The Alpha's Forsaken Feisty Mate

Earlier, after a small argument with Radulf, Zenna found herself pacing restlessly on the balcony of her chamber. "He can hurl hurtful words at me without hesitation, but the moment I said something, he’s the one who gets upset," she scoffed, her voice laced with irritation.

Her fists clenched and unclenched as she tried to suppress the anger that threatened to overwhelm her. She paused, gazing at the distant horizon for a moment before calling out, "Pia!"

Within seconds, Pia, Zenna’s loyal lady-in-waiting, entered the room.

"Is everything alright, Luna?" Pia asked, her expression marked with concern.

Zenna turned to face her. "Yes, Pia. I just... I need to know something."

"Of course, Luna. What would you like to know?" Pia asked without hesitation, ready to assist Zenna in any way.

"Did Radulf’s father not commit treason?" Zenna asked.

"Pardon me?" Pia blinked in surprise, her eyes widening momentarily before she quickly composed herself. "Our former Alpha conspired against the Alpha King," she said. "It is hard for us to accept, but it’s the truth. Why does Luna ask about this all of a sudden?"

Zenna didn’t respond immediately, her gaze drifting to the horizon beyond the balcony. Something about Radulf’s earlier outburst lingered in her mind. Finally, she asked, "How did the Alpha King discover this treason? What exactly did Radulf’s father plan?"

Pia hesitated briefly, then answered, "It was said that the former Alpha joined hands with a witch to destroy the Alpha King and the royal lineage. The witch supposedly provided him with dark magic to carry out his plans."

"Really?" Zenna’s brow furrowed. It wasn’t just the accusation that troubled her—it was the story itself. Their kind rarely associated with witches, let alone sought their aid in matters of power.

For Zenna, the pieces didn’t quite fit. Radulf’s anger and defensiveness earlier had felt too personal as if there was a truth hidden beneath the surface that he couldn’t—or wouldn’t—reveal.

It left her with an unsettling suspicion: either Pia and others didn’t know the full story, or they didn’t believe their former alpha.

"Hmm. Thank you for answering me. I’ll go for a stroll," Zenna said as she left the balcony.

Descending the staircase, she found herself heading toward the estate’s garden. The soft rustling of leaves and the faint scent of blooming flowers usually brought her peace, but now, her mind was far from tranquil.

Her thoughts drifted to her father, the Alpha King. She clenched her fists at her sides, recalling the man she knew all too well. He was ruthless, ambitious, and utterly unrelenting—a man who wouldn’t hesitate to sacrifice his own children if it meant securing his throne. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"Radulf hates me because my father is the Alpha King, the man who destroyed his life," Zenna murmured to herself. "If I were in his place, I’d probably feel the same way. I would not want to marry a man whose father ordered to kill my entire family."

’What if my father had a vicious plan? What if Radulf’s family was framed?’

For years, Zenna had listened to people speak of the Shadow Hunter Pack with reverence. Pia, in particular, had often recounted tales of their honor and loyalty, painting them as one of the most respected packs in the land.

’Why would such a respected Alpha turn to witches for help?’ Zenna couldn’t shake the feeling that something darker was at play, something her father might have orchestrated.

Lost in her thoughts, Zenna hadn’t realized how far she had wandered until she found herself standing near the same lake where, a day ago, she had tried to end her life.

She wrapped her arms around herself, her gaze fixed on the shimmering expanse of the lake. "I truly want my marriage to work," she murmured. "I want to feel what others feel—what a mate bond truly is, what it means to have a family."

Her reflection stared back at her, fragile and conflicted. She sighed, her shoulders slumping. "But everything Radulf has done so far makes me hesitant to even think like that anymore," she admitted softly.

Just as Zenna was about to leave, the distant sound of paws hitting the ground reached her ears.

Turning toward the direction of the sound, she closed her eyes, allowing her heightened instincts to guide her.

When she opened her eyes. Taking a few steps forward, she scanned the surrounding area. "How could two wolves enter our estate?" she murmured, her tone laced with both confusion and alarm.

The estate was heavily guarded, its borders patrolled regularly. The likelihood of strangers breaking through unnoticed seemed slim. Finally, she spotted the giant werewolf with shiny black fur and red eyes, standing a few feet away from her.

The mark on her neck shone and she immediately recognized the wolf. It was Black, Radulf’s wolf. But where was the second wolf? She moved her eyes around and wondered if the other wolf was of Nina. Other than her, with whom Radulf would even dare to run.

"Did you enjoy your run with Nina?" Zenna asked, clenching her fists.

Black lowered his head slightly, the weight of Zenna’s words pressing on him. Her accusation, laced with anger and sarcasm, cut deeper than any blade could. He shook his head, taking a cautious step toward her, hoping to bridge the gap.

But Zenna instinctively stepped back.

"Mates are supposed to run together," she reminded him, her tone sharp and bitter. A hollow chuckle escaped her lips as she added, "Oh, but I forgot—you marked me during your rut. How romantic. Go ahead, enjoy your run with Nina. I hope you two make a great pair and free me from this... bond."

Her snapping words echoed in the air, laced with fury and hurt.

Black let out a low growl. Zenna’s anger and misunderstanding stung more than he wanted to admit. In that moment, Radulf’s human side pushed forward, forcing Black to relinquish control.

’Black, did you see how she loves to wield that scissors-like tongue at me?’ Radulf’s voice resonated in their shared mind.