Ivy’s POVThe soft, distant howl broke through the night again, this time sharper and more insistent. It lingered in the still air, wrapping itself around me like icy tendrils. My breath caught, and a shiver ran down my spine despite the lingering warmth from the shower. I turned off the water abruptly, my heartbeat quickening. Wrapping myself in a bathrobe, I tried to push away the unease clawing at the edges of my mind. But that sound—wild, raw, filled with anger and something primal—refused to be silenced. It wasn’t an ordinary wolf’s call. Something was wrong. I dressed quickly, my movements hurried and jerky as I tried to focus. My senses felt sharper, as though my body was reacting to something before my mind could process it. The howl replayed in my memory, over and over, each note stirring a deeper sense of dread. When I stepped out of the bathroom, the room was empty. Leo was gone, the door leading to the hallway slightly ajar. Faint voices floated in, one of them sha
Ivy’s POVThe morning sun spilled through the sheer curtains, painting the room in soft gold. Yet, the warmth did little to chase away the unease curling in my chest. I hadn’t slept, not really. My mind replayed the events of the night before—the distant howls, Leo’s sharp commands, the tension in the air that had felt like it might snap at any moment. And yet… nothing had happened. At least, nothing I knew of.I had slept off on the couch downstairs last night while waiting for Leo. He must have carried me up here. I didn’t even hear him leave this morning.What did he find? Was it something serious? Why are all these things happening now? Why is the life I left behind forcing itself back into my carefully crafted world?I slipped out of bed and padded to the balcony, the city stretching out before me in sleek glass and steel. It was a stark contrast to the forest beyond the mansion’s borders, where danger had prowled under the cover of night. The view here should have calmed me, rem
Ivy’s POVThe boardroom was sleek and modern, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the city. But the tension in the air was suffocating as my assistant and I entered. The representatives from the family-owned company sat on the other side of the table, their expressions guarded.Introductions were made, pleasantries exchanged, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was… off. The patriarch of the family, a stern man with graying hair, barely spoke. His son did most of the talking, his words smooth but hollow, as if he were reading from a script. I studied them, letting their words wash over me as I focused on their body language. The father’s hands were clenched tightly on the table, his knuckles white. The son avoided eye contact, his gaze darting to the door more than once.And then it hit me—their fear. It wasn’t just discomfort or hesitation. They were afraid. “Why sell now?” I asked, cutting into the conversation. My voice was calm, but the directn
Ivy’s POV Another past is back to haunt me, wrapped in an immaculate suit and a twisted sense of vengeance.George Albert. His name alone brought a storm of memories crashing down, memories I had tried so hard to bury. From the moment we crossed paths in business school, he had made it his mission to snuff out my ambition. I had been the bright-eyed idealist then, eager to carve my own path in a world dominated by men like him. But George? He thrived on destruction, wearing it like a badge of honor.Meeting him made me feel the pain of not having a wolf even after I had told myself not to. If I did have a wolf, I would have taught him a lesson he won’t forget in a hurry. One that will have him crawling away in shame whenever he sets his eyes on me.We had started as rivals in the lecture halls, both of us sharp, relentless, and hungry for success. But it didn’t take long for our competition to spiral into something darker. George wasn’t just content with winning; he wanted to see me
Ivy’s POVThe adrenaline still pumped through my veins as I watched the family representatives exchange nervous glances, their relief palpable yet tinged with unease. They weren’t used to this kind of warfare—the sharp-edged dance of power and intimidation that came with dealing with men like George Albert. I had been forged in it, tempered by the heat of betrayal and the cold steel of resolve.“Thank you, Ms. Blackwood,” the elder representative, Mr. Whitman, finally said, his voice shaky but sincere. His hands trembled as he adjusted his glasses, and I could see the weight of their decision etched into his tired eyes. “We don’t know what we would have done without you.”I offered a curt nod, keeping my expression composed, even though my mind was already racing through the next steps. “This deal is secure now, but you need to prepare for what’s coming. George doesn’t take kindly to losing, and he’ll find a way to retaliate. Be ready.”The younger man, Aaron Whitman, shifted uncomfor
Ivy's hands trembled as she called to the guard to retrieve the envelope, her gut screaming at her to burn it, to let it remain unread. Yet, she couldn't. Whatever this was, it was meant for her. The ominous gesture wasn’t something she could ignore. Minutes later, the head guard entered the room, the envelope resting on a tray, as though its contents might bite. He placed it on the desk before stepping back, awaiting her orders. "Open it," Ivy said, her voice steady despite the icy fear gripping her chest. The guard hesitated for a moment before nodding. He donned gloves, carefully unsealing the envelope and pulling out the thick, black-edged card within. He glanced at her briefly, his face tightening, before clearing his throat and reading aloud. “To the Queen who defies the tides of power, Do you really think you’re untouchable? You’ve made your move. Now, it’s my turn. Every rose has its thorns, Ivy. And I promise you, they’ll find their way to your skin.” The room fe
Ivy's heart pounded wildly as Leo’s limp body sagged into her arms, his whisper echoing in her ears like a haunting melody. Blood? The word sent a shiver down her spine. What had he meant? Her eyes darted over his pale face, his sharp features now slack and vulnerable. She felt the coldness radiating from his skin, and a strange, vivid memory flared in her mind—the nightmare. The one where shadows chased her, where crimson eyes burned in the dark, and where Leo almost sank his fangs into her neck. Could it be? No. He can't be…Her breath hitched. Half vampire?The thought felt ridiculous, and yet, staring at him now, the pieces began to fall into place. Ivy’s gaze hardened with determination. She couldn’t let him suffer, couldn’t stand by and watch him writhe in pain. If blood was what he needed, then so be it.Her hands trembled as she reached for the small blade her father always kept on the nightstand—a habit he had developed after too many sleepless nights filled with uneasiness a
Leo’s heart nearly stopped as his eyes locked onto the man standing before him. Mr. Richard Blackwood. Ivy’s father. The older man’s sharp, calculating gaze flickered between Leo and Ivy, narrowing slightly before sweeping over the room. His brows furrowed, and for a moment, he simply stood there, the weight of his presence filling the space. Leo felt Ivy tense beside him. She hadn't expected this. None of them had. Thomas wasn’t supposed to return for another month, yet here he was, standing at the threshold of his own room—where his daughter and her fiancé were currently residing. The silence stretched, thick and suffocating, until Richard’s voice cut through it like a blade. “What,” he said slowly, enunciating every syllable, “are you two doing in my bedroom?” Silence stretched between them, thick and suffocating. Ivy’s mouth opened, then closed. Her mind scrambled for an explanation, but the awkwardness weighed down on her like a lead blanket. “Uh…” she started, then
IVY'S POV“No!” I thrashed, every limb rebelling as I strained against the chains. “Get your filthy hands off me! You’re all monsters!”The burn of the restraints cut deeper, but I didn’t care. My voice tore through the chamber like a wounded beast. “You think this makes you powerful? You think having your way with a chained woman makes you a king? You’re nothing, Alpha. Nothing but a coward too weak to accept rejection. Your mate despised you. I despise you too!”The Alpha stood in front of me, unshaken. His eyes gleamed—not with rage, but something worse. Hunger. Satisfaction. Humor.He turned to the sorcerer, his voice low, almost casual. “If I spill my seed into her… will it hold?”The sorcerer’s breath caught, then his face lit up as if struck by divine revelation.“Oh… oh, my King,” he murmured, sinking to one knee. “You are brilliant beyond compare. A true leader. Of course! Of course! If she bears your heir, the bond will be forever weakened. No Alpha would dare claim a woman
The estate loomed into view like a palace of memories she wanted to bury. The towering gates, the long marble driveway, the manicured hedges. To anyone else, it looked like luxury.To her, it looked like a trap.A trap that could destroy all her plans.The moment they stepped inside, staff rushed to greet her. She didn’t recognize any of them despite their attempts to be friendly. They all wore the same annoying expression—concern mingled with curiosity.As if wondering what had really happened to Miss Ivy.Lila smiled.Fake. Perfect. Practiced.She had no choice now.“It’s good to be home,” she said smoothly.Richard narrowed his eyes slightly but said nothing.They led her up to her room, the unfamiliar halls pressing in around her like the walls of a tomb. The maids bustled in behind her, changing the sheets, restocking the drawers, pretending not to notice the tension radiating from her.When they left, she stood in the center of the room, staring at her reflection.Ivy stared bac
The scent of antiseptic hung thick in the air, cold and suffocating, clinging to the sterile white walls like a ghost that refused to leave. The room, though bathed in daylight streaming through a narrow, barred window, held no warmth. The only sounds were the distant echo of shoes on tile and the low, mechanical hum of machines monitoring the fragile boundary between sanity and madness.In the center of it all lay Lila.Or as the staff here knew her: Ivy Blackwood.Her brown hair was disheveled, matted to her forehead with sweat. Her pale skin, once radiant with carefully curated poise, now looked wan and haunted. Her eyes, wild and rimmed with exhaustion, flicked around the room like a cornered animal searching for an escape. But there was none. The straightjacket bound her arms tightly to her torso, and leather restraints anchored her ankles to the bed frame.She hadn’t spoken since the screaming stopped.The nurses whispered when they thought she couldn’t hear. Said she was mad. T
Leo’s POVThe battlefield quieted, save for the crackling fires and the groans of the dying. My pulse still thundered in my ears, but the bloodlust began to ebb, leaving behind a sharp, aching clarity.I stood among the ruins of Malrik’s failed rebellion, blood soaking my skin, teeth still stained from the life I had ripped from their veins. The night was far from over—I could feel it, like a splinter in my mind. Something dark was coming.The air shifted.Colder. Heavier.Even my warriors sensed it. Their post-battle roars died out, one by one, and an unnatural silence swallowed the clearing. Connor’s lips curled into a snarl, Zane’s claws still dripped red, but their eyes darted to the treeline.Then I saw her.She stepped out of the shadows like smoke made flesh.Dina.The last time I saw her, she stood in front of my throne room, asking me to sacrifice my mate. She hadn’t changed—still dressed in her dark robes that rippled like oil in the wind, her face pale and ageless, her eye
Ivy’s POVThe fourth day turned out to be the worst.Worse because I am still alive. Worse because every time Alpha Raul marked me, the pain got sharper. Deeper.And every time, my wolf—valiantly, defiantly—rejected him.The room stank of sweat, old blood, and Alpha Raul’s scent—thick and clinging like rot. My body was raw, my neck a patchwork of torn flesh where Raul had tried to mark me over and over. But my wolf—the last spark of resistance I had left—rejected him every time. And each rejection felt like death.The mark was slow to heal, and before it could fully fade, Alpha Raul would sink his teeth into the same spot—reopening the wound and claiming it all over again.Each time he sank his fangs into me, it was as if my soul was being torn in half, only to be stitched together by burning wire. I would scream until my voice gave out, until my throat was ragged and raw, until the pain folded me into unconsciousness. But every time I came back, chained and shivering, he would try a
Leo’s POVThe air crackled with energy as I stepped onto the battlefield, the scent of war thick on the wind—blood, sweat, steel. The moon hung low, bloated and red like it was thirsty for carnage. Good. It would feast tonight.My boots crushed charred earth as I led my warriors across the eastern border of the palace, where Malrik’s pathetic rebellion had gathered like a swarm of diseased rats. I could hear their howls echoing in the distance, could hear the roar of their chants—wild, desperate, undisciplined. Fools.Zane met me at the front lines, blood already staining his cheek and his blade. “They’ve broken through the outer ring,” he said breathlessly, “but they’re sloppy. No formation. Just brute force.”I sneered. “Then let’s show them what real force looks like.”I shifted.Bones cracked, flesh tore, and a searing fire ignited in my veins as my wolf burst free. My muscles expanded, fur black as shadow blanketing me, claws gleaming like blades. But it wasn’t just my wolf—my va
Leo’s POVMy hand shot out, grabbing Dante by the throat again —but this time, I didn’t squeeze. I leaned in, my golden eyes burning with a primal, ancient rage. Does the name Blackwood ring a bell?" I growled, my face mere inches from his. I watched his features quiver, the slight tremor betraying the fear he was too proud to voice.He didn’t answer. Didn’t even blink.Rage ignited in my veins. My fist slammed into his face—once, twice, again and again—until the wet crunch of bone and flesh filled the air. Blood sprayed across my shirt, warm and slick, but I didn’t stop. Not until his head lolled and his breath came in ragged, shuddering gasps.“Ivy Blackwood,” I murmured, my voice like a death sentence. “The woman you kidnapped weeks ago. The one whose life you almost ruined. The one you would have killed if she hadn’t escaped you.” Dante's body jerked violently beneath my grip, his muscles spasming as I held him in place. I struck his face—once, twice—the sharp crack echoin
Leo's patience snapped.The power in his voice sent a tremor through the air. “You have no idea who you’re speaking to! I am the Alpha King. She is my mate. How dare you harbor feelings for the Queen of our realm?” Connor’s expression faltered, his eyes flickering with something unreadable. Then— Leo’s golden irises darkened, flashing with raw power. Connor’s wolf recognized it.A shudder rippled through him. His wolf whimpered, instinctively bowing its head. Leo stepped closer, his voice a deadly whisper. Realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. This was it.This was why his wolf instinctively bowed whenever Leo spoke. This was why his body yielded despite the Alpha blood running through his veins. The truth settled in his bones, heavy and unshakable. ‘So this is the invisible king of our realm…’The man who ruled from the shadows. The one who never showed his face, yet his presence alone commanded submission. The ruthless, unchallenged ruler every pack whispere
Alpha Raul’s growl ripped through the chamber, primal and raw, shaking the very walls. His claws unsheathed in an instant, his chest rising and falling with ragged fury. But Ivy? She only smiled.“Like I said,” he murmured, ignoring Ivy's taunts, his grip tightening on her jaw. “I’ll do what I didn’t do last time. I’ll mark you as mine.” He leaned closer, his breath hot on her face. “Only then will you know your place. Only then will you learn total submission.”The words sent ice plunging through my veins. Ivy's eyes widened. “No. No, you can’t fucking do that.” She fought, jerking her head away, but his grip was iron. “Hold her down!” His men obeyed instantly. She screamed as they pinned her down, their hands like shackles against her arms and legs. Her body shook violently, every instinct inside her roaring in defiance. The king’s fangs elongated, his pupils dilating as his gaze locked onto her neck. His breath was warm against her skin, and she knew what was coming