The Alpha's Forsaken Feisty Mate

"Luna should have rested," Pia said as she forwarded to her a plate carrying the sliced apples. "Here. Please eat them," she said politely.

Zenna picked a slice and ate it slowly. Her mind was still processing the care she had been receiving from Radulf.

"The Alpha King sent his commander earlier," Pia said suddenly.

"Why?" Her voice trembled, so did her body. Was her father not satisfied after punishing her?

"I heard that three heads were found in the balcony of your father’s chamber. They accused Alpha Radulf for it," Pia stated with a worried gaze.

"What?" Zenna exclaimed in shock. "Is he fine? They didn’t take him away, did they?" Her heart pounded against her chest with the fear that Phillipe might punish Radulf in a much brutal way.

"No, they didn’t. There is no evidence," Pia replied.

Zenna heaved a sigh of relief to hear that. Her racing heart finally returned to its normal pace. "That’s good to hear," she murmured and yawned.

"The Luna should take some rest," Pia said, setting the plate on the bedside table. She helped Zenna lay down on the mattress and covered her with the duvet. "I’ll be outside. If you want anything, you can call for me," she asserted.

Zenna simply hummed and closed her eyes, instantly drifting off to sleep.

~~~~

Radulf placed the last scroll aside as he was done with the day’s work. "Did she use to do it daily on her own?" he wondered and leaned back on the chair, shutting his eyes for a moment.

"Alpha, the Crown Prince has left his bodyguard outside the mansion," Savio informed him.

"Leon is adamant to see Zenna and I won’t let it happen," Radulf affirmed.

"You can’t refuse him after a while. Prince Leon may use his authority if you don’t let him see the Luna," Savio reminded him.

"Savio, you want me to let them meet. Leon has abused my wife in the past in my absence. Do you think I should allow it?" Radulf’s voice raised, showing he was on the verge of losing his temper.

"I don’t want you to grow your enemies. The royalty is already after you and this pack. Don’t you think they all are waiting for that one chance to ruin you?" Savio kept his tone soft while making Radulf understand his viewpoint.

"This time I will ruin them, Savio," Radulf stated with a stern tone and stood up from his chair.

Savio smiled at his friend’s confidence. "I hope you do. Don’t forget to include me in your plans," he said as the two walked out of the office.

"You are always included in my plans," Radulf replied.

"Spend more time with Luna Zenna. And don’t argue with her even if she does," Savio suddenly switched their topic of conversation, giving him advice on how to take good care of his mate. "Shower presents on her and show her how much you love her."

"Love? Hah!" Radulf chuckled and laughed for a moment. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"What? Don’t tell me you are going to hurt her, Radulf. That’s not the way you are supposed to take forward your marriage," Savio scolded his friend.

"I won’t hurt her. But I don’t love her," Radulf said. "I’ll see you later. You should take some rest," he turned his way on the corridor, leaving Savio alone.

"Why can’t you love Zenna? What exactly circulates in your head?" Savio murmured, knitting his brows together.

~~~~

Radulf was in the Eastern Wing of the mansion, where his parents lived once. The entire corridor was shrouded in darkness and so did their chamber. Looking at the lock on the door, he took out the key and opened it.

The heavy door creaked as he pushed it open and walked inside. The memories from four years ago, like a fresh wound, appeared in his mind. The way his father and mother were dragged right in front of his eyes. His mother’s screams reverberated in his ears, and he closed his eyes, curling his fingers tightly.

Radulf went to the window and pushed away the thick curtain, preventing the moonlight from entering the chamber.

His eyes scanned the surroundings, and all his youthful memories with his parents came alive. The photos, the huge paintings on the walls made him recall how loving a family he had.

Stopping right in front of his parents’ portrait, Radulf stared at it for a long time.

"I am alive. I will bring down the entire royal family to my knees. Mother, you sacrificed your life to save me, so I won’t let it go to waste. I will make sure to avenge your and father’s unjustified deaths." He lifted his hand, touching their feet in the huge portrait as his eyes glued to them.

They were a happy, cheerful family once. Radulf carried a lot of dreams for all of them. But they shattered that day. In front of his eyes, everything flipped within seconds.

Lowering his hand, he again took in the sight of the chamber and decided to clean it tomorrow. With a heavy heart, he walked out, locked the door, and headed to see Zenna.

Reaching outside the chamber, he saw Pia. "Is Zenna sleeping?" he asked.

"Yes, Alpha," Pia replied with a bow. "I thought not to disturb her sleep since she needs rest."

"Hmm. Open the doors," Radulf said.

Pia did so, and Radulf walked in. He first turned on the bedside lamp at the farther end from Zenna’s side. Seeing her in a peaceful slumber, Radulf felt much better. "The medicines are doing their work," he murmured and got on the bed after removing his boots.

Her pleasant scent wafted to his nostrils, and he couldn’t help but move close to her. "She doesn’t like me anymore," Radulf murmured and chuckled.

But why was he feeling sad? He wanted her to like him too as much as she liked Black. His fingers moved to her hair as he caressed them before he ducked his face in her neck while being careful not to wake her up.

Radulf’s insides stirred as he inhaled her intoxicating fragrance. His mind wrapped in her pheromones, and he ended up kissing her neck.

Zenna’s brows furrowed as she felt something soft on her neck. But it wasn’t enough to wake her up. However, slowly she felt someone’s presence next to her.

"Radulf," she murmured in her sleep. His hot breath on her skin, the touch of his lips, forced her to open her eyes. It wasn’t a dream but reality.

"What are you doing!?" Zenna quickly turned around, placing her hand on his chest.

Radulf came out of the state of daze and gulped, thinking how he could lose his mind. Her questioning gaze made him feel like a culprit.

"Oh! You are awake! Wonderful," Radulf said, not wanting to admit before her how crazy her smell drove him.

"Is the pain still there?" he asked.

"Yes, a little," Zenna replied and sat up.

"Let me see your back," Radulf said.

"No." Zenna stopped him.

He arched his brow. "Why?"

"I don’t want you to look at me. Can’t you understand this simple thing, Alpha? You should leave. I want to be alone," Zenna stated.