The ruler of Zeta until 1496 had been Stefan's older brother Đurađ Crnojević, who maintained frequent correspondence with other Christian feudal states with intention to establish an anti-Ottoman coalition.

When his brother Stefan betrayed him to the Ottomans in 1496, Đurađ had proposed to accept Ottoman suzerainty under Feriz Beg, if they accepted to recognize him as governor in Zeta.

Feriz Beg had refused the proposal and invited Đurađ to either come to Scutari to clarify his anti-Ottoman activities, or to flee Zeta.

When Feriz Beg attacked Zeta with strong forces in 1496, Đurađ decided to flee to the Republic of Venice.

Stefan had remained in Zeta hoping that the Ottomans will accept his suzerainty, but they are only using him in order to easier gain control over his domains.

Stefan is lord of Zeta only nominally, while Ottomans collect taxes from its population.

Feriz Beg had captured Grbalj in 1497 and put it under his effective military control, although it is still part of Zeta governed by Stefan Crnojević.

Feriz Beg formally annexes Zeta to the territory of his Sanjak of Scutari in 1499 after he becomes suspicious toward Stefan because of his contacts with Venice.