Ivy’s POV Leo.His growl deepened, vibrating the very air around them. His presence was suffocating, commanding, and utterly terrifying. Connor’s wolf tensed, his fur standing on end as he suddenly veered to the side, an unmistakable sign of submission. My heart skipped a beat as a thought crossed my mind. Leo isn't just any Alpha, is he?—what if he's something more. "And what should I call this drama?" his voice rumbled through the still night, sharp and cold, and my breath caught in my throat.Leo emerged from the shadows like a storm, his form towering and undeniable, eyes burning with the ferocity of a predator. His gaze locked onto Connor and I, a storm of emotions swirling behind the ice-cold exterior. My heart hammered in my chest, a mix of dread and desire bubbling inside me. I could feel the intensity radiating from Leo—raw, possessive, and dangerous."You think you can just take her on a ride?" Leo’s voice was a low growl, laced with fury as he glared at Connor. "You thi
Leo’s POVI stood on Ivy's balcony, her scent wrapping around me like a drug I could never escape. My wolf stirred restlessly beneath my skin, satisfied that she was in my arms but unsettled by her resistance. She stood before me, trembling with anger, her chest rising and falling as she glared at me with those piercing eyes."I'm sorry for leaving like that," I said for the third time, but Ivy wasn’t having it. She barely glanced at me, scrolling through her phone like I didn’t exist.I didn’t mean to ditch her like that at the restaurant. But when my driver told me about someone shady lurking around my house, my instincts kicked in before I could even think.First thought? Dina. Second thought? A clueless rogue.There’s something about the glint in her eyes during our last meeting that’s been messing with my head lately. Like, she knows exactly who I am, but she’s playing dumb. And that’s way scarier than I could imagine. If she’s figured out where I live, that puts her one step clo
Leo’s POVI stepped into Ivy’s room, my pulse thundering in my ears. Her scent clung to the air—sweet, soft, but now tainted with the acrid stench of fear. My wolf prowled beneath my skin, his growls echoing in my head. Every instinct screamed at me to find her, to protect her, but she wasn’t here. “Ivy!” I barked again, the sound tearing from my throat like a primal snarl. Nothing. Just the eerie quiet of the room, her belongings scattered as if she'd left in a hurry. My gaze darted around, landing on the dresser, the bed, the closet. Nothing out of place except the cold void where her presence should be.That’s when I felt it—a scent, sharp and rancid, curling in my nostrils like smoke. It wasn’t hers. This was foreign, disgusting, almost like the decayed underbelly of something evil. A rogue? Maybe. But it was layered with something… worse. My chest burned with every inhale, the stench clawing at me like poison. Who was it? How the hell did someone get in here? And how did they k
Ivy’s POVI was still fuming when I stormed into my room, slamming the door shut behind me. The anger wasn’t truly directed at Leo anymore, yet it clung to me like a stubborn shadow. My heart pounded, but it wasn’t rage fueling it—it was fear, confusion, and something far worse: memories.I paced back and forth, rubbing my hands together, trying to shake the unease crawling over my skin. This is the second time Leo is chasing after an intruder in my home. My father had designed my room to be a fortress, a place where I could always feel safe. He built it with a hidden panic room—his way of protecting me after what happened to his first daughter. But right now, even that reassurance couldn’t steady my nerves.That’s when I heard it—a hum, soft and distant at first, but chillingly familiar. My body froze, every muscle locked in place. No. It can’t be.But it was.That sound… I knew it too well, like a nightmare resurfacing. It sent an icy shiver down my spine, rooting me to the floor.
Ivy’s POVI remained in Leo’s arms, my heart still racing, but his steady presence grounded me. His soft murmurs of reassurance filled the quiet room. “It’s okay, Ivy. You’re safe now.” He didn’t want to leave me alone, especially with my father and uncle away. After a moment, he helped me pack my things. I grabbed a few essentials, and Leo carried my suitcase as we headed downstairs. Strangely, the entire mansion was eerily quiet—too quiet. It was as if the servants and security staff had all decided to sleep at once. My unease grew as I dialed Paul’s number, the head of security, but there was no answer. We walked toward the security quarters, where I cautiously opened the door. Inside, Paul was sprawled on the floor, unconscious, while the other guards were slumped in their chairs, deep in an unnatural sleep. My breath hitched. ‘Did the Keeper do this?’ The thought surfaced before I could push it aside. I knelt beside Paul, shaking him gently, but he didn’t stir. “Paul, wake
Ivy’s POVI stood frozen by the window, my breath caught in my throat. There, in the shadows just beyond the tall wrought-iron gates, stood a figure. Its silhouette was vague, but the glimmer of pale eyes staring directly at me sent a chill down my spine. I couldn’t make out the details, but the feeling was unmistakable—it has to be the Keeper.Did I scream? I couldn't tell anymore. I thought Leo said I was safe here? How is the keeper here as well?The figure’s gaze didn’t falter, and my heart began to pound in my chest. ‘What does it want? Why is it here?’ I reached for my phone, but my hands were shaking too much to type. Without thinking, I rushed to the door, my instincts pulling me away from the dark figure outside. Before I could step into the hallway, a heavy knock echoed through the door. Startled, I spun around, my pulse quickening. I hesitated, staring at the door for a long moment, debating whether to answer. Another knock followed, more insistent. "Ivy, it’s Leo," cam
Leo’s POVI had barely settled into the leather chair in my study when the air around me grew heavier, thick with unease. The recent events involving Ivy gnawed at my mind, but I pushed those thoughts aside for now. I need to know who I'm dealing with first. I picked up my phone and called Zane, my Beta and best friend, to issue critical orders. “Zane, I need you to dig deeper into this so-called Keeper. Find out anything you can—where it came from, what its purpose is, and if it’s connected to any old magic we might’ve overlooked.” There was a pause on the line, followed by Zane’s steady voice. “I’ll get right on it, Alpha. Anything else?” “Yes. Send a few trusted men to track Malrik. A rogue was seen lurking near my house and my mate. I want to know who it is and what they’re after. No mistakes.” “Understood. But, Leo…” Zane’s voice hardened, his tone shifting from professional to personal. “You’ve found your second-chance mate, and you didn’t think to tell me? I’m not just
Leo's POV But then, it clicked. Something is not right.A faint scent lingered in the air—one I hadn't noticed before because it was almost too faint, as if cloaked in magic. It wasn’t Ivy’s usual vanilla and lavender fragrance. No, this was something darker, metallic, and foreign. My wolf, Theo, immediately went on high alert. Someone had been near her. No, inside the house. Recently.My heart pounded as I scanned the room, my senses sharpening. Every inch of me wanted to bolt out the door and find Ivy, but reason held me back. I needed more information before I acted. I moved quickly, retracing my steps through the connecting door, pausing outside her room again. The scent was stronger in her room, almost suffocating.Apart from Zane and Isabella, there is someone else that knows my true identity. The sorceress, Lena. She had fortified this wing, so how did this happen?“Zane,” I growled into my phone as soon as he picked up. “We have a breach.”“What? A breach? How the hell—?”“I
Meanwhile, inside the palace.Raul’s eyes widened as his sorcerer’s spell faltered. He stared at the empty space where Ivy had stood, and then back at the guard who shot the arrow.“How dare you shoot an arrow at your Luna?! My queen?!” He roared.“I’m sorry…Alpha. I—”But he never got to finish his statement. Raul tore through his throat with his claws and watched with empty eyes as the man struggled to breathe.“She's gone...” Raul whispered in defeat, his voice shaking, as though the very idea of her escaping was too much to bear.His sorcerers cursed, their eyes darting frantically around the room. “She... She’s strong. But she’s wounded.” The tone was unsettling. There was both fear and reverence in the man’s words.“And you, Anto,” he barked, turning to look at the new sorcerer that came in. “I sent for you two nights ago. Why are you just showing up now?”“Your majesty, I wanted to make sure that…”“What now?” Raul demanded, cutting him off, his voice dangerously cold.“We will
Ivy’s POVRaul stepped in front of me like a shield.Pathetic.“She came to kill you, my Nyxara," he snarled, voice booming off the stone walls. "But I won't let that happen. I won't lose you. Again. You must be mine.”His hand lifted, two fingers snapping sharply.A low rumble answered.From the smoke outside, figures entered — this one robed in red and silver, face obscured by a bone-white mask.Another of his personal sorcerers? Or some kind of demented cult leader?"Seize her," Raul commanded.The new sorcerer, together with the one from earlier, raised their staff. Runes carved in old, forgotten tongues shimmered to life, burning through the air in spirals of light and sound.Chains of searing blue magic shot toward Dina.But she only laughed — a cruel, knowing laugh that made the walls seem to shudder."You fool," Dina hissed, her arms thrown wide as if embracing the chaos. "I only came to help you. But instead, you just dug your own grave!"The chains wrapped around her wrists
IVY'S POVNo. This can’t be happening. The figure drifted forward through the shattered doorway, her form blurred by the black smoke that oozed from her steps, as if the shadows themselves bowed to her. The air grew thick, sour with memory. I knew her. How can I forget?Every night since the forest, she had crept into my dreams—no, my nightmares. The Keeper. The one who had chained me, broken me, left scars on my spirit deeper than any wound to my flesh. The child in me, the Aria I once was, shrieked and recoiled, curling into the farthest corner of my mind, clutching invisible knees to her chest, sobbing without sound. But not Nyxara. No. Nyxara straightened, her lips curling into a feral grin. The Keeper drifted closer, the folds of her dark robe trailing embers along the floor, black flames licking the stone, humming that lullaby. That cursed lullaby. The one that had driven me to madness when I was nothing more than a helpless, trembling girl.Nyxara bared he
IVY'S POV“No!” I thrashed, every limb rebelling as I strained against the chains. “Get your filthy hands off me! You’re all monsters!”The burn of the restraints cut deeper, but I didn’t care. My voice tore through the chamber like a wounded beast. “You think this makes you powerful? You think having your way with a chained woman makes you a king? You’re nothing, Alpha. Nothing but a coward too weak to accept rejection. Your mate despised you. I despise you too!”The Alpha stood in front of me, unshaken. His eyes gleamed—not with rage, but something worse. Hunger. Satisfaction. Humor.He turned to the sorcerer, his voice low, almost casual. “If I spill my seed into her… will it hold?”The sorcerer’s breath caught, then his face lit up as if struck by divine revelation.“Oh… oh, my King,” he murmured, sinking to one knee. “You are brilliant beyond compare. A true leader. Of course! Of course! If she bears your heir, the bond will be forever weakened. No Alpha would dare claim a woman
The estate loomed into view like a palace of memories she wanted to bury. The towering gates, the long marble driveway, the manicured hedges. To anyone else, it looked like luxury.To her, it looked like a trap.A trap that could destroy all her plans.The moment they stepped inside, staff rushed to greet her. She didn’t recognize any of them despite their attempts to be friendly. They all wore the same annoying expression—concern mingled with curiosity.As if wondering what had really happened to Miss Ivy.Lila smiled.Fake. Perfect. Practiced.She had no choice now.“It’s good to be home,” she said smoothly.Richard narrowed his eyes slightly but said nothing.They led her up to her room, the unfamiliar halls pressing in around her like the walls of a tomb. The maids bustled in behind her, changing the sheets, restocking the drawers, pretending not to notice the tension radiating from her.When they left, she stood in the center of the room, staring at her reflection.Ivy stared bac
The scent of antiseptic hung thick in the air, cold and suffocating, clinging to the sterile white walls like a ghost that refused to leave. The room, though bathed in daylight streaming through a narrow, barred window, held no warmth. The only sounds were the distant echo of shoes on tile and the low, mechanical hum of machines monitoring the fragile boundary between sanity and madness.In the center of it all lay Lila.Or as the staff here knew her: Ivy Blackwood.Her brown hair was disheveled, matted to her forehead with sweat. Her pale skin, once radiant with carefully curated poise, now looked wan and haunted. Her eyes, wild and rimmed with exhaustion, flicked around the room like a cornered animal searching for an escape. But there was none. The straightjacket bound her arms tightly to her torso, and leather restraints anchored her ankles to the bed frame.She hadn’t spoken since the screaming stopped.The nurses whispered when they thought she couldn’t hear. Said she was mad. T
Leo’s POVThe battlefield quieted, save for the crackling fires and the groans of the dying. My pulse still thundered in my ears, but the bloodlust began to ebb, leaving behind a sharp, aching clarity.I stood among the ruins of Malrik’s failed rebellion, blood soaking my skin, teeth still stained from the life I had ripped from their veins. The night was far from over—I could feel it, like a splinter in my mind. Something dark was coming.The air shifted.Colder. Heavier.Even my warriors sensed it. Their post-battle roars died out, one by one, and an unnatural silence swallowed the clearing. Connor’s lips curled into a snarl, Zane’s claws still dripped red, but their eyes darted to the treeline.Then I saw her.She stepped out of the shadows like smoke made flesh.Dina.The last time I saw her, she stood in front of my throne room, asking me to sacrifice my mate. She hadn’t changed—still dressed in her dark robes that rippled like oil in the wind, her face pale and ageless, her eye
Ivy’s POVThe fourth day turned out to be the worst.Worse because I am still alive. Worse because every time Alpha Raul marked me, the pain got sharper. Deeper.And every time, my wolf—valiantly, defiantly—rejected him.The room stank of sweat, old blood, and Alpha Raul’s scent—thick and clinging like rot. My body was raw, my neck a patchwork of torn flesh where Raul had tried to mark me over and over. But my wolf—the last spark of resistance I had left—rejected him every time. And each rejection felt like death.The mark was slow to heal, and before it could fully fade, Alpha Raul would sink his teeth into the same spot—reopening the wound and claiming it all over again.Each time he sank his fangs into me, it was as if my soul was being torn in half, only to be stitched together by burning wire. I would scream until my voice gave out, until my throat was ragged and raw, until the pain folded me into unconsciousness. But every time I came back, chained and shivering, he would try a
Leo’s POVThe air crackled with energy as I stepped onto the battlefield, the scent of war thick on the wind—blood, sweat, steel. The moon hung low, bloated and red like it was thirsty for carnage. Good. It would feast tonight.My boots crushed charred earth as I led my warriors across the eastern border of the palace, where Malrik’s pathetic rebellion had gathered like a swarm of diseased rats. I could hear their howls echoing in the distance, could hear the roar of their chants—wild, desperate, undisciplined. Fools.Zane met me at the front lines, blood already staining his cheek and his blade. “They’ve broken through the outer ring,” he said breathlessly, “but they’re sloppy. No formation. Just brute force.”I sneered. “Then let’s show them what real force looks like.”I shifted.Bones cracked, flesh tore, and a searing fire ignited in my veins as my wolf burst free. My muscles expanded, fur black as shadow blanketing me, claws gleaming like blades. But it wasn’t just my wolf—my va