A Year Later

[Ivan’s POV]

"Come back, cutie!"

The blatant flirtation echoed throughout the hall I was beginning to make my way down. Followed by it was my maid Elise’s quick escape from the chamber where Arissa was supposed to be getting ready for the night’s main event.

Quickening my pace, I managed to reach Elise before she could disappear down another hall. Her face, which was usually quite pale, was flushed and her eyes were dark with worry. What in the world had Arissa managed to do this time?

"M-master…" Elisa stammered, fixing her large eyes on me. "I… the mistress, she..."

"Slow down." I sighed, trying to hide my amusement at just how scared Arissa had left this poor maid. "What exactly happened?"

"She…"

"I can answer that."

Turning, I let my eyes fall on the woman in question as she slowly and seductively made her way towards where we stood. Despite knowing that her coronation ceremony to become my luna was happening in less than thirty minutes, she only wore a white corset that accentuated her hourglass figure and lifted her breasts, along with lacy underwear and garters that were attached to lace stockings that hugged her legs tightly.

"Why aren’t you dressed?" I asked, trying to hide the desire that was quickly building within me. "Do you plan on attending the ceremony like that?"

"And if I am?" She challenged, giving me a mischievous smile. "What are you going to do about it?"

Oh… was she challenging me? Fine, I would play along.

Surging forward, I scooped Arissa into my arms and threw her over my shoulder. A small yelp of shock escaped her before she relaxed against me as I made my way back to our room to help her finish getting ready.

Once we were inside and alone, I threw her down on the bed and attacked, slamming my mouth against her as her legs snaked their way around my hips and her arms found my neck. Arching her back, she pressed her core against my quickly growing bulge, insisting on more despite knowing there wasn’t time.

"Later," I said softly against her lips. "First, ceremony."

"Fuck the ceremony!" Arissa panted, pouting her perfect lips. "I don’t need no damn ceremony to assert my dominance over the pack."

She was right; she didn’t need a ceremony for that. After all, since agreeing to be my luna, she had all but scared most of my pack into obedience. Despite her tiny stature, she was a force to be reckoned with and anyone who faced her accepted that.

"Humor me." I chuckled, giving her a quick peck on the lips before standing and straightening my button-up shirt and trousers.

"Don’t wanna." Arissa growled, sitting up. "You know how much I hate speaking in front of others."

At Arissa’s words, a loud bark of laughter escaped me. She hated speaking in front of others. That was a crock of shit and even she knew it. If there was one thing Arissa loved, it was attention.

"That was funny." I managed between laughs. "Tell another."

"Hm," she considered. "Why did the chicken cross the road?"

"Why?" I asked, deciding to humor her.

"To get to the idiot. Knock, knock." She continued.

"Whose there?"

"The chicken!"

Arissa jumped out of the way as I attempted to attack her for even considering calling me an idiot, letting a giggle escape her.

"Gotta be faster than that uunnnccccllleee." She chirped, dancing around as I attempted to grab her. "You’re getting slow in your old age."

"I’ll show you slow." I growled, feigning going left and then attacking from the right as she took the bait.

"AAAAHHHH!"

Feeling a sense of satisfaction, I grabbed Arissa by her ass and gave it a good squeeze. Dammit, since she was recently putting on more weight, it was getting bigger and it felt damn good in my hands.

"You going to spank me?" She teased, her eyes glinting with expectation.

"And if I do?" I husked close to her ear.

"Don’t threaten me with a good time."

Leaning forward, I pressed my lips to hers once more while lifting my hand and smacking it against her ass, earning myself a small moan of pleasure.

"You know what…" I began, but stopped as a knock sounded at the door.

"Alpha!" Hans called, ruining the moment. "You’re wanted in the banquet hall."

"Go away!" I growled, beginning to kiss Arissa once more.

"Elders Gregory and Oliver want to speak with you about the ceremony." Hans continued.

"Dammit." I hissed, pulling away and running a hand through my hair. "I can’t wait for the Sanctuary to be rebuilt so they can get the hell out of my hair."

"Go on." Arissa giggled. "Go play nice with the elders."

"Are you trying to get rid of me now?" I demanded, feigning hurt. "Use me and then lose me."

"So what?"

Letting out a frustrated huff, I leaned forward and quickly gave her ass one more smack before turning and making my way out of the room where my beta, Hans, stood looking slightly uncomfortable.

"You do know right and wrong." I mused.

"Y-yes sir." Hans responded, looking ready to flee at any moment.

"Well then," I began. "Lead the way. You said the elders needed to speak with me, correct?"

"That’s right." Hans confirmed.

"Do you know what about?" I asked as we began to make our way towards the banquet hall where the elders were waiting.

"About that..." Hans responded, seeming to grow more tense.

"What?" I asked, stopping. "What is it?"

"They wish for you and Luna to allow Tania and Thedore to attend since they are related to Luna."

"What?" I spat, unsure of what I was hearing. "Repeat that."

"They want Tati..."

"No way in hell." I growled, beginning to move again. "Where are those bastards? I’m about to kill them for even thinking of suggesting such a thing!"

As I made my way through the familiar corridors of Fulgur’s pack house, I felt my rage beginning to build. How in the hell could the elders even suggest that I allow Tatiana and Thedore to attend such an important ceremony for Arissa after everything they had done to her? It was fucking ridiculous!

"Alpha, please wait!" Hans called from behind. "Don’t be so rash! There are already guests…"

"I don’t give a damn." I growled, pressing my hands against the large wooden doors that separated me from those bastards. "Their request is too suspicious."

Using much too much strength, I shoved the doors open and stormed in, earning myself many stares from the attendees of Arissa’s ceremony, followed by the elders themselves, who sat up on the stage talking amongst themselves.

"Ivan?" Elder Gregory grunted, lifting his massive body from the chair his ass was attempting to ingest. "What is the reason for your entrance?"

"You wanted Tania and Theodore to attend today’s ceremony?" I demanded, quickly closing the distance between us.

"That’s right." Elder Gregory responded easily. "It is only natural they attend given they are blood related to Arissa."

"You’re full of shit if you think they will get to go anywhere except the fields and their cells." I snapped. "Do you know how much shit both of them have put Arissa through?"

"That’s…" Elder Gregory began, but stopped as I reached.

"Are you secretly meeting with them, old man?" I growled, grabbing Elder Gregory’s collar.

"IVAN!" Elder Oliver hissed, jumping up from his seat. "What are you doing?"

"Stay out of this!" I snapped. "I’ll repeat my question again." I continued, turning my full attention back to Elder Gregory. "Are you secretly meeting with the traitors?"

"N-no," Elder Gregory puffed. "Of course not."

Despite his response, I still found myself becoming suspicious of the man in front of me. Words were just that, words; they didn’t hold much weight.

"Are…"

"Ivan!"

Tensing, I slowly released Elder Gregory before turning to watch Arissa make her way towards me. Between the time I left and began my attack on Elder Gregory, she had managed to throw on her dress and do her hair. 

"Are you having all the fun without me?" She pouted, closing the distance between us.

"Of course not, my love." I responded, opening up my arms so that I could wrap them around her. "I would never."

"Oh really?" Arissa giggled, dodging me entirely and stopping in front of Elder Gregory. "Was what I heard true?" She asked sweetly. "You feel my mother and grandfather should be here to watch me become luna?"

"That’s right." Elder Gregory responded firmly. "Though they have messed up, they are still your family and should at least be able to attend under supervision."

"You don’t say." Arissa purred, clenching her fists.

"I do…"

Elder Gregory never got the opportunity to finish his response as Arissa’s fist connected with his nose, instantly breaking it and causing blood to begin to flow freely from it.

All around us, chaos erupted as the ceremony attendees began to discuss what had just happened while trying to help Elder Gregory, who was acting as though he was dying from a single punch.

"Be sure to let them know that was my response." Arissa announced, turning away from Elder Gregory. "Ivy, sweetie, can we get on with the ceremony now?"

"Sure," I said, smirking. "Elder Oliver is still more than willing to do it. Right, elder?"

"Y-yeah," Elder Oliver stammered, looking from Elder Gregory to me. "Whatever you want."

"Then let’s begin."