***The moon hangs high, casting an ethereal glow over the empty space. I shouldn’t be here. But my feet carry me forward, unbidden.And then I see her.Siena.She’s alone, her movements fluid and precise as she goes through her drills. Her body moves with lethal grace, every motion a testament to h
(Siena’s POV)The pain starts subtly—a dull ache in my chest that pulses with each beat of my heart.I ignore it at first, attributing it to exhaustion after the grueling trials. But as the day drags on, the ache grows, sharp and insistent, clawing at me from the inside. By the time evening falls, i
It's so precisely calculated that I almost admire the political maneuvering.Almost.I crumple the parchment in my fist, startling the young messenger who brought it. With a deep breath, I smooth my expression and dismiss him with what I hope passes for a confident nod."Again," I command as Keel st
(Raiden’s POV)The territorial expansion challenge begins with Silverfang presenting first.I step up to the podium, exuding confidence, taking my place as Alpha King.My fingers brush the polished wood as I survey the room—council members in their pressed suits, rival pack representatives watching
(Siena’s POV)The celebration dinner this evening feels bittersweet; joy at our accomplishment tempered by the constant pain in my chest where the mate bond continues to weaken.Windhowl's council members have spared no expense, transforming our pack's communal dining hall into something almost rega
Without the stage of Raiden’s adoration, she doesn’t bother with the charm. There’s only cold, vicious satisfaction in her eyes now.The woman I’ve seen in fleeting moments over the years, the one who wears the mask of sweetness for his benefit, is standing before me in full, unrestrained form.Lila
(Raiden’s POV)I can feel her before I see her.Siena sits at the far end of the conference table, her back straight, her voice steady as she presents Windhowl’s strategy for the upcoming negotiations.She’s commanding, in control, but I can’t shake the feeling that something’s wrong. Her face is to
If I hadn’t been so selfish. If I had just told her the truth when I had the chance.But no. I’ve made my choice. I’m not going to let her drag me back into that painful mess.That night, after the dinner I find myself alone in my quarters, the weight of the day pressing down on me.The laughter and
Instinct takes over, primal and fierce, yet beneath each attack lies hesitation, reluctance. I lunge forward, jaws snapping, heart twisting painfully as Zion dodges skilfully aside, countering swiftly.Each strike, each blow, shatters more deeply into my conscience.I pin him briefly, my jaws inches
(Raiden's POV)The sky above Windhowl dawns blood-red, as if even the heavens condemn my foolish pride.I stand alone at the edge of the ceremonial grounds, where ancient trees tower solemnly, their branches stretched out like silent judges over today's proceedings.The clearing we chose for the due
How I’ll manage to look at him again, after hearing those words, I’ll never know.Entering his office, I find him already seated, his expression carefully neutral, his eyes guarded. My heart stutters painfully, and my emotions swirl chaotically. Silently, I extend the documents required for my depar
(Siena’s POV)“I've already forgotten about her.”Raiden's cold dismissal echoes through my mind, each word tearing into wounds I thought long healed, forcing my carefully constructed emotional walls to tremble, to fracture, threaten collapse.My legs swiftly carry me into the darkened forest, lungs
How did we come to this, Zion and I? Lifelong friends, now torn apart by jealousy, pride, and my own stubborn denial.Before either of us can speak again, a quiet, faint scent drifts through the open doorway—familiar and hauntingly sweet.Siena.My blood turns to ice in my veins, and my heart plumme
(Raiden's POV)The instant Zion utters Siena's name, something dark and primal explodes to life inside me.I'm standing by the window of my office, staring out at the twilight shadows creeping slowly across Windhowl, when he casually, confidently announces his intentions—words that slice through me
I stare at the compass, my fingers tracing the carvings as Horace stirs again, her emotions a mix of curiosity and reluctant admiration. “May it guide you home,” Raiden says quietly, his voice carrying an undercurrent of something I can’t quite name. “Whatever home means for you now.” His words
(Siena’s POV) I don’t sleep. Raiden’s words replay in my mind over and over, as insistent as the spring rain drumming against the windows of my temporary quarters.I love you, Siena.Not as a political arrangement or a convenient alliance, but for exactly who you are. For years, I longed to he
“My opposition was… personal rather than political.”The confession costs me more deeply than I could have anticipated.Admitting my pettiness, admitting my inability to separate emotion from responsibility—it feels like peeling away a carefully maintained facade, exposing wounds I’ve long worked to