Alpha's Regret After She Kneels novel Chapter 5

(Raiden's POV)

“Check for any unusual activity out of Windhowl.”

Those were the orders i gave to my guards. The sun goddess has been long risen, and still not a word.

She can’t have disappeared.

Right?

It’s not as if I need her…I …

“Alpha?”

The knock on my office door thruts me back into the reality I’m being faced with.

“Vaughn, come in. Report.”

“Nothing Alpha. My apologies, but as strange as it seems, there is no sign of Luna Siena at Windhowl, or any moevemt for that matter. The houses are cold, broken down…the wolves look…”

“Like What?”

“...There’s whisper that Siena’s causing trouble again, just like she always has.”

Vaighn sits back, studies me. Waits patiently for a response.

Everyone knows how deeply she loves me—or so they think. He probably thinks that Siena wants attention.

Maybe she does.

Ours is a political marriage, one creftaed fo statues, not love, that much is true. Even if our relationship is strained, we must still uphold apprecenaces for the media and the shareholders in Silverfang Pack.

Those terms are non-negotiable. No matter what she will return.

She must…right?

My patience is fraying. Took much twin on very little spindle. I’m about to snap. The minutes tick by faster and faster. Laughing at me with every second that goes by.

Forcing myself to ignore the irritation that still clicks and nips at my heels, I feel a gentle hand on my shoulder.

Lila.

“Alpha, sorry to interrupt. The car has arrived.” Lila says.

Her perfectly curled blonde locks shimmer under the chandelier lights. Her lips pull into a sweet, rehearsed pout.

“What if Siena is planning to arrive later?” she muses, her voice tender, concerned. “Without you by her side, there’ s no way she will be permitted to enter. The security is tight. I arranged it myself.”

“Alpha, packs will notice. Thye’ll be asking questions. Especially…”

I fall in silence.

“Alpha? The car is ready,” Vaughn pushes.

Tonight marks the opening ceremony of The Summit of Alphas. I need a date to accompany me. Since Siena isn’t here, I have only one choice.

I turn to Lila, who has already dressed up beautifully.

When I agree to take her as my date, she looks so happy that she’s nearly brought to tears.

As our car pulls up, the flashing cameras bulbs ensue. I am furious; how am I expected to smile as if…

As if I haven’t lost—

“Smile, Raiden!” Lila gently reminds us to step out of the car.

The bulbs flash, our names are claded this way and that.

My eyes search, but still, i do not seee her.

Siena is not here.

***

(Siena's POV)

The sun goddess had given way once again to its silvery counterpart, but not a moment has passed beyond the grief and duty that bound me by both hands.

The burden of Alpha Zeno’s affairs weighs heavily on my heart, but i try not to let it eat me alive.

I can’t.

What should traditional take weeks, I had done in a day. Debts paid, Markers paid, funeral planned. Every last detail was perfectly executed and…perfcetly quiet.

Raiden didn’t know, but I would be a fool to deny the sightings of his guard dogs. The reports flooded back, the whispers were becoming louder an dlouder.

The brutall whistle from a kettle, that carried only one name.

Raiden.

The rumors are like wildfire.

“I saw the Alpha shopping with Lila！”

“Have you seen that necklace? It’s worth more than my car!”