The Alpha's Forsaken Feisty Mate-Chapter 57: An old score

"My mother isn’t back yet, Luna. Did something happen to her?" Julian asked as he began weeping again.

"No, that’s not true," Zenna said, caressing his hair. She hoped Radulf would safely bring the mother of this child.

"Your mother is here, kid," Radulf’s voice reverberated in the ground.

"Julian!" The lady ran toward her child and the kid toward her mother after Zenna put him down. The mother-son duo hugged each other while weeping loudly.

Radulf looked at them intently, recalling his mother’s last moment with him. Zenna watched him and sensed the unease on his face and the longing of a mother in her eyes. She didn’t know much details of the punishment Radulf’s parents had received and it made her wonder, ’Why my father was so cruel to a child and his mother?’

Once Julian and his mother stopped crying, the boy ran toward Radulf and took his big hand. He kissed the back of it and looked into his eyes. "Thank you for bringing my mother back, Alpha."

Radulf pulled his hand back and patted Julian’s little head, not saying anything. He had withdrawn himself from such emotions long ago.

"Take them to the building where the others are being sheltered," she instructed to a soldier.

Once Julian and his mother were out of sight, Radulf turned to gaze at Zenna. "Are you really a wolfless omega?"

"Huh?" Zenna was surprised by his question.

"Are you truly a wolfless omega?" Radulf questioned.

"Yes. But why are you asking this at such a moment? Did you able to catch the rogues, who did this to us?" she inquired.

"Black and I heard your thoughts when we were chasing that rogue pack. That’s why I am asking if you are wolfless or not. There’s something strange about you, Zenna. I hope you find it out soon what it is," Radulf said, not giving her the answer to her second question. "Also, you shouldn’t have come here." He glanced to find anyone who could escort her safely to her chamber.

"Jackson, come here and take Luna back to the mansion," Radulf commanded before walking away.

"Luna, this way please," said Jackson. She followed him and entered the carriage. As the door closed from outside, she contemplated over what Radulf said to her.

"How could he hear my thoughts? What does he mean by I should find out about it? But how should I do it?" she murmured.

~~~~~

"This attack does not seem a normal one," Radulf said, looking at Savio, Victor, and Jackson. "We couldn’t catch them, but it makes me wonder who is betraying us," he muttered.

"Does Alpha mean someone from our pack has helped those rogues?" Savio asked.

Radulf nodded grimly. "Attacking a pack like ours isn’t something just anyone can pull off. I’m certain there’s someone on the inside involved. However," he paused as his gaze narrowed. "I have another assumption as well. Someone might have an old score to settle with our pack."

Victor, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "Alpha, I think we do have enemies," he said cautiously. "I mean... the King chose his daughter to be wedded to this pack’s Alpha even though we were accused of treason at the time. Many were unhappy about it."

Radulf’s eyes narrowed in surprise. "This is news to me," he admitted. Having been away for four years, he was unaware of the rumors and discontent that had brewed in his absence. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"But isn’t Zenna the King’s illegitimate daughter?" he asked as his curiosity piqued. "I thought her status was always looked down upon. Was she even considered a desirable bride?"

Victor hesitated before answering. "Alpha, everyone wants the King’s favor. Even if Luna Zenna is illegitimate, many believed marrying her would bring them closer to the throne or at least grant them influence. And for Princess Aria, the King’s legitimate daughter, countless packs are vying for an alliance with the Alpha King."

Radulf hummed, recalling his wife’s bitter words: ’Everyone wants to use me for their own benefits.’

Turning his attention back to the matter at hand, he straightened and spoke with authority. "We need to find out exactly how this attack happened. Savio, I trust you with this task. Jackson and Victor, assist him. Beyond that, tighten security and identify whoever allowed those rogues into our territory."

"Understood, Alpha," Savio replied, standing up from his seat. Victor and Jackson followed suit, all three bowing respectfully before leaving the room.

Once they were gone, Radulf exhaled heavily, feeling the strain of the day in his muscles. He decided to head to the bathhouse, seeking a moment of peace to calm his restless mind.

As he began to undress, he suddenly sensed Zenna’s presence behind him. He was quick to wear the robe too.

She gasped softly, her eyes widening as she caught sight of the dried blood staining his back. "Radulf, are you injured?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

Radulf turned to face her after tying the knot of his robe. "No," he said firmly. "You should go and rest."

"Why don’t you show me your back?" Zenna asked, approaching him.

Radulf didn’t resist her advances and watched her moving behind his back. She slowly pulled down the robe and saw a deep cut on his back.

"Why did you lie about not being injured? I think it happened when you were running," she said, tracing the cut on which blood had clotted already. Her eyes observed the other scars on his back, and she knitted her brows together.

Radulf clenched his fists; her touch was doing something to him.

"I am fine, Zenna," he said, quickly moving away and facing her again. "My wounds heal quickly, so don’t worry."

Zenna realized that she should not be worried for him, but why wasn’t her heart listening? ’He doesn’t like my presence,’ she reminded herself and left quietly.

Radulf headed to the bathhouse and removed his robe as well. He sat inside the hot water bathtub, which a servant prepared earlier, and relaxed in its warmth.