Ivy“Don’t be nervous,” “Are you talking to me or yourself?” “Both, if I am being honest,” Asher shrugged. “Never imagined ever needing to announce my marriage.” He made a dirty face as if marriage was some disgusting word. “So…you never wanted to get married?” I asked, out of sheer curiosity. “No,” “Why?” “Not my thing. Come on, let’s deal with the drama first,” He held out his hand for me and I gave him a look. “No physical touch.” “I had no idea I affected you that bad, Ivyanka,” Asher said drily, retrieving his hand and shoving it in his pockets. “At least try to act as if this was a mutual decision and not some kind of scheming. That we are actually willing to try.” “And how do I do that?” “Wipe that scowl,” His comment made me scowl harder and he grinned, shaking his head. Turning a bit, he leaned down so our faces were merely a breath away and brushed a loose tendril from my face. I blinked, my h
“This should be fun,” Silver snickered.“Come on Ash, what’s a kiss for you?” Logan probed. “Are you being coy, baby brother?” Asher shot him a murderous look but then turned to me, looking helpless.“Just one kiss, Ivy…we won’t ask for more,” Cora nudged me. I don’t even know at what point they all caved in on us. I gazed up at Asher and he gave me a very subtle shrug. We were efficiently trapped.“O…okay,” I mumbled, trying to sound enthusiastic and failing.Kiss, just a kiss…nothing more. It’s just a role we are playing..nothing more…nothing more…“Fool,” Silver grimaced and then, mimicking my tone, added, “It’s just a role we are playing..nothing more…nothing more…IDIOT!” I would have strangled Silver if I knew how to for being such a pain in the ass. Finally, Asher turned to me and managed a tight smile. Something told me he was equally nervous even if he seemed perfectly calm and his usual I-don’t-give-a-shit-about-anything self.“You guys want to see me kiss so badly, pervs,”
What the fuck?It wasn’t as clear as Silver’s voice in my head. But I heard it, somewhere deep in my consciousness, muffled yet clear enough for every hair in my body to stand to attention with the dread I felt. It wasn’t a voice that could be mistaken.“Ivy?” Ash probed.“Don’t say I didn’t warn you, little wolf…”Was I hallucinating?“What is that?” Silver hissed.“Ivy…” Asher’s dark eyes studied my face intently. “What’s going on? Fuck, you are so cold. What is wrong?” I was practically shaking, my mouth going dry.“Alpha,” we both turned around and Elder Silas stood behind us, his face blank but eyes fixated on me. “Everyone’s waiting,”“Yeah, be right there,” Asher nodded. Silas gave him a nod, shot me another look before heading over to where everyone stood by the raised platform at the front.“Ivy, what is it? Is this something really urgent? Can we do it later?”“I am…scared,” I whispered, my voice shaking. Asher blinked, looking surprised, and then pulled me closer. The dread
Ivy“Why does she need to move to my room?” Asher demanded, looking appalled at the idea. I was sure my expression exactly mirrored his.“What is that supposed to mean?” Cora narrowed her eyes at him. “You two are getting married soon. Where else would she stay? This is the time for you to get used to each other, know each other better. Unless it is not what it is…” She threw Asher a knowing look, as if she knew we were up to something.“I believe Ivy would prefer her privacy, won’t you, sweetheart?” He nudged me lightly, and I nodded like a robot.“Yeah…yeah…I mean, you guys know us. It would be a mess if we had to live together,” I mumbled, realizing what a lame excuse that was.“Isn’t that exactly why you two should? So you two can warm up to each other?” Logan raised a brow, appearing from nowhere. He narrowed his eyes at his brother, who shot him a scowl.“Yeah but…”“I think you two need to do a lot of work before getting married. This should be a good way to go,” Logan said. “Pl
It was bigger than the training ground at my pack, I realized as my eye scanned what seemed like a very comfortable living space. There were black leather couches, a sleek bar in the corner, a fancy fireplace over which hung a larger than life flatscreen. On either side were shelves holding many photo frames and there were some on the walls too. Happy memories.“What?” Asher frowned, turning around.“This is your room?”“Yes, ma’am. Are you going to judge me on that as well?”“I didn’t say I was judging,”“Your face isn’t that hard to read,” I scowled and so did he and eternity may have passed before he finally sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.“Not today, please,” Asher grimaced. “You got a hell lot of time to hate me and judge me. Just spare me one day, my head hurts.”“You want me to leave?” I demanded.“I can’t come up with more excuses, so…”“I can,”“Never mind. If it’s not today, then in a few days. It is what it is now,” he said. “Let me show you around.” I grit my
Ivy“You will let me meet with my father?” I whispered.“Well, of course,” he said. “Wait outside the GrayCrest boundary at midnight and my men will pick you up.”“And why should I trust you?” I demanded. “How do I know it’s not some kind of trap?”“Trap the woman I need to get what I want? Please, I am not an idiot. It’s just a little wedding gift from me. If you want to meet your father, be there. Or don’t.”Before I could say anything more, he cut the call. This could be a trap. If Killian was keeping tabs on me, if there were others working for him and if that voice in my head wasn’t me hallucinating but Killian pulling some sick trick, then I would b
Ivy“Daddy!” I cried out, rushing straight into his arms as I struggled to control the tears.“Ivy,” he wrapped his arms around me while I basked in the warmth of it, the safety that came with the feeling of being in his arms. “You really are here. I thought he was just playing.”“No, I am here. Really here,” I smiled, peeking up at him though not daring to leave the safety of his arms.It was good to hear the subtle hints of the alpha he was in his voice, even if he looked anything but. I cannot even imagine his pain. Losing his mate, his son and his pack all in the blink of an eye only to be locked up in this dark, tiny cell, not knowing a way out. I think the pain o
“You know the answer, don’t you?” dad said softly, taking my hand in his. “You cannot do this, Ivy. Not anymore. Not now that you are about to become the Luna of the pack. The price you would need to pay isn’t worth it.”“You are priceless to me,” I mumbled. “There is no one that can replace the pain I would feel if I lost you.” “No, you are wrong. There will be no one who could take away the pain you will feel if you lost him, Ivyanka. Trust me on that. Not me, not anyone in this world could help you. Maybe you save me and we start a new life, but the price of that life will be the one you will pay for as