Chapter 6 Refuse It

(Siena's POV) “What the hell are you doing? Quit joking around!” The clink of crystal glasses and low murmur of the guests at the banquet filled the space, but at this moment all I can hear is the raw anger in his throat. He didn’t believe me. Of course he didn’t. I had given up my life, my identity for his enefit, for the benefit of Silverfang Pack. He didn’t see this coming because he didn’t see me.. “Raiden, this isn’t the time to make a scene.” “We have an agreement Siena. You do as you’re told.” “But You have a date Raiden,” I smiled at Lila, who stood as the closet silent observer to the great King’s plight. “You’re not alone are you? YOu never have been.” The last words sting me in a place I didnn’t know still excited. The place deep inside my sould that still allowed me to love him—depsite it all. The message buzzes on the phone. Before I can blink an eye, I see Raiden's Beta, Vaughn’s stride swiftly closing in. He barely stops to bow before blutrting out the unthinkable. “King, we just received a divorce agreetmnt…from the Luna.” The spectacle at the King’s feet has begun to attract attention. The hall has fallen nearly silent, the merriment of expensive cocktails and champagnes has dulled into an eerie silence. “.......” Raiden stiffened infront of me. “…Siena?” The shock in his voice sends a stange, hollow pang through my chest, but I foce myself to stand tall, remain composed. This is the ppath I have chosen. “I wasn’t joking Raiden. This is the end.” He looks down, says nothing. I see the implications of this dissolution ebtween us weighing heavily on his shoulders. But, this is the path that he also has chosen. He one that never included me. Lila, ever the actress, covered her mouth as if she too were somehow scandilzzed, “Oh no,” she murmured, “How… how could this be happening? Siena…why? Why do you want a divorce?” “Raiden, I’m…I’m so sorry. Could it be…because of me?” Lila says. I let out a cold humorous laugh. “Stop pretending Lila. You’re a grange actress. No one buys this act.” “Siena? What…what do you mean?” The tone of her sweet practiced victimization makes my skin crawl. Breathe Siena. Don’t do it. Not here. Not to be outdone, Lila turns to Raidne. “Raiden, look at her! She—” “Enough.” Raiden’s command cuts through her objections, silencing her immediately. He faces me. Our eyes are locked. For the first time in our marriage, it feels like we are the only two creatures in this world. “We need to talk. Privately. Now.” Before I can force out te remianderof my protest, he grabs my arm, pulling me toward the exit. The grip is firm, his trouch sears through my skin despite the coolness in the air. The crowds part for us, their mururs liek hunting echoes of a love long lost. “Are they really divoricng?” “It’s so tacky…? I bet that Lila girl has something to do with it…” “A real shame. They had poetntila, strength…” I clench my jaw, keep my head held high and offer stiff, though polite smiles as needed. All behaviours practiced for the good of the Great Wolf King Raiden. Raiden nods too, playing the role of dutiful and concerned King, but he can’t fool me. The fury he emits hits me in waves. Once we stepped outside, the cool nigt air warped around me like a cloak, carrying the crisp scent of pine and damp earth. The grand gardens stretched before us, bathed in silver moonlight. It was breathtaking—rows of trimmed rose buses lining the cobblestone paths,burts of wildflowers swaying gently in the breeze. A marble fountainstdning in its center, water trickling softly, a sound that I used to find so soothing. “...Now Let's talk about this.” The moon is full, casting its shadows over the world below, over Raiden. “This had been a long time coming, you know that as well as I raiden. We are not fit for a marraige like we have.” I reply. “Thats’ noncsese! This entire union was made precisely because of the enfits.” Once upon a time, under this very same sky, we had been young and unburneded, running through the gardens like the wind itself. Back then, before duty and expectation had hardened him, Raiden was different. We were different. I watching him, “Raiden, Let's end it.” I close my eyes for a brief moment, the memories flooding back—his laughter, the way he suede to chase me through these very hedges, the way he once smiled at me and made me feel like I was in an entire world. The way he now looks at Lila. “Is this jealousy Siena? Is this over a necklace?” Raiden looks like totally confused, “I gave you what you wanted, Again!” Those dyas are long gone, nothing more than ghosts in therel moonlight. “Raiden, I have wasted so much time, so many yeras, cahsing afer a love that never was! What else is there left for me to do? You have your circle of comforts…I’m sire you will shoulder the storm with warmth that I cannot give you. He releases my arm, as if the very touch of my skin burns him. Stepping back as if he couldn’t stand to be near me. The pain is suffoctaing. Sallow it down Siena. Don’t let him see you cry. My heart clenches, not inlonging, but in bitter regret. What a fool I have been. Every ounce of my sould, poured into this marriage, into him. “You don’t need to act so repulsed. You touched me of your own free will.” I. He scoffs, looks away and tucks his handkerchief into the breast pocket of his satin jacket. “This has has nothing to do with love. It nave has. We are a political union! Do you notunderstand what that means Siena? What you are doing is playing with fire.” I remain siilnet, reminding myself to breathe. Though fury is what lashes out at me, some emotion discontent is better than the void that usually exists between us. Raiden says,“Is it attentionyou want? Are you outof your mind?” “The repercussions will be grand, Siena.” He steps closer, he steps closer. The smell of pine and something dark and smoky curls around me. “You’re being reckless.”He says. I shoot back."But none of this matters anymore, does it? When you first became Alpha King, the marriage between Silverfang and Windhowl was meant to solidify your rule. Now, you've achieved that, and as promised, you've given Windhowl your support. This marriage holds no meaning anymore, Raiden." His jaw tighteens, his eyes burning into me as if he could will me to back donw. I can’t. I won’t. “...You really think you can just walk away?” Raiden asks. “I am taking control over my life Raiden,” I take a breath, talk to him “I am the acting Alpha of Windhowl now. I don’t need to betied to you. This marriage, as you say, was never built on love. So let us end this farce!” He didn’t say another word. He just stared at me. Enough years have passed, and we’ve never been able to look at each other this calmly… But today, it all comes to an end. I say. “I’ll said you the official papers one the lawyer review them. And the council ofcourse. Make you sign them, the last thing you need is a very public mess Raiden. Lila would like that.” "Happy divorce, My King." I turn to leave, my heart is hammering wildly against my ribs. But to my surprise, a hand grabbed my wrist. I turn my head in surprise and see Raiden pressing his lips together. He locks his gaze on me and says, “I…I will not.” “What?” I ask. “I say,” Raiden says, " — I will not sign your divorce papers.”