulf exhaled sharply, reigning in his emotions. "I’ll see you later," he muttered, before getting down from the bed. He put on his boots and strode out of the chamber, leaving Zenna concerned in her own thoughts.

Zenna remained seated on her place with a frozen expression on her face. She had hoped Radulf would at least consider her words, but it was clear. He saw Leon as nothing more than another cruel figure from the palace, one who had abandoned her when she needed him most.

A few moments later, the bedroom’s door opened again.

"Luna, I’ve placed the ledger inside the desk outside," Pia informed her before pausing, her brows knitting in concern. "Is everything all right? I saw Alpha Radulf leave in anger. Did you two fight again?"

Zenna forced a small smile. "No. He left for urgent work," she lied smoothly. It didn’t feel right to tell Pia that she and Radulf had clashed. In Zenna’s mind, it hadn’t even been a full-blown argument, just a normal discussion that had gotten out of hand.

Pia studied her for a moment but didn’t press further. Instead, she hesitated before speaking again. "Luna, don’t you think it’s time for you and Alpha Radulf to be blessed with a pup?" she asked gently.

Zenna was caught off guard at the unexpected suggestion.

"Should I call for the female doctor to conduct a checkup? She can guide you—" Pia’s words were abruptly cut off as Zenna raised a hand.

"Radulf and I still have a long way to go, Pia," Zenna asserted. "Right now, a pup isn’t something I’m thinking about. There are far too many obstacles we need to overcome first."

She held Pia’s gaze, hoping for understanding.

"I understand, Luna," Pia said softly, bowing her head slightly in respect.

Before Zenna could respond, a knock at the door interrupted them. A servant’s voice came from outside.

Pia exchanged a glance with Zenna before stepping forward. "Enter," she instructed.

The servant stepped inside and bowed to Zenna. "Lady Zenna, your father wishes to see you," she announced. "He has sent Commander Tristan to escort you to the palace."

Zenna’s breath caught in her throat. "What?" she exclaimed, her eyes widening in shock.

Zenna swiftly got down from the bed and hurried to the mirror. As she caught her reflection, she could already see the nervousness etched on her face. Her lips were slightly parted, her eyes filled with uncertainty. Taking a deep breath, she brushed her hair, trying to compose herself before stepping out of the chamber.

When she reached the living room, her gaze swept over the servants present. "Where is Radulf?" she asked, hoping he was still somewhere in the mansion.

The servants exchanged uncertain glances before shaking their heads. "We don’t know, Luna," one of them finally replied.

Zenna’s brows furrowed. ’Did he go outside?’ she wondered, feeling a pang of unease.

Turning to Pia, she instructed, "Inform Radulf that I’ve gone to the palace. Father has summoned me."

"Sure," Pia agreed, but concern flickered in her eyes. She hesitated before adding, "Luna, are you sure about going alone? What if... what if the Alpha King punishes you again?"

Zenna stiffened for a moment but quickly masked her emotions. "I’ll be fine," she reassured Pia, though she wasn’t entirely convinced herself.

Stepping outside, her gaze fell on Tristan, who stood by the carriage. As their eyes met, he bowed respectfully.

"Please get in, Lady Zenna," he said, gesturing towards the carriage door.

Zenna hesitated for the briefest moment before nodding and stepping forward. Whatever awaited her at the palace, she would have to face it head-on.

Tristan closed the door before hopping the horse. The chauffeur pulled the carriage and drove it out of the mansion while Tristan rode the horse, keeping it right beside the carriage.

~~~

Phillipe set his pen down on the desk the moment the maidservant informed him of Zenna’s arrival.

"Bring her to the private chamber," he ordered.

The maidservant bowed, retreating with quiet steps.

Once she was gone, Phillipe opened a drawer, his fingers brushing over a small, ornate flask. The liquid inside shimmered faintly under the dim light.

He grasped the flask and left his study, heading toward the private chamber where Zenna awaited him.

As soon as Phillipe stepped into the chamber, Zenna instinctively rose to her feet.

"Greetings to Father," she murmured, lowering her head in deference. Her hands were clasped tightly together, betraying the nervous energy coursing through her.

The heavy doors shut behind him. Phillipe strode forward and settled onto the ornate couch.

"You may raise your head," he said.

Zenna hesitated for a brief moment before lifting her gaze to meet his. Her heart pounded in fear as she searched his expression, praying that he hadn’t discovered that she and Radulf had gone to Herah.

Phillipe leaned back slightly, studying her with an air of indifference. "How did the trip go?" he asked.

Zenna forced herself to remain composed. "It went well, Father," she replied evenly.

A tense silence stretched between them before Phillipe’s expression darkened. "It has been over two months," he said coldly, his piercing gaze locking onto her. "Yet, you have given me no news of your pregnancy. What games are you playing with me, Zenna? Have you forgotten your place?"

Zenna stiffened, disbelief flashing across her face. ’He’s accusing me of playing games?’ Her father, the man who manipulated and used people like chess pieces, dared to place such blame on her? The man, who destroyed Radulf and his family had the audacity to say such cruel words to her.

Her fists clenched at her sides. "Father, I never play dirty like you," she shot back in defiance. "I told you before I will never help you achieve your cruel ambitions."

Phillipe’s eyes narrowed dangerously. Without warning, he pushed off the couch, closing the distance between them in the blink of an eye.

Before Zenna could react, his hand shot out, wrapping around her throat in a crushing grip.

"Ahhh!" she gasped, wincing as sharp pain radiated through her body. Her hands flew to his wrist, struggling to pry her father’s hand off, but his hold was unrelenting.

"Zenna, you are supposed to take Radulf to bed tonight. I am going to kill him right in front of your eyes if you don’t do it," Phillipe yelled at her.

Zenna shook her head, tears formed in the edges of her eyes.

"I...I...will never..." Zenna replied with a mocking gaze.

Phillipe shoved Zenna away and she hit her legs on the chair behind her before falling down. He almost raised his hand on Zenna but the moment her eyes met his, something weird happened.

Phillipe was unable to move himself and his eyes started burning.