I inhale sharply, allowing the sting of his words to do their bidding. “I am not a liar, Alpha!”
Raiden shakes his head; his patience is visibly fraying. My pleas fall on deaf ears and a dead heart.
Dead to me.
“You expect me to believe this farce? This little show that you so delicately conspired…against me?”
“Raiden? Conspire—”
“Enough, Seina!” he growls, the flash of familiar orange in his eyes enough to stifle any more protest that threatened to be made whole.
“I’ve poured more money into your pack than I care to admit, Siena. You know as well as I do that your father has spent every cent I’ve given him! And now, he sends you here, to gravel on your knees, making another scene —Because of Lilaa?
He thinks I’m jealous! He thinks I’m making a play for his affections!
My chest tightens painfully. I’m running out of time. “Raiden, if you ever trusted me, if you ever had—”
Love for me.
His phone buzzes in his pocket. He doesn’t even glance at it before stepping back. “I won’t entertain any more of this circus. Take the money, Siena, or don’t. But I will warn you only once. Do not ever lie to me.”
My phone explodes once more. Raiden’s eye catches mine for just a moment, long enough to suggest I’ve overstayed my welcome.
I press the phone to my ear; my skin prickles with chill, my body vibrating against the inevitable tragedy that hunts without
remorse.
“Siena,” Rickard pauses, takes a breath.
“…If you want to say your goodbye, come now.”
The world shrinks around me. I can’t breathe.
Then, without a second thought, I turn and run.
Raiden doesn’t stop me.
(Raiden’s POV)
She just ran.
Just like that, she was gone.
08:33 Sun, 20 Apr 53
Chapter 2
Watching her sleek form move through the dim shadows of the hospital corridor, my gut twists over on itself.
She didn’t even look back. Not once.
Exhaling sharply, I run a hand through my hair. The irritation that gnaws at my insides makes no sense.
There is no safety between me and the Luna, no….no love.
It’s a harsh reality, but I have given all that I am prepared to. Though curiosity burns just enough to have me question myself.
Was I wrong? Is she telling me the truth?
63%
Turning toward the bed, I remember Lila, her delicate features creased now with a worry that does not concern her. “Do…do you think she might actually be in some kind of trouble, Raiden?”
Lila has no love for Luna, but she does adore their game of cat and mouse. One day, it could prove fatal, but until then, the she–wolves may do as they please; they are of no consequence to me.
“Trouble?” I snort in detrition, but the word rattles around in my head, an unwelcome echo.
“Siena’s always in some kind of trouble.”
Lila lets go, a cackle that prickles my skin.
Why?
“She always was jealous. This necklace, I know she—”
“Enough,” I growl, unable to control the fury that brews like poisonous honey in my belly. “I will not spend the rest of my night brooding over the affairs of Sianna or her pack.”
The silence hit the room like a brick wall. The air inside was dead, save for the glowing embers of my discontent.
“You know she’ll be back, Raiden; she always comes back. Always wants.”
I cannot bring myself to respond. Lila isn’t wrong – Siena’s father squandered much of my wealth on luxuries he couldn’t afford. After Siena became my wife, the demand only grew.
Once upon a time, I had given and given until one day, I saw the truth.
They would never stop asking.
Never stop taking.
And Siena? She had played the part of the frugal, dutiful Luna, but I knew better.
She wanted my attention.
That’s all this is.
A desperate plot to keep my eyes on her, my attention loyal to her whims, her expenses.
I will not do your bidding, Siena. Not now, not ever.
Pushing aside the doubt in my chest, I force a smile at Lila.
“She’ll be fine. There was no emergency.” I say.
08:33 Sun, 20 Apr
Chapter 2
…Was there?
