His words surprise me, unsettling the careful walls I've built around my heart.I fight down the sudden rush of emotion that threatens to overwhelm me, keeping my expression composed, meeting his smoky eyes evenly, nodding slightly in acknowledgment before stepping back."Thank you, Zion," I reply
(Raiden’s POV)The early morning sun is bright and piercing, its golden rays cutting sharply through the lingering mist of dawn.I stride purposefully toward the arena grounds, the tension of today's competition already crackling through me. My wolf prowls restlessly beneath my skin, alert and agita
Let me breathe.The other judges are already assembled, murmuring quietly as I take my seat at the head table. I busy myself with the competition rules spread out before me, desperate to distract myself from the turmoil raging within me.Horace continues pacing restlessly beneath my skin, agitated b
(Raiden’s POV)From my vantage point on the elevated judges’ platform, the sprawling landscape of the competition grounds stretches out beneath me—an intricate patchwork of forests, rocky terrain, and open clearings.The early morning mist has finally dissipated, revealing a pristine battlefield tha
(Siena’s POV)The banquet hall once again hums with excitement, the gentle clink of crystal glasses intertwining with melodic laughter and happy murmurs of celebration.Warm golden candlelight bathes everything in a soft glow, reflecting brightly against polished silverware and delicately arranged c
My eyes drift reluctantly toward Siena, who sits quietly among her warriors rather than at my side, the empty Luna chair a silent accusation against me.It gnaws at me, uncomfortable and bitter.I watch as she cares carefully for her warriors, her slender fingers gentle as they check bandages, adju
(Siena’s POV)My phone rings sharply in the darkness, jolting me awake so violently that, for a moment, I struggle to remember where I am.My heart pounds wildly in my chest as I fumble blindly for the device, eyes still blurry with sleep."Siena," Rairity's urgent voice cuts through the haze, insta
“Not now. He is no longer our mate.” I scold back.For a moment, we stand close enough that I can feel the warmth of his breath and sense the tension radiating from his powerful frame.Memories of happier times flicker through me, of nights spent safely wrapped in his arms, his strength a sanctuary
“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,