The Alpha's Forsaken Feisty Mate-Chapter 26: Hold you like this?

Zenna’s eyelids fluttered in her sleep, her body gradually becoming aware of a comforting warmth cocooning her. Memories of plunging into the icy depths of the water flashed in her mind.

’Am I dead?’ she wondered hazily. Her body still felt heavy, her strength drained, leaving her unable to open her eyes fully.

As her thoughts spiraled, she became aware of a soft, steady rhythm of breathing above her. It intrigued her to check. Slowly, she lifted her trembling hand, inching it upward until her fingertips grazed a face. The sensation startled her fully awake, her eyes snapping open.

"You!" she gasped in both disbelief and shock as she tilted her head up.

Zenna stopped blinking for a while. Sunlight filtered through the delicate curtains, bathing the chamber in a soft golden glow. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Radulf, who was in a light sleep when he felt Zenna’s fingertips brushing his cheek, opened his eyes. Now, seeing her horrifying gasp, he arched his eyebrow while the stern look on his face persisted.

"What am I doing here?" Zenna almost sat up when Radulf pulled her down, his arm wrapping around him to keep her on the bed.

"Let me go," Zenna protested.

"Didn’t you jump into that lake so I’d hold you like this?" Radulf asked in a taunting voice as he propped himself on his elbow, his intense eyes fixed on Zenna’s face.

She glared at him as her lips twitched. "That was never my intention. I didn’t want to live," she bit out. "I wanted to end—"

Before she could finish, Radulf leaned in and captured her lips. Zenna froze this time. She pressed her hands against his chest, trying to push him away, but he didn’t budge.

His sheer strength rendered her resistance futile. Just as her fury flared and she prepared to bite him, Radulf pulled back as if he knew the little wolf would bite him any second.

"You won’t end your life, Zenna," he said with authority. "I didn’t marry a coward. Or did I?" He arched an eyebrow, clearly challenging her.

Zenna’s fury boiled over. "So now I need your permission to end my own life?!" she snapped, her voice trembling with rage.

Before she could say another word, he kissed her again, silencing her protests. She gasped, stunned by the audacity. Pulling back, he smirked this time. "Every time you say that, I’ll kiss you," he declared, his tone maddeningly casual.

Zenna stared at him in confusion. Just last evening, he’d made his hatred for her painfully clear. Now, he was behaving like a devoted husband, as though the loathing had never existed.

’He must have something in mind,’ she thought bitterly. ’He saved me because he still needs me—for whatever twisted purpose. He thinks I killed his entire family... even his—’ She halted, her chest tightening. ’Even his lover.’

Her eyes lifted to meet his as Radulf took her hand in his. Zenna stiffened as he brushed his nose along her knuckles, his lips grazing her fingers in a tender, almost reverent gesture.

But it wasn’t entirely him—it was his wolf, Black, who longed to pamper her, to show her a depth of care that Radulf himself struggled to express.

"What are you doing?" Zenna asked sharply, frowning as she tried to pull her hand away.

Radulf tightened his hold, his golden eyes meeting hers. "Your hand is tiny," he murmured, his deep voice unexpectedly soft, as though the observation carried a deeper meaning. "But your nails are big. They’re beautiful," Radulf whispered, his voice softer than Zenna had ever heard.

"Huh?" Zenna frowned at his last remark.

’Black, what kind of cheesy lines are you making me say?’ Radulf growled inwardly at his wolf, clearly annoyed. ’Instead of telling her she’s beautiful, you had me compliment her nails?’

’Just trust me,’ Black retorted with a smug tone. ’Didn’t you notice? Her scent grew stronger the moment you said it. Complimenting the small things makes her feel seen. You know nothing about taking care of your own mate. In fact, you know nothing about loving your mate.’

Radulf bit back a sigh as he accepted it.

"I need to use the bathroom," Zenna interrupted, keeping her voice steady despite the tumult inside her. She shifted, trying to free herself from his grasp.

"Let me carry you there," Radulf offered earnestly.

"No," Zenna said sharply, her gaze snapping to his. "You won’t touch me if you want me to live." Her voice wavered, and her eyes suddenly shimmered with unshed tears. "I beg you," she whispered.

Radulf stilled at her plea, his arm loosening slightly from her now.

"I—I want you to stay away from me," she continued. "The way you’re behaving now... it’ll only bring me more pain later." Zenna wanted to protect her heart from the constant heartbreaks she might get because of him.

Radulf’s jaw clenched as he gazed at her, while his wolf’s protests already started in mind. Black urged him to reassure her, to close the distance her words had created. But Radulf hesitated mainly because of the guilt that was occupying his head once again.

Zenna swung her legs off the bed and made her way to the door. As she opened it, her eyes fell on Pia, who stood in the hallway speaking to a servant. The moment Pia spotted her, the conversation stopped abruptly.

"Luna!" Pia exclaimed, her face lighting up with relief and joy. Without hesitation, she rushed to Zenna’s side, gently holding her arm to offer support. "You’re awake," she said, her soft tone brimming with concern.

Zenna allowed Pia to guide her as they made their way to the bathroom. Once inside, Pia quickly busied herself, filling the tub with warm water.

"Luna, I was terrified when the Alpha brought you back," Pia confessed, glancing at Zenna. "Your breathing was so weak, and your body felt like ice. Alpha Radulf stayed by your side the entire time, keeping you warm." Her words were careful, an attempt to bridge the distance she could sense between the two.

Zenna’s gaze remained fixed on her reflection in the mirror. Her lips thinned as Pia spoke. "I didn’t want him to save me," she murmured. Her hand unconsciously moved to her neck, tracing the mark that had bound her to Radulf. "He doesn’t see me as his mate... or his wife," she said, bitterness threading through her words.

"If only I could get rid of this," she whispered, her voice quivering, "I’d finally have peace."