The Alpha's Forsaken Feisty Mate

After leaving the council hall, Radulf spotted Alfred waiting just outside in the corridor, as though he had anticipated this very moment.

Their eyes met, and Radulf came to a slow halt before him, offering a slight bow.

"Commander Alfred," he said, "I didn’t expect you to stand with me today."

He extended his hand. "Thank you—for not letting the army fall in line with Phillipe."

Alfred grasped his hand firmly, then pulled Radulf into a brief but warm embrace.

Patting his back, he stepped away, a flicker of regret passing through his eyes.

"I only wish I’d had the strength to do this four years ago," he said. "If I had gained control of the army then... your father and mother might still be alive."

"Your hands were tied, weren’t they?" Radulf said gently. "And back then, Phillipe held the upper hand. I wasn’t strong enough to challenge him either.

But I forgive you, Commander Alfred. I don’t want to carry grudges in my heart or live a life defined by what others did wrong, especially without understanding the positions they were in."

Alfred’s features softened, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

"I’m seeing a transformation in you, Radulf," he said. "You chose to act with your mind, not just your heart. Uniting the council and exposing the truth to every pack in the capital... it was the right call."

Radulf nodded, a hint of relief in his expression.

"The Crown Prince played a crucial role too. He revealed the truth about Zenna’s mother," Radulf said. "I’d say the universe stood with me and Zenna. Her wolf finally emerged... and it’s as magical as she is."

He paused for a brief moment. "I know little of the Moon Clan... only that they were said to be the closest to the Moon Goddess. And yet, Phillipe plotted for years to bury all of it, just to keep his grip on the kingdom. The depth of his evil still stuns me."

Alfred gave a solemn nod, acknowledging Radulf’s words.

"Do you wish to see Phillipe?" he asked. "He’s been chained in the dungeon. The torture will begin soon, but the right to end him lies with you."

Radulf’s gaze darkened, the flicker of past pain rising in his eyes.

"I don’t want a quick end for him," he said. "I want a slow death for him. I want him to beg for mercy every hour of every single day, knowing it will never come."

There was no hatred in his voice, only a cold, hollow resolve carved from years of loss and suffering.

"He destroyed so much... not just for me, but for Zenna too. What she endured because of him—" Radulf paused, his jaw tightening. "For that alone, I will make sure he feels every ounce of what he put us through."

"Then, you should come to the dungeon with me. I’ll show you the way," Alfred said. He began walking while Radulf followed him closely. Within five minutes, they were in the dungeon, where Phillipe’s screams were echoed through the walls.

"Release me! I’m your king!!!!"

Radulf entered the dungeon with steady steps and Phillipe turned quiet. "Radulf, don’t do this to me. You’ll become the Alpha King. Just let me go. I’ll work as your servant throughout my life, but don’t put me through this. I spared your life... Ahhhh!"

A scream tore through his throat as Radulf pushed the wolfsbane induced hot iron into the middle of Phillipe’s chest.

Blood started dripping off the wound that formed in the middle of his chest. Tears escaped his eyes, but Radulf didn’t pull off the rod and kept it into his skin.

"Phillipe, you made the worst mistake of your life. You trusted on me, thinking I would forget what you did to my parents. You are the reason I lost everything in one single day. My parents didn’t deserve that brutal death," Radulf said, his eyes turning red as his wolf growled loudly.

Radulf kept that torture until Phillipe fainted. He threw the fifth iron rod to the ground and took a few steps back. He gazed at his hand, which had blood drops on it. Without uttering a word, he walked out of the dungeon, telling Alfred he would return tomorrow.

As he crossed the second dungeon, Loretta’s voice came through.

"Radulf, please tell Zenna to spare my daughter. Aria has nothing to do with it. I beg you," Loretta said while holding the metallic bars of the dungeon.

Radulf turned to look at her. "Aria always looked down on Zenna. Also, she should pay for the crimes for what you did to Zenna from the time she was a young child. Don’t expect mercy from me. For you people, I don’t even have an ounce of kindness in my heart. You and your daughter enjoyed the pain of the others. It’s the time to taste your own medicine, Loretta. You were barking yesterday to imprison Zenna."

A chuckle escaped his mouth. "Now, you are begging for your daughter’s life!?" He clenched his both fists and fully turned to her. "Pray that the death embraces both you and your daughter soon. Because the real torture on you both will start soon."

Radulf’s eyes shone red as they bore into Loretta’s. She staggered in her steps and fell to the dusty floor. "Please... Don’t do this," she pleaded this time while bowing before him.

Radulf, however, turned around and left the dungeon and went straight to his pack’s mansion.

~~~~~

Leon sat on the chair of the council hall, processing what happened within a short span. He stood up from his place after sometime and turned to the grand doors of the entrance when saw Nina walking toward him.

"I heard what happened here," Nina said, "and also, that you aren’t the real son of Phillipe and Loretta." As she finished her sentence, she halted right in front of him.

"Forgive me for keeping the truth from you," Leon replied. "You are free to return to your kingdom, Nina. Your father is still here and I will send you with him with all the honor," he stated and looked at the ring he had worn on his fourth finger.

He attempted to take it off when Nina stopped him and their eyes met.

"I don’t wish to return to my place. I told you I wanted a home," Nina stated, her eyes turning misty.

"It’s uncertain for now if I’ll even stay in this palace or not," Leon clarified to her.

"I want to stay by your side," Nina pronounced, "as your mate." Her eyes remained glued to him, not wavering even for a second.

"What? Are you sure?" Leon asked.

"I am," Nina replied. "But if you really want me to go and live alone all your life, then you can tell me. I’ll not look behind and go away. If you don’t want to start anything with me, then you can..."

"No. Stay," Leon didn’t let her finish the words. He didn’t believe he asked her to stay with him.

Nina smiled a little. "You took a wise decision, Leon. So, are you going to leave this palace? Where do you plan to go? In search of your family?" she questioned.

"I don’t know yet," he confessed. "The Kingdom is fragile right now. There’s no King to lead. Radulf believes I should stay... take the throne, and begin a new life on my own terms. Free from the chains of manipulation, from everything Phillipe built through deceit."

He looked back at Nina. "But I can’t help wondering if I’m meant for this. I’ve lived a suffocated life in this palace. And I want to be free. I want to find my family."

"You should become the Alpha King and find your real family too," Nina said firmly, her voice full of quiet conviction. "I’ll help you in every way I can. I’m not saying this for my own gain. I don’t want the crown or the power. I want you to take the throne because you deserve it, Leon. But whatever path you choose, I’ll respect it. I’ll stand by you."

Leon looked at her, momentarily speechless.

It was hard to believe this was the same Nina he had met not so long ago, the one who once got under his skin with every word she spoke. He knew she was wise and clever. But more than that he thought Nina was selfish.

However, she wasn’t. She was strong, supportive, and visionary.

"Did Aria get imprisoned too?" Nina asked.

"Yes."

"I think Aria shouldn’t be punished. She became harsh to Zenna and Radulf because of her upbringing. I’m not suggesting for her instant release, but I do feel she should be granted forgiveness," Nina suggested to him.

"Zenna suffered in her hands for years. So, taking out Aria from the prison is not in my hands. I want to keep that decision in Zenna’s hands. She is the one, who endured torture for eighteen years. You don’t know how hard it was for her to survive," Leon explained. "Thank you for being here. I thought I was left alone," he added.