It’s strange, standing on the outskirts of something I helped create.
The gathering is one of the traditions I revitalized during my leadership, a celebration meant to bring the pack together beneath the silver glow of the full moon. Watching the pack members now–dancing, laughing, living–I feel a quiet sense of pride.
I helped build this.
The thought brings a flicker of contentment, ra. proof that my efforts weren’t in vain.
Successfully unlocked!
ingili all the same. Their happiness, their unity–it’s
Windhowl has thrived, even in my absence. Maybe because of it.
Ioan against a tron at thn adan of the alaarina
mu
nem nenaand no I wentnh tha ann an unfold The music is lively the
#Chapter 78 Jaculty
rhythm infectious, but I don’t move to join them. This isn’t my place anymore.
“Your legacy here remains strong” comes a quiet voice beside me.
I stiffen, my wolf immediately perking up at the familiar scent of pine and midnight. He’s so silent in his approach that I didn’t hear him coming, but now he stands beside me, his presence as steady and unyielding as ever.
I glance at him, my expression carefully composed. “I didn’t hear you.”
Kaiden’s eyes are on the pack, his gaze soft as he watches the dancers. “You’ve done good work,” he says, his voice low.” They deserved good leadership*
His words stir something complicated in me. There’s genuine admiration in his tone, but it’s laced with regret, a recognition of the ways he failed to support me
“They did deserve good leadership” I reply simply. “Something I tried to provide despite the circumstances.”
The subtle bite in my words isn’t lost on him. He flinches slightly, his jaw tightening, but he doesn’t argue. Instead, he nods, e quiet acknowledgment of the truth.
For a moment, we stand in silence, the weight of our shared history hanging between us.
received your divorce papers,” Raiden says carefully, his voice breaking the stillness. “From the courts.”
I turn to look at him fully now, my brow furrowing. There’s something in his tone, something that makes my chest tighten. “You never signed them,” he continues, his midnight eyes meeting mine.
I sigh softly, turning my gaze back to the clearing. “Legal formality after spiritual severance,” I say, my tone even. “I’ll complete them before returning abroad.”
der’s face remains carefully neutral, but I catch the flicker of pain in his eyes, the way his shoulders tense at my casual ressal of what remains between us.
“is that all it is to you?” he asks quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. “A formality?”
I glance at him out of the corner of my eye, my heart twisting at the vulnerability etched into his features.
“It has to be.” I say simply, the words tasting bitter even as I speak them. “Besides, old habits die hard as they say.”
Raiden exhales slowly, his hands curling into fists at his sides. “I never wanted this,” he says, his voice low and raw. “I never wanted us to end this way.”
“And yet here we are” I reply, my tone sharper than I intend. “I fear that all these years, wahnt had little to do with it.” The pain in his eyes deepens, and for a moment, I hate myself for causing it. But then I remember the nights I spent alone, the years I spent fighting for a bond he refused to acknowledge, and the bitterness rises again.
“We can’t change the past, Raiden,” I say, my voice softer now. “What’s done is done.”
He steps closer, his presence overwhelming even in the open air. “I know I failed you,” he says, his voice trembling slightly.” I know I didn’t see you, didn’t value you the way I should have. But I see it now, Siena. I see everything I lost.”
3 swallow hard, my composure threatening to crack. “It’s too late,” I whisper, more to myself than to him.
Is it?” he presses, his voice filled with quiet desperation.
i meet his gaze, my amber eyes locking with his midnight ones. “Yes, Raiden,” I say firmly. “It is.” hope you find peaceRaiden, I say, my voice steady despite the ache in my chest. “I really do.”
He nods slowly, his expression unreadable. “And I hope you find happiness,” he replies.
The sincerity in his voice cuts through me, but i don’t let it show. I turn and walk away, leaving him standing alone beneath the silver light of the moon
My wall whines softly, but I ignore her focusing on the steady rhythm of my footsteps as I move toward the edge of the clearing
I can feel his eyes on me as I go, but i don’t look back.