#Chapter 95: The Shift
(Siena POV)
The morning sun spills through Raider’s office’s stained glass windows, casting prisme of why we sangre inges the polished oak floors.
Each breath tastes of parchment and pine, mingled with the smoky remnants of last night’s fire stal seroidering to the massive stone hearth.
My fingers trace the intricate wolf carvings on the armrest of the chair, feating every edge and valley won smooth by generations of alphas before him.
“You can’t keep doing this.” The words escape before fully forming the thought, hanging in the air between us like sede.
Raiden stands with his back to me, a dark silhouette against the panoramo new of vete
Mountains rise in the distance, their peaks still dusted with early autumn snow despre the wrath of the ralley His shoulders–broad and usually unburdened by the weight of leadership–ars rigid with tension
“Doing what, exactly?” His voice carries that dangerous calm, the quiet before a storm breas
“Manipulating situations. Creating false threats.” Rising from the chair, legs still weak with logening soger from yesterday’s revelation. “You cannot freely intrude on Windhowl grounds, you cannot do this, Raden
He turns slowly, sunlight catching in his dark hair, illuminating strands of silver at his temples that went there when we first met. The scent of his frustration rolls off him in waves–cedar and smoke with undertones of something primal
“You think I engineered a perimeter breach? His eyes narrow. “To what end, Siena? To keep you tapped? Is that really what you think of me?”
“What am I supposed to think?” Gesturing toward the security reports spread across his desk–reports that show nothing but a false alarm, “As much as you can’t let go, you have to. We’ve done our dance. I know there’s regret for both of us, but I can’t do this dance again.”
I won’t.
The memory of Lila flashes hard behind my eyes.
“I’m trying to protect you.” He moves closer, each step deliberate. The floorboards creak beneath his weight, a physical manifestation of the pressure building in the room. “There are threats you don’t understand
“Don’t.” Holding up a hand, stopping him mid–stride. “Don’t patronize me. I lead my pack now. I’ve survived so far, I am an Alpha in my own right.”
A muscle jumps in his jaw. “Then you should appreciate the precautions I take
“Precautions?” The laugh that escapes sounds foreign, brittle like ice cracking. “is that what we’re calling this?
His scent shifts, sharpening with anger.
Outside, clouds move across the sun, momentarily dimming the colorful light show across the floor. The sudden shadow feels ominous, matching the darkening mood between us.
“I have never manipulated you.” Each word emerges clipped, precise. “You have been a master, if I remember correctly?
He stalks forward suddenly, closing the distance between us. His proximity sends my pulse racing–anger and attraction warring for dominance.
The heat radiating from his body reminds me of countless nights wrapped in his arms, of whispered promises and shared dreams now tainted by distrust.
“Your actions speak louder than your words.” Standing ground despite the overwhelming urge to step back. His scent envelops me–familiar and intoxicating–making it harder to maintain clarity.
“You say you respect my independence, but you undermine it at every turn. You tell me you’ve changed Raiden, and yet, you are as cold as you ever were!
The door flies open before he can respond, the heavy wood banging against the wall with enough force to rattle the shelves of ancient texts lining the study. The scent of winter pine and midnight reaches us before the figure does–Zion.
His silver eyes assess the situation instantly, narrowing at our proximity and the obvious tension crackling between us.
In three fluid strides, he’s beside me, a wall of r
ggression.
“Everything alright here?” The question is direc.
Successfully unlocked!
nains locked on Raiden.
“Private conversation, Zion.” Raiden’s voice carries the alpha timbre, a subtle vibration meant to command obedience.” Leave.”
“I heard raised voices.” Zion doesn’t budge, his shoulder brushing mine in silent solidarity.
10
#Chapter 95 The Shift
Raiden’s eyes flash gold, his wolf rising closer to the surface. “What she needs is for you to remember your place.”
The air thickens with territorial pheromones from both males. My wolf bristles at being discussed as though absent, and a growl builds in my chest.
“His place is exactly where he is–supporting me when I need it.” The words emerge sharper than intended, but there’s no taking them back now. “Which is more than I can say for you lately.”
Raiden’s expression shifts, genuine hurt flashing across his features before anger masks it again.
Zion steps forward, inserting himself more firmly between us. “Maybe she’s just filly seeing clearly. The way you prioritized Lila over Siena for years–even after claiming Siena as your mate–didn’t exactly build a foundation of trust.” The mention of Lila–Raiden’s former obsession–sends a ripple of old pain through my chest.
Memories surface again unbidden: standing in shadows while Raiden rushed to Lila’s aid, watching him cancel plans with me to solve her problems; the constant comparison I felt measured against, even after she betrayed the pack.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” Raiden’s voice drops dangerously low, the lights in the room flickering in response to his surging power.
“Don’t I?” Zion’s smile lacks warmth. “I was there, watching from the sidelines while you made Siena feel like a second choice. We all were.”
(Raiden POV)
Rage pulses through my veins, hot and familiar. The Zion’s presence feels like a deliberate provocation, his words calculated to wound.
Horace strains against my control, hackles raised at another male standing so close to my mate, speaking as though he understands what exists between us.
“Careful, Zion.” The warning rumbles from deep in my chest. “You’re overstepping.”
His silver eyes glint with challenge. “Am I? Or are you just uncomfortable with someone calling out your hypocrisy?” Siena watches us both, her amber eyes tracking the exchange like she’s witnessing a battle she’s seen before. The resignation in her expression cuts deeper than Zion’s accusations.
“This isn’t about Lila.” The name tastes strange now, disconnected from the obsession that once consumed me. “This is about Siena’s safety.”
“Is it?” Zion counters, moving subtly closer to her. “Or is it about control? About making sure she stays dependent on you now that you’ve finally decided she’s worth your full attention?”
The words strike with precision, finding vulnerabilities I thought well–hidden.
Outside, thunder rumbles in the distance, echoing the storm building within these walls. The subtle shift in Siena’s scent- approval of Zion’s words–sends a jolt of panic through me.
“You forget yourself.” Fighting to maintain control, to keep my wolf from lunging at his throat. “And you forget our agreement.”
Zion’s expression hardens. “What agreement would that be?”
“That she was off–limits!” The words emerge through gritted teeth, my vision tinged with red at the edges.
Siena stiffens beside him, her scent spiking with shock and outrage. “Excuse me?”
Zion laughs, the sound lacking humor. “That pact was broken the moment you pulled that false alarm, Raiden.
“You made a pact about me?” Siena’s voice rises, drawing both our attention. Her eyes shimmer with fury, pupils dilating as her wolf responds to her emotions. “Like I was some territory to be divided?”
“It wasn’t like that.” The explanation sounds weak even to my own ears. “We were trying to avoid conflict within the pack.” “By deciding my fate without my knowledge.” Her words drip with contempt, each one a lash against already raw skin.” How noble of you both.”
“Siena-” Reaching for her, needing to bridge this sudden chasm.
She steps back, closer to Zion. “Don’t. I need space from… this.” Her gesture encompasses me, the office, perhaps her entire relationship to the pack.
Zion’s expression holds a mixture of concern for her and poorly concealed triumph directed at me. “I’ll walk you out.” “You’re not taking her anywhere.” The alpha command slips out before I can stop it, power rippling through the room, rattling the windows in their frames.
Siena’s head snaps up, eyes flashing with defiance. “I go where I choose, with whom I choose. Your command has no power over me!”
The reminder stings.
#Chapter
05 The
“Siena, please” Modulating my voice, stripping it of command “We need
“I’m done talking.”
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