Page 23

Since I woke two days ago, Ivy has fallen into bed from exhaustion each night. She claims it’s because she’s spending long hours at the garden center preparing her perfumes, and cleaning the house. My wolf senses tell me something different because Ivy is different. Resilient. She walks with confidence, head raised, talking to everyone around her. Before the shooting, Ivy’s spirit was already on the mend, but now…now, my little sprite is soaring on her own. Her secrets won’t remain hidden for long. I plan on finding out what she’s been doing while I’ve been in a coma. Her loose excuses aren’t cutting it.

My mother stops by to bring some of my favorite walnut apple caramel muffins as Ivy is about to leave. Ivy kisses me, tells me to follow the doctor’s orders, and hugs my mother goodbye. The Ivy I knew coaxed me into listening to her with her touch, which isn’t how she goes about it now when telling me to follow the doctor’s orders. It is a determined command and fuck me if that doesn’t awaken my dick. The catheter was taken out yesterday, so I think of a disgusting thing to prevent my cock from reacting to Ivy.

It works while my mother prepares the bedside table, filling my cup with water, and buttering the warm muffin. Dr. Conrad wants me on liquids and soft foods, but fuck that. Two days is long enough for my throat to heal. I bite into a muffin, and my eyes close, moaning at the delicious taste. My mother is an emotional baker. She bakes when she’s upset, happy, nervous, and any other emotion that spins her mind into chaos.

My gritty voice says.

“This is great, Mom.”

She hands me the pad and pen, but I push it away.

“I’m fine.”

“The doctor said to give—”

“I don’t care what he said. I’m telling you…”

This spurs on a coughing fit, and she raises her eyebrow at me.

“Don’t start. I just took in too much air.”

She picks at the crumbs that fell onto the napkin on my chest.

“Well, mister smarty-pants has an answer for everything.”

A gruff laugh comes out.

“Smarty-pants? Where did you learn that word?”

She sits on the side of the bed, gnawing on her bottom lip, smiling.

“Ivy. She was telling me a childhood story where one of her teachers called her a smarty-pants. I love the word, so I thought I’d try it out.”

I place the muffin on the bedside table and grin.

“It’s nice to see you and Ivy getting along.”

“Oh, more than that, son. We’ve had many discussions over a meal or while making her perfumes. I’ve talked about you as a child, and she’s told me about her childhood, which hurts my heart.”

Her eyes fall to the sheet.

“I apologized to Ivy for the way I’ve behaved.”

Then her eyes meet mine.

“Like I need to apologize to you.”

I’m about to speak, but she shakes her head as some tears fall.

“No, this needs to be said. She is your mate and makes you happy. My best interest should have been with you, not the pack. As a mother, I failed to protect your heart, and I’m extremely sorry for it.”

Dammit! She’s trying to make me cry.

I pull her onto my chest, hugging her tight.

“Listen. I couldn’t have asked for a better mother. You raised me to be the man I am today.”

She pulls away to look at me.

“I’m not going to lie. It hurt the way you and Kyle treated Ivy. There were so many little achievements she made that I wanted to share with the two of you. For the both of you to get to know her and see her the way I do.”

Tears drip down her cheeks as her lower lip quivers. I cup her face.

“But that’s in the past, Mom. And it didn’t take away any of the things you’ve done for me to become Alpha.”

I release her.

“All I can say is I’m glad it all worked out. Everyone is getting along, which is great.

She wipes her tears and pats my chest.

“How did I get such a wonderful son?”

“By being a wonderful mom.”

I look over at the muffins and back to her.

“And baking. We can’t forget about all the sweets you’ve made for me over the years.”

“It’s a good thing werewolves can’t get diabetes.”

I let out a loud bark.

“This is true.”

The room grows quiet, and I let the pause linger before asking.

“What’s going on with Ivy?”

She blows her nose, averting my gaze, and responds.

“What do you mean?”

In a low growl, I say.

“Mother. You’re hiding something. It’s obvious Ivy has changed.”

“We’ve all changed.”

She holds up her hand.

“It’s time you listen to Dr. Conrad and stop talking.”

My mother is sneaky. They’re all hiding a secret, but knowing my mother, I’m not going to get it from her. Kyle is my best bet.

Several hours later, Kyle comes for a visit, which chases my mom away. Or possibly a relief, so she can do other things. The three of them have rotated throughout the days and evenings. It’s time to get out of here and start managing the community. I’ve left it all to my mom, Kyle, and Tibald. Plus, I don’t want my mate to have to sleep another night in my hospital bed. I want her in our bed. Better yet, I want to be inside her in our bed.

All IVs have been removed, so I swing my legs over the side of the bed to dress. I open the wardrobe to find it empty.

Kyle rushes over.

“What are you doing?”

“Where are my clothes?”

“Garbage. They were full of blood and silver.”

“Fine. I’ll shift.”

“You can’t shift. Dr. Conrad said it’s best to allow your human form to circulate the blood. If you shift, it could set you back.”

“Then get me some clothes.”

“For what?”

Kyle and I have made amends, but he’s turned into a nagging pain in the ass. He must have received directions from my mother. The guilt he felt about distancing himself from Ivy and I wore him down. He promised me he wouldn’t do it. If Ivy is what I want, then he’ll support us. Even though he feels guilty, he seems to have caved fast. Ivy has been here for months, and he hasn’t lightened up. He was willing to abandon our friendship over it. After only one month, he’s all in? I’m not buying it. Something happened and I’m going to find out what.

“So I don’t have to walk home naked, that’s for what.”

He peeks out of the door as he answers me.

“You haven’t been discharged.”

“Hey! I’m a grown-ass man. I don’t need to be discharged.”

I chuck a muffin at him.

“What the hell are you looking for?”

Kyle gives me an irritated look as he ducks.

“Dr. Conrad.”

My friend has lost his sense of humor over the years. When we were young, there were so many things we got in trouble for. We went to parties. Bars. Fucked many pretty human women and werewolves. Pranked people in our community, and even the townsfolk. Once my father passed, and I became Alpha and named him Beta, he took everything serious. I rarely see him laugh or smile anymore. For the longest time it never bothered me, because I acted the same until Ivy came into my life. Maybe he’ll change once he finds his mate, too.

“Get me some clothes or I’m walking home naked.”

Kyle mind-links Tibald, ordering him to bring clothes.

“Are you afraid to leave me alone?”

Kyle stands in front of me in his usual arms folded over his chest stance.

“No. Are you afraid to be alone?”

In jest, I nudge his shoulder, and he smacks my chest.

“While we’re waiting, I’m hopping in the shower. My mate doesn’t need me to smell like roadkill anymore.”

Showered and dressed, we exit the hospital with Dr. Conrad behind us, berating me for my stubbornness. I laugh while Kyle scans the area. We don’t get far before I tire and I’m a little out of breath. Kyle slings my arm over his shoulders, hooks onto my waist, and guides me home; except I stop when I hear cheering.

My legs move toward the noise as Kyle argues.

“I said I’d help you get home, not inspect everything.”

“Shut up! I’ve been cooped up in the hospital for over a month.”

“You’ve been in a damn coma.”

“Yes, and you are still annoying.”

“Dick.”

“Asshole.”

We round the athletics building and come across a crowd of people. This is the outdoor fight training area when the weather permits, and today is a warm May day. There are gasps and clapping, indicating a fight is in session. No one notices me because they’re too occupied with the fight.

“Who’s fighting?”

Kyle mumbles something I don’t understand, so I drop my arm from him, stepping closer. My height allows me to see over the crowd, and my mouth drops open. In the fighting circle is Ivy and Shayna.

I’m about to stop the fight when Kyle skirts in front of me, holding me back. “Don’t.”

My face scrunches from the anger bubbling inside.

“What are you talking about? It’s Shayna and Ivy. Shayna’s going to kill her.”

I’m not looking at him when he says.

“No, she won’t. They’ve been training since you’ve been in a coma.”

My head snaps to him and I narrow my eyes, seething.

“Are you telling me you allowed Shayna to train her?”

Kyle fucking smiles, and I want to punch it off his face.

“Yes. And Ivy’s good.”

He jabs his thumb over his shoulder.

“Watch her.”

I shake my head.

“I’m not watching Shayna pummel my mate.”

He breathes out of his nose to show he’s constraining himself.

“If you break up their fight, Ivy will be upset. She’s fucking been training hard for this very fight.”

I turn to see Shayna throw a weak jab, followed by one from Ivy. The sight has me cringing.

Kyle adds.

“This is her moment.”

“Fuck that. You’d love to see Shayna beat the hell out of Ivy.”

“Fuck you, Larc. Give your mate some credit.”

My attention returns to the fight. Ivy isn’t protecting her face with her hands, and Shayna throws a jab to her nose, causing a gush of blood to pour out.

I step toward them, but Kyle stops me again.

“Larc. Ivy’s doing this for you. The pack. For our community.”

“How the hell is fighting Shayna doing it for me or anyone else?”

“Because she wants to prove to herself and everyone else how strong she is.”

He taps his finger to his head.

“Mentally and physically. Between working with Ellen for her mind and Shayna for her body, your mate isn’t who you remember.”

He glances over at Ivy as if admiring her will, and then his eyes lock on me.

“Let her finish this fight, which she’s been working hard for.”

A small smile creeps onto his face.

“Listen to the crowd. They’re cheering her on.”

They are chanting Ivy’s name.

How did I miss it? She’s been lying next to me every night.

I noticed she’s put on more weight, more muscle, but I didn’t think much of it, assuming she’s been using the gym.

I’d never had thought she’d train to fight.

And train to fight with Shayna.

They’ve become friends, but Shayna is one of the best fighters in the pack.

I swallow hard trying to calm my uneasiness.

Shayna walks over to Ivy, apologizing for the last punch while holding out her hand to help her up.

Ivy takes it, and plants a cross to Shayna’s cheek.

The crowd roars and Shayna smiles at Ivy’s boldness, nods, and they continue to circle each other.

We’ve all just witnessed Ivy’s determination, and Shayna won’t let that happen again.

Shayna puts Ivy in a chokehold, and Ivy’s clawing at her arms.

This is killing me.

My mate’s black and blue face is bloody.

Gasping for air.

But then the tables turn.

Ivy uses Shayna’s weight to her advantage, flipping Shayna over her back and onto her own on the ground.

I smile at my little sprite’s strength.

Unfortunately, Shayna turns in a circle on her side, kicking Ivy’s feet from under her.

She crashes onto her back, knocking the wind out of her, giving Shayna time to straddle her.

Ivy spits to the side, slowing down her breathing to normalize it.

Shayna’s arm draws back to punch Ivy, but Ivy clamps one hand over the other, making a fist, slams it into Shayna, and follows it with a right hook.

Shayna goes down, coughing from having the wind knocked out of her.

She taps the ground twice to indicate the fight is over, and everyone cheers.

A crying Ivy helps Shayna to her feet as she throws her arms around her.

Shayna rests her head on top of Ivy’s and they rock from side to side.

I approach, and Shayna releases her and says.

“She did good, didn’t she, Alpha?”

My eyebrows burrow downward at her question, and I turn to Ivy, who is wearing the biggest, bloodiest smile I’ve ever seen.

How can I be mad? My little sprite did well.

I told her she can do whatever she wants in this community.

The fact she chose to learn how to fight has elevated my respect for her, if that’s even possible.

Ivy’s face lights up, bloody teeth showing, as she asks.

“Well, how did I do?”

Suddenly, everyone is quiet, waiting for me to answer.

Shayna shuffles her feet, assuming I’ll yell at her.

But I’m not going to.

She did what my mate asked, which I’m grateful for.

My eyes lock on Ivy, my bloody mate.

Aside from my father’s death, I can’t recall having all these emotions swirling inside.

I’m choked up.

Ivy’s strength has surpassed anything I could have imagined.

Still in the dark about all that’s gone on while I slept, this much I know: Ivy is a force to be reckoned with.

The hardships she’s overcome.

Her growth in these short months.

Ivy’s inner strength has bloomed into a gigantic fucking shield.

She captured my heart from the beginning, and seeing how everyone responds to her shows she’s captured theirs, too.

I tuck some of her hair behind her ear.

“There are no words that could truly express how well you did. I’m proud of you, mate.”

Tears mixed with blood trail down her cheeks.

“I wanted to surprise you.”

She turns, grabbing Shayna’s hand and pulling her over to us.

“Shayna’s been an excellent trainer. I think we’re ready.”

“Ready for what?”

“War.”