IVY'S POV."I don't accept you." That was the first thing she said to me."Ah—okay." I nod.Emilliano spoke up, looking straight at his mother. "What is the meaning of this? Didn't you say you wouldn't get involved if I were to find my mate?""I did say that. But now I take it back." The queen says it lightly.Except for the finely carved brows and black hair, she looks nothing like Emilliano.While just sitting there, she exudes an aura that can't be overlooked.So this is how a queen looks?"I won't accept this." Emilliano hisses, gritting his teeth."Your opinion was never needed." Queen Veronica states with a smile that doesn't reach her eye. "Be sure of one thing, Prince. I will never accept this—human to be this next queen."She is harsh.The tension spread across the dining room, and the two stared at each other, their gazes meeting mid-air, with no one willing to back down.Still, the light aroma of the food arranged on the table flows into my nose, and I am unable to resist t

Ivy's pov.I only have twenty days left. Twenty days and I am still unable to achieve anything new on my bucket list.This isn't going to work."What are you thinking about?" Ruby's face occupies the whole of my vision and I lean back in reflex."What?" I ask back."Did something happened between you and brother?" She raise a brow.I shake my head. "Nothing happened.""Then what is with that face?" Her fingers clamp on my left cheek, pulling it out and I move away."Ruby." I turn to her. "Do you think I can go outside?""Outside where?""To the city?" I tilt my head, looking up at her. "I want to take a look around.""Not now." Ruby shakes her head. "There will be a lot of visitors arriving, it's unsafe.""Because of the royal hunt?" I ask. It is a topic that everyone is excited about."The royal hunt is only for a week—we can go after that." She explains.A week. That is seven days. Adding to the days remaining before the royal hunt which begins this week Saturday it makes it almost

"Thanks for your help." I say this to the blue-eyed girl when we arrive at the garden. Realizing the fact that I don't know the name of my savior. I add. "My name is Ivy—what about yours?""Athena." She says. "Athena Marshal.""Athena." It's a very pretty name. "Thanks for your help, Athena.""You are welcome." She turns around and walks away.She looks like a straight-forward person."Athena." I repeat her name, then smile.After staying in the garden for a little while, I am able to trace my way over to the training ground.Because of the approaching hunt, everyone is training over the top.I hardly get to see Emilliano that much either. Not that I want to.I take a seat under a tree shade, legs crossed, India style. Because of my periodic pain, I was freed from the morning exercises."Ivy—" I look up and see a ginger-colored girl walking towards me.What's her name again?"Emma.""See—she still remembers my name." Emma smugly says this to Eric, who then rolls his eyes."What are yo

The first dance finished, and we both took a bow. Athena turns away without another glance, and my eyes move to where Ivy is supposed to be standing.She is gone. I search around, mind-linking Ruby, Kane, and Leona, but they have no idea where she is.Damn it. Why can't you just listen?There are too many eyes watching for me to make a move, but I need to find her. Fast."Now for the toast." I am handed a glass of red wine, and everyone makes a toast to the hunt.The wine barely touched my lips when I froze, a sudden wave of breathlessness washing over me. The fragile glass cup gave out under my hold, and I am hit with a foreboding."Emiliano." The queen's voice lingers on the edge of my mind, and all I can think is that something is wrong with Ivy.From what I felt just now, I can tell it is dire. If not, it wouldn't be transmitted over to me with the already half-broken mate bond.Following the thin scent she gives off, I arrive at the Moon Lake, and she is lying on the ground, dren

"Ivy!!" I hear Ruby call again. She is close. "I—. Can i—." "Find somewhere to hide first." Athena says calmly. Without any hesitation, I quickly go behind a thick bushes of flowers. Sitting on the dirt and hugging my knees to my chest. The constant wave of pain in my abdomen made my scalp tingle, and I bit down on my bottom lips to tone down the whimpers threatening to spill while hoping that the flowers are enough to mask my scent. Ruby soon arrives at where we are, and my heart beat quickens as her voice reaches my ear. "Athena? What are doing here?" "The queen already gave me permission to visit the palace anytime I want. The garden included." Athena replies dryly. "This princess doesn't have the time to waste on you." Ruby says flinty. Then her tone became serious. "Have you seen Ivy?" "Who?' "Emilliano's mate." Ruby's voiced, full of scorn. "Don't tell me you don't know her." "I haven't seen her." "You haven't seen her?" Ruby asks once more and there is silence fo