Chapter 23

Sienna’s POV

A week had passed since the Alpha Ball, yet the emotions were just as strong as they had been from the very moment I first found out the truth.

I’d tried to put some focus into Nightwind before letting myself become consumed with the idea of unveiling the traitors that supposedly lurked somewhere in my pack — and likely many others.

After the mess that had happened with Julian at the Ball, I thought more people might turn in my favor. It was disappointing to see that things were, mostly, the same as they had been before that, even though so many Luna’s and others in the crowd had vocalized their support for me.

What did I really expect though? For all those people to come skipping into my pack, offering their support and money?

No, of course not. But it seemed that whole mortifying event had been swept under the rug, already forgotten.

I was set to meet with Lucius at Blackwood within the hour, and Asher was going to walk with me over there. We’d been unfortunately distant since the Ball, to no surprise, with the way our relationship ebbed and flowed.

Asher had been weirdly absent over the last few days, claiming he was busy with his own responsibilities, though shared no details about what exactly those were.

This would be the first time in a while that we’d have some quality time together, and it made my heart race.

The front door closed softly as Asher arrived back just in time to walk with me.

“Hi,” I said softly, stepping out from my room. “You’re here.”

He smiled slightly, the edges of his lips curling up. “I wasn’t going to leave you to walk alone over there.”

I strolled to the door, stepping out into the sun with Asher in tow.

“How are you?” he asked once we were on the path out of Nightwind, waving to a few townspeople milling around outside.

“I could definitely be better,” I sighed, feeling the need to be open with him. I couldn’t be that way with anyone else lately.

“How about you explain?” he said with a smile, his shoulder brushing playfully against mine. Deep down, I really did long for his touch.

I wasn’t going to let him know that, though.

“All of that stuff that happened with Julian - it’s just radio silence. No word from him or anyone else. No support, nothing.”

“I know.” I could see Asher wince from my peripheral. “It’s surprising. I expected more, too.”

All I could do was shrug, annoyed at the fact that a sob was building in my throat.

“Maybe it’s silent support,” Asher said gently. “What he did was not okay.”

“Lucius and I are going to discuss some ideas on how to bring him down.” I looked to Asher, suddenly feeling the need to have him around for that meeting. “Would you stay?”

“You want me at the meeting?” He was clearly surprised at my request.

“We’re in this together. At least, for now.” Because, of course, I had to remind myself that we were divorcing in a matter of months.

I hadn’t really thought what that would mean for me and Nightwind, because it was a little too scary to think about. For now, I was still safe in my position, and that was what I clung to.

“Of course I’ll be there,” he nodded to me as Blackmoon came into sight ahead.

I reached out and squeezed his hand in thanks, the sad thought hitting me that this wouldn’t be possible in a few months. The ache of longing it sent through me was devastating.

We arrived at the boundary of Blackmoon, one of the guards leading us through to Lucius’ headquarters. There he sat, lounged on a large leather couch, awaiting our arrival.

“Sienna! Asher!” Lucius beamed, standing to greet us. “Welcome back.”

“Good to see you, Lucius,” Asher smiled, taking a seat on one of the couches across from him. I took my place at his side.

“Thank you for seeing me, Lucius.” My smile was tight, stress gnawing away at me still.

“No need for such formalities,” Lucius chuckled. “We’re all friends here. Sienna.” His tone turned serious, his eyes falling slightly. “I am sorry for what happened to you at the Ball.”

I tensed, and Asher’s arm snaked around me, resting on my shoulders, something he always did when he knew I was nervous.

“It wasn’t very pleasant,” I said with a clearing of my throat. “And I’d like to see some sort of reprimand for Julian’s behavior. Surely I’d have been punished quite quickly if the tables were turned.”

“Julian holds a lot of power,” Lucius winced, leaning forward towards us. “But not as much as I have.”

I met Lucius’ stone gaze, realizing just how furious he was about what happened at the Ball. Finally, someone who actually cared.

Someone who might actually be able to do something about it.

“What are you thinking?” I leaned closer to him too, my elbows resting on my knees.

“I truly believe Julian is losing his mental clarity. He’s becoming obsessed with the idea of absorbing Nightwind — so much so that he is underperforming in a multitude of ways.” Lucius grinned, though it didn’t reach his eyes.

“So,” he continued on, “we strike there first. Weaken him by taking away things that help build his power.”

“Are you thinking of pulling some of the partnerships he has?” Asher cut in, his brows furrowed in thought.

“Exactly. We all rely on our partnerships for success. But what if Julian isn’t capable of running them anymore?” Lucius beamed, his eyes glinting with mischief.

“How are we supposed to convince some of his longest standing partnerships to abandon him?” I asked, nerves building in my system.

“No one wants to support a leader that’s cracking at the seams,” Lucius answered, and Asher nodded next to me. “So I’m going to outbid him.”

“And that’s only the first step, right?” Asher appeared lost in thought, too.

“Right. We crack the foundation further, turning his behavior against him. All of this, in time, will lead to us taking over his pack with the idea that he’s not fit to run it.”

“Sounds like what he’s been doing to me,” I muttered, unable to keep the bitterness out of my voice.

“It’s exactly what he’s doing to you, but the difference is that you aren’t losing your mind.” Lucius chuckled, and I couldn’t help but think how wrong he was about that.

I was just better at hiding it than Julian, perhaps.

“He’s drowning himself in his obsession with more power,” Asher observed. “And that will be his downfall.”

“With his behavior at the Ball still fresh, we’ll have even more of an impact,” Lucius added, looking confident about all of this.

“So what do I need to do?” I spoke up, meeting Lucius eyes.

“Sit tight, and let me handle this part. You need to have no obvious involvement in this — if it looks like you’re retaliating in any way, he’ll find some way to use that against you.”

That couldn’t be any more true. One misstep on my part and Julian would be all over it.

“Focus on your pack, Sienna. I’m watching out for you — and I’ll keep you involved.” Lucius winked at me, and like always, a wave of butterflies passed over me.

“We both are,” Asher added in, brushing his thumb over my fingers.

“But, Sienna,” Lucius began, the seriousness in his tone quickly catching my attention. “This will involve you being on somewhat good terms with Julian.”

Now that did not sit well with me at all.