Ivy's POV“You don’t deserve to say the word ‘friendship,’” I tell Veronica, enunciating each word carefully. Once upon a time, when I was young and naive, I’d given my heart to Veronica with a purity and passion she’d never deserved. I really thought we were close when we were kids. I’d believed foolishly that we would be friends forever. But she betrayed me in the most brutal way possible. “I’m sorry. I won’t mention it again,” Veronica apologizes quickly, looking away. Her desperate expression, surprisingly, doesn’t seem the slightest bit fake. And seeing my refusal to comply with her wishes seems to have her on the verge of breaking down. Good. I want to see her suffer.I want to see her suffer before I kill her. “I promise, I have no intention of hurting you,” Veronica adds. “I swear I don’t have any ulterior motives here. I’m not… what Erick and I did to you–I–I just–can we talk? That’s it. I just want to talk.”I don’t understand what we could possibly have to talk about
Ivy's POVErick is the one who kidnapped my father.“What?” I ask in shock, gaping at Veronica.My first thought is to assume she’s making the whole thing up. I honestly wouldn’t put it past her at this point. I know by now that Veronica can’t be trusted in the slightest. She doesn’t seem like she’s lying now, though. Her eyes don’t have that gleam they get sometimes–that joy of deception. Plus, it adds up. My mind is suddenly flooded with thoughts–Erick’s announcement today about Beta Kinney’s health, his absence during the opening statements, Veronica’s desperation as she asks me for help…Something is desperately wrong with this strange pack alliance, I can tell that much. I’m beginning to piece things together, I think. But I have no way of knowing for sure.“What’s going on?” I ask Veronica sharply. “Shortly after we got married, Erick and my father started having reoccuring arguments about pack affairs.” Veronica’s voice is heavy with pain. She lowers her gaze in sadness. “On
Ivy's POVI stare at Veronica in shock. “We once made a promise, remember?” Veronica sniffles, wiping her eyes and smiling up at me brokenly. She’s still on her knees, and even though she can’t be more than a few weeks pregnant, I find myself momentarily worrying about the baby’s safety. “We promised that when we became mothers, we’d be godmothers to each other’s children. You and me, Ivy. We were supposed to be in this together.”Veronica’s voice is filled with sincerity, making my heart ache, but I can’t bring myself to trust her just yet. Of course I remember that promise. I’d believe in it when we made it, too. It’s because Veronica’s friendship was so dear to me that I can’t forgive her betrayal. “Once the Thunderclaw pack takes over the Obsidian pack, I’ll have no value to Erick anymore,” Veronica continues, whimpering. “Both packs will be in his name. He won’t need me for anything else. He’ll discard both me and my baby!”Discard. I know that pain all too well–I’d been disca
Ivy's POVI’m on my way out of the pack house when I see Erick hovering by the doorway.My heart plummets, and I suddenly feel myself filled with panic at the sight of him. I lower my head and avert my gaze, trying to walk past him quickly so he has no idea I’m here. I have no intention whatsoever of talking to him–unless the words I’m speaking are the last words he’ll ever hear. Just as I’m about to pass him by, though, I feel the barest brush of fingertips on my shoulders. Mood Goddess, save me.“You look beautiful today, Ivy,” Erick says in that casually flippant tone of his as he leers at me, looking me up and down with a gaze that makes my skin crawl. I purse my lips and do my best not to dignify him with a response. I don’t want to engage with him. By the look in his eyes, though, he’s eager to keep engaging with me, and I can already feel the awkward sting of whatever horrible pickup line he has locked and loaded. Just as Erick opens his mouth to speak again, though, Veron
Ivy's POVHow am I supposed to thank him?I have to admit, I’ve got absolutely no frame of reference for what an appropriate form of repayment would be. Maybe, if my life was anything like it was before, I’d know what to do. I’d make him a lavish meal, or give him a hug, or go on a walk with him. That’s what I used to do for my father anytime he did something nice for me. But this situation is entirely different from that.And the way Spencer is looking at me now–There’s a bareness to his gaze, an intensity. A hunger, maybe. A sense of possession. He wants something else entirely from me. So how should I repay him?“You know what I want, Ivy,” Prince Spencer says in a low, sultry voice that moves across my skin like silk. “Show me how clever you are.”“I–I–” I scowl in annoyance at my own tied tongue. I always seem to stutter around Spencer, to my immense frustration. There’s something about him, his power, his dominance. It always trips me up. I have no idea how I’m supposed to a
Spencer's POV‘Your Highness,’ Beta Wilson’s voice echoes in my mind, accepting my mind-link.I shuffle together some of the papers on my desk, looking them over absently. Reports from other packs, mindless paperwork I wish I didn’t have to deal with. ‘Have you found Alpha Kinney?’As Ivy had mentioned earlier, the merger of two packs is a significant event–especially if one pack is being so thoroughly absorbed as the Obsidian pack seems to have been. Everything I know about Ivy’s fall from grace only made the whole affair seem even more suspicious. And so, when I’d received Erick’s invitation, I’d immediately ordered Beta Wilson to investigate the Thunderclaw pack and its affairs. I knew everything there was to know before Ivy even rushed into my office earlier today.We still haven’t found any trace of Alpha Kinney, though. Silence stretches over the mind-link, and I get the feeling that Beta Wilson is doing one last desperate grab for information before reporting to me. I doubt he
Spencer's POV“Your Highness, Veronica wants to see you.”I look up in shock at Beta Wilson, who’s currently lingering in the doorway of my office, shifting his weight nervously from foot to foot. Why would Veronica want to see me? Considering everything that’s happened between her and Ivy, she should be utterly terrified of me. “Tell her I have no reason to see her,” I commanded. I already know what I need to know from Ivy–there’s no need for me to meet Veronica right now. Moreover, if Erick discovered I was meeting with her, he might realize I know about his crimes.Plus, knowing what Veronica has done to Ivy, I don’t think I could trust myself to be civil with her. Beta Wilson nods respectfully, then turns on his heel and leaves my office. I follow him down the hallway to his room, where–as we’d arranged–the Thunderclaw warrior has been imprisoned.We managed the whole situation discreetly, of course, taking him captive late last night under the cover of darkness so Alpha Erick
Ivy's POVI’m already a bundle of nerves by the time Spencer walks out of the room, expression grim.“How did it go?” I ask urgently, wringing my hands. “Did he say anything? Do we know where Kinney is?”Spencer nods once.“Where’s Beta Kinney?” I press. “That’s confidential information for now,” Spencer replied calmly, seemingly unfazed by my panicked frenzy. He gestures towards Beta Wilson. “My Beta will find him.”I huff in frustration, but faced with his infuriating calmness, I have no idea how to voice my feelings. This isn’t just about revenge, or finding Beta Kinney–it’s about the very survival of the Obsidian pack, of my father’s legacy. If we can find Beta Kinney, we have at least some chance of saving my former pack from being absorbed. “Don’t worry,” Spencer reassures me as though he’s read my mind. “You’ll be able to see him as soon as we find him.”“Can I come with you on the mission?” I ask, concerned.Spencer blinks, and it takes me a moment to realize I’ve caught him
Spencer's POV“We need to return to the palace!” My thunderous command tears through the ranks of soldiers, and in mere instants, the entire army has begun marching all the way back in the direction of the palace. Gamma Everly and Alpha Leo bring up the head, but I linger near the back, frantically getting in touch with Wilson. ‘Are you at the palace?’ I ask him. His response is quick. ‘Sylvia and I are stationed at the front doors, Your Highness. We’ve also got all the guards ready to defend the palace as soon as it’s necessary.’‘Well done, Wilson,’ I say. ‘I’ve got another task at hand for you, though. The rogue werewolves have just attempted to lead the entire Lycan Army out into the middle of the woods–likely to leave the barracks, and thus an entrance to the palace, undefended. Fortunately we’ve still got reserve soldiers stationed there. I need you to head to the barracks, investigate the scene, and mobilize the reserve soldiers as needed. Can you do that?’ ‘Of course, Prin
Spencer's POV“Don’t trust him!”The words burst out of Alpha Leo’s mouth in a jumbled rush as he comes to a stop in front of Gamma Everly and I. He doubles over in exhaustion, hands resting on his knees. His breath comes in ragged, wheezing gasps, clearly plagued by trauma to his lungs. I can still see him suffering from the remnants of his injuries from earlier today—no doubt they’ve slowed him down considerably. I raise an eyebrow, studying Alpha Leo intently. “Don’t trust who?” I ask. “The—the centurion!” He gasps out. There’s a faint wheeze tugging at the edge of Alpha Leo’s breath. He stands up slowly, spine popping. “The man who… who told you to come here—he’s not who he said he is.”I breathe out a slow sigh. As much as I’d hoped Alpha Leo would have more positive news to bring, Alpha Leo’s words are only confirming what I’ve previously assumed, much to my disappointment. “How do you know this?” I ask. “I saw him emerge from the edge of the woods while I was at the watchto
Spencer's POVAs I lead my warriors boldly into the night, I feel more determined than I’ve ever felt before. I'm well accustomed to hatred. To loathing. To the sort of burning fury that aches like hot coals in the pit of my stomach, a relentless pain that consumes my every waking thought. Such anger is not unfamiliar to me. But the sheer volume of it I’m experiencing now, knowing that Elder Jet is out there somewhere holding Ivy hostage and hoping to topple the entire Lycian Kingdom in one fell swoop…A quick death would be too kind a fate for Elder Jet. I want to pick him apart slowly and excruciatingly. I want to feel his blood between my fingers and to hear every scream of agony. I want to invent new depths of suffering just for him. “Be ready, soldiers!” I say, keeping my voice hushed as I look back at my army. Gamma Everly and I are leading the troops onward. We move silently and swiftly, scanning the trees for any signs of threat. The trees are tall, branches stretching upw
Spencer's POVNow that we know how we want to move forward, things are quick to fall into place. The centurion who gave us the tip has fallen out of sight completely–I’m assuming that by now he’s getting the medical treatment he needs. I’ve mind linked all the surviving centurions to bring their search parties back to the barracks, too, and now I’m just watching the last remaining warriors trickle back into our camp. The plan is simple. We aim to strike first, and to strike with such overwhelming brute force that no matter his schemes, Elder Jet will be left completely and utterly unable to recover. “If we move through the woods along here, I think we can follow the natural curve of the river without detection,” Gamma Everly says slowly. She traces her fingers along the map and shows me her outlined path. “There’s enough space for all of us to move around the region relatively freely, but the topography will make it harder to corner us. We could use their camp location to our advan
Spencer's POV“What happened?” I reach down and grab the fallen centurion’s shoulder firmly. Beneath my fingertips, the fabric at the joints of his armour is thick and bloody, and the warrior groans as I make contact. He’s not dead yet, though, and that gives me hope. With a little help from Gamma Everly, the two of us manage to bring the man up into a sitting position. He’s moving slowly and unsteadily, eyes clouded with unforetold terrors. I can see his limbs tremble and shake, the clear difficulty of every moment. “I… I was out surveying the area…” the centurion murmurs slowly. “And I was–and there was–” I still can’t see the full details of his face, but beneath his mask, his gaze is darting back and and forth anxiously. “It’s okay,” I tell him. “You’re safe here now.” Comforting people certainly isn’t my strong suit, but he has the information I need. And besides, it feels like something Ivy would do. She’d speak to him softly, gently. She’d nurture him carefully. She’d ma
Spencer's POV“What do you need me to do?” Alpha Leo’s expression is solemn as he faces me. All at once, I can see just how deeply he’s changed over the course of today–just earlier this morning, he was breaking out of our dungeon, not caring who he killed or whose lives he drastically affected. He was ready to return to a wicked, traitorous man and help him take us all down. But now Alpha Jet looks at me with respect and admiration. There’s still a lot more work to do, but he’s reckoned with Elder Jet’s fundamental evils and cruelties. He’s not just ready to change–he’s at a point where he’s more than willing. I smile at him, taking his question as confirmation that he would indeed be interested in aiding the Lycan Army. I point to a large building on stilts right near the back of the barracks. Alpha Leo follows my gesture with his eyes, tilting his head in confusion as he looks the structure over carefully. “Is that… a grain silo?” He asks. I smile. “We’ve got a herd of cattle
Spencer's POVAs the centurions lead their recruited parties out into the distant woods, I can feel the cold hand of horror slowly clamping around my heart. Of course, my main goal with sending out these search parties is to determine just how much of a threat Elder Jet truly is right now. Of course that’s what I’m trying to do. But in sending out all of these patrols, there’s something else I may be able to figure out, too. I’m hoping against hope that one of the parties will be able to figure out where Ivy is. But with that hope, there’s fear, too. What if they find Ivy, but it’s too late? What if all I can rescue now is her corpse? Or what if she’s alive, but broken and hurt beyond measure? I don’t want to see her injured. She’s been through so much–I don’t know how many more traumas she can take. Especially with the baby. Oh, Moon Goddess above, please protect Ivy and my baby. The warriors that aren’t members of any of the search parties spread through the forest, lying in
Spencer's POVAs Gamma Everly and I walk through the amassed ranks of the full might of the Lycan Army, all I can think about is Ivy. Where is she? What’s happening to her? I have no way of getting into contact with her–what if Elder Jet did something? How would I know? There’s a part of me that wants to take Elder Jet up on his offer of surrendering, if only to guarantee Ivy’s security. But I can’t do that. I can’t trade away my kingdom for her. If I did, what sort of king would I be? Besides, I wouldn’t put it past Elder Jet to break his end of a hostage exchange. Alpha Leo is the only piece we have to trade back, but Elder Jet doesn’t seem too attached to his spies, likely for this exact reason. No. The only way to ensure Ivy’s continuous and lasting security is to fight for it myself, tooth and nail and wickedly sharp claw. I can’t let anything bad happen to her. I lock eyes with Gamma Everly as we complete our sweep of the battalions. We have a massive military, easily big
Ivy's POV“You’ll never get away with it!” I’m gripping the bars of my cage as tightly as I can, but even despite my pointed efforts, I can feel myself beginning to slip. My hands feel like they're made of gelatin, and I can’t force myself to move them how I want to. My knuckles unclench, and my fingers are as useless as limp noodles. Elder Jet lets out a cold chuckle and pulls away from me. He takes a couple steps back, clearly enjoying the sight of me doing my very best to regain control of my body. I’m doing everything in my power to try and suppress the potion’s effects, but what can I do, really? I can feel it coursing through my body, bubbling into my stomach before being absorbed through the lining and into my bloodstream like some sort of sick, infested stain. I lie back on the ground, chest heaving. Grass tickles the back of my neck, and I can feel the particles of dirt clinging to my skin. I have no control right now. I don’t have anything. I’m completely and utterly u