Ivy“What the fuck were you doing there?” Asher growled, the moment I emerged after shifting back and pulling on my clothes.“I…” I started, but he was already cutting me off, looking mad and bewildered.“Do you know how scared we got?” he demanded. “We don’t have the mindlink, Ivyanka! I cannot sense if you are in danger, cannot talk or hear you! All we had was your scent and when we realized where you went…fuck.” I was a bit surprised, not expecting him to be that worried.“I sensed my mother’s scent there,” I murmured. Asher stopped running his fingers through his hair and blinked at me.“What?” I nodded.“I hunted down the deer just near the final perimeter and was returning when I caught it…her scent,” my voice broke and Asher’s eyes softened, his panic subsiding. “I had to follow it and before either Silver or I knew…”“Silver?” Ash frowned.“My wolf,” I said. “Her name is Silver…pretty obvious, I guess.”“Very fitting,” he agreed.“Yeah, so before we both realized it, we had gon
IvyI was stunned, but excited as well. If I was right, this could be my biggest breakthrough in figuring out who Killian Price was. Or at least a step towards it. The crazy thirst for revenge, the lack of information about him, all the secrecy…it made total sense. He was hiding and waiting for the right time.Hiding for the past thirty-four years.“Ivy, are you alright?” Asher asked.“Yeah. I want to know more…about RiverPride, about the war,” I said. “Please?” Asher frowned, but then nodded.“I guess you can find more information at the Council archives,” he replied. “But you can only access it once you are officially my Luna. That is, once we get married.” Disappointment crashed through me, but still it was something more than absolutely nothing.“And about that…” Asher added. “The marriage registrar will come by the day after tomorrow and the wedding date, as suggested by Sabrina, is ten days from
I hated to be left behind. But Asher was right, I don’t have the mindlink. I won’t be much use. A part of me contemplated going on my own, but then I dismissed it.Sleep was a far cry. I twisted and turned and spent the rest of the night contemplating the information I found out about Killian and his link to GrayCrest.To defeat him, I needed to figure out exactly what he had at his disposal. If my hunch is right, he has had enough time to prepare. Did he have an army? If yes, then how big? What was his link to Alpha Roman Price? And exactly what was he? My instincts told me he was more than alpha wolf, but how much more?If I could figure out this much, then maybe I can ask Asher for help? Maybe Asher, Noah and Logan could find a way to get my father and the pack members out? Once he gets back his strength, my father would be a great help in the war. He was a warrior, a fiercely strong one, and war was imminent.I must have eventually fallen asleep because when I opened my eyes, I was
Ivy“Did you find anything out there?” I asked as Asher parked his Harley in the garage. We had left a few moments after we…well, we did what we weren’t supposed to. But it was like control was a foreign emotion when we were close to each other. Just until we weren't married, I had reminded myself, as he covered every inch of me with his strong, oh-so deliciously muscular body, when his lips had devoured me and his impressive length pounded the daylights out of me.I gulped, a tremor running down my body, and I realized I still smelled of sex and him. Disgusting as it was, we just somehow cleaned up and then left. And just like last time, there was a silent pact between us to not discuss what happened. It was just sex. Nothing more.It can’t be anything more.“Yeah, we found wolf prints,” Asher nodded, looking pissed. “Someone was there and, thank goddess, we found you in time or…” he shook his head as if dismissing whatever thought passed him.“So not a vampire?” I frowned.“No. Not t
IvyI know this wasn’t a big thing, but somehow in my heart it felt like a lot was relying on his answer. And in hindsight I knew what it was.“Because your name wasn’t on it,” Asher repeated, giving me a shrug.“I…catch up later, Ash,” Logan said before both Noah, and he quickly scampered out. They knew. They knew Asher was lying.“Are you sure?” I demanded.Tell me, tell me that you accidentally missed it. “Positive. I know how to read, Ivyanka,” he muttered.“Then show me that paper,” I said flatly. Asher blinked at me before shooting me a scowl.“Can we do this later please? I have work to do,” he said, his tone dismissive as he poured over some files on his desk, his back to me.“Asher…I said show me the paper,” I repeated.“I threw it away,” Liar. Fucking liar. I saw him shove the paper in his pocket. And he was still wearing the same pants.“Asher Gray…show me the paper,” Asher froze and then tu
“Sorry I…I was just leaving, Alpha,” I mumbled, embarrassed. I could literally feel the puffiness around my eyes from the crying.“Sit, Ivyanka,” Logan said, his voice kind. “It’s alright. Here, drink this…” He handed me a mug of steaming coffee and then raised his in a toast.“Thank you,” I muttered, taking a whiff. It smelled delicious. The silence was a bit awkward. I have always found it a bit difficult to be at ease around Alpha Logan. His entire demeanor was somewhat brooding unlike Noah.“Don’t be mad at him,” Logan said softly, at last breaking the silence. “Ash was only trying to protect you,”“I don’t need his protection,” I hissed. “I can protect myself.”"Sure you can. But you are his mate, it’s literally in his DNA to always strive to protect you. And it’s the fact that he wants to protect you that proves he cares for you.”“I hardly believe that, Alpha,”“I know it’s hard to believe that someone like Asher knows how to care or feel but trust me, what you see is just a fa
AsherI was mad as fuck as I stormed out. Noah and Logan were waiting outside, bristling with tension and they quickly looked away as I shot them a glare.“We heard nothing,” Noah said, and Logan nodded like a robot.“I don’t care,” I snapped before stalking out. I needed some fresh air to clear my head and the only thing I could think of was to grab my Harley and go on a drive. So that’s precisely what I did. I went for a really really long drive and when I was finally tired of roaming around, I went to the same pub I took Ivy.“Here is your chilled beer.” The waitress who served us that night smiled brightly. I took a seat at the bar today, hoping to distract myself by watching the crowd.“Thanks,” I gave her a polite smile and prayed for help when she lingered on.“Uh, can I have a soda,” I frowned at the familiar voice and turned around to see Noah standing behind me. The waitress blinked at him, looking
AsherRuby’s tattoo parlor was a go-to place if I wanted to get a tattoo done. I liked the ambiance but, I liked the owner better.“Asher Gray,” the pink-haired girl grinned at me before giving me a hug. She wore her trademark black goth-like clothes with that creepy black lipstick, and I think there were more piercings covering her than the last time I saw her.“Ruby,” I smiled, hugging her back. “It’s been too long.”“Any more space on that hot bod for tattoos?” she smirked. “Or piercings?”“Still plenty left,” I laughed.Once upon a time, I used to have a crush on this woman. Logan and Noah brought me here to get me my first tattoo on my fourteenth birthday. Ruby did it, and she was still as she was back then. For some reason, I was in awe of her and hence would pop in now and then to get tattoos. Being the smart ass, she got the point and then did me a favor by fucking me. Yes, this woman was my first. I had just shifted and was horny as fuck 24/7. Ruby let me get off all that stea
AsherKillian’s army was a flood of darkness, their silhouettes stark against the snow. Rogues, hybrids, and vampires, all moving in perfect unison, their eyes glinting like red-hot embers. They were spread thin at first, testing our defenses, but I knew better than to think it was random. They were probing us, looking for weakness.“Hold fast,” Logan’s voice rumbled through the link. “Stay focused.” Noah’s wolf, Noel, was at my right, his massive form solid and unyielding. His deep growl vibrated through the ground as we waited for the first strike.To our left, Cora and Catalina led the charge on the flank, their wolves sleek and fast as they darted through the snow. The left side was tight, their warriors moving like a well-oiled machine, cutting off any attempts by Killian’s forces to circle around us.Then, I saw it—the telltale signs of their strategy. A group of vampires, positioned in the trees on the far
AsherThe wind howled, carrying a bitter chill as we marched toward the battlefield. Snow whipped through the air, stinging like icy shards against my wolf’s fur. Mac's paws crunched through the thick blanket of snow that coated the ground, the cold barely registering in my mind. The forest loomed ahead, its dark silhouettes blurred by the blizzard.At my sides, the pack moved in perfect formation. GrayCrest wolves formed the vanguard, their steps steady and deliberate. To our left and right, allied forces spread out, forming a crescent that stretched into the treeline. Despite the storm, every movement was precise, every warrior holding their position with discipline.Logan’s black wolf, Axel, massive and imposing, led the charge at the center. Beside him, Noah’s wolf, Noel, kept pace, its bulk matching Logan’s, his ears twitching at every sound carried by the wind. I took my place beside them, Mac surging for
IvyI stepped closer, my dagger glinting in the dim light. “What were you doing here? What was the ritual for?”Thalora’s lips curled into a smile as if she were savoring some private joke. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”Sabrina’s magic flared, and the chains constricted sharply. Thalora hissed in pain but laughed again.“You’re standing in the middle of it and you don’t know? Typical. Always so blind to the bigger picture. Fine, fine. You disrupted it anyway, but you might as well know what you’ve doomed yourselves to.” Her gaze flicked to me, dark amusement dancing in her eyes.
IvyThe tunnel opened into a dimly lit corridor, damp and suffocating. The walls were carved from rough stone, and the air carried a mix of mildew and iron—the unmistakable scent of blood. My boots scraped softly against the uneven floor as Sabrina and I moved forward, her magic casting a faint glow that barely pierced the oppressive darkness. I knew this place. This was the Crescent Moon dungeon.“Stay alert,” Sabrina whispered, her sharp eyes scanning ahead.A faint noise—shuffling footsteps and low murmurs—pricked my ears. We slowed, pressing against the cold stone walls.“They&rsqu
IvyI armed myself with whatever possible weapon I could—wolfsbane in small vials, a wolfsbane laced dagger and even small blades laced with wolfsbane. My heart was pounding in my chest as I took deep breaths, pulled on my gloves and headed downstairs. The weather outside was turning darker by the second and Sabrina predicted a blizzard to hit soon.The last update Asher gave me through the mindlink was that the armies have gathered and the glimpse he tried to give me of Killian’s army…things were really not looking good for GrayCrest. We literally had half of what he had apart from the vampires and the hybrids. The only hope now was tha
Christmas morning was filled with the comforting smell of roasted meats, warm bread, and the spice of mulled cider as pack members gathered around the tables for a feast. No one talked about the war, even if between us, we knew that Silas was dead and Noah had actually sent his dead body over to the Crescent Moon—a Christmas gift Killian would remember. Sabrina told me that she has managed to create the antidote and tomorrow she and Avery will start injecting the warriors and everyone else with it before leaving for the battlefield.Cora, Rose, and I had gathered gifts over the past weeks, and together, we made our way through the pack, handing small wrapped bundles to every member. The omega children squealed with delight as they tore into theirs. Stacks of gifts piled up for Aurie and Theo, each pack member contributing something to bring joy to the children. I glanced at Shae and Lia as they added their own contributions to the ever-growing pile. Everyone’s gestures, big or small,
Ivy“How could they even decide that without asking us what the truth was?” Cora growled as Asher’s eyes scanned the letter, turning dark with rage every passing second.“Natalie must have been very convincing,” I grimaced. “Does Logan and Noah know?”“Yes, I told them,” she nodded.“Are they still working on Silas?” I asked. “It’s been long enough.”“None of what Silas told them is of any use to use. And apparently, even he doesn’t know Killian’s war strategy. Logan has tried enough…you wouldn’t want to see what he has done with him. I have never seen Logan this angry in all my life and I have seen a lot…” I pursed my lips. If it scared Cora watching what Logan had done to Silas, then I definitely didn’t want to know.“Well, if we get through this the Council is fucked,” Asher hissed, crumbling the paper in his hands.“Now what?” Cora asked.“Now we fight with all we have got,” he said. “This isn’t going
Out of all the places, I didn’t expect Asher to take me to a tattoo parlor. Did he want to get a tattoo now?“I don’t think this is an appropriate time to get a tattoo…” I muttered as he headed inside.“I’m not here to get a tattoo, but this is where I have got all my tattoos done, in case you were curious. And when all of this shit is over, I have a matching tattoo planned for us as well,” Asher said. “Now…this is why I am here,” I frowned as he pointed to a woman in black standing by one of the booths. She had pink hair tied in a ponytail and looked pissed as fuck as she watched an artist work on a guy.“Ruby,” Asher called. The woman turned around and I blinked. She was typically not the kind of female I could imagine Asher being friends with.“Hello Alpha,” her scowl instantly turned to a grin as she walked over and gave Asher a hug before turning her eyes covered in kohl and liner to me. “Wait…don’t tell me…it’s her, isn’t it? The Silver wolf?” I frowned.How did she know that?“
Ivy Reed, dad and I were gathered in the common study to discuss war strategy. We had spread out maps and charts and all that stuff and now my father was deep in talks with Reed as he explained the old strategies of the army to him. My father looked much recovered now, very much like the alpha he was. If there will ever be a second in my life where I won’t be grateful for Eli’s sacrifice, then I hope the Moon Goddess kills me right there.“Hmm. I believe Killian’s forces will be advancing from this side…” Dad muttered, deep in thought.“Yes,” Reed agreed, his expression serious as he analyzed the map. “And we’ll be positioned here.” He tapped a cluster of trees on our side of the field. “It’ll be steep and treacherous, but we can use that to our advantage. If Killian’s vampires try to attack from higher ground, the slopes and snow will slow them down.”“They’ll likely position their main forces here—vampires an