Chapter 20

[ 1,330 words ]

Ivy’s Point of View

Nell knocked again. Harder this time.

Finally, the sound of footsteps approached from the other side. The heavy doors creaked open, revealing a flustered-looking guard.

“Miss Ivy!” He bowed hastily. “My apologies. We closed the gates because you hadn’t arrived at the expected time. We thought perhaps you weren’t coming.”

Lies. All lies.

Everyone knew it. Nell’s jaw tightened. Ash and Stone exchanged a glance. Even the guard himself couldn’t meet my eyes.

But I didn’t argue. Didn’t call him out. What would be the point?

“I’m here now,” I said simply. “Let us through.”

The guard stepped aside, and I walked into my childhood home with my head held high.

The main hall was packed.

Pack elders sat in their usual places, cups of tea in hand. Alpha Roland occupied the seat of honor, looking as stern and disapproving as I remembered. His wife, my aunt Camilla, sat beside him in layers of silk and jewels.

And there, front and center, were Seraphina and Bastian.

Seraphina wore a stunning red dress that probably cost more than my entire wardrobe. She was practically glued to Bastian’s side, one hand resting possessively on his arm. They looked like the perfect couple. Happy. In love. Blessed by the goddess herself.

The room had been alive with chatter when I entered. Laughter and conversation filling every corner.

The moment they saw me, silence fell.

Every eye turned in my direction. Some curious. Some pitying. Most just uncomfortable.

I bowed respectfully. “Greetings to Alpha Roland, Luna Camilla, and honored elders. I apologize for my late arrival.”

Alpha Roland nodded once. Barely. His eyes swept over me with thinly veiled disappointment.

But Luna Camilla rose from her seat with a warm smile. She crossed the room and took my hands in hers.

“Ivy, dear. Welcome home.”

Her voice was sweet. Motherly. Completely fake.

“What happened on your wedding night was truly unfortunate,” she continued. “A terrible accident. But what’s done is done, yes? No use dwelling on the past.” She squeezed my hands. “You and Seraphina are both married now. Both part of the Silvermoon Pack. You should support each other as family.”

I said nothing.

“If there’s anything you need, anything at all, just ask.” Luna Camilla’s smile widened. “We want you to be happy, Ivy. Whatever you desire, I will do my best to provide.”

The words hung in the air. Generous. Magnanimous.

Too magnanimous.

I gently pulled my hands free from her grip. My own smile never wavered.

“That’s very kind of you, Luna Camilla.” I tilted my head. “May I confirm what you just said?”

She blinked. “Confirm?”

“You said you would provide whatever I desire. Is that correct?”

“Well, yes, within reason—”

“You said anything.” I kept my voice pleasant. Friendly. “I just want to make sure I understood correctly. You’re offering to give me whatever I ask for?”

Luna Camilla’s smile stiffened slightly. But with all the elders watching, she couldn’t exactly take back her words.

“Yes, dear. Whatever you need.”

“Wonderful.” I clasped my hands together. “Then I would like the Moonfire Pendant.”

The room went dead silent.

Luna Camilla’s face froze.

The Moonfire Pendant was legendary. An ancient artifact that had been in the Crescent Moon Pack for generations. A massive sapphire surrounded by diamonds, said to be blessed by the Moon Goddess herself. It was priceless. Irreplaceable. The crown jewel of Luna Camilla’s personal collection.

And I had just asked for it in front of everyone.

“The… the Moonfire Pendant?” Luna Camilla’s voice came out strangled.

“Yes.” I smiled sweetly. “You said anything I desire. That’s what I desire.”

Her face twitched. Once. Twice. I could see the conflict raging behind her eyes. The pendant was worth more than most estates. Giving it away would be like cutting off her own hand.

But she had made her promise publicly. In front of the Alpha. In front of the elders. Taking it back now would make her look like a liar.

Seraphina’s expression had gone from smug to horrified. “Mother, surely you don’t have to—”

“Seraphina.” Alpha Roland’s voice cut through the room. “Your mother gave her word.”

Luna Camilla’s jaw clenched. For a moment, I thought she might refuse anyway.

Then she forced a smile onto her face.

“Of course, dear. If that’s what you want.” Each word sounded like it was being dragged from her throat. “I’ll have a servant fetch it.”

“Thank you, Luna Camilla.” I bowed gracefully. “Your generosity is truly inspiring.”

Her eye twitched again.

A servant was dispatched. Minutes later, a velvet box was placed in my hands. I opened it to reveal the Moonfire Pendant in all its glory. The sapphire caught the light and seemed to glow from within.

Beautiful. And now mine.

I tucked the box safely into my belongings and turned to face the room.

“Thank you all for welcoming me home.” I bowed again. “I hope you’ll excuse me now. I’d like to visit my parents before I return to the Silvermoon Pack.”

Alpha Roland waved his hand dismissively. “Go.”

I didn’t need to be told twice.

I swept out of the hall with Nell and my guards close behind. I could feel Seraphina’s glare burning into my back the entire way.

’That’s for leaving me outside the gate,’ I thought with satisfaction.

My parents’ residence was on the far edge of the pack grounds. Small. Modest. Nothing like the grand buildings occupied by Alpha Roland’s family.

But the moment I stepped through the door, I felt like I could breathe again.

“Ivy!”

My mother rushed toward me and pulled me into her arms. She was crying. Tears streaming down her weathered face as she held me tight.

“My baby. My poor baby.”

“Mother, I’m fine—”

“You’re not fine!” She pulled back to look at my face, her hands cupping my cheeks. “We heard what happened. That horrible wedding night. That snake Seraphina and her scheming. I wanted to go to you immediately, but your uncle forbade us from leaving the pack.”

My father appeared behind her. His eyes were red-rimmed too, though he was trying to hide it.

“Are they treating you well?” he asked gruffly. “Do I need to go to the Silvermoon Pack and—”

“Father, no.” I took his hand. “I’m alright. Really. Luna Helena has been kind to me. And Alpha Alaric has given me my own guards.”

“Guards?” My mother looked at Ash and Stone, who stood at attention near the door. “Those are yours?”

“Five of them, actually. The other three are back at my residence.”

My parents exchanged a shocked glance.

“The Alpha of the Silvermoon Pack gave you five elite guards?” My father’s voice was disbelieving.

“He did.”

Before either of them could respond, a blur of motion crashed into me from the side.

“Sister!”

My younger brother Finn wrapped his arms around my waist.

“Finn!”

“I missed you so much!” He said but didn’t let go, grinning from ear to ear. “It’s been so boring here without you. No one to talk to. No one to sneak extra desserts with. Father’s been grumpy and Mother’s been crying and Uncle won’t let us go anywhere.”

“I missed you too.” I ruffled his hair affectionately.

He was fourteen now. Growing like a weed. Almost as tall as me already.

My mother ushered everyone inside. Tea was brought out. Snacks appeared. And slowly, the tension began to ease.

“Tell us everything,” my mother said, settling into her chair. “What’s it really like there? How is your… your husband?”

“Still unconscious.” I wrapped my hands around my tea cup. “But I’m taking care of him.”

My father’s expression softened. “You’re a good girl, Ivy. Better than that whole family deserves.”

I thought about the Moonfire Pendant sitting in my bag. About the look on Luna Camilla’s face when I asked for it.

“I’m learning to stand up for myself,” I said quietly. “Finally.”

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