Alpha's Regret After She Kneels

(Raiden's POV)

The final unity challenge begins with a ceremonial acknowledgment of pack bonds, a tradition steeped in symbolism.noveldrama

The gathered packs watch from the grand arena, their eyes sharp, their judgment palpable. As Siena and I stand together before the council of judges, the weight of their stares presses down on me, yet it's not their scrutiny that unsettles me most.

It's her.

Siena stands beside me, her posture straight, her chin held high, her amber eyes steady as they sweep across the crowd. Even after everything, she commands respect effortlessly. She doesn't need to demand it—it's given freely, drawn to her like moths to a flame.

Once, I might have attributed that to her beauty, or dismissed it as mere luck. But now, as I watch her, I see it for what it truly is.

It's her strength. Her resilience. It's the way she's carried herself through years of rejection, of whispers, of being overlooked and dismissed—not just by others but by me.

The realization twists something deep in my chest.

I glance down at the speech in my hand, the one I carefully crafted to highlight Silverfang's dominance, to frame us as the strongest, most capable pack in the region. The words suddenly feel hollow, meaningless compared to the genuine passion Siena exudes even in silence.

When it's my turn to speak, I force myself to deliver the lines, my voice steady, my tone commanding.

"For generations, the northern territories have stood as pillars of strength in our world," I announce, scanning the faces before me. "Today, we strengthen those pillars through unity and common purpose."

The crowd listens, nodding in approval, but the words feel empty in my mouth.

These aren't my words-they're carefully crafted phrases from the council's speechwriters, designed to present the illusion of partnership while obscuring the reality of our strained negotiations.

"Together, we will face the threats that loom on our borders," I continue, each syllable perfect and empty. "Our combined resources will ensure prosperity for all our citizens. This is the dawn of a new era."

I step back, the requisite applause washing over me like a wave I can't feel. My gaze finds Siena's for just a moment, and something passes between us—a flicker of understanding, perhaps. She knows these aren't my words. She always could see through me.

And then it's Siena's turn.

She steps forward, shoulders squared, the silver emblem of Windhowl catching the light as she moves. The crowd hushes in anticipation.

"My father once told me," she begins, her voice clear and confident, "that a pack is not defined by its territory, but by the bonds between its members. Windhowl has been tested-by nature, by circumstance, by those who doubted our resilience."

Her eyes briefly meet mine before continuing to sweep the gathered crowd.

"We have lost, We have grieved. We have rebuilt, she says, each word carrying the weight of truth. "When the mountain storms destroyed our easter settlements, you didn't just rebuild houses-you strengthened them. When the trading routes were blocked, you didn't just find new paths-you forged better ones."

A murmur of agreement ripples through the audience. I watch as she connects with them in a way I never could, despite years of training in rhetoric and public speaking.

The sincerity in her voice pierces through the diplomatic veneer of the event. This isn't a performance for her—it's a declaration of beliefs she actually holds.

"Windhowl will bring to this alliance our innovation, our determination, and our unwavering loyalty," she says, her voice rising with

conviction. "And we expect the same in return. Not just in written O agreements, but in actions. In trust. In respect."

That last word lands between us like a challenge. The crowd erupts in approval, many rising to their feet.

Even members of my own delegation are nodding, captivated by her authenticity.

As the applause thunders around us, I realize what makes her so different from me-she leads from a place of truth, while I've been taught to lead from a place of strategy.

And in this moment, watching her command the room without a single rehearsed line, I'm not sure which approach is truly stronger.

For years, I told myself she wasn't enough. That she wasn't strong enough, smart enough, worthy enough to stand by my side. But now, as I watch her command the attention of an entire arena, I feel the full force of my own blindness.

When she finishes, the applause is thunderous. My chest tightens as I realize that her words—not mine-are what will linger in the minds of the judges. Then come the questions.

One of the judges a stern-faced woman with piercing gray eyes-addresses us directly. "Given the persistent rumors of estrangement between you two, how can we trust in your ability to lead together? Unity starts at the top, after all.”