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
Ivy's POV The slap rang out like a gunshot the moment he raised his hand towards me. John’s head snapped to the side, his greasy hair whipping across his face. The room stayed deathly silent. For a moment, he didn’t move, didn’t even breathe. His lip quivered, his breath coming in shallow gasps as he processed what had just happened. I tilted my head, my smile sharpening. “What’s wrong, Johnny?” I cooed. “Isn’t this what you wanted?” His jaw clenched, and he slowly turned back to me, a flicker of rage behind his bloodshot eyes. “I—” Slap! This time, I felt the sting ripple up my arm, but I didn’t care. John reeled back again, stumbling against the officers holding him. His confidence cracked. I saw the hesitation bloom, the bravado slipping. My voice dropped, low and venomous. “You always wanted me to play along, right? Well, I’m playing now.” His lips trembled. I stepped closer, towering over him, watching as the little coward inside him began to surf
Richard’s POV The moment Ivy confirmed the name, I hung up. My hand trembled around the phone, my knuckles white as I gripped it too tight. A name I had spent years burying—erasing from my thoughts, from my life—had just been spoken by my daughter. Dante. The bastard was back. How did he get out? I stood frozen, barely breathing, as the past clawed its way up from the grave I’d buried it in. The blood. The screams. The hollow, soulless eyes of my baby girl when I found her—violated, broken, gone. A storm raged inside me, a fury so potent I could taste it on my tongue. “Richard,” Marcus’s voice cut through the silence, calm but firm. He knew. He always knew when my mind was slipping into the abyss. No. No, no, no. It couldn’t be. I heard Marcus let out another long, ragged breath beside me. He dragged a hand down his face, cursing under his breath. "Dante?" he muttered, voice laced with disgust. I shot up from my chair so fast it clattered to the floor. The wal
Ivy’s POVSomething was wrong. I could feel it. My father hadn’t called me back since our last conversation, and that wasn’t like him. He always followed up, always checked in. Especially when something felt… off. I tried not to dwell on it as I stood in front of my vanity, blending foundation into my skin. I needed to focus. We had an important meeting today about the lawsuit, and I couldn't afford distractions. Still, that nagging feeling sat in the pit of my stomach. “Ivy,” Leo’s deep voice rumbled behind me before I felt the familiar warmth of his arms wrapping around my waist. He pulled me against his chest, his head dropping to rest on my shoulder. “Do you really have to go?” I let out a small laugh, tilting my head slightly to glance at him. His hold was firm, almost needy, and his body heat seeped through my silk blouse. “You’re being a baby,” I teased, reaching up to run my fingers through his hair. Leo let out a dramatic sigh, pressing a slow kiss to my neck.
Lila's laughter echoed through the office, sharp and unhinged, as if she found the entire situation amusing. But her eyes—her dark, calculating eyes—were anything but playful. Isabella didn't move from her spot, her body language stiff and ready. "State your price," Ivy bit out, already exhausted. "How much do you want?" Lila’s brows lifted, amusement flickering across her face. “Oh? So quick to put a price on things, sister dearest.” Ivy glanced at Isabella, who was still positioned protectively next to her, then leaned in slightly towards Lila. “Drop your details. I’ll have the account wire it to you.” At that, Lila threw her head back and laughed—loud, maniacal, unapologetic. Isabella observed the exchange with keen interest, her gaze flickering between the two identical faces. It was as if, for the first time, she truly registered just how much they mirrored each other. The same sharp features, different eye colors, and where Ivy’s expression was cold and controlled, L
A sharp knock on the door. Ivy exhaled through gritted teeth. “What now?” The door creaked open anyway. My father's assistant, Daniel, strode in, his usual smirk playing at his lips. “Wow,” he drawled, shutting the door behind him. “I could hear that scream from the elevator. Should I be concerned?” Ivy ignored him, walking to the mini-fridge to pour herself a glass of water. Daniel leaned against the doorframe, watching her with amusement. “So, what’s it this time? The lawsuit? The company? Or, let me guess…” His grin widened. “Love drama?” Ivy took a slow sip before turning to face him, her expression blank. “What do you want?”As long as she can remember, there has always been something about Daniel—something that had never sat right with her. His movements were too fluid, his presence too sharp. Sometimes, just for a fleeting second, she senses something… inhuman. But with her wolf senses missing, she could never be sure. Daniel chuckled, adjusting the cuff of his s
Leo's POV "What time did she escape?" I growled, my voice rough with frustration as we stormed out of the courtyard, the heat pressing down on us like a heavy blanket. Zane kept pace beside me, his urgency matching my own. "I alerted you the moment I found out," he said, his breath slightly uneven. "So, let's say as early as ten." A growl rumbled low in my chest. That meant she had a head start—hours to disappear into the wilderness, to cover her tracks. My hands curled into fists. We needed to move faster.My warriors stood in a loose formation at the forest’s edge, their eyes gleaming under the clear sky. The tension in the air was electric, humming with the promise of blood and vengeance. I took a slow, deliberate breath, rolling my shoulders as I let the shift take over. My skin burned as bones cracked, realigning, reshaping—fur sprouting in a wave of scorching heat. My claws extended, muscles thickened, and within moments, I was no longer a man but a beast—powerful, relent
Leo’s POVI forced a steady breath, my heart still hammering from the rush of the hunt. But the moment I stepped inside, that adrenaline shifted into something else—something heavier. Ivy’s gaze followed me as I walked in, her brows knitting with concern. "Leo?" I couldn't let her see the war raging inside me. Not now. I needed to leave. Fast. I forced a small smirk, running a hand through my hair. "Just some business. I’ll be back soon." She sat up, her expression tightening. "Business? You just got back." I leaned down, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I won’t be long." Ivy studied my face, as if searching for a crack in my excuse. "You’re lying." My jaw clenched, but I kept my voice even. "Ivy, don’t start. I have to go." She grabbed my wrist before I could move away. "Wait. Did my father say anything to you? I just spoke to him today, and it was… strange." Her words made my stomach tighten. I knew things she didn’t—things she didn’t need to know. I cupped her
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