I stand rigidly at the starting line, the morning air crisp against my skin as sunlight filters gently through the trees.
Around us, murmurs of anticipation ripple softly through the gathered crowd, warriors and spectators alike waiting eagerly to see our performance.
My heart thuds unevenly in my chest, a strange nervousness tightening my muscles, leaving me oddly unsteady
I glance sideways, my gaze ummediately drawn to Siena as she steps toward me, a dark silk blindfold held delicately in her slender fingers
My wolf practically parts at her closeness, anticipation surging beneath my skin as she raises the blindfold toward my eyes.
I was the one who insisted we work together for this challenge, yet now the prospect of surrendering control to her seems daunting, my stomach twisting with apprehension. Still, stubborn pride keeps me silent, holding perfectly still as she reaches up to tie the fabric around my head:
Was this a mistake!
Her fingertips tremble slightly as they brush against my temples, her touch feather–light yet enough to send a sharp jolt of electricity racing through my veins
My breath catches unexpectedly, pulse quickening at the simple contact
I swallow hard, grateful that the blindfold hides at least some of my reaction from her watchful gaze.
“I won’t let you fall,” she promises softly, her voice gentle yet utterly sincere. The quiet strength in her tone catches me off guard, piercing sharply through my carefully built walls.
But you already have
Despite everything we’ve endured, despite years of mistrust and bitterness, I find myself believing her implicitly. My wolf rumbles approvingly, trusting her without question, even if my human side remains wary.
“I trust you,” I murmur quietly, my voice rougher than intended, betraying emotions I refuse to acknowledge fully
But do 11
She inhales softly, clearly startled by my admission, yet she says nothing more. Her hand briefly touches my arm, steadying me, grounding me, sending warmth spreading gently through my chest.
For a brief moment, I allow myself to savor the contact, memories of happier times flooding painfully yet sweetly through my mind.
Then, the starter’s whistle pierces sharply through the tense silence, signaling the beginning of our trial.
Instantly, Siena’s clear, calm voice guides me forward.
“Take three careful steps forward,” she instructs firmly, her voice confident and steady. I obey immediately, muscles tense yet trusting her directions completely. “Now duck–low obstacle ahead”
1 duck swiftly, feeling the breeze of the swinging obstacle narrowly miss my head. Relief and admiration surge powerfully
through me
Siena’s guidance is flawless, and her calm authority keeps panic completely at bay.
Chapter 11
We move slowly at first but quickly fund a chytlun, each instruction precise, each movement fluid, as though the years of separation between us never existed..
“Sharp right, two steps, Siena calls. “Now jun
I launch myself upward instantly, trusting her judgment completely. My feet laud solidly on the high platform, relief and exhilaration mingling sharply inside me.
With each obstacle we navigate together, something long dormant inside me begins stirring, awakening Bercely. Horace thrums delightedly within me, savoring the closeness, the harmony between us.
It won’t last, Horace–it can’t last.
“Perfect, she murmurs breathlessly, pride clear in her voice, making my heart swell unexpectedly. “Now drop down carefully, straight ahead.
Her voice never wavers, never falters, guiding me flawlessly through increasingly complex obstacles designed specifically to trip and disorient even the strongest wolves.
I feel no fear, no hesitation–only complete trust in Siena’s steady directions.
The final obstacle approaches swiftly, my heart pounding with adrenaline and something deeper, something emotional I refuse to name. “Sprint forward six strides, then leap high, she directs urgently. “I’ll be right behind you”
Without hesitation. I obey, sprinting blindly forward and then launching sharply upward. My fingers grip the high bar perfectly, and my muscles strain as I swing effortlessly across the final gap.
Landing solidly on the other side, I rip off the blindfold, exhilaration, and triumph bursting fiercely inside me.
Turning swiftly, my gaze seeks Siena instinctively
She stands breathlessly nearby, amber eyes wide and unguarded, filled with genuine pride and something far deeper- something that makes my heart stutter violently
For one utterly unguarded moment, the walls between us vanish entirely, years of pain and misunderstanding evaporating instantly beneath the power of that shared gaze.
Just for a second, nothing else mattered.
Without conscious thought, I reach for her hand, something important suddenly hovering urgently on the tip of my tongue. “Siena, 1
“Raiden! You were amazing!” Lila’s shrill voice shatters the fragile connection between us, slicing harshly through the tender
moment.
She rushes toward me eagerly, throwing herself possessively into my arms, wedgeing herslef between me and Siena Shock and irritation flare sharply, muscles stiffening involuntarily beneath her enthusiastic embrace.
Why are you like this?
Over Lila’s shoulder, my gaze locks helplessly onto Siena again, and my chest tightens as I see the raw hurt flash briefly across her delicate features before she quickly masks it behind practiced composure.
Her warm eyes shut instantly, walls slamming firmly back into place, leaving nothing but cold politeness behind.
Why am I this way!
She steps quietly back, expression carefully neutral now, yet I see clearly the fragile hope now shattered painfully within her
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Ibiz3 Mon, 21 Apr
Chapter 41
Guilt kuashes in my chest, Horace snarling furiously, howling mournfully at the loss of that precious moment between us, “You did this. Raiden! All of this is by your own hand!”
My fingers twitch involuntarily, desperate to reach for her, to recapture that
