The Alpha's Forsaken Feisty Mate

"Good morning, Mother," Radulf greeted softly as Zenna introduced them. His voice held both warmth and concern. "How are you feeling? The doctor is on his way. Are you in any kind of pain?" he asked.

Karina nodded faintly with a weary expression on her face. "There is pain," she admitted, extending her hand toward him.

Radulf stepped closer without hesitation, gently taking her hand in his. Karina squeezed it with surprising strength, her eyes glistening. "Thank you for taking care of my daughter," she whispered sincerely.

She turned her gaze to Zenna next. "Forgive me... for not being there when you needed me most."

"No, Mother," Zenna said, quickly shaking her head as she moved closer to her. "Don’t apologize. You weren’t the one at fault. He—he kept us apart. He kept us in the dark. I spent years believing you were gone. If there’s anyone to blame, it’s the Alpha King."

She placed her hand gently over her mother’s hand.

Just then, Radulf turned his head toward the door, his senses sharpening. He cleared his throat. "The pack’s doctor has arrived," he announced. Moments later, Josiah stepped into the room.

Zenna composed herself quickly, wiping away tears with her fingers as she stood beside Radulf. Josiah approached Karina and began his examination.

After checking her pulse and eyes, and carefully inspecting her vitals, Josiah looked up at Radulf. "The lady still experiences deep bone pain. The residue of wolfsbane is persistent. She’ll need another dose of the antidote to counteract it completely."

Radulf gave a firm nod. "Prepare and administer it immediately. I want no traces left in her system."

Josiah bowed respectfully. "Yes, Alpha. With this dose and proper care, she should recover swiftly. Make sure her meals are rich in nutrients. Madam needs strength to heal."

"I see. Then please inform Pia about the specific nutritious meals that should be added to her diet," Radulf instructed firmly.

"Of course, Alpha," Josiah responded with a respectful nod. Turning to Karina, he added gently, "Make sure to take short walks in the fresh morning and evening air. It will help with circulation and recovery."

With that, Josiah bowed once more and quietly exited the room, pulling the door closed behind him.

Karina exhaled slowly, then looked up at them with a flicker of confusion. "How did you manage to bring me here? I was locked in a place no one could reach... Only Phillipe had access to it."

Zenna stepped forward and answered, her voice calm but laced with emotion. "We had help. The Crown Prince stood by us. And... it was my cousin, aunt Clara Cuvine’s son, who found me. He brought a message from her saying you were alive. That message led us straight to the underground dungeon."

Karina’s breath hitched. "Clara... how is she?"

Zenna hesitated for a brief moment before answering with quiet sorrow. "She’s gone, Mother."

Karina’s expression crumpled as tears welled up in her eyes. She lowered her gaze, lips trembling but silent in grief.

Radulf’s voice cut through the moment gently. "This isn’t the time to mourn, not yet. You need to rest and regain your strength. There’s a council meeting in a few hours," he said, eyes flicking between them. "And we’ll need to prepare."

"A council meeting?" Karina asked, her brow furrowing as she looked between them.

Zenna nodded solemnly. "Mother, something happened yesterday." She took a deep breath before recounting the entire incident — from Phillipe’s outburst to the revelation of her power that had shaken the entire palace.

As Karina listened, her expression shifted from surprise to a grim understanding. The pieces began to fall into place.

"It’s because you’re my daughter, Zenna," Karina finally said. "You carry the blood of the Moon’s descendants. These silver strands—" she lifted a lock of her shimmering hair with a faint, bittersweet smile, "—they’re the mark of our lineage. I belonged to a hidden clan that once lived deep in the mountains, where the Moon Goddess was said to descend once a year in ancient times. Our bloodline holds a power unlike any other werewolf clan."

She paused, her eyes darkening. "That’s why Phillipe couldn’t break you. His fury wasn’t just about control. It was fear. Because I’ve turned old, my energy has completely drained from my body. But you hold that strength, Zenna."

Zenna exchanged a glance with Radulf, who always called her a special omega wolf.

"I suppose this council meeting," Karina continued, looking at Radulf now, "is being held to decide her punishment... or perhaps, to silence you both completely. Am I right?"

"Yes," Radulf agreed. "Mother, we want you to come to the council meeting today. Expose Phillipe. You need to tell in front of everyone how he imprisoned you and lied about everything since the beginning."

"I will," Karina murmured, though her voice was barely audible. Her vision swam, and her throat felt parched. She brought a shaky hand to her temple, and Zenna instantly rushed to her side.

Radulf poured a glass of water without delay, his movements precise. "Please drink this," he said gently, handing the glass to his mother-in-law. "We’ll continue this conversation after breakfast. I’ll return later to check on you both."

He offered Karina a respectful nod before stepping out, already burdened with the responsibilities that awaited him.

Karina took slow sips from the glass, the cool water soothing her dry throat. As she lowered it, her gaze softened with a sorrowful gaze. "How did you endure all these years?" she asked. "Four years ago, I learned he had married you off. But it seems... you found someone who truly values you."

Zenna placed the glass on the bedside table and sat beside her. "Yes, but Radulf’s life has been just as cruel, Mother. The Alpha King had his parents executed. Radulf watched them die before being forced to marry me the very next day. And then, he was sent off to the Western Frontier, into a war he was never meant to survive."

Her hands clenched in her lap. "He was a pawn, just like me. I spent eighteen years locked in a cold palace, treated like a shameful secret. The Alpha King told everyone you were dead... but what hurt the most was the lie he fed me—that you were his mistress. He made me hate you. But it was my fault too to believe him and everyone around me." Her voice broke slightly. "He said the Luna Queen hated me because he favored you... because I was born from a bond of betrayal."

Karina’s expression crumbled as the truth unfolded. She looked away, swallowing hard, then turned back to Zenna with tear-filled eyes. "I was never his mistress," she whispered. "He forced me to marry him, Zenna. He burned down my clan, erased our name, and threatened everyone I loved. I was carrying you when he bound me to him with lies and blood."

Zenna’s breath hitched.

"No one knows the real story from twenty-two years ago," Karina continued. "Loretta hated me, yes, but I was told to smile and pretend. I had no choice but to play the role, to protect you before you were even born." She reached forward, taking both of Zenna’s hands in hers and squeezing them tightly.

"A lot happened in the past... things I wish I could erase. But what matters now is this—" her voice quivered, but grew firm, "you’re alive, and you’re safe. I couldn’t protect you then, Zenna. But today, I will."

Zenna nodded and wiped the tears from her mother’s cheeks. "Yes, we will end the Alpha King’s tyranny today." She declared in a determined tone.

~~~~

Radulf stood in front of the mirror, fastening the broach bearing his family’s sigil onto the lapel of his deep charcoal overcoat. His fingers lingered on it for a moment before he turned, intending to check on Zenna and Karina.

But he stopped in his tracks.

Zenna stood before him, poised and dressed in a rich, somber hue that mirrored the gravity in her eyes. She looked like a warrior ready for battle, her expression calm but resolute.

"Radulf," she said firmly, "I will speak today. I want you to stay silent."

His brows furrowed. "Why?"

"Because I started this," she replied, voice steady. "And I’ve waited my entire life to uncover the filth behind my father’s mask. I need them to hear it from me."

A pause followed. Then Radulf stepped toward her with understanding in his eyes. "Alright," he said. "You have my silence and my support."

He touched her hand gently, then added, "Savio will escort your mother later. We can’t risk taking her openly. It’s for her safety."

Zenna nodded. "I understand."

Then, holding their hands together they headed to the palace, where the council meeting would start shortly.

However, they didn’t take the carriage. Instead, they went on a horse which Radulf rode. Arriving at the palace, a guard took them straight to the grand council hall, where all the pack alphas from the capital were present along with the royal family.

As they both stopped in the middle of the hall, neither of them greeted Phillipe and held their heads high.

"The Council Meeting shall begin!" Phillipe declared, staring right at both of them.