Ivy’s Point of View
Alpha Alaric summoned a servant and gave a brief order.
Minutes later, the study door opened and five warriors marched in.
They moved in perfect formation. Tall. Broad-shouldered. Dressed in black armor that gleamed in the firelight. Each one carried enough weapons to arm a small battalion.
And then they dropped to their knees before me.
All five of them. In unison. Heads bowed. Fists pressed to the floor.
I stumbled back a step. "What are you—"
"Young Madam," the one in front spoke. "We are yours to command."
I looked at Alpha Alaric, slightly panicked. "This really isn’t necessary. Please, get up. All of you."
They didn’t move. Just stayed there, kneeling, waiting.
"They won’t rise until you accept them," Alpha Alaric said. There was a hint of amusement in his voice. "It’s their way."
I cleared my throat. "I... I accept. Now please stand up."
They rose as one. Five pairs of eyes fixed on me with unwavering focus. It was slightly terrifying.
"These are the finest warriors in my personal guard," Alpha Alaric said. "They have served me loyally for over a decade. Now they serve you."
"Thank you," I managed. "I’ll take good care of them."
Luna Helena smiled. "I think they’ll be the ones taking care of you, dear."
I left the study with five elite warriors trailing behind me like shadows. The walk back to my residence felt surreal. Servants stopped and stared. Maids whispered to each other behind their hands.
When we arrived, Nell nearly dropped the tea tray she was carrying.
"Miss Ivy! Who are these... gentlemen?"
"My new guards." I gestured for the warriors to enter. "Alpha Alaric assigned them to me."
Nell’s eyes went wide. "All five of them?"
"All five."
The guards stood at attention in the main hall, still as statues. Nell circled them like a curious bird, clearly fascinated.
I realized I didn’t even know their names.
"What are you called?" I asked the one who had spoken earlier.
"Whatever you wish to call us, Young Madam."
"You don’t have names?"
"We gave up our names when we joined the Alpha’s personal guard. We are instruments. Tools. Names are unnecessary."
That was unsettling. And also impractical.
"I can’t just call you ’hey you’ all the time." I studied each of them in turn. "You’ll be Ash. You’re Stone. You’re Blade. You’re Wolf. And you..." I pointed at the last one, the youngest-looking of the group. "You’re Shadow."
They bowed their heads in acceptance.
"Now that’s settled, I need you all to rest well tonight." I sat down, suddenly exhausted. "Tomorrow is going to be a long day."
"What happens tomorrow, Young Madam?" Ash asked.
"The return banquet." I rubbed my temples. "It’s a tradition in my pack. Three days after the wedding, the bride returns home to visit her family."
Nell made a face. "That means you’ll see Miss Seraphina again."
"Unfortunately."
I could already picture it. Seraphina clinging to Bastian’s arm, showing off their perfect relationship to all our relatives. Giggling about how happy she was. How lucky she was to have such a wonderful husband.
And then the pitying looks would turn to me. Poor Ivy. Married to a dying man. Such a tragedy.
My head started to throb.
"I’ll bring two guards with me tomorrow," I decided. "Ash and Stone. The rest of you stay here and protect the residence."
"As you command, Young Madam."
At least I wouldn’t face my family alone. A little show of strength might keep the worst of the vultures at bay.
That night, I slept poorly. Dreams of mocking faces and whispered insults plagued me until dawn.
Nell woke me while the sky was still gray.
"Miss Ivy, you need to get up. We’re running late."
I groaned and dragged myself out of bed. "What time is it?"
"Almost sunrise." Nell was already pulling a dress from the wardrobe. "Miss Seraphina and Young Master Bastian left hours ago. If you don’t hurry, your uncle will be furious."
Of course Seraphina had left early. She wanted to arrive first. Set the stage. Make sure everyone knew exactly how pathetic I was before I even walked through the door.
"Let him be furious," I muttered. But I got up anyway.
Nell dressed me in emerald green silk. Simple but elegant. She braided my hair and pinned it up with silver clasps. A touch of color on my lips. A light dusting of powder on my cheeks.
"You look beautiful, Miss Ivy." Nell stepped back to admire her work.
"I look tired."
"Beautiful and tired."
I almost smiled.
Ash and Stone were waiting outside when I emerged. They had changed into slightly less intimidating armor, though they still looked like they could kill a man with their bare hands.
Good. That was exactly the impression I wanted to make.
The carriage ride to the Crescent Moon Pack took several hours. I spent most of it staring out the window, trying to prepare myself for what was coming.
My family had never been kind to me. My uncle, Alpha Roland, tolerated me at best. My aunt openly despised me. And my cousins had followed Seraphina’s lead in making my life miserable since childhood.
Going back there felt like walking into a den of wolves.
‘Fitting,’ I thought grimly. ‘Since that’s exactly what they are.’
When the carriage finally stopped, I took a deep breath and stepped out.
And immediately knew something was wrong.
The main gate of the pack home was closed. Completely shut. Not a single servant stood outside to greet arriving guests.
I stared at the heavy wooden doors, disbelief washing over me.
"Miss Ivy?" Nell appeared at my side. "Why is no one here?"
"I don’t know."
But I had a suspicion.
"Go knock on the door," I told her.
Nell hurried forward and rapped her knuckles against the wood. The sound echoed hollowly.
No response.
She knocked again. Harder this time.
Still nothing.
I stood there in the morning sunlight, dressed in my finest clothes, with two elite warriors at my back. Waiting outside my own family’s home like an unwanted beggar.
Seraphina.
This had her fingerprints all over it.
She had arrived early. Made sure I was left standing at the gate like a fool. Probably told the servants to ignore any knocking until she gave the order.
My hands clenched at my sides.
"Should we break down the door, Young Madam?" Ash asked calmly. Like it was a perfectly reasonable suggestion.
"Not yet." I forced myself to breathe. To stay calm. "Let’s see how long they want to play this game."
Nell knocked a third time.
Silence.
I smiled. It was not a nice smile.
‘Fine, Seraphina. You want to humiliate me? Let’s see who ends up humiliated by the end of the day.’