Now, it’s cold. Lifeless.I close my eyes and let out a shaky breath. The ache in my chest is familiar, a constant companion these past few years. It’s not just the absence of the bond—it’s the knowledge that Raiden chose someone else. That he looked at me, at the life we could’ve built together, an
(Raiden’s POV) The silence in my office is suffocating.A low hum from the fluorescent light overhead is the only sound, but it grates on me like nails on a chalkboard.I’ve read the same line on this report five times now, and I still don’t know what it says. Siena. Her words won’t stop playin
His words land like blows, each one harder to deflect than the last. I open my mouth to argue, but he doesn’t give me the chance. “You’ve made your feelings clear, Raiden. You rejected her. You chose someone else. You’ve spent years acting like she doesn’t matter, and now you want to claim her? Yo
(Siena’s POV)The irony of it all doesn’t escape me.I sit at the edge of the conference table, the official announcement of the third competition round still echoing in my mind:A pack unity challenge requiring Alpha and Luna to work together, leveraging their unique strengths.Unity. Cooperation.
I swallow hard against the sudden tightness in my throat. His unexpected vulnerability makes it difficult to maintain the protective shell I've built around myself.For a dangerous moment, I almost reach across the table toward him, an instinct my body hasn't unlearned despite all the reasons my min
(Raiden’s POV)Preparations for the unity challenge consume every waking moment.Silverfang is heavily favored, and everyone knows it.A leader and mate work in perfect harmony, and their bond gives them an undeniable advantage.That should’ve been us. Siena should’ve been by my side. But instead, I
(Siena’s POV) The ancient Stone Circle rises from the earth like the spine of some great beast, massive granite monoliths standing sentinel against the twilight sky.Firelight flickers across their weathered surfaces, casting long shadows that seem to dance with purpose across the packed dirt of t
(Raiden’s POV)The echo of my own words haunts me, looping endlessly in my mind: Our arrangement served both our purposes. At the time, it had felt like the safest answer, the easiest way to sidestep the vulnerability hanging between us after her question—Did you ever care for me at all? But the
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