The Alpha's Forsaken Feisty Mate

Zenna paced restlessly within the chamber where Radulf had locked her. More than two hours had passed, yet he had not returned. Her heart pounded with unease, her mind conjuring one dreadful possibility after another.

She strode to the door once again, slamming her palm against the wooden frame. "Is anyone there?" she called out, but silence greeted her. Not even Pia was nearby.

Just as she turned away in frustration, the door creaked open. Zenna spun around swiftly, her breath hitching when she saw Radulf standing before her. Without a second thought, she closed the distance between them.

"Nothing happened to you, right?" she asked anxiously, her hands instinctively reaching for his arms. Her fingers skimmed over his shoulders, down his chest, and along his neck and hands, searching for any sign of harm.

Radulf remained still under her touch. "I’m fine," he reassured her.

Zenna exhaled in relief before her expression tensed again. "What did you do to Kade and Vivian? Don’t kill them because Father will—"

She didn’t get to finish. Radulf placed a finger on her lips, silencing her.

"Your father can’t do anything to me," he murmured, his gaze unwavering as it bore into hers. Lowering his finger, he took her hand and led her out of the chamber. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Upon reaching his own quarters, he finally let go of her hand. "Those two will be punished with death," he stated bluntly. "They’re imprisoned now, awaiting their fate."

Zenna’s brows knitted together in confusion. "How? Did Father announce their punishment?" she asked. She knew her father well—he would never willingly dispose of his most trusted spies.

Radulf’s lips curled into a knowing smirk. "Kade and Vivian are siblings. They’ve been living under false identities for years. When Vivian confessed to her crimes, Kade should have abandoned her to save himself. But he didn’t." He crossed his arms. "Before taking them to the palace, I ensured they followed the script I prepared for them."

Zenna frowned and asked, "What do you mean?"

Radulf met her gaze, but he offered no further details. He had orchestrated everything perfectly, making sure they took the fall for the three murders. This was the only way to eliminate those spies permanently.

"But weren’t they innocent?" Zenna pressed. "They were only following my father’s orders."

"Innocent?" Radulf scoffed, his eyes darkening. "Spies are never innocent. They knew what they signed up for. I’m beginning to understand why you never escaped your father’s grasp—you’re too soft for this cruel world." His voice was firm, laced with an edge of disappointment. "If you want to survive, you need to change."

Zenna clenched her fists at his words. "Is that why you changed?" she challenged.

Radulf’s expression flickered. "What do you mean?" he asked in a wary tone.

"You changed because you couldn’t survive in this cruel world," she continued, holding his gaze. "Your family was falsely accused of crimes they never committed. That’s why you chose to embrace the darkness—to take your revenge."

"So what?" Radulf asked with indifference.

"Pia told me how good you were before all that happened. Everyone admired you for the kind of attitude you carried. I thought when you would return you might shower me those qualities too," Zenna stated.

Radulf’s gaze darkened as he took a slow step toward her. "I think I am still sane enough, Zenna." His voice was low, almost menacing. "Do you truly believe that after watching your parents die before your eyes, a person can remain sane?"

Zenna could feel the pain in his eyes and voice. "Then let’s take revenge together," she declared, her eyes glinting with determination. "Let’s wipe out the entire royal family." She extended her hand toward him for a handshake.

Radulf let out a dry chuckle. "I don’t think I should join hands with a woman who gets scared so easily," he mused, an amused grin tugging at his lips.

Zenna swallowed. "I—I might be fainthearted when it comes to taking a life," she admitted. "But I assure you, I can help in a much better way. After all, I am the illegitimate daughter of the Alpha King, still a part of the royal family."

She hesitated when she saw the doubt in his expression and slowly began to withdraw her hand. But before she could pull away, Radulf grasped it firmly.

In an instant, he yanked her forward. Zenna let out a startled gasp as she stumbled against him, her breath hitching. Their faces were now only inches apart, their eyes locked in an unspoken feeling.

"Fine, Princess," he murmured, his voice laced with amusement. "I will teach you how to kill. But first... we need to turn your lie into the truth."

Zenna’s brows furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean?" she asked. "And—I have no intention of killing anyone. You can handle that part." She lowered her gaze, attempting to free her hand from his grip.

However, Radulf wasn’t done. He tilted her chin upward, forcing her to meet his piercing gaze. "You dared to lie about your wolf in front of Aria," he reminded her. "Word has likely already spread across the capital. How do you plan to show them your wolf when the time comes?"

Zenna’s breath caught in her throat. She had lied. But now... now she wasn’t sure how to escape it.

Radulf smirked, his voice carrying a quiet threat. "You’d better find a way to bring out your wolf, Princess. Or I’ll have to do it my way." He leaned in slightly with an overwhelming presence. "And remember this—one day, you might have to kill to protect yourself. You never know what the future holds."

"That won’t happen," Zenna said. "I tried communicating with myself a lot of times, but I never got any response from my wolf. We can keep lying about my wolf," she murmured.

As she lowered her eyes, Radulf pressed a kiss on her lips.

"What are you doing?" Zenna pushed him by pressing her hand firmly on her chest.

"Using my way to awaken your wolf. Why? Do you hate kissing me? But you eagerly plant kisses on Black? Aren’t Black and I same?" Radulf suddenly got annoyed.