The Alpha's Forsaken Feisty Mate

After the tribute ceremony was over, Zenna made her way to the eastern wing, where Radulf’s parents once lived. Pushing the door open, Zenna walked in and stopped before Radulf’s parents’ portrait. She rested the white rose on the table beneath.

"I hope you are at peace now. I will make sure this pack will only prosper from today onward. I hope you keep the blessings on us," Zenna whispered and looked at them one more time. A smile formed on her lips when she sensed Radulf’s presence right behind her.

She felt his hands on her shoulders. "Father, Mother, I never introduced my wife to you. It took me a lot of time and I regret that. This is the woman your son is in love with. Bless us if you are watching us," Radulf said.

Zenna always yearned to hear from him how much he loved her. And now, he would speak it every now and then, which would flutter her heart every single moment.

"I have something to give you," Radulf said and held her hand, taking her to the bedchamber of his mother, where Zenna never once stepped her foot.

"What’s in here?" Zenna asked.

"Something that my mother wanted to give to her future daughter-in-law," Radulf said. "You won’t believe a day of before all that happened, Mother was telling me out of blue what I should present to my mate if I ever find her. We talked about my marriage, my future wife and the things my mother had kept for her future daughter-in-law," Radulf explained while walking toward the cupboard. He unlocked the right one with the old keys which he had carried with him.

"You can sit down," Radulf said, without looking at her. He looked at the jewelry boxes and the other items that Radulf’s mother had left in heritage for her daughter-in-law.

Carrying them out, he put the boxes on the table while Zenna looked at him with a bewildered expression.

"Radulf, what are you doing?" Zenna questioned as he pulled her down to the sofa chair.

"Presenting you what I should have done a long time ago. If Mother were alive, she would have done it," Radulf said and opened the biggest box amongst them.

Zenna’s eyes sparkled to see the complete jewelry set with emrald green stones, glimmering even in such a low light.

"This is my family’s precious green stone jewelry set. It kept passing on to the daughters-in-law of this family before their marriage. You are the one, who is its owner now. It should adorn you tomorrow, Zenna," Radulf pronounced.

"That-that’s beautiful," Zenna whispered, touching the entire jewelry set. "Thank you for seeing me worthy to hold–"

"Zenna," Radulf cut her off, "don’t express any gratitude. You were always more than worthy. It was me, who always neglected you. This should have come to you a long time. I failed you as a husband for a while. I know I have. My actions in the past make me feel pathetic sometimes. You were too forgiving, honestly. So, don’t thank me. This was always yours. It is me who was unworthy of you."

Zenna was surprised by his explanation. He had changed completely and she loved it. Radulf acknowledged whatever wrong he did to her in the past and still regretted it.

"You weren’t unworthy of me," Zenna stated. "You were fighting your own battles, Radulf. I don’t have any complaints with you. I have seen you change slowly and you gave me all the love, respect I always desired," she asserted. "I will keep this treasure you’ve given me safe. And I will wear them tomorrow."

"That’s great," Radulf stated. "There are many more items, most jewelry. You can check them out later. By the way, the wedding dress will arrive shortly, so you must check it on."

"I will," Zenna said. "Why didn’t you tell me you found out the lost letters?" she suddenly asked.

"What?" Radulf didn’t blink for a moment.

"The 1056 letters I wrote for you, I found them in your study in the morning while cleaning it," Zenna said.

"I’m sorry," Radulf apologized. "You wrote for me diligently while I never even once considered writing to you. But reading those letters I found out the love you carried for me all these years," he asserted. "You were always too devoted to me. I didn’t believe in prayers, Zenna. Because mine didn’t work when I asked the god to save my parents. However, while reading your letters one thing I found out... Your prayers were heard. I stayed alive because of you and it reflected in those letters. I didn’t want to tell you about the letters because I felt I should know you through them."

"I am glad you read them," Zenna said with a warm smile. "I shall take these to the dressing room then," she stated, looking at the boxes.

"I’ll carry them," Radulf said, closing the big box. A few Zenna carried to help Radulf and they left the eastern wing.

~~~~~

As evening settled over the mansion, Radulf returned to his chamber after personally delivering invitations to Leon and Nina for his wedding the next day. But upon entering, he found the room empty, Zenna was nowhere in sight.

Curious, he stepped back into the corridor and spotted Pia walking by.

"Where’s Zenna?" he asked. "Is she with her mother?"

"Yes, Alpha," Pia replied with a polite nod. But before Radulf could say more, a familiar voice echoed through the corridor.

"You can’t see her until morning."

Radulf turned to find Savio approaching, a teasing smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"What do you mean?" Radulf asked, his brows knitting together in confusion.

Savio clasped his hands behind his back. "It’s tradition. The groom and bride aren’t supposed to see each other the night before their wedding."

Pia chuckled softly and made her exit, leaving the two men alone under the dim lantern light.

Radulf shook his head with a faint smile. "That’s ridiculous!" he remarked.

"Well, that’s what your mother-in-law has said. Zenna will not see Radulf until the next morning. So, you have to spend your entire time alone tonight, without Zenna," Savio teased him.

"You can’t be serious. I can’t sleep without seeing her," Radulf asserted.

"If you follow this tradition, it’ll actually benefit Zenna," Savio said, trying to keep his tone casual. He knew Radulf well. He wouldn’t hesitate to sneak into Zenna’s chamber if he really wanted to. So, Savio chose to bend the truth, just a little.

"Fuck. That’s so wrong," Radulf muttered under his breath, his wolf growling in agreement. "I don’t even believe in these superstitions, but... for Zenna’s sake, I’ll go along with it," he added begrudgingly, rubbing the back of his neck in frustration.

"That’s good to hear," Savio replied, relieved.

"I wanted to see her in the wedding dress," Radulf admitted, running his fingers through his hair. "I was so busy delivering the invitations, I didn’t even get the chance..."

"I overheard the servants earlier," Savio said with a grin. "They said Zenna looked like a fairy—like something out of a dream. The dress... apparently it’s unlike anything anyone’s ever seen before. I was honestly wondering when you even had time to order something so elaborate."

Radulf’s lips curled into a soft smile, a faint blush dusting his cheeks. "I always planned to remarry her. I don’t remember much from our first wedding, not the decorations, not the vows... nothing, except the way she looked at me right before we kissed. That moment stayed with me."

His eyes softened with emotion as he continued, "So I wanted to give her something unforgettable this time. A real wedding. A new memory, which will be etched in both of our hearts till our last breaths. I asked the seamstress a few months back to start working on the dress. They’ve been perfecting it ever since. I just didn’t expect to propose the way I did."

Savio’s smile widened. "That was a hell of a proposal, though. You acknowledged Zenna in front of the entire pack, declared your love loud and clear. Honestly, even I was caught off guard. I thought you’d take more time to admit what you feel, but I’m glad you didn’t wait."

"I have made mistakes in the past, Savio. I badly hurt Zenna. You tried telling me a lot of times, but I was just ignorant. So, when I returned from the palace and saw her, I just speak my heart out. I decided not to hide my real feelings for her," Radulf said.

"You did great. Go inside and rest for sometime. Tomorrow is going to be a big day for you. I’ll check the preparations till I see you at the dinner table," Savio said.

"I’ll check the preparations myself. I’ll freshen up and come downstairs soon," Radulf confided in him.

"Sure. As you feel right." Savio bowed to Radulf before walking away.