18.Brandon’s POVSomething about Ivy’s relationship with Demi didn’t sit right with me.I noticed it when Demi started making them sit at our table during lunch, always keeping her tucked under his arm, right next to him, like she was some kind of accessory. And Ivy always sat there, stiff and silent, barely touching her food.The way her shoulders were always tense, like she was bracing herself for something. The way she flinched when Demi touched her, even when it was just a hand on her arm or a brush of his fingers against her neck.The way she never laughed anymore.Not that she was ever loud or outspoken before, but at least she used to exist in a space without looking like she wanted to disappear.And yet, week after week, she was still there. Sitting beside him. Quiet. Uncomfortable. Trapped.When I actually asked her about it, she tensed so fast, so obvious, like I’d just caught her off guard. Then came the hesitation, the brief flicker of something behind her eyes before she
19.Brandon's POV.The image of what Demi did to Ivy wasn't out of my head yet, and I hated it.I should have been happy that someone else was making Ivy’s life miserable. As a human, she deserved it. If anyone was going to make her life hell, it should be me and me alone.But somehow, watching Demi do it didn’t feel right. It pissed me off in a way I couldn’t explain, like someone was taking something that belonged to me. I had never been a fan of sharing.She hadn’t been the same since that night during dinner. Not that she had ever been confident around Demi, but it was worse now. She was constantly looking over her shoulder, barely speaking. She jumped at the smallest sounds, flinched when someone called her name too suddenly. It was pathetic. And it made it way too obvious that something was wrong.Even her Mom noticed.I had come down to the living room and saw Ivy. She sat there at the dining area with her Mom. They seemed to have been discussing something.Her fingers curled
20.Ivy's POV.I can’t do this.The thought circled in my head like a vulture as I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection.My face was pale, my lips pressed into a thin line, my eyes dull and tired. I barely recognized myself anymore.I had done exactly what Demi wanted.The lingerie was already on, delicate and lacy against my skin, hidden beneath my clothes. But it felt like a second layer of shame, wrapping itself around me, suffocating me.I ran my hands down my thighs, pressing out imaginary creases in my jeans, but the movement did nothing to ease the tightness in my chest. My stomach churned, and the thought of what I was about to do made my skin crawl.Then, as if on cue, my phone vibrated on the dresser. I swallowed hard, already knowing who it was.I picked it up, my hands clammy as I read the message.Demi: It’s finally the day.Demi: Don’t even think about chickening out.Demi: Unless you want your mother and the whole school to know what you’ve been up to.
21.Ivy's POV I sat frozen in my seat as Jackie’s words echoed in my head.Demi overdosed on Saturday. Reports have it that he’s brain dead.I blinked at her, my brain struggling to process the sentence. “What?”Jackie sighed, rubbing her temples. “I said—”“No, I heard you,” I cut in quickly, my voice sharper than I intended. “I just… I don’t believe it.”Jackie raised an eyebrow. “Why would I lie about something like this?”I had no answer to that.Before I could say anything else, the classroom door opened, and our teacher walked in. His usual serious expression was even graver than normal, his lips pressed into a thin line.“I have an announcement,” he said, setting his papers down on the desk. “And unfortunately, not a good one.”The class fell silent instantly.“Over the weekend, one of our students, Demi, was admitted to the hospital after an overdose,” he continued, his voice solemn. “And he is currently brain dead.”A murmur rippled through the room. Gasps and hushed whisper
Ivy's POV Brandon’s slow, deliberate clapping filled the room, each sharp sound making my stomach churn. He was smirking like he’d just won a game I didn’t even know I was playing. His eyes gleamed with satisfaction, with something dark and entertained, like he was savoring the moment.“Wow, Ivy,” he drawled, shaking his head with mock admiration. “Who would’ve thought? The prim and proper Ivy has this side to her.”My throat felt tight. My entire body was frozen in place, my pulse hammering so loudly in my ears that I barely registered my own shaky breaths. I didn’t want to look, I shouldn’t look, but my eyes betrayed me, flickering to the wall where it was all laid out.Photographs. Screenshots. Undeniable proof of what I had done.My secrets, my lies, my worst nightmares, taped up like some grotesque art exhibition for him to enjoy.I felt like I was going to throw up.Brandon took a slow step forward, his smirk widening as his sharp gaze traced every humiliating detail spread acr
23.Brandon's POV.As Ivy lost consciousness, I carried her up the stairs, adjusting her weight effortlessly in my arms. She was lighter than I expected, and her body was slack and warm against mine. Her head lolled slightly against my chest, and a faint sigh escaped her lips. Soft, almost content.Carefully, I laid her down on the bed, taking extra care as I pulled the blanket over her. And I stood there, staring down at her.Her face was peaceful, framed by dark waves of hair that fanned out over my arm. Her long lashes brushed against the curve of her cheek, and her lips. Christ, her lips, were parted just slightly, as if inviting something they weren’t even aware of.She looked different like this. Very peaceful.Just Ivy. Just a human.And I couldn’t look away.My pulse thrummed in my ears, an unfamiliar heat settling in my chest. I told myself it was nothing. Just an observation. But it didn't feel like nothing.I let my fingers brush against the soft strands of her hair, pushin
Ivy's POV.The party was perfect.With loud music pulsing through the house like a heartbeat, the air was thick with energy and the scent of sweat, perfume, and alcohol. People filled every available space. Amari had truly outdone herself, and I knew she was ecstatic about it. I should have been too. After all, I had helped plan this.But I wasn’t.Instead, I was stuck in my own head, completely bored out of my mind and detached from everything around me.I leaned against the wall, staring blankly at my untouched drink. The red plastic cup sat between my hands, growing warm from my grip. Around me, people laughed, shouted over the music, moved in waves that never stopped. I wasn’t really seeing them. My mind was elsewhere.I’d told Amari that parties weren’t my thing, and that I wasn’t in the mood, that I had a million other excuses lined up to avoid it. Even using Demi's unfortunate condition as one excuse.But she didn't listen. She dragged me here and practically threatened to ti
Ivy's POV I feigned confusion, trying to make my voice steady. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”Brandon didn’t buy it for a second.He shifted closer, his body brushing against mine in the smallest, most deliberate movement. It wasn’t even a touch, not really, just a slow, careful invasion of space. His hand hovered near my hip, so close that I could feel the heat radiating off of him, and could sense the exact distance between his fingers and my skin.My pulse kicked up, but I forced myself to hold my ground.“I smelled you the second you got there,” he murmured, his voice low, almost thoughtful.My stomach tightened. I knew exactly what he meant, but I wasn’t about to admit that.“I don’t—”“I smelled you,” he repeated, cutting me off, his tone quieter now, almost amused. Savoring. Like he was rolling the words around in his mouth just to enjoy how they tasted. “And I smelled what watching did to you. That little pulse of arousal you tried to fight.”I went still.Every
69.Ivy's POV."Did you enjoy the date?"I scoffed, crossing my arms tightly over my chest. "That’s none of your business. And since you clearly don’t understand boundaries, get out. I want to undress."His smirk deepened, his gaze dropping lower, lazily dragging down my body, like he had every right to look at me that way. "I’ve seen you naked before."My jaw clenched. My fingers dug into my arms, but I refused to react, refused to let him know he was getting under my skin. Instead, I turned sharply on my heel, heading straight for the bathroom. I wasn’t doing this with him. Not tonight.I took my time cleaning up, dragging out every second, hoping that by the time I came out, he’d be gone.But of course, he wasn’t.He was still seated here and waiting.I exhaled sharply, gripping the towel wrapped around me a little tighter. "Seriously?"His eyes flicked over me, slow, deliberate, unapologetic before he met my gaze again. "Do you like Aaron?"I rolled my eyes. "Again, none of your
68.Ivy's POV.By the time Saturday rolled around, Jackie was already at my house, tearing through my closet like a woman on a mission. Dresses flew onto my bed one after another, her brows furrowed in concentration as she appraised each one."You have to look absolutely stunning," she said, tossing another dress my way. "This is your first ever real date, Ivy. We can’t mess this up."I sighed, sitting at the edge of my bed, watching helplessly as my room turned into a fashion battlefield. "It’s really not that serious."Jackie spun around, hands on her hips, eyes narrowed like I had just committed a crime. "Not that serious? A guy transferred across the country for you, and you’re telling me it’s not serious?"I pressed my lips together, unable to argue. She had a point. The whole week had passed without a single word from Brandon. No weird mind games, no taunts, no tension-filled stares. Yes, It was exactly what I’d wanted, to be left alone. But instead of relief, it left this dull
67.Ivy's POV.Seeing my mother again made my stomach twist with guilt. The moment she stepped into the house, all bright smiles and full of travel stories, I felt like the worst person alive. If only she knew what I had done, what I had let happen, under this very roof while she was away.I could barely look at her as she hugged me, her warmth wrapping around me like a comfort I no longer deserved. She asked if I had eaten well, if I had missed her. And I had, desperately. But not in the way she thought. I had missed her in the way a prisoner misses freedom, in the way someone drowning misses solid ground.Brandon, on the other hand, was unreadable. He greeted his father with his usual cool composure, nothing out of place, but there was something off about him. Something quieter than usual. It unsettled me more than his teasing ever did.On the way to school, that silence stretched between us, thick and heavy. Normally, he’d poke at me, provoke me, find some way to make me react. But
66.Ivy's POV.I was already breathless, my mind hazy from what he had just done to me, but then Brandon placed his lips on mine and kissed me deeper, slow and deliberate.“Taste yourself.”And I did. Sweet and salty.A soft sound caught in my throat as he took his time with it, letting me feel everything, the heat, the possessiveness, the unspoken claim. His hands roamed my body, tracing the curves he’d memorized with his touch, and I shivered under his attention.My fingers curled against his shoulders, holding onto him, because I didn’t trust my legs to keep me steady even though I was on the desk.His lips left mine and moved down my neck, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. I moaned softly, my fingers tangling in his hair as I pulled him closer and arched my back, craving more. His hands cupped my breasts, his thumbs brushing over my hardened nipples. I gasped, my head falling back as pleasure coiled low in my belly.Then he stopped and pulled back just enough to look at me,
65.Ivy's POV.After eating dinner alone, I made my way back to my room, my footsteps echoing through the quiet house. It had been like this ever since my mom and Brandon’s dad left for their trip right after the engagement. Just me, and Brandon.As soon as I stepped inside, I stopped dead in my tracks.Brandon was sitting at my study desk, with his long legs stretched out. My laptop was open in front of him, the screen casting a faint glow on his sharp features. He looked entirely unbothered by the fact that he was somewhere he absolutely should not be.“What the hell are you doing?” I snapped, taking a few steps closer.He didn’t even flinch. If anything, he looked amused as he lazily turned his head towards me, his lips curling into that infuriating smirk, the one that made my hands itch to throw something at him.I frowned, my eyes flickering to the laptop. He was reading something, and whatever it was, it had his full attention. A sudden, uneasy feeling coiled in my stomach as I
64.Ivy's POV.I couldn’t believe it.Aaron Vaughn was standing in my classroom like he belonged here, flashing that same dimpled smile I remembered all too well. He looked even better than before, taller, and still carrying that effortless confidence that he had approached me with at the oratory competition.But what really had my mind reeling was what he had just said.He transferred because of me?I tried not to let my shock show as the teacher turned to me. "Ivy, why don’t you show Aaron around the school?"I swallowed, forcing a polite smile. "Sure."Mrs. Reynold gave one last approving nod before turning and walking out of the classroom, leaving behind a low hum of murmurs as everyone whispered about the new guy.Aaron wasted no time making his way over to my desk, his usual confident grin in place as he adjusted the strap of his backpack."Shall we?" he asked, his tone light and expectant.I hesitated for half a second before nodding. "Yeah."Pushing back my chair, I stood up,
63.Brandon's POV.I hadn’t been able to sleep.No matter how hard I tried to shut it out, the images kept coming back, those bastards cornering Ivy, her struggling against them, and the sheer terror in her eyes. My wolf had never reacted like that before. It wasn’t just some vague instinct or a general awareness of danger. It was clear, sharp, like an alarm going off inside me, screaming that she needed me. I had never felt anything like it. Nothing else had mattered in that moment.And when I saw them touching her, something inside me broke.The rage had been instant, uncontrollable. My wolf had taken over, and I hadn’t cared who was watching. I wanted them dead. I should have killed them.I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling sharply as I pulled out my phone. If I couldn’t get the images out of my head, I could at least make sure those bastards never forgot what they did. I dialed a number, pressing the phone to my ear as it rang."Need you to track some people down," I said the
62.Ivy's POV.I woke up gasping, my body jerking upright as the remnants of a terrible nightmare clung to me like a second skin. My heart pounded in my ears, my breath coming in sharp, ragged pulls. My skin was damp with sweat, my fingers twisted in the sheets, and for a moment, I couldn’t tell what was real and what wasn’t.The room was dark, still, but something felt off. A strange prickling sensation crawled up my spine, the kind of feeling that told me I wasn’t alone.I turned my head sharply, my gaze landing on a shadowy figure standing at the foot of my bed.My stomach dropped.Panic surged through me before I could stop it, my body moving on instinct as I scrambled backward, nearly tumbling off the bed. My pulse roared in my ears, my fingers gripping the sheets like they were the only thing keeping me tethered to reality.The figure shifted slightly, stepping into the faint moonlight spilling through my window, and the breath caught in my throat when I saw his face.Brandon.H
61.Amari's POV.This wasn’t how it was supposed to be.I had done everything right. Strengthened the mate bond just like I was told. Played my part perfectly. Yet, even as I sat beside Brandon as his fiancée, the only person he was supposed to be drawn to, I could feel the distance. A wall between us that I had no idea how to break through.Because his eyes were always somewhere else.On her.Even through the engagement party, as everyone toasted to our union, as I smiled and played the perfect mate, he was barely present. He responded when spoken to, held my waist when expected, kissed my temple when cameras were pointed our way. But his gaze, his focus, kept drifting toward Ivy.It was infuriating.At the club, it only got worse.I was all over him, my fingers tracing slow circles on his chest, my lips brushing against the curve of his neck. I had whispered things in his ear, soft, teasing words, offering exactly what any man in his position should want. And yet, nothing. His shoul