Chapter 16

—Sienna’s POV—

Julian was going to pay, and I knew exactly how.

My anger was threatening to overflow, tainting my decision making. Without my wolf, though, it was a lot more muted.

He knows about my wolf, I thought to myself, terrified not even beginning to describe how I was feeling.

Julian was my biggest threat in more than just one way now. My secret aside, he’d touched me without my consent. Attacked me.

I wasn’t his for the taking.

For my retaliation, I had to be more strategic than I’d ever been. Now was the perfect moment to seize an opportunity.

With Lucius on my side, I couldn’t possibly lose this.

“I’m just going to come out and say it. I think we should join forces and take down Julian’s pack.”

Lucius brows went up in surprise, a beat of hesitation crossing his face. “Is this because of what happened…”

“Not just that,” I said quickly, giving a little shake of my head. “It goes deeper than that.”

“Care to explain?” Lucius leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest like I did when I was serious.

Asher had stepped up behind me, his presence obvious from his scent.

And the feel of his eyes boring into my back.

“I’m not sure you’re aware of just how arrogant a man Julian is,” I started, ready to plead my case. “He’s been hounding after Asher and I ever since I rejected him.”

The way I put it made it sound lighter than it really was.

“He’s desperate to mate me solely to take over my pack. There are no good intentions in his heart, and I believe he’s extremely prone to self-sabotage because of it. In fact, his condition has only continued to deteriorate since I chose Asher instead.”

“It’s true,” Asher said softly from behind me, refraining from touching me. “He’s a lunatic.”

“Especially after what just happened,” I winced, still feeling Julian’s rough hands running all over me.

“So you want to…take over his pack? Break it apart?” Lucius pondered.

“Julian would use any means necessary to expand his own pack. He’s not safe, nor can he be trusted.” My head was starting to pound, all of the events in the last hour settling on me.

Anger was quickly becoming exhaustion.

“So yes - we take over his pack, take the power from him. Turn him into nothing.”

Lucius chuckled, and my heart sank a little. “Sienna, you do realize you’re only the Alpha of a small pack, right?”

“Well, yes. And?” My eyebrows shot up. Why did that matter?

“Small packs most definitely cannot take over one of the largest packs around.”

“I wasn’t asking to do it alone,” I countered, a twinkle in my eye. From behind me, Asher stifled a laugh, too.

“Of course, you’re asking to do it together.” Lucius nodded, leaning forward on his elbows, his chin resting in his palm.

“It would benefit you a whole lot,” I urged him to say yes. “I don’t want to do it for the power - I want to do it because Julian doesn’t deserve that title.”

“Quite impressive,” Lucius started to grin, and my hopes shot up. “I admire your ambition - you’re young and far braver than I expected.”

His eyes locked onto mine, the hairs on my arms rising in response.

“I’ll take the deal,” he affirmed, giving me a quick wink.

My heart soared.

“Thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.” We shook hands, and he stood, running his fingers through his rustled hair.

“Let’s have you come to Blackmoon to discuss soon.” He paused for a moment. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

All I could do was nod, my words caught in my throat.

Lucius left, finally leaving me alone with Asher. I knew he was wondering about my attitude, but I wasn’t in the mood to discuss it.

So I turned to him, determined to take control of the conversation. “How did you know Lucius was going to come?”

He couldn’t hide the wince that crossed his face. Obviously, he didn’t want to talk about it.

Too bad, I muttered.

“Did you arrive here with Lucius, too?” I crossed my arms over my chest, and he knew I was serious.

“Sienna…” he trailed off, looking defeated. “Lucius and I have a bit of a past - nothing crazy, but, I helped him once, long ago, and he owed me a favor.”

Ah, a favor. That’s what I was.

But he used it on me…

For a moment, I didn’t say anything, the air becoming stale in my lungs.

I let out a long sigh, rubbing the bridge of my nose. “Thank you for doing that for me.”

Even though a part of it stung - that Lucius may not have even thought twice about me otherwise - what mattered was that Asher had done it.

“Is there anything I can do for you?” I asked softly, trying not to let his scent absolutely consume me.

I could see in his eyes that there was something he wanted.

He looked up and stared at me for a moment so long that sweat broke out on my temples.

“I want a divorce in six months,” he said, and my heart unexpectedly shattered.

What?

I’d been hit my a speeding train, my bones separated from my body. I could have sworn my heart shriveled up on the spot.

But why did it do that? From the start, this was never real.

Yet here I was, hurting. Stunned by his words.

Wishing they weren’t true.

“Oh, I - ” I quickly pulled myself together. “Okay.”

I couldn’t bring myself to ask why. Part of me was aching to know, and the other part was too scared to hear the truth.

Was it Mia?

That’s what I wanted to ask most, only I didn’t. I don’t know what I’d expected from him, really.

To waste his time on me forever? To actually care for me?

Asher cocked an eyebrow, curious as to why I wasn’t pressing the subject. It was better - safer - for me to just distance myself now, for real.

He was never mine to keep.

“So, we need to attend the Alpha Ball,” I said, pushing back all the swelling emotions over Asher’s request.

He was almost gaping at me, shocked at my behavior.

Good, maybe he’s hurting too.

I continued before he could say anything else. “You’ll need some presentable suits - the Lycan King will be there.”

“That’s…it?” Asher finally said. “You don’t want to ask why I want a divorce in six months?”

Before I could open my mouth, he added more.

“Do you even care?”

I couldn’t help but wince. Of course I cared - maybe a little too much.

“It’s your business,” I said quietly, averting my eyes from him. I didn’t want to get into it - refused to be hurt any further.

He blinked rapidly a few times, and I wondered if he was actually forcing back tears. Whatever his reason was, he probably wouldn’t tell me the whole truth anyway.

He was shrouded in mystery as it was.

“Guess I’m just completely unattractive to you then.” Asher muttered it to himself, speaking it loud enough for me to hear still.

“Asher - ” I tried to reach out and stop him from turning and walking away, but he was already gone.

Damn you, Asher Blake. What are you doing to me?