The Alpha's Forsaken Feisty Mate-Chapter 182: Ask my eldest brother

After dinner, Zenna and Radulf decided to go on a walk, but in their wolf forms. This was Zenna’s first time to get transformed, so she was a bit nervous.

"You may feel pain and bone crushing sound in the beginning," Radulf said as they both stopped in the middle of the canopy of the forest that stretched in the vast territory of their pack.

Radulf moved his hands slowly from her shoulders to her hands. "Close your eyes and let your wolf take over you. Take a deep breath and everything will be fine," Radulf guided her, leaving her hands slowly before taking a few steps away from her.

Zenna took a deep breath as she let her body be relaxed. ’Pearl, it’s your moment to come out!’ she told her wolf.

And as if the moonlight surrounded her, Zenna began to take the shape of her wolf. She winced in pain when the bones initially cracked, her limbs growing bigger and she screamed in pain.

Radulf took a few steps back while keeping his eyes glued to Zenna, whose transformation had begun. For a moment, he forgot to breathe when he took in the beauty of Zenna’s wolf. The silvery fur of her wolf and those silver eyes of Pearl mesmerized him completely. His heart began racing with a feeling that only two gates fated mates could understand after seeing their wolves forms.

’I am in my wolf form?’ Zenna excitedly said and looked at Radulf, who approached her. His hands found Pearl’s face before his face touched hers and the next second, he transformed into his wolf form.

Now side by side, Pearl and Black nuzzled one another, their breaths mingling as low growls of joy and recognition rumbled in their throats.

Pearl bolted forward, her powerful legs pounding against the earth as the wind rushed past her fur. The forest opened around her like a welcoming embrace, trees blurred as she raced between them, the scent of damp earth and wildflowers filling her senses.

Pearl was no longer trapped. She was free. And she reveled in it.

Black ran alongside her. Their paws struck the ground in unison, their breaths aligned as if they’d always been made to run together.

’Radulf, I got to run with you finally,’ Zenna’s voice whispered softly through their mind link. ’This is a whole new feeling.’

Black glanced at her, his red eyes filled with warmth and adoration. ’Zenna... you have no idea how divine you look. This dream of mine, running side by side with my mate, has finally been fulfilled.’

They didn’t need to say anything more. Their wolves knew what words couldn’t capture.

’Let’s go to the highest cliff,’ Radulf added, a spark of excitement rippling through the link.

~~~~

Gregor returned to his pack’s mansion and went straight to see his father. Jasper was looking into a document when the sudden knock on the door interrupted him.

"Father, may I come inside?" Gregor asked.

"Of course!" Jasper rested the fountain pen on the desk and placed the document beside it. "You returned early. Didn’t you go to see Zenna and Radulf?"

"Yes, I did. I couldn’t get a chance to converse with them," Gregor said and pulled out a chair for himself before settling on it.

"Why so?" Jasper furrowed his brows together.

"Umm... I thought I shouldn’t interrupt their joyous moment. This was the first time I saw Zenna so happy. I used to tell her to give up on the marriage, where no hopes had left. Radulf never once communicated with her in four years while she longed for him every single day. Father, I got to know a broader side of love too," he said, his eyes filled with something that Jasper hadn’t seen before.

"What is it, my son?" Jasper asked, listening to him with all the patience.

"Father, a belief is must. Zenna had a tough life from a young age. Love doesn’t happen over night for everyone. In my case, I met my mate and I just liked Aster. However, not all are the same. Radulf was such a broken man. He didn’t have any hope to ever be loved in this life. Zenna showed him the power of love and carved a path for both of them. I learned it is important to be patient too. But it doesn’t mean you need to be with a wrong man. I am so happy for Zenna, Father," Gregor explained whatever he had learned so far.

"I have always told you that a relationship needs time to grow. Zenna and Radulf were two opposite people. One believed in love while the other stopped believing it. Radulf’s circumstances made him despise Zenna more than anyone. After all, she’s the daughter of the man, who was the reason of his parents’ demise. It’s good you learned such an important lesson," Jasper said with a warm smile.

"Father, I always told Radulf he didn’t deserve Zenna. Turned out, I was wrong all this time. He was the only man who could stand for Zenna. As her friend, I always wanted to question Phillipe for his actions, but I was scared inside. When I hadn’t found my mate, I thought I would free Zenna from Phillipe’s clutches and leave with her... Somewhere far. But I wasn’t that strong. She always had to suffer. I will apologize to Radulf for my prejudices toward him," Gregor stated with a firm tone.

"Of course, you should!" Jasper encouraged him. "Drink with him someday. It’s said that two men can clear their differences with they sit for drinks," he opined.

Gregor nodded his head and smiled. "I never felt such a happiness before, Father. I am so happy seeing Zenna smiling today."

Jasper understood his son’s emotions. Zenna was always his close friend and he was always worried for her safety. It was normal among friends.

"Thank you for listening to me, Father," Gregor said and pushed the chair before standing up. Bowing his head, he left Jasper’s sight.

"It’s the time to declare him the Alpha of this pack," Jasper murmured and signed the document on the table.

~~~~~

Leon stepped into the dimly lit prison cell. Inside, chained to the wall, sat Loretta.

At the sound of his approach, she slowly lifted her gaze. Despite the fatigue in her body, she spoke in a harsh tone.

"Why?" she demanded. "Why did you betray us, Leon?"

"We gave you everything," she continued, her voice began quivering. "A home, a family... I was a mother to you. I watched over you, believed in you, wanted nothing more than to see you rise."

Her eyes shimmered, but no tears fell from them.

"Is this how you repay me?" she asked. "Is this what I deserve?"

"I want to know who my parents are," Leon said. "And you never wanted to see me rise," he chuckled. "It was always the throne for both of you. I didn’t betray you. It was your husband to betrayed everyone. He fooled all of us. I needed to turn the things right. You wanted me to be on the throne because it would have fulfilled your ambition. Do you think I don’t you well? Indeed, you grew me up but you never acted like a real mother to me. You controlled me."

Leon took a few steps more toward Loretta. "Tell me from where did you bring me?"

"Your parents died a long time ago. If you want to know the truth, them free me and Aria," Loretta put forward a condition with a smirk.

Leon fisted his palms. "Don’t make me you and Aria hang to death," he pronounced with a stern gaze. "You think I’ll show mercy on both of you if you refuse to tell me the truth. You shouldn’t forget the teachings you give me to be a ruler. I must stay emotionless while making any decision that benefits me," he reminded her.

Loretta shook her head. "Aria is your sister!"

"Not a blood sister!" Leon raised his voice too. "If you want to see her alive, then you should tell me where my family is. From where you brought me. They are not dead. I am sure," he stated.

"I didn’t find you, but my brother did. You should ask my eldest brother, Aziel, about it. I only wanted a son to stay as the Luna Queen. I don’t know if your parents are alive or dead," Loretta finally revealed to him.

Leon turned around to leave when Loretta stopped him. "Pardon Aria. She should not be suffered, Leon. You know this well. Please ask Zenna to forgive Aria. I beg you as a mother. Don’t neglect my words if you really have a good heart and if you don’t wish to live in regret throughout your life," she pleaded, attempting to join her hands. Pain shot through her limbs as the silver touched her skin.

However, Leon didn’t respond and left the prison, leaving Loretta in tears.