My wolf growls in the back of my mind. “You almost hurt her, but she slapped you right back! Haha, now it’s your turn to be upset!”I grimace, trying to ignore him. “Shut up. What do I have to be upset about?”But I know something is different. I’ve seen Siena get angry before, but never like this.
Siena's POVThe next day dawns crips and clear, the air buzzes with the fever of anticipation. Today marks the start of the first competition, and I can feel the weight of expectation pressing against my lip.I refuse to let it shake me.Standing before the full- length mirror, adjusting the deep em
Siena’s POVI don’t know how to react to Lila’s mark.My mind is a mess, tangled in rage so sharp I can taste it. My wolf surges forward, instincts clawing at me to bare my teeth, to shift right here and now, to rip her apart.This anger—it’s unlike anything I’ve ever felt.Then, at the peak of my f
Siena’s POVThe air on the terrace is sharp and cool, a stark contrast to the suffocating heat of the ballroom.Raiden’s grip around my wrist still lingers like a phantom, even though he’s already let go. I stand several feet away from him, arms crossed tightly over my chest, trying to shield myself
Siena turns slowly, her movements deliberate, her expression carefully blank. But her eyes—they burn with something fierce, something raw, and it unsettles me in ways I don’t want to admit."What did I do?" she echoes, her voice quiet but sharp, like the edge of a blade. "Are you even going to ask w
Siena’s POVThe competition hall smells like sweat, metal, and a faint trace of pine drifting in from the open windows.It’s a chaotic symphony of sound: the clang of weapons being tested, the murmur of hushed strategies, and the occasional burst of laughter from cocky warriors who think they’ve alr
When she finally lowers it, the silence breaks into scattered applause. It’s not much, but it’s enough to remind the others that strength comes in many forms."Impressive," Lila says, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "For someone her age, anyway."I clench my fists, my nails digging into my palms. E
Raiden’s POVThe arena falls silent as Windhowl’s pack steps forward. The sound of their boots hitting the stone floor echoes in the stillness, each step deliberate and steady.The sunlight streams down from on high, glinting off medals pinned to their chests. But it’s not the medals that catch my a
“Your legacy here remains strong,” comes a quiet voice beside me. I stiffen, my wolf immediately perking up at the familiar scent of pine and midnight. He’s so silent in his approach that I didn’t hear him coming, but now he stands beside me, his presence as steady and unyielding as ever. I gla
(Siena’s POV) Raiden’s eyes haunt me long after I walk away.The heat of his jealousy, the raw edge of his questions about Alaric—it clings to me like smoke, unwelcome and suffocating.My wolf, traitorous as always, stirs with restless energy, but I shove her back into the recesses of my mind. She
"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,