Never marked me

The next morning, Melissa stirred awake, blinking against the sunlight streaming through the windows on the other side. To her surprise, she found herself on the bed, wrapped snugly in a duvet. She sat up quickly as she glanced around the chamber. Radulf was nowhere to be seen.

Fragments of the previous night came rushing back to her. Confused and slightly unnerved, she swung her legs off the bed and stood up.

Stepping out of the room, she found Pia, her attendant, waiting for her with an eager expression.

"Luna, you're finally awake! Alpha Radulf sent a message for you," Pia informed her with a smile. "He wants you ready within ten minutes to meet him downstairs."

Melissa froze momentarily as the realization struck her—they were supposed to visit the palace today. The thought of seeing her father sent a cold wave of fear through her. She could already anticipate his probing questions about the mark, and just the idea of it made her stomach churn with unease.

~~~~~

Downstairs, Radulf was seated on the couch comfortably.

"Alpha Radulf, the breakfast was lovely. I was wondering if you could take me outside today," Nina said. "I have yet to explore the capital," she added.

"Miss Nina, today I've some important matters to attend to. Maybe tomorrow I can tour you around the capital," Radulf explained, refusing her politely.

"Umm… I wanted to ask a question from you. Hope you won't mind it," Nina stated.

"Please," Radulf allowed her.

"We kissed yesterday," Nina said and paused to notice Radulf's reaction. "I don't wish to live as a mistress of yours. And your wife already hates me. Shouldn't you consider annueling this marriage?" Nina subtly asked.

"I cannot annuel this marriage. My father commited a treason against the Alpha King. I am indebted to him for sparing my life and letting the pack people safe. Though my rank has been lowered after that, I was ordered to marry Melissa. I have no intention to anger the Alpha King," Radulf clarified to her.

"I thought you would marry me, Radulf. Isn't this the reason you accepted my hand from my father?" Nina inquired.

"Your father wanted to give a present to save his own life. That's why he offered Miss Nina to me," Radulf answered.

Nina's heart sank to learn that. "Then, what about the kiss you gave me? Didn't it show that you want me?"

Radulf saw Melissa coming and his gaze sharpened. "I hope you rest well, Miss Nina. About the kiss, I didn't wish to make you feel low that's why I returned it. Though I admit, unlike someone, you are a great kisser," he asserted and rose to his feet.

Melissa heard those words but couldn't get a chance to speak since Radulf walked out of her sight. She followed him and finally reached next to him.

"Throw her out or I'll do it," Melissa said.

Radulf turned his head and their eyes met. "You won't do that," he said in an authoritative tone, his eyes shining green and just like an obedient omega wife she had to follow it even if it was against her wish.

They both stepped inside the carriage and left for the palace. In the entire journey, none of them spoke with each other. When they arrived in the palace, they went straight to the hall, where the Alpha King was waiting for them with the Luna Queen.

The giant doors of the hall opened. Melissa was trembling in fear. Her father would ask her about the mark.

Radulf noticed her trembling hands, but he didn't pay heed to it. He stepped in first while Melissa closely followed him. The two of them stopped right in the centre of the hall.

"Greetings to Your Majesty, the Alpha King." Both Radulf and Melissa greeted in unison, keeping their eyes low.

Phillipe asked them to raise and relax. "Radulf, you returned victorious after four years. The Alpha Commander had reported to me about the valor you showed in this battle," he pronounced. "You are pardoned for the sin your father committed in the past. However, your Alpha rank will stay the same despite the strength you hold."

Melissa furrowed her brows together to hear that. She wondered why her father had to reduce the rank Radulf held as an alpha. Wasn't it his father who committed the treason? Then, why did Radulf have to pay for it?

"I understand, Alpha King," Radulf replied, accepting the order heartily.

"Do you have plans for a second marriage, Radulf?" Luna Queen, Loretta, asked. "I think our daughter failed to capture your heart that you brought another woman into your mansion," she remarked.

Melissa clasped her hands together and felt that she would be punished by them. The Luna Queen didn't like her at all. And Radulf wasn't ready to accept her. Now, she regretted slapping Radulf last night. She acted rationally but forgot how important it was for her to get a mark from Radulf.

"Your Majesty, that's not true. When we won the battle, Alpha of the Western Frontier, Markal Harbinger offered his daughter Nina Harbinger as a present to me. I couldn't refuse it because in battles such presents are not refused," Radulf stated.

"You are right," Phillipe stated.

Loretta snickered internally because she wanted Melissa's marriage to end and see Phillipe punish her to death for failing in her marriage.

"I heard that Miss Nina is your fated mate. Perhaps, you would want to keep Nina by your side now," Loretta stated.

"That's not true," Melissa immediately replied, looking at the Luna Queen. "I-I am Radulf's mate," she lied smoothly. "Radulf returned yesterday only and he was tired. Because we both got married in such a rush and he had to leave for the battlefield, he never marked me."

Melissa realized she needed to convince her father at all costs. "Radulf and I have a lot of things to communicate about. Also, he told me yesterday that he found a mate in me. I am Radulf's fated mate, chosen by the Moon Goddess herself."

'She is good at throwing lies,' Radulf thought, looking at her in bewilderment.

"That's wonderful," Phillipe said, smiling brightly. "Indeed, Radulf is tired from such a long journey and needs a good rest for a few days. I hope to hear good news from both of you soon."

Radulf suspected the malign intentions of the Alpha King, but he stayed quiet.

Loretta clutched the bolster tightly as she heard the words of the Alpha King.

Melissa heaved a sigh of relief because her father bought her lie and fortunately, Radulf didn't speak a word, else it would have been difficult for her.

"We should take our leave if the Alpha King permits us," Radulf requested humbly.

"Sure," Phillipe replied.

"Melissa, I would like to give you something. Follow me," Loretta said and rose from her seat. She gave a slight bow to the Alpha King and walked away. Melissa, with trembling steps, followed the Luna Queen.

Entering the dark corridor within the palace, Melissa stopped right behind the Luna Queen.

"Your tongue is sharp, Melissa," Loretta said and turned around to look at her. The next second, she slapped Melissa so hard that she stumbled to the floor. "Admit that you lied in front of your father," she demanded.

Melissa shook her head. "I didn't," she said, looking straight into the eyes of Loretta. "Radulf is my mate." Her heart was thundering against her chest while lying, but she couldn't reveal the truth to her or her father. She wanted to live. She wanted to feel acknowledged.

Loretta laughed to hear her words. "You are like your whore mother," she remarked.

"No! I am not!" Melissa's eyes turned misty. If she hated anyone most in this world after all these people, then it was her mother.

Loretta wanted to beat up Melissa, but she stopped. She didn't want Radulf to see the injuries on Melissa, so she held back her anger.

Melissa stood up, thinking to walk away. As she turned around, Loretta said, "Make sure your lie about being Radulf's fated mate doesn't come out. Make sure Nina doesn't get marked in your place, Melissa. You know what will happen if you don't get the mark soon."

It was a threat from the Luna Queen, which truly intimidated Melissa. She didn't say anything and simply walked away.