The Alpha's Forsaken Feisty Mate

"Jakob, can this tonic be used on anyone?" Zenna asked, her eyes narrowing slightly as she held the small glass vial.

Jakob leaned in to inspect it, his brow furrowed. "I’m seeing this for the first time," he admitted, shaking his head. "I can’t say for certain what it does."

Zenna turned to him, unconvinced by his answer. "But didn’t your mother ever tell you anything about potions or magical tonics?"

He hesitated for a moment, searching his memories. "She did speak of them from time to time," he said slowly. "My late father... he was the son of a witch. He passed down a great deal of knowledge to her—spells, brews, things that weren’t written in any book. I believe that’s how my mother came to possess this tonic. But..." he paused and met her gaze, "I can’t be sure, Lady Zenna. She never explained this particular one to me."

"I understand," Zenna said softly, then turned and began walking ahead. "Come along, Jakob," she called over her shoulder.

Jakob followed her through the quiet hallways until they reached the bedchamber. Inside, Savio and Josiah stood near the bedside. They both were in mid-discussion when they both paused seeing an unexpected person with their Luna.

"Josiah, could you examine this tonic for me?" Zenna asked, holding out the small flask.

"Of course," Josiah replied, taking it gently from her hands. Meanwhile, Savio raised an inquisitive brow at the young man who’d entered with her.

"This is my cousin, Jakob Cuvine," Zenna explained, glancing between them. "Jakob, this is Savio—Radulf’s beta."

Jakob gave a polite nod, which Savio returned with a quiet, assessing look.

While Josiah began examining the tonic, Zenna walked over to Radulf’s bedside. She knelt down and placed her hand on his forehead, her brows knitting in concern. "Why is his body so cold?" she asked, looking over her shoulder at Josiah.

"The poison must be taking its effect," Josiah replied, still studying the liquid in the flask. "It’s likely advancing through his bloodstream."

He paused, then looked up. "Where did you find this tonic, Luna?"

"Jakob gave it to me," Zenna said. "He said my aunt left it for me." Her voice dipped with a touch of doubt. "Is there something wrong with it? Has it gone bad?"

Her eyes searched Josiah’s face, worried the tonic might do more harm than good.

"No," Josiah said, a flicker of recognition lighting up his eyes. "I’ve seen this tonic before. It’s extremely rare—only the royal palace keep such vials stocked to counteract the deadliest poisons. It can save Alpha Radulf."

Zenna’s eyes widened in relief. "Really?" she asked, feeling a bit relieved.

Josiah nodded with a confident smile. "We should administer it immediately."

"Then, please make haste," Zenna urged, stepping aside. She turned to Jakob and gave him a grateful look. "Thank you... for coming at just the right time."

Jakob offered a modest nod, remaining quietly in the background. He had no idea what was happening.

Josiah moved quickly. Supporting Radulf’s head with one hand, he uncorked the flask with the other. Gently, he tilted the vial, letting the liquid slide past Radulf’s lips. The tonic touched his tongue, and slowly, his throat before Radulf swallowed it.

Zenna clasped her hands together in silent prayer as she stepped closer to the bed, her heart pounding with hope. She longed to hear Radulf’s voice—yearned for him to open his eyes and call her name.

But a minute passed. His body remained still, unresponsive.

Josiah was already checking Radulf’s pulse and temperature when a faint flicker of movement stirred beneath the Alpha’s eyelids.

Zenna gasped and quickly perched on the edge of the mattress, reaching for his hand. "Radulf," she breathed, her voice trembling.

"Zenna..." His voice was a whisper, so low it barely existed, but to her, who could hear even the faintest sound, it was clear.

"Yes, I’m here," Zenna replied, tightening her grip on his hand as tears welled in her eyes. "We’re all here. You’re safe now. Just open your eyes... please." Her voice cracked as she willed him to return to her fully.

Slowly, Radulf’s eyes fluttered open, and they found hers. His deep green gaze flickered with life, and with weak effort, he raised his arms, asking for an embrace.

Zenna didn’t hesitate. She wrapped her arms around him, resting her head gently against his chest, her tears flowing freely.

"Radulf... you scared us," she whispered, her voice muffled against him.

Josiah and Savio exchanged relieved glances, their expressions soft with joy. Jakob stood quietly near the doorway, a small smile forming as he saw life return to the Alpha.

Zenna slowly pulled back and cupped Radulf’s cheek, her thumb brushing over his stubble. "You were drenched in blood. What happened?" Her voice lowered with suspicion. "It was my father, wasn’t it?"

She saw the pain in his eyes and quickly shook her head. "No, don’t answer that now. Rest first." Turning slightly, she called, "Josiah, please examine him again."

Josiah stepped forward, performing a thorough check of Radulf’s vitals and taking a blood sample. After a few tense minutes, he looked up with a reassuring nod. "He’s out of danger. The poison is gone."

Zenna let out a long breath, her shoulders finally relaxing. "Thank you."

She turned to Jakob. "We’ll speak later. Savio will show you to the guest quarters."

"Of course," Jakob responded with a respectful bow.

"I’ll return shortly," Savio said before leading Jakob out. Josiah followed, leaving Zenna and Radulf alone in the bedchamber.

Radulf had managed to sit up, his back resting heavily against the headboard, though his strength had yet to fully return.

"Phillipe sent a hundred warriors," he began. "I took down most of them. Only a handful managed to escape. But when I returned... I started feeling strange before I fainted in your arms. And I don’t recall being hit. Not once."

Zenna sat beside him, her brows furrowed in worry. "You have several gashes and claw marks across your body, Radulf. Josiah believes one of the wolves might’ve had poison in its claws. That’s the only logical explanation for your condition." She looked down at her hands, then back up at him, guilt flickering in her eyes. "And all of this... happened because of me."

Radulf reached out, his fingers brushing her wrist gently. "Don’t say that."

"It’s the truth," she insisted. "If we hadn’t found a cure in time... If Jakob hadn’t arrived..." She couldn’t finish off as tears poured freely out of her eyes this time. "Why? Why did he have to do this?"

"Because Phillipe fears facing me head on. That’s why he hides behind schemes like this," Radulf said with a frustrated sigh. "I reek of blood and sweat—I should clean up first." He moved his legs off the bed and stretched slightly, though his muscles still ached. "Zenna, none of this... none of this is your fault. Also, who is Jakob? I don’t remember hearing about him before."

Zenna nodded and reached over to the bedside table, picking up the small, worn out wooden box. She opened it to reveal the parchment tucked inside.

"Do you remember that wolf who went berserk in Herah’s market?" she asked, her voice measured.

"I do. What about him?"

"That wolf was Jakob Cuvine, my cousin," she revealed. "He gave me this box, said it was left for me by his mother, my aunt, Clara Cuvine. And inside... there was this note. A note that changes everything. Radulf... my mother is alive."

Radulf’s eyes widened in shock. For a moment, he could only stare at her, words caught in his throat. Then he recalled what Leon had told him earlier, the rumors of a hidden dungeon beneath the palace, a place none knew existed.

"I... I heard something similar," he admitted. "Leon once told me there’s a secret dungeon in the palace that his father used to visit. He suspected your mother might be imprisoned there, but we had no proof. That’s why we were planning to break into the restricted zone tonight... to find out the truth." He exhaled heavily. "But now, with this, we know for certain, she’s alive."

Zenna lowered her gaze, her fingers gently curling around the edge of the box. A soft, bitter chuckle escaped her lips. "Isn’t it strange?" she murmured. "All these years, I hated her. I thought she’d abandoned me. I cursed her in my heart for leaving me behind. But she didn’t... she couldn’t. My life has been built on lies and pain. Everyone I love ends up suffering. And it’s all connected to me."

Radulf shook his head and held her both hands. "That’s not true, Zenna. Phillipe is an evil man. You provided me so much love and care that I begin feeling genuinely happy. After what I suffered, I was completely shattered. I was living for vengeance only. However, after my return, I realized your unconditional love and devotion for me. Phillipe is a bastard, who loves tormenting others. You never let other suffer," he said softly.