Ivy's POVThe whistles are what control the werewolves. Armed with this knowledge, I quickly plot my next move. If I can control any of these werewolves, what should I focus on first? How can I possibly untangle the mess of combat stretching out before me?I suppose, looking up at Alpha Jameson’s charging form, that my first priority should be to halt his approach. I stand up straight and place my fingers in my mouth. I squeeze my eyes shut and whistle, a shrill sound that cuts through the battlefield. Sure enough, a look of profound confusion crosses Alpha Jameson’s face. He ceases his charge, staring at me as though he’s not quite sure what to do. He walks in slow circles, padding back and forth atop the stone rubble. Small shards of marble tumble to the ground and land around me. My eyes widen as the realization dawns on me. It makes sense now! Any of the werewolves who are under the influence of the red potion will have to follow the command of the person blowing the whistle.
Ivy's POVWhile I’m still reeling from Alpha Jameson’s death, Elder Jet rushes towards me suddenly. A moment before he leaps at me, claws extended, Gamma Everly pulls her teeth out of Alpha Jameson’s chest and stands up quickly. She moves in front of me, blocking me from Elder Jet’s path. “If anyone wants to harm her, they’ll have to go through me first,” Gamma Everly says firmly. Her voice is calm and steady as usual, but I notice that her chest is heaving. She seems to be breathing heavily, and there’s pain etched onto her features. Gamma Everly’s beautiful reddish-brown fur is thoroughly soaked through with blood to the point where I can’t tell whose blood is hers and whose is Alpha Jameson’s.She’s struggling. I don’t know how much fight she has left in her now. It’s obvious that Gamma Everly has been badly injured at some point during combat–blood is dripping from her left foreleg at a frightening pace, and she’s clearly making an effort to keep weight off that leg. Elder J
Ivy's POVNo matter how fast I can run in my human form, my two legs are no match for Elder Jet’s four.Elder Jet catches up to me quickly, fangs snapping at my heels. I can feel the adrenaline rushing through my veins, can hear the blood rushing in my head. Panic grips me, immediate and fierce. I cry out, trying to run faster, but my lungs are burning and my hair is matted to my forehead with sweat. My ankle starts to buckle. Just before Elder Jet’s fangs close around my leg, though, I manage to twist out of the way, taking a sharp left. “You bitch!” Elder Jet howls furiously, increasingly enraged by my successful evasion. I can feel the rush of wind behind me as he lunges at me again, faster this time. Instead of dodging this time, though, I spin straight around and jump towards Elder Jet. The maneuver clearly catches him by surprise. He lets out a short yelp of shock, blinking as I lunge towards him. I land on his nose, clawing my fingers into his fur so he won’t be able to thr
Ivy's POVElder Jet looks like a caged animal under Prince Spencer’s piercing stare, looking in every direction for help. Out of the corner of his eye, he spots Alpha Leo, once again lurking at the edge of the battlefield as though unsure whether or not to join in.“Alpha Leo!” Elder Jet shouts, warping his voice to make himself sound far older and feebler than he really is. “Please, save me from Prince Spencer’s vicious wrath!” The moment the false plea for help leaves his mouth, Elder Jet steps aside, leaving the space wide open for Alpha Leo to engage Spencer in combat. Alpha Leo steps forward reluctantly, looking Spencer up and down, but Spencer hardly pays him a second thought. “Damn you, Elder Jet!” Spencer curses fiercely. “You’re nothing but a coward who expects others to risk their lives for you without ever facing a fight. You’re weak, pathetic, and completely unfit to rally this miserable group you call a rebellion. If you want to protect your honor as a werewolf and as
Ivy's POVUpon being discovered, Elder Jet stands up slowly and turns around, eyeing his warriors cautiously. I can see that he’s trying to keep himself calm, drawing in slow, deep breaths. But seething anger–as well as panic–sparks in his eyes as he looks around. “Alpha Jameson has already fallen in battle!” Elder Jet shouts, projecting his voice. “And many of our men are injured or dead. In order to preserve our forces, I’ll be withdrawing with some of our warriors to prevent further losses. Stay strong, men!” I raise an eyebrow at the sheer audacity of what Elder Jet is saying, but much to my dismay, his werewolf warriors seem to be believing him well enough. “Fight Prince Spencer now, Leo!” Elder Jet roars at Alpha Leo. “Buy us time for the retreat!” Before anyone gets the chance to react to Elder Jet’s words, he quickly twists around and flees into the crowd of warriors, vanishing into the nearby forests in a flash so quickly Spencer doesn’t get the chance to chase after him
Ivy's POVThe moment Spencer hears my voice, he pulls his paw away from Alpha Leo’s throat.Alpha Leo lets out a strangled gasp as the pressure that was being exerted on his neck suddenly eases. He starts to cough, chest shaking. Spencer looks down at Alpha Leo with an expression of profound disdain, clearly disapproving of the display of injury. The world seems to go quiet as I realize what I’ve done. I’ve just challenged the Lycan Prince’s decision to kill an enemy warrior–a leader among the enemy warriors, no less. Spencer, Gamma Everly, and the remaining royal warriors all look at me with expressions of confusion, and I suddenly feel a bit nervous about my decision. “You’d better have a good reason for this, sweetheart,” Spencer says patiently.I purse my lips awkwardly, trying to figure out the best way to explain myself. “...I don’t think he’s actually as bad as we think he is!” I blurt out. Spencer raises an eyebrow at me skeptically as the other warriors frown and murmur t
Ivy's POVAfter hearing my words, Spencer is silent for a moment, clearly lost in thought. I look at him with wide, pleading eyes, quietly begging him to take my words to heart. I’m fairly certain his original mission was to capture, not to kill–even though the battle got wildly out of hand, things seem to have settled now, so hopefully everyone can go back to that plan before any more blood needs to be shed. “Tie Alpha Leo up and take him back to the palace,” Spencer says abruptly. He releases Alpha Leo and shifts fluidly into his human form. At the sight of his piercing eyes, perfectly tousled hair, and flawless musculature beneath his tight bloody clothes, a thrill rushes through me. If the fighting is over, that mean soon enough we can return to the palace and…I’m torn from my thoughts by a sudden commotion. I look over to see Alpha Leo thrashing wildly as a royal warrior pulls him to his feet, teeth snapping madly. He looks so erratic and disheveled that for a moment I’m afr
Ivy's POVNow that Alpha Jameson is dead, Alpha Leo has been captured, and Elder Jet is nowhere to be seen, the fighting is over. I watch the royal warriors evacuate from the enemy’s pack house as the rebel warriors retreat in shame. I don’t know what sort of retribution the Lycan Royal Family will seek, but that’s not my problem now. The battle is over, and we can go back to the palace safe and sound, and that’s all that matters to me. I’m still curled up in Spencer’s arms as he carries me away from the pack house’s lawn and towards his camp. As we’re nearing the edge of the border, though, I suddenly hear a faint, childlike sobbing. I lift my head up from Spencer’s arms. “What is that?” I ask. “Probably nothing,” Spencer says dismissively. I look around and spot a young boy–maybe seven or eight–curled up in front of a small cabin. “There’s a child over there!” I exclaim, shocked. “Put me down.”“Ivy, please don’t–” Spencer begins. “Put me down!” I repeat frantically. With a
Ivy’s ’s POVJust as Doctor Danbury’s assistant begins to spread the ultrasound gel over my exposed stomach, the door to my hospital room bursts open. I gasp, head whirling towards the door. Much to my surprise, it’s not just Spencer that greets me in the doorway–it’s the entire Lycan Royal Family, as well as Delilah and Beta Wilson. My face flushes, and I feel oddly vulnerable in front of everyone. I want to roll my shirt back down and hold my hands over my stomach protectively, but I don’t want to mess up the gel. “What… what’s going on?” I ask hesitantly. “How is it?” The Lycan Queen asks the assistant in a sharp voice. “How’s the baby? Is it still okay?” “And how’s Ivy?” Spencer presses anxiously. He approaches my bedside and sits down next to me, taking my hand in both of his and squeezing gently. His gaze rests anxiously on the ultrasound machine to my left beside the assistant, though the screen isn’t displaying anything just yet. “Give me just one second, Your Highnesses
Spencer’s POVYou’re the next Lycan King. As my mother’s words ricochet around the room, it’s hard not to feel like I’m taking someone else’s place. For so long, this was my father’s crown, and no one was prepared to lose him so soon. But as I look around the room, slowly, gradually, it begins to feel more and more right. Despite their usual snark and sarcasm, both Sylvia and Colin look gravely serious at this moment. They both look up at me with evident respect, and I know that despite the troubles I’ve had with my siblings in the past, they’re here to support my ascension to the Lycan throne. My mother, too, as she returns to her seat at the table, is looking up at me proudly. She smiles faintly as the crown continues to rest on my head and wipes her eyes. “I know you’re going to do great things, Spencer,” she says softly. “And I’m terribly sorry for the lack of ceremony today. I promise that once the date of your coronation does finally roll around, you’re going to get all the
Spencer’s POVAs I watch a tall woman in a lab coat grab Ivy’s arm, an instinctive jolt of panic rushes through me. “What–what’s going on?” I ask, immediately scanning the surroundings for any indicator that Elder Jet’s forces may have somehow made their way back into the palace. “Who is that?” “One of Doctor Danbury’s assistants,” my mother assures me quickly. “After everything Ivy’s been through, we need to ensure that your heir is still alive and well within her. We should really discuss what’s going to happen once she begins to show, and how we can cover up for how Ivy is carrying your child despite your impending marriage to Delilah.” I purse my lips and look towards Colin at the mention of my previous engagement to Delilah. Does she not know about you two? I want to ask him. He seems to read the question etched across my features, because he shakes his head almost imperceptibly. I suppose I can understand Colin’s reluctance to tell our mother about the change in nuptials–af
Ivy’s POVAs Spencer kisses me, it feels like everything wrong in the universe has finally righted itself. He kisses me softly, sweetly, like he knows we can finally linger in these gentle moments without having to worry about whatever is coming next. Spencer’s hands are chaste, one resting on my waist as the other tangles into my hair. I wrap my arms around his shoulders and return the kiss passionately until my lungs start to scream for air. Spencer is the one who finally pulls away. I look up at him, eyes fluttering open and slightly dazed as his hand moves from the nape of my neck to my cheek. He caresses my face lovingly, gazing deep into my eyes with an expression of profound concern. “Are you going to be okay, Ivy?” He asks softly. “After everything that happened…” “I’ll be fine,” I assure him quickly, smiling gently at him. “I’m healed now, thanks to the Moon Goddess. I feel healthy. The worst of it is all behind us.” “Our child…” Spencer begins tentatively. “I feel good
Spencer’s POVThe crowd of rebels erupts into shock and disgust, and for just a few moments, another wave of chaos ripples over the now-still battleground. “I’d never speak to that traitor!” “I’d sooner die than let some betrayer try to make me anything like him.” “They’re trying to brainwash us!” I let the complaints ring out for just a few seconds more before opening my mouth to speak. “ENOUGH!” I roar, bold shout crackling over the amassed crowd like thunder. I clench my hands into fists as I look over all of them. “This is what you’re getting,” I say. “I’ve told you all you need to know. Warriors, take them to the dungeons.” The warriors all nod once before finally escorting the captured rebels off the battlefield. I breathe out a steady sigh of relief as I watch them depart, finally letting myself relax somewhat as finally the threat is ushered away. Ivy comes up beside me and squeezes my shoulder. “You said all the rebels would get the chance to speak with Alpha Leo?” She
Ivy’s POV As the last of the rebels either turn themselves in or are swiftly taken into custody, I finally, finally feel like things are actually coming to a close. The rebels may shout or growl or spit as they’re escorted out of the barracks and towards the dungeon, where they’ll all be held until we have more time to thoroughly think out what our next moves should be, but it’s better than the noises that had filled the air before. The screams of agony and death and anguish will rattle through my brain for as long as I live. Every time I close my eyes, the sights that greet me are terrible. Fur being pulled from bleeding skin. The unearthly contortion of bones crunching and snapping. Those red potions and the horrific effects they’d had on the rebel werewolves’ bodies, all those grotesque enhancements. What’s happened here today will stay with me for the rest of my life. I’ve been changed by all I’ve had to bear witness to, all I’ve had to experience. The knowledge of what it fel
Ivy’s POVAs Spencer’s words ripple through the ground of battle-hardened rebels and warriors, at first, all I can hear is the deafening sound of silence. I look around, watching with bated breath. I understand the weight of what we’re trying to do here–after all, for the Lycan Royal Family to suggest surrender, especially after such a horrific bloodbath, is a truly unprecedented thing to occur. I can see that it’s still taking everyone a couple moments more to process what has just transpired. But above all else, I believe in the inherent goodness of people. One way or another, kindness will win. It has to. When the first werewolf steps forward, head lowered and arms folded behind his back in a clear display of acquiescence, I can hardly stop myself from beaming. “I surrender,” the werewolf announces softly. The words echo through the battlefield, a whisper somehow amplified over and over again by all the history in the making of this one moment. With a flick of his wrist, Spenc
Spencer’s POVThis time, as I walk out onto the almost-still battlefield, I can feel the full force of my power returning to me. Heads swivel in my direction as I approach the center of the battleground. My Lycan aura crackles around me, a silhouette of pure power that follows behind me everywhere I step. Thanks to the Moon Goddess’s blessing as well as Ivy’s rejuvenation, I feel good again. Strong. I know I could control everyone on this field right now if I wanted to, but I don’t need to. Not yet. Right now, the gentle coercion of my Lycan aura around me is all I need. Ivy follows behind me. I can tell by the rhythm of her gait that she’s anxious to get out of here as soon as possible. I can’t see her, but I know her well enough by now that I can guess her gaze is darting around anxiously, eyeing every enemy in sight. But the longer I walk, the more confidence in my step, the more the sounds of battle start to quiet. Soon enough, the only sound to be heard is the soft pad of my f
Ivy’s POVWhile the scattered sounds of combat continue to fill the air, by and large, it seems that the battle has begun to come to a close. The last werewolf rebels are continuing to attack every Lycan warrior they see, but our enemy’s numbers have been considerably thinned. Now, the rebels are few and far between, sticking out like sore thumbs as they attempt to take down our ranks. It’s clear that we could still lose quite a few more lives at this point, but it would be meaningless. The battle has been won. It’s over. Anything else that happens now is just tying up the loose ends. “What happens now?” I ask Spencer softly, taking a look around. Wilson is still on the ground, writhing in agony as the silver spray continues to worm its way into his skin. My heart twinges with sympathy for him, but there’s nothing Spencer or I could do to alleviate the pain. Nearby, I can see Gamma Everly kneeling over Alpha Leo’s unconscious–hopefully unconscious, that is–body. Everywhere I look