The Alpha's Forsaken Feisty Mate

Leon extended the ornate chalice toward Radulf, who accepted it with a warm smile, his fingers delicately holding it.

"So, tell me, Radulf, what brings you here in the morning?" Leon inquired, breaking the silence that had settled between them.

Radulf swirled the wine in the chalice before replying. "I came to see if the Crown Prince has uncovered the one responsible for displaying those heads. If not, I’m prepared to assist in the investigation."

"No," Leon admitted finally. "The culprit remains unidentified. Commander Alfred is leading the inquiry, but progress has been slow."

Radulf’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Then perhaps it’s time I lend my expertise to the matter," he said firmly.

"That would be helpful, but Father specifically entrusted Alfred with this task," Leon said in a polite tone. His gaze softened slightly as he shifted the conversation. "How is Zenna? Has she recovered fully?"

Radulf’s expression brightened at the mention of her. "Yes, her wounds have healed. She’s doing much better now. His Highness has been remarkably attentive—quite the caring brother, even though they don’t share blood." Radulf’s voice carried genuine gratitude, but as he spoke, he noticed Leon’s fingers tightening subtly around the stem of the chalice.

"Radulf," Leon began, "I’ve heard things haven’t been going well between the two of you."

"The rumors about us have been circulating for four years. Yet, we both are together. Even I heard from Zenna how she sent me letters, but to my surprise, none reached to me. I wonder if someone doesn’t want us to be together," Radulf remarked, studying Leon’s expression.

"Well, if you’re not happy with her, perhaps you should consider leaving her," Leon said bluntly, his gaze steady. "You and Zenna may live like a couple, but you don’t act like one." He dismissed the mention of Zenna’s letters with a wave of his hand, clearly uninterested in pursuing the subject further.

Radulf’s jaw tightened, his voice steady but laced with sharpness as he responded, "That’s a bold statement, Your Highness. Tell me, will the Crown Prince protect his dear sister if I were to divorce her? You know as well as I do that the Alpha King would punish me severely for even entertaining the thought. You were there the day the three conditions were put forward."

Leon’s lips curled into a bitter smile, a dry chuckle escaping him. "You’re right," he admitted, his tone tinged with irony. "You can’t leave my sister. Not without consequences."

Before Radulf could reply, Aria’s voice rang out as she entered the chamber. "Brother Leon, Father has asked me to accompany you to meet Gregor Tarquin." Her words came with an air of authority, but she paused mid-step when her gaze landed on Radulf. "Oh, you’re here!" she remarked with a warm smile.

Radulf rose to his feet, inclining his head respectfully. "Greetings to Princess Aria," he said with formality.

Aria waved off his gesture, her expression softening. "There’s no need for such formalities with me, Radulf," she said kindly. Her voice carried a hint of curiosity as she added, "I heard you intervened to help Zenna after Father punished her. How is she? I hope she’s learned not to anger Father further."

"Aria, stay quiet," Leon snapped in an authoritative tone. "This is not a matter for you to make light of."

Aria’s expression faltered for a moment before she muttered, "When did I make fun of it, Brother?" She crossed her arms defiantly, her gaze flickering between Leon and Radulf.

After a brief silence, she asked, "By the way, Radulf, how does Zenna’s wolf look? She mentioned she awakened it after you marked her. Is that true?"

Leon’s brow furrowed in confusion. "Isn’t Zenna wolf-less?" he asked with disbelief.

Aria nodded, her eyes shifting to Leon as she clarified, "Yes, that’s what we all believed. But during the tea session I invited her to, she claimed that she now has a wolf. She said Radulf’s mark somehow awakened it." Her gaze then turned back to Radulf, waiting for his response.

"Princess Aria, forgive me," Radulf began, his voice steady but laced with restraint, "but I do not wish to discuss the details of my mate’s wolf with you. Zenna’s wolf is special. I believe she was never truly wolf-less—rather, her wolf was suppressed due to the constant abuse she endured. You haven’t been the sister she needed, Princess Aria." His fist tightened in anger, a surge of frustration almost overwhelming him. The urge to lash out at her was strong, but he held himself back and kept his patience.

Aria, unfazed by his words, tossed her hair with a smug smile. "She always made mistakes, Radulf. You don’t know the full story, so it’s better for you to keep out of it."

Radulf’s eyes narrowed, and his voice grew colder this time. "What if I don’t wish to ignore it, Your Highness?" he replied, arching a brow in challenge. "I would appreciate it if you refrained from humiliating my wife. I had thought Princess Aria had better character."

The tension in the room thickened as Aria opened her mouth to respond, but Radulf cut her off, turning his attention back to Leon. "Your Grace, if you change your mind, do let me know. The sooner we catch the culprit, the sooner the Alpha King’s worries will cease," he opined with a respectful tone.

With that, Radulf gave a slight bow and left the chamber, not batting an eye to Aria.

"What was that? Brother, why didn’t you say anything to Radulf? I think he’s forgetting who he is! A traitor’s son!" Aria shrieked in anger, her hands lowering to her side.

"Aria, Father won’t like it. You know our father treats Radulf in a better way," Leon said and rose to his feet. "Let’s go and meet Gregor Tarquin," he pronounced and walked past her.

"Father shouldn’t keep Radulf in high regard. He threatens openly. I need to warn Father before anything goes wrong," Aria mumbled to herself before following her brother.