“What are you guys waiting for?” I snapped, making everyone jump. “Off to training.” They all nodded and, murmuring to themselves, started with the daily routine.
“Meeting in ten,” I muttered to Eli and started to head back inside, but I knew my delta had something to say as he trailed behind me.
“What’s going on? Why are you treating Ivy like that?” Eli demanded. “She is your mate.”
“Exactly! She is my mate…” I said, turning around and shooting him an icy look. “So let me deal with her, Delta,”
“Two hundred laps? That’s insane, Asher,” he protested again. “And almost impossible to complete in the time you gave her,”
“Again, that’s none of your concern. I know a warrior when I see one and I have my doubts about her. If she indeed is a true warrior, then this will be a piece of cake for her. If not then she doesn’t belong to the GrayCrest army and can find her place somewhere else. Maybe she will be better off doing the household chores, like the omegas.”
“But Logan and Noah…”
“Logan and Noah don’t run the army, I do!” I growled. “I don’t want another word from you, Eli. Is that understood?”
“Yes, Alpha,” Eli mumbled, lowering his head.
“Good. Meet me at ten in my study,” I ordered before walking away. My scalp prickled and a part of me hated myself for doing what I did to Ivy. If she could shift, that would be nothing. But without shifting, two hundred laps of the entire perimeter was insane. Because GrayCrest boundaries stretched far and wide and completing two hundred rounds with her human feet before evening…I don’t know how she would do it.
I knew I was being unfair but; I was mad at her, and she needed to pay for the humiliation.
Logan, Noah and Eli were gathered in my study as was planned and, judging from the look on Noah and Logan’s face, I knew Eli had spilled it all.
“How did it go with the buyers?” I asked, trying to seem normal.
Apart from the pack, we had businesses as well to make up for the wealth that we had amassed over several generations. Our most significant and profitable venture was our real estate business, and each one of us owned equal shares in it. The main office was located in New York City and was looked after by our human secretary, Harper White. He was the most reliable human I have ever met and had been working for us for years now.
“Good, they have quoted a good price, but Harper is looking into more profitable options, so we will know soon enough. We also looked into some good ventures to invest in, but, of course, we couldn't decide in your absence. We can discuss it during our quarterly meeting with the shareholders next month,” Noah replied.
“The market price for the penthouse has also shot up. Harper said if we wanted to sell, it’s a good time,” Logan added. “I refused because Cora loves it there and that’s where she stays when she visits the café,” Cora owned a chic café in the City with her best friend Maya. They set it all up on their own with a little help from Logan, and she was immensely proud of it.
“Rose too,” Noah agreed. My sweet little Rose wasn’t much of a business person, but her kind heart drew her to a non-profit that actively works for homeless children. Since charities were a big part of the Luna duties, Rose was highly invested in stuff like that.
“I don’t see why we would need to sell it,” I shrugged. “Anyway, I have news.”
“What did we miss?” Logan asked.
“Someone intruded across our boundary last night,”
“What’s new about that?” Noah grimaced. “Another rogue?”
“Could be, but…I don’t think so,” I said, flopping down on my desk.
“Why not?” Logan said.
“Because whatever it was, it was crazy fast,” I replied. “I was right behind it, and then it just disappeared. A normal rogue can’t ever outrun me.”
“You never know,” Noah shrugged. “Rogues are pretty powerful too,”
“I caught its scent lingering on the trees and there were no paw prints. Explain how a rogue leaves its scent on trees all over the forest, but leaves no evidence of its existence at all. Not even a single crumpled leaf or anything. The floor was wet enough to leave at least some prints. I saw mine,”
“So, what are you implying?” Logan asked. “Are you saying…?” He caught what I was implying and I gave him a nod.
“Vampire. The scent I caught was revolting. Rogues have a disgusting scent too, but not shitty enough to make me want to empty my stomach. It wasn’t a wolf’s scent,”
“The warriors chased it all the way to CrescentMoon’s borders, but truth be told, none of them saw the thing. Just traced the scent so I wouldn’t completely rule out what Asher is saying,” Eli agreed.
“But vampires haven’t stepped into our territory for ages. The nearest vampire coven is that led by Orion and his mate Venette. They are quite a large coven, but GrayCrest made a treaty with them fifty years ago that none of us cross each other’s territories or hunt. In dire circumstances, prior permission is to be asked for. And Orion has followed the treaty dutifully and so have we,” Logan muttered.
“I guess we need to pay a visit to Orion then,” I said. “But not unless we are a hundred percent sure. I believe we should let Natalie know of this and figure out if her men have also run into whatever creature it was.”
“Hmm, yeah, that can be done. I haven’t talked to Natalie in ages,” Logan said. “No news from CrescentMoon either. Last I heard, they were revolting against a female alpha’s rule. I offered Natalie help, but she said she needed to do this on her own and would reach out if she needed help. Things have been so busy since I didn’t get a chance to talk to her.”
“Well, that’s all I had to discuss. Eli, please keep an eye on Graham and ensure that guards are on strict lookout in case whoever this was tries to sneak in again.”
“Yes, alpha,” Eli nodded. “Anything else?”
“No, that will be all,” I muttered. Eli gave us a bow and then walked out and the moment he did, both my brothers turned to me, their eyes glinting. I blinked as they shot me devilish grins.
Crap. I was trapped.
IvyMy lungs were just a brink away from bursting out of my chest and at this point, my feet hurt too. The afternoon sun shone brightly even though the air already hinted at the winter standing right at the door. Sweat trickled down my forehead and my camisole was drenched. The dry leaves scrunched beneath my feet as I kept counting in my head. It’s been hours since I started jogging around the perimeter yet I was nowhere close to reaching two hundred.Time was running out and I had only until sunset which after a glance at my watch I realized was a mere four hours away. If I failed, I would have to leave. The hardness in Asher’s voice was an indication enough that he meant what he said.“He is angry,” Silver muttered. “And he has every right to be,” “And whose fault was it?” I grimaced. “You started it, Silver! How could you?”“Don’t completely blame me,” Silver snapped back. “Yes, maybe I started it but you we
“Ki…Kilian,” I croaked. “How do…do you? How did you even get my number?” This was an old cellphone of Naya’s. I had no use of it but just because she insisted, I agreed to keep it.“Ivyanka, always the same question sweetheart,” he tsked. “I know everything, every breath you take. Now, I am happy that you are trying to lure Asher in. Good job indeed…”“I am not trying to lure anyone in!” I snapped.“Hmm, well, if not then you better get on with it, sweetheart. Do you think I have that much time to waste? I had given you three months to get cozy now it’s time to work. Have you thought about what I said last night? When are you going to tell Asher that you are ready to marry him?”“Killian please…” I begged. “Please…just let me go. I cannot betray Asher or this pack…it’s wrong, please…”“Oh, well yes, that’s sad, isn’t it?” he murmured. “ Even more so because you have nothing to do with any of this. It’s really not fair,”“Exactly…” I nodded, hoping he would understand. “I will do anyth
Asher“Bowling alley?” I grimaced as my brothers pulled outside our usual place. We had VIP access here so we didn’t need to wait in line.“Let’s get some heat off you,” Logan smirked, striding inside.“Yeah you seem to be burning,” Noah chuckled, nudging me with his elbow. I scowled, but regardless, followed my brothers.“Mr. Gray, welcome,” the young woman at the reception smiled. She fluttered her lashes, giving all three of us doe-eyed looks and making me roll my eyes inwardly. All three of us were committed…well, kind of. Immediately, the memories of those uncanny blue eyes erupted through my mind, and I scowled harder. I wished she would fail to complete the task so I could punish her more.“Are you sure?” Mac prompted. “Not even a teeny bit worried?” “No,” I snapped, trailing behind Logan and Noah as a young guy ushered us to the private alley.“Enjoy your time,” the guy smiled, even though I could sense he was
AsherWhat did she just say?“What?” I questioned. Ivy took another step towards me, but it wasn’t like last night. She maintained a distance even if she was standing close.“I will marry you, Alpha,” she replied. “I agree to your proposal.”“And why this change of heart? May I know?” I narrowed my eyes at her.“Because I wanted to…to make up for last night. That was wrong and I am sorry. I…I can’t explain what happened because, frankly, I don’t know, but I did realize that I have insulted you and what happened shouldn’t have. Apart from that, your brothers have given me shelter and care when I needed it the most. Showed me immense respect and kindness. Take this as a
AsherAfter the second condition, I should have seen this one coming. Yet the shock I felt kind of surprised me too. Mac let out a growl, more pissed than shocked, and I understood his point because marking Ivy was his right as her Alpha, and denying him that would be…cruel. The mate mark is the source of communication between the wolves of both mates. And if Ivy doesn’t let me mark her, then Mac won’t ever have any form of communication to her wolf. The mate mark was also a symbol of an Alpha’s protection and possession, letting other male wolves know this one was taken.“You aren’t saying anything?” Ivy mumbled when I continued to stare at
IvyMy body relaxed the moment his lips touched mine. The warmth of his body made me want to crawl into them and never come out. Because in that moment, none of the darkness that had me fighting for air, none of the pain that made me want to scream. It felt so safe that it was almost daunting. I barely even knew this man.Then how could he feel so much like home?“Get some sleep, Ivyanka,” Asher murmured, taking a step back. “I will pick you up before breakfast tomorrow. Trust me, you will need your strength so sleep well,” All I could do was nod, and before I could do something stupid again, I turned on my heels and almost ran towards the Delta House.I rushed towards my shared room with Naya, and somehow it didn’t occur to me to knock. The door was unlocked too and the moment I rushed in, my eyes fell on the tangled bodies on the bed. Startled, I almost let out a scream before quickly turning away.Fuck.“Sorry,
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,”