The Alpha's Forsaken Feisty Mate

Melissa could not sleep well the entire night after her brief yet intense interaction with Radulf. His few words had carried a weight that unsettled her, leaving her questioning their meaning long after he had left.

"I think it’s all in my head that he truly cares about my existence," Zenna murmured as she sat up, gripping the sheets tightly. She ran a hand through her hair, exhaling heavily. After a moment, she got out of bed and went to freshen up.

The warmth of the bathtub provided a sense of peace as she sank into the water, dismissing the attendants who offered to stay. She closed her eyes, letting the silence calm her restless mind. But her solitude was interrupted when Pia walked in, her hurried steps breaking the stillness.

"Alpha wants to see you," Pia said while standing behind the curtain.

Zenna’s eyes snapped open, startled by the sudden announcement. "Huh?" she muttered, hearing the faint sound of footsteps approaching. Realizing what was happening, she panicked. "Wait, I’m not ready yet!" she called out, her voice rising in alarm.

Before she could react further, Radulf reached out and pulled the silk, white curtain aside, his tall frame standing mere inches from the edge of the bathtub.

Zenna instinctively reached out for her robe, but Radulf was faster. He grabbed it with ease, holding it behind his back.

"What are you doing?" Zenna exclaimed, glaring at him. Her cheeks burned with indignation as she tried to shrink into the water. "You can’t just jump in here whenever you please. Give me the robe or wait outside!"

Radulf smirked faintly. "I didn’t think you’d be this flustered," he said, his voice laced with amusement.

"Flustered?!" Zenna’s voice cracked, her frustration mounting. "Radulf, this is completely inappropriate!"

He leaned slightly closer, his eyes locking with hers. "I needed to see you. I didn’t want to wait," he said simply, his tone unapologetic.

"Well, you’ll have to!" Zenna snapped, her hands clenching the edge of the tub. "Now give me the robe and get out." She saw Pia wasn’t in the bathroom, thus saving her from the further embarrassment.

"I’ve seen you already without clothes the passionate night we shared together," Radulf remarked.

"What is it you want to speak about?" Zenna inquired, keeping her head low.

"I won’t be in the estate till the evening. Since you are going to the palace, I hope you take good care of Nina. She’s new here," Radulf stated.

Zenna lifted her head and simply glared at him.

"Here’s your robe, Princess. I won’t trouble you. Take your time in the bath," Radulf placed the robe in its original place. He turned around and inhaled her pleasant scent before walking away.

"Nina is an Alpha. Can’t she take care of herself?" Zenna murmured and remained in the bathtub for a few more minutes before stepping out.

After getting ready, Zenna had a breakfast in the quiet of her chamber.

"Alpha Radulf started showing his care for you," Pia said with a smile.

"What do you mean?" Zenna confusedly asked her.

"Alpha wasn’t ready to check on you a few days ago. I think after the lake incident, he has understood how wrong he was. Didn’t Luna see the change in breakfast today? It’s of your choice. I heard in the kitchen that Alpha Radulf asked specifically the chef to prepare food of your choice," Pia stated, her smiling widening.

"You must have heard wrong," Zenna murmured, refusing to believe it. "I didn’t want to believe it’s all real when I’ve received one blow after the other," she murmured and quietly resumed eating.

~~~~

Zenna walked toward the carriage while Pia closely followed behind her. The coachman stepped forward, opening the door with a polite nod. As Zenna prepared to climb in, her eyes landed on Nina, who was already seated inside.

Zenna frowned slightly but said nothing and stepped into the carriage. The door shut behind her with a click. Zenna settled into the seat across from Nina, her gaze drifting out the window as the carriage began to move.

"Good morning, Zenna," Nina said. "You look beautiful in that dress. I saw Radulf selecting it for you early this morning before he left somewhere."

Zenna was shocked to learn that the dress she had put on was of Radulf’s choice. That was why Pia looked so excited about it.

"Turns out he didn’t tell you," Nina remarked, her tone laced with amusement.

"No, he didn’t," Zenna replied with annoyance.

"Are you going to stay upset with me even after I apologized to you?" Nina queried.

"Yes. I don’t like such women who eye on married men," Zenna responded quickly.

Nina smiled a little and shook her head. She also turned silent and waited for the journey to end soon.

After an hour’s journey, they arrived at the palace. A guard escorted Zenna and Nina through the grand corridors to the open yard under a marble dome. The sunlight filtered through intricate carvings in the marble, casting delicate patterns on the ground. The princess, Aria, stood at the center, flanked by three ladies, all dressed elegantly.

"Here comes Zenna and Miss Nina Harbinger," Aria said with a warm smile as she rose to her feet. The other ladies followed suit, waving graciously at Nina but noticeably ignoring Zenna, their silence speaking louder than any words.

"Let’s take a seat," Aria said, gesturing toward the chairs arranged around a polished wooden table. Zenna and Nina complied, sitting across from the group.

"Zenna, why don’t you serve us tea today?" Annette, the young lady seated beside Aria, suggested with a sly smile. "It’s been such a long time since you last did that."

Zenna’s jaw tightened. She recognized Annette’s tone and the subtle provocation in her words. "I suppose there are servants to handle such tasks, Lady Annette," she replied evenly, her tone firm yet polite. She had no intention of playing along with Annette’s games. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Annette’s smile faltered slightly, her irritation barely concealed, but before she could respond, Aria interjected with surprising ease.

"Zenna is right," Aria said, her voice light and cheerful. "The servants will take care of it today, not my big sister."

Zenna’s eyes narrowed slightly as she turned her gaze toward Aria. The term "big sister" was unexpected, and it immediately put her on edge. Aria had never referred to her so affectionately before, and Zenna couldn’t help but wonder what motive lay behind the sudden change in demeanor.

"I heard a strange rumor about Radulf. He didn’t acknowledge you as his mate so far. Is it true?" The question was raised by Aria’s second cousin, Roseline. "I also heard rumors that your pack wanted a strong Alpha’s daughter to be their Luna. I suppose you still haven’t awakened your wolf, have you?" she arched her eyebrow in a mocking tone.

"Sister Roseline is forgetting that Zenna’s mother was a servant in Father’s manor. How is Zenna supposed to have a wolf when her mother didn’t have?" Aria pronounced. "Oops. My bad. Zenna, I didn’t wish to talk about it now. Sisters, let’s not speak about all these things. Miss Nina is also here," she proclaimed.

"I have a wolf. I awakened it after Radulf marked me," Zenna announced with a bright and fake smile.