Lila’s smile barly falters, but off the briefest second something flashes inher eyes that I’ve eber seen before…Is it amusement? Satisfaction?
But it must be my illusion.
How could Lila be anything but pure? She’s just a poor girl from a common background.
“Excuse me.” I let go of Lila and turn, scanning the room for Siena.
I can’t avoid her presence, but it’s as if the room sees a golden cloud that floats through the room.
Standing at the edge of the room, beautiful as she always has ebeen. Watching everything, everyone.
The Great Luna, Siena, at least tonight her outfit is desired to be a “luna“.
Watching me.
She walksk toward me.
08:34 Sun, 20 Apr
Chapter 8
¥63%
+5
I remain still; unmovable like the gret mountains of the old world.
I let her come, let her step into the space between us. I let her look up to me with those eyes.
“What are you still standing here for?” I say extending my hand.
Her fingers trembleas they brush against mine, but she doens’t hesitate.
Not once.
Siena takes my hand, forcing a practiced smile on her lips. Her warmth and her scnet tingle my nerves.
Leaning in, lowering my voice so only she can hear-
“— One million dollars a day. I agree to toyur terms.”
I say slowly, with the dance.
We say onto the dance floor, very slowly and tightly. Then I add.
I“After three months, we divorce ontime, and thrity million will be transferred to your account.”
She says nothing, but her eyes fliscker.
1, “Those are fair terms Siena. Do not fantaize further.”
I don’t know what I’m expecting, but I do know one thing–if this were the Siena of the past, she would be hurt right now.
She would cry, accusing me of mocking love, of trampling on everything it should stand for. Then, without hesitation, she would reject this absurd fake marriage contract.
The topic was cold and cruel. Yet, in the dance, our movements intertwined as if we were embracing.
And finally, I heard her answer-
“…Fine. I agree.”
She says.
(Siena’s POV)
It is an amicable end, it will serve the means to my end, and help my pack. It’s a clean cut, and precisely what I need.
What we both need.
Fianding a table and a glass of champagne, my phone buzzes uncermouniuoly.
[From Rairity:
Siena….alpha. Don’t be so absolute. Did you not love him for so many years? What if Raiden actually loves you, or falls for you before the end of this arrangement? Wouldn’t you wnat to stay with him then?]
A bitter laugh escapes me before i can stop it.
Love? That’s long dead, there is no way to rebrith soemthing so vile, marred with so many years fo toxicity. If Raiden ever loved me, he wouldn’t have spent all these years trying to prove otheriswe.
And now? Now I can’t afford to dream anymore.
3/4
08:34 Sun, 20 Apr
Chapter 8
[From Siena:
I’ll be fine. Thank you, Rairity.]
[All I can do now is try not to love him anymore. For my survival and for Windhowl Pack.J
Neither can afford to lose. It’s the only thing that mattes, that keeps my head up and feet marchikng forward.
63%
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Glancing at the brightly lit villa behind me, it’s golden glow casting long shadows over pristine courtyard, i hear laughter an dmisic, the sound sof celebration that mock the death of my soul.
My heart pounds, but i push down the hesitation that treatens to take root.
Then I see Raiden.
His precsne is commanding, but he doesn’t have to try. He is sposied, relaxed, yet every muscle in his body hold peoire- The sharp lines of his face, angular, incticing to any female.
The way his dark hair falls just slightly over his forehead, the way his lips press together as he listen inetntly to Lila.
A prisoner.
I’ve love him for more than ten years.
‘Wat are you still standing there for?” His voice is cold.
“One million dollars a day,” He whispers in disdain.
He extend his hand. The world titles as he leans in, his breath is warm against my skin ear.
“I agree to your terms.”
“After three months, we divorce ontime, and thrity million will be transferred to your account.”
The pain in my heart and the howl of my wolf nearly drowned out his words. But I endured it all, forcing a smile–even though, in the embrace of our dance, he couldn’t see it.
“…Fine.” Finally, I say.
“I agree.”
“Let’s begin this marriage built on nothing but money.”
The tears were held. I just smile.
“I am your loveless, pretend Luna wife From now on.”
