Siena’s POV
The 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. Her growl hums beneath my skin, restless and uneasy.
I can feel the weight of their stares, their judgment, as if it’s pressing against me from all directions.
“It’s obvious she plagiarized this work, a disgruntled Alpha snarls, his voice rough and bitter.
His pack placed last in the competition, and I can see the anger simmering in his eyes, the way his fists clench like he’s barely holding himself back. “No pampered Luna could produce something this comprehensive. This isn’t her work–it can’t
be.”
Beside him, Lila nods vigorously, her face flushed with anger. Her fingers clutch the edge of her chair so tightly that her knuckles turn white, and the venom in her expression is unmistakable.
“He’s right,” Lila hisses, her voice carrying through the chamber. “This is a farce! There’s no way Siena could have created that proposal. Someone else must’ve done it for her. Or she stole it.”
Her words hang in the air, sharp and cutting, and I can feel the eyes of the room shifting toward me.
Some are skeptical, others outright hostile.
The accusations don’t surprise me. They never do. I’ve spent years enduring this–the doubts, the whispers, the sneers. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt.
I keep my face carefully neutral, my expression calm and composed, though my hands clench tightly at my sides. I won’t give them the satisfaction of seeing me falter.
Not here. Not now.
All eyes turn expectantly to Raiden.
His judgment as Alpha King will settle the matter, his word final and absolute.
My chest tightens as I glance at him, sitting tall and impassive among the other Alphas. His face is a mask of indifference, but I know better than to hope.
This is Raiden, after all–the mate who has spent years tearing me down, piece by piece. If there’s an opportunity for him to humiliate me further, he’ll take it. He always does.
He has no love for me.
I brace myself for the blow, for the cold, cutting words that will strip me of any dignity I have left.
But then…
Raiden rises slowly to his feet, his movements deliberate and measured. The room falls silent, the murmurs dying instantly as every Alpha turns to him. His presence commands attention, his authority undeniable.
“The proposal bears the hallmarks of Windhowl’s compassionate approach,” he states, his deep voice resonating through the chamber, “but the implementation strategy could only be Siena’s.”
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His words silence the accusations in an instant.
I can’t breathe.
+5
Did I hear him correctly? Did Raiden–the same Raiden who has dismissed me, belittled me, undermined me at every turn –just defend me?
I glance at him, searching his face for some sign of mockery, some indication that this is part of some cruel game. But his expression remains carefully neutral, his gaze focused on the crowd rather than me.
The disgruntled Alpha’s face twists into an ugly scowl, but he doesn’t argue. Raiden’s word is final, and he knows it. He mutters something under his breath, his voice low but loud enough for me to hear.
“She’s just a temporary alpha without even a beta. What’s there to be proud of?”
The barb strikes deep, sharper than I expect. It’s true, after all. I lead without the traditional support structure, without the strength of a mate at my side or a beta to help shoulder the burden. I lead alone, and everyone in this room knows it.
But I won’t let them see the pain. I keep my head high, refusing to let the insult show on my face. I’ve weathered worse than this. I’ll weather this too.
“That is untrue! I have made my choice!” I reply cooly. Of all the times I would choose to protest, now is it. Now I defend Rairity, my beta–my choice. “I have put Rairty of Windholw in position of beta.”
“Phhh! See? Do you see has she has not a shred of humility of respect for Silverfang PAck, for our greta Alpha king?” Lila scoffs, hands on her hips.
Little by little, she is losing ground. She knows it, i smell teh fear, the desperation that has recently taken up residence inside of her.
The mask is chipping away.
***
Siena’s POV
I linger at the edge of the room, my pack gathering around me. They’re buzzing with satisfaction, purpose awared to them through the honr of this day, of what they have conquered for our pack.
Their loyalty to me evident in the way they stand close, their expressions glowing with vindication.
1
“You were brilliant, Luna,” Elara says softly, her wrinkled hand gripping my arm. Her eyes shine with pride, and the warmth in her voice eases the tightness in my chest, if only slightly.
“Thank you, Elara,” I say, my voice steady. I glance at the others, offering them a small smile. “This was a win for all of us. Windhowl stands strong because of you.”
The ball begins, the grand hall transformed into a glittering spectacle of light and music.
The scent of polished wood and expensive wine fills the air, mingling with the subtle tension that always lingers at these events. Wolves mingle in clusters, their laughter and conversation a low hum that echoes off the high ceilings.
I stand near one of the massive windows, the cool night air brushing against my skin.
My pack is scattered throughout the room, blending seamlessly into the crowd. Even in celebration, they remain vigilant, their loyalty to me soldified.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Raiden approaching. He moves with the same commanding presence he always does, his strides confident and unhurried.
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Chapter 26
My wolf stirs uneasily, her instincts sharp and wary.
What fresh hells will you bring to the feet of your Queen Raiden? What new cruelty do you have for me?
+5
“Siena,” he says as he stops in front of me, his voice low and measured. He offers his hand, his expression unreadable. “Shall we?”
It takes me a moment to realize what he’s asking. The obligatory dance.
Of course.
It’s tradition, after all–an Alpha and Luna must share at least one dance at events like this. I take his hand without hesitation, masking the swirl of emotions in my chest.
His touch is warm, steady, but it feels foreign to me now. Once, it had been a comfort. Once, I’d believed in the bond between us.
But now, it’s just a reminder of everything we’ve lost.
We step onto the dance floor, the room seems to quiet, all eyes turning to us.
The music begins, a soft, lilting melody that fills the space. Raiden’s hand rests lightly on my waist, the other holding mine with the perfect amount of pressure–neither too tight nor too loose.
We move together with practiced ease, our steps smooth and synchronized.
“Your proposal was… impressive,” he says after a moment, his voice stiff but sincere.
I glance up at him, searching his face for some hint of mockery, but there’s none. His expression is guarded, but there’s a flicker of something in his eyes–something that looks almost like curiosity.
Where have you hiddne your malice Raiden?
“Where did you learn to structure welfare systems like that?” he asks, his tone shifting slightly. There’s something familiar in it, a trace of the genuine interest he used to show me during our early courtship, before everything between us had soured.
For a moment, I’m caught off guard. I don’t know how to respond.
“Experience,” I say finally, my voice quiet but firm. “And necessity. Windhowl’s survival depends on finding solutions that others overlook.”
He nods, his gaze dropping for a moment before meeting mine again. For a heartbeat, I see him–the mate I once believed in, the wolf I thought I could build a future with.
But then, just as quickly, his gaze hardens, the wall between us slamming back into place.
I feel the weight of the evening settle heavily on my shoulders. His support during the council session had been unexpected, but it changes nothing. The walls between us are too high, too fortified.
But
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