She smiles brightly, oblivious or uncaring toward my obvious agitation, and settles gracefully into a chair near the window
“Good morning, Raiden, she purrs sofily, her voice smooth and confident. “Breakfast is ready downstairs. I’ve made sure we’re seated together.”
I nod curtly, rising stilly and following her down to the dining hall. The scent of coffee and freshly baked pastries mingles enticingly in the bustling room, yet my appetite remains non–existent.
Around us, pack members chatter quietly, their voices blending into an indistinct murmur.
Lila immediately launches into a discussion about wedding preparations–color schemes, invitations, guest lists–all things 1 have no memory of agreeing to. Her voice grates sharply against my frayed nerves, irritation prickling beneath my skin.
“We haven’t even discussed marriage,” I interrupt abruptly, my voice harsher than intended. Conversations around us falter briefly at my sharp tone, eyes flickering curiously toward us.
Lila’s beautiful face momentarily falters, surprise shadowing her features before she recovers quickly, her practiced smile returning flawlessly. “But we will be together once you end things with Siena, won’t we?” she murmurs softly, her voice carefully sweet. Her fingers trace the mating mark on her neck–that mark that should have been impossible if Siena truly was my mate.
My wolf snarls sharply, his discomfort surging violently, claws scraping beneath my skin like an unwelcome conscience. “She is falsel
Something about that mark has always unsettled me–an unease I’ve stubbornly ignored for far too long. My jaw tightens sharply as I meet her expectant gaze.
“Nothing is guaranteed,” I reply coldly, watching her smile falter again, hurt flickering briefly across her lovely face.
I feel a pang of irritation and confusion. My gaze instinctively seeks Siena across the crowded dining hall.
That is where I find it–peace.
She’s seated with her warriors, Rairity at her side, their heads bent close over some quiet discussion.
My heart twists sharply, unfamiliar emotions stirring restlessly inside me, emotions I stubbornly refuse to name
Is this love?
“Raiden?” Lila prompts softly, her voice tinged with impatience, drawing my attention reluctantly back to her. “Are you even listening?”
“Thave other things on my mind,” I respond tersely, irritation clear in my tone.
Her eyes narrow slightly, displeasure flickering briefly in their depths before she carefully masks it behind another practiced smile. “Of course you do, she murmurs sweetly, her tone faintly sarcastic. “You’ve been distracted since yesterday’s competition. Siena seems to have made quite the impression.
My fists tighten slightly beneath the table, irritation sharpening the edge of my voice. “Careful, Lila.”
She smiles knowingly, leaning forward slightly, voice lowering conspiratorially. “You may deny it to yourself. Raiden, but I see how you look at her. Jealousy suits you poorly.”
My jaw clenches painfully, my wolf snarling furiously beneath my skin at her mocking tone. “Enough, I snap harshly,
–
Chapter 39
“I
startling nearby pack members into sudden silence. I am your Alpha King. This conversation is inappropriate
Lila recoils slightly, startled by my sudden anger, yet her expression quickly hardens. Her lovely face twists momentarily with hurt before smoothing back into practiced neutrality. “As you wish, Alpha King,” she murmurs icily
I stand abruptly, pushing away from the table, unable to tolerate her presence for another moment
Without another word. I stride toward the exit, my heart pounding furiously, my wolf pating restlessly inside me.
I pass Siena’s table, my gaze involuntarily flickers toward her again, our eyes meeting briefly.
Her eyes widen slightly, startled by my intensity, and a faint blush colors her pale cheeks. My chest tightens sharply. catching the vulnerability flickering briefly in her face before she quickly masks it, swiftly turning her attention back to Rairity.
I step outside quickly, cool morning air washing softly over me, soothing yet unable to ease the restless ache deep within. I close my eyes tightly, breathing deeply, struggling to regain control of my turbulent emotions.
“Raiden.” Zion’s voice behind me is quiet yet firm, his footsteps approaching slowly and deliberately.
1 turn sharply, irritation flaring instantly at the sight of him. “What do you want?” I growl harshly
He stops a short distance away, his dark eyes steady and unwavering. “I want to talk sense into you.” he says calmly. You’re throwing away the best thing that’s ever happened to you.”
Anger surges violently, and possessiveness snarls fiercely within me. “Stay away from Siena,” I warn dangerously, my voice
low and lethal
Zion shakes his head slowly, expression faintly pitying. “You can’t have it both ways, Raiden. You can’t reject her repeatedly, yet expect her loyalty forever. She deserves more.”
Pain twists sharply in my chest, yet pride and stubbornness refuse to let me acknowledge it openly. “She’s still mine, I growl fiercely.
Zion regards me silently for a long moment before sighing quietly, resignation shadowing his gaze. “Then perhaps you should start with making a decision. Before you lose her entirely
Is that a threat?
He turns abruptly, retreating quietly back inside, leaving me standing alone beneath the pale morning sunlight, heart pounding furiously.
Horace whines mournfully. Zion’s words echoing painfully inside me
Could he be right? Am I truly risking losing Siena forever, blinded by pride and bitterness?
Is this not what’s best?
I close my eyes tightly, confusion churning relentlessly within me.
Yet stubborn pride whispers insistently–one clever moment, one display of compassion, doesn’t erase years of suspicion and mistrust.
How can I ever truly trust her again?
And as the morning sun rises higher, I remain trapped, isolated by my own stubbornness, unable or perhaps unwilling–to reclaim what my heart aches desperately to have.
