The Alpha's Forsaken Feisty Mate

As Radulf changed into a neat night attire, a servant walked in. "My Lord, Miss Nina would like to see you," she informed Radulf.

"Send her in," Radulf instructed and moved to the sofa. He relaxed himself on it, and shortly, Nina approached him.

"Radulf, the Luna Queen wants to see me tomorrow," Nina stated.

"Huh? Why?" Radulf inquired.

"I think because I failed in my task," Nina replied. "That’s what she mentioned in the letter that I received," she pointed. "Luna Queen didn’t mention it directly, but I feel it’s because of that only."

"Then, you should meet her," Radulf opined.

Nina didn’t expect him to say that. "And what if she punishes me?" She gaped at him.

"The Luna Queen will not punish you. I can vouch on that," Radulf asserted.

"Is it because I am from another kingdom?" Nina felt there could be no other reason why Loretta would not punish her.

"Yes," Radulf replied.

"Accompany me to the palace, then," Nina requested.

"Pardon me? You didn’t inform me the moment Loretta gave the drug to you. You made a mess, which you need to clean yourself. I was generous enough to let you go unpunished," Radulf refused her while making her realize how wrong she did to him.

Nina lowered her eyes. "You don’t understand me either. I had to do it because my father gave me to you. And I thought you have feelings for me. You took great care of me during the journey. You never once mentioned having a mate. I am just a woman, whom you also tossed away the second I arrived here because you already had a wife, who’s none other than the King’s daughter," she pronounced, revealing the pain she had been silently enduring in her heart.

Radulf felt Zenna’s presence near them, realizing she must have heard all of their conversation.

"Wars always have been cruel to children and women. Men never get affected by it," Nina remarked and angrily walked out of the chamber.

Radulf didn’t bother about what she thought and waited for Zenna to come out. She finally revealed herself to him. Her loose, drenched hair and the simple outfit that accentuated her curves awestruck Radulf.

"Nina is right," Zenna said, bringing him to reality. "Why don’t you send her back with utmost respect? The war has ended, and everything has turned better," she suggested.

"Are you empathizing with her? I thought you never cared for Nina since she made you feel low," Radulf stated.

"Anyone who has a heart will empathize with Nina," Zenna replied.

"Ahh, I forgot. I am heartless in your eyes," Radulf chuckled before standing up. "Nina knew I was married. Savio had already told her, but I never told her about it. Because I never liked speaking about it. For me, this marriage was a reminder of what I lost and what Phillipe gained. So, it was not worth celebrating for me. You think I don’t understand a woman’s pain. I had a mother too. Nina isn’t what you think of her, Zenna. Don’t empathize with everyone around you. Some may take benefit of it," he explained to her and gave her an advice too.

Zenna was dumbfounded to learn that. "Was that an act then?" she asked him.

"I don’t know," Radulf replied.

"Why are you allowing her to stay here when you know how dangerous she is?" Zenna confusedly gazed at him, trying to know what was in his mind.

"Because," Radulf closed the distance between them and held her chin, "you should keep your enemies closer."

"It’s tough to understand you many times," Zenna murmured. His fingers brushed her hair behind her ear.

"I wasn’t like this before. I myself question it sometimes—what kind of man I am," Radulf murmured. "Aren’t you famished?" He took a step back and turned to look at the door. "Let’s dine here," he opined and called in a servant.

’I hope you can become the man you always wanted to,’ Zenna said and hugged him from behind voluntarily. His fingers curled on her sudden act, but he remained quiet.

The servant, who had come in, left on Radulf’s gesture. He held Zenna’s hands and turned to her. "What was that?" He mused.

"A hug. Can’t I do that?"

"No, you can’t. That isn’t allowed."

"Why?" Her expression turned into a shocking one.

"Because you asked me not to touch you either. I have decided to keep some boundaries too." He let go of her hands and took a step back.

"We can hug, hold hands, and even kiss. It’s just... that way," Zenna murmured, lowering her eyes as she got shy.

"That way? What are you talking about?" Radulf acted innocent.

Zenna kept looking at him but said nothing. "Weren’t you hungry?" She decided to call a servant when Radulf placed a finger above her lips.

"Is this allowed?" He glued his eyes to hers.

Zenna nodded and felt his finger moving to her cheek. He caressed it tenderly.

"Is this also allowed?"

"Hmm."

"And a kiss is allowed too?"

"Yes."

"What about this?" Radulf slowly brought his hand to her neck and trailed it down to one of her breasts. He felt her breath hitching and her teeth biting her bottom lip. The pad of his fingers moved only above a certain portion of her breast, which made her feel something in the pit of her stomach.

"What are you trying to do?" She questioned with a conflicted gaze.

"I’m trying to understand what you want exactly and to what extent," Radulf answered. However, the chief reason was to see any shift in the pupils of her eyes. He was desperate to take out her wolf. The wolf, who could depict Zenna’s true strength.

’I should reject his advances, but I am unable to. Instead, I want him to touch me,’ Zenna thought.

"What did you say?" Radulf questioned.

"Nothing," Zenna replied promptly.

"You talked in your mind. Say it again," Radulf told her. His face now buried in her neck, but he didn’t kiss her. "You said you wanted me to touch you. Say it again in your mind," he pronounced, his fingers no longer moving on her breast.