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
Ivy's POVThe tunnel underneath the floorboards is darker than anything I’ve ever known. I follow Spencer and Beta Wilson down the stairs, keeping one hand against the wall so I don’t lose track of where I am. The stairs are steep, and the stone they’re made of is crudely carved and rough. We spend maybe fifteen minutes descending in dreary silence, until suddenly Beta Wilson and Spencer stop. I hear the faint noise of something being pried from the wall, then the soft click of a lighter, and suddenly, the world is illuminated in orange torchlight. “Oh!” I gasp, looking around in shock. We’re in a small cave with water-worn walls carved from black stone. The ground is damp, small streams of water running across the rock, and multiple tunnels seem to be branching off this main circular room. Only one of the tunnels has additional unlit torches lining its walls, though. “This way,” Beta Wilson says. Even though his voice is nothing but a hushed whisper, the cave seems to pick up on
Ivy's POVEven though the cave’s dim lighting prevents me from being able to see who it is, I can recognize the voice instantly. Erick.I grit my teeth, glaring into the mouth of the tunnel as the bastard approaches. White hot rage courses through my veins. I’ll never forget the voice of that demon. He’ll be burned into my psyche for the rest of my life. Spencer and Beta Wilson exchange a quick glance, an evident understanding passing between them. He won’t be escaping this cave tonight. They move towards Erick as one. As they move, though, Erick seems to recognize Spencer. His eyes widen in fear. He quickly backs up, then spins around and starts sprinting back out of the tunnel.Coward that he is. I hold my breath, heart racing furiously. I want Erick dead and gone with more passion than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life. I want to tear him limb from limb, watch the blood spill out. I want him to feel every bit of the pain I’ve felt. “Get him!” I cry out desperately, the sound
Ivy's POV“You mean what I think you mean, right?” As I ask the question, my gaze flips back up to Spencer hesitantly, and for a split-second I’m unsure if I’ve interpreted his words correctly. I look at Erick, curled up in a ball on the ground, and then back up at Spencer. He nods, and I take that as confirmation. Spencer is giving me the authority to deal with Erick as I see fit. I can do anything I want to him. I hadn’t expected Spencer to give me such power. After all, Erick is an Alpha, and killing an Alpha is a much greater crime than merging two packs–even illegally. Technically speaking, I shouldn’t even be near him right now. But Spencer is willing to give me that power anyways.And I have no intention of wasting any of it. My mind flashes with all the possibilities. I can almost feel it now–the smell of Erick’s blood, the rip of his flesh tearing, the way his screams would echo around the tunnels…I’m not normally a violent person. But betrayal has a way of changing y
Ivy's POVOn my own, there’s no way I’d ever be able to kill Erick.But with Spencer’s incredible strength backing me up, anything is possible. As I continue to dig my fingernails into Erick’s skin, small beads of blood welling up, Spencer releases his Lycan Aura. Erick starts to whimper and tremble, too terrified to resist. He’s nothing but a toy in my hands now.I stand up and take a step away from him, looking down. He’s pitiful. I draw my legs back and, with a swift kick, drive my heel into Erick’s side. He yelps in pain, wincing and curling into an even tighter ball. “Do you remember my father, Erick?” I ask, my voice as cold as the lake water in the cave. “Do you remember how you killed him? I think his spirit is watching all of this now.”“No, Ivy, please! I was wrong.” Erick sobs desperately, his useless pleas echoing around the caves. He tries to crawl backward on his knees away from me, but it’s no use. He can’t escape me. “I still love you, Ivy. Forgive me.”His words was
Ivy's POVWhen I wake up the next morning, I find myself curled up on a sofa in Spencer’s room. The sunlight creeps through the windows and reaches my eyelids in thin slivers of gold. I groan, cracking my eyes open and looking around slowly. For a split second, I don’t remember any of what happened the night before.But then it hits me, all at once, and I have no idea how to feel about any of it. Tomorrow is another day, right? I think to myself with a wry smile.Strangely, though, this is the first time it’s ever felt true. I look down at my hands. They’ve been cleaned, but there’s still blood caked under my fingernails. Erick is dead. And I killed him. ‘It’s all over. Start a new life, Ivy.’ Spencer’s words ricochet through my mind, and an indescribable feeling fills my heart. I could start a new life–I have that chance now, and all because of him. It’s not just gratitude. Some words, the moment you hear them, you know you’ll never forget.I find myself glancing towards Spenc
Ivy’s POV“Are you ready?” I whisper the question to Spencer as we stand behind a huge set of double doors. I’ve known him as the Lycan King for several weeks now, and been referred to as the Lycan Queen since our wedding, but today is the day it becomes official. Today is the day of the coronation. And I couldn’t be more excited. Every citizen of the Lycan Kingdom physically able to be in attendance is seated just beyond those double doors, dressed in their finest attire. I can hear the waning sounds of the band playing our anthem triumphantly, can hear the heavy steel-toed footfalls of our military as they carry out their grand display. It’s a show of strength and endurance–everything about today has been structured to portray power and confidence, from the massive outdoor ceremony in the palace’s courtyard to the full military regalia on display. “Ready as ever,” Spencer replies. “This is what I was born to, after all.” There’s a firm set to his jaw and iron in his posture. E
Spencer’s POV“Congratulations, Colin!” My mother is the first one to acknowledge the news, smiling gleefully as she looks towards her son and his fiancée. Now that their secret is out, Delilah is positively beaming as she slips the engagement ring out of her pocket and onto her finger, waving her hand back and forth. I chuckle lowly as the happy couple kisses tenderly. I just know they’re going to have the most unnecessarily extravagant wedding possible, and they’re going to adore every second of it. “I’m telling you, they’re only together because Delilah and I were engaged,” I murmur to Ivy out of the corner of my mouth. She rolls her eyes, but she’s grinning. “If you say so, Spencer.” “Must be something in the air,” Sylvia remarks. “I heard Gamma Everly and Captain Leo got engaged, too!” At that news, I smile genuinely. After all the heartbreak she’s endured over the years, I’m glad Gamma Everly has finally found a man who can match her. It seems that my wedding to Ivy was on
Spencer’s POVIt’s been a couple days since I returned from the Sunclash pack and Ivy began recovering from the plague, and things have finally had a chance to settle into a routine. Beta Wilson and Doctor Danbury have been working restlessly to distribute the antidote to those in need far and wide. We’ve eradicated it completely from the Lycan kingdom and have almost finished scrubbing it from the outer packs. All of Elder Jet’s rebels have been placed in our custody, with trials pending. Based on the reports from other packs as well as the newly-formed Werewolf Council, it seems as though Elder Jet’s toxic ideology has been defeated for good. We still have lots to do to repair our relationship with the werewolves, of course, but we’re in a good place to begin that work. And as soon as Ivy returns to her full strength, I’m excited for us to begin that work together. I set down the last stack of papers on my desk and push open the door to my office, wandering back into the main bo
Ivy’s POV“What is it?” Those are the last words I hear, spoken in Spencer’s soothing, familiar voice, before I slip into an uneasy half-sleep. I can feel blankets being shifted and jostled around me, the vibrations from wheels being rolled across a bumpy floor. But my mind is distant, dreaming. I see fire. Magic. Blood. Frantic voices cry out, but there’s someone else, promising that I’m stable–just exhausted. My body is lifted up from the uncomfortable mattress and laid down somewhere much more soft and padded. There, finally, as the terrible burning recedes from my skin, I’m able to fall into a quiet, restful sleep. I’m not sure how much time passes before I finally come to. As my eyes plink open slowly, blearily, the first thing I see is Spencer sitting at the edge of my bed, eyes crinkling at the corners. “Good morning, Sleepyhead,” he says softly. I let out a quiet chuckle. “What time is it actually?” I groan, dragging a hand down my face. Suddenly I realize that everythin
Spencer’s POVAs I push past the double doors and into the hospital’s foyer, I’m struck by the absolute chaos everywhere. There are patients being pushed and shuffled in every direction, and the entire hospital staff looks criminally overworked, worry lines and downcast expressions almost completely hidden behind thick airtight filters. I realize the yellow suits all the staff are wearing match the protective suits Doctor Danbury gave us when we were investigating the Sunclash pack. And if everyone is in plague equipment now…I can only hope we’ll have enough of the antidote to deal with all the infected. That’s an issue for later, though. Right now, my focus is solely on Ivy. “Where’s the queen?” I shout, looking around the foyer frantically. A nurse rushes over towards me hurriedly, gaze darting back and forth. “She–she’s in the quarantine wing, Your Majesty,” the nurse says. “Quite a few patients are, unfortunately. Before I can take you there, I’m going to have to ask you to
Spencer’s POVAs soon as I pass the threshold of the Lycan Kingdom, I hear a frantic message from Captain Leo echoing in my mind. ‘–and they’re here!’ Comes the call, which has surely been repeating over and over again for ages now, if I’m hearing it as soon as I’m able. Captain Leo’s voice is frantic and desperate. ‘Please, Your Majesty, we have to get this under control. We need you here.’ I grit my teeth and keep my gaze peeled on the road ahead. We’re on our way to the palace now, to deliver the antidote to Ivy and whoever else may need it, but we’re still a matter of minutes away at least. ‘We’re in the kingdom now,’ I assure him. ‘Who’s here?’‘The rest of Elder Jet’s rebels, Your Majesty. It seems they were waiting for you to leave.’ I scowl in displeasure as I watch the scenery continue to blur around us. Of course that was the witch’s final plan, coward that she was. To poison my wife and lure me out to the middle of nowhere knowing how desperate I’d be to cure her… It’s
Ivy’s POVAs I lay in the quarantine room, I can feel the growing sickness continuing to spread through my body. Alongside all the typical postpartum symptoms, which would be horrendous enough on their own, the burning is horrible in its unrelentingness. The pain meds feel more like an empty consolation than anything else now. I’m more fatigued than I’ve ever felt before, but I can’t bring myself to fall asleep, because the agony simmering just beneath my skin is impossible to ignore. Am I being punished for something? ‘What am I going to do?’ I ask Venetia hopelessly. There’s no one else to talk to but her. ‘You’ll pull through,’ Venetia assures me, though I can hear the reluctance in her tone. ‘You heard the rumours–Spencer is out there right now, searching desperately for a cure! He loves you. He’s not going to let you die. You matter too much to him.’ I chuckle bitterly. ‘At a certain point, it doesn’t matter how much he doesn’t want me to die. I’ll die or I won’t.’ Venetia
Spencer’s POVAs my claws tear through the ice-cold flesh of the witch’s body, a bloodcurdling scream suddenly pierces the air. With a fierce cry, the witch tries to wrench herself from my grasp, but she only succeeds in dragging her body along my claws, worsening her own injuries. Blood splatters on the ground and onto my paws. It doesn’t feel like blood normally does, though–it’s cold like freshwater and feels oddly slick, almost oily. I pull my lips back over my teeth and growl viciously, searching for the witch’s neck in this darkness. “You beast!” The witch wails like a banshee. I can see her eyes glinting reflectively like a cat’s in the darkness. As we hit the ground, one of her antlers breaks and falls off. “Do you have any idea how powerful I am? You don’t have the faintest whisper of a chance against me, you brute–” I curl my claws inward, deepening the wounds further, and the witch lets out another ragged scream. Suddenly, the darkness in the room all seems to slither t
Spencer’s POV“Run!” My warning to Alpha Fierro echoes through the darkened office seemingly unheard. As the shadows continue to creep around my field of vision, obscuring everything from view, my heart thuds in my chest. Never before had I been scared of an enemy until encountering the witch. I shift fluidly into my wolf form, powerful arms and legs rippling with muscles, fangs and teeth sharp as daggers. My growl is a low, warning rumble in the base of my throat. Despite my heightened sentences as I continue to peer ahead, ears trained to detect the slightest sense of movement, I still have no idea where the witch is. “Reveal yourself, coward!” I shout, my voice echoing through the room. “You betray your honour by slinking around in the shadows.” The witch’s laugh, low and melodious, fills the air. There’s a haunting coldness to it. “Honour is a werewolf construct,” she says. “And it’s so unlike a proud, foolish warrior to consider it a cowardly action to win a battle with intel