Siena turns slowly, her movements deliberate, her expression carefully blank. But her eyes—they burn with something fierce, something raw, and it unsettles me in ways I don’t want to admit."What did I do?" she echoes, her voice quiet but sharp, like the edge of a blade. "Are you even going to ask w
Siena’s POVThe competition hall smells like sweat, metal, and a faint trace of pine drifting in from the open windows.It’s a chaotic symphony of sound: the clang of weapons being tested, the murmur of hushed strategies, and the occasional burst of laughter from cocky warriors who think they’ve alr
When she finally lowers it, the silence breaks into scattered applause. It’s not much, but it’s enough to remind the others that strength comes in many forms."Impressive," Lila says, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "For someone her age, anyway."I clench my fists, my nails digging into my palms. E
Raiden’s POVThe arena falls silent as Windhowl’s pack steps forward. The sound of their boots hitting the stone floor echoes in the stillness, each step deliberate and steady.The sunlight streams down from on high, glinting off medals pinned to their chests. But it’s not the medals that catch my a
The demonstration begins, and the crowd falls silent again. Windhowl’s pack moves as one, their fighting techniques unlike anything I’ve ever seen. They don’t rely on brute strength or speed.Instead, they use strategy, leveraging each other’s strengths to cover their weaknesses.An older warrior wi
Raiden’s POVMy seat feels colder beneath me, harder somehow, as the head judge’s voice echoes through the air."For innovative pack leadership and redefining strength—Windhowl!"The words ripple across the space like a crack of lightning.My eyes snap to Siena, almost instinctively, and I catch the
She doesn’t care about anyone but herself.Dismissing her efforts as another one of her power plays. I told myself she was pretending. That it was all for show. But now, staring at this projection, I feel something twist uncomfortably in my chest."She stole it," Lila whispers in my ear, her voice f
Siena’s POVThe air in the council chamber is thick with animosity.Whispers ripple through the gathered Alphas, their voices low but sharp, cutting through the silence like knives.I stand at the center, perfectly still, my head high and my shoulders squared, but inside, my wolf paces nervously. He
(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