ログインIvara's POVI'd thought it would be quick.That had been my assumption when Xlynor had driven past the castle turnoff, and I'd asked where we were going, and he'd said we were having a “mini pack tour”— I'd assumed a stop, maybe two. Something brief that he needed to handle before dropping me home.That had been hours ago.We'd gone to the blacksmith's first, where he'd picked up a weapon that turned out to be for Nyx.After that, we dropped it off at her mansion and moved to Granny Jojo's quarters, where he'd proceeded to sit and talk for an entire hour while I drifted around the space looking at things and trying so hard not to touch like he warned.Then we stopped by at the manor — his manor, the one I'd woken up in on my first day in Dark Hound. I had completely forgotten that Xlynor owned something like that. He disappeared inside one of the wings as soon as we got there for what felt like three hours while I explored it, avoiding the maids and guards walking around in it.Right
Ivara's POVThe shock on Xlynor’s face was clear for a split second, but it did nothing to wipe away that infuriating smirk.“Goddamnit, McKenna.” He touched his jaw, more out of reflex than pain. “Are you out of your mind? I said you could hit me—I didn't mean it literally, and I didn't think you'd go for it either.”I looked at him, then at my stinging palm. Why did it have to hurt every time I hit him?And then I glanced at him again. Why the hell was that stupid smirk still there? Was the hit not hard enough? Didn't I put enough force into it? Why wasn't he mad? That was not the reaction I wanted at all. I'd been holding that hit in reserve for hours, and it hadn't even made a dent?I rose onto my tiptoes — which did not close as much of the height gap as I needed it to — and looked up at his face from as close as I could manage. “What? You want to go run your mouth now? You said you'd take the hit. Don't tell me you're reconsidering.”He poked me in the center of my forehead, har
Ivara's POVZane stopped and turned to Xlynor. “In the car? I told you she was in the car?”Xlynor glanced at the door, then back at Zane. “Which car? You didn’t specify which.”I sat there, completely confused. Why did it matter which one? And what exactly did he need me for?Zane's brow creased. He looked equally confused. “She's in my car. I was just about to drop her and Nyx home.”Xlynor didn't pause for even a second as his fingers curled around the handle, and he pulled the door open. His eyes locked on me and I gave him the most unimpressed look I could manage.“Get out.”I blinked. “What? Me?”He didn't repeat himself. Just gestured with two fingers, the universal “come here” gesture, and turned to Zane. “You didn't mention you were taking her home.”“I assumed you were headed to the meeting,” Zane said. “I figured I'd drop them and come over, after.”“I don't care what you assumed, ask me before you decide. She's not going home yet. She's coming with me,” Xlynor snapped.“Bu
Ivara's POVZane pulled me away before my thoughts could even process fully. One moment I was standing there, and the next he had me by the arm in a firm grip, literally dragging me out of the arena.As soon as the doors closed behind us, he let out a long, exasperated breath and turned to look at me with an expression of genuine concern. “What was that?”“What was what?” I mumbled.He shook his head. “You’ve got such a temper and a sharp mouth, and you don’t even know when to tame it or use it responsibly. How could you be so disrespectful?” he groaned.“What do you mean? I was literally on my best behavior.” I rolled my eyes.“Oh come on. The confrontation, the evidence, and everything else was remarkable. Impressive even. But the insults… Ivy, no!”“But they started it first,” I shot back.Zane paused, stared at me, then facepalmed.“What? Am I going to go in a cell? What’s my punishment?” I mumbled with uncertainty.“There’s no punishment, and you’re not going in a cell either.” H
Ivara's POVI stepped away from Nathan, my gaze still holding his. I'd barely turned when he spoke again.“You're not going to ruin everything and think you're just going to leave?”I wasn't going to indulge him anymore, so I just ignored him, but I didn't expect the hard shove that came next.The shove hit me between the shoulder blades hard enough that I stumbled forward, one hand flying out to keep my balance. My heel caught the floor wrong and for a second the room tilted. I'd barely avoided falling.The irritation and anger I’d been bottling up for hours erupted all at once.One second I was trying to steady myself, and the next my body moved on pure instinct. I spun around, my leg whipping upward in a fluid arc I didn’t even know I was capable of.The heel of my boot connected with his jaw with a sickening crack that echoed through the entire arena.Nathan’s head whipped violently to the side. His jaw twisted at a grotesque angle, and something white flew from his mouth, skippin
Ivara's POVI turned and stared straight at Xlynor through the glass. He was still sitting but was looking right back at me—calm, nonchalant, like none of this mattered.Everyone behind the glass seemed perfectly composed, as if none of this mattered to them. Down here, though, every single person was staring at me expectantly, most of them expected me to kneel. I could see it in their eyes and posture.I scoffed, stepped forward, and stopped right in front of Eros.Eros, to his credit, recalibrated quickly. “You don't have to kneel. Just apologize.”I didn't spare him a glance. I scoffed again, reached sideways and snatched a file off the nearest trainer's desk — not mine, because I wasn't giving anyone the satisfaction of watching me pick up the thing I'd shoved away — and flipped it open.“I think there’s this other option which I prefer, Delta Eros.” I finally looked at Eros, my face blank. “And if you’ll excuse me, Your Lordship— if you wouldn't mind, I'd like to actually see one
Ivara’s POV“Why do you keep thinking I followed him willingly?!” My voice trembled angrily.“You told me there was a barrier protecting the lounge, and then he suddenly appeared and wanted me to leave with him! Of course, I would refuse.”I inhaled. “Yes, I’m stupid, I'm reckless, I know that. But
Ivara’s POVI woke up with every part of me screaming in pain. My head throbbed, my bones were weak and heavy, even breathing felt exhausting.But even after I regained consciousness, I stayed perfectly still, barely breathing, and refusing to move.The terror from the hunt had not left me and was s
Xlynor’s POVIt was only after bringing Ivara back home that I realized how bad her condition truly was. She had lost so much blood that the scent of blood coated my room heavily.I carefully examined her body. Glass shards were embedded in her arms, shoulders, and thighs. Deep cuts crisscrossed her
Xlynor’s POV“What do you mean they want us to choose?” I asked.Ethyren walked ahead silently, while Zane followed beside us with visible tension written all over him.“The girl exists in two places,” Ethyren answered. “So we choose.”I frowned. “Choose what?”He finally stopped walking. “The conf







