The Alpha's Forsaken Feisty Mate

"I refuse to sit," Aria declared, her voice sharp and wounded. "How long has the Crown Prince been plotting this with Zenna?" She sounded bitter, feeling betrayed that Leon never once bothered to share the truth about his identity with her. She had trusted him as a brother, only to learn that all this time he had been playing her.

Leon’s gaze flicked to Nina, standing silently nearby. "I need a private conversation with Princess Aria," he requested.

Nina gave a nod before leaving the room, followed by the servants who had quietly exited, leaving Leon and Aria alone.

"Do you truly believe that what Phillipe and our mother did was right?" Leon’s voice broke the silence, a question he had long held inside.

"No," Aria responded without hesitation. "But they cared for you, didn’t they? And why are you suddenly referring to our mother as ’your’ mother?" She asked, a trace of disbelief in her eyes. The idea that Leon had severed the bond between them so easily unsettled her.

Leon’s eyes darkened. "She was never my mother. You don’t know everything, Aria, but she used me a pawn in her game. She kept me under her control, a mere tool to further her own desires. I wasn’t a son to her; I was an instrument to be wielded." His words carried a sorrow that spoke of years spent trapped in a life he had never chosen.

Aria’s chest tightened at his words, but she stayed silent, listening intently. Leon continued, "I didn’t want any of this. I never wanted to be in this palace, bound to this life. But the Crown Prince’s position was a role I had no choice but to assume. It wasn’t a privilege; it was a cage for me."

His eyes narrowed slightly, his tone becoming more intense. "Phillipe forced my hand in everything. He demanded that I kill Radulf, pressured me at every turn, made me do things I never wanted to. To him, I was just a puppet who could do anything as he wished. He thought he could control me, bend me to his will, and for too long, I let him. You’ve seen how Zenna had been treated by both of them. What fault she had in all of this. Her mother was imprisoned for more than twenty four years in that hellish dungeon. That’s why I made a decision to save Radulf and Zenna. Both of them were wronged for a long time."

Aria lowered her gaze, and the tears flowed freely down her cheeks. Her voice trembled as she whispered, "I am sorry."

Leon shook his head, a somber expression on his face. "You don’t need to apologize. But yes, you once tried to kill Zenna. I hope, by now, you no longer harbor hatred for her." He paused, his eyes softening as he looked at her. "If there is anyone to blame, it’s Phillipe, the one who destroyed so many lives. You’ve seen that with your own eyes in the council. Radulf’s parents... they were killed without reason. And Loretta, she supported the wicked Alpha King. You know this as well as I do, Aria."

Aria nodded, tears still clinging to her lashes, as she processed his words. It was clear now, both Phillipe and Loretta deserved punishment for the destruction they had caused.

Her voice was faint but insistent. "So why did Zenna decide to free me?" She wiped her tears away, her gaze meeting his, confusion still clouding her thoughts.

Leon took a breath before replying. "I don’t know. Zenna sent a brief message through someone, telling me to set you free." He stood up, the weight of the conversation heavy in the air. Slowly, he walked over to her, gently brushing the tears from her face with his thumbs.

"You don’t have to apologize, Aria," Leon said softly. "I always saw you as my sister. You are free now to live on your own terms, to choose your own path." He stepped back, allowing a breath of space between them.

"Aria, let’s strive to become better people. Let’s do something meaningful for this kingdom, something that will make it thrive. As for your parents... their fate is sealed, a cruel end awaits them. But you—" He paused, his gaze firm yet compassionate. "You can still build your own future. You can make something good of it. I believe you’ll embrace this change with strength."

Aria looked at him with a thoughtful gaze.

Leon continued, his voice softening. "If there’s anyone in this family who was ever truly kind to me, it was you. You were the only one who could make me laugh, the only one I could truly be myself with. I don’t want that bond to end. I know we’re not related by blood, but you’ve always been my little sister."

At those words, Aria’s heart broke in the best possible way. Without a word, she flung her arms around him, pulling him into a tight embrace.

"Thank you, Brother," she sobbed, her voice filled with gratitude and emotion. "If you had told me the truth sooner, my feelings even then would have never changed. You were always my big brother, and you always will be."

Leon smiled as he hugged her back.

~~~~

After seeing Aria safely to her chamber, Leon turned to Syra. "Keep a close watch on her. It’s a difficult time for her, and I need to know if she struggles. If things seem to worsen, inform me immediately," Leon instructed.

"Of course, Your Highness," Syra replied with a respectful bow, accepting the order without hesitation.

With that, Leon walked away, his steps leading him toward the grand garden. There, he found Nina walking alone as she strolled through the blooming flowers. He stopped beside her, his voice carrying a confidence. "My conversation with Aria went well," he said.

Nina immediately turned to face him, a soft smile playing at the corner of her lips. "Oh, that’s wonderful," she replied. "I hope she will not carry any grudges toward Zenna and Radulf."

"She won’t," Leon said confidently.

Nina nodded, a hint of relief in her eyes. "That’s good to hear."

As they continued walking deeper into the garden, they made their way toward the small orchid area, their conversation flowing easily between them.

Nina glanced at Leon. "Your Highness, how are you feeling? Are you well?" she asked, her voice gentle but laced with genuine care.

"Yes, I am," Leon answered with a reassuring smile, though his eyes carried the weight of his thoughts. He motioned toward a distant tree. "That’s the tree I planted ten years ago. It’s grown so much since then."

Nina turned to look at the tree, noticing how tall and sturdy it had become, its branches spreading out wide. She then looked back at Leon as her curiosity piqued. "So, the Crown Prince liked planting?" she asked, a small smile tugging at her lips, intrigued by the unexpected tidbit.

Leon chuckled softly, a flicker of nostalgia in his eyes. "It’s something I’ve always found peace in," he admitted. "Back then, I had to study a lot and stay within the palace boundaries while acting all tough and royal. When I got bored, I’d meet the royal gardener and ask him to teach me things," Leon recalled, a gentle smile tugging at his lips as memories surfaced.

Nina watched him silently, the soft curve of his smile catching her off guard. It was the first time she had seen him laughing so freely.

"You’ve got a beautiful smile," she said with a light chuckle. "I wonder why you never smiled like that before."

The fullness of his smile faded at her words, but a faint one lingered on his lips.

Just then, a cool droplet splashed onto his forehead. He blinked and looked up. "It’s raining," Leon said, a note of surprise in his voice. Without thinking, he gently grabbed Nina’s hand. "Let’s go before it pours," he added with a smile, ready to lead her toward the palace.

But Nina didn’t move.

Leon paused, turning back to her with a puzzled expression. The rain began to fall more steadily, pattering against the leaves around them, but she stood still, her eyes searching his face.

"What happened?" Leon asked, brows slightly furrowed as he watched her.

"Let’s get drenched in the rain, Leon," Nina said with a spark in her eyes, and before he could respond, she gently caught his hand and twirled him around in place. The sudden gesture made him laugh that echoed softly in the garden.

Before he could recover, she darted off, her voice trailing behind her. "Catch me if you can!"

Leon blinked in surprise for a moment, then smiled and chased after her through the misty drizzle. The rain kissed their skin as he finally caught up with her. His arms wrapped around her waist from behind, lifting her slightly off the ground.

Nina let out a breathless laugh, her giggles mixing with the sound of falling rain as she leaned back into him.

Nina found herself facing him, their breaths mingling in the soft drizzle. The laughter had faded, leaving behind only the sound of the rain and the rapid rhythm of their hearts. Her eyes locked with Leon’s, and in that silence, something strange occurred.

Leon had never put his faith in the stories of destined mates. To him, it had always been a myth, until he caught her scent that day. It struck him like lightning, stirring something deep within him he couldn’t name or deny.

Without thinking, his hand gently cradled her cheek, and before either of them could speak, his body acted on its own. He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers.