(Raiden's POV)Zion sits across from me, his face shocked. I can’t believe the message on his phone, and he can’t believe he’s suddenly been thrust into this situation.We’re caught in a moment that feels endless....Why does Siena contact Zion?She never cared about any man other than me in the pas
Siena's POVI sit on my bed, staring at my phone. My fingers hover above the screen, and for a moment, I’m frozen. I had been hoping—no, expecting—a message from Raiden, as my best friend had suggested. She had said, "It’s definitely Raiden. He owes you an apology for everything he’s done!"But the
Time is running out.I don’t waste any more time thinking. I gather my thoughts, my materials, and my plan. I work tirelessly, refining every detail. I go through every piece of information I’ve collected, making sure it’s all aligned with my vision. This plan—it’s not just for Zion. It’s for me. It
Siena's POVThe stinging silence between us feels unbearable. Zion’s smirk is unwavering as he watches me, as though he expects me to crumble in front of him. His drink-drenched proposal lies on the floor, a crumpled mess of paper and ink. The liquid continues to pool, a slick sheen over the once-or
The others freeze, their laughter dying on the spot. Zion stands there for a moment, his cheek already reddening, his mouth slightly open. His eyes widen, flicking back and forth between me and his friends. It’s as if he can’t quite comprehend what just happened.The bar is still.I can feel the hea
Raiden's POVThe heavy tension in the air presse[1] [2] s down on my chest, but I don’t show it. I sit at my desk, eyes scanning the papers in front of me, though my mind is elsewhere. The words on the page blur as I hear the steady rhythm of my beta’s voice, cutting through the quiet of my office.
This cold, calculating woman who would rather reach out to Zion than me. This woman who talks about divorce, as if it’s something that could ever be so simple. Her love for me… was it all just a façade?I thought back to that night, when she had seen Lila and me together. The rage in her eyes, the h
Zion's POVI stare down at the proposal in my hand, the paper now damp with my previous drink. The alcohol hasn’t clouded my mind enough to miss the significance of what’s written in front of me. I can’t believe it. This proposal—this plan—is… impressive.I’ve spent years writing her off. Siena. The
(Raiden’s POV)The council chamber falls into stunned silence as Mia's carefully maintained composure fractures."You're suggesting I had something to do with this?" she asks, her voice pitched higher than normal. Her fingers nervously adjust her silver pendant."I'm not suggesting anything," I repl
“Raiden,” I greet softly, stepping aside to let him enter. His eyes scan my quarters instinctively, protective instincts clear despite his careful politeness.“I was making my patrol rounds,” he murmurs gently, eyes flickering briefly toward the evidence on my desk. “Are you alright?”His genuine co
(Siena’s POV)The delicate silver hairpin Raiden gifted me years ago lies on my desk, shifted ever so slightly from its usual position—a subtle yet unmistakable sign that someone has invaded my sanctuary.My breath catches sharply.I step closer, and my senses sharpen with acute awareness.Moonlight
(Raiden’s POV)The grainy security footage flickers ominously across the monitor, each shadowy movement like a knife twisting in my gut, whispering the name I've come to dread most—Lila.I lean closer, my eyes burning from hours spent staring at endless loops of surveillance.The cramped security ro
"Good idea," I manage, my voice steadier than I feel. "I'll speak with Tomas about positioning archers on the ridge above."Raiden turns his head slightly, his face now inches from mine. "Siena..."My pulse quickens softly, heart stumbling traitorously. "We should focus on the threat," I whisper, no
(Siena’s POV)Raiden’s plea from the cabin echoes relentlessly in my mind, threatening to fracture every wall I've painstakingly built around my heart.I pace restlessly across the elegant guest quarters, my fingers tugging nervously at the edges of my jacket, tension coiling sharply within my chest
My wolf surges forward, craving her closeness. "Siena, I—""Don't," she whispers, but she doesn't move away when I step closer. "Please don't say things you'll take back tomorrow.""I never should have taken them back the first time," I confess, my voice breaking as I reach for her hand. "I've misse
(Raiden’s POV)Thunder crashes violently overhead, shaking the cabin walls, as if nature itself demands I finally lay bare the secrets I've guarded far too long.The steady rhythm of rain pounds relentlessly against the roof, creating a constant, murmuring backdrop to the silence hanging between us.
The oak offers no comfort or wisdom. It offers only silence and the mocking permanence of symbols that now mean nothing at all.I brush my fingertips over the markings, memories flooding vividly through me.That day, I felt cautious hope despite our union's political nature.I'd believed, or at leas