Intro

Being back in the Silvan Packhouse after almost seven years is not how I wanted to celebrate my birthday. I haven't been here since the worst day of my life. I left in pieces that day and I've been trying to put them back together ever since.

I vowed never to return, and yet, here I am, going against everything I believe in. Like the fact that you should never willingly return to the home of someone who metaphorically punched a hole in your chest, pulled your heart out and stomped on it in front of everyone.

Unluckily for me, when the Silvan family gives an order, you have to comply. Especially when the whole country is under several attacks and every single pack is on edge.

I came back to the Silvan Pack two months ago and that’s when the threats in neighboring packs started. I knew in the back of my head the Council would make it my fault as soon as they heard I’m back and I clearly wasn’t wrong because I received a letter twenty-four hours ago from them, politely asking me to come here for a meeting.

How did they know where I’m staying? Well, they do have eyes everywhere. And that’s why I had to leave the pack to begin with.

Once upon a time, I would've been too rebellious to do this, I would've simply ignored the letter, but everything is different now and I'm not on my own anymore. I have to protect my son from these people.

Making them angry and having them come after me is not something I'm willing to risk right now.

"You can drop me off here," I say to Cassie, my best friend, and open the door as soon as she stops her car. She looks nervous, "I'll call you as soon as I know what's going on."

"Okay... are you sure you're ready for this, Ivy?" she asks from the driver's seat, her tone more serious than usual.

"No," I respond truthfully, "But that never stopped me before."

Cassie gives me a low sigh and reaches over to squeeze my hand.

"You know if it gets bad in there, I'll burn the whole damn place down for you."

"I know,” I smile. And I’m not lying, Cassie is just as crazy as I am, "That's why I love you."

I look to the backseat to check on my son but he’s still asleep, so I simply step out of the car and I close the door before I can talk myself out of this.

The cold wind makes my hair fly back but I don't let myself shiver because I can feel eyes on me already. Wolves. Guards. Nosy house workers itching to see me. And probably even some council members judging me already.

Not that I care.

Well… maybe I do a little.

But I didn't come here to win hearts or prove anything, I came because the Council summoned me. Because like I said, something is stirring—something dark enough to make even the proud Silvans call back the girl they were extremely eager to get rid of.

The golden gates to the property creak open when I get close. I'm halfway up the gravel path to the main house when I feel it.

That pull. The sizzling energy. Warm and electric. A tug low in my belly, like a memory that refuses to stay buried.

And then—there he is.

Remington Silvan.

Alpha. Warrior. The first and only man who's ever broken my heart.

He's at the top of the stone steps, broad shoulders tense, eyes worried and his silver-white hair tousled as if he's been messing with it. His light gray eyes lock onto mine, unreadable.

I stop a few feet from the stairs, my jaw tight and my legs refusing to get any closer to that man.

He's the enemy.

"You look older," I let out, unable to bite my tongue. He doesn't look like an old man, but the last time I saw him he was youthful and very pretty. Now he's all hard lines and handsome features.

Remington blinks, then he gives me the faintest smile.

"You look strong," he says, his voice making everything in me light up, "Stronger than before."

"I am," I respond, but that's all I'm willing to say right now, I don't want him asking a million questions. I want to get down to business, "Let's not pretend this is a sweet reunion. You called, I answered. Let's keep it professional and make it fast."

He steps down the stairs, each movement careful, as if he's scared I'll take off and disappear again.

"Ivy," He sighs. I can tell there's a million things he wants to say to me, but that's all he manages to breathe out.

"Remington."

Silence stretches between us. Heavy. Awkward. Familiar in all the worst ways.

I don't know what I truly expected from seeing him again. Maybe some kind of closure. Maybe an apology. Maybe—if I'm being honest—to check if there's still that old fire between us.

But what I feel instead is something colder. Heavier. This man was supposed to be my everything and, for a while, he was. My best friend, my lover, my fated mate, my husband.

But he ruined everything and looking at his face now only makes me feel disappointed.

We could've had it all. Instead, he let his family—the Council—get in our way. He threw us away for political gain and power.

I hope it was worth it, I really do.