Chapter 51

— Sienna’s POV —

Asher was walking up to me like I was the only woman on the entire earth, and that terrified me.

I knew we needed to talk, but it was like fate got in the way every single time in the form of some other problem that tore our attention from that discussion. And every time that happened, it really felt intentional, like it was protecting me.

It really might have been for the best.

There was one opportunity to control the conversation with Asher before it could crumble into exactly what I didn’t want it to be, so I took it.

“Have you seen Julian since the attack?” I asked, feigning concern.

“No,” Asher said, dismissal in his tone, and I was terrified he was going to waltz right along into whatever it was that he’d come to talk about.

He didn’t.

“That’s weird, right?” I crossed my arms over my chest, watching Asher’s eyes flicker down to them and back up.

“Well, yes. Has anyone checked Nightfall itself?”

That was the obvious question, and something I’d already checked on.

“He’s not there.” As I said it, a chill ran through me. Something must have happened to him.

“Do you think…” Asher paused, his eyes meeting mine. “The rogues took him?”

It wasn’t impossible. In fact, it was a smart play by the rogues.

“I do.” I nodded, letting out a sigh.

“And that’s our problem?” Asher’s brows shot up on his head, and I knew exactly what he was thinking.

Isn’t this what we wanted?

For Julian to be out of the picture? A problem, now deleted. It was the easiest possible solution, one that had absolutely nothing to do with me.

“I’m not so sure it is.” I couldn’t help but smile a little, and it only spread when I saw the corners of Asher’s lips curling upward too.

For a moment, Asher just looks at me, his mouth opening to say something else, something that makes my heart beat in a really irregular way.

And then Mia walks up. Beautiful, perfect little Mia.

The irritation is plain on my face, because I don’t care to hide it.

“Mia,” I sighed, not bothering to keep the annoyance out of my words.

“Glad to see you’re alright, Sienna,” Mia smiled so innocently at me, and I really, truly hated her with all of my being.

I’d been lucky. Really lucky.

I couldn’t stop thinking that. Lucius had saved my life, and the thought of him being dead because of me still haunted me to my core.

“So,” Mia’s smooth voice pulled me from those thoughts. “How did this happen?”

She looked at me like I had something to do with it, and I couldn’t help but balk.

“What are you implying?” My defensiveness got the best of me, the flash of glee in Mia’s eyes confirming that she was trying to work me up entirely on purpose.

“I didn’t imply anything,” she smirked back, her eyes flitting briefly to Asher. Lingering just a little too long for my liking.

What does my liking even matter? There was that sour voice in my head that loved to pop up the second I thought anything warm about Asher.

“Ladies,” Asher said, stepping up to us, ready to mediate. He then focused on Mia. “Is there something we can help you with?”

Mia looked mildly offended at his question, which made me a little smug.

That’s right. He doesn’t treat you like a queen like you think you deserve.

“Actually, I had some things to talk to Sienna about.”

“What things?” My words were monotone, saturated with the lack of amusement.

“I know we touched on this before, but I’m concerned when it comes to the lack of security here.” Mia sighed, like this was her biggest problem in the world, and hers alone.

“Does this really need to be discussed right now, after everything that just happened is still so fresh?” Asher pressed gently, but Mia didn’t budge. Her gaze stayed trained on me, unwavering.

“You’re not concerned about Blackmoon getting raided like that? What, is Lucius not on the line like I am?” My arms tightened against my chest, eyes narrowing to slits.

“Lucius isn’t who I was sent to watch,” Mia shrugged, my blood slowly boiling hotter. “”What happens to him isn’t my concern at all.”

“But if the most powerful pack leader can be infiltrated, how do you expect me to compare? Seems like an unfair expectation.” I raised an eyebrow, challenging her.

Never a good idea, Sienna.

“You can’t compare yourself to someone much more successful than you. The fact it happened to him means you need to try even harder, doesn’t it?” She sounded so condescending, like she had any idea what running a pack was like.

“How is it fair for someone like you to judge me?” The two of us couldn’t help but bicker — it sat waiting in our veins.

“Because it’s my job.” The way she sugar-coated every word sent me right over the edge, my teeth clenching.

Why can’t Asher step in and say something? Anything?

“My job, might I remind you, is to observe.” She let her words hang in the air for a long moment as she met my eyes with her emerald green ones. “And something else I’ve observed is you and Lucius.”

“What, that I have a friend?” I scoffed, staring her down. “I’m sorry, is that not allowed? Does that make me incapable of my position?”

“That’s not just friendship, darling,” she grinned, her eyes flashing with the threat of mischief.

Asher was painfully silent, and I couldn’t even bring myself to look in his direction. This was a topic we’d both skillfully avoided over the past while.

“Uh, yes, it is. If you weren’t aware, I’m married.” I couldn’t stop the chill that glazed over my words.

“What? You are?” She gasped in mock surprise, and my jaw tightened even further. Then she smiled, her gaze cutting into me like the sharpest dagger. “I would never have guessed.”

“Mia…” Asher sighed, giving a shake of his head. “Not now.”

“I just don’t think it’s fair that she’s flirting with him.” Mia doesn’t even spare Asher a glance, and the hairs on the back of my neck rise.

If my wold was awake, or here at all, it would absolutely have something to say right now.

“Aren’t you going to deny it?” Mia asked, her voice up an entire octave from how she normally spoke. She did that when she was trying to piss me off even more.

“My friends aren’t your business, and I think you’re overstepping.” My fingers brushed against my phone in my pocket, hoping I hit the record button the way I’d mapped out.

“Your leadership is my business, and that requires a loyal marriage to thrive.”

Oh my god, she insufferable.

“I’m not interested in Lucius!” I nearly shouted, reaching the point of beyond exasperated.

Asher’s lack of interjection only irritated me more, my nails digging into the soft flesh of my palms.

I couldn’t do this anymore. I needed space, and I needed it now.

“I have other things to do,” I muttered, turning on my heel and leaving them both behind me, Mia smirking like she knew she won, and Asher staring sadly at the ground.