Chapter Eighteen

IVY’S POV

A royal party? The very thought of it made my stomach drop. I had spent my entire life tucked away in a quiet pack territory, completely unused to high society, politics, or crowds. I didn’t think I was ready for something like that yet, I thought, letting out a heavy sigh.

"You look troubled, Ivy what’s wrong?" Doctor Rachel asked, pulling me out of my spiraling thoughts.

She was standing by the small wooden table in my room, organizing her medical supplies after checking my vital signs. Her visits had reduced to just twice a week ever since my physical wounds had fully closed, but her warm, calm presence was still something I looked forward to.

"Leo wants me to be his plus-one to a party," I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper as I smoothed out the skirt of my dress. "It’s some big royal event with leaders from all over the territory. But... I don't think I'm ready for something like that."

"Are you talking about the Apex Gathering?" Doctor Rachel asked softly.

"Yes, that one," I murmured, staring down at my lap. "I don’t even know what happens at those kinds of things. I don’t think I'm ready to be in the midst of a huge crowd like that."

"Hmm," Doctor Rachel hummed softly, tapping her pen against her chin. She finished writing her notes in her medical chart, set her clipboard down, and turned to face me with a gentle, encouraging smile. "Well, looking at your checkup results today, your physical body is fully healed. You are much stronger now, Ivy. You don't need to be so scared anymore."

"It’s not just the crowd," I admitted, looking down at my trembling hands. "I don't even sit close to him during meals. For Leo to introduce me to the world as his mate, it means he’s going to have to be close to me. He'll want to hold my hand, or stand right beside me. Just the thought of it makes my heart race. I don’t want to embarrass myself. "

"Hey, don’t be negative. We’ll work on it together," Doctor Rachel said calmly, pulling up a stool to sit right across from me. "The event is in two weeks. That gives us enough time to work on closing the gap between you two. We will take small, safe steps every day. And once we do that, you can make your final decision on whether you want to go or not."

"Closing the gap..." I murmured under my breath.

A strange, quiet warmth bloomed inside my chest, mixing with a sudden flutter of excitement. I wanted to stop feeling like a scared, fragile girl. I wanted to stand beside Leo without flinching.

I looked back up at Doctor Rachel, my chin lifting just a little. "Okay. How do I start?"

Doctor Rachel tilted her head, a thoughtful smile playing on her lips. "Start small, Ivy. You don't need to force yourself into high-society etiquette right away. Just test his boundaries and your own comfort level in private. Ask him for small favors that require him to be near you, like reaching for something or standing close by. Let him release a little of his scent around you so your wolf gets used to his presence again. The key is taking control of the distance so you feel safe."

I nodded slowly, taking in her advice. "So... I set the pace?"

"Exactly," Rachel encouraged. "Leo respects you too much to force himself into your space, so you have to be the one to invite him in, step by step."

I went quiet for a moment, my fingers twisting tightly into the fabric of my dress. A sudden, heavy sensation settled in the pit of my stomach.

"What is it, Ivy?" Doctor Rachel asked, her tone softening as she leaned in closer. "I can see something else weighing on you."

I swallowed past the sudden dryness in my throat. "Do you... do you think my family will be there?"

Rachel’s expression grew sympathetic.

"Your father is the Alpha of the Ashworth pack, Ivy. An event of this size means every pack leader is required to attend." She gently placed her hand over my trembling knuckles. "Does the thought of seeing him scare you?"

I looked down at our joined hands, a faint, dull ache starting to throb behind my eyes. "That's the worst part... I don't even know."

My chest tightened, making my breath come out shallow and uneven.

"Every time I try to picture his face, it’s just... blank. Blurry shadows and cold, angry flashes from my past that make my skin crawl," I whispered, my voice starting to crack. A single, heavy tear escaped, slipping hot down my cheek before I could catch it. "It terrifies me, Rachel. What if I see him in that room and my body panics? What if I crumble in front of everyone?"

"Ivy, look at me," Doctor Rachel commanded gently, squeezing my hand until I met her steady gaze. "You don't have to force your memories to come back, and you especially do not need to worry about strangers. You are safe now. Your father cannot touch you or demand anything from you."

"But what if he approaches me?" I whispered, my chest heaving with uneasy breaths. "What if my family try to speak to me?"

"They won't get the chance," Rachel assured me firmly, giving me a reassuring smile. "You don't have to say a single word to anyone you don't recognize. In fact, I am very certain that Leo will not allow a single person to step close to you unless you want them there. He will keep you protected every second of that night."

I took a shaky breath, wiping the tear from my cheek as her words slowly sank in, anchoring the wild panic in my heart. "You really think he'll protect me like that?"

"Without a shadow of a doubt," Rachel said softly.

I let out a long sigh of relief, feeling the tight knot in my chest loosen just a little. I looked back at her, still a little unsure, but with a small spark of hope finally igniting inside me.

"Do you really think this plan will work?"

Doctor Rachel smiled mischievously, her eyes glinting with complete confidence.

"Oh, it will."