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
Ivy's POVSpencer moans ever so slightly as I straddle his lap, and I can feel his body tense up just a bit. I grin devilishly, certain he’s reacting to me. His gaze rakes along my body hungrily, moving from my chest to my lips to my eyes. I continue to boldly tug Spencer’s tie, my fingers working their way along the fabric until they’re right at the base of his throat. His heartbeat races, a steady thrum through his jugular. Our bodies are pressed flush together, and I can feel his chest heaving against mine as he looks me up and down. That familiar heat grows in the pit of my stomach, and I can feel my heart start to race in anticipation. Just as I lean forward, ready to press my lips against Spencer’s, he draws in a deep breath and pulls his gaze away from me abruptly. He shifts his gaze towards the window instead, expression distant. I can sense his withdrawal, and the sharp sting of rejection hits me right in the stomach, a bitter pang of disappointment. Did I do something w
Ivy's POVAs I try to piece together the story of what might have happened to the boy–Jason, that was his name–I can’t help but think back to when I first arrived at the Lycan royal palace. Just like him, I’d just witnessed the devastating death of a parent, and I was alone and aimless in a strange new place. I didn’t get even the smallest bit of kindness–Spencer had been distant, the maids had bullied me, and every member of the Lycan Royal Family hated me. I’d felt overwhelmingly lonely and lost, unsure of what to do.All I’d wanted was someone who could love me unconditionally. I bet that’s what Jason wanted, too. And I could have been there for him–I could have provided that for him. But I didn’t.I wasn’t there. I’ve been neglecting him these past couple days, and as I realize more and more the depths of my negligence, I feel wracked with guilt. He’s so young, and he has no one else. Have the maids been giving him attention? Affection?Jason’s mother was a maid. Do the palac
Ivy's POV“We think you should expel him from the palace permanently.”At the sound of the maid’s words, my eyes flash with anger. “Why should we take your word for it?” I snap immediately, glaring at her. I stand up straight, meeting her cruel, conceited glare dead-on. “All we know right now is that the boy was entrusted to your care, and now he’s missing. That’s not such a good look for you, is it?”The maid’ mouth falls open in shock. “That’s not–” “We just need to wait until the soldiers find Jason,” I say insistently, cutting the maid off. “Then the truth will come out. It always does eventually.”“What do you even know about him?” The maid sneers. “It was so easy for you to rescue him, sure, but you haven’t visited him once since he got here. You just got to be his hero then pawn him off on us. We’re the ones who actually know him, not you. Who are you to speak to his character?” “She’s my mate,” Spencer growls, a low warning hum. The maid’s face blanches. “Of–of course, Prin
Ivy's POVThe boy lays quietly in Gama Everly’s arms, completely and utterly unmoving. Jason has already passed out, and I’d be glad that he’s escaping the terrible pain he must be in, except that he looks like he’s on the verge of death. I’m shocked to see his body covered in bruises and blood. These look like injuries a grown man would incur in a fight, not the sorts of wounds that should be mottling a child’s body. “What… what happened?” I breathe out quietly, pressing my hand against my mouth in horror. I feel sick to my stomach, utterly disgusted by the sight before me.Who could do such a thing to a sweet, innocent child? “I was out on patrol when I stumbled upon a group of soldiers harassing a child at the border,” Gamma Everly begins, voice full of thinly-veiled rage as she looks at the warriors in the room. She holds the boy closer to her chest. “As I got closer, I realized I recognized the boy. The soldiers were kicking and beating him–it was obvious they planned on kill
Ivy's POVSpencer, the maids, the soldiers, Gamma Everly, and I are all gathered in the interrogation room. I gaze around the room, sitting at Spencer’s side. My back is ramrod-straight against the chair, hands curled into iron fists as I look at the warriors and the soldiers. I know they did it. I just need to make them confess it now. “The boy is still unconscious for now,” I say, speaking first and breaking the eerie silence that’s settled over the room. “But once he wakes up, the truth will surely come out. Now is your last chance to come clean on your own terms.”“The boy bit us!” One of the maids protests, rolling up the sleeves of her shirt to reveal her injuries again. “His behavior was reckless and self-destructive. He was mad! Who’s to say he didn’t injure himself?”“Your argument is that he gave himself all those injuries?” I repeat incredulously. My voice echoes like a vow. “Really?”The maid falls silent, staring down at the table with red cheeks. “I saw soldiers att
Ivy's POV“The Lycan Royal Family has a duty to protect all werewolves.”Under the force of Spencer’s bold declaration, spoken as though Spencer is scolding an unruly group of schoolchildren, the guilty maids and soldiers all keep their gazes glued to the floor. Their bodies start to tremble, necks almost certainly aching. I’m sure all of them know the obligations Spencer is explaining already.“We may deal with enemies on occasion, as the laws of battle dictate,” Spencer continues. “But we never go out of our way to bully anyone on purpose. This child is young, a victim of war. He’s young, a victim of war. He deserves to be cared for and taught the right way. Are you not ashamed?” The maids and warriors continue trembling in silence, and a slow, satisfied smile starts to stretch across my lips. There’s an undeniable power to the united front that Spencer and I present, and something about that power fills me with contentment. I’ve had just about enough of not being taken seriously
Ivy's POVOnce Spencer and I return to his room, he pushes me onto the loveseat playfully, grinning down at me. “Why didn’t you punish the maids and soldiers more severely?” He asks curiously, tilting his head down at me. I hesitate for a moment, struggling to explain. “I did give them a punishment.” Spencer raises an eyebrow. “You told them they have to do their usual job with the kid until the kid actually forgives them. That counts as punishment?” I laugh, letting my body relax against the soft cushions of the loveseat. “You don’t have to hurt or kill someone to make the punishment count,” I reply, sprawling out. “When I was young, I used to be one hell of a troublemaker. I mean, I was awful.”“Somehow, I can believe it,” Spencer replies with a grin. I snap my teeth at him playfully before continuing. “Oh, I was insufferable. I was definitely a nuisance to the whole pack. I’d prank all the pack members, interrupt their work, break all their things… honestly, it’s a small wonde