I square my shoulders and turn away, refusing to let him see how much his presence affects me. I won’t stay here, subject to Lila’s gloating smirk or Raiden’s cold indifference.I have more important things to focus on.The cool night air brushes against my skin as I step onto the terrace, the hum o
Raiden’s POV The crowd shifts and swirls around me, a blur of movement and sound, but my focus remains fixed on Siena.She walks away from the ballroom floor, her back straight, her head held high, moving with a grace that commands attention without asking for it. The light catches on her hair as s
The sight of it sends a fresh wave of unease through me, the same unease I’ve been battling since the day it appeared."Is something wrong?" she presses, her fingers brushing against the back of my neck."Nothing," I reply tersely, my voice sharper than I intended.Her smile falters, but only for a
(Raiden's POV)The ballroom hums with energy, alive with laughter and the rhythmic melody of violins weaving through the air. Crystal chandeliers cast glittering reflections, showering the marble floors in fragmented starlight.Despite the gaiety, a gnawing discomfort coils within my chest, tighteni
Across the room, Siena turns slightly, our gazes colliding.Time freezes, the world blurred and distant as we share a single, unguarded moment.Her eyes widen briefly, unshielded vulnerability flickering across her features.The raw emotion there—pain, longing, regret—mirrors my own with startling i
(Siena's POV)Cold raindrops sting my cheeks, mingling quietly with the tears I've stubbornly refused to shed.The slick cobblestones beneath my feet offer little traction as I hurry through the dimly lit streets. Each step sends sharp jolts through my knees, a cruel reminder of the night spent knee
Stopping abruptly, I turn to face Rairity, my voice firm despite the storm within me. "Rairity, would you consider becoming my beta officially?"Surprise flickers across her features, quickly replaced by respectful seriousness. She studies me closely, searching my eyes for sincerity. "Are you sure,
(Siena’s POV)The evening air is cool and damp against my skin, the lingering scent of rain still sharp and fresh.My footsteps echo softly against the cobblestone path as I approach the ornate stone fountain, its softly cascading water gleaming silver in the moonlight. Beside me, Rairity walks with
“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,