IvyThe darkness wrapped around me as I sat up, my body heavy with exhaustion, but the pain—a dull, relentless throb—dragged me back to consciousness. The ache flared up sharply, a fresh wave of agony ripping through me as my eyes fluttered open. I groaned, doubling over, clutching my stomach as the fire inside me burned hotter, more intense.Where am I?The room was dimly lit, shadows flickering against the walls. Through the large windows, I could see the forest stretching out beneath the stormy sky, the rain still pouring in thick sheets. I was sprawled across a massive bed, the sheets soft against my heated skin. My clothes were damp, clinging to my overheated skin, making the sensation worse.My body ached, every muscle tense, the lingering burn of the heat coiling in my stomach. I groaned as the pain flared again, a wave of agony and need so strong it left me breathless. Another wave of pain rolled through me, and I cried out, my body curling in on itself as the hunger tore throu
IvyI stared out of the window as I stood on the beautiful balcony adjoining the vast bedroom. As far as my eyes could see, there were wide stretches of greenery all around and then the beautiful lake sprawling out in the midst of it all. This was another lake house the Grays owned apart from the one adjoining the pack. This one was a proper house rather than a wooden cabin and was beautiful and as close to nature and peace as you can get. Not that I have gotten the chance to get out of the bedroom.Never in my life have I ever imagined that you could experience sexual desire in a way that can consume your entire existence. But what I felt today, it was beyond explanation. I have heard about heat before, and seen a few females go through it. But to actually feel it, I was not sure if I would like to ever go through it again. But then again, the sex…it was more than anything I could have imagined. The point when
IvyI turned my head towards the kitchen and blinked to find my mate trying to whisk something, his biceps rippling in the process while something seared in the pan. It took me some time to adjust to the sight.Was he really cooking? As in…Asher Gray?“You are cooking?” I couldn’t help but exclaim, folding my arms across my chest. Asher stopped whisking and I squirmed inwardly at the way his eyes glazed over my body and my naked legs.“What’s with that tone,” he muttered, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand. “And nice choice of attire, Mrs. Gray,” I bit my lip, peeking over his shoulder to see what he was whisking so hard. It seemed like eggs.“It’s hard to imagine you in a kitchen actually cooking,” I murmured. He turned around and threw me a disdained look.“I know how to cook,” he grimaced. “Don’t judge a book by its cover, Ivyanka. You don’t know a lot about me yet.” This was true. It baffled me how
Ivy“What?” I mumbled, blinking at him. Asher’s eyes were dark, his thumb caressing my cheek gently.“I want to mark you,” he repeated. “If…you allow me, that is.”“Now?” I demanded, not really expecting him to say that. Asher shook his head, but I noticed the hungry look in his eyes as they fell between my shoulder and neck.“Soon…,” he replied. “I will take you to the mating ground and do it the right way. But…I just hope now that you have told me everything and there is nothing else to hide…this will be a possibility between us. I will never force you, of course. But with everything going on…I just don’t wanna have any regrets.”“Heck yes! Please don’t say no,” Silver chimed in. I was amused to listen to her voice because she has been eerily silent for a long time. Especially since I found out about my mom.“Say something…” Asher probed.“I would love it,” I said. “No more rules between us. No more distance and no more…secrets.”“And a lot of sex?” he grinned. I smiled and nodded.“
“The Luna ring…” I whispered, my voice trembling. “You were supposed to give it to me during the oath-taking ceremony.”He nodded, his expression solemn. “But I didn’t… because I was angry. I didn’t think you deserved it then. But deep down…” His gaze softened as he slipped the ring onto my finger, his touch gentle. “I never believed that and now after everything, I know you deserve this as much as Rose and Cora, maybe even more.”“Asher… I don’t know what to say…”“You don’t have to say anything,” he whispered, cupping my face in his hands as he leaned in to kiss me softly. “You deserve this… and so much more. No more secrets. No more distance between us. I want you, all of you… forever.” I gazed into his eyes and found myself surrendering completely to the overwhelming love I felt for him. I kissed him back, hard and desperate, my hands tangling in his hair as I pulled him closer.Asher groaned against my lips, his hands gripping my waist as he guided me onto his lap, my legs stradd
IvyI found myself standing in the middle of the Crystal Grove, the air thick with the scent of roses. Amidst the scent of roses, another familiar scent hit me hard. And then I saw her.By the fountain in the center of the grove stood my mother. She was smiling, the way she always does—bright, radiant, as if nothing in the world could dim her light. “Mom?” I whispered, my voice barely a breath. She opened her arms, and without hesitation, I ran to her, my heart leaping in my chest. “I’ve missed you so much,” I murmured, my face buried in her shoulder as tears welled up in my eyes.&ldq
IvyThe pack was bustling with energy. Tonight was it, the day everyone was looking forward to---the Reawakening Ceremony. It was all about the last minute checks now. Cora was running around like a mother hen, barking orders. I stood and watched the guys hard at work, hammering and hammering endlessly. It was boring, but it allowed my mind to wander and think over everything Killian said last night when I found the courage to call him...“I want to meet you,” “Do you have the Book?” “No,”“Then I am afraid I am not interested…” “It’s with the witch…I couldn’t retrieve it. She has kept it somewhere secret and will only be retrieved on the day of the ceremony,” “You mean the witch you are best friends with…?” “I am not!” I protested. “She is friends with Rose…” “Little Alpha, if you have anything better to say or offer than please get to it, or I would like to get back to my business…” he sounded bored.
IvyThe back lawn was already filled with guests, everyone having taken their seats in the banquette seating on either side of the wooden deck in the very center. Beautiful Chinese lamps illuminated the lawn and sitting areas, but other than that, the lights were kept dimmed. The scent of autumn flowers was scattered throughout. On the very center of the wooden deck was a raised platform where, apparently, the ancient relic or pack soul as they call it was to be kept.I noticed a few omega men taking positions with heavy drums on for corners of the deck. It was all very fascinating.“What exactly is that for?” I whispered to Cora.We stood beside the deck, Cora in the center as the eldest Luna with me and Rose flanking her. She wore a stunning white gown with very intricate detailing made of blue stones that made the strapless bodice. Just like mine, her dress also had a long white cape to go with it. Wit
Ivy's momThe sun was barely up, but the pack grounds were already alive with activity. Omegas hurried back and forth, setting up chairs, arranging flowers, and double-checking the decorations for Ivan’s ceremony. Today was the day my son, my firstborn, would be crowned Alpha, and I couldn’t stop myself from fussing over every last detail.“Make sure the garlands hang evenly,” I called to one of the omegas, pointing at a lopsided section. “And Kiera, wipe down the Alpha’s chair again, please. It has to be spotless.”“Yes, Luna,” they replied in unison, quickly moving to fix it.I sighed, smoothing the front of my dress as I watched them work. Everything looked beautiful, but it still didn’t feel ready. Today was too important to settle for anything less than perfect.Strong arms wrapped around my waist, startling me slightly as I was pulled into a familiar embrace. “You’re doing it again,” came a deep voice, warm and teasing.I smiled despite myself. “Doing what?”“Worrying over things
Hi lovelies! I hope you are doing well. The Alpha's Warrior have ended and I truly appreciate all your love and support. For those who have joined me in this journey first time, thank you so much. And if you enjoyed my work, I would like to keep you posted about my next work. Coming up next is a story that will take you from the world of Alpha's to that of dark, brooding, sexy Mafia's. Here's a peak:Blurb: The Mafia's Arranged Bride She was his light. He was her darkness. Gianna Ammassari, the adored sister of the strongest Sicilian mafia don, thought marrying Nico Baldocchi, the man she had secretly loved since childhood, was literally her dream come true. But that dream quickly turns into a nightmare when Nico reveals that his heart still belongs to another and there ever will be no place for her there. Bound by duty and driven by love, Gianna clings to the hope that maybe one day she can win Nico’s affection.But was her love powerful enough to break the walls Nico had built
By evening, the pack house was twinkling with lights like fairyland. The afternoon went by with the usual celebrations that we do with the pack members, giving gifts and sharing the feast with them. In the evening, it was time for our guests to arrive.“Merry Christmas!” Shae and Archer were the first ones to arrive, bringing in piles of gifts with them. Their son Reign was six years old now and good friends with Theo.Lia and Jordan followed next, along with their daughter Hyacinth, born six months after the war. Natalie unfortunately couldn’t make it because she was preoccupied, but Catalina did, accompanied by her mate, Alpha Cristian, a man she met at the annual mating ball. She was totally against the idea, but it was Asher who pushed her, asking her to at least give the idea of finding another mate a chance.Catalina reluctantly agreed and, as destiny would have it, she crashed into Cristian. It ruined her expensive evening gown because Cristian ended up spilling champagne on it
Ivy4 years laterThe day was chilly as hell even though, mercifully, the sun shone bright in the sky, the snowfall finally stopping but covering the entire packhouse in a white blanket. But again, what was Christmas without some snow?I inhaled the fresh, cold air and leaned down to place the bouquet of white lilies on the gravestone. I stared at the beautiful engraved writing and felt the familiar ache in my chest rising for a moment.Our Little Angel,Forever Loved, Never ForgottenIt’s been four years since we lost her, four years since the second Cold War ended, and yet not a day has passed by when I haven’t thought of her. Every year on special occasions, Asher and I bring flowers to decorate her gravestone. And Christmas was something that we never missed.And it wasn’t just her. Around me, rested every person I have once loved dearly and still did. Just beside my unborn daughter’s grave was that of a man who was my best friend and companion, a man who was an example of what lov
IvyThe ruins of MysticWarriors stretched out before me, a haunting blend of beauty and devastation. Where once vibrant life thrived, only remnants of a forgotten past remained. The grand white marble pack house that had stood as a symbol of strength and unity was now reduced to rubble, overgrown with vines and moss. The lush forest surrounding it seemed to mock the destruction.This was home—at least, it had been.I inhaled deeply, the cool mountain air filling my lungs, carrying with it the faint, earthy scent of rain. Somewhere in the distance, the roar of the waterfall could be heard, its sound as steady as the heartbeat of the land. This place held so much of my childhood: laughter shared with friends, the warmth of family, lessons learned under the sunlit canopy of trees. Now, it was little more than a shell of those memories.My father walked ahead, his shoulders slumped, his movements uncharacteri
Asher“Why is that?” Rose asked. “The mark probably has faded now that he is dead. And it wasn’t of any significance anyway, because he wasn’t your true mate, isn’t it?”“It’s not the mark,” Natalie said.“Then what is it, Nat?” Logan demanded, looking worried. “What is it?” Natalie gazed up at us, tears flooding her eyes.“I…I am carrying his child…” Everyone froze for a bit, processing the info until the silence was broken by a resounding bark from Logan.“What?” he roared, his eyes red with fury. “What did you say?”“Logan…calm down,” Cora muttered, grabbing his hand. “Let her speak…”“I…I just found out a few days ago,” she whispered. “Killian was the only man I had any sexual relationship with recently so it’s…it’s obvious that the child is his.”“Fuck,” I muttered under my breath. I don’t even want to imagine how Natalie must be feeling. Killian technically raped her and the child…it wasn’t a product of love between two people but…“I am so sorry, Natalie,” Rose said softly. “Hav
AsherI probably have never seen so much hustle and bustle in the pack ever before. People were rushing around, the infirmary crowded like hell as Avery and others who volunteered tended to the injured warriors and hunters, which was a staggering number. Shouts for medicine and bandages and what not echoed across the pack mixed with occasional screaming and shouting from the men. The priestesses and Sabrina were also helping, using their magic to mend those who were beyond mending.On the other hand, Shae, Lia, Rose and Catalina passed over steaming cups of coffee and food. Cora sat in the corner with Logan holding her close to him after they both had been treated by Avery. Sabrina’s potion has worked so the vampire venom didn’t affect Cora or anyone else in a life-threatening manner. But it certainly weakened them a lot. Logan glanced up at me and gave me a nod.I nodded back and then clenched my fingers tightl
AsherEveryone in the room froze, a collective breath held in shock. I blinked, staring at her as if I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.“I’ll do it,” Cora repeated, her words firm, unyielding. “If I can help in any way to bring that precious, innocent life back, then I will do it.”“Me too,” Rose chimed in, her voice steady but filled with a quiet determination. “It doesn’t matter the cost... we will do it.”I could hardly breathe as I looked at them, my throat tight with emotion. “Yeah, if it can help Ivy and the baby...” Logan’s voice followed, and then Noah’s, both of them agreeing without hesitation, without a second thought.Tears welled up in my eyes to see the unconditional love that my family had for me. It was a love I couldn’t fully comprehend, a selflessness that went beyond anything I could ever repay. I knew how much Noah wanted a bigger family. I knew Logan had always dreamed of a baby girl. And yet, not for a moment had they hesitated. Not for a second had they thoug
AsherMy stomach twisted, and my wolf stirred uneasily at Sabrina’s words. A sacrifice from Cora and Rose…what was that supposed to mean?“Cora and Rose?” I echoed, barely able to process what she’d said. “Why them, Sabrina? Why not me? I am her mate, after all.”“Because they are true Lunas of GrayCrest, Asher. Just as Ivy is,” Sabrina answered, her eyes darting behind me.I turned around to see the others returning—bruised and battered and barely breathing. Cora didn’t look good at all, hardly managing to stand without Logan’s support, who himself looked like he would collapse right now. Noah and Rose walked hand-in-hand, Rose’s beautiful face battered and scarred. Jordan, Archer, Shae, Catalina and the rest of them trailed behind, all of them halting in surprise as they spotted the altar and Ivy’s lifeless body lying there.“Sabrina…you can save her and the baby, right?” Cora croaked. “Please tell me