Semua Bab Hated and His to Claim : Bab 11 - Bab 18

IVYVladimir paused. His blue eyes held on me, calm and unreadable. His blond hair looked unstyled, as if he’d run a hand through it in frustration and never bothered to smooth it down.The room’s soft light licked over his chest. A black robe hung loose from his shoulders, carelessly tied, revealing the hard planes of muscle and the pale scar that trailed down his abdomen. His sleep trousers rode low on his hips, a careless arrogance even in his loungewear.Vladimir raised an eyebrow as his gaze drifted to the bed lamp and then back to my face.I turned my eyes away. My heart unclenched slightly. Not completely, but relief warmed the edges; at least it wasn’t the creature from my dream standing in the bathroom.He watched me warily, his attention flicking again to the small lamp I held in my right hand.I breathed out and said, "I thought I heard something.""Hmm," he answered."But what are you doing here?" I asked, words tumbling out too quickly."It's the wedding night." His voice

VLADIMIR The air was heavy, stretched thin with silent arguments. The conversation had shifted to the differences between the Risemoon and Mancini packs, and from the sharpness in her tone, Ivy clearly knew more than enough about our long, bitter history."Give back the blanket, will you?" Her voice sliced through the room, sharper than it had any right to be over a scrap of fabric.But it wasn’t just about the blanket. Her tone carried something heavier.I didn’t hand it over. Truth was, I hadn’t wanted the blanket in the first place, it had only been Jax’s ridiculous excuse to get a look at her ankle. Still, if she wanted a fight, whether over our packs’ bloodstained past or a piece of cloth, I had all night to indulge her."Give it back," she repeated, reaching out, impatience jerked into every line of her face.I bunched the blanket into my fist and lifted it above my head.Her brows knit together, confusion shadowing her silver eyes."If you want it, then at least try to reach i

IVY The right side of the corridor opened into a wide dining hall, where a long, polished table stretched beneath the soft gleam of chandeliers. Omegas moved quickly around it, setting down dishes in a practiced rhythm. Steam curled upward from platters of roasted meat, fresh bread, and bowls of richly spiced stews.I chose a chair halfway down the table, the wood cool against my palms as I settled in. The omegas bowed and stepped back as I began to serve myself, taking a generous slice of meat that glistened in its juices. I cut it into smaller portions, my fork piercing a piece, and when I brought it to my lips, the taste nearly melted me.It carried me back, back to when I was young, when joy had been simple and constant, when both my parents’ love had wrapped around me like sunlight. Those were the years before my father had let Erica into our home, before Jasmine became the shadow he favored. Those days had been warm, whole.A single tear slid down my cheek."My lady, is it sp

IVYA steady beep threaded through the room, punctured by the soft patter of rain against the window. The air tasted of antiseptic and wet earth, a strange blend that anchored me somewhere between hospital and storm.My eyes fluttered open. At first everything was a blur, then my gaze found two men standing at a distance, their backs turned as they spoke in low voices.Straight, smooth, muscular backs. Who were they?When my focus sharpened, I recognized the black T-shirt: Vladimir. He was talking with one of his men.The bed shifted beneath me with a rustle. Vladimir turned quickly. I tried to sit up; Craig came to my side and propped pillows behind me, moving with that efficient, practiced care that made him seem almost part of the furniture.I felt a soft, searching gaze settle on me. I glanced up, Vladimir’s blue eyes flicked over me and then back to Craig as he adjusted the pillows. It was definitely not a look of tenderness.After he set me up, Craig bowed his head and slipped f