The air is quiet but for the murmurs of anticipation echoing softly from gathered Alphas and Lunas
My heart pounds heavily beneath my ribs, nerves fluttering uncomfortably in my stomach,
Today marks the final day of the second competition–the day that could make or break everything I’ve fought so desperately to build.
I arrive early, trying desperately to quell my anxiety by reviewing strategy notes scribbled hastily in my notebook.
My fingers tremble slightly as I flip quickly through pages, eyes scanning familiar plans and diagrams. I force myself to breathe deeply, steadying my racing pulse.
Nearby, I sense movement–too close, too deliberate. Glancing up sharply, I find Zion standing just a few feet away, dark eyes fixed intently upon me.
His expression is open, confident, and filled with a careful warmth that makes unease prickle sharply along my spine. Something about his attention lately feels different, more intense, and increasingly uncomfortable.
“Siena,” he greets smoothly, stepping closer. “You seem nervous.
I force a polite smile, shifting subtly away from his proximity. “Just preparing, I reply softly, careful to keep my voice neutral and distant.
Zion’s gaze flickers briefly, noticing my subtle withdrawal, yet he maintains his confident demeanor. “Windhowl has proven itself already,” he murmurs gently, voice reassuring. “You’ve shown everyone what you’re capable of.”
The competition master’s voice echoes sharply across the hall, instantly silencing conversations and providing me with the respite from Zion’s affections 1 so desperately need.
“Attention, competitors!” he announces loudly, his tone carrying clearly through the tense silence. Today’s event will test more than just physical skill–it will require perfect synchronization between Luna and Alpha. Each pair must navigate a challenging obstacle course designed specifically to demonstrate the strength of your bond.
His words sent icy dread slicing sharply through my chest, my breath catching painfully. Panic surged wildly, and snapped instinctively toward Raiden, standing stiffly across the room.
my gaze
His expression mirrors my own shock, jaw tightening sharply, eyes darkening with troubled realization. In that instant, know we share the same panicked thought: our broken bond will now be exposed openly to everyone present.
My wolf whines anxiously inside me, pacing restlessly beneath my skin.
Being close to Raiden–touching him, moving beside him–without being able to feel our bond would be exquisite torture truly.
We’ve hidden the painful truth for so long, masked the shame of rejection beneath carefully crafted illusions. Now, it will be laid bare before our peers, humiliation burning hotly across my cheeks.
Whispers ripple rapidly through the assembled Alphas and Lunas, eyes darting curiously between Raiden and myself. My throat tightens painfully beneath their scrutiny, shame and embarrassment knotting sharply inside me.
Rickard steps forward carefully, kindness evident in his gentle expression. “Perhaps those with…strained relationships could request alternative arrangements,” he suggests diplomatically, gaze lingering meaningfully on my flushed face.
Though his intentions were good, perhaps even sound, in their hope of shielding me from embarrassment, his kindness only deepened the sting of humiliation, twisting my heart painfully.
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Before Raiden can reply, Zion steps forward confidently, his voice calm yet deliberately clear. Td be honored to partner with Luna Siena if Alpha King Raidden prefers another arrangement.”
My breath catches sharply at Zion’s unexpected offer, heart pounding unsteadily,
What are you doing, Zion? He is Alpha; he could kill you for this!
Though part of me desperately hopes Raiden accepts–escaping humiliation and sparing us both further pain- Zion’s actions are brazen as they are unheard of.
Dangerous.
The silence stretches heavily, tension thickening palpably as all eyes shift expectantly toward Raiden. I glance hesitantly in his direction, finding his expression hardening sharply, eyes blazing fiercely with something unreadable yet intense.
“That won’t be necessary, Raiden finally states firmly, his voice ringing clearly through the heavy silence. “The Luna of Windhowl and I are perfectly capable of working together.”
Shock ripples sharply through me, my heart stuttering painfully as Raiden moves purposefully across the room toward me.
My breath quickens instinctively, my pulse hammers wildly beneath his intense gaze.
My eyes catch Lila’s outraged expression, her beautiful features twisting sharply with jealousy and humiliation. Yet Raiden ignores her completely, his focus locked solely upon me.
He extends a large, calloused hand toward me, the gesture shockingly intimate despite its cold formality.
My pulse races unsteadily, and I stare at his outstretched palm.
Refusing would humiliate us both further, yet accepting means enduring the unbearable closeness of a bond that remains torturously broken.
Swallowing hard, I force my trembling hand into his firm grasp.
The instant our skin touches, electricity jolts sharply through me, my wolf whining desperately beneath my skin.
Raiden stiffens slightly, clearly feeling it, too, his jaw tightening subtly, but he says nothing. He simply leads me silently toward the competitor preparation area, whispering, following our every step.
Once alone in the secluded hallway, Raiden abruptly releases my hand, turning sharply away. He rubs his palm roughly as if trying to erase the lingering sensation of our touch.
“Raiden- I begin softly, voice shaking slightly.
He cuts me off abruptly. “This changes nothing he says harshly, his voice rough and tensioned. “It’s simply a performance. My heart clenches painfully at his cold dismissal, yet anger sparks sharply within me, pride forcing steel into my voice. “Of course,” I reply coolly, masking hurt beneath careful indifference. “I wouldn’t expect anything else.”
He flinches slightly at my tone, eyes flickering briefly with something vulnerable, almost wounded.
The competition master’s voice crackles sharply through the speakers. “Couples! To the Origin Spot!”
We move silently toward the obstacle course, tension radiating thickly between us. Anxiety twists sharply inside me.
The obstacle course looms intimidatingly ahead, a complex maze of ropes, platforms, narrow beams, and shifting obstacles. Around us, other pairs wait anxiously, murmuring quiet encouragements.
Raiden and 1 remain silent, an uncomfortable distance between us despite our physical doseness
Chapter 40
I just need this to be over
The whistle sounds sharp, signaling our turn. We step forward hesitantly, Raiden’s hand reluctantly extending toward me again.
My heart pounds furiously, breath catching painfully as I grasp his fingers once more, wondering if he feels the pain I do the loss, the absence of hope, or a future without each other.
Electricity jolts sharply again; we both stubbornly ignore it, stepping carefully onto the first narrow beam.
Every movement feels agonizingly difficult, our coordination is forced and uncomfortable.
My wolf whines desperately inside me, aching for the seamless connection we once shared.
Raiden’s movements are stiff, tension radiating from every muscle, yet we manage to navigate each obstacle carefully, pride forcing us onward despite our discomfort.
He doesn’t say it, but I feel it radiating from him.
Don’t embarrass me, Siena.
Halfway through, the obstacles grow more challenging–narrow beams suspended high above the ground, ropes requiring perfect synchronization.
My pulse races wildly, anxiety threatening to overwhelm me.
One misstep could send us both tumbling humiliatingly to the padded mats below.
Moon Goddess, please, please don’t let me screw this up.
Raiden meets my gaze briefly, his expression tense yet determined. “Focus, Siena,” he murmurs quietly, his voice surprisingly gentle. You’re stronger than you think.”
His unexpected encouragement sends warmth flooding sharply through me, my heart squeezing, Nodding slightly, I steady my trembling limbs, moving carefully forward. Slowly, painstakingly, we find a rhythm–stiff yet increasingly confident. Near the final obstacle–a suspended platform requiring perfect balance–Raiden slips suddenly, balance faltering sharply.
The crowds gasp.
Instinctively, 1 tighten my grip, pulling him securely back, pulse hammering with sudden panic.
His startled gaze meets mine, expression softening briefly with gratitude and surprise. Thank you,” he murmurs hoarsely, voice strained with genuine sincerity
my
My heart flutters wildly, warmth prickling sharply across my skin. Yet pride and caution force careful neutrality into n voice. “Just finish this, I reply softly.
Together, we carefully navigate the remaining obstacles, finally stepping safely onto solid ground once more. Applause erupts sharply around us, and other competitors nod with genuine respect..
Kaiden immediately steps away, and the distance quickly returns between us.
“Well done.” Zion murmurs quietly nearby, admiration clear yet tinged subtly with disappointment
Clancing involuntarily toward Raiden again. I find his intense gaze fixed sharply upon Zion, jaw tightening slightly. Yet quickly, he shutters his expression, turning swiftly away, leaving confusion twisting sharply within me.
Raiden, let me go.
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Today’s victory feels hollow and bittersweet–achieved only through pain and the threat of embarrassment. There is no love here today, as there was none any other day before this
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