INICIAR SESIÓNIvy crouches down despite the dress, careful of the fabric, and straightens his collar herself. "You look perfect," she says.He beams up at her, gold flickering faint and happy behind his eyes, and doesn't let go of her hand until the photographer finally calls for the next shot.By the time the sun starts sinking low and gold over the valley, the guests have filled every chair along the aisle.Ivy watches from behind the tent flap, peeking through the gap, taking in just how many people came. Wolves from packs that once feared the Beacon Hill name sit shoulder to shoulder now with soldiers who fought under Kai's banner during the war.Survivors of Garren's massacre occupy an entire section near the front, invited by name, honored guests. Theron stands near the back with several children from the safehouse gathered around him, all of them scrubbed clean and dressed in their best for the occasion. Kai's mom's, Frida's and Jackson's name sits in the front row in empty chairs reserved f
Ivy stands at the tall window of the upstairs bridal suite, one hand resting against the cool glass, watching Beacon Hill come back to life beneath her.The grounds stretch out below white rose arches curve gracefully along a long grass aisle, each one wrapped in trailing ivy and clusters of pale peonies. Rows of white chairs stretch back from the altar in careful lines, draped with sheer ribbon that catches the morning light every time the wind moves through it. Florists move between them with careful hands, adjusting petals that have already fallen perfectly into place. A string quartet tunes quietly near the far end of the lawn, bows drawing slow, testing notes.Beyond the chairs, a massive white tent rises where the fountain used to stand shattered, its open sides revealing long banquet tables already dressed in ivory linen, gold candlesticks waiting to be lit once the sun goes down. Caterers move in and out with trays covered in cloth, and somewhere near the kitchen tent, she can
The ringing starts somewhere deep behind Ivy's eyes, a familiar pull tugging at the edge of her mind, and she grunts, trying to lift a hand to rub her eyes clear.Her hands won't move.She blinks hard, or tries to, and realizes with a rising panic that her eyelashes are stuck together, something taped tight over her eyes, the darkness unbearable. Her wrists are bound in front of her, some kind of tie cutting into her skin, and her ankles feel the same, pinned together at the joint.She wriggles upright as much as the restraints allow, jaw clenched."You have no idea what you've just done," she says, voice rough. "The police will find you. Don't mess with the wrong person."A familiar laugh answers her from the front, the low hum of an engine beneath them."The police," Marcus says. "That's cute."Ivy's blood runs cold. "Marcus.""You broke my heart, Ivy," he says, voice climbing, tight with unstable rage. "You have any idea what it has been like without you? I can't watch you build a
"Why is my mom telling you about dinner and not me?" Ivy jokes."Because I'm her favourite now," Kai taunts.Ivy laughs then becomes serious. "I can make it," she says. "But I'm bringing the boy.""Sure?" Kai asks, curious but not alarmed."Can't leave him," she says quietly, turning slightly away from the booth. "Theron better sending someone soon. I don't want him sitting alone in an empty café all night.""Of course it," Kai says, warmth filling his voice. "Bring him. Mom will probably try to adopt him by dessert."Ivy laughs softly. "See you soon."She hangs up and crosses back to the booth, crouching down in front of Michael. "Hey. Change of plans. You're going to come have dinner with me and my family, okay? Just until Theron's friend catches up with us."Michael blinks up at her, uncertain. "Is that allowed?""It's more than allowed," Ivy says, smiling. "Come on."She locks up the café behind them, flipping the sign and dimming the lights one section at a time until only the st
Morning light pours through the tall front windows of the café, catching dust in slow golden drifts above the counter and warming the wood floor beneath Ivy's bare feet.She'd painted the walls a soft sage green that turned the whole space into something close to a garden even on gray days, and she'd hung strings of small warm bulbs along the exposed beams overhead, still glowing faint even now with the sun already up. Mismatched armchairs sit clustered near the window where the regulars like to read, and the espresso machine hisses steady behind the counter, filling the room with the smell of fresh coffee and different kinds of sweet pastries baking in the back oven.Ivy moves through it all in a pale yellow floral dress, the hem swishing soft around her knees as she wipes down the counter, humming along to the radio playing low. She's happy, radiant, and it shows in the way she carries herself now, shoulders loose, chin up, laughing easily with the same regulars who've come to know
Marcus reaches for her hand before she can process what's happening, roses still cradled in the crook of his other arm, his eyes flicking past her shoulder into the apartment for half a second before landing back on her face."Can we talk somewhere private," he says, voice low, pitched for her ears alone.Ivy doesn't move. Her hand stays limp in his grip, and for a second she can't find a single word to say, every ounce of anger she buried over the last year rushing back up her throat all at once, hot and choking.Kai walks over and stays behind her, his full height filling the doorway, shirtless in nothing but gray sweatpants, one arm sliding around her waist, pulling her back half a step into him."You okay, wifey?" he asks, eyes fixed on Marcus the entire time."I'm okay," Ivy manages, though her voice comes out thinner than she wants it to. She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, buying herself a second she doesn't actually get.Marcus's gaze slides from her to Kai and back aga
"You don't trust yourself in her care. You think you'll lose control during her training when she gets sweaty," his lips graze Jackson's throat as he speaks softly, "when those curves press against her clothes." His voice drops to an intimate whisper. "You’ll be distracted watching her move. Watchi
"What are you thinking about?"Ivy jumps, startled. Jackson has quietly appeared behind her. She had been lost in thought, staring at the bonfire, mesmerized by the flames as they danced and crackled. Three camp chairs are arranged around the fire pit. She's sitting on one."I miss Kai." The confes
"Could you say that again?"Jackson spins to face the Lota kneeling before him. The young wolf is panting as if he sprinted across the entire compound to deliver this message."Lady Frida is here, Beta. She's at the gates and requesting entry."Jackson feels a whirlwind of emotions, shock, confusio
The basket slips from Numenessa's hands, spilling herbs across the ground. She stands still, not out of fear. Her eyes catch her reflection.The river that flows through her garden is clear tonight, with moonlight transforming its surface into liquid silver. And there, looking back at her, is a fac







