This is the light I dimmed with my reckless rejection.
But what twists the knife even further is the man sitting next to her.
He’s tall and broad–shouldered, with the kind of effortless charm that draws people in. His accent, when he speaks, is undeniably European, and his hand rests casually on the back of her chair as though it belongs there.
Horace bristles, a low growl rumbling in my chest before I can stop it.
Rationally, I know I have no right to feel this way. I forfeited any claim to her the moment I let her walk away. But the sight of another man so close to her ignites something primal in me, something possessive and territorial that I can’t quite suppress.
I force myself to move, weaving through the crowd until I’m close enough to catch bits of their
conversation.
“You’ve done incredible work abroad,” the European Alpha says, his voice smooth and admiring. “Your reputation precedes you, Siena. It’s no wonder so many packs are eager to collaborate with you.”
Siena smiles, a soft, genuine smile that makes my chest ache. “Thank you, Alaric. But it’s not just me. I’ve had incredible support along the way.”
I feel like an outsider, standing just a few feet away but completely removed from the world she’s built for
herself.
And then her eyes meet mine.
For a moment, her expression is unguarded, her amber eyes widening in surprise. I see the flicker of emotion there–shock, maybe even a hint of something softer–but it’s gone in an instant, replaced by the careful neutrality she perfected during our years together.
The irony isn’t lost on me.
“Raiden,” she says, her voice calm and measured. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
Her words are polite, but there’s a distance to them that feels like a knife to the heart.
“I heard you were back,” I manage, my voice low and steady despite the storm raging inside me. “I thought I’d come by.”
She nods, her expression unreadable. “Well, as you can see, I’m keeping busy.”
I glance at the group around her, at Rairity, who’s watching me with a mixture of curiosity and caution, and
at Alaric, who hasn’t moved his arm from the back of her chair.
“I can see that,” I say, my gaze returning to hers. “You look… well.”
It’s a weak statement, but it’s all I can manage.
“Thank you,” she replies, her tone cool but not unkind. “You do as well.”
The conversation feels stilted, awkward in a way that makes Horace itch with frustration. I want to say so
1/2
Chapter 13.3
+25 BONUS
much more, to apologize, to explain, to tell her how much I’ve changed, but the words stick in my throat.
Instead, I nod toward Rairity. “I see Rairity been keeping you updated.”
“She has,” Siena says. “It’s been good to hear about Windhowl’s progress. You’ve done well.”
There’s no malice in her words, no bitterness, but the formality of her tone is worse than anger. It’s as though she’s speaking to a stranger, not the man she once called her mate.
“Most of the progress is thanks to your ideas,” I admit, my voice quieter now. “I should have listened to you sooner.”
Her expression flickers for a moment, something unreadable passing across her face, but she doesn’t respond.
The silence stretches between us, heavy and oppressive, until Alaric finally speaks. “Shall we get another round of drinks?” he asks, his voice cutting through the tension. Siena looks at him, her smile returning as she nods. “That sounds like a good idea.”
I watch as they stand, Horace growling softly in my mind as Alaric places a hand on the small of her back.
She doesn’t look back at me as they walk away.
I remain rooted to the spot, the noise of the bar fading into the background as I watch her disappear into the crowd. The ache in my chest is almost unbearable, but I don’t move.
This is the reality I created. This is the price of my mistakes.
And as much as it hurts, I know I deserve every moment of it.
2/2
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
