The Alpha's Forsaken Feisty Mate-Chapter 66: Breathtaking Red Gown

"Gregor, you have yet to find your mate, haven’t you?" Alpha Jasper, the leader of the White Moon Pack, asked as he looked at his son from behind his desk.

"No, Father," Gregor replied. He quickly added, "And to be honest, I don’t wish to marry yet."

Jasper’s eyes narrowed slightly. "The Alpha King is considering offering his daughter’s hand in marriage to you," he revealed.

Gregor froze, his usually composed demeanor slipping as his brow furrowed deeply. "I don’t want to marry Princess Aria," he stated firmly, his voice laced with frustration.

"And why is that?" Jasper questioned, leaning back in his chair, his hands clasped together in thought.

"Because I don’t like her," Gregor replied without hesitation. "She’s not the kind of woman I would ever want to talk to, let alone marry," he added, his voice unwavering.

Jasper’s expression grew serious. "Is it because Princess Aria mistreated Zenna?" he asked pointedly.

"That’s part of it," Gregor admitted. "But it’s more than that. I’ve seen how she treats people—how she belittles them, how entitled she acts. I want to marry someone who respects others, someone I can truly love. I hope you understand that, Father."

Jasper’s sharp gaze lingered on Gregor before he finally nodded, but he kept his tone stern. "How long are you planning to wait, Gregor? As your father and Alpha, I need you to step into your role as the leader of this pack. I’ll give you six months. Six months to either find your mate or fall in love. If you fail to do so, I’ll have no choice but to accept the Alpha King’s proposal."

Gregor dipped his head in gratitude, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "Six months is enough, Father. Thank you."

Jasper’s lips twitched into a faint smile. "There’s a ball in a few days. It might be a good opportunity to meet someone who captures your interest. Your mother will handle the arrangements. Make sure you dress appropriately and be more... interactive with the young ladies this time."

Gregor hummed nonchalantly, rising from his chair and offering a respectful bow before departing.

He stepped into the carriage and directed the coachman to Zenna’s residence, seeking her company to calm his restless mind. When he arrived, he made his way to the marble gazebo where Zenna often spent her afternoons. As expected, he found her there, engrossed in a book.

Hearing his footsteps, Zenna glanced up, her face lighting with a radiant smile. "Gregor, it’s good to see you," she greeted warmly, though her observant eyes quickly noticed something was amiss. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"Why don’t you take a seat?" she offered, gesturing to the chair across from her. With a subtle nod, she signaled Pia, her maid, to leave them in privacy.

Gregor sank into the chair, running a hand through his hair before meeting Zenna’s concerned gaze. "Father wants me to marry soon," he began, his voice carrying the frustration he could no longer suppress. "He even suggested I marry Aria. I refused outright. She’s not someone I could ever see myself with. I told him I want to marry for love, not convenience."

Zenna’s brows knit together in concern. "And what did he say? I hope he didn’t try to force you."

Gregor shook his head. "He didn’t, but he gave me a deadline—six months. In that time, I have to either find my mate or fall in love. Otherwise, he’ll accept the Alpha King’s offer."

Zenna studied him for a moment before speaking. "Six months isn’t a lot of time, but enough to find someone of your liking," she opined.

Gregor studied her quietly for a moment, his expression softening. "I heard about the attack on your pack," he said, his voice low but filled with curiosity. "Did Radulf manage to catch the one behind it? I’m surprised someone managed to breach your pack’s security."

Zenna sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly as she closed the book in her lap. "Radulf hasn’t shared much with me," she admitted. "Since his return, he’s taken over all the responsibilities. Meanwhile, I’ve been told to rest and keep out of it. Honestly, I don’t think he’s found anything concrete yet."

Gregor frowned, his concern evident. "That’s unusual," he murmured, more to himself than to her. "How is he treating you now, Zenna? I hope he hasn’t reverted to... his old ways," he added, his voice tinged with worry.

Zenna hesitated, her gaze drifting to the horizon. "I misunderstood Radulf," she began softly. "To be honest, our relationship is built on a lot of misunderstandings. My father wiped out his family, Gregor. And on the very day his parents died, he was forced to marry me. That kind of pain... it planted seeds of hatred in his heart. If I were in his place, I might have felt the same way."

Gregor’s jaw tightened, and a flicker of frustration crossed his face. "It may explain his feelings, Zenna, but it doesn’t excuse his actions," he said firmly. "No amount of pain or loss gives him the right to treat you poorly. I understand you want this marriage to work, but that doesn’t mean you should let him trample on your dignity."

Zenna turned her gaze back to Gregor, surprised by the conviction in his voice.

"You’re stronger than you think," he continued. "And you’re not alone. If you ever need help—any kind of help—you can lean on me. Don’t bear this burden by yourself."

Zenna smiled faintly, her eyes shimmering with gratitude. "Thank you, Gregor," she said.

"Anytime," Gregor said with a small smile. "Well—" He stopped mid-sentence as Pia stepped into the gazebo.

"Pardon me for intruding, Luna," Pia said with a polite bow. "The seamstress has arrived with an order. Your presence is required."

Zenna furrowed her brows in confusion. "But I haven’t ordered any dresses recently," she said, rising to her feet. She glanced back at Gregor. "I’ll be back soon."

Gregor nodded, watching her leave with Pia. "Take your time," he said before leaning back in his chair, his thoughts drifting.

Zenna entered the grand living room of the mansion, where her eyes immediately landed on the dress displayed on a mannequin. It was a breathtaking red gown, its unique design immediately catching her attention.

The dress featured a deep, elegantly cut back and a high slit on the right side. It sparkled subtly, adorned with real diamonds along the neckline and other intricate details. It was bold, alluring, and undeniably luxurious.

Zenna’s brows shot up as she approached the gown. "I never ordered this," she said, turning to the seamstress who stood nearby.

The seamstress offered a polite smile. "It wasn’t you, Luna," she explained. "Alpha Radulf stopped by my shop earlier today. He mentioned that his luna has a fondness for red and instructed me to bring this dress for you."

Zenna’s eyes widened in shock, her lips parting slightly. "Radulf bought this dress for me?" she asked, disbelief lacing her tone.

The seamstress nodded. "Yes, Luna. He was very particular about the design and the details. Fortunately, I have this kind of design already and he bought it immediately."

Zenna stared at the gown, she was confused and surprised. Radulf’s gesture was unexpected, out of character.