Chapter Twenty-Four

LEO’S POV

"I have a meeting at the high palace today, my love," I said, setting my teacup down on the small plate. "I will leave soon, and I probably will not be back until late tonight."

Across the table, Ivy stopped eating. Her dark eyes grew big, and a tiny, cute pout formed on her soft lips. The sad look on her face filled my chest with warm love.

I could not help but laugh softly. She was so sweet.

"Do not worry, I will come back as fast as I can," I promised, giving her a gentle look.

I turned to the butler standing by the door. "Tell the driver to bring the car to the front right now."

"Yes, Your Highness," the butler bowed and left quickly.

I finished my food, wiped my mouth with a napkin, and stood up. Ivy watched me as I walked around the table. I leaned down, held her soft cheek, and kissed her sweet lips. She gasped softly against my mouth, her sweet scent of strawberries filling the air around me.

I wanted so badly to cancel my meetings and stay with her, but I forced myself to pull back, smile at her, and walk toward the front door.

Waiting outside on the driveway was a big, shiny black car that sparkled in the morning sun. The driver in his neat black suit stepped forward and opened the heavy back door for me.

Just as I was about to get inside, a soft, sweet smell of strawberries hit my nose.

My wolf woke up right away. I turned around to look back at the big front doors of the house.

Standing by the doors, holding the wooden frame, was Ivy. She was watching me with a shy, beautiful smile, lifting her small hand to give me a soft wave.

My heart beat fast against my ribs. A strong pull in my chest made me freeze on the spot. It took all my strength not to run back, pick her up in my arms, and carry her right back upstairs to my bed.

Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to smile back, waved to her, and got into the back seat.

"To the high palace," I told the driver as the heavy door shut, making the car quiet.

As the smooth car started to move and drove down the long road, I pulled out my phone and called Sam.

He answered on the second ring. "Your Highness."

"I will be at the palace in thirty minutes," I said, my voice turning strong and firm. "Get everything ready. I want the security papers and the Ashworth files on my desk I arrive."

"Yes, Alpha. Everything is being set up right now."

"Good." I ended the call and rested my head back against the seat, watching the green trees pass by the dark windows.

Thirty minutes later, the car slowed down and went through the massive gold and iron gates of the Royal Palace.

The palace was a grand, beautiful building made of bright white stone, with tall towers and big arched doorways sitting high on the city hills. Long marble stairs led up to giant metal doors with tall glass windows that caught the morning light. As my car pulled up, two lines of guards stood straight and proud, while palace workers bowed their heads respectfully.

I stepped out of the car, nodded to the guard leader, and walked inside. My long black coat swung behind me as my boots made loud sounds against the shiny floor of the grand hall.

I was heading straight toward the private royal rooms when a familiar, smooth voice called out from the stairs above.

"Leo?"

I stopped and turned my head.

Walking down the grand staircase was Lady Celeste. She looked neat and rich as always, wearing a long red silk dress, her light hair styled in pretty braids.

"Celeste," I greeted her, keeping my body relaxed and my voice polite. "I did not expect to see you here this early."

"Well, someone has to keep an eye on the high council before you get here," she joked lightly, stepping off the last stair and stopping a safe distance in front of me. She gave me a warm, friendly smile. "How have you been, Leo? It feels like it has been a long time since we talked alone."

"Busy," I answered smoothly, placing one hand in my pocket. "Work leaves very little free time these days."

Celeste laughed softly and took a small step closer. "Your mother was complaining to my mother just last night, you know. She said our families barely see you anymore and that you are always busy with work."

"Oh, my mother is always complaining about something," I replied with a small smile.

Celeste laughed again, reaching out playfully to lay her hand on my arm as she giggled.

The moment her fingers touched my sleeve, my inner wolf let out a quiet, unhappy growl. I did not want any woman's scent on me except Ivy's. Keeping calm, I turned my arm slightly to fix my shirt cuff smoothly sliding out of her touch without being rude.

"Actually, Celeste," I said, keeping my voice clear and direct, "I do not know if my mother told you yet, but I have a mate now."

Celeste froze for a quick second, her bright smile fading before she quickly fixed her posture. Her blue eyes looked at my face, checking if I was joking.

"Oh..." she blinked, tilting her head. "Wow. Really? When did this happen?"

"It is a long story," I said, a real, warm feeling entering my voice just thinking about Ivy back home. "But it happened, and she is my number one priority."

"Wow," Celeste said again, swallowing hard as she pulled her shoulders back. "Well... congratulations, Leo. Truly."

"Thanks," I nodded politely, walking past her toward the hallway leading to my private rooms. "See you later, Celeste. I have an important meeting to prepare for."

"Okay. No problem," she called out softly behind me.

I did not look back. I walked quickly down the quiet hall, leaving the big reception room behind and entering the safe royal hallway. Two guard leaders bowed as I reached the heavy oak doors of my private office.

I pushed the doors open, stepped into the quiet, sunny room, and let out a long breath as the heavy door closed behind me.