Ivy's POV“Return to your ranks!”At the sound of Gamma Everly’s stark command, everyone’s shock is quickly buried. All the patrolling warriors nod once before swiftly arranging into their legions. She walks up and down the rows of warriors, inspecting each one. “As if any of you would be able to understand who can and can’t choose to fight,” Gamma Everly scoffs. “I’m a she-wolf too, and I could fight every man here at once without faltering. I’m not just the strongest she-wolf here, I’m the strongest wolf here. Are you going to stand here and tell me I couldn’t make just as fine a warrior out of the mate of Prince Spencer himself? An Alpha’s daughter who’s made it off multiple battlefields unscathed? Who are you to tell anyone what they should do?” Gamma Everly’s words ring across the barracks, easily filling the space, and the warriors all avert their gaze. It’s clear how much they respect her–her voice carries real weight. A spark of gratitude fills my heart as I look over at Gam
Ivy's POVAt the sight of Sylvia, Gamma Everly nods in approval, a slight smile on her face.I wonder how long she’s waited for something like this–the opportunity to speak about what it’s like being a she-wolf and a warrior. To try and subvert the expectations forced upon her. I don’t know how long Gamma Everly has held her position for, but judging by how much her warriors respect her, I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s been at this for a while. She has all the poise, grace, and confidence of a truly seasoned warrior. How many years has she spent all alone in this? “Honestly, at this point, it’d be just plain foolish to not let she-wolves train,” Sylvia says bluntly. “I mean, I’ve had to encounter loads of enemies out in the world before.” She grabs the neckline of her shirt and pulls it down to her collarbones, revealing a horror show of scar tissue. “And this is what it did to me.” She pauses for a moment, allowing her words to settle over the crowd before continuing. “I didn’t h
Ivy's POVThe moment the challenge passes my lips, every warrior in the barracks falls deathly silent. They look towards Spencer as one, eyes all wide with fear. They’re not afraid of me, I know–I bet they’re terrified of what Spencer would do to them if they actually took me up on my offer. A strange calm comes over me at their stunned faces, a satisfaction at being able to do something none of them could have predicted. Slowly, steadily, voices thin and brittle with trepidation, the warriors begin to chatter again. They look up at me occasionally in shock and disbelief. The more the volume of the conversation rises, the more concerned Spencer looks, a deeply serious expression taking over his features. Even Gamma Everly and Sylvia look a bit unsure, their gazes fixed onto me as though trying to figure out what to do. I understand everyone’s concern–I really do–but I think a challenge is what I need. After all, how else is anyone going to take me seriously?In the code of honor
Ivy's POVThe moment Spencer gives the green light for the warriors to challenge me, they start stepping up to the challenge.I raise an eyebrow as masses of them clamor forward, shoving each other out of the way like petulant children about to fight for the last slice of birthday cake. I catch Gamma Everly’s eye, and she seems almost as caught off-guard by it as I am. It takes all my concentration just to stop myself from bursting into laughter. Suddenly, a massively-built warrior steps to the front of the crowd, and all the warriors immediately fall back into place. “I’ll take the challenge!” The warrior roars. The rest of the warriors fall silent. As I look the warrior over, I suddenly feel a spark of recognition. This man is Warrior Garrett. I met him on the way back from the enemy pack’s territory. I’ve heard of him before–both Gamma Everly and Spencer himself have spoken quite highly about him. And judging by the surprised looks on everyone’s face, I have a feeling this sol
Spencer's POV“How did Ivy get kidnapped by our enemies yet again?”I glower down at my mother as she places her hands across the desk, looking up at me with a smug, expectant gaze. “They used a sedative,” I say eventually. “But now that we know it’s a weapon they have at their disposal, we’re ready for it. And they didn’t even take Ivy from the palace! We were off royal grounds when they–”“This isn’t the first time Ivy has been taken,” my mother cuts in abruptly. “And it certainly won’t be the last. Please, Spencer, I need you to face the facts. As long as everyone knows how much you love Ivy, she’ll always be a target.”I purse my lips. I want to refute, to say all the ways I could protect Ivy, but something is different this time. Because this time, she was taken from right underneath my nose. I should have been there–I was nearby, I could have protected her, but I was off swimming and I wasn’t there and she nearly died because I wasn’t good enough–And if I can’t protect her…F
Ivy's POVAs soon as I’ve finished up going over a training schedule with Gamma Everly, I rush straight to the hospital.As I walk, my mind is flooded with worries. As far as I know, Delilah is okay. But what if things take a turn for the worst? She’s been asleep for a good couple days now, and with the way my life has been going, things have a tendency to unravel in the worst possible ways. I’ve lost so many people, seen so many people hurt–At any given moment, I’m agonizing over the worst possible scenario. I guess this is my life now. When I walk into Delilah’s hospital room, though, I’m more than relieved to see Delilah awake and chatting away with her father. “Ivy!” Delilah squeals the moment she sees me. She tries to lean forward, but quickly winces in pain, needles tugging underneath her skin. “You stay there!” I say quickly, rushing towards her and wrapping my arms around her gingerly, doing my best to avoid her wounds. “Moon Goddess, Delilah, I’m so glad you’re alright.
Ivy's POVToday is the first day of training, and I couldn’t be more excited. I arrive at the training grounds early, feeling like I’m about to explode with anticipation. I’m dressed in athletic wear, hair pulled back into a tight ponytail. The scars on my arms and back are more exposed than I usually let them be, but that’s okay, because now the scars don’t belong to a scared girl struggling to survive.They belong to a warrior-in-training who’s lived through some of the worst things a person could go through. When Gamma Everly sees me, she gives me a brisk nod. “Glad you’re early. You ready to get started? Sylvia should be here soon.” I beam, rocking back on my heels and eyeing the entrance to the training grounds excitedly. Soon enough, Sylvia shows up, dressed the same as I am and ready to get started. I can see the scars on her body, too, and I hate how similar they are to my own. “You both set?” Gamma Everly asks as soon as Sylvia sets her things down. I tilt my head. “I t
Ivy's POVIn the following days, I find myself settling into something of a routine. Every day, Sylvia and I spar under Gamma Everly’s supervision. I wouldn’t say either of us are exactly good, yet, but every day we’re better than we were the day before. So it’s a start. I leave every training session sore in new places, body marred with bruises and cut skin, but I’m becoming used to the sweeter rush of pain. I can feel callouses building on my palms–nowhere near as significant as Spencer’s, but they’re forming. I’m becoming familiar with the beats of combat-how to throw a perfect, heavy punch, how to shift my weight so I can step gracefully or hold my stance firm and unshakeable. I’m learning how to take a hit and keep on swinging–when to tank an attack or when to dodge. I don’t quite feel safe, not yet, but I definitely feel like if I was attacked again I’d have a better idea of what to do. And that sense of certainty is what I’m after. I can tell Sylvia feels it too. After e