Ivy’s POVI stood frozen by the window, my breath caught in my throat. There, in the shadows just beyond the tall wrought-iron gates, stood a figure. Its silhouette was vague, but the glimmer of pale eyes staring directly at me sent a chill down my spine. I couldn’t make out the details, but the feeling was unmistakable—it has to be the Keeper.Did I scream? I couldn't tell anymore. I thought Leo said I was safe here? How is the keeper here as well?The figure’s gaze didn’t falter, and my heart began to pound in my chest. ‘What does it want? Why is it here?’ I reached for my phone, but my hands were shaking too much to type. Without thinking, I rushed to the door, my instincts pulling me away from the dark figure outside. Before I could step into the hallway, a heavy knock echoed through the door. Startled, I spun around, my pulse quickening. I hesitated, staring at the door for a long moment, debating whether to answer. Another knock followed, more insistent. "Ivy, it’s Leo," cam
Leo’s POVI had barely settled into the leather chair in my study when the air around me grew heavier, thick with unease. The recent events involving Ivy gnawed at my mind, but I pushed those thoughts aside for now. I need to know who I'm dealing with first. I picked up my phone and called Zane, my Beta and best friend, to issue critical orders. “Zane, I need you to dig deeper into this so-called Keeper. Find out anything you can—where it came from, what its purpose is, and if it’s connected to any old magic we might’ve overlooked.” There was a pause on the line, followed by Zane’s steady voice. “I’ll get right on it, Alpha. Anything else?” “Yes. Send a few trusted men to track Malrik. A rogue was seen lurking near my house and my mate. I want to know who it is and what they’re after. No mistakes.” “Understood. But, Leo…” Zane’s voice hardened, his tone shifting from professional to personal. “You’ve found your second-chance mate, and you didn’t think to tell me? I’m not just
Leo's POV But then, it clicked. Something is not right.A faint scent lingered in the air—one I hadn't noticed before because it was almost too faint, as if cloaked in magic. It wasn’t Ivy’s usual vanilla and lavender fragrance. No, this was something darker, metallic, and foreign. My wolf, Theo, immediately went on high alert. Someone had been near her. No, inside the house. Recently.My heart pounded as I scanned the room, my senses sharpening. Every inch of me wanted to bolt out the door and find Ivy, but reason held me back. I needed more information before I acted. I moved quickly, retracing my steps through the connecting door, pausing outside her room again. The scent was stronger in her room, almost suffocating.Apart from Zane and Isabella, there is someone else that knows my true identity. The sorceress, Lena. She had fortified this wing, so how did this happen?“Zane,” I growled into my phone as soon as he picked up. “We have a breach.”“What? A breach? How the hell—?”“I
Leo's POV Who could have done this? My thoughts were all over the place, trying to solve the puzzle. Lena placed the talisman on the table, her gaze meeting mine with an intensity that made the hair on my neck stand on end. “That’s what you need to find out, Alpha. Whatever this is, it didn’t attach itself to her by accident. Someone—or something—wanted this to happen.” My fists clenched at my sides, anger simmering beneath the surface. “When I find out who’s responsible, they’ll regret ever setting foot close to her.” Zane placed a hand on my shoulder, grounding me. “Easy, Leo. We’ll figure this out. Right now, we need to focus on your mate. She’s the key to understanding what’s going on.” I nodded, though the rage in my chest refused to subside. Lena resumed her work, muttering incantations as she added the final touches to the talisman. Meanwhile, I continued pacing, my thoughts a whirlwind of worry and fury. Theo was restless, his instincts urging me to act, to protect
Leo's POV Through the window, I saw Ivy. She was lying on a bed, her face bathed in soft moonlight, her expression serene—more peaceful than I had ever seen her. She had this slight smile on her lips, as though she was dreaming of something beautiful. My heart clenched painfully. She’s at peace? Here? In the same land that haunted her and gave her nightmares? Theo growled low in my mind, jealousy and anger rising at the thought of her finding solace here—without me. The urge to burst in, yank her away, and shatter whatever fragile peace she had dared find in this place surged within me. But beneath that storm of emotions, I felt something else. Sadness. Because deep down, I knew—I hadn’t been able to give her this. Ivy stirred, her body stretching languidly as though she had slept soundly for the first time in ages. As if sensing my presence, her eyes fluttered open, locking onto mine—golden, glowing wolf eyes peering through the window. She froze, confusion flickering across her
Leo's POV “You think a flimsy bond can keep her tied to you forever? You have no idea what a real bond feels like.” Connor’s defiance faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered. “She was mine first. The moon goddess marked her for me before you ever knew her name.” His words only fueled my rage, but something deeper gnawed at me—a cold, calculated need to understand the full extent of this bond he claimed existed. I didn’t want to just break him. I wanted to crush any hope he had of ever reclaiming her. “Aww she marked her for you?” I said, my voice dangerously low and mocking. “And yet, here she is… running to me. That mark of yours—weak. Fragile. A symbol of something already fading.” I leaned in even closer, until my mouth was near his ear. “Do you feel it, Connor? The bond weakening every time she touches me?” His eyes widened, a flicker of fear and anger passing through them. Good. I loosened my grip just enough for him to catch his breath. He coughed violently, but
Ivy’s POV How did he even get into our company?I tried to ignore him—tried to convince myself that walking away was the only way to keep my sanity intact. But the moment Connor’s hand wrapped around mine, pulling me into him, everything shifted. It was as though the storm raging inside me suddenly stilled, and for the first time since last night, I could breathe properly. I fought the urge to lean into him, to draw strength from his presence, but it was futile. Deep down, amidst all the chaos surrounding Leo and me, a dangerous thought crept in: Connor was someone I could trust. He was my mate, after all… right? Could the past repeat itself? I didn’t want to leave Leo, but the nightmare I had—it felt so real. What if it wasn’t just a dream? I shook my head, trying to snap out of it. Yet, the feel of Connor’s hand on mine sent a warmth through my body that made me weak. My resolve crumbled beneath the weight of exhaustion, and before I could stop myself, I stumbled. Sleep threat
Ivy's POVThe voice belonged to a figure stepping out from the shadows of the hallway. A woman—tall, graceful, and eerily familiar. Her hair cascaded in dark waves, and her sharp black eyes locked onto my frame with a mixture of anger and hatred. Is she really my mother? I remember asking myself this question over and over again. How could she bear to treat me the way she did? And even after all these years, the hatred still burned fresh.Aria.I hadn’t heard that name in years until my past came clashing with my present. It was a name I had long buried, a name tied to a past I wished to forget—a past filled with lies, hatred, and betrayal. A past I had longed to return to in my moment of weakness.Leo’s grip on my waist tightened as he pulled me closer, his body tensing with unease. “Who are you?” he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.The woman didn’t flinch. Instead, she took a step forward, her gaze never leaving mine. “Don’t play games with me, Aria. You know exactly who I am
Ivy's POV John Rodney. I hadn't seen him in years, but I could never forget that face. The greasy, stringy hair, the hollowed-out cheeks, the nervous twitch of his lips—he was another ghost from my nightmares, standing right in front of me in handcuffs. I couldn't breathe. The room shrank around me, the past crashing over me like a wave, dragging me back to a time I had fought so hard to forget. The café.The smell of roasted coffee beans and caramelized sugar had once been comforting—a small piece of normalcy I had clung to.I once loved working at that café, pouring lattes and wiping down counters, believing that with every shift, I was proving something. Proving to my father and uncle that adopting me wasn’t a mistake. Proving that I wasn’t just some broken girl, a discarded thing left to rot in the shadows of her past. They had given me another chance at life, a home, a family. And I was desperate to show them I deserved it. That I wasn’t useless, like everyone in my
IvyI had misunderstood Leo. That much was clear now, and guilt gnawed at my insides. But what choice did I have? I had been betrayed before, left to pick up the shattered pieces of my trust. So when the woman claimed to be his mate, when the world whispered doubts in my ears, I assumed the worst. And now? Now, as Leo held my hand, leading me toward the exit, I should have felt relief. Instead, unease crawled up my spine. The ding of the other elevator echoed behind us, and hurried footsteps approached from my left. “Connor?”His name left my lips before I could stop it, my voice betraying an excitement I hadn't expected. Why was I so happy to see him? All of a sudden, Leo’s presence became suffocating. The warmth of his grip, once reassuring, now made my skin crawl. My mind screamed that this was Leo—the man I loved—but a deeper instinct recoiled, repulsed and... scared. I tried to pull away, but Leo’s grip tightened. He ignored Connor entirely, dragging me outside. At th
Leo Why the fuck is she here? Isn't she the reason we're in this mess in the first place?"Um, Mr. Ashton. I think you need to leave. You have a guest, and I would like to have a moment with my guest," I heard Ivy say as she took her seat, arranging the files closest to her on the desk.A moment with Connor? Like hell am I supposed to let that happen?!"Isabella, what are you doing here?" I demanded angrily, turning towards her.Isabella is my friend, no mistaking. She was one of the people that knew I was the Alpha King before I revealed my face. She had been at her modeling academy, and I should be happy she's back after so long, but how could she think of spewing such nonsense to Ivy? This past week, I've been nothing but hard on her. She joined the manhunt and was deprived of proper rest as well. How could she dare to be all cozy when my mate is out there, possibly in danger?"Leo? Did you hear what I just said?" She asked, tugging at my shirt. The action made my wolf flinch bac
Leo"Can you all excuse us, please?" Ivy said, her voice calm, collected—too collected. The members of her board exchanged glances before rising from their seats. Some murmured under their breath as they exited the room, their whispers grinding against my nerves. But I didn’t come for them. I came for her. How could she be here? How could she not tell me? I had spent the last week unraveling, losing my mind as I scoured every inch of the forest, every desolate place, searching for her. My men combed through the darkest corners of the city. I even consulted the sorceress, desperate to track her down, to find out if Dina had taken her. But there was nothing. No trace. No scent. Nothing. The sleepless nights, the hunger, the ache—it all consumed me. The darkness became my companion, pressing into me, sinking into my bones. Every second without her was agony. And now, here she was, seated as though I wasn’t standing right in front of her. As though my very presence didn’t burn th
IvyI took a deep breath and steadied myself. Shaking off the remnants of my nightmare, I moved toward the bathtub, turning the shower on to let the hot water wash away the lingering unease.Once I was clean, I wrapped myself in a plush towel and stepped in front of the mirror. My reflection stared back at me, pale but composed. I couldn't afford to look fragile. I couldn't afford to look like my nightmares.I picked an elegant black pantsuit from my wardrobe, pairing it with a silk blouse in a muted shade of blue. The structured blazer sat perfectly on my shoulders, a protective armor of its own. After fastening a delicate silver bracelet around my wrist, I slipped on a pair of sleek heels. My fingers worked through my hair, styling it into a sophisticated low bun—sharp, professional, controlled. Light makeup followed—just enough to conceal the exhaustion beneath my eyes. A soft nude lipstick finished the look. With one last glance in the mirror, I straightened my posture. Whatev
IvyI blinked against the darkness of the room, my heart pounding for a second before I registered the sound. It was coming from the door.The voice on the other end called me again. It was Joe.Joe came in and handed me the new phone. With trembling fingers, I dialed my father’s number. The moment he picked up, my composure crumbled. “Dad,” I choked out, my voice breaking as tears streamed down my face. “Oh my God, Ivy!” he screamed instantly, his voice thick with unshed tears. “Are you okay? Talk to me. Where are you?”“I—I’m fine now,” I managed between shaky breaths. “The police are handling it. I just—I just wanted to hear your voice.” He let out a slow, heavy breath. “I’m so sorry,” he said, his voice raw with guilt. “I’m sorry your uncle and I weren’t there when you needed us.” A sob escaped me before I could stop it. “I was so scared, dad,” I admitted. “I know, baby,” he murmured. “But you’re safe now. That’s all that matters.” He paused. “Tell me what happened. Who
IvyMy fingers trembled slightly as I thought of calling my father and uncle, knowing they would be worried sick. But a call right now would only open the floodgates of emotions I wasn’t ready to face right here. I’d call them when I was home, where I could breathe, where the walls wouldn’t feel like they were closing in. But every second I lingered in this pack, the past pressed down harder, threatening to pull me under.A soft knock on the door made me pause. I turned to find Connor standing in the doorway, his gaze filled with an emotion I couldn’t quite place.“You’re leaving,” he stated rather than asked, his voice rough with something akin to regret.“I need to,” I replied, moving away from the mirror after fixing my hair.Connor stepped forward, blocking my path. “Ivy, please. This is your home. You belong here. With me.”I let out a humorless laugh, shaking my head. “This place ceased to be my home a long time ago, Connor. I don’t belong here anymore.”His jaw tightened, and
Ivy Icy silence settled over the room, stretching between Lila and me like razor wire, each second slicing deeper into old wounds. My heart pounded so hard I thought it might break through my ribs. Her words hung in the air, venomous and final.What makes you think I like you now, Aria?I had expected cruelty—this was Lila, after all—but hearing my old name from her lips felt like a blade twisting in my chest. Aria. Not Ivy. That name belonged to the girl who had died long ago, buried beneath betrayal, rejection, and loss.How many times do I have to remind her not to call me that?!I stiffened, my jaw tightening as I met her gaze. “Don’t call me that. Ever.”She smiled, but it was sharp, all teeth. “Why? Does it hurt? Does it remind you of everything you lost?” Her eyes gleamed with something dark—satisfaction, perhaps. Or maybe something worse. “Good.”My nails bit into my palms. I refused to give her the satisfaction of seeing me break. Not again. I had clawed my way out of hell—o
IvyDarkness swallowed me whole.I could feel the damp, cold stone beneath me, the air thick with the scent of mold and decay. My wrists ached where the chains had dug in, my throat raw from screaming. Shadows moved at the edges of my vision—no, not shadows.The Keeper.The voice slithered through the dark, thick as tar, wrapping around my mind. You thought you could run? Thought you could escape me?I tried to move, but my limbs felt like they were sinking into the floor, melting into the filth. My breath came in ragged gasps. The walls pulsed, closing in, the ceiling stretching impossibly high. A hand—bony, cold—closed around my ankle, yanking me back.I screamed.Then—light.I jolted upright, my chest heaving, my skin damp with sweat. But the filth, the chains, the Keeper—they were gone.Instead, I was in one of the softest beds I had ever felt, the sheets clean, smelling of fresh linen. My body no longer reeked of mold and damp, my skin scrubbed clean. My fingers curled into the f