The room is silent for a moment, and then the murmurs begin. The councilors exchange looks, their expressions thoughtful, impressed, but still skeptical.I can see the wheels turning in their minds, weighing the potential benefits against the risks.It’s too soon to tell if I’ve won them over, but f
(Raiden’s POV)“She outmaneuvered everyone.”The words are repeated so often that they feel like a chant, a reminder of just how much I’ve underestimated her.How did she pull this off? She had every reason to fail, every reason to crumble under pressure, but instead, she walked into that room and f
(Siena’s POV)The grand hall of the Lycanthrope Council gleams with an almost oppressive elegance.Crystal chandeliers cast prismatic light across marble floors, illuminating the faces of the pack representatives with an unforgiving brightness that reveals every calculation, every political maneuver
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
I turn to face him fully, finding courage in the gathering darkness that somehow makes vulnerability easier.“I want a connection that strengthens rather than constrains. Partnership without possession. Trust earned through actions rather than assumed through ceremony.”My wolf surges forward at the
(Siena POV)The evening air wraps around me like a cool blanket as I sit on the settlement's eastern overlook, watching the sun's last rays paint the valley below in shades of amber and gold.My fingers trace the rough texture of the wooden bench beneath me, weathered by seasons of rain and sun. Lik
His eyes find mine across the distance, the challenge in them clear.I don't look away.If he wants a fight, well then, I will give him one.Conversation dies away as I approach the speaking stone—an ancient granite boulder worn smooth by generations of pack leaders who have stood upon it to address
(Siena POV)The scent of fresh pine from the forest beyond my window mingles with the lingering aroma of herbal tea gone cold in a forgotten mug. My eyes burn from lack of sleep, but my mind refuses to rest, spinning endlessly over the revelations of the past two days.I press my fingertips against
“Did it give you satisfaction to destroy this, too?”“The pack deserved to know the truth about someone wielding significant influence over our policies,” I reply, keeping my voice even despite the storm of emotions churning beneath the surface.Siena raises her head finally, amber eyes locking with
(Raiden POV) I tap my fingers against the ancient desk, feeling the smooth wood worn by generations of Alphas before me.The folder beneath my hand contains information that burns like fire—Zion's greatest failure, neatly documented and verified. My wolf stirs restlessly beneath my skin, urging act
The truth is bitter, and it burns, but it makes no matter, as long as I am the only one who knows it.The sacrifices are a necessary evil.Voices emerge from the eastern corridor leading toward the private office typically reserved for sensitive discussions.Rain still beating violently against wind
(Raiden POV)The rain falls in relentless sheets across pack territory, transforming the afternoon into premature twilight, which perfectly suits my mood.From my position in the eastern watchtower, I can observe the settlement without being immediately visible.It’s a tactical advantage in this ong
( Raiden POV)The Alpha chambers feel too confined tonight, centuries-old stone walls pressing inward despite their impressive thickness.I can’t breathe.Moonlight filters through tall windows, casting elongated shadows across the polished wooden floor where I pace with restless energy no amount of