LOGIN(Siena's POV)My pulse stutters unevenly as I struggle to comprehend what I'm feeling.Beside me, Raiden's entire body tenses, his muscles rigid beneath the fitted fabric of his shirt, posture radiating barely-contained fury.His protective stance positions him squarely between me and this newcomer,
(Raiden's POV)We're gathered in the airy central chamber of Windhowl's main hall.The moment Siena smiles openly during the council meeting, my heart stutters in my chest—a quiet, profound reminder of everything I once lost, and everything I'm determined never to lose again.Afternoon sunlight stre
My breath catches softly, heart stumbling gently beneath quiet anxiety. Yet beneath hesitation lies cautious curiosity, openness I carefully nurture. I nod slowly. “Of course.” His voice remains gentle, carefully phrased to remove pressure or expectation. “Would you consider dinner? It's not reconc
(Siena's POV)The bruises on my skin have faded, yet the persistent ache deep inside my chest refuses to heal, Raiden's words echoing relentlessly within my mind despite my stubborn attempts to silence them.A week has passed since the attack, and Windhowl and Silverfang are finally beginning to hea
(Raiden's POV)The metallic scent of blood and antiseptic fills my lungs, mingling into a nauseating cocktail that twists my stomach into knots, but I refuse to leave Siena's side even for a moment.Around us, chaos slowly yields to order. Security forces carefully secure Lila and Mia, their wrists
(Siena POV)Chaos erupts instantly, and Lila lunges swiftly toward me, teeth bared, eyes glowing, glinting dangerously beneath dim lighting.Instinctively, Raiden moves protectively forward, yet equally instinctively, I shift swiftly to shield him, deliberately placing myself between Raiden and Lila
(Raiden's POV)The sight of Siena and Zion in intimate conversation at dawn had unleashed something primal and possessive in me.Horace growls low, pacing inside me, claws raking against the edges of my control, “She is ours.”But I shove the instinct down, clenching my jaw until the tension spreads
(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
"Fifteen would suffice if we implement a rotation system," I reply automatically before catching myself. Why am I sharing these details with him?"Ambitious," he remarks, eyes wandering down to where my hands rest on my knees. I cross my arms, creating distance."The Silverpelt Pass is still vulnera







