Ivy’s POVI was still fuming when I stormed into my room, slamming the door shut behind me. The anger wasn’t truly directed at Leo anymore, yet it clung to me like a stubborn shadow. My heart pounded, but it wasn’t rage fueling it—it was fear, confusion, and something far worse: memories.I paced back and forth, rubbing my hands together, trying to shake the unease crawling over my skin. This is the second time Leo is chasing after an intruder in my home. My father had designed my room to be a fortress, a place where I could always feel safe. He built it with a hidden panic room—his way of protecting me after what happened to his first daughter. But right now, even that reassurance couldn’t steady my nerves.That’s when I heard it—a hum, soft and distant at first, but chillingly familiar. My body froze, every muscle locked in place. No. It can’t be.But it was.That sound… I knew it too well, like a nightmare resurfacing. It sent an icy shiver down my spine, rooting me to the floor.
Ivy’s POVI remained in Leo’s arms, my heart still racing, but his steady presence grounded me. His soft murmurs of reassurance filled the quiet room. “It’s okay, Ivy. You’re safe now.” He didn’t want to leave me alone, especially with my father and uncle away. After a moment, he helped me pack my things. I grabbed a few essentials, and Leo carried my suitcase as we headed downstairs. Strangely, the entire mansion was eerily quiet—too quiet. It was as if the servants and security staff had all decided to sleep at once. My unease grew as I dialed Paul’s number, the head of security, but there was no answer. We walked toward the security quarters, where I cautiously opened the door. Inside, Paul was sprawled on the floor, unconscious, while the other guards were slumped in their chairs, deep in an unnatural sleep. My breath hitched. ‘Did the Keeper do this?’ The thought surfaced before I could push it aside. I knelt beside Paul, shaking him gently, but he didn’t stir. “Paul, wake
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
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
Ivy’s POVMy eyes snapped open, my chest rising and falling frantically. The moment I woke, I felt the cold bite of metal against my wrists and ankles. Chains. Again. My body ached, my head swam, but it was the collar around my neck that burned the most. A cruel reminder that my wolf was trapped, silenced. I rattled the chains, yanking at them as fury flooded through me. My voice came out raw, shaking with rage. “You killed her!” I screamed, my body jerking against the restraints. The memory of the vision burned behind my eyes, searing itself into my soul. Nyxara. Her pain. Her death. I had seen it. I had felt it. And the monster who had done it was standing right in front of me. The king. He was here. Watching me with a dark, satisfied smirk. Beside him stood the man who had sprinkled something on me before I passed out—his sorcerer, no doubt. Three other men lingered in the room, their presence nothing more than shadows at the edges of my vision. “Let me go and watch m
Ivy’s POVMy eyes snapped open, my chest rising and falling frantically. A dim glow flickered above me, casting shadows along the stone walls. My breath hitched as I realized I couldn’t move. Cold metal encased my wrists, the chains rattling softly as I struggled. The ridiculous outfit I had been forced into still clung to my skin like an insult. Panic gripped me, but before I could fully process my situation, the door creaked open. A woman stepped inside. My breath caught in my throat almost immediately.She was stunning—otherworldly. Curls of pure white cascaded down her shoulders, glowing in the faint light. Her eyes, a vibrant shade of green, gleamed like a forest after a fresh rain. Every part of her radiated an ethereal beauty, but there was something else—something almost… sorrowful. I swallowed hard. “Excuse me?” I rasped. “Can you help me out of this?” The woman didn’t react. She wasn’t even looking at me. Instead, her gaze was fixed on a small wooden table besi
Lila’s POVDarkness swallowed me whole.The wind howled in my ears as I fell, my body twisting, weightless in the abyss. My screams were silent, lost in the void. I reached out, desperate for something—anything—to grab onto, but there was nothing. Just the endless fall, the cold air biting into my skin.Then—I hit the ground.Pain exploded through my body, my bones rattling from the impact. But the surface beneath me wasn’t solid—it was wet. Warm.I gasped, my hands sinking into a thick, viscous liquid. My breath hitched. The scent hit me first. Metallic. Sharp.Blood.It was everywhere.I scrambled up, my fingers coated in red, my gown soaked through. The entire floor—no, the entire room—was drenched in it, seeping from the walls, pooling in the corners, dripping from the ceiling in slow, deliberate drops.Drip. Drip. Drip.I trembled, my heart pounding against my ribs as I staggered backward. My breath came in sharp, panicked gasps. This couldn’t be real. It wasn’t real.A hallucin
Lila’s POVThe night air was crisp, the city stretching out beneath me in a sea of golden lights. Colorado had been a good choice. No responsibilities, no stress—just endless luxury. Exactly what I deserved. It was so easy to become Aria. To take her place. My mind suddenly raced to that morning when I was supposed to travel. The night before, my father and uncle had stormed into my room. Leo had discovered that I wasn’t Ivy, and I had to think fast. I made up a lie. I told them that Leo had cheated on me with someone named Isabella, that he was furious because I had found out and was threatening to ruin me if I didn’t come back to him. I made myself sound terrified, my voice breaking as I clutched my throat. It helped that his imprints were still there, dark bruises forming along my skin. Richard and Marcus were beyond furious and vowed that they would have him arrested for trespassing and assaulting me.I painted him as an obsessive psychopath. And of course, they belie
Ivy’s POVPain.It was the first thing I felt as I slipped back into consciousness, my body aching from head to toe. The weight around my throat burned, the collar digging into my skin like a brand of ownership. I didn’t want to be owned. I didn’t want to be anyone’s.My head pounded, my limbs heavy and unresponsive. Darkness still surrounded me, but I could sense the presence of others. Watching. Waiting.I forced my eyes open.A dimly lit chamber greeted me—stone walls, damp and cold. A throne sat at the far end of the room, and on it, the king lounged, golden eyes gleaming with satisfaction.He was waiting for me.I clenched my jaw. My wolf stirred faintly inside me, weak, barely there. Whatever magic that bound me was suffocating her.I looked down. I was wearing a flowing black garment that draped around me, the dark fabric swaying with every subtle movement. Real flowers adorned the fabric—delicate yet striking black roses, their petals velvety and deep as the night. The sight
Ivy's POV Nyxara?Who the hell is that? And why is he so sure I was her?The name sent a shudder through my very bones. It felt foreign yet familiar, like a song I had once known but long forgotten. The king chuckled, as if he could sense the shift inside me. “Ah… you don’t remember, do you?” He brushed a strand of silver fur from my face, his grip tightening for just a moment. “But your blood does. Your soul does.” His grin was sharp, victorious. “And soon, I will make you remember everything.”I whimpered, desperately willing my wolf to rise, to fight, or at the very least, to shift back into my human form. But my body refused to obey. I was trapped—helpless within my own skin. He watched me tremble, amusement flickering in his golden eyes. With a slow, mocking tsk, he shook his head.“Did you really think I wasn’t prepared for something like this?” His voice was soft, dangerous. "That collar around your neck—oh, you didn’t notice?" Collar? I tried to shift, to shake, b