I square my shoulders and turn away, refusing to let him see how much his presence affects me. I won’t stay here, subject to Lila’s gloating smirk or Raiden’s cold indifference.I have more important things to focus on.The cool night air brushes against my skin as I step onto the terrace, the hum o
Raiden’s POV The crowd shifts and swirls around me, a blur of movement and sound, but my focus remains fixed on Siena.She walks away from the ballroom floor, her back straight, her head held high, moving with a grace that commands attention without asking for it. The light catches on her hair as s
The sight of it sends a fresh wave of unease through me, the same unease I’ve been battling since the day it appeared."Is something wrong?" she presses, her fingers brushing against the back of my neck."Nothing," I reply tersely, my voice sharper than I intended.Her smile falters, but only for a
(Raiden's POV)The ballroom hums with energy, alive with laughter and the rhythmic melody of violins weaving through the air. Crystal chandeliers cast glittering reflections, showering the marble floors in fragmented starlight.Despite the gaiety, a gnawing discomfort coils within my chest, tighteni
Across the room, Siena turns slightly, our gazes colliding.Time freezes, the world blurred and distant as we share a single, unguarded moment.Her eyes widen briefly, unshielded vulnerability flickering across her features.The raw emotion there—pain, longing, regret—mirrors my own with startling i
(Siena's POV)Cold raindrops sting my cheeks, mingling quietly with the tears I've stubbornly refused to shed.The slick cobblestones beneath my feet offer little traction as I hurry through the dimly lit streets. Each step sends sharp jolts through my knees, a cruel reminder of the night spent knee
Stopping abruptly, I turn to face Rairity, my voice firm despite the storm within me. "Rairity, would you consider becoming my beta officially?"Surprise flickers across her features, quickly replaced by respectful seriousness. She studies me closely, searching my eyes for sincerity. "Are you sure,
(Siena’s POV)The evening air is cool and damp against my skin, the lingering scent of rain still sharp and fresh.My footsteps echo softly against the cobblestone path as I approach the ornate stone fountain, its softly cascading water gleaming silver in the moonlight. Beside me, Rairity walks with
(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