IvyThe next day, I pack my bags and prepare to move to Ryder's pack. My heart pounds with anticipation and my chest feels heavy with emotion. I am about to leave everything I've ever known behind for Ryder.Greta comes into my room to help me. I look st her with teary eyes. She raised me like her own, so it'll be especially hard to leave her.Greta wraps her arms around me in a tight embrace. "I'm going to miss you so much, Ivy," she says, her voice choked with emotion. "But I know this is what you want, what you need. And I support you all the way."I hug her back, tears streaming down my face. "Thank you for everything, Greta. You've been like a mother to me, and I'll always be grateful for that."Greta pulls back and cups my face in her hands, looking into my eyes. "You go out there and make a new home with Ryder. Build a life and a family. And never forget where you came from."I nod, feeling a renewed sense of determination. "I won't forget, Greta. I promise."Greta hesitates a

IvyIn response, the demon lets out a bone-chilling laugh, shaking me to my core."It's probably a good idea to keep your people out of this, Alpha. We don't want anyone else to get hurt now, would we?" the demon says in a mocking tone. He has a deep and coarse voice.My heart races as I watch the exchange between Ryder and the demon. I can feel the tension and danger in the air, and I grip Ryder's hand tighter.I know I should stay back and let Ryder handle the situation, but I can't just run away with my tail tucked behind my back!Instead, I take a step forward, trying to summon up all the courage I have. "Who are you, and what do you want?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady despite the fear that grips me. The demon turns its attention to me, and its blue eyes seem to burn brighter."Ah, the Luna. How lovely to see you again," he says, his voice dripping with sarcasm.See me again? What does he mean, again?"As for what I want, well, that's simple. I want what every demon wants

IvyI hear Ryder stifle his laughter next to me. "Seriously? Impress a girl? That's your reason for wanting Ivy's powers?"Phoenix scowls at Ryder. "Hey, don't judge me. I've been trying to win her over for months, but she's not interested in a lowly demon like me. But if I had Ivy's powers, I could show her what I'm capable of, and maybe she'll finally take notice."I shake my head in disbelief. "I'm sorry, Phoenix, but that's not a good enough reason to take my powers. Besides, even if you did have them, it wouldn't change who you are as a person. If this girl isn't interested in you now, having my powers won't magically make her fall in love with you."Phoenix looks sad, and for a moment, I almost feel sorry for him. But then I remember how he tried to steal my powers, and the feeling quickly fades.Ryder glares at him. "No matter the reason, I'm going to kill you for attacking Ivy!" he says and snarls.Phoenix puts his hands up. "Look, I'm sorry, okay? I was never going to hurt Iv

IvyI glare daggers at Ryder and then turn my attention back to Eve. "Hi, I'm Ivy!" I chirp.Eve looks at me suspiciously. "Okay...hi. Do I know you?""You don't know us, but we know you," Ryder interjects.Eve's eyes turn even more suspicious. Way to make us sound creepy, Ryder.I clear my throat, trying to diffuse the tension. "We were just admiring the beautiful view here at the Swan lake and happened to notice you sitting here reading," I say with a friendly smile."From inside a bush?" Eve tilts her head.Ryder steps forward, trying to be charming. "Well, we wanted to be discreet and not interrupt your peaceful reading time. But Ivy here couldn't contain her excitement at seeing someone as lovely as you." I resist the urge to facepalm. That was not helping our case."Okay, here's the deal. I was hoping we could be friends," I say. Eve raises an eyebrow, still looking skeptical. "Friends? And why would you want to be friends with me?"I sigh. "We have a friend who...""He is not

IvyThere was something familiar about one of the rogues in that pack. I keep thinking about him as I walk back home with Ryder.Ryder notices and asks, "Is something bothering you?"I hesitate for a moment before speaking up. "One of the rogues... I felt like I recognized him, but I couldn't place where I knew him from."Ryder raises an eyebrow. "Really? Can you describe him?""He had dark hair and was lean and muscular. He kept looking at me when his leader was speaking." Ryder furrows his brow in thought. "You think you knew him?"I nod. "Yes. It felt like I'd seen him before.""Hmm...he wasn't part of your old pack, was he?"I think about all the members of Alpha Maurice's pack. No, he definitely was not in it."I'll keep a close eye on him. If you know him, it might be easier to track their leader," Ryder says.I nod.Nothing eventful happens the rest of the day, but the feeling keeps knawing at me.Where do I know that guy from?Why do I feel like I've seen those eyes before?T