He takes her hand.
I could be drowning infront of him; he wouldn’t even notice.
“She’s lying,” I whisper, but my voice is lost breath’s whisper. “She’s manuipulating you Raiden.”
“Siena.” Raiden’s voice is harp, a razor- like warning. “Enough.”
Lila clutches his arm, her eyes filling with tears. “I..I don’t mean to cause trouble,” she whines, shaking her patheiect little head. “I know Siena is upset. I know she could never have wanted to hurt me. She proably thinks I’m trying to take ehr place.”
Her lower lip trembles.
“I would never,” she maes a tiny gasp of air, forcing her chest to heave.
Raiden exhales, rubbing his temple as if this conversation exhausts him. “You always do this Siena,” he mutters.
He says, “Twist things. Make yourself teh victim. You hut Lial and now you come here and ask me for money?”
I close my eyes. I hate him. I should argue back, I should fght. But I am tired. “Please Raiden, I –”
“Fine.”
The word stuns me; a greater assault than if he’d thrown me hide first back out in the rain.
The look on Lila’s face assures me, she too didn’t see this coming. Raiden stiffens, studies me.
“But not before you appologieze.”
There it is, the condition.
“Raiden-” I inhale asharply.
40.32 Sun, 20 API
Chapter 1
ཊཱི 63%
“Not just any apology,” Lila interupts. Her voice is as sweet as honey but her eyes are wicked, sharp. There is nothing but coldness in her heart. “A real one. Get on you knees.”
My breah catches in my throat. I turn to Raiden, waiting for him to object. I am Luna, this … this cannot bbe allowed!
He says nothing. He looks down, away. As if the only way I can exist is by the grace of the ex–mate he holds so dear.
The last of my hope withered. I started at him, searching for the boy I once loved. The boy who had told me that mates should be loyal, that love was sacred.
That boy is long dead.
In his place, is a man who has never loved me. Who never will.
The image of my father, helpless, crosses my mind.
I sense Riaden stiffen again. He ahdn’t expected me to do it.
“Forget it, Lila. She’s too proud and stubborn. She’s always so arrogant – that’s why she hurt you. Do you really think she’d ever kneel and apologize to you?“Raidn says.
“If you’re not willing to apologize, then leave…”
But none of that is true; I am desperate.
I must yield…For my pack, for my father…!
Bowing my head, my voice is low but clear. “…Lila, I am sorry.”
Silence falls over the room.
Raiden is staring at me, I feel his eyes, but I do not return the gaze.
Slowly, I lowered myself.
The prospect of my dying pack releases my knee.
Perhaps he expected me to walk away, to go wild and lose control. But dignity, pride or a loose tongue will not save a pack; nor will it put food on the table of my brothers.
Raiden’s shocked gaze can’t be hidden.
“…Please give me money.” I really kneeled down.
