For The World

"Are you going to apologize for your indiscretion?" I ask him and it’s not my intention but my voice comes out flirty. I'm honestly loving to torture him a little, "I'd really like an apology."

"I apologize, Miss Doreen," he forces out, voice strained and body extremely tight. And so much bigger than before, I almost want to find out just how much…, "I lost control for a second. It won't happen again, I promise.”

"It better not," I cross my arms and try but fail to contain a smile, "Now… is that all, Alpha Remington?"

He nods, turns to the door and finally gets the hell out, shutting the door behind him without another sound. And just like that, I'm alone again.

Dear mother, that is not what I expected. He’s still so… fucking… hot. Fuck!

"Stop beating so hard," I order my heart, annoyed at it. And to distract myself from what just happened, I pull out my phone and call Cassie, "It's done."

"Oh. Just forty minutes," she says, I can hear she's driving, "Do you want me to pick you up already? I'm about ten minutes away."

I sigh and start telling her everything that just happened, including the fact that I have to stay here.

"They allowed me to have a guest, can you stay here with me? Pleeeease?" I beg, holding onto my phone with all I have, "I need someone on my side or I'll lose it.”

"Well, I'm still unemployed and unmarried, so yeah. I don't have anything else going on," she chuckles, soothing my soul immediately. Thank goodness, "But, what about Ash? Did you tell Remington about him?"

"Absolutely not. I will not," I state, already burning at the thought, "We have to hide him when you come in. I think they'll allow your car inside, so just throw some coats on Ash then we'll get him out and keep him hidden the whole time."

"Ivy," Cassie says like she thinks I'm crazy, "For two weeks? Are you keeping him locked in a basement or something? He'll lose his mind."

"Of course not," I laugh, rolling my eyes, "I can get him in and out when it's safe. I used to sneak around the house all the time back in the day, I still remember all the nooks and crannies. And this is my only option, Cass. It's risky, but I don't have a choice."

"He's going to ask questions."

"He's a kid, I can lie to him," I say, not proud of myself but not ashamed either. My boy has already asked about his father before and I always tell him the truth. That his father was an amazing man... until he got abducted by aliens so now I have no clue where he is. And that is the truth, figuratively speaking, "If I make a game out of this, sneaking in and out, he'll be excited about it. I know it, he's just like me."

"He is exactly you," she repeats with a chuckle, "Okay then, let's do this shit."

I leave my room and start walking through the hallway very carefully because I don't want to see anyone, especially not Remington or—god, please no—his wife.

I only saw that woman one time and she was smiling pridefully as my world crumbled. So, is fair to say that I absolutely despise her.

To be honest, I was surprised not to see her in the Council with the rest of the Silvans.

As a Luna, I would've demanded a seat on that table, but I guess that's part of why I didn't even get the chance to be Luna. I would've been against everything the Council tried to do and Remington would’ve always been on my side—if he hadn't been brainwashed, of course.

By some miracle, I manage to leave the house undetected, even though I heard Felicia run to me as I was walking out of the house, as if eager to fix whatever I needed. But I don't need her help, all I want is to go talk to the people at the gates.

"Hello, gentlemen… my name is Ivy Doreen, I'm a guest of Alpha Remington," I say as I approach the two men guarding the gates. One of them puts his food down and they both turn to look at me, "I will be staying here for around a week or two and he gave me permission to have a guest over."

"Yes, he already told us," the older one says, giving me a deep look. I can immediately tell he’s one of those old people who’s not afraid to be completely indiscreet, "Is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Doreen… I heard you were almost our Luna."

Almost.

"Yeah, but then shit happened," I laugh, trying to pretend it doesn't still sting. The two guards nod and laugh too, but they’re looking at me in complete fascination, as if I'm a zoo animal, "Anyway, I just wanted to ask if it's okay if my guest has a car with her. She has to park it inside of the property."

"Oh, of course," the younger guy says and goes to grab a clipboard, "What's the name of your guest? I'll add them to the list."

"Cassie Freeman," I say, letting out a relieved sigh when he writes that she has an allowed vehicle, "Thank you so much."

"Not a problem, Miss Doreen," he says, his eyes falling to my marked neck like it's mesmerizing, "Anytime."