The Alpha's Forsaken Feisty Mate-Chapter 195: She’s changed you, Radulf

"Mama, why does Father work so much? Can’t he take a break from his duties?" Alina asked with a pout, her small fingers gently twirling a lock of Zenna’s hair as she sat curled up in her mother’s lap.

Zenna chuckled softly and kissed the top of her daughter’s head. "Your father works hard because he’s the Alpha, sweetheart. He has to take care of the entire pack, and that’s like having a huge family. He makes sure everyone is safe, healthy, and happy."

Alina frowned, still not entirely convinced. "But I miss him... I want to play with Pa."

Zenna smiled warmly. "I know, love. He misses you too. But don’t you remember? Just two weeks ago, he stayed home for days. He didn’t go to the office at all, and you both went to the fair together during the day."

Alina’s eyes lit up at the memory. "Oh, yes! Pa won me the doll too!"

Zenna nodded. "See? He does take breaks when he can. But being a good leader means making sacrifices sometimes. And your father does it all because he loves us, you, especially."

"Then I should grow up quickly and become a big girl, so I can help Father," Alina declared with a spark of determination in her voice. Her forest-green eyes glimmered with excitement, and Zenna’s heart melted at the sight.

Zenna smiled, gently tucking a strand of hair behind her daughter’s ear. "You already have such a brave heart," she whispered, pride glowing in her gaze.

"Mama, when will we go to the palace to see my baby brothers?" Alina asked suddenly, shifting topics with the boundless energy only a child could manage. She was referring to the twin sons of Leon and Nina.

Zenna raised an amused eyebrow. "Baby brothers? They’re only three months younger than you, darling."

"I know," Alina said with a serious nod. "But I still consider them my baby brothers."

Zenna chuckled. "Why’s that?"

Alina huffed, folding her arms. "Last time, they didn’t let me choose the game. They said I had to chase them, and that was the only thing they wanted to play. It wasn’t fun at all!" she grumbled, her lower lip forming a pout.

Zenna laughed softly. "But running is good for you. And you’re such a fast runner," she said, brushing her fingers through Alina’s hair.

"That’s exactly why it wasn’t fun," Alina replied with a slight frown. "I caught them too easily. They didn’t even try to run fast."

Just then, a gentle knock echoed from the door. Both mother and daughter turned their heads in curiosity.

The door opened, and Pia stepped in with a graceful bow. "Lady Aster is here with her son," she announced respectfully.

"What? Aunt Aster is here?" Alina lit up instantly and scrambled off her mother’s lap, excitement brimming in her eyes.

"Dear, where are you rushing to?" Zenna asked with a light laugh as she watched Alina hurriedly slip on her sandals, without even bothering to fasten them properly.

"To see Matthew!" Alina exclaimed over her shoulder as she sprinted out of the room, her laughter trailing behind her.

Zenna shook her head fondly and followed her to the living room, where Lady Aster stood gracefully near the couch.

"Matthew! Why didn’t you come last week to play with me?" Alina asked the moment she spotted him after greeting Aster.

"I went to play with my friends," Matthew replied with a sheepish smile. Then, turning to Zenna, he offered a polite bow. "Hello, Aunt Zenna."

"Hello, dear," Zenna greeted warmly, gently patting his head. "It’s always good to see you."

"Give the gift to Aunt Zenna," Aster reminded him with a gentle nudge.

"Yes, Mother." Matthew took the small gift bag from Aster’s hand and handed it to Alina. "Aunt, we brought cupcakes for you and Uncle."

Zenna’s smile deepened as she accepted the bag. "Thank you so much, Matthew. That’s very thoughtful of you. You’re such a sweet boy."

"Matthew, why don’t you Alina play outside? Don’t go near the water," Aster suggested to them.

"Sure," Matthew said and held Alina’s hand before they ran outside.

"Matthew is growing up well. I can see he is getting taller day by day," Zenna said as they sat on the couch.

"The Alpha genes are to be blamed. Even Alina is growing faster. Matthew kept saying he wants to run like Alina," Aster said and began laughing. They both engrossed in conversation with each other, meanwhile their kids played in the garden.

~~~~

"Alina, do you want to meet my friends?" Matthew asked, glancing at her with a curious smile.

"Yes!" Alina nodded eagerly, her forest-green eyes sparkling.

"But... all of them are older than us," Matthew replied, scratching the back of his neck.

"How much older?" she questioned, her brows slightly raised.

"They’re all four years old... one of them is even five. And, well, they’re all boys," he explained cautiously. Just then, he noticed the ribbon on her ponytail had come loose. "Wait a second, your ribbon’s slipping. Let me fix it for you."

"Okay," Alina said, standing still as Matthew stepped behind her and gently adjusted the ribbon.

"But it doesn’t matter. Even I’m two years old now," she continued confidently. "As long as they’re okay with playing house-making, then we’ll get along just fine!"

Matthew chuckled under his breath. "Alina, boys don’t really play house-making games."

"Why not?" she asked, spinning around to face him. "My twin cousins at the palace always play it with me when I ask them to."

Matthew folded his arms thoughtfully. "Maybe because they’re scared of you," he said with a grin. "Plus, they’re younger than you. And Father says the princes have to stay in the palace most of the time, so they don’t really have many friends outside. That could be why they play with you because they don’t have much choice."

Alina’s smile faded into a soft frown. "I don’t get it... No one ever wants to play what I like." She looked down at her sandals, her voice quieter now. "Even back in our pack, when Mama sends me to play with the other kids in the evening, they always choose games I don’t like. I only join them so they don’t feel bad."

"Hey." Matthew stepped in front of her, his face lighting up with a cheerful grin. "I always want to play with you. You’re fun. You never have to feel sad about it, okay?"

Alina’s eyes lifted to meet his, and a small smile returned to her face.

"Okay!" Alina beamed, grabbing Matthew’s hand and pulling him along as she dashed toward the playhouse her father had built for her.

"Slow down, or you’ll trip!" Matthew called out, his tone laced with concern as he tried to keep pace.

"Don’t worry, I’ve got good healing powers!" Alina replied with a grin, not slowing for even a second.

They came to a stop in front of the little playhouse nestled under the shade of a tree. Alina’s eyes sparkled with delight as she pushed the door open and turned to Matthew. "Come on in!"

~~~~

"Savio, why don’t you take a long break?" Radulf suggested as the two of them settled into the carriage after the council meeting.

"A long break? What for?" Savio asked, raising an eyebrow. "Wait... I get it. You want me to go find a mate," he added with a faint smile. "Don’t worry, Radulf. I am looking. I just haven’t found the right one yet."

Radulf studied him for a moment, his tone softening. "You’re delaying it because of your sister, aren’t you? You think she’s still too young and needs you around."

"No," Savio replied, a little too quickly.

"Don’t lie," Radulf said firmly but without harshness. "She’s eighteen now, Savio. She’ll meet her mate soon and she’ll be fine. You’ve done your part as a brother. Now go and do something for yourself. Find someone who makes you feel alive."

"Sure, Alpha!" Savio said with a grin. "Are you happy now?" he added, asking the familiar question he brought up every few months.

"More than happy," Radulf replied with a warm smile. "Alina just turned two, and I didn’t even see it coming. It feels like I was holding her for the first time only yesterday. Someday, she’ll be a grown woman, find her mate, and leave to start her own life." His smile wavered slightly with the thought. "It makes me anxious just thinking about it. My baby is growing up so fast. But despite that, I feel nothing but blessed. The Moon Goddess has given me more than I ever dared to ask for."

Savio looked at him with genuine warmth. "She’s changed you, Radulf, more than anything ever has. And as your friend, I couldn’t be happier for you."

"I know, Savio. You are my biggest well-wisher. I am grateful to have a friend and a beta like you," Radulf stated. "I want to see you settle and my last worry will be over then," he added.