The Alpha's Forsaken Feisty Mate-Chapter 51: Nothing but a cold heart

"Prince Leon had come earlier in the afternoon to see you," Radulf said. "What’s your relationship with him? Does he see you as a loving sister?" he probed.

"What are you trying to imply?" Zenna questioned.

"He stationed his bodyguard outside the mansion. As soon as you wake up, Leo wants to see you," Radulf replied. "Isn’t that strange? Your evil father punished you while your half-brother is showing care for you," he stated.

"He cares for me as a sister," Zenna replied.

"You’re lying," Radulf said and leaned back, his head resting on the headboard.

"Why-why do you think that?" Zenna inquired. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"Because you love to lie to me. How am I supposed to trust you in the future, Princess?" Radulf wryly laughed. "Leon definitely does not see you as his sister. You think I don’t know what he did to you behind my back? Pia has told me," he asserted.

"I would have told you everything if you had not hurt me," Zenna said.

"How long do you wish to play the game of lies then?" Radulf asked. "Do you want me to punish you for what Leon did to you? Did he ever touch you or try doing that?" His rage was growing gradually.

"Prince Leon is the adopted son of the Alpha King. He wanted me to live by his side," Zenna said. "I refused, so he once hit me." Her voice quivered at the end, and she lowered her gaze.

Radulf’s jaw clenched. Through the mate bond, he could sense the pain Zenna carried. "Why didn’t you take anyone’s help?" he questioned.

"Who would dare to stand against the Prince? The one who is supposed to become the next Alpha King," Zenna muttered, looking into his eyes. "After that, he didn’t do that. I think Prince Leon has finally understood," she added.

’I will break his hand. That bastard has an evil gaze on Zenna, my wife,’ Radulf thought.

"I heard something from Pia. Commander Alfred had come earlier to investigate you. Is everything alright?" Zenna asked. "I heard Father’s balcony had three heads and they suspected you. I can’t believe Father is coming after you," she murmured.

"Because I did that," Radulf admitted.

"What?" Zenna stopped blinking, and her eyes widened. "You did what?" she asked again, thinking she must have heard wrong. Radulf would never do something like that.

"I hung those heads on the balcony of your father as my present to him," Radulf said with a small smile, his green eyes shining with pride.

"Why did you do that? What if Father finds out it was—" She couldn’t finish as Radulf placed his finger above her lips.

"Stay quiet and nothing will happen to me."

Zenna lowered his hand and changed her question. "Did you kill innocent people?"

Radulf peered into her eyes, his blood boiling as he recalled the state Zenna was in.

"You have no idea what I was feeling when I saw you lying on the palace ground in the rain. Did you wish to let me go after those who hurt you? The guards who dragged you out and the hunter who used the whip on you—I decided to show them what I do to those who touch you," Radulf pronounced, a low growl escaping his mouth, showing his rage.

"Your father should have thought twice before ordering your punishment. You aren’t his daughter anymore. You are my wife too," he stated with a touch of possessiveness in his words.

Her heart skipped a beat, realizing the true strength of Radulf. So this was the real him. The person about whom everyone would talk in the packs. Zenna had heard how fearless Radulf was, but she never knew he could even go against the Alpha King like this.

"What if someone finds out?" Zenna asked with concern.

"Only you know after me and Savio," Radulf said. "If you hate me and want me to get punished, you can tell your father. I did wrong to you. Because of me, you attempted to take your life, so I give you a chance to escape me," he affirmed.

She thought for a moment before asking, "Was my father terrified when he saw those heads?"

"Maybe he was," Radulf replied.

"That’s good. He should fear too. I won’t tell anyone about it," Zenna proclaimed.

"Even if you have a chance to leave me?" Radulf cocked his brow, feeling amused by her response.

"I am not a cruel-hearted person," Zenna replied.

"Are you implying I am?" He laughed slightly. This was the first time Radulf let out such a laugh, free of any taunt. Zenna had hardly seen him laugh like that since the day of his return. As he stopped, he continued, "I am heartless, Zenna. Thank you for giving me such a compliment."

"I never complimented you," Zenna snapped.

Radulf moved closer to her this time, his face inching toward hers, causing her breath to hitch. "What are you doing?" She lifted her head and felt his hand on her back.

"Checking for what I came here for," Radulf said. His fingers and thumb slowly pulled down the zipper of her dress. His eyes lingered on hers until the zipper reached the bottom.

"Turn around," he whispered.

Zenna quietly followed his command and felt his hand on her long hair. He moved them away and fixed his eyes on her back. Some wounds had healed fully, leaving no trace, but some were still present.

Zenna gulped when he pulled up her zipper, his breath brushing her shoulder, causing her insides to stir. She fidgeted with her fingers and stopped when Radulf leaned on her shoulder. He inhaled her scent quietly, not uttering a single word.

"Get well soon, Zenna. The moon festival is near. I want to attend it with you," Radulf said. "Four years of war left me with nothing but a cold heart. Maybe with you, it can warm again," he asserted.

Under the influence of her pheromones, he would say things he never dared to say. His nose nuzzled her shoulder for a moment as he slowly inched toward her neck.

"Radulf, what are you doing?" Zenna asked and quickly turned around to push him away.

Radulf inhaled deeply as he realized what he was doing again. "Forgive me," he apologized, running his fingers through his hair.

"Where’s Nina? Don’t you want to spend time with her?" Zenna taunted.

"I can check on her if you want me to," Radulf stated.

"Go to her," Zenna murmured, averting her gaze from him.

"Are you suggesting I be with another woman when you need me? Don’t you get jealous and angry whenever you spot me with Nina?" He mused.

"No, don’t go to her," Zenna said. She looked for the jar, suddenly feeling thirsty. As if Radulf read her mind, he fetched the jar from the central table and poured a glass for her.

"Here," Radulf said, pushing the glass to her mouth.

Zenna drank the water while noticing the strange gaze of Radulf on her. She lowered the glass and said, "Don’t take enmity with my father. He hates me because of my mother. The entire royal family despises me because my mother was a mere servant who caught the King’s eyes. I know you are the strongest dominant alpha in the Kingdom, but it’s better to stay guarded."

"I will be careful, Zenna," Radulf said, accepting her advice with a small smile playing on his lips.