(Siena’s POV)
This game he plays–it is treacherous.
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The sudden interest in discussing our marriage leaves me wary, my instincts screaming that this is another maneuver- another calculated effort to unsettle me. I know better than to trust his intentions, especially now, with everything hanging in the balance.
The timing is too convenient.
Days before our divorce is finalized, he suddenly wants to talk about us?
No.
I’ve endured too much, sacrificed too much, to let hope creep back into my heart.
Yet, despite my determination to remain detached, I find myself agreeing to meet him privately. My mind tells me it’s strategic–to maintain civility for the sake of Windhowl’s standing–but my heart…
My heart is a traitor.
Just like him.
I keep my composure as we sit across from each other, a polished mahogany table between us that feels far wider than it is. His expression is guarded, but his midnight eyes are watchful, assessing me in a way that unsettles my carefully maintained defenses.
“I’ve been thinking about… our marriage,”
The words send a chill down my spine, but I mask my reaction with the diplomacy I’ve learned to wield as effectively as any
weapon.
He doesn’t miss the pointed remark. His jaw tightens, but to my surprise, he doesn’t lash out.
“I should have had this conversation with you long ago.”
A bitter smile tugs at my lips before I can stop it. Yes, you should have.
“And yet… here we are,” I say softly, unable to mask the edge in my voice. “By the way, wherever is your precious Lila?”
Silence stretches between us, taut and heavy. The words are pettey, they drip with resentment that is becoming harder by teh minute to hide.
“That is not what I want to talk about! Why are you so insufferable Sinna? Can you not let me in, for once! Let me be your Alpha!”
“Silverfang’s victory is necessary to maintain stability,” I explain, my tone pragmatic, clinical. “The Alpha King’s pack must host the SOA to ensure continuity. Windhowl is honored to have come this far, but we understand our position.”
My words are polished, practiced. I’ve spent countless nights preparing for this moment–preparing to relinquish everything I’ve built for the greater good. His response tell em all I need to know.
He has not changed–he cannot.
He watches me closely, waiting for a fowl snap of rage. But there is nothing.
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Nothing.
“You’ve become quite the politician,” he murmurs, his voice laced with something I can’t quite decipher.
The rare compliment warms me before I can push the feeling away.
“I’ve always understood politics,” I reply quietly, meeting his gaze head–on. “You simply never asked my opinion.”
The truth hangs between us, a heavy reminder of the countless missed opportunities that could have bridged the chasm between us.
For a moment, something flickers in his expression–regret? Recognition? But just as quickly, the mask returns, and whatever he was about to say is swallowed by silence.
“Thank you for your time,” I say, rising to my feet with careful poise.
“Siena-”
I pause, waiting.
But he says nothing.
Of course, he doesn’t.
With a nod, I turn and leave, ignoring the ache that pulses through my chest with every step away from him.
This is how it ends.
***
Standing on the balcony outside my quarters, the cool night air brushes against my skin.
Windhowl’s warriors celebrate below, their pride palpable even in the subdued atmosphere.
We’ve come further than anyone expected–further than Raiden ever believed possible.
I should be elated, filled with satisfaction.
But all I feel is… exhaustion. I am plagued with a broken heart that no matter what i do, I cannot mend.
As much as Raiden’s were, in their way, needed, I cannot go back now. I cannot be the submissive, the faceless verison of myself I’ve fought so hard to extinguish.
No idea of love is worth that.
Not anymore.
“Thinking too much again?”
Rairity voice pulls me from my thoughts. She steps beside me, her sharp eyes scanning the grounds below before turning to study me.
“Always,” I murmur, offering her a faint smile.
“Windhowl’s standing is solid,” she says softly, her tone reassuring. “Even if we don’t win, Siena… they’ll never underestimate us again.”
Her words should bring comfort, but my mind is elsewhere.
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“Raiden spoke to me today.” The confession slips out before I can stop it.
Rairity raises an eyebrow. “About?”
“Our marriage.”
The words taste bitter in my mouth.
Rairity expression darkens. “What does he want now?”
“I don’t know.” I shake my head, frustration bubbling beneath my calm exterior. “He was…. different. More thoughtful. But it doesn’t change anything. Our divorce is days away. Whatever this is, it’s too late.”
Silence settles between us before Rairity speaks again, her tone carefully neutral.
“There’s something else.”
I turn to her, brow furrowed.
“Raiden’s been meeting with the pack elders,” she says slowly, her eyes narrowing as if still trying to make sense of the information. “Reviewing ancient bonding rituals. Traditional mating ceremonies.”
My heart stops.
“What?” My voice is barely a whisper.
Rairity nods, her expression as perplexed as I feel. “It’s… strange,” she murmurs. “Almost as if he’s planning a wedding rather than a divorce.”
The words hit me like a blow, stealing the breath from my lungs.
A wedding.
No.
This is a trap.
It has to be.
I knew it.
“Why would he do that?” I force the question through numb lips.
Rairity shakes her head. “I don’t know. But whatever it is… it doesn’t feel right.”
I swallow hard, my mind racing.
Lila.
“Don’t read too much into it,” I murmur, more to myself than her. “Raiden always has an agenda. One I am not apart of. One I’d wish very much to release. For good.”
But the words ring hollow even as I speak them.
Because deep down…
My wolf stirs, hopeful despite my protests.
No.
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I can’t do this.
I can’t let him hurt me again.
“I’m going to bed,” I say abruptly, turning away before Rairity can see the turmoil in my eyes.
“Siena-
“Good night, Rairity.”
I don’t wait for her response as I slip back inside, closing the door behind me.
But sleep doesn’t come.
I lie awake for hours, my mind a battlefield between reason and instinct.
Raiden’s actions don’t make sense.
Why consult the elders? Why review ancient rituals?
Unless…
No.
My rational mind insists it’s a ploy.
But my heart…
My heart whispers a dangerous possibility.
What if he’s changing?
I shut my eyes tightly, willing the thought away.
It’s too late.
It’s always been too late.
And yet…
The next morning, I can’t stop myself from watching Raiden closely.
I tell myself it’s because of the competition, because Windhowl’s fate hangs in the balance.
But that’s a lie.
I’m looking for something else.
A sign.
A reason to believe.
What I see only unsettles me more.
Raiden is… different.
There’s a quiet intensity about him, a focus that feels almost reverent.
He moves with purpose, his interactions with the elders laced with something I can’t quite place.
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Intent.
Rairity words echo in my mind.
“Almost as if he’s planning a wedding rather than a divorce.”
The thought should terrify me.
It does.
Because if Raiden is finally seeing me… finally realizing what he’s losing…
I don’t know if I have the strength to turn him away.
But I have to.
I’ve fought too hard, come too far, to let him shatter me again.
As the day stretches on, I throw myself into the final preparations for Windhowl’s last competition event, refusing to let Raiden’s actions distract me.
But the weight of uncertainty lingers.
And when night falls, I stand on my balcony once more, staring out into the darkness.
Rairity words replay in my mind.
Almost as if he’s planning a wedding rather than a divorce.
Horace stirs again, restless and yearning.
But I push it down.
I won’t let hope break me.
Not again.
Whatever Raiden’s doing…
It doesn’t change anything.
I whisper the words into the night, hoping they’ll take root in my heart.
But the ache in my chest tells me otherwise.
AD
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