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“It’s you!” Veronica turns to me with a fierce ferocity, face twisted with rage. She looks angrier than I’ve ever seen her–the sort of anger that burns right down to your core. Like she could kill me. Like she could tear me limb from limb. She bares her teeth at me, and there’s something feral and wild in her eyes. “It’s you!” She repeats furiously. “You’re the one who slandered my father and I to His Highness! You’re the reason this is all happening to me!”Veronica lunges towards me, claws out, but before I can even blink in surprise, Beta Wilson has her pinned tight. Her arms are twisted behind her back so tightly that even the slightest movement must be excruciatingly painful, and even still, she thrashes. “Is your whole life a lie?” I ask quietly, looking at Veronica with pity, not anger. Much to my surprise, I don’t think I can be angry at her anymore.She’s too miserable for that. “First you seduced my fiance, and now you’re trying to seduce Prince Spencer?” I co
Ivy's POVAccording to Werewolf Law, Alpha Erick should be judged by the Werewolf Council.Beta Wilson’s words echo through my mind, the reminder he’d given Spencer last night in the cave. And yet, despite that warning, Spencer had allowed me to do as I wished. Of course, I’d chosen to avenge my father and kill Erick. I feel no regret about that decision even now. But still, feeling the impending trouble this is bound to cause for Spencer, I can’t help but feel anxious. As we’re chauffeured back to the castle, I can’t help but feel uncomfortable in the car next to Spencer. There’s this strange tension to him, and if I didn’t know better, I think I’d mistake it for nervousness. He shouldn’t have to go through any of this. I’m the one who killed Erick, after all. Spencer only respected my decision. If the Werewolf Council or the Lycan King seeks retribution, I’m the true culprit. I look over at him, admiring his silhouette in the car window. I want to reach out, to say something. I’m
Spencer's POVWhen I see my father, he’s clearly not happy.“Father,” I say respectfully.My father, King Damien, frowns at me. His expression is grim and clearly displeased. “I have received word that Alpha Erick of the Thunderclaw pack was executed without authorization–and by my own son, no less. Is this true?”“Yes, Father,” I admit straightforwardly.My father heaves a sigh. “Why, Spencer? Why did you have to execute him when you could’ve simply handed him over to the Werewolf Council for trial?” “His execution was justified.” My voice is calm, measured. “He kidnapped Alpha Kinney, cut off his leg, and tried to take over the Obsidian pack. He needed to be disposed of as soon as possible.”Truth be told, I didn’t necessarily have to kill Erick. I did have some amount of personal stake in the matter, though, thanks to Ivy. If I hadn’t known about her experience, I might have chosen to hand Erick over to the Werewolf Council after all. But I know Ivy now, and I know how determined
Ivy's POVWhen I get to the dining hall the next day, the first thing I do is rush towards Beta Wilson. “Where did Prince Spencer go?” I demand. Beta Wilson frowns, looking away. “He’s gone to meet with the Werewolf Council.”My heart plummets, pure dread settling over me as I slowly begin to truly understand what’s happening. I’ve never had to deal with the Werewolf Council in person, thank goodness, but the things I’ve heard about them have been incredibly harsh. Rumour has it that the Council Elders are extremely rigid and strict, over-scrutinizing any behavior that doesn’t adhere to their rules. Every werewolf pack–and every Alpha–fears their rule. In a situation like the one I’ve landed us in, no doubt their reaction will be severe. “Is Spencer in danger?” I ask Beta Wilson. Beta Wilson hesitates. “The situation is… complicated.”“Complicated,” I repeat bluntly, unease welling up in the pit of my stomach. “Define complicated.”“I’m really not supposed to say–”“I’m Spencer’s
Ivy's POVA girl in an elegant dress storms towards Beta Wilson and I. I tilt my head, examining her carefully. I don’t recognize her, but there’s something extraordinarily familiar about her. Her features are delicate and beautiful, her golden hair shining brightly in the early morning sunlight. Her eyes are hazel, impossibly striking. She’s frowning at us, skewering Beta Wilson with a glare, but instead of looking unpleasantly angry, she looks adorably charming.Under her scrutinizing gaze, Beta Wilson’s expression suddenly becomes awkward. “Princess Sylvia,” he says respectfully, averting his attention. All at once, I realize what’s so familiar about her.She looks like Spencer.But Princess Sylvia ignores Beta Wilson entirely. Her eyes fall on his hand, which is still wrapped around my arm to stop me from going to the Lycan King’s office. The moment Beta Wilson notices Sylvia looking at his hand around me, he lets go as if he’s been electrocuted. “Who are you?” Princess Sylvia
Ivy's POV“If the Werewolf Council Elders learn the truth, I’ll be put to trial immediately.”I suck in a deep breath before continuing my confession. “The Lycan Royal Family will finally have peace again. Maybe that’s what you want to see?” I tilt my head at Princess Sylvia, narrowing my eyes at her and hoping she’ll take the bait. If the princess sends me to the Werewolf Council, I can finally face the retribution I deserve, thus avoiding a war between the Lycans and the werewolves. “Miss Ivy is making things up. None of that is true!” Beta Wilson says immediately, eyes shifting nervously back and forth. I glare at him. “I killed Erick, and you saw it happen, Beta Wilson. I’m telling the truth,” I insist. “The Moon Goddess can bear witness.”My vow falls over Beta Wilson and Princess Sylvia heavily, plunging the room into silence. No one can lie before the Moon Goddess. Princess Sylvia stares at me intensely, seemingly unable to understand why I’d offer myself up for trial. She
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