Chapter 87
Chapter 87
ARIA
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“Is there?” Ivory asked. “Because from where I’m standing, kicking me out of pack territory- even if you frame it as concern for my safety-accomplishes exactly what Sera wants while also solving your personal insecurity problems. Two birds, one stone. Very efficient, Luna Aria p>
“She has a point about the first part,” Jason interjected quietly. Everyone turned to look at him -I’d almost forgotten he was still there, witnessing this entire painful confrontation. “If Ivory leaves Shadowmere, she loses the protection of pack bonds, pack territory, pack law. She becomes a lone wolf, vulnerable to attack from anyone who wants to harm her. Sera’s people could track her down easily without pack security to shield her. This isn’t about her safety-it’s about making her easier to kill p>
“We wouldn’t send her away without support,” Nina protested. “We’d help her find somewhere safe, maybe another pack that would accept her, somewhere far from Blackwood’s reach p>
“And what pack is going to accept a refugee being actively hunted by another Luna?” Ivory asked. “What Alpha is going to risk bringing Sera’s revenge down on their territory by sheltering me? No, if I leave, I’m on my own. And we all know I wouldn’t survive long as a lone wolf with a target on my back p>
The silence that followed was heavy with the weight of truth. She was right. Everything she’d said was right, and we’d all known it even if we hadn’t wanted to acknowledge it.
“So what do you want to do?” Kael asked quietly. “Accept the security measures? Live under constant guard until we can resolve this p>
“I want to live my life,” Ivory said, exhaustion creeping into her voice now that the initial fury had burned itself out. “I want to do my work without looking over my shoulder. I want to test my research and share my breakthroughs with people who appreciate them without needing Alpha permission for every conversation. I want to not feel like a prisoner in my own home p>
voice. “Ivory, “Then help us find a solution,” I said, surprising myself with the steadiness in my I know you don’t like me. I know you think I’m inadequate and insecure and probably a hundred other unflattering things. But I don’t want you dead. I don’t want you driven from
home. And despite what you think, I don’t want you gone just to make my own life
your easier p>
“Don’t you?” Ivory challenged, but there was less heat in it now. More genuine question than
accusation.
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“No,” I said firmly. “Because this pack needs you. Your knowledge, your skills, your research- that plant you just showed Jason could change how we handle food scarcity. Your healing compounds have saved countless lives. Your dedication has earned you the loyalty of almost every pack member. Losing you wouldn’t make things easier for me. It would make things harder for everyone, including me, because I’d be Luna of a pack that lost one of its most valuable members because I was too insecure to fight for her to stay p>
Ivory studied me for a long moment, something shifting in her expression. Not warmth exactly, but maybe a grudging reassessment.
“The security measures are non-negotiable,” Kael said, drawing her attention back to him. “I’m not asking for your permission, Ivory. I’m telling you how things are going to be until this threat is resolved. You can hate the restrictions. You can resent me for implementing them. But they’re happening p>
“And if I refuse to comply?” Ivory asked. “If I just ignore the guards and do what I want anyway p>
“Then I’ll confine you to the pack house entirely,” Kael said flatly. “No gardens. No research. Just your quarters and the clinic, both of which will be under constant surveillance. Don’t test me on this, Ivory. I will prioritize your safety over your comfort every single time p>
Through our bond, I felt the truth of that statement. Felt how much it would cost him to actually follow through on that threat, to essentially imprison someone he cared about. But also felt his absolute certainty that he would do it if necessary.
Ivory must have seen the same determination in his face, because her shoulders sagged slightly.
“Fine,” she said. “I’ll accept your guards. I’ll follow your protocols. But I’m not leaving, and I’m not letting Sera dictate my life through threats. If she wants me dead badly enough, she’ll have to come for me herself instead of hiding behind hired rogues and implied ultimatums p>
“That’s all we’re asking,” Nina said, relief evident in her voice.
“No,” Ivory corrected, her gaze moving between all three of us. “That’s the bare minimum you’re demanding. What I’m asking is that you actually think about the implications of the choices you’re making. That you consider whether security measures and diplomatic negotiations are really going to be enough, or if you’re just delaying the inevitable p>
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“I mean Sera isn’t going to stop,” Ivory said simply. “She’s made me her target. She’s convinced herself that I’m responsible for Damon’s imprisonment, and nothing we say or do is going to change that. So either we find a way to eliminate her as a threat-actually eliminate her, not
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just negotiate or defend-or this continues until someone ends up dead. Probably me, but possibly others in the crossfire p>
“We’re not assassinating another pack’s Luna,” Kael said firmly. “That would start an actual war, not just this proxy conflict p>
“Then you’d better get comfortable with these security measures being permanent,” Ivory said. “Because I don’t see this ending any other way p>
She turned back to her work table, to the rapidly grown plant and her research notes, clearly dismissing us.
“Jason, would you mind helping me document these growth rates?” she asked, her tone completely different when addressing him-warm, collegial, treating him like an equal rather than an intrusion. “I want to track how long the accelerated growth lasts before reverting to normal rates p>
“Of course,” Jason said, moving to stand beside her again.
We were being dismissed. Clearly, unambiguously dismissed from her workspace and her
presence.
Kael looked like he wanted to argue, to assert his authority and demand more respect or acknowledgment. But Nina put a hand on his arm, shaking her head slightly.
“We should go,” she said quietly. “Let her have this space. We’ve delivered the information and set the security protocols. Everything else can wait p>
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Mark