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
Her expression shifts from anger to something worse—disappointment. “You've already lost what matters most,” she says softly. “No contest can change that.”She turns away before I can respond, moving toward Zion, who waits near the hall's entrance.Their brief exchange—no touch, just words—sends fre
(Siena POV)A violent pounding on my door jolts me awake, shattering the stillness of night. I bolt upright, heart hammering against my ribs as my senses snap to full alertness. “Siena!” Raiden's voice carries through the wood, urgent and strained. “Wake up! We're under attack!” I leap from bed, a
(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
(Raiden POV) My reflection in the glass shows a stranger—hollow eyes, tension etched into every line of my face.The ceremonial challenge token weighs heavy in my palm, its black stone surface cool despite hours of being held.I've made my decision.The ancient laws still exist, buried in our oldes







