Chapter 35

Sienna’s POV

I made an announcement for a pack-wide gathering at the square for the next morning, spending the evening after the devastation with Lucius and Asher, discussing a range of things.

We’d talked all about Julian, brainstorming different ways to take him down, set him up in such a way he could never talk his way out of anything.

Lucius was still all for raiding Nightfall, but in the aftermath of the fire, it wouldn’t be a good look.

I had no idea where I’d be without Lucius, because he was sending in people from his pack to help cleanup the mess in the square, going as far as to commission them to begin the rebuilding, too.

A team had already come out, clearing the square enough for the mornings meeting.

Which is where I found myself right then, on my way to the square, Asher and Lucius at either side of me.

The remaining people in Nightwind were all there, looking grief-stricken and sick, the bags under their eyes prominent just like they were on my own face.

Mia was there too, lounging at the back of the square, a sore thumb amongst the crowd. She didn’t belong in Nightwind.

“Hi everyone,” I said, doing my best to keep my voice steady. I had to present a strong front, and with Asher and Lucius at my side, I felt a bit closer to stable.

The crowd was silent, their sad gazes trained on me, waiting for reassurance.

“As you can see, we’ve already begun cleanup with plans to rebuild as soon as the area is cleared.” I motioned to the rubble behind me without looking towards it.

Asher spoke up next to me, his voice booming over the crowd with a lot more positive energy than mine. “We want to assure you that everything that was destroyed will be rebuilt as quickly as possible. We’re here to help.”

The crowd was still quiet, so Asher continued.

“As for the loss of life we suffered…” His voice caught in his throat, teetering dangerously on the edge of instability.

Lucius took over, commanding respect. “We will be honoring them in Blackmoon within the next few days.”

“We will find and prosecute whoever did this,” I followed up after Lucius. “Don’t hesitate to contact me or Asher, as well as Lucius, with any questions or concerns about how this will move forward.”

I let my words sink in before continuing.

“I am truly sorry this happened.”

The sadness wafting off the crowd was undeniable, and they began to disperse, no one uttering a word. A few gathered by the rubble, their sobs audible from where I stood.

My heart clenched in my chest.

Asher’s arm wrapped around my shoulder, his comfort instant. I sank against him, my eyes landing on Mia as she strolled through the scattering crowd.

“So, miss pack leader,” Mia cooed, peering back at the rubble. “No answers for your community on how this happened?”

“I said we’re figuring that out,” I replied, crossing my arms over my chest, my guard going up.

“If you had actual security measures in place, maybe it wouldn’t have happened. Or did one of your residents start the fire?” Mia laughed robotically. “That’s possible too.”

“Are you aware that Nightwind is the poorest pack of them all?” My eyes narrowed, and Mia nodded.

“Oh I’m extremely aware. It looks like your parents didn’t do the best job to make it profitable, did they?” Mia crossed her arms right back at me.

That was a step too far, and I was about to lash out when Asher grabbed my shoulder, pulling me back.

“Mia,” he said sternly, stepping forward so he was between the two of us. “The attitude is really unnecessary.”

“I’m just observing, like I was sent to do.”

“In my opinion, you’re treating this whole thing as though you’re heartless,” Lucius pointed out, clearly tired of her like the rest of us were.

“Heartless?” Mia gasped, throwing her hand to her chest. “How could you say such a thing?” Her words dripped with sarcasm.

Oh my god, I hated her guts. She was only here to cause problems.

“You act like you forgot that I was thrown into this because my parents were murdered.” It was everything I could do not to snarl at her.

“I absolutely didn’t forget that,” Mia said innocently. “But I’m not here to feel sorry for you. I’m here to evaluate your performance.”

“Months after my parents were killed. That seems unfair.”

The tension was heating up, permeating the air around us. Lucius and Asher were growing more uncomfortable too, and I sensed they were about to step in.

“In the end, you have to put the pack first, and you’re not doing that. You’re fumbling it,” Mia accused, jabbing a finger towards me.

I wanted to reach out and break that dainty little finger of hers.

“I don’t believe your tactics are very helpful,” Lucius said cooly. “It almost seems like you have something against Sienna.”

“All of the Elder’s do. She’s young and doesn’t know what she’s doing,” Mia scoffed, acting like I wasn’t right there in front of her, hearing every word.

“She’s doing a stellar job for the amount she was left to deal with,” Asher growled, and I could feel him twitching with rage next to me.

That’s what Mia wanted, though. A reaction. A response.

We couldn’t give her that.

“I don’t agree,” Mia shrugged, tossing her stupidly glossy hair over her shoulder. “And unfortunately I’ll have to report that to the Elder’s.”

“You know what,” I laughed bitterly. “Tell them what you will. I really don’t need your approval.”

“But you need theirs,” she said in a singsong, making my blood boil.

“I have important things to deal with,” I muttered, brushing past her and heading for the path. Behind me, Asher mumbled something to her, but I couldn’t hear what.

Nor did I really care.

I just wanted to get as much distance between us as possible.

“Sienna.” Lucius voice caught my attention as he jogged to catch up to me.

“She is infuriating,” I said for only his ears, and he nodded.

“She’s a lot, I know. We all know she’s just looking for a reaction, and you’re smart to walk away.”

His approval meant a lot to me, pride blooming in my chest.

We took a few steps further into the clearing to make sure we were out of earshot, heading for the path that led home.

My gaze darted back to Asher, who still stood with Mia. Lucius followed my attention, the hint of sad in his eyes.

“Don’t worry about those two. He’d be a fool to harbor any feelings for her.” I wanted to believe what Lucius said, but it was awfully hard to.

“You can’t erase the past,” I murmured, tearing my gaze from them, refusing to analyze how close they stood or how her hand rested on his upper arm.

“But you can forge a new future,” Lucius said back, his eyes on mine.

“He’s divorcing me in a few months. There is no future.” I wouldn’t let that hope rear up in me again.

“I believe there is.” Lucius squeezed my shoulder, walking away before the conversation could continue.

I glanced to Asher once more, turning my back a moment later and strolling back to the Alpha house alone.