(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
(Raiden's POV)I stand at the window as dawn breaks across the horizon, splintering the sky into shades of gold and crimson.The vibrant colors should soothe me, but instead, they mock my restlessness, highlighting the turmoil I feel deep within. The sleepless night has left me drained yet wired, my
Something about that mark has always unsettled me—an unease I've stubbornly ignored for far too long. My jaw tightens sharply as I meet her expectant gaze."Nothing is guaranteed," I reply coldly, watching her smile falter again, hurt flickering briefly across her lovely face. I feel a pang of irri
(Siena's POV)The air is quiet but for the murmurs of anticipation echoing softly from gathered Alphas and Lunas.My heart pounds heavily beneath my ribs, nerves fluttering uncomfortably in my stomach.Today marks the final day of the second competition—the day that could make or break everything I'
My pulse races unsteadily, and I stare at his outstretched palm.Refusing would humiliate us both further, yet accepting means enduring the unbearable closeness of a bond that remains torturously broken.Swallowing hard, I force my trembling hand into his firm grasp.The instant our skin touches, el
“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,