The Alpha's Forsaken Feisty Mate

Radulf tightened his grip on Vivian’s throat, his fingers digging into her skin. The gleaming blade of his dagger pressed harder against her cheek, drawing a more blood.

"Were you alone in this, or did someone help you?" he demanded, his eyes narrowing with menace.

"K-Kade," she stammered, the name slipping out of her mouth involuntarily. Her heart raced with dread as she realized what she had just revealed.

Radulf’s brows furrowed, his expression darkening further. "Who is Kade?" he pressed.

Vivian’s tears spilled freely now, mixing with the blood on her cheek. She choked on her sobs as she struggled to respond. "A-a servant here," she whimpered in pain.

"Bring Kade here," Radulf commanded with a grim expression, and he shoved Vivian aside with a callous motion. She crumpled to the floor, her body trembling as blood from the cut on her cheek stained the clean floor beneath her.

"And send word to the Alpha King," Radulf continued, his gaze fixed on Savio, who stood at attention, awaiting orders. "Inform him that a woman has accused him of something heinous."

Savio nodded as he turned to carry out the orders. But before he could move, another voice cut through the tense atmosphere.

"No. You can’t do that," Melissa interjected.

Radulf turned to look at his wife and glared at her. "Savio, lock her in the chamber," he ordered.

"What?" Zenna looked at him with wide eyes. "Radulf, at least listen to me," she urged, taking a step forward.

"Savio, do what your Alpha tells you. Lock her in the chamber. She is nothing but a nuisance to my investigation," Radulf said sternly.

Zenna found his gaze was deviod of any emotion. She knew from where that was coming, but she could not let Radulf take an enmity with her father when he hadn’t returned long ago.

"Savio, listen to your luna and don’t go to my father," Zenna said, looking at Savio.

Radulf stepped up and held Zenna’s wrist firmly before dragging her out of the hall. She asked him to slow down, but he didn’t listen to her.

When they finally reached a secluded chamber, Radulf shoved the door open and pushed her inside. Zenna stumbled but caught herself, her chest heaving as she turned to face him.

"Radulf, listen to me!" she implored in desperation. "You can’t do anything that can anger my father. You are aware of what he has done to your family. Think from a clear mind," Zenna stated.

"Shut your mouth!" Radulf snapped in a thunderous growl that echoed in the chamber. His piercing gaze locked onto Zenna. "I am not you, who cowers in fear of Phillipe my entire life. I know exactly what I am doing. You lack vision, Zenna, and I despise it when someone dares to meddle in my affairs." He stepped closer, towering over her.

"Four years, and you couldn’t even uncover who was spying on you. So keep your mouth shut and let me handle things the way I see fit."

His words were like a dagger that pierced her heart. Melissa flinched, her composure crumbling as her eyes filled with tears. Her voice trembled, but she refused to back down.

"I-I knew," she said with a trembling tone. "I knew they were spying on me. I tried to remove them, Radulf, I truly did. But I couldn’t." Her shoulders shook as she wiped at her tears. "At least listen to me once," she pleaded while her voice trembled.

"I know you think I’m worthless, but for four years, I looked after this pack. I gave everything I had to protect it. So don’t dismiss me like this. You owe me that much, so listen to me, just once."

Radulf’s gaze softened to hear that. "You knew and you didn’t tell me once about it. What are you exactly doing, Zenna? You allowed two spies here," he said with an utter disappointment in his tone.

"Father told me they should always stay here. If I try to be smart, he will restrict the business of this pack, thus stopping our revenue," Zenna explained to him. "And we aren’t even close enough to share everything with each other. You didn’t bother to share anything with me."

Radulf closed his eyes as he pinched the skin between his brows. When he opened his eyes again, they fell on her trembling form.

A moment ago, he had been furious. But now, as Zenna’s tears streaming down her face, something unfamiliar stirred in Radulf’s chest. The anger in him ebbed away, replaced by an unexplainable softness.

"Hey," he said gently. "Why are you crying?" He stepped closer, his rigid demeanor melting as his hands lifted to her face. His thumbs brushed away the tears trailing down her cheeks. Slowly, he cupped her face, tilting it slightly so her gaze could meet his.

Zenna sniffled, her lips quivering as she spoke. "I-I don’t want to cry, but," she murmured. Her gaze dropped to the floor, unable to meet the concern in his eyes. "I don’t want to lose you... or anyone in this pack. This is my only family, my home. If anything happens to anyone here, I’ll blame myself for not stopping it at the right time."

Her words made Radulf feel the extent of fear she was in. The feisty woman who had just stood her ground against him now seemed so small, so lost in her own fears.

"I’m the Alpha of this pack, and you are the Luna," Radulf said firmly. "From now on, you share everything with me. Later, you’ll give me a full report of everything that happened here over the past four years. And stop crying." His thumbs caressed her cheeks one last time before he let his hands fall to his sides. "Nothing is going to happen to this pack, Zenna. Put your faith in me." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Zenna hesitated before looking up, her tearful gaze locking with his. There was something in his eyes—a determination and a promise of protection. "Then... what will you do to them?" she asked tentatively, her voice barely a whisper. "Father will–"

She couldn’t finish her sentence as Radulf silenced her with a finger gently pressed against her lips, thus startling her.

"Let me handle it," he said. "Phillipe won’t be able to do anything to stop me. It’s time to rid this pack of those spies once and for all." Radulf took a step back before speaking, "Stay here. You aren’t allowed to step out of this chamber." His eyes shone bright green, forcing her to follow his command.

Zenna nodded and sat quietly in a chair while Radulf locked the door from outside.

He returned to the living room, focusing his attention to Savio. Next to him was Kade, his head bowed, his face pale as he shifted nervously under the Alpha’s scrutinizing gaze.

"All the servants should leave, except for Kade and Vivian," Radulf said.

The servants wasted no time, scurrying out of the hall with lowered heads, careful not to meet his gaze. No one dared to risk angering the Alpha further.

"Should I send a message to the Alpha King?" Savio asked.

"No," Radulf replied.

Vivian took a breath of relief hearing that.

But Radulf wasn’t done. He turned his attention back to Savio. "Prepare the carriage," he ordered. "We will head to see the Alpha King now. And these two"—his eyes darted between Kade and Vivian—"shall be taken in a locked cage."

Vivian’s momentary relief turned to dread. Kade, equally shaken, dared not speak, though his knuckles whitened as he clenched his fists. He thought of killing Vivian and dying too, but Victor was holding him tight.

"Yes, Alpha," Savio said and walked out of the hall.

"Alpha, please spare me," Vivian pleaded as she crawled to him to grab his feet.

"Lock them in a gaze, Victor and make sure to tie them up nicely," he ordered.

"Understood, Alpha," Victor said and glanced at the soldiers, who were on stand-by ready for the command.

~~~~~

Meanwhile in the palace, Phillipe was seated on the throne, glaring at Alfred.

"You could not find till now who committed that crime!? Were you this incapable?" Phillipe yelled at him.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty. I request you to give me more time," Alfred urged, keeping his head low.

"How much more time do you need? The people are talking about this incident! Do you think they will keep me in high regard after finding out that the Alpha King couldn’t find out the sinner who dared to challenge the king in such a way?" His voiced echoed throughout the court hall.

Just then, a servant came running inside.

"Your Majesty, Alpha Radulf is here. He has brought two people in a cage in a vehicle. Alpha Radulf wants an audience with you immediately," the servant informed.

Phillipe got confused to learn that. Why would Radulf bring anyone in a cage? "Send him in," he commanded while furrowing his brows together.