Chapter 5

(Raiden's POV)

“Check for any unusual activity out of Windhowl.”

Those were the orders i gave to my guards. The sun goddess has been long risen, and still not a word.

She can’t have disappeared.

Right?

It’s not as if I need her…I …

“Alpha?”

The knock on my office door thruts me back into the reality I’m being faced with.

“Vaughn, come in. Report.”

“Nothing Alpha. My apologies, but as strange as it seems, there is no sign of Luna Siena at Windhowl, or any moevemt for that matter. The houses are cold, broken down…the wolves look…”

“Like What?”

“...There’s whisper that Siena’s causing trouble again, just like she always has.”

Vaighn sits back, studies me. Waits patiently for a response.

Everyone knows how deeply she loves me—or so they think. He probably thinks that Siena wants attention.

Maybe she does.

Ours is a political marriage, one creftaed fo statues, not love, that much is true. Even if our relationship is strained, we must still uphold apprecenaces for the media and the shareholders in Silverfang Pack.

Those terms are non-negotiable. No matter what she will return.

She must…right?

My patience is fraying. Took much twin on very little spindle. I’m about to snap. The minutes tick by faster and faster. Laughing at me with every second that goes by.

Forcing myself to ignore the irritation that still clicks and nips at my heels, I feel a gentle hand on my shoulder.

Lila.

“Alpha, sorry to interrupt. The car has arrived.” Lila says.

Her perfectly curled blonde locks shimmer under the chandelier lights. Her lips pull into a sweet, rehearsed pout.

“What if Siena is planning to arrive later?” she muses, her voice tender, concerned. “Without you by her side, there’ s no way she will be permitted to enter. The security is tight. I arranged it myself.”

“Alpha, packs will notice. Thye’ll be asking questions. Especially…”

I fall in silence.

“Alpha? The car is ready,” Vaughn pushes.

Tonight marks the opening ceremony of The Summit of Alphas. I need a date to accompany me. Since Siena isn’t here, I have only one choice.

I turn to Lila, who has already dressed up beautifully.

When I agree to take her as my date, she looks so happy that she’s nearly brought to tears.

As our car pulls up, the flashing cameras bulbs ensue. I am furious; how am I expected to smile as if…

As if I haven’t lost—

“Smile, Raiden!” Lila gently reminds us to step out of the car.

The bulbs flash, our names are claded this way and that.

My eyes search, but still, i do not seee her.

Siena is not here.

***

(Siena's POV)

The sun goddess had given way once again to its silvery counterpart, but not a moment has passed beyond the grief and duty that bound me by both hands.

The burden of Alpha Zeno’s affairs weighs heavily on my heart, but i try not to let it eat me alive.

I can’t.

What should traditional take weeks, I had done in a day. Debts paid, Markers paid, funeral planned. Every last detail was perfectly executed and…perfcetly quiet.

Raiden didn’t know, but I would be a fool to deny the sightings of his guard dogs. The reports flooded back, the whispers were becoming louder an dlouder.

The brutall whistle from a kettle, that carried only one name.

Raiden.

The rumors are like wildfire.

“I saw the Alpha shopping with Lila！”

“Have you seen that necklace? It’s worth more than my car!”

“He’s really met his match with that Lila.”

In every corner of Windhowl the gossip seeps closer and closer; longing to warp its toxic tongue around my ears.

The car pulls up to the venue. Though the crowds had mostly been seated, there was no ended to the flashing camera and screams for the media.

“Are you ready for this, Alpha?” Rairity asks, something between a grimace and wince crosses her face.

As efficient as my Beta is, high-profile meant high-security. These were not her favourite events.

“I am as ready as I’ll ever be,” I smiled, feinging reassurnace, my hand searching tentatively for the door, as Rickard came to release me into the wild.

“Rairity…send the divorce papers to Raiden. Tonight.”

Her eyes widen just for a fraction of a second, before regaining composure.

“Understood Alpha.” Rairity says.

Stepping out of the car I give Rickard a firm nod.

“Alpha, Your security is posted at all exists, we have guards behind stage and to the north of your table.”

The carpet sinks underfoot, just enough to remind me that I’m not dreaming. This is the new reality, the new me.

The mermaid cut gown clings to my form, fraying at my feet, toes adorned with imported diamonds an gold heels.

My hair was pinned up, the deeply black treeses reaching just to the small of my back, the shine, the oppulanece; I am a deliciously expensive fever dream incarnate..

Two steps inside the door, the lights go down. Blue laser spirals trace the walls, until all goes black.

Now comes the spotlight.

“Ladies and gentleman,” The event host’s voice rings sharply through the speakers.

“Introducing the new acting Alpha of Windhowl—Siena Winslow!”

The moment I step inside, the room falls silent for a brief second. The flashbulbs froze for another second.

The shock is vibrating through the gathered elites.

“...What？Siena？That lovesick fool??”

"She's beautiful......”

“How can she be an alpha??!”

"Isn't she already married to Silverfang? Why is she attending tonight as Windhowl's Alpha…? Did they get divorced?!"

After a moment of silence, all eyes shift toward Raiden—where Lila is holding onto his wrist. She’s smiling.

Raiden’s eyes lock onto me, they’re dark, unreadable.

For a brief second sadness scorches through my chest; a burning that I can’t quite put a finger on, but I know hurts.

Then…he speaks.

“...Siena, What is the meaning of this? Why are you showing up alone?”His voice is low, but it’s taut.

“Do you know what this means...What sort of joke are you playing at?”

The words are like lashings. I feel the eyes of the room on us.

No matter how low his voice, it’s clear to all who witness tonight’s grand spectacle, there is no union here; respectable, political, or otheriwse. “It means Raiden, we are on opposite sides of the chess board. We aren’t even playing the match. I am here alone because I am alone.”

Raiden shakes off Lila ,and pulls me into a secluded corner.

His jaw tightens. “You listen to me.” The growl rumbles, but I do not flinch.

There is no space for fear in my heart. The pain has long seared it away.

“No.” I say.

“What? You can’t—” Raiden says.

“Raiden, ” I take a deep breathe, watching his eyes. Those I once loved for so many years.

Those eyes held no love for me—only doubt and disdain. I knew then, it was time to let go.

I say, “We were over. Raiden.”

“...What?” Raiden.

Raiden, the Great Alpha King, stands before me—speechless.

“I want a divorce. Raiden.”

“The paperwork will be on your desk tonight.”

The words are sharp. They cut him like a dagger but I have no regrets.

And, for the first time, I see something in Raiden's eyes I could never imagine.

Shocked.