The sight of Siena and Zion in intimate conversation at dawn had unleashed something primal and possessive in me
Horace growls low, pacing inside me, claws taking against the edges of my control. She is ours”
But I shove the instinct down, clenching my jaw until the tension spreads through my body.
I’ve spent years denying that bond, convincing myself that choosing Lila was the right decision–for the pack, for stability. for everything that mattered.
But that brief moment, watching Siena’s face solten as she spoke to Zion, the light in her eyes as he listened with rapr attention, stirred something I had buried deep
Focus
1 stride into the competition committee meeting, my expression unreadable, posture rigid.
Alphas and betas from the surrounding packs murmur softly as they take their seats. Lila is already there, flashing me a tight smile as 1 sit beside her. I nod, but my mind is elsewhere–still trapped in the echo of Siena’s laughter and the easy camaraderie she’d shared with Zion.
Traitor.
“Raiden.” Lila’s voice snaps me back, and I realize I’ve missed part of the discussion.
“We were discussing modifying the next trial,” Beta Marcus says, his gaze assessing as if he’s already noted “Lila suggested focusing more on raw strength for the upcoming phase.”
my
distraction
Lila shifts closer, her hand brushing against my knee under the table. Her touch used to calm me. Now, it feels like a leash tightening around my throat.
“Strength alone isn’t a true measure of leadership,” I say before I can stop myself. My voice is calm, but I feel the subtle shift in the room. Eyes narrow, sensing the change in my stance.
Lila’s smile falters. “But brute force-”
alliances. The second trial should
“Brute force,” I cut her off, keeping my tone neutral, “won’t secure our borders or forge allia reflect the reality of leading a pack. Strategy. Diplomacy. Adaptability.”
Lila’s fingers tighten on my leg, her nails just barely digging into my skin. But I don’t look at her. I feel the weight of the other Alphas watching, considering.
“She is no Luna!” Horace growls violelty,a and this time it takes more strength than i have to push him away.
“Very well,” Marcus says slowly, his eyes flickering between me and Lila. “We’ll proceed with the territorial negotiation challenge
The decision is final, and I sense the tension in Lila’s body as the meeting moves forward. I barely register the rest of the discussions. My mind is already drifting back to Siena.
Diplomatic negotiation with authorities.
Siena’s strength has never been in brute force. It’s in her mind. Her and outmaneuver even the most seasoned opponents. This trial plays to her strengths.
ler strategy. Her ability to read a room, anticipate outcomes,
Chapter 44
Why does that unsettle me?
The meeting ends, and I’m barely aware of 1ils trailing beside me as we leave. The cool air hits me like a slap, but it does nothing to clear the fog clouding my thoughts
over
“You’re distracted,” Lila murmurs, her voice softer now, almost coaxing. She turns to me, her fingers brushing my jaw “You’ve been different since the competition started.”
“Just stay focused I say, but even I don’t believe the words
On her
1 freeze
Lila’s eyes are sharp, gleaming in the moonlight as she studies me. “It’s her, isn’t it? Siena. You’ve been watching her “She’s a competitor
Lala’s lips curve into a smile, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “You were never this concerned with her before Her fingers trail down TITY chest, her touch designed to distract, to remind me of what I chose. “Don’t let her get in your head. Raiden. She’s manipulating you.”
“She’s not
“Then prove it.” Her voice is velvet and steel. “Stay away from her.
Stay away,
It’s what I should do. What I’ve done for years. And yet-
