(Raiden’s POV)The third round of the competition begins. This is where Silverfang excels—where I excel.Leadership evaluation isn’t about brute strength or dominance. It’s about strategy, foresight, and the ability to manage crises under pressure.These are the qualities that define a true Alpha.A
"Our data shows that territories employing this balanced approach have experienced 40% fewer security incidents while maintaining cultural integrity. This isn't about compromising who we are—it's about evolving how we coexist."A murmur passes through the judges.Her words are precise, her arguments
(Siena’s POV) The competition grounds buzz with excitement after the third round.The news that Windhowl and Silverfang tied for first spread like wildfire, igniting whispers of an unprecedented outcome—a shared victory—a possibility that no one had considered—not even me. But I know better than
I turn slowly, my pulse pounding in my ears as my eyes meet his. Midnight. He’s angry; I feel the storm beneath the surface. His posture stiff, and yet it’s his eyes that betray him. Possessiveness. Jealousy. For a fleeting moment, the mask slips, and I see the raw emotion he’s trying to b
(Raiden’s POV) Something primal snapped inside me.I tried to suppress it, to remind myself that she wasn’t mine anymore—if she ever truly had been.But Horace didn’t give a damn about logic or pride. It howled, clawing at my control, furious that another wolf—my Beta—had dared to pursue her. “T
The reminder feels like a blade slicing clean through my chest. Lila or not.I should be relieved. I should welcome the end of this torturous limbo. But all I feel is dread—an unbearable weight pressing down on me, making it hard to breathe. “He’s my Beta,” I say, though the words sound hollow e
(Raiden’s POV) My thoughts are a storm I can’t escape.I spent years convinced I didn’t love her, that I never could—but what if that was a lie?What if I had merely built walls so high, so impenetrable, that even I couldn’t see the truth buried beneath them? Restless, I pace my quarters, replay
Siena folds her arms across her chest, waiting. I don’t know where to start. You’re my mate. I don’t want to lose you. I never stopped loving you—I was just too much of a coward to admit it. Instead, I blurt out, “I’ve been thinking about our marriage.” Siena tenses immediately. I see
"We’ve rerouted delegates through alternate paths. Escorts from neutral territories will accompany them. No region should feel exposed or compromised."I watched the way her amber eyes scanned the room—not once landing on me. Every answer was precise, measured. She hadn’t lost her edge."Excellent.
(Raiden’s POV)I recognize this mask, this careful distance, all too well.It mirrors the very treatment I once inflicted upon her, unaware or uncaring of its cruelty.The irony burns me, bitter and undeniable, twisting painfully through my chest as she deflects each of my subtle attempts to shift t
“Alpha King Raiden,” I greet him formally, my tone smooth and diplomatic. “I understand the SOA preparations are proceeding well. Congratulations on your foundation’s success.” The words are deliberate, calculated to keep the conversation professional. I won’t give him the satisfaction of seeing h
(Siena’s POV) The scent hits me before I see him—pine and midnight, sharp and familiar even amid the layered perfumes and alcohol that saturate the air in the bar. It slices through the laughter and music like a blade, striking a part of me I’ve tried so hard to bury.My wolf stirs immediately, he
This is the light I dimmed with my reckless rejection. But what twists the knife even further is the man sitting next to her. He’s tall and broad-shouldered, with the kind of effortless charm that draws people in. His accent, when he speaks, is undeniably European, and his hand rests casually on
(Raiden’s POV) The news hits me harder than I expect. Eighteen months. It’s been eighteen months since Siena walked out of my life, her head held high, her voice steady despite the tears in her eyes.Eighteen months since she severed the bond between us with those ancient words, leaving me to dr
Unease coils through me, a flush rising to my cheeks. I never wanted praise for doing what was right. I simply wanted my pack to thrive.Rairity continues softly, admiration clear in her tone. “Marcus announced it openly today. Raiden was there.” Her eyes glint with satisfaction. “He looked stunned,
(Siena’s POV)the exact moment my world collapsed.months had passed, but the memory remained razor-sharp, preserved in perfect detail. I could still taste the champagne on my tongue when I thought of that night—the last celebration I would attend as Luna of Windhowl.I had been holding my crystal f
Still, I feel the burning of fury, of injustice that courses through my veins. I want to remind Raiarty who she is talking to, but I am held fast, silnet—the image of Siena, my siens looking mournfully back at me that fateful day.It is for her I hold my tongue and respect this acting Alpha.For her