Ivy's POV
I closed my eyes and leaned back against the headboard, trying to drown out the muffled voices just outside my bedroom door.
Again. They'd been pacing, whispering, and arguing for the past fifteen minutes. I couldn't hear everything, but I didn't need to. I already knew what it was about.
Me.
"Maybe you should talk to her."
"She probably needs space."
"Are you sure she's ready to go back?"
I let out a soft, tired sigh, the kind that came from deep in your chest. I was done listening to them walk on eggshells around me. I was tired of being the center of their concern, like I was some fragile glass that could shatter any second.
I threw the blanket off my legs and got up, padding barefoot to the door. The moment I pulled it open, a loud creak sliced through the hallway and every single one of them jumped. Well...they didn't really jump, but shcoked expression were etched in each and every one of their faces.
Peter nearly dropped his water bottle. Emily blinked at me like I had grown another head. Vaugh actually took a step back, as if he wanted to pretend he wasn;t just part of their conversation just now.
I stared at them with tired eyes, voice quiet but firm. "Are you all seriously doing this again?"
They all looked at each other, awkwardly scratching their heads like they'd been caught stealing cookies from a jar.
"Well... we were just—"
"Checking in," Ash cut in.
I leaned on the doorframe and folded my arms, my eyebrows raised. "You guys do realize how silly this is, right? Whispering like kids deciding who should tell mom they broke the vase."
Peter chuckled under his breath. "To be fair, you're kinda scary when you're mad."
I rolled my eyes but let a small smile pull at my lips. I didn't wait for them to continue. I didn't want another round of pity or careful dancing around the truth. "If you're worried I'm going back, don't be. I'm not."
They all stiffened.
Ash was the first to speak. "But Selene, we can make an appeal, Nicholas here can—"
"It's not about that," I cut in, my voice still calm but with more weight now. "I know what I'm doing. I know what I'm about to face. And I know it hurts you guys to watch me in pain. But I'm okay. Really."
They still looked hesitant, like they were waiting for me to fall apart or take it back.
I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, letting my chest rise and fall, before giving them a soft smile. "I have you. That's more than enough. If anything happens, I know you've got my back."
A moment of silence followed. Then Emily stepped forward and wrapped her arms around me tightly. Ash gave me a soft punch on the shoulder. And my brooding older brother who's face can;t be drawn earlier finally cracked a grin.
"Damn right we do. If anything happens, I'll crush your enemies." he said, making me chuckle as I gave hi a tight long hug.
---
Gabriel's POV
So much had changed. Too much, honestly. Sometimes it still felt like I was waking up from a dream and stepping into a completely different world.
Especially after Ivy was gone.
I never imagined things would spiral like this. One second we were teenagers living in that small bubble of pack life. And then in what felt like a blink, everything cracked open.
Connor's father was the traitor. I still couldn't wrap my head around it. All this time, he had been smiling at our Alpha, eating at the same table, standing guard at the borders. And he was the one who let the enemies in years ago. Out of jealousy. Out of hatred.
Because Alpha Grey had everything he didn't.
Ivy's parents. Our beloved Luna. Dead. Because of that betrayal. A whole legacy wiped out in one night.
We found out the truth when Connor and his friends were caught. They thought they were untouchable. But under pressure, they cracked, and his father was quick to defend and wasn't even afraid to retaliate. They told us everything. What they did to Ivy, and how they left her all alone in the wood.
However, when we got there... she was already gone.
Days after that, Alpha Grey tols us he received information of her wherabout, he knows where she is. But he won't say. He said Ryker has committed too many crimes—he couldn't risk offending Ivy's remaining family.
Ryker persisted to the Alpha when he found out and asked where she is, but ALpha Grey just gave him a deadpanned look and told him that he already severed their bond, and that there was no reaosn for him to go looking for her anymore.
And speaking of Ryker...that piece of scum.
I tried to understand him once. Tried to believe he was just grieving in his own way. But... it's hard to defend someone who doesn't even try. He drinks all night, disappears for hours, comes back smelling like alcohol and sex. Even the Alpha doesn;t know what to do with him anymore.
He could've been a great Alpha. But he hasn't earned it. And Alpha Grey? He knows that.
He asked me today if I'd seen Ryker but I just shook my head, feeling tired of covering up for that asshole. "He's probably passed out in the woods or wasted in the town again."
Alpha Grey sighed too. Shook his head. He looked defeated. Like he had already given up on his son.
We were both still standing there when we heard the sound of approaching engines.
We looked at where the spound came. And boy was I in awe. There were approximately four expesnive and cool looking cars appraoching, even the others who were watchign can;t help but also gawk at it.
The Elders were here.
Two, to be exact—Elder Argus and Elder Nicholas. I heard Elder Nicholas is the youngest Elder in the council. Then along with them are five fighters, sent to train our warriors.
"I can sense a strong presence coming from them, even when I don't even see them." I mumbled.
"Among them is Ivy."
I blinked when Alpha Grey said that.
"Wait. Ivy? She's back?! Are you sure, Alpha? And she's here with them? How?" I asked, unable to contain my curiousity.
He gave me a look. "You'll see soon enough. And also, it's not Ivy anymore. Her real name is Selene."
My heart hadn't raced like that in months. It was like someone lit a match in my chest. I didn't know what to expect.
If Ryker finds out that she's back, I wonder how he'd react.
The cars stopped. One by one, and the doors opened. Everyone gathered near the training grounds, whispering and murmuring of the arrival of our guests.
The air changed the moment they stepped out.
The first man was tall, broad, and carried himself with so much confidence and boldness. The second man, had on a sharp gaze that felt like it saw right through you, when his eyes land on you it's like he's examining every inch of your weakness.
No wonder Alpha Grey warned everyone to behave. We really can;t afford to offend them. Not to mention it's already humiliating that we had to ask for the council's help for our pack's own personal problems.
Some of the girls started giggling, pointing at one of the tall, dark-haired men who smirked at the attention. While our warriors started whispering to each other at how beautiful and sexy one of our guest was. I heard her name is Emily. When she noticed them looking her way, they imediately fixed themselves only to be mercilessly ignored by her, and I think I even heard her snort.
Sigh, women like that is hard to reach.
All of a sudden. A hush fell over the crowd.
The door fo the last car finally opened.
First came an elderly man. I can tell, even with his age that he can probably take out most of our seasoned warrior here. Just by how he stands, I can already tell he has reached the peak of this life.
Then another person came out. For some reason he reminds me of someone. I think what caught me is the color of his eyes, they were violet, and it travelled scrutinizingly at each and every one of us.
"That is her older brother. And also the youngest elder. Nicholas." I heard the Alpha speak beside me. He must have noticed me inspecting him.
Soon, the last person finally got out. And everyone, not even the Alpha himself was spared of the surprise of finally seeing, Ivy.
My breath caught.
She looked... different. She was taller, sharper. Her aura was exactly the same as theirs. Imposing and powerful. She really changed a lot. I can sense she's no longer the same as before.
Does she still remember me?
I looked at her intently, and just my luck, her eyes darted my way. My palms was sweating, but when she showed me a friendly smile, my heart literally stopped.
She does remember me!
I was celebrating in my head.
We were preparing to go and lead them inside when I heard another hushed murmurs amongst the crowd.
I looked at what they were looking at and saw that it was Ryker, looking like a total mess as he stepped on the scene.
His hair was disheveled, and his clothes all scrunched up. Even from afar I can smell the alcohol reeking from him.
"Ryker!" Alpha Grey called him, gritting his teeth.
One moment everything paused, then the next moment, we suddenly saw Ryker flying to a tree.
He tried to run to Ivy the moment his eyes landed on her. And her brother, Elder Nicholas quickly punched his chest sending him flying meters away towards a tree, knocking him unconscious.
"Nicholas!" Ivy shouted, looking at her brother unbelievably.
Elder Nicholas didn't budge and just shrugged his shoulders. "What? He deserved it."