The truth
15: 15.
The truth Ivy’s POV
“Ivy?” Theodore says, confused.
“What is this? Why are you having the princess’s phone?”
Ryder laughs at him.
“Put the puzzle together.
She has the princess’ phone because —she’s the princess!”
“No one asked you!” Theodore says.
“Ivy, explain this!”
Tiffany jumps in-between us.
“What’s there to explain, Alpha? This is the way Ivy operates. She impersonated the heiress of the Beta family here in Silver Claw. Now, somehow, she’s convinced the leaders of Ice Moon that she’s their sole princess. It’s all a lie! Just like always!” Tiffany is furious.
Ryder glares at her.
“Keep quiet, Woman!”
I look at the crowd, all of the Silver Claw pack, and smile.
“Everyone knows what the Sterlings and the Alpha of Silver Claw have done to me. I was brought here as a child. Told I was the heiress by my so-called parents,” I begin talking to the people.
“Then when this woman, Tiffany, arrived, and said that she was the true heiress, I was tossed away like rubbish.
By the Sterlings and by you, the pack.
Even my husband, the Alpha.
I was tied and locked up in a mental hospital by my own husband.
Everyone told me I was a liar, untrustworthy, worthless.
The crimes against me are unending.
Crimes perpetrated by members of Silver Claw.”
“During all of this, my real family, my dear grandfather, the Alpha of Ice Moon, Dawson Carter, had been looking for his granddaughter.
He was looking for me everywhere for years.
I’m his sole surviving blood relative.
While you kept me here as an abused prisoner, he searched unceasingly for me.
Imagine all of the pain that this caused him!”
“Finally when Silver Claw threw me away, when I escaped the prison I was put in, he found me and reinstated me to my correct, my real, position.
He finally took me home to the family that loves me!” The hall is captivated.
“I am Ivy Carter, the sole princess of Ice Moon. And I have always been her! The detour through your lives was a nightmare I would like to forget. I am here tonight to give Silver Claw another chance. I am here to forgive you for what you did to me. It is up to you now what you will decide to do. I’m giving you this one chance.”
I sit down in the throne-like chair Theodore had been sitting in.
Tiffany and Jonathan can’t believe I’m sitting in the Alpha’s chair, they glare in my direction.
But by rights, I am the most powerful person in the room and should occupy the “throne” not Theodore who knows now his correct position in the hierarchy — or at least should.
Tiffany is nearly spitting with anger.
“No! This is all a made up fairy tale! She’s obviously having another psychotic break! Call security! Someone take this bitch away. I’ll not have her anywhere near me!”
Theodore is standing, stunned.
He says nothing.
When Tiffany attempts to recruit him to her side, he stands in place and ignores her.
“Is it true, Ivy?” he finally says.
“Is that where you’ve been all of this time?”
“As I told you on numerous occasions, Alpha, I do not lie. When will you learn that lesson?” I look at Tiffany.
“The liar is your Luna.
She tried to murder me, she will do anything to protect what she has.
I’ve warned you before, take care.
Unfortunately my truths tend to fall on deaf ears.
To your detriment.”
“Who do you think you are speaking like that about me?” Tiffany says.
“Get out of that chair! I order you to get out of that chair now!”
I smile at her.
I flick her away like the insect that she is.
She falls to the floor and attempts to come back at me but Ryder is there.
“I’ve warned you already. Never touch Princess Ivy. This is the last warning. Next time I act.” Ryder’s words and demeanour show clearly that if he acts, Tiffany will not wake up from where she lay.
She backs away but still can’t keep quiet.
“Theodore, be the Alpha, rid of us this menace once and for all!”
Jonathan joins Tiffany.
“Ivy, it’s clear no one wants you here.
Get the fuck out and leave us alone!”
“Did you not listen, Jonathan?
Do you not listen when your Alpha speaks?
So disrespectful!
But then we all know that about you,” I say.
“You, the people in this hall, your ridiculous sister, all of you are here for only one reason— to welcome me! Your Alpha told you that. It’s clear he wants me here and so do all of you,” I say.
“No one wants you, you stupid bitch!” Jonathan shouts.
“We came here to welcome Ice Moon’s Princess! Where is she? Did you kidnap her too like you kidnapped Tiffany after your wedding?”
I laugh.
“Oh Jonathan, you and your sister are like twins.
Both stupid and without any semblance of a moral code, unless selfishness is considered good in Silver Claw.”
“I’d advise you to speak carefully,” I say.
“I don’t ever use my substantial power to clean up personal insults and crimes against me, but I can’t vouch for my subjects. They are very loyal.”
Just then someone shouts from the back.
“Yes we are!”
I see it is Walton and I smile.
“We have no proof that you are who you say you are,” Tiffany says.
“It’s better you leave.”
“You two will be dealt with I can assure you,” Ryder says.
He’s furious.
“I will not allow you to insult our Princess again.”
Theodore turns to me.
“Please, Ivy, tell me the truth.
Are you really the Princess?”
“Theodore, once again you prove your inadequacies.
I’ve told you I do not lie and still you believe I do.”
“I don’t need to prove anything to you or anyone else, but in this one instance I will go against my own wishes.”
***
Before we left for this meeting with Silver Claw, Dawson came to see me secretly.
“Ivy, Ryder told me what you’re planning to do. I think it is ill advised,” Dawson said.
“I thought so too, Grandfather. Ryder has convinced me otherwise. So I must go.” I’m still fearful about what will happen but I’ll not show Grandfather this.
“We still don’t know how Silver Claw stole you from us so long ago.
There is evil among them.
You got free from their clutches after much suffering.
Why go back and put yourself in danger again?”
“Dylan is leaving us with few choices.”
Dawson shakes his head in despair.
He doesn’t like the way that Dylan is behaving lately.
He’s become obsessed with power since my return.
“Let me go with you then.
No one will dare touch you when I’m there.”
“Never!
I’ll not take you to such people.
I love you. Visit g.com for the full chapter.
I’ll not put you in danger.
You know me.
I’m strong.
Even an Alpha like Theodore cannot stand up to my wolf.
She waited to emerge only when she was the most powerful.
I know this.
Besides, I have Ryder.
Nothing will happen.
We’ll return to you safely.”
“And too, if you go with us Dylan and Montague will know what we’re up to.
It’s meant to be kept under wraps until negotiations are concluded.”
“I understand but I don’t like it.”
Dawson took off the Carter family’s Ice Moon Alpha ring.
He handed it to me even though it should never leave the hand of the Alpha.
I take it and feel the powerful wolf energy of it vibrate through my body.
“I shouldn’t take this.”
“One day it will likely be yours.”
I’m surprised to hear Dawson say this since he normally says he still needs to decide between me and Dylan.
“You may need the ring to convince the Alpha of Silver Claw that you are indeed a Carter, indeed a princess and indeed the likely heir to the throne.”
I hide it safely in a secret pocket in my jacket.
No one will ever know I have it.
I have no intention of ever using it to prove anything.
I am Ivy Carter, sole princess of Ice Moon!
I don’t need to prove anything to anyone.
***
I look at Theodore.
Though he knows now we are fated.
He has apologised for his crimes towards me.
He still sees me as a liar.
It’s clear he cannot be trusted.
That’s the last nail in his coffin for me.
If he needs proof, I will give him proof!
“Once again, Theodore, you’re a disappointment. You demand proof even though you called the Princess’s phone and the phone was mine. Even though I told you who I am. This last time I will give you the proof that you require, but never again.”
I reach into a secret hiding place in my gown.
I put the Alpha Ice Moon ring on.
I hold my hand out for him to see.
The aura of the ring fills the hall.
Everyone can feel it.
Any doubts disappear.
“Ivy, I…I don’t know what to say…” Theodore tries.
I look at Tiffany.
All colour has drained from her face.
Jonathan stands with his mouth agape.
The hall is quiet.
“I think Princess Ivy is owed some apologies,” Ryder says.
“She has been very patient with your abuse.”
I sit calmly on my throne and wait.