The Alpha's Forsaken Feisty Mate

In the washroom, Radulf kept scrubbing the paint to get it removed from his face. "Why is it not coming off?" he muttered in annoyance.

Earlier when he asked Zenna to follow him, she said, "I am tired, Alpha. I would like to rest."

Radulf washed his face again and rested his hands on the counter of the washbasin as he looked at himself in the mirror.

He dried his face with the towel and went back to the chamber only to spot Zenna.

"I thought you were tired," Radulf said, frowning at her. "Why did you do it? I don’t appreciate such childish antics. And what lies have I ever told you?"

"You did lie to me a few times. And your endless bullying knows no bound. While everyone blames me in this pack, except a few, I decided to show them how bad their alpha is in a comical way. Don’t come to my bed without my permission from now onwards." It appeared as if she was warning him rather than requesting him.

Radulf clenched his hands before letting out a chuckle. Running a hand through his hair, he closed the distance between them in an instant, wrapping an arm around her and drawing her closer, their faces mere inches apart.

"Let me go," Zenna demanded.

"And why should I listen to you?" His eyes searching answers in hers. "Didn’t you hate seeing Nina around me? You were jealous of my friendship with her and hated that I wouldn’t send her away. And now, suddenly, you’re playing nice with her?"

Zenna’s expression hardened. "Nina is trapped because of you. Yes, I despise her actions, and no, I’m not being kind to her. But thanks to you, I’m forced to protect my image. You want to maintain a relationship with another woman, despite knowing how deeply it undermines the sham of a marriage we’re stuck in. You’ve made a mockery of both of us."

"Her father isn’t trustworthy. I don’t do anything without any thought. Also, Loretta wants to use Nina against you. If you think I’ve forgotten how she approached Nina to drug you, then you are wrong. I didn’t punish Nina because Loretta would have stepped up to save her. I can’t go against the Queen and she would have taken Nina to the palace, which would lead to more evil scheming against you."

Radulf finally chose to explain rather than keeping those thoughts in his mind, which led Zenna to feel the embarrassment.

"You said you sent me countless letters. You want me to believe you. However, when I asked you what made your father angry that he punished you so brutally, you chose to remain silent and not tell me. Don’t you want to believe me? How are we supposed to move forward? Care to explain, Princess?" He cocked his brow at her.

"What will you do after I tell you the truth?" Zenna inquired.

"Rip off your father’s heart," Radulf replied.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to use such language against the Alpha King," Zenna said, shaking her head in disbelief.

"Father wants me to be with your child and that too a son," Zenna confided in him. "It made me angry. Because of him, I have only suffered in this marriage. I did everything in my capability to get your love, to get your attention and care. When the marriage proposal came to me, I thought I would live freely with my husband and we will have a family." She turned emotional and ended up saying the things she never wanted to.

"Had I known my husband would always despise me, I would have run away the very day my marriage was fixed with you," Zenna pronounced, meeting his stern gaze.

"You aren’t strong enough to run away. You fear your father and you are too kind to be selfish," Radulf stated, his arm slipping off her lower back as he finally pulled it back.

Turning around, he thought to stay alone for a while.

"The night you showed me your most caring and loving side I melted. I hoped you were kind to me, Radulf," she murmured. "Good night. I will stay away from your sight as you wanted," she stated and turned on her heels.

Just then, Savio rushed into the chamber. "Alpha, the south camp is attacked. We need to go," he said.

"Isn’t that camp consist of women and children?" Zenna asked, feeling panicked.

"Yes, Luna. The initial report said it was the attack of rogues," Savio explained in brief.

"Let’s not waste time," Radulf said and dashed out of the chamber before Savio followed him closely.

"How could security be so weak at the South camp? Also, why are mostly women and children living there?" Radulf asked a few questions, taking long strides. "Nevermind. We need to hurry first."

Taking the horses, Radulf communicated with his pack’s warrior wolves’ head, Jackson.

’Make sure no woman and child are harmed. I’m on my way there. Bring more forces, if necessary,’ Radulf instructed through the mind link.

It didn’t take long for Radulf and Savio to reach the South Camp. The houses were burning there while cries of women and kids could be heard. As they hopped down from their horses, a soldier came and bowed to Radulf.

"We succeeded in chasing away the rogues. However, a woman and her daughter got seriously injuries, Alpha."

"Where’s Jackson? Did he able to catch any of the rogues?" Radulf asked.

"Warrior Jackson is on it," the soldier replied.

"I’ll go after the warriors," Savio volunteered.

"Stay here. The warriors will do their work," Radulf ordered. Before he could speak further, someone held his hand and he looked down.

"Are you the great Alpha of our pack? Please save my mother. They have dragged her away!" the six years boy requested Radulf with his face covered in tears.

"What? Where did they take her?" Radulf questioned.

The boy pointed his finger in the northwest. "The deep forest that lies over there. I want my mama safe, Alpha," he said in between his sobs.

"Radulf, go and save Julian’s mother," Zenna’s voice reached his ears and he turned around. She just had stepped out of the carriage and rushed to the boy’s side. Getting on her knees, she hugged Julian and gestured to Radulf to go.

"Savio, check out if the others are safe," Radulf said before leaving.

"Luna, my mother will come back, won’t she?" Julian asked as tears kept pouring down his eyes.

"She will, Julian." Zenna held her tiny hands and kissed them. She looked around and saw the work to put off the fire had already started. "The Alpha of this pack is a strong man. He will bring back your mother safely," she assured the boy. Julian hugged her again while Zenna caressed his tiny back before carrying him up in her arms.

"Luna, where we should shift them tonight? There are more than hundred kids and women," Victor, the gamma, asked.

"Take them to the newly constructed building in the Estate’s West," Zenna instructed him.

"Sure, Luna." Victor rushed to carry out the command.

’Radulf, you need to bring back Julian’s mother safe,’ Zenna thought in her mind.

Radulf, who was running in his wolf form, heard her faint voice in his mind. Black then responded, ’I will, Zenna. I won’t disappoint you.’