How many times did I make her feel small, unworthy, insignificant?
A knock at the door pulls me from my spiraling thoughts.
“Come in,” I call, my wire rough.
The door opens, and Zion steps inside.
her a failure when she didn’t meet my expectations?
His expression is serious, his dark eyes locking onto mine immediately. He doesn’t bother with pleasantries, and something about his demeanor puts me on edge.
“I need to talk to you about Siena,” he says, his tone calm but resolute.
My muscles tense instinctively. “What about her?”
Zion hesitates for a fraction of a second, just long enough for me to notice, and then he straightens, his shoulders squared.
“I intend to court her after your divorce is finalized”
The words hit me like a punch to the gut.
For a second. I can’t breathe.
“You can’t,” I say, the words out of my mouth before I even realize I’m speaking. My voice is sharp, almost a growl.
Zion raises an eyebrow, unimpressed by my reaction. “Why not?”
“She’s still my mate,” I snap. The words feel hollow even as I say them, but they’re the only defense I have,
Zion’s lips curl into something that isn’t quite a smile. It’s more like a challenge, and it pisses me off. “Is she?” he asks, his tone cutting. “Because from where I’m standing, it doesn’t seem like you’ve treated her like one.”
His words land like blows, each one harder to deflect than the last. I open my mouth to argue, but he doesn’t give me the
chance.
“You’ve made your feelings clear, Raiden. You rejected her. You chose someone else. You’ve spent years acting like she doesn’t matter, and now you want to claim her? You can’t have it both ways”
He’s right. I know he’s right. But that doesn’t stop the surge of anger bubbling up inside me.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say, my voice dangerously low.
Zion doesn’t flinch. “Don’t I? I’ve watched her, Raiden. I’ve seen how hard she’s worked to hold Windhowl together while you’ve been busy playing house with Lila. She deserves better than that. She deserves someone who actually values her.”
“Stay out of this,” I snap, rising to my feet. My hands are clenched into fists at my sides, and I have to fight the urge to lash out. “This has nothing to do with you”
“It has everything to do with me if I’m going to court her, Zion says, his voice steady. “And I will, unless you can give me a damn good reason why I shouldn’t?”
The challenge hangs in the air between us, heavy and suffocating. I don’t know what to say. I don’t know what I can say.
Because the truth is, I don’t have a good reason.
For years, I’ve told myself that Siena doesn’t matter. That she’s just an obligation, a mistake, a burden. And yet, the thought of her with someone else–someone who might actually make her happy–makes my chest ache in a way I can’t explain.
2/3
10-20 Mon, 21 Apr
Chapter 52
“You don’t understand.” I say finally, my voice quieter now.
“Then help me understand,” Zion counters. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re just trying to keep her on a leash. Like you want to punish her for not being what you wanted, but you don’t want anyone else to have her either. Not mention marking Lilah.”
His words cut deep, and I hate that they’re so close to the truth.
“I made mistakes,” I admit, the words tasting bitter on my tongue. “I misjudged her. I didn’t see I didn’t realize what she was going through”
“And now that you do?” Zion asks, his tone softer hut still firm.
I don’t have an answer.
The truth is, I don’t know what I want. Or maybe I do, but I’m too much of a coward to admit it.
Zion sighs, shaking his head. “Look, Raiden. I’m not trying to start a fight. I just think she deserves to be happy. And if you’re not going to be the one to give her that, then let someone else try.”
He turns to leave, but pauses at the door, glancing over his shoulder. “Figure out what you want, Raiden. Before it’s too late.”
The door closes behind him, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
I sink back into my chair, staring at the financial records still spread across my desk. The numbers blur together. meaningless.
Zion’s words echo in my mind: Either she matters to you, or she doesn’t.
The truth is, she does. She always has..
But I’ve spent so long convincing myself–and everyone else that she doesn’t, that I don’t know how to undo the damage
I’ve done.
I pick up my phone, scrolling through my contacts until I find her name. My thumb hovers over the call button, but I can’t bring myself to press it.
What would I even say?
I’m sorry!
It’s not enough. It will never be enough.
I set the phone down and bury my face in my hands.
For the first time in years. I feel truly lost.
