Chapter 22 Sienna's POV
The next morning starts earlier than I’d like, mostly because Kael refuses to let me take the bus “when he’s right here.” I didn't argue.
I was too tired, not to mention I didn't wait to have to deal with anyone or anything dangerous. I was too busy to deal with any rogues.
Kael pulls up in front of the shop, engine humming low. “Text me if you need anything,” he says, drumming his fingers against the steering wheel like he’s trying to be casual. He’s terrible at casual.
“I will.” I nodded, biting down a smile. He was so cute.
“And I’ll be back by six. The furniture guys are coming, so I have to be home.” He clears his throat, looking straight ahead. “But I’ll be here. To pick you up.”
It shouldn’t make me feel anything. It does anyway. I shove the feeling down, grab my bag, and hop out of the car.
He wasn't interested in something like that with me. He had someone he still was in love with.
That didn't help with my feeling but I still fought it. Or at least tried to.
Today I have three clients, all back-to-back, so at least I won’t have time to spiral and overthink.
…….
By the time I started the third piece, a small butterfly piece requested by a college girl, I was in the zone.
Focused and calm and definitely not thinking about Kael
Then the doorbell chimed again.
I didn’t look up at first. My machine buzzed steadily in my hand, the needle dancing across soft skin. I wiped excess ink, continued shading.
Lucien.
“I come in peace!” he declared dramatically.
My client giggled.
I sighed and finally looked up. Lucien stood there holding an absurdly huge bouquet of roses, red, white, and pink, that looked like they belonged in a proposal scene. He was a little nervous.
“What the hell is that?” I asked.
“A peace offering,” he said, stepping forward and placing the flowers gently on the counter. “And an apology. A very sincere one.”
“You didn’t have to bring flowers,” I muttered.
“I absolutely did,” he insisted, leaning against the wall. “If I showed up with nothing, you’d have kicked me out.”
Well….
I finished the last few lines of the butterfly, cleaned the area, wrapped it, and sent my client off with aftercare instructions and a smile. Only once she left did I finally turn fully toward Lucien.
He looked genuinely troubled.
“I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “For everything that happened. For reporting Kael. For… all of it.”
I folded my arms. “Why did you do it?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “If I didn’t report what was happening, Ronan could have killed me. Or worse. You saw how close that was the other night.”
I breathed out slowly. I hated that he was right. I hated even more that Ronan held that kind of power over anyone.
Lucien glanced at the flowers and sighed. “I wasn’t trying to betray you. I thought you were in danger. A feral wolf in your house? I panicked.”
“He’s not feral,” I replied sharply.
“I know,” Lucien said. “Now I know. But that day… Sienna, you terrify me sometimes. You attract the craziest situations.”
I cracked a reluctant smile. “It’s not my fault.”
He shrugged. “I mean… is it not?”
I smacked his arm lightly and he grinned.
Then my chest tightened a little with guilt. “I’m sorry too,” I whispered. “For trying to use you to get information and forcing you to get drunk. And for being… well, me.”
He held up his hands. “No apology needed. I know how Ronan gets. You were desperate.”
We stood there in easy silence for a moment. It was an awkward moment because I had no idea what to say
He suddenly lit up. “Actually, since I’m here… I wanted to ask you something.”
I narrowed my eyes. “What?”
“A tattoo.” He pointed to his chest. “Right here. Something small but meaningful. And preferably not stupid. I trust your judgment.”
I laughed. “That’s dangerous. I may just decide on something stupid for the plot”
“You would never. You're to nice,” he said smugly.
I snorted. “Okay, well… something related to your wolf? Or freedom? Or the moon? Or something entirely different? You give me anything to work with?”
He shook his head dramatically. “Surprise me.”
I rolled my eyes. “Of course.”
We tossed ideas around while I cleaned up my station. I sketched a few designs, runes, a wolf silhouette, even a small constellation. Lucien actually liked them, which was rare. Usually he liked to pretend nothing impressed him.
I checked the clock.
3:55 p.m.
Almost time for Kael to pick me up.
I pulled out my phone and checked the messages.
Nothing.
No “I’m here.”
No “Just parked.”
The last text he sent was a picture of the couch in the middle of the room asking me where he should put it.
Weird.
I frowned.
Lucien saw the look instantly. “Waiting for someone?”
“He’s supposed to pick me up around four,” I said. “But he hasn’t texted.”
Lucien shrugged. “He’s probably still with the council.”
My heart stopped.
“What council?” I asked slowly.
He blinked at me. “You… didn’t know?”
“Lucien,” I said, stepping toward him. “What council?”
He winced. “The pack council. They summoned him today. Lone wolves get flagged for inspection sometimes. He has to prove he’s not rogue.”
I felt heat spike behind my eyes, sharp and violent.
“What do you mean flagged?” I hissed. “By who?”
Lucien hesitated.
I already knew.
Ronan.
Of course Ronan would do something like this. Of course he’d drag Kael into some political bullshit just to get control over him. To get control over me.
My vision blurred at the edges, fury replacing every rational thought.
Lucien swallowed. “He’ll be fine, Sienna. Lone wolves usually…”
“Usually what?” I snapped. “Usually get humiliated? Threatened? Hurt?”
He didn’t answer.
I grabbed my bag, slinging it over my shoulder with a force that made the strap smack loudly against my leg.
“Sienna…” Lucien reached for my arm.
“I’m done,” I said through gritted teeth. “I’m done with him pulling this shit.”
“What are you going to do?”
I gave him a cold smile. “Rip him a new one.”
Lucien blinked. “Ronan?”
“Yes, Ronan.” I grabbed my keys. “You’re taking me to him.”
He looked alarmed. “Sienna, I don’t think that’s…”
“I wasn’t asking.”
He stared at me for a long second, then sighed dramatically and picked up his keys.
“You know,” he muttered, following me to the door, “what you're about to do is really dangerous”
I rolled my eyes. “Relax. I’m not going to kill him. Probably.”
Lucien groaned. “I hate that I believe you.”
I locked up the shop, marched to his car, and threw myself into the passenger seat.
Lucien slid into the driver’s side and buckled his seatbelt like he was bracing for impact.
“Alright,” he muttered. “To the asshole’s lair we go.”
I stared out the window, jaw clenched so tightly it hurt.
Ronan better hope Kael was okay.
Because if he wasn’t…
I would rip him to shreds.