Chapter 26Jackie landed on the ground with a thud and held her waist. She shut her eyes and tried to withstand the pain on her joints after being thrown down for the fourth time since the preliminary combat training began. Candy looked down at her, a smirk on her face."Concentrate!" The Gamma female yelled, and signalled for them to start again. Candy seemed to be enjoying herself. She had thrown her down all the times they had sparred.Jackie leaned forward, her hand in front of her and her fingers folded into a fist. She made sure to plant her foot firmly on the ground this time so she wouldn't be easily thrown. She attacked first and candy shifted to the side, avoiding her punch and landing one on her side. Jackie winced in pain but had no time to wallow. She steadied herself and went for another hit on her face but she blocked it with her hand and punched her in the stomach. Before she could recover from that blow, candy kicked her on one foot so she lost her balance and threw h
Chapter 27Alphas were known for their bad temper and their ability to overreact when you piss them off, so people tend to be careful around them. You just gotta be or you'd be ripped to pieces or banished or demoted. Depends on how they felt at the moment.Ivy just started at Bruce as he pulled her out of the arena. He was beyond livid. He was seething but he didn't raise hell on Cassandra. That was the most display of self control she had ever seen. Impressive!Maybe it was because he had always known she would do this. He didn't look surprised at all. Then she remembered that Bruce had warmed her, when she had agreed for them to have dinner together that she had something up her sleeves. When she had spilled the secret about her curse, Bruce had told her that she was just trying to get pity from her so she would leave from the guilt. She had gone all out. She had done it for real.Now, everyone knew exactly who she was and why she was training at the arena. To everyone, she was the
Chapter 28The maids scurried around the large bedroom, trying to make sure everything was perfect. Orders were flying around and actions taken swiftly. Kate watched everything literally fly into place. It was her favorite part of the job; being the one who gives the orders and watching the magic happen at the snap of her finger. She gave herself the credit though. It wasn't easy to organize and bring everyone's desire to life. And she never failed at it.Today, her job was to get the best dresses from the pack's finest of seamstresses and make sure the soon to be Luna would be the most beautiful sight to behold at the ball.They had over twenty dresses to sample and Kate had instructed Amy to get ivy to come to the dressing room. She had to try on all the clothes and choose the perfect one.The maids stopped their frenzied activities suddenly and bowed. Ivy had arrived."What's going on?" She asked in surprise. Amy had refused to fill her in. She was too excited for words and just en
Chapter 29A gentle hum mixed with the fragrance of a lemon flavored body wash was just the right atmosphere for a warm bath. The sound of water trickling down from the shower reminded ivy of a warm spring.Heavy footsteps sounded from outside and she heard them despite the sound of the shower. They must be very desperate to tell her something."Luna." Amy's distraught voice called. Something was definitely wrong.She dried herself and stepped out of the bathroom, a towel around her."We can't find it!" She exclaimed, wide-eyed."Calm down Amy. What are you talking about? Have you lost something?""Your dress, for the ball tonight. It's gone! I'm pretty sure I kept it in the wardrobe. It was right there, I've been looking at it all morning! But it's gone now. I've looked everywhere and I can't find it."Ivy walked over to her dressing room where her large collection of clothes were arranged on several hangers and lines. She sca
Chapter 30Ivy did her best to keep a straight face, but it wasn't as easy as she had practiced. Seeing Marco in front of her made her angry. The only thing she remembered was his cruel gaze when he came to see her in prison. He had looked down on her, telling her she didn't deserve him. She remembered when she was being accused. His silence haunted her even more than when he had looked away.Now, he approached Bruce and her with a smile on his face. But she knew he was a snake and his smile was just a veil for his wicked intent."Welcome, Alpha Bruce of the Black Heart Pack and.." He eyes her from her toes, his eyes scanning her body until it settled on her face. He swallowed hard."Ivy. Wow, you look different I was almost convinced it wasn't you." He said"Hello Marco. I see you're still the same."Marco let out a surprised laugh. Ivy was different now. She was bolder and more beautiful. The old ivy would not even say his name without his permission. She was timid, but this one in
Chapter 31It would be midnight soon and all those who were waiting to be mated were outside, chattering excitedly around a large bonfire. This was the most beautiful part of the ceremony. People were already making new friends, especially with the opposite sex, hoping that the person they clicked with would be their mate. Sometimes, it did work like that but sometimes, people were mated with whom they least expected. It was exciting both ways.On this particular full moon, those who already have shifted and found their mates could control their urge to shift. It was a gift from the goddess only on this night. It was to allow the young ones shift and find their mates under the supervision of the older ones. The shifting process was scary for a lot of first shifters because your bones would literally lose shape and break in the form of a wolf's anatomy. Thats why they had chaperones, to look out for them.Amy felt someone following behind her but paid no attention to it. The place was
Chapter 32Nothing happened. She had hoped this time would be the defining moment, when she would finally be able to shift and fit in with other wolves but nothing happened still. The full moon was over although it was still a few hours till dawn."I don't feel any different." Ivy said, her hands intertwined in Bruce's. "I still can't shift." She lamented.Bruce hugged her from behind and planted a kiss on her neck. "It's okay. There's plenty more full moons to come. It'll happen." He replied."I don't understand why I am like this. It's been two years since I started speaking with my wolf. I have no idea why I can't..""I think my father might have a point." Bruce said, patting her back and smoothening her hair with his other hand. "Maybe this might have something to do with your family. In Cassandra's case, it was a problem that needed to be traced to its roots, the curse. I'm not saying you are cursed also but I think you should start the search for your parents. Who knows, they mi
Chapter 33The lake was still and the moon shimmered above it, casting a silver hue on the water. The night breeze engaged the trees in a slow dance and night owls offered their voices in a beautiful song.It was a beautiful night no doubt and Amy wished it would never end. She had shifted back to her human form and sat by the lake.Zeke placed a shirt over her from behind. Her clothes were only a fragment of its former size when she finally shifted. They had been ripped apart beyond repair."Rule number one, always bring extra garments." He said a d chuckled.Amy's cheeks were red from embarrassment. She had just stood completely naked in front of Zeke, someone she had had a crush on since she was a child. It was normal to see naked people all over because everyone lost their clothing when they shifted, so no one paid any mind to it. But this was her first time. She couldn't even look him in the eyes."Thanks." She replied and wore his shirt that barely covered her thighs. But then a
EPILOGUEIvy opened her eyes and shut it again, her eyes flinching from the intense sunlight. She rubbed her eyes with the back of her hands and opened them. Sitting up, she removed the blankets from her body and wore her slipper."It's today!" She said excitedly and hurried downstairs. The entire pack house was in a frenzy. The house was full already even though the party hadn't started. How could this number be involved in the decorations?Today was both her Luna ceremony and Amy's naming ceremony. She had been in a coma for months after her encounter with Anika. When she woke up, Athena made sure to explain everything that happened. During the fight, Ivy had let Amary take over her body and used her powers to drain Anika's powers till she had nothing left. It was a risk she had had to take even though she knew that much power could kill her. She slipped into a coma after.Ivy felt a hand wrap around her waist and she turned to see Bruce standing behind her, a smile on his face. "Y
Chapter 76Bruce rushed at Marco and lifted him up by his collar, suspending him mid air. His eyes burned with anger, his gaze murderous."Are you alright?" Bruce asked Ivy, not taking his eyes from Marco.Ivy breathed deeply, relief washing over her. He was back. Whatever spell or mind game Anika was playing, it was nothing compared to their bond and their love. "I'm fine." She replied.Cassandra rushed in just then, her eyes widening in alarm. Bruce had suddenly flared up and broke everything on the table, rushing out of the dining in rage. She had no idea what had happened and followed him only to end up in the maid's quarters."Marco!" Evelyn yelled. She had followed them here too when she noticed her mate had disappeared. Anger was visible on her face. "What the hell are you doing here Marco? You left me out there to come be with this woman?" She yelled, looking him over. Her eyes rested on his open zipper and it dawned on her just what he was after."You shameless piece of shit!
Chapter 75"Are you sure this is alright?" Evelyn asked, a little nervous. She was scared of Bruce ever since the day he almost choked her for attempting to hurt Ivy. If Marco hadn't come for her, he would definitely have killed her. Both their packs weren't on good terms. They weren't at war, but they weren't allies either."Don't worry, Anika has them trapped in her own world and they only remember whatever she's put in their minds. It's Anika we should be weary of, her powers are incredible. Sometimes I ask myself if we're even in our right minds or if she's using us too.""She's not. If you suspect it and question it, then you're in your right mind." Evelyn replied.The stopped talking and plastered a smile on their faces when Cassandra walked towards them, her hands intertwined in Bruce's. She smiled radiantly and bowed in greeting, grinning from ear to ear. They read her expression. She was excited, having gotten everything she ever wanted. Bruce was hers now and Ivy had been re
Chapter 74Heels clicked in the distance and a faint taps echoed on the floor and through the hall as the footsteps approached. A light, happy him trailed the footsteps and Bruce immediately knew who it was. Cassandra had been in a chatty mood all day."Did you like the dinner that much? Or is it the wedding that's making you all giddy?" He teased as she opened the door and walked in."Both." She replied, planting a soft kiss in his cheek. "Why are you always cooked up in your study?" She asked, a playful frown on her face."I've just got a lot to settle so I won't have to much to do on our honeymoon." He said, causing her to smile brightly."You're a smart man." She replied, strangling him. "But still, can I steal you for thirty minutes? There's something I really need to show you." She said, a sexy smile on her face."You got me baby." Bruce replied, pushing the paperwork to a corner of the table. Cassandra kissed him hungrily in his lips and ran her fingers throubj his hair. Bruce
Chapter 73The floor was cold and damp and the halls echoed her screams to be let out of the prison. The warriors guarding the prison gate made sure to ignore everything she said as though she wasn't even there.Ivy sat down on the floor, exhausted from her futile protests. She buried her face in her hands and her shoulders shook with the wave of anguish that hit her. Bruce's eyes had held anger and no trace of the love it once held for her reflected in his gaze. 'It wasn't his fault,'' he was under a spell" she told herself repeatedly but it hurt her still. How could he not recognize his own mate?"Ivy?" Lana called, her eyes the colour of burning amber."Lana! Thank goodness you're here, I'm so frustrated right now. What are we going to do?""It seems Anika has them all fooled. They're lost inside this world Anika has created and they have no idea. We need to find a way to get them out of that world. It's the only way to bring them back or they'll be lost in there forever.""How do
Chapter 72Fighting them wasn't an option, it would only make Bruce more angry and he wouldn't listen to her explanations. It wasn't their fault anyway. No one had thought Anika would attack them this way. It was supposed to be her. Now, they were trapped. How would she get out of this and find a way to help them?She looked at Bruce's dark expression and saw disgust in his eyes. How could he look at her that way? His eyes had only held love and devotion for her.It wasn't his fault, but she couldn't help but feel bad about it. She was his mate no matter what. How could he not recognize her? "Take her and lock her away in the dungeon. She'll pay for attacking her Luna and threatening her!" Bruce ordered.The warriors bowed and began to pull her away. She thought of what to do in that instance. She could fight them off if she wanted to and could easily escape but if she did, they would realize that she wasn't just a regular wolf. She would have to use her wit h powers too. It worried
Chapter 71Something was off. There was definitely something different about the pack house but ivy couldn't quite figure out what it was.The place was unusually quiet and it was already evening. Bruce would be in his study and Amy said she was going to wait for her at the pack house. With Amy around, there was bound to be some chatter. But it was silent.She entered the pack house and found the maids busy, serving the tables and decorating the dining with scented candles and rose petals. What was going on?Ivy smiled realizing that she had probably walked into a surprise proposal from Bruce. Was he going to officially ask her to marry him? She was his mate and it was a given that they would be together, but, what woman wouldn't want a romantic proposal and an even more romantic wedding?With everything going on, they hadn't been able to focus on themselves and the life they wanted together. She was pleased that despite all this, he still found the time to prepare something so beauti
Chapter 70Thelma lived at the outskirts of the realm, away from everyone. The woods was her home and nature her companion. She sat down on a fallen tree branch staring out into the open, her feet playing with the water beneath her. She had always enjoyed sitting by the lake."Athena." She called immediately they walked in. She still had her back turned to them and it made Ivy wonder how she knew who they were."Thelma, I see you haven't lost your touch." Athena replied.Thelma got up on her feet and picked up her wooden staff that laid next to her. She turned to face them and ivy's mouth hung open. Her eye balls were blue, but a white veil covered it she was blind."You brought the half blood with you." She said with a smile. "Amary kept her promise and returned after all." "You live here by yourself?" Ivy found herself asking. How could a blind woman survive out here in the forest on her own?"Yes, my dear. I've lived here for over a hundred years." She replied. "I know this place
CHAPTER 69"What's taking them so long?" Amy asked, pacing from one end of the room to the other, a worried look on her face. They had been gone for hours now and no one had heard anything from them. Amy had tried to mind link Ivy and so had Bruce, but none of them could get through. There seemed to be a force blocking them.The door opened and Ivy walked in, Athena behind her. They stood up on their feet, when they saw them entering."How did it go?" Keisha asked. She must have been the most anxious because from the moment Luna Eloise handed Ivy to her the night of Anika's attack, protecting ivy and getting her ready to fight Anika had been a responsibility that weighed on her.Ivy reached Into her bag and brought out the book. She placed it on the table and everyone stared at it in confusion."This is the book we found at your place." Bruce said. "Have you been able to read it?""Open it." Ivy said, her expression clipped.The others exchanged confused glances but Bruce reached for