Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Eyes still locked, Alpha Bruce made his way to the seat that had been reserved for him. 

Every fiber of his being wanted to take her, to claim her but he had to keep himself under control. 

"Mate."  Leo, his wolf kept screaming, not making things easy for him. 

"I know. Hush now!" He whispered. 

Taking a look around him, he was astounded by the inhumane show that was going on but he kept his cool. 

"Bring them in." The Alpha's voice boomed. 

One by one, all the female prisoners were brought forth and unfortunately, Ivy was the first to be called forth. 

"Is there anyone who wishes to claim this... Omega before us?" The Alpha's voice dripped with disgust. 

Murmurs of excitement filled the hall as the men present began to raise their hands but a sudden silence enveloped them as Alpha Bruce slowly raised his hands. 

One by one, the other hands dropped. No one dared to go against Alpha Bruce. Not if they valued their life. 

As the Alpha's gaze settled on Alpha Bruce, a subtle nod of acknowledgment passed between them.  

Wasting no time, Alpha Bruce took Ivy by the hand and together, they walked out of the arena much to the displeasure of Marco. He was so angry that his entire body shook and to avoid blowing out on anyone, or cause suspicion he left the arena too. 

All that she felt as she walked beside Alpha Bruce was confusion. Aside from that his motives for picking her still remained shrouded in mystery, he had not offered even the faintest hint that he recognized the bond they shared—the destined connection that held them inextricably linked.

As they moved away from the possessing gazes of the crowd, Her thoughts swirled in a torrent of questions. 

How could he not show any sign that he knew she was meant for him? 

The confusion weighed heavily on her, so much so that her steps faltered, momentarily breaking the rhythm of their silent procession. She dared to steal a glance at Alpha Bruce, searching for answers within the depths of his gaze. And yet, the impenetrable wall of his composed demeanor mirrored her own confusion, leaving her yearning for a flicker of understanding.

"I know..." Alpha Bruce began to say, bringing Ivy back to reality "... that you have never seen a man as good-looking as I am but please, do not stare too much. Besides, you'll have enough time to look at me once we are in my chamber." He said ever so softly and seductively, offering a smile that made her weak in the knees. She looked away instantly, trying to hide the red color on her cheeks. 

They got into the car and Ivy did her best to avoid looking at him. But her hormones on the other hand were running wild. She wanted to touch him, so much that she didn't know when she let her legs touch him. 

"Mate!" her dormant wolf whispered weakly. She was happy but at this moment, she had to ignore her else she might lose herself completely. 

                                   - - - 

Alpha Bruce's bed chamber was a sight to behold. The room was adorned with luxurious furnishings, rich fabrics, and an opulent ambiance. The centerpiece was a grand, intricately carved bed fit for royalty, beckoning comfort and indulgence.

Ivy was still lost in her reverie when she felt a hot breeze on her neck. Ivy's heart raced as she felt the hot breath on her neck, causing her senses to go into overdrive. She tried to pull away, but her feet seemed rooted to the ground, trapped by an unseen force. The scent of alpha Bruce enveloped her, clouding her mind and igniting a primal desire within her. Every instinct screamed for her to yield, to surrender to his embrace. It took all her willpower to break free from his magnetic pull.

Confusion filled Ivy's thoughts as she stared into Bruce's captivating eyes. "What? I thought you wanted this?" he questioned, his lips curling into that familiar, enticing smile. Ivy closed her eyes tightly, trying to regain control over her racing emotions, only to open them and find Bruce's face mere inches away from hers again. She instinctively moved back, but he closed the distance, pinning her against the wall. Her breath hitched as his gaze dropped to her lips, his intentions unmistakable.

A mix of apprehension and desire battled within Ivy's mind. She knew she should resist, and move away, but her body betrayed her, longing for his touch. Just as she was about to surrender to the inevitable, Bruce's unexpected words broke through the haze. "Go take your bath and join me in bed," he commanded, a smug smirk playing on his lips.

Ivy's eyes widened in shock. Not only did she miss the anticipated kiss, but another realization struck her like a bolt of lightning. Did she hear him correctly? Did he just ask her to join him in bed? Confusion and uncertainty flooded her thoughts, leaving her grappling with a whirlwind of emotions.

Ivy stood frozen in disbelief as Bruce's words echoed in her mind. The idea of an omega sleeping in an alpha's bed was unheard of, let alone being treated with such consideration. They were just objects of pleasure and we're discarded after being used. 

Her heart raced with confusion and uncertainty. Could it be possible that Bruce was different from the other alphas she had encountered? As Ivy hesitated, she couldn't help but wonder if this was a test. A cruel joke to humiliate her further.

"Go take your bath and come go me in bed," he repeated again that was when she realized he had actually meant it. 

 She still didn't want to move But something in Bruce's sincere gaze made her heart flutter, defying her instincts of self-preservation. With a mix of curiosity and cautious hope, she finally nodded, accepting his offer.

Upon her return from the bathroom, Ivy noticed that Alpha Bruce was not in the room, but there was a set of clothes neatly laid out on the bed for her to change into. 

As she finished changing, a knock on the door startled her. "It's me. I'm coming in," she heard Alpha Bruce's voice announce. 

He entered the room, having changed into fresh attire, suggesting he had taken his bath elsewhere. With a tender command, he gestured for her to sit, and then he carefully tended to her wounds, applying ointment and dressing them with care. 

His gentle and attentive nature was a stark contrast to the harsh treatment she had experienced since her father's passing. Overwhelmed with gratitude, Ivy managed to find her voice. "Thank you," she spoke softly, her first words to him. 

Bruce playfully teased, "So she talks?" eliciting a smile from Ivy. The tension in the room dissipated as he continued, "And she smiles too?" Their interaction lightened the atmosphere.

 "Let's go to bed," he suggested, and despite her tired body, Ivy's fatigue seemed to relent as she climbed into the bed beside him. Bruce enveloped her in a comforting embrace, tenderly caressing her until she drifted into a peaceful sleep.

                                     - - - 

As the morning sun cast its warm golden glow through the window, the room came alive with a gentle radiance. The soft light danced upon the walls and illuminated the delicate features of Ivy's face as she lay peacefully in the embrace of slumber. Bruce couldn't help but be captivated by her beauty, his heart swelling with love as he leaned in to press a tender kiss upon her forehead.

A growl, throaty and menacing, rumbled deep within Alpha Bruce's chest, reverberating with the weight of his displeasure.

With a gentle sigh, Bruce untangled himself from Ivy's side, his touch lingering briefly before he left her to her dreams. 

"I'm sorry to disturb you, Alpha Bruce" the guard apologized upon seeing the annoyed look on Bruce's face " But you are needed in the study room." 

Bruce relaxed a bit. This was the actual reason he had visited the Nile pack. He had reached a consensus with Marco to select and train a few pups. 

"Lead the way." 

Upon entering the study room, Bruce saw that Marco was already there and he sat at the head of a large wooden table. Bruce took a seat opposite. 

"So, it's business time?" Bruce asked. 

Marco didn't respond, rather he gave him a mean look, one that Bruce did not miss. This didn't bother him at all. 

With a wave of hand, Marco signaled a guard to bring in the young pups. 

About ten of them were ushered into the Study room. Bruce turned his attention to the pups as he relaxed in his seat. Looking at them, he knew selection wouldn't be hard but for protocol's sake, he went ahead to ask them questions.

After a lengthy discussion and consideration, the selection process was finally concluded. Bruce had chosen three young pups with exceptional instincts, unwavering determination, and a willingness to learn. 

Aside from these things, he saw a part of himself in them. A part that reminded him of his past. 

With the meeting concluded Bruce wasted no time. He headed straight for his room. "She must be awake now and probably looking for me," he thought. 

Upon reaching his room, Bruce's heart skipped a beat as he noticed Ivy's absence. Panic began to bubble up within him, but he quickly collected himself, steadying his emotions. His instincts told him exactly where she could be but he needed to confirm. 

The possibility of his instincts being right made his blood boil. 

When he went to the dining room, he saw that Marco and the Alpha King were already seated. He nodded at the Alpha King and took his seat.

"I hope you enjoyed your night?" The Alpha asked with a mischievous smirk on his face. 

"I did. But I just went to my room now and she's not there."

"Oh, that's normal.” The Alpha waved, “ She has been taken back to the cell. She'll be killed today." 

Alpha Bruce's face tightened and he struggled to contain his anger. The previous night, he had asked about how Ivy got the wounds and scars on her body and had been told of the maltreatment she had faced and as if that wasn't enough, they wanted to kill her too. 

He took several breaths to calm himself and restore his calm demeanor. Maybe she committed a crime worth being killed. "What did she do?"

"She's a thief. She stole my precious jade." The Alpha King said callously. 

Theft? She was being killed for theft? He instantly sensed that there was more to this. 

"Can I see her?" he asked. 

Marco arched his brow, the irritation he felt evident in his eyes. "Why?” he asked. 

Alpha Bruce completely ignored Marco and continued. "Let me see her," he requested. 

The Alpha King chuckled. "She must have made an impression on you."  he turned to the guard and asked that ivy be brought. 

The guards returned with Ivy, who stood before them, uncertainty etched across her face. 

his eyes silently assessed her, his heart aching at the sight of her mistreatment.

Silence hung heavy, and then his voice cut through the air, laced with steely resolve. "How much are you willing to sell her to me?"