Ivy's POV“No, keep your hands up–make sure not to drop your guard–lead with your other foot, Jason–” I feel bad giving direction after direction as I spar with Jason, but I don’t know how else to convey what I’m trying to tell him at the moment. Jason continues to land haphazard swings at me, and I occasionally tap back lightly, but it’s not a real fight. I’m not doing anything that could actually hurt him. And try as he might, Jason doesn’t seem able to do anything that could hurt me, or any potential enemy. “Wait,” I tell him abruptly, catching his wrists and forcing him to stop his attack. “Maybe we call it quits for the day, yeah?” I suggest with a half smile. Jason pouts, looking up at me as he tugs his hands away. “I’m doing bad, aren’t I,” he mutters. “No!” I assure him quickly. “No, it–it’s not you. You’re doing great. I’m just a new learner myself, so I don’t think I’m the best teacher.” “Yeah, but who else would teach me?” Jason asks. I grab his water bottle from his
Ivy's POVAs I weave my way through the guest wing of the palace, searching eagerly for Alpha Quentin’s bedchambers, my heart feels like it’s about to pound out of my chest with anticipation.I’ve dressed up nicely for the occasion that’s to come–my hair is half-up, half-down, so my auburn curls cascade tantalizingly down my shoulders, and my makeup is shadowed and sultry. I’m dressed in a close-fitting black slip that hugs every slender curve of my body. I’ve dabbed rose perfume on my wrists and neck. My tall heels clack on the floor as I search for the one occupied guest bedroom, and the sensation of red lipstick painted over my lips is heavy and noxious. To anyone who may see me, it’s painfully obvious what my intentions are. Good. That’s what I want. When I see light shining from underneath a heavy door, a smug smile crosses my face. I look around the hallway quickly–there’s no one in sight. That’s fine. I can always put on a show later, when I really sell the act. I approach
Ivy's POVJudging by the dark lust in Alpha Quentin’s eyes, as well as the bulge in his trousers I notice as my gaze drops discreetly, my work here is done.I feel slimy about the whole interaction as I turn away from Alpha Quentin, but right now, my goal is to help Sylvia, and nothing else. I won’t let her marry a lying, cheating scumbag. And to do that, I need to prove to her what a lying, cheating scumbag he actually is. After all, Sylvia won’t listen to Wilson. But she’ll certainly listen to me. “Why are you in such a hurry?” Alpha Quentin’s voice suddenly calls out. Just as I’m about to leave Alpha Quentin’s bedchambers, I suddenly feel a large, calloused hand wrap around my wrist. I let out a gasp as Alpha Quentin pulls me close against his chest. One of his hands settles on my waist and squeezes, while the other buries in my hair. My dress is so thin that I can feel the oily warmth of his palm against my skin. My heart hammers in my chest, but not with anticipation. It’
Spencer's POVWhen I open the door to leave my room, the last thing I expect to see is Ivy dressed like an escort.But as I look at the hallway ahead of me and see Ivy dressed in dangerously high heels and a skintight black dress, lips painted red as blood and the heady scent of perfume and lilies following her through the halls, that’s exactly what I see. Before I can fully process what I’ve seen, I slam the door shut behind me and squeeze my eyes shut. I hope she didn’t see me–no, I hope she did see me, so she can feel some shame over whatever the hell she’s doing. What is she doing? Moon Goddess above, I’ve only ever seen Ivy dress up like that for me before. I bury my head in my hands and press my back against the door. I want to forget I ever saw her, to pretend it didn’t happen, but it did. There was Ivy, dressed like a daydream, dressed like a nightmare, coming back from–from–from–From somewhere. Where? Was it Colin? Alpha Leo? I bang my fists against the ground. I hate
Ivy's POVI lean on the fence surrounding the training grounds, watching Jason and Warrior Lance spar. The two of them dart back and forth gracefully. Jason seems much more agile and light on his feet than he did when I was training him–as Warrior Lance demonstrates a jab-cross, a roundhouse kick, an uppercut, Jason repeats the motions, strikes growing more and more fluid with every attempt. I’m close enough to hear every grunt and exclamation and huff of breath, the thud of every impact, the light step of practiced feet. I cheer for Jason every time his hit lands right, shouting words of encouragement. “Great job, Jason! Well done! You’re doing great out there!” Pride warms my heart, a soft feeling. Jason looks determined, and confident, and thoroughly overjoyed. More than anything else, he looks driven. And as a parent, it’s wonderful to see him take a liking to something with such gusto. Eventually, the training session winds down. I watch as Jason and Warrior Lance cool down
Ivy's POVAfter several days of toying with Alpha Quentin, I’m finally ready to enact my final plan. I’ve been passing him in hallways, fluttering my fingers as I round corners, blowing him kisses from the stairwells. With every small gesture I’ve made I’ve seen his pupils dilate and his heartbeat quicken. Men are easy. He’s mine. Maybe not completely, but certainly enough for me to get what I want out of him. I sit down cross-legged on my bed, looking down at myself. I’ve toned down the obvious seduction I was flaunting when I first entrapped him–now I’m dressed much more conservatively, in a light blue shirt and a flowing white skirt. I don’t want to draw too much attention to myself until the last possible moment. I reach out through the mindlink, searching for Alpha Quentin’s wolf. It’s been amazing to get to feel the mind link again–that was one of the things I missed the most when my wolf was gone. It had felt strange and lonely to be left alone in my own mind without bein
Ivy's POVAlpha Quentin looks at me with wide, betrayed eyes. He’s completely red in the face, positively burning up with humiliation. “What–” he sputters, staring at me in shock. “No, it’s not–this isn’t–she set me up!” He fumes. “She came to my room, and seduced me, and now–and now–” “And now you want to fuck her so hard?” Sylvia cuts in, stone-faced. “Sylvia, that’s not what’s happening here!” “I know what I heard,” Sylvia says cooly. She looks back at the Lycan King and Queen. She pauses for a second, but it quickly seems as though she’s come to a decision of some sort. “I will not marry this man,” Sylvia says simply. “I am not so naive eto expect my arranged marriage to be one of love, but I cannot spend the rest of my life married to a man who so flagrantly pursues other women. To marry him would be to disgrace this very bloodline.” “I agree,” the king replies swiftly. He stalks towards Alpha Quentin, eyes blazing with fury. He looks terrifyingly mad, and even though I’m
Ivy's POV“Why would you do such a thing?” All eyes shift towards the Lycan King as he asks the question that no doubt everyone has had on their mind. It’s evident by now that Wilson cares deeply for Sylvia, but judging by her trembling lower lip and wide, watery eyes, it seems that–in the moment, at least–his actions are hurting her more than he’s helping. Wilson breathes out a long sigh, running a hand anxiously through his soft brown hair. “I really did catch Quentin kissing that maid in the foyer,” he explains. “And he wasn’t exactly being subtle about it, either. I didn’t have any idea what to do–all I knew was that I couldn’t let Sylvia marry a man like that. I tried to challenge him, but he denied the claims, and–well, you all saw how that went,” he says bitterly. “Careful, Wilson,” the Lycan King warns. “You’re still on thin ice until you can properly explain yourself.” Wilson purses his lips. “Anyways. After I lost my position as Beta, I realized that I had nothing left
Spencer's POVI can feel Elder Jet watching me as the life slowly ebbs from my body, and I want to tear his eyes out. He’s smirking down at me, lips curled into a sickening grin. I grit my teeth as I look up at him. I think I could stand up if I wanted to, maybe land a couple weak blows, maybe draw a bit of blood, but what’s the point? I’d rather save my energy for when I know I’d at least have a fighting chance at getting something done. “Your army is failing,” Elder Jet says to me, crouching down by my side. “Or rather—you failed them, didn’t you? Because you weren’t strong enough, weren’t smart enough, weren’t able to do what needed to be done. I suppose losing Ivy rattled you even more than I would have anticipated, hm?” He chuckles, a bitter, rasping sound. “You can’t even begin to imagine how glorious it feels to get everything you ever wanted so perfectly laid out for you.”I’m still trying to reach out to my centurions, hoping to rally them and their troops to battle. But ag
Spencer's POVElder Jet’s cold laugh chills me to the bone. “My, my, Prince Spencer,” he says smugly. I can see him towering over me, can feel the droplets of my own blood pooling into the ground below me as the silver mist works its way into my skin. “I thought you’d at least be able to put up a better fight than that!” “A prince’s pride is often his own undoing,” comes the witch’s voice, prompting another wave of revulsion to come over me. “So I can’t say I’m particularly surprised.” I let out a ragged cough, droplets of blood splattering out this time. That can’t be good. My chest burns as small drops of silver continue to worm through my skin, and the sizzle of my flesh on fire combined with the iron tang in the back of my throat makes me want to puke. I want to speak, want to form words, but it feels like my vocal chords have been severed and drenched in lighter fluid. Reinforcements. We need reinforcements. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Gamma Everly, Alpha Leo, and
Spencer's POV“I really did try to warn you.” The witch’s words are nonchalant, spoken with a sigh as she tucks the silver spray back into one of the pockets of her dress. She watches Gamma Everly, Alpha Leo, and Wilson carefully as the silver spray begins to take effect. A shiver of revulsion runs through me as I realize what’s happening. Their pained, piercing screams fill the air as they all swat at their skin frantically, as though they’re being stung by a swarm of bees. Those little droplets of silver mist, innocuous and beautiful as they seem, appear to be burrowing into everyone’s skin. I can see little pinpricks of blood running down every inch of exposed flesh–even Gamma Everly, who’s encased almost head to toe in her heavy red armour, has blood on her face as she tries desperately to rub the spray off her face. The smell of overcooked meat fills the air, and my stomach turns. Small wisps of smoke are rising up from the site of everyone’s exposure. Gamma Everly, Alpha Leo,
Spencer's POV“Step away from them!” Gamma Everly’s voice is strong as she levels her sword at the witch’s chest. Even in the pale moonlight, her red armour seems to glow, almost illuminating her in a crimson halo. The blade’s edge is wicked sharp, and even just looking at it makes my skin feel a twinge of sympathetic pain. Her eyes are cruel and hard as diamonds as they bore right through the witch’s skull. But the witch only lets out a calm, melodic laugh as she trails her fingers along the sides of the small silver bottle she’s just procured. Alpha Leo and Wilson exchange concerned looks as they stand behind Gamma Everly, prepared to back her up the moment she needs it. “Gamma Everly, please don’t be so foolish,” the witch says with a sneer. “And tell those men to stand down, too. Ivy and Spencer are dying. There’s nothing you can do to save them. I can take you down in an instant if I want to, but I figure I should do you the courtesy of sparing you that pain now.” “Not a chan
“I love you.”Ivy’s final words to me ring in my ears like gunshots. I hold her close, I kiss her forehead softly, I do everything I can think to do because I can feel her slipping away. Her body is so small in my arms, so frail, and I can tell I’m losing her, and then–Ivy’s strange, dreamed-up world flickers in and out of view, alternating between the woods and the battlefield outside of the barracks. All at once, she’s not in my arms. I don’t know where she is, but I’m lying on bloodstained grass and I can hear the fighting all around me and my throat feels like it’s on fire. I’m awake now. This isn’t a dream. It hits me all at once, the crushing weight of realization–if we’re not inside Ivy’s mind anymore, if we’re not intertwined in that beautiful place where we could avoid the rest of the world, that must mean Ivy wasn’t able to sustain the connection for any longer than she did. And considering the poison she’d swallowed, considering the undeniable consequence of that…She’s
Ivy's POVIt takes me a good couple of moments to realize I’m not dead. Death, I’d always imagined, would be cold. Distant. Disconnected–and that’s only if I’m aware of anything at all. But as my eyes slowly open and I continue to hear the overwhelming cacophony of war all around me, it slowly dawns on me that I’m not, in fact, dead. The pain hits me a couple moments later. In my mind, it had been a nagging sort of reminder. But all at once, my throat is burning like it’s been doused with acid once more, and blood keeps dribbling down my lips. The overpowering iron taste is enough to make me want to throw up, but I do my best to hold it back. The feeling of bile against my already-shredded throat would no doubt push my already-excruciating agony to new, unimaginable heights. I’m trembling from head to toe. My entire body feels weak and limb, barely within my control. It’s hard to feel much of anything beyond the pain, really. How am I alive? I should be dead. ‘Hang in there, Ivy
Ivy's POV“Loving you is the best thing I ever did.” Spencer’s hands in mine are soft and warm and reassuring. He feels like coming home. Like relaxing. Like finally letting myself feel peace. I look at him, and my heart flutters. He’s going to be the last thing I ever see, and I couldn’t have chosen a better view. “Thank you for telling me,” I say to Spencer. It feels as though a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I’m almost ashamed to admit it, but for so long, I’ve been clinging to the notion that Spencer left me because he wanted to. Because he could. “I wanted to tell you sooner,” Spencer admits. “There were so many times… but then there would be people around, or Delilah would interrupt me, or–did you know she told me she’d explain the whole situation to you herself, so no one would be suspicious and think the engagement was false? That was her entire reason for me to keep it a secret! All so the rest of the world would believe that Delilah was my mate, not you.” I
Spencer's POVIvy and I are lying in the grass, and as time continues to pass in this stolen in-between, I can tell her mind is racing a thousand miles a minute. I roll over so I’m facing her. I could spend a lifetime admiring Ivy–her soft, sculpted features, her beautiful blue eyes as endless as oceans, the way her auburn hair spills over her shoulders. When I'm this close to her, when we’re almost face-to-face, I can see faded freckles splashed across her cheeks like constellations. She’s a work of art. Her gaze is fixed on the sky up above, lips parted ever so slightly, hands clasped over her chest. And she’s completely, utterly lost in thought. I reach over and grab one of Ivy’s hands. She jolts ever so slightly at the touch, then looks over and smiles distantly at me. I furrow my brow. “What’s on your mind?” I ask her. “It seems so silly to bring up now,” Ivy mumbles. “Don’t worry about it, please.” I tilt my head, looking her over once more. I’m trying to etch every last
Spencer's POVMy only regret is that I didn’t have a proper ring to give her. I know the ring I would have used to propose to Ivy, had I had the chance. The ring that’s been in my family for generations. The one with decades of history behind it, that would have symbolized her place as my future queen. If Ivy and I ever got the opportunity, that would be the ring I offered to her. But as I kneel on the grass, feeling the dew slowly soak through the fabric of my pants, and reach into my back pocket, I’ve still got a ring for her. “Ivy,” I say softly. Her voice is a prayer on my lips. “You are the most courageous, brave, incredible, and beautiful girl that I’ve ever known. You’re the love of my life and the only thing that matters to me. I want nothing more than to–to spend the rest of my life with you…” I look away, the words beginning to choke me up, but return my gaze to her as I press on. “I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with you and make you my Queen.” “Sp