Chapter 8 Fake Marriage Contract

（Raiden‘s POV) What a ridiculous idea — treating marriage as transaction. Who does she think she is? I have never been plagued by such absurdities. Love, devotion—these things should be earned, not bought. And yet, here I am, standing in the middle of a grand banquet, staring at the undeniable proof taht Siena sees me as nothing more than a means to an end. Her words still echo in my mind, clar as if she’d spoken them to my face. [One million dollars per day.] ...That’s thirty million ove the course of three months! She has established a price on herself, as if love, as if our history, as if I could be bartered and sold. I can only take comfort in the idea of being right all along. The shock is passing, but it’s leaving behind something far worse—disgust. I see her for what she truly is—a gold digger like her miserable father Alpha Zeno. What kind of woman, of Luna, values wealth over loyalty, money preferred to love? It’s no secret Zeno gave her everything, raised her in the same sorts of indulgence as he enjoyed. She is privileged, had never wanted for anything a day in her life. Clenching my fists, my jaw i straight as I watch her cross the room. The only thing that seems remotely redeemable about her is that she still loves me—doesn’t she? Even if her methods are as twisted as obtuse, maybe this is all a desperate attempt to reclaim my attention. TO make me see her. Try as she might; her plan is faulty. It won’t work. Not as long as hot blodd runs through my veins will I let her break me. Beside me, Lila notices the shift in my expression. Always so precerptive, so observant. She titlsts her head slightly, a silent questions in her eyes. “Forgiev me, Lila “ I murmur, relaizing how distracted I must seem. “I’ve been so neglectful this evening.” "It's nothing, Raiden. You know, as long as I stand by your side, I'm satisfied." Lila says shyly. [I hate her.] My wolf says. [Shut off.] I say. Lila was my fated mate… ex-fated mate. I met her only after I had already married Siena and made her my chosen mate in a political union. Wolves always chase after their fated mates—but I already had a luna. Naturally, I rejected Lila. Yet, she never resented me for it. She worked hard. Out of guilt, I made her my Delta. Lila came from a poor background, something Siena always looked down on. Siena was insanely jealous of her, to the point of obsession, and that only made me lose respect for her. "Just let me stand by your side, Raiden..."Lila smiles, warm and understanding, as she loops her petite arm through mine. She is steady, kind, genuine—nothing like Siena. But strangely, my wolf despised her. …Perhaps there is a disgraceful side to me as well. Lila is a good she-wolf, but I never considered making her my Luna in the past. Every time I thinked about it, I remember the way Siena cried—and it gives me a terrible headache. As we move through the banquet, greeting guest and dodging whispers, the murmurs of the guest still roar fiercely in the background. The weight of her eyes bore into my back. “...Why isn’t the King with his Luna, but some lowly commoner girl?” “Shh, keep your voice down. That’s the delta the Kingchose…” Let them talk, I gnore them. It’s not as if their opinions concern me. But Siena—she does. Against my better juedegemnt, I can’t push her from my mind. Lila, ever the considerate one, overhears the whispers and feigns generosity. “Perhaps you should invite Siena to dance later, because this is the first dance.” she suggest lightly. Despit ethe event sof this night, Lila makes her suggestion sound so reasonable, so kind, so practical. But it only sharpens the conatsr between th two. Only shows me how Siena is lacking. ...Maybe it's time for me to make the final choice. “I’ll divorce her after the Summit.” I say to Lila. "I respect all your choices, Alpha King."Lila says. Lila’s smile barly falters, but ofr the briefest second something flashes inher eyes that I’ve eber seen before...Is it amusement? Satisfaction? But it must be my illusion. How could Lila be anything but pure? She's just a poor girl from a common background. "Excuse me." I let go of Lila and turn, scanning the room for Siena. I can't avoid her presence, but it’s as if the room sees a golden cloud that floats through the room. Standing at the edge of the room, beautiful as she always has ebeen. Watching everything, everyone. The Great Luna, Siena, at least tonight her outfit is desired to be a "luna". Watching me. She walksk toward me. I remain still; unmovable like the gret mountains of the old world. I let her come, let her step into the space between us. I let her look up to me with those eyes. “What are you still standing here for?” I say extending my hand. Her fingers trembleas they brush against mine, but she doens’t hesitate. Not once. Siena takes my hand, forcing a practiced smile on her lips. Her warmth and her scnet tingle my nerves. Leaning in, lowering my voice so only she can hear— “— One million dollars a day. I agree to toyur terms.” I say slowly, with the dance. We say onto the dance floor, very slowly and tightly. Then I add. I“After three months, we divorce ontime, and thrity million will be transferred to your account.” She says nothing, but her eyes fliscker. I, “Those are fair terms Siena. Do not fantaize further.” I don't know what I'm expecting, but I do know one thing—if this were the Siena of the past, she would be hurt right now. She would cry, accusing me of mocking love, of trampling on everything it should stand for. Then, without hesitation, she would reject this absurd fake marriage contract. The topic was cold and cruel. Yet, in the dance, our movements intertwined as if we were embracing. And finally, I heard her answer— “...Fine. I agree.” She says. （Siena's POV) It is an amicable end, it will serve the means to my end, and help my pack. It’s a clean cut, and precisely what I need. What we both need. Fianding a table and a glass of champagne, my phone buzzes uncermouniuoly. [From Rairity： Siena…alpha. Don’t be so absolute. Did you not love him for so many years? What if Raiden actually loves you, or falls for you before the end of this arrangement? Wouldn’t you wnat to stay with him then?] A bitter laugh escapes me before i can stop it. Love? That’s long dead, there is no way to rebrith soemthing so vile, marred with so many years fo toxicity. If Raiden ever loved me, he wouldn’t have spent all these years trying to prove otheriswe. And now? Now I can’t afford to dream anymore. [From Siena: I'll be fine. Thank you, Rairity.] [All I can do now is try not to love him anymore. For my survival and for Windhowl Pack.] Neither can afford to lose. It’s the only thing that mattes, that keeps my head up and feet marchikng forward. Glancing at the brightly lit villa behind me, it’s golden glow casting long shadows over pristine courtyard, i hear laughter an dmisic, the sound sof celebration that mock the death of my soul. My heart pounds, but i push down the hesitation that trheatens to take root. Then I see Raiden. His precsne is commanding, but he doesn’t have to try. He is sposied, relaxed, yet every muscle in his body hold peoire— The sharp lines of his face, angular, incticing to any female. The way his dark hair falls just slightly over his forehead, the way his lips press together as he listen inetntly to Lila. A prisoner. I’ve love him for more than ten years. ‘Wat are you still standing there for?” His voice is cold. “One million dollars a day,” He whispers in disdain. He extend his hand. The world titles as he leans in, his breath is warm against my skin ear. “ I agree to your terms.” “After three months, we divorce ontime, and thrity million will be transferred to your account.” The pain in my heart and the howl of my wolf nearly drowned out his words. But I endured it all, forcing a smile—even though, in the embrace of our dance, he couldn’t see it. “...Fine.” Finally, I say. “I agree.” "Let’s begin this marriage built on nothing but money." The tears were held. I just smile. "I am your loveless, pretend Luna wife From now on."