The Alpha's Forsaken Feisty Mate-Chapter 73: Every brush of his lips

Zenna stared into Radulf’s eyes, her cheeks already burning. Was his way of awakening her wolf really through a kiss?

"You and Black are the same, but he’s your wolf," she murmured, trying to steady her thoughts. "He’s cute."

Radulf smirked. "That means I’m cute too."

Zenna blinked rapidly, momentarily thrown off. "Huh?" She quickly shook her head. "You? No way. I—I’m going to my chamber now. I need to rest."

The truth was, she needed a moment alone—to process the overwhelming intimacy of it all.

Radulf’s jaw dropped down to hear her words. She admired Black but not him. What kind of nonsense was that? "Rest here," he said, taking a step toward her, "from now onward, you will stay here. I will punish the servants in your service if you don’t listen to me."

"What? But didn’t you always say how badly my pheromones affect you? Do you really think it’s a good idea to keep me close?" Zenna questioned, her voice laced with uncertainty.

"That’s for me to handle," Radulf replied, his tone firm. As he turned on the heels of his boots, Zenna instinctively reached out, grasping the edge of his sleeve to stop him. He tilted his head over his shoulder, meeting her gaze.

"Are you sure I have a wolf?" Her innocent, doe-like eyes searched his, filled with desperation.

Radulf finally turned fully to her. "Black and I heard you that day—the day the rogues attacked. You do have a wolf."

"Then why have I never felt it?" Zenna’s voice wavered. "What if... what if it’s because of the mark you gave me, Radulf? And what if—" She hesitated, lowering her eyes. "What if I still can’t awaken my wolf, even after you...?" Her words trailed off because of certain fears she carried in her heart. What if she developed strong feelings for him during the time they would share the same chamber? .

Radulf’s expression darkened slightly. "How often were you beaten as a child? And for how long did it happen?"

Zenna’s brows furrowed at his sudden question. "Why are you asking that?" she murmured, biting her bottom lip, unwilling to expose the life she had endured.

Radulf gently brushed his fingers along her temple, tucking a few loose strands of hair behind her ear. The warmth of his touch made her lift her head, her gaze locking onto his piercing green eyes—eyes that could draw anyone into their depths.

"Share with me," he urged, his voice softer now. "Didn’t you always want to?" His lips carried the faintest hint of a smile, one that made her heart waver.

"Almost every day," Zenna replied. "The abuse became constant after I met the Luna Queen. I endured it until I reached marriageable age... though I never truly believed I would ever get married." She kept her words brief, unwilling to delve into painful details.

But as if the weight of her past had melted her defenses, she continued, her voice laced with emotions. "I was so happy when I found out I would be married. But then... it happened. You left immediately after, but at least the physical abuse ended. My abilities were judged by everyone here, but I didn’t care. I finally got to live freely, and that—" She met his gaze, a faint smile touching her lips before it slowly faltered as realization dawned on her. "That felt like a blessing."

Radulf’s expression remained neutral. "No one accepted you in this pack because you were an omega. Wolf-less, on top of that. And a forgotten wife," he stated plainly.

Zenna nodded, acknowledging the truth. "But... not everyone saw me as worthless," she countered. "Some truly began admiring my work, and over time, they even started showing me respect."

Radulf’s hand, which had been resting gently on her head, slid lower to her nape as he drew her closer. Zenna got flustered, her cheeks again began heating at the sudden proximity.

"I never admired you just for what you did," Radulf murmured. "You were an incredible Luna. You didn’t let this pack fall apart, even in my absence. And for that, I am forever grateful to you."

Zenna’s eyes widened slightly as she forgot to blink momentarily. ’Did I hear him right? Did he finally acknowledge my efforts?’ she thought. The beats of her heart turned rapid a moment later and she finally blinked, feeling blissful suddenly.

Radulf inhaled her scent, his gaze darkening before he leaned in. His lips brushed against hers, testing and seeking her.

When Zenna didn’t pull away—when she didn’t resist—he deepened the kiss, nibbling her lips while keeping his eyes open. He wanted to see every expression that crossed her face.

Zenna’s fingers curled as she rested her hands against his chest, responding to his kiss with slow and hesitant movements. The way his lips moved against hers only made the flutter in her heart grow wilder, a sweet ache settling deep within her.

This was the kind of kiss Zenna had only ever read about in books or heard Pia gush over. But now, she was experiencing it—feeling the sincerity in every brush of his lips.

It was something she had always longed for. As the warmth of his body pressed against hers, she tilted her head, parting her lips slightly while breathing through her nose, surrendering to the moment.

"Alpha, I have news to—"

The sudden voice shattered the intimacy like glass.

Startled, Zenna reacted on instinct. With an unexpected surge of strength, she shoved Radulf away with such force that he tumbled backward, landing unceremoniously onto the chaise behind him, leaving him in shock and disbelief.

Savio froze mid-sentence, his mouth slightly open as his brain struggled to process what he had just walked into. "I—I..." he stammered, his face turning red. "I’ll come later. Please continue." Without another word, he spun on his heels and fled, vanishing from sight as fast as he could.

Zenna gasped, her hands flying to her burning cheeks. ’Savio saw us... making out!’

Radulf, still sprawled on the chaise, let out a bewildered chuckle. "What was that?"

"Huh?" Zenna turned to him, eyes wide in confusion.

Radulf ran his fingers through his hair, exhaling in amusement. "Where did you get that kind of strength?"

"What do you mean?" Zenna asked, confusion evident in her eyes.

Before she could react, Radulf appeared before her in a blink, grasping both her hands that were still on her flushed cheeks. His grip was firm but not painful, his gaze burning with intensity.

"You pushed me with these hands," he said, his voice tinged with annoyance. "You do have strength—strength that’s been hiding from me."

Zenna blinked, still unable to grasp his words. "What are you talking about?" she murmured. "Let me go. What if someone walks in again? We didn’t even close the door, nor did we tell the guards to keep anyone out," she muttered, her heart still racing from both the kiss and the interruption.

"Fuck that. Look at me."

Radulf’s sudden sharp tone jolted her, making her eyes snap to his. His green gaze bore into hers, demanding her attention, demanding answers she wasn’t even sure she had.

"Why are you getting angry?" Zenna questioned, clearly confused and exhausted by his reaction. "I might have pushed you away because I was flustered. Why are you making such a big deal out of it?"

Radulf’s eyes darkened with determination. "Then, we shall do it again."

"Huh? N—"

Before she could refuse, his lips crashed onto hers, stealing both her words and breath. His arms wrapped around her lower back, pulling her against him as he deepened the kiss.

The intoxicating sweetness of her pheromones clouded his senses, making his self-control waver. This time, he didn’t hold back. Too many thoughts had been clouding his mind, and now, his body burned with a need he no longer wished to suppress.

After that night of rut, he had forced himself to endure, to relieve himself alone despite having a wife—a mate. But now, that restraint felt like an unnecessary burden.

With Zenna in his arms, he finally let himself surrender to the desire that had been simmering beneath the surface.

Zenna gasped for air the moment Radulf pulled away, giving her a brief respite. As she opened her eyes, she suddenly realized something was different. Her surroundings had changed.

"When...?" Her voice trailed off in disbelief as she found herself lying on the bed, her heart pounding in her chest. She met Radulf’s intense gaze, confusion and shock swirling within her. "When did we move here?"

Radulf didn’t answer her question. Instead, he took her hand in his, his lips brushing against her palm tenderly and possessively while his gaze remained locked on her. Her heart skipped a beat feeling the intensity of his gaze and the way his lips moved on her palm and slowly to her middle finger.

"Can you do it with me even if you don’t love me?" His voice was almost a whisper. "Will you allow me to have you now?"