Spencer's POV“Is Miss Ivy Bell your mate?”My father’s face darkens in disappointment as he asks the question. I know he already knows the answer. He just wants to hear it from me. His hands grip the sides of his chair angrily, knuckles white. I can feel just how enraged he is even at the mere prospect. No Lycan Prince should be with a lowly girl like Ivy, and we both know it. And yet, here we are. “She is,” I admit, looking him squarely in the eyes. My father sighs, rubbing his temples with one hand. He glowers down at me. “Have you gone mad? Why did you lie to me about this, Spencer?” He asks in frustration. “I had no intention of actually acting upon our Mate Bond,” I explain calmly. “I wasn’t planning on holding any sort of Mate Ceremony. While it’s true that Ivy is my mate, I figured nothing else in my life would change–she would simply remain by my side. And so, as far as anyone was concerned, no one else needed to know. Not even her.”It’s strange to think–I mean what I’m
Ivy's POVThe maids don’t seem to have any intention of treating me well as they escort me through the palace. They sneer and glower at me, pulling me along harshly. My body is still weak from everything that happened in the Werewolf Council’s halls, and I find myself stumbling along, disoriented, as they continue to drag me forwards.At least they let me get changed before they dragged me out of the hospital room. Still, though, the thin paper gown leaves me far more revealed and vulnerable than I’d like to be. I haven’t endured such a cruel treatment from the palace staff since Spencer made me his personal maid. Which means that something in my standing must have changed. Fear seeps into me as the maids bring me to the doors of a luxurious hall. Two of them pull the doors open, revealing stunning royal chambers. A regal middle-aged woman sits in the middle of the room, lounging on a gilded gold throne. She’s clearly been waiting for me. The maids throw me to the ground. I cry
Ivy's POVEven though I’d never even imagined becoming Spencer’s Luna, the Lycan Queen’s rejection still stings. Only since my father’s death have I truly realized just how much malice exists in the world. Once, I’d been my father’s pride and joy, the crown jewel of my pack–cherished and pampered and adored from such a young age. But now, there’s no one on my side. I have to face these challenges alone. The maid’s whip lands on the already-bleeding wounds, causing me to gasp sharply again. Thinking about Spencer makes me feel a bit better, though. Even just imagining him is something of a comfort. I fight the urge to scream at the queen. I won’t give her the satisfaction. “I never thought I could… become Spencer’s Luna…” The gaps between my words are interspersed with sharp hisses. “But I am his mate. The choice of who his Luna is should be made by Spencer himself…”The queen narrows her eyes at me in anger, and I feel proud of my small rebellion. No doubt she had hoped to see m
Ivy's POV“You won’t kill her, Mother.”Spencer’s defiant command rattles around the hall, causing the queen’s face to tighten with rage. How many more orders can he defy for me? My gaze shifts nervously towards the maids and their whips, wounds aching even more at the sight of them. I know the maids won’t dare attack me with Spencer in the room, but if somehow he ends up leaving… I shiver and try to tear my thoughts away from worst-case scenarios, returning my focus to the Lycan Queen. “You are being insubordinate, Spencer!” She shouts. “Although you may be my son and the Crown Prince, you have no right to disobey me over and over again. She will die today.”I tremble in Spencer’s arms, but he still looks completely unfazed. “We’ve sworn a Blood Oath together,” Spencer says calmly. A Blood Oath. What is that? Spencer’s voice may not be raised, but it crackles through the hall like a thunderclap, causing the queen to shrink back into her chair in shock. A pair of maids step fo
Ivy's POVThe room is empty except for Spencer and I.Spencer lays me down gently on his bed and starts to remove my hospital gown. I find myself blushing, body heating up. “Wait,” I say suddenly. I know we’ve been… intimate before. And considering the deep wounds biting into my back, I’m sure he’s only trying to see how I’m doing. And yet, I still find myself embarrassed about undressing in front of him. My gaze drops to the bottle of ointment in his hand. He’s only trying to heal me. “Just apply the medicine, please,” I say shyly. “You don’t… you don’t have to…” I trail off, not quite sure how to finish the sentence. Spencer raises an eyebrow. “No saliva this time?” He asks, clearly picking up where I left off. My face flushes. “Yeah,” I reply, nodding slightly. “As you wish.” Spencer’s voice is gentlemanly, but his smirk says otherwise. I lay down on my stomach as he gingerly peels away the thin fabric. The cold air feels good against my injuries. Soothing, almost. When hi
Ivy's POVA pack rebellion is a serious matter. Let alone two. I pull away from Spencer abruptly, sitting up straight on his bed and pulling my hospital gown back on. “I can take care of my injuries myself,” I insist quickly. “Go take care of everything you need to handle.” Spencer hesitates for a moment before nodding. My determination is, after all, impossible to ignore, and I refuse to get in the way of his role as Prince any more than I already have. He squeezes his eyes shut for a moment, clearly sending a mind link. Moments later, a pair of maids bustle into the room, first aid supplies in hand. My heart freezes upon seeing the maids, already wondering what they’re planning on doing to me. I’ve had too many bad experiences with the maids of this palace. Noticing my worry, Spencer quickly glares at them. “If either of you do her any harm, I’ll have you both executed the moment I get back,” he growls at them. The maids’ eyes widen quickly. “Yes, Your Highness,” one of them
Ivy's POVI’ve never seen such a valiant she-wolf in my life. I can’t stop looking at her. Can’t tear my gaze away. Dressed in polished, shining red armor, she looks like the perfect picture of a blazing fire–brilliant and striking. Her long, raven-black hair is pulled into a sleek high ponytail, revealing a sharply defined face with determined eyes that pierce like an eagle’s.As she talks with Spencer, pacing back and forth, her movements are steady and graceful. Each action is packed with an uncanny grace. Her steel-toed combat boots make a commanding clank on the ground, as though declaring her resolve with every step. Dangling from a bejeweled sheath at her hip is a wickedly sharp longsword, a few inches of exposed blade glinting in the sunlight. Everything about her evokes awe. She must be a warrior. But who is she? I watch her proud stance and domineering presence with wide eyes, feeling a profound sense of respect as I look at her. Suddenly, Spencer’s gaze latches onto
Ivy's POVWhen the warrior approaches us, strong features etched into the picture of concern, I know something’s gone wrong. “Apologies for intruding, Beta Wilson,” the warrior says, nodding his head ever so slightly. “But I’ve just received word from the prison that inmate Veronica Kent has been causing a fuss. She’s been demanding to see you.”My stomach twists. What could Veronica possibly want?Beta Wilson sets his jaw. “Before I speak to anyone else, I must escort Miss Ivy to her room.” “No, it’s alright,” I say quickly. I’m tired of being fussed after. I just want to go to my room and recover in peace. “Go handle your business. I can get back to my chambers on my own. As twisted as these halls are, I’m getting the hang of it.” I grin wryly, already turning away from Beta Wilson. “As you wish,” he says after a moment’s hesitation, allowing the warrior to lead him away. I start to wander down the hallways on my own. I’m happy to find that my words before weren’t a lie–I really