“What the hell are you doing? Quit joking around!”
The clink of crystal glasses and low murmur of the guests at the banquet filled the space, but at this moment all I can hear is the raw anger in his throat.
He didn’t believe me. Of course he didn’t.
I had given up my life, my identity for his enefit, for the benefit of Silverfang Pack.
He didn’t see this coming because he didn’t see me..
“Raiden, this isn’t the time to make a scene.”
“We have an agreement Siena. You do as you’re told.”
“But You have a date Raiden,” I smiled at Lila, who stood as the closet silent observer to the great King’s plight. “You’re not alone are you? You never have been.”
The last words sting me in a place I didnn’t know still excited. The place deep inside my sould that still allowed me to love him–depsite it all.
The message buzzes on the phone. Before I can blink an eye, I see Raiden’s Beta, Vaughn’s stride swiftly closing in.
He barely stops to bow before blutrting out the unthinkable.
“King, we just received a divorce agreetmnt…from the Luna.”
The spectacle at the King’s feet has begun to attract attention. The hall has fallen nearly silent, the merriment of expensive cocktails and champagnes has dulled into an eerie silence.
Raiden stiffened infront of me. “…Siena?”
The shock in his voice sends a stange, hollow pang through my chest, but I foce myself to stand tall, remain composed.
This is the ppath I have chosen.
“I wasn’t joking Raiden. This is the end.”
He looks down, says nothing. I see the implications of this dissolution ebtween us weighing heavily on his shoulders.
But, this is the path that he also has chosen. He one that never included me.
Lila, ever the actress, covered her mouth as if she too were somehow scandilzzed, “Oh no,” she murmured, “How… how could this be happening? Siena….why? Why do you want a divorce?”
“Raiden, I’m….I’m so sorry. Could it be….because of me?” Lila says.
I let out a cold humorous laugh. “Stop pretending Lila. You’re a grange actress. No one buys this act.”
“Siena? What… what do you mean?”
The tone of her sweet practiced victimization makes my skin crawl.
1/4
08:33 Sun, 20 Apr
Chapter 6
Breathe Siena. Don’t do it. Not here.
Not to be outdone, Lila turns to Raidne. “Raiden, look at her! She-
“Enough.”
Raiden’s command cuts through her objections, silencing her immediately.
He faces me. Our eyes are locked. For the first time in our marriage, it feels like we are the only two creatures in this world.
“We need to talk. Privately. Now.”
Before I can force out te remianderof my protest, he grabs my arm, pulling me toward the exit. The grip is firm, his trouch sears through my skin despite the coolness in the air.
The crowds part for us, their mururs liek hunting echoes of a love long lost.
“Are they really divoricng?”
“It’s so tacky…? I bet that Lila girl has something to do with it…”
“A real shame. They had poetntila, strength…”
I clench my jaw, keep my head held high and offer stiff, though polite smiles as needed. All behaviours practiced for the good of the Great Wolf King Raiden.
Raiden nods too, playing the role of dutiful and concerned King, but he can’t fool me. The fury he emits hits me in waves. Once we stepped outside, the cool nigt air warped around me like a cloak, carrying the crisp scent of pine and damp earth. The grand gardens stretched before us, bathed in silver moonlight.
