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58. Ivan
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The Beta's Prize 59. Cherish
I did my best to keep him pinned to that campsite but even I had to admit defeat after a few hours. Washing up and drinking from a nearby stream my blonde hair was wet and tied up in a tight bun on the top of my head. Ivan wore that crisp white, v-neck shirt and dark pants, I was in a new maroon tunic dress and leggings. we looked like completely different people to the ragged, loosely dressed couple in the Cage.Stomping along in our hiking boots my heart was light and happy. What could be better than finding out your mate was the person you were already madly in love with? I held his hand, marvelled at the surroundings, and enjoyed the birdsong. I was on such a high it took me a while to realise Ivan’s mood was heading in the opposite direction. The hike had started with jokes and playful, gentle nudges and banter. Once we reached the top of the last hillcrest everything changed. “That’s Silver City,” he pointed, his jaw clenched so tightly he barely spoke. Ahead I could see a huge
The Beta's Prize 60. Ivan
It’s all just too fucking weird. It shouldn’t be, the past is the past so everyone tries to tell me but it’s impossible when nothing has changed. The same flags, same people, businesses, uniforms, Helena’s ridiculously curly brown hair. The only difference is her pregnancy bump. The past, a place where Azalea is my mate and not Cherish. This is the place where Bella, her grey eyes so trusting and seeking love, was gradually corrupted into committing murder. Secrets and lies flourish within the castle walls. It didn’t help Azalea who saw plots and schemes everywhere she went. I won’t have Cherish go through it. Helena had every right to turn me away, so I addressed her alone. Cherish is so new to having a wolf, if Helena had told us there was no place for us, she could have maybe tried to attack her. Stranger things have happened. The Helena I left behind over four years ago was barely twenty, still a shiny new Luna, learning the ropes. Now she has the poise and presence of a seas
The Beta's Prize 61. Cherish
The relief when Ivan didn’t dismiss my little speech was unreal. The sadness when he didn’t recognise the wave of warm love hitting him broke my heart. Any jealousy I might have had about being his second-chance mate floated away. I don’t need to be jealous of someone who didn’t even treat Ivan the way he deserved. When a small servant in a grey tunic summoned us we had redressed, my hair properly brushed and plaited down my back with my maroon dress. Still an alien feeling to be smartly dressed in front of him. Ivan however, looked so handsome.“I am a huge fan of the White Forest look.” I murmured, pulling at the strings of his white shirt, revealing the deepest angle of the v-shape cut to me. “If they accept me what do I get to wear?” “You’ll get a hooded cloak, you’ll have seen them all wearing them.” “So I wear that and nothing else?” I asked innocently, loving the way his eyes glimmered whenever I teased him with a tempting idea. The little female servant was speedy, a long w
The Beta's Prize 62. Ivan
The atmosphere of the room hung on a knife edge. Even little Freya sensed the change in tension moving back to her papa, our silly game at an end. Cherish’s wolf is new to her, both still adjusting to each other’s temperaments, I need her to not unravel here. “Apologies, but Luna Helena, please can you clarify, you knew Ivan was in the Shadowlands all this time?” “I did,” she said calmly, “I had…some dreams that repeated. They’re normally visions of the future.” I tried squeezing her hand, but she was too agitated to notice. Though her tone was sweet and friendly enough her questions were laced with implications. “I just want to check, you know exactly what Ivan has had to do to survive for the past two years?” Her blue eyes gleamed as she spoke, sat as tall and stately as the others in the bright yellow, ridiculous chairs. Helena looked straight at me, her face paling, whilst Alexander stroked his daughters’ dark curls, his lips clamped tightly together. “Cherish, how we got he
The Beta's Prize 63. Cherish
Spending the afternoon curled up in Ivan’s huge arms listening to his ridiculous stories was blissful. I adored his scent, unable to stop myself nuzzling in closer to his body, toying with the strings that lace up his shirt. Waves of adoration meant I practically floated back into the huge castle courtyard before remembering Luna Helena might want my head on a stick. In fact, the opposite occurred when we got back to our suite. A vast selection of fine dresses was laid out for me to wear alongside new, finer quality white shirts and pants for Ivan. I chose a rich purple off-the shoulder gown. Gently puffed sleeves rested on my upper arms, a semi-corset elevating my chest. I wore my hair up, a few loose curls trailing down, a Luna for a night I scoffed at Halo. Ivan’s gaze hit me as he left the bathroom, flattening his copper tufts down. He moved to stand behind me in the mirror, hands softly on my hips and placed some kisses along my bare neck and shoulders. “You look beautiful.” “
The Beta's Prize 64. Ivan
Making it through that dinner was tough. Repetitive stories about the golden days of old does not make me nostalgic for this place. I just want to get back to the stunning vision in purple whose eyes I keep catching. Kohl was the same, nagging away to ditch this crowd and have her back in our arms. When her expression became concerned and fretful, it took every bit of self-possession to not walk away from my Alpha. But then she is always stronger than I give her credit for. Her eyes may have glittered with emotion but she was controlled. Of course she is. I don’t know if I will ever be able to not worry about her even though the Cage and its villains are gone. Back in our room, I want to be halfway through ripping her dress off but instead I have to tell her the results of my talk with Alpha Alexander. No lies, no secrets. That's the mate she deserves. The mate I’m going to give everything I can in order to be.. Even if Azalea’s original mark is still etched onto my collarbone
The Beta's Prize 65. Cherish
Castle life is like being on a whole other planet. The sumptuous suite, servants, unlimited food and drink, even the weather seems better in Silver City. Ivan has been busy every day putting volunteers through their paces. Half of his battle is picking recruits that are the right personality for this job. Anyone who could be corrupted or too violent once the job was done has no place in his Battalion. It was a clean-up job, not conquering. Surprisingly the competition is fierce, with peace for so many years under Alpha Alexander. All the candidates want to experience shifting and fight as a wolf rather than walk through tactics. It meant I had a lot of free time during the day, so my letter to my father was swiftly despatched. I spent a lot of time with Helena and little Freya. I could see why Ivan cared for Helena, despite her royal demeanour there was a sweet vulnerability behind those hazel eyes. She had a good sense of humour and the afternoons passed pleasantly enough. It wa
The Beta's Prize 66. Ivan
As soon as I heard that howl I knew what game she was playing. Silly me thinking she was just down at the bleachers because she fancied diverting my attention. Of course it had been fun trying to keep the issue light this past week, dashing her into the bedroom everytime the awkward topic of the Battalion came up but it had to end soon. I had thought she might have given me a warning though. Instead, all I can do is shout at the collection of sweating, red-faced Beta’s before me, “Well then? Do we know that wolf?” They looked around, all trying to mind link until they shook their heads. Beta Jackson, a humongous figure with his white shirt on, frankly terrifying with it off, bellowed from his huge barrel-chest “well then get fucking after it then! First one to catch the interloper makes the Battalion!” I couldn’t protest, or reveal I hadn’t planned this this, not that they would have heard over the sound of ripping trousers and howling. Jaws snapping, froth flying from between th
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