Ivy pov
As I sat amid the old trees and sought peace in their silent wisdom, the moon threw silver rainbows through the woodland canopy. Today was meant to be the happiest day of my life. My name is Ivy. Rather, I ended up here, attempting to slow my heartbeat before the event that would change everything.
Recalling the first time the elders discovered me in these same woods, I ran my fingertips over the rough bark next to me. I was a child at the time, carefree as I played among the trees. They claimed that my blue hair's sapphire-like glint from the sunlight was a sign of the prophesy."Don't run, child!" Despite his commanding presence, one of them had called out in a soft, worn voice. With my tiny hands gripping the wildflowers I had been collecting, I had stopped dead in my tracks.That day, three elderly people came up to me, their eyes wide with awe as they observed my appearance—the blue hair and the matching eyes that set me apart. They had called it special. Selected.They had bowed before me and declared, "You are the one, Ivy," "The reincarnation of the Luan, destined to save us all."At the time, I was too young to fully comprehend the significance of what they were saying, too naive to realize that prophesies might be both a boon and a bane. The pack showered me with presents and promises as they celebrated for days. I learned how to fight, lead, and conduct myself with the dignity of a future Luna while the other kids played unrestrictedly.I was standing in front of my bedroom mirror now, fifteen years later, brushing down the ceremonial garment that hung over me like water. With every movement, the silk glistened in the candlelight. My blue hair fell beyond my shoulders, representing everything I was destined to be rather than being the object of youthful awe.As I fixed the silver circlet Alpha Derek had given me for the mating ritual, my hands shook a little. The thought of him made my heart skip a beat. Prophecy and duty had entwined our futures as we grew up together. I had noticed the tender grin he kept for me and the warmth in his black eyes, even though our interactions had always been professional and closely watched by the pack elders.I was startled out of my reverie by a gentle knock on my door. I called and said, "Come in," hoping to see my mother for some last-minute counsel.Rather, my childhood friend Clara crept in. Her face was pallid, and something that made my stomach turn had taken the place of her normally happy look. "Ivy," she wrung her hands and whispered. "There are rumors... whispers among the pack...""What rumors?" My voice was sharper than I meant when I asked. Unease pricked at the back of my neck.Clara refused to look at me. "They claim that there is another person. Another blue-haired girl who says—""Impossible," I interrupted, but the fear I couldn't conceal was visible in my reflection. "The prophecy speaks of only one."Before Clara could respond, the ceremonial horns sounded across the pack grounds. It was time.My folks met me at the entrance to the ceremonial clearing. My father's jaw was rigid with stress, while my mother's effort at a reassuring smile didn't reach her eyes. They knew something — something they weren't telling me."Mother?" I whispered, reaching for her hand. "What's wrong?""Everything will be fine, my dear," she replied, but her voice quavered. "Remember, no matter what happens, we love you. We've always done what we thought was best for you."The unusual tone in her speech made my heart skip a beat, but there was no time to interrogate her more. The drummers began their steady rhythm, pulling everyone to attention.As I had been instructed, I carried myself with pride as I moved through the crowd. The pack members were lining the path, their expressions a mix of wonder and uncertainty. Clara's whispers seemed to follow me around like shadows.Alpha In his ceremonial robes, Derek stood tall and imposing in the middle of the clearing. However, when I got closer, I saw that his posture was tight and that he had a chilly countenance that I had never seen before.He called out, "Ivy," his voice echoing over the strangely quiet clearing. His tone was so cold that I stumbled in my tracks. "I cannot take you as my mate."The words struck me like a blow to the body. The group exploded in bewildered murmurs around me."What?" With my voice barely audible above the escalating commotion, I managed to murmur.A woman emerged from the shadows as Derek turned away. When I saw her, my breath caught in my throat. Her eyes and blue hair were exactly like mine. She reminded me of a mirror, but there was cruelty in her smile that I hoped I would never see in myself.Derek said, "Everyone," and put his hand on the woman's shoulder. "This is my real mate, Angel. "The actual chosen one."The murmuring of the pack became louder, and the ground swayed under my boots. My eyes raced to my parents in search of an explanation, encouragement, or anything else, but their expressions were masks of fear and remorse."Ivy and her family have been misleading us all for years," Derek added, his voice breaking through the confusion. They were aware of Angel and her status as the real chosen one. To keep their position of authority within the pack, they plotted to conceal her presence."No," I shook my head and muttered. "That is untrue. "Mother? Father?" However, their quiet was quite telling.Angel's voice pierced through the air like ice. "They tried to kill me as a baby," she added, her words pouring with hatred. "Left me to die so their daughter could take my place."The charges came faster then - witnesses stepping forward, proof given, years of carefully planned lies crumbling before my eyes. Every discovery made me feel like parts of myself were falling apart. All of my beliefs about myself, my future, and my family were based on false information."Enough!" Derek's order brought the commotion to a halt. "Guards, take them," he said, his once-soft eyes now blazing with rage. They will be held accountable for their offenses.I stayed motionless as the guards pulled my parents away, their screams resonating throughout the clearing. All that remained of the prophecy that had molded my existence was the hollow echo of what might have been and the terrible taste of betrayal.Derek stated in a stern and decisive tone, "And as for you, Ivy, you will face judgment for your part in this deception."Angel's victorious smile, which perfectly reflected all I had lost and everything I had never really been, was the last thing I saw before the guards took me.Ivy’s povThe guards dragged me away while holding me tightly. They didn't care whether their hands injured me, therefore they were hard on my arms. I was no longer able to see my parents, but I could still hear them yelling somewhere behind me.It hurt how quickly my heart was racing. Where had they taken me? How would my parents fare? My mind was racing with these questions, but I had no answers."Let me go!" The guards were too powerful for me to get away from. My efforts did nothing to weaken their hold. Never before had I felt so weak and powerless.Behind us, the furious voices of the crowd grew louder. They were the same individuals who once bowed to me and referred to me as their savior. They wanted me punished now. My head turned and my ears rang from their yells.My heart stopped racing when I realized where we were as the guards pushed me forward. The Law Ground. They brought the most terrible offenders here. Most visitors who commit a crime didn't make it out alive.I look
Ivy’s POVMy whole body was shaking in the cold cell. Sitting in the corner, I ran my fingers through my blue hair, which used to make me unique but now only served as a reminder of all I had lost. As I considered all that had transpired, my heart ached. I was preparing for my mating ritual just yesterday. I was now being treated like a criminal in this gloomy jail.A little window high up on the wall was the sole source of light. I could see the soiled stone walls around me since it let in just enough moonlight. The musty, wet scent of the cell suggested that no one had been there for a while. They may not have used these cells very often, so that could have been a positive thing. Or maybe it was a warning sign—perhaps inmates had not been here for very long.I tried to ignore the notion by shaking my head. That's not how I could think. I have to be resilient.My parents were always on my mind. Were they alright? Were they also in such cells? Or worse, someplace? I couldn't get the l
Ryan's POVAs I stood at the brink of the cliff, the wind was harsh and chilly. The river thundered beneath me, its waves smashing against the rocks. Like the storm inside of me, it was wild and noisy. The doctor's words, "Six months left," kept coming back to me. We have run out of options.It was unbelievable to me. This was how it was going to end after all the fights I had fought and the things I had overcome. A disease no one could treat. Nothing I accomplished would change the fact that I only had six months to live. Instead of a damaged guy, my pack needed a strong Alpha. Both to them and to myself, I felt like a failure.I moved one step nearer to the cliff's brink. Perhaps this is a better option. My pack would look for a new leader who could keep them safe. As I gazed down at the river, my heart was pounding. It would all be over with one more step.Then I noticed it.The water below has something floating in it. I initially believed it to be debris. I squinted, though, and
Ryan's POVHer eyes slowly opened, and I was surprised by how bright the blue was. Her face was clouded by bewilderment as she glanced at me for a time."Where am I, exactly?" Her voice was rough and feeble as she whispered.I spoke calmly as I leaned in closer. "You're secure. The river was where you were. I dragged you here after pulling you out.Her face furrowed as though she were attempting to recall something, and she blinked. Her eyes were a mixture of fear and confusion when they locked with mine.She questioned, "Who are you?""My name is Ryan. I whispered softly, "I am the Alpha of this pack. "You shouldn't be concerned. Nobody here is going to harm you.Glancing around the room, she took in her surroundings. Her hands were firmly gripping the blanket, and I could see the tightness in her body. I was concerned that she didn't appear to recall anything. It was different to witness memory loss than to have Clara warn me about it."What's your name?" In an attempt to hold her a
Ryan's POVHer eyes slowly opened, and I was surprised by how bright the blue was. Her face was clouded by bewilderment as she glanced at me for a time."Where am I, exactly?" Her voice was rough and feeble as she whispered.I spoke calmly as I leaned in closer. "You're secure. The river was where you were. I dragged you here after pulling you out.Her face furrowed as though she were attempting to recall something, and she blinked. Her eyes were a mixture of fear and confusion when they locked with mine.She questioned, "Who are you?""My name is Ryan. I whispered softly, "I am the Alpha of this pack. "You shouldn't be concerned. Nobody here is going to harm you.Glancing around the room, she took in her surroundings. Her hands were firmly gripping the blanket, and I could see the tightness in her body. I was concerned that she didn't appear to recall anything. It was different to witness memory loss than to have Clara warn me about it."What's your name?" In an attempt to hold her a
Ryan's POVAs I stood at the brink of the cliff, the wind was harsh and chilly. The river thundered beneath me, its waves smashing against the rocks. Like the storm inside of me, it was wild and noisy. The doctor's words, "Six months left," kept coming back to me. We have run out of options.It was unbelievable to me. This was how it was going to end after all the fights I had fought and the things I had overcome. A disease no one could treat. Nothing I accomplished would change the fact that I only had six months to live. Instead of a damaged guy, my pack needed a strong Alpha. Both to them and to myself, I felt like a failure.I moved one step nearer to the cliff's brink. Perhaps this is a better option. My pack would look for a new leader who could keep them safe. As I gazed down at the river, my heart was pounding. It would all be over with one more step.Then I noticed it.The water below has something floating in it. I initially believed it to be debris. I squinted, though, and
Ivy’s POVMy whole body was shaking in the cold cell. Sitting in the corner, I ran my fingers through my blue hair, which used to make me unique but now only served as a reminder of all I had lost. As I considered all that had transpired, my heart ached. I was preparing for my mating ritual just yesterday. I was now being treated like a criminal in this gloomy jail.A little window high up on the wall was the sole source of light. I could see the soiled stone walls around me since it let in just enough moonlight. The musty, wet scent of the cell suggested that no one had been there for a while. They may not have used these cells very often, so that could have been a positive thing. Or maybe it was a warning sign—perhaps inmates had not been here for very long.I tried to ignore the notion by shaking my head. That's not how I could think. I have to be resilient.My parents were always on my mind. Were they alright? Were they also in such cells? Or worse, someplace? I couldn't get the l
Ivy’s povThe guards dragged me away while holding me tightly. They didn't care whether their hands injured me, therefore they were hard on my arms. I was no longer able to see my parents, but I could still hear them yelling somewhere behind me.It hurt how quickly my heart was racing. Where had they taken me? How would my parents fare? My mind was racing with these questions, but I had no answers."Let me go!" The guards were too powerful for me to get away from. My efforts did nothing to weaken their hold. Never before had I felt so weak and powerless.Behind us, the furious voices of the crowd grew louder. They were the same individuals who once bowed to me and referred to me as their savior. They wanted me punished now. My head turned and my ears rang from their yells.My heart stopped racing when I realized where we were as the guards pushed me forward. The Law Ground. They brought the most terrible offenders here. Most visitors who commit a crime didn't make it out alive.I look
Ivy povAs I sat amid the old trees and sought peace in their silent wisdom, the moon threw silver rainbows through the woodland canopy. Today was meant to be the happiest day of my life. My name is Ivy. Rather, I ended up here, attempting to slow my heartbeat before the event that would change everything.Recalling the first time the elders discovered me in these same woods, I ran my fingertips over the rough bark next to me. I was a child at the time, carefree as I played among the trees. They claimed that my blue hair's sapphire-like glint from the sunlight was a sign of the prophesy."Don't run, child!" Despite his commanding presence, one of them had called out in a soft, worn voice. With my tiny hands gripping the wildflowers I had been collecting, I had stopped dead in my tracks.That day, three elderly people came up to me, their eyes wide with awe as they observed my appearance—the blue hair and the matching eyes that set me apart. They had called it special. Selected.They h