Page 28

Ivy, Kyle, and my mother have convinced me to bring the pack into the mix. Not everyone will be a part of it; most will remain behind, but my top guys will strip Ben and his friends of their ammunition. The rest is up to me. Retribution. I’ll exact revenge for Ivy, who is no match for Ben and his sadistic disciples. They scraped at Ivy’s soul for their gratification until her presence turned stoic. Drowned her in verbal and physical abuse. But my little sprite rose, dusting off her beautiful soul, and gifting us with her unworldly smile, compassion, intelligence, and skills.

So now I’m waiting for the opportunity to keep my promise to Ivy. As I told her.

“They’ll pay. Every single one of them will pay.”

When the time is right, we’ll ambush them, and when they see me, they’ll know exactly why I’m there. Not because I took a bullet, but because they treated one of their God’s creations like trash. They disregarded the miracle of Ivy, stripping her of character and body. What they didn’t take into account was her strength and resilience.

It's the height of summer and business is booming. There’s so much activity going on, I’ve hardly seen my little sprite. She’s running around the place, helping everywhere she can. While eating at the mess hall, I’ve found her in the kitchen, making salad. As I’m showing guests how to use the boats and paddle boats, she’s darting in and out of cabins, cleaning and collecting bedding and towels. And she spends her mornings at the garden center. Exhausted or not, my Ivy still climbs my body, fulfilling our carnal desires. The sway of her hips while straddling my cock. Her candy-flavored lips prodding me further into an orgasmic fog. Whispers against my lips about how much I mean to her.

I’m fucking horny now, and my little sprite is nowhere to be found. Jogging over to my mother, I ask if she’s seen Ivy and she tells me no. She hasn’t seen her in a couple of hours. Every person near me shakes their head and continues on with their work. The place is mobbed with guests and activities, so it’s difficult for anyone to take time out.

My phone rings when I’m about to search her out.

On speaker phone, I say.

“Hey Declan. What’s up?”

“I was wondering if you were busy this weekend. It’s been a while, and Tasha and the kids are going to her mother’s.”

“Sounds great!”

“Once I figure out when she’s leaving, I’ll call back so we can set something up.”

“Okay, I’ll let Ivy know, too.”

We disconnect. I roll my head in a circular motion, hearing my neck crack from the tension. That was the call we agreed upon. It was Declan’s way of letting me know Ben and his miscreants are heading to his cabin this weekend. For a precaution, the conversation was code in case either one of our phones is being tapped. We don’t know what Ben is capable of yet. I mind-link Kyle.

Hey, we’re on this weekend.

Great!

I’m limiting the number of people who are going. You, me, Tibald, Rudy, and Felix.

Ivy and your mom are not going to like it.

Tough! I’m not putting any more people at risk than necessary. We’ll discuss details this evening.

I finally find my Ivy in the garden center, gathering the ripe fruits and vegetables to be sold at the store. She’s talking to Sybil, and they both stop when I approach.

“Mate. I’ve been looking all over for you.”

She rises on tiptoes and I meet her halfway for a kiss.

“I’m sorry, love, but you know it’s extremely busy right now. The store ran out of fruits and vegetables so we’re collecting more to bring over.”

“Ivy. I don’t want you off the property.”

“I meant we’re bringing the items to the trucks for others to take into town.”

I glance at Sybil.

“Can you take it from here? I’d like to steal my mate for a half-hour or so.”

She says.

“Absolutely, Alpha Larc”

as Ivy answers.

“There’s a lot to bring.”

“I’ll get Parker to help.”

Before either can respond, I hike Ivy over my shoulder, caressing her thigh. Within a matter of minutes, we’re at our house, inside, stripping each other.

Ivy’s mumbling.

“We shouldn’t be doing this during the day. There’s so much work.”

My mouth occupies hers to keep her quiet, and she obliges. We’re naked, hands traveling over each other’s bodies. I grip her ass, lifting and pressing her back to the wall, and she instinctively wraps her toned, sun-kissed thighs around me. No longer appearing frail, Ivy’s put-on weight along with muscle, and damn, if the woman didn’t drive me crazy before, my cock is eternally doomed to be hard now. I slide inside her as we both moan from the sensation.

Snuggling my face into her neck, my hips snap back and forth, emptying and filling her pussy. The Moon Goddess got this pairing perfect. My little sprite has as much energy and desire as I do. Her fingers grab my hair, mouth planting itself wherever she can get to while I’m hammering inside her. As my fingers part her ass cheeks, at the same time burying myself in her, her breaths become quick, ragged, and she falls apart in my hands. I follow her orgasm with my own.

Still breathing heavy, hands clutching her ass, I whisper.

“Ever since you came into my life, I breathe better, laugh a lot…”

I lift my head from the curvature of her neck.

“And fuck way more than I thought possible.”

Ivy’s giggle is like a tickle.

“You’re a beast!”

We both burst out laughing, as she tries to correct her comment.

“I mean, you’re a beast in bed.”

She pauses.

“Or up against the wall. Or in the kitchen…”

I give her one last kiss and release her to the ground. While dressing, there’s a knock at the door, and I know it’s Kyle. I tell him to come in.

My little sprite is adjusting her t-shirt when he comes in and asks.

“Did I come at a bad time?”

“No.”

“Ah, I get it. You have to appease her for not bringing her along.”

Ivy leans against the wall.

“Not bringing me where?”

I send a quick mind-link, Fucker! She doesn’t know yet, and then smile at Ivy and say.

“It’s nothing.”

“Larc. Don’t give me nothing. Why do you have to appease me? Spill it now.”

Grabbing a throw pillow from the couch, I whip it at Kyle’s head. “Asshole.”

He shrugs.

“How was I supposed to know? You’re at home in the middle of the day. I assumed it was to tell Ivy about…well…”

I scrub a hand over my face and sigh, trying to avert her glare.

“I heard from Declan.”

She pushes off the wall and comes over to me. “And?”

“Ben will be at his cabin this weekend.”

She opens her mouth, but I add.

“You’re not going.”

“Yes, I am, Larc.”

My wolf scratches and growls, because our mate is stubborn, turning my eyes amber.

“Yes, I’m talking to both of you. I’m going with you and the team to the cabin.”

“Ivy!”

Her body is trembling.

“I have every right to be there. What Ben did to me—”

She chokes on her emotions, yet quickly recovers.

“Larc. You made me a promise. Do you remember?”

I nod.

“Then let me be there to watch you make good on the promise.”

Aside from the outdoor noises, the room is silent, and Kyle steps closer to the door. Yeah, he better before I pummel him. He’s so careless sometimes. I guess Ivy deserves to see this through. I’m torn. On one hand, she’s the one Ben abused, aside from the bullet he gifted me. On the other, the thought of someone catching and hurting her constricts my chest. Again, my wolf rakes its nails, driving into my skin to get to Ivy. His insistence for her safety isn’t helping.

I quiet my wolf, square my shoulders, and say.

“Fine. You’ll come with us, except you’ll remain by the cars.”

“Wait—”

Pulling her into my chest, I rest my lips on her forehead.

“I also told you I don’t want you anywhere near Ben. This is non-negotiable. We go in while you stay by the cars with a couple of pack members.”

Her frustration is evident from her heavy sigh.

“Ivy. I can’t chance anything happening to you. If something does, I’m good as dead since you’re the beat of my heart.”

“And what about you, Larc? What if something happens to you? My love for you is infinite. There’s nothing Ben or anyone else could do to me that could be worse than losing you.”

Kyle clears his throat.

“Uh, could you two pledge your love to one another later on.”

I swallow Ivy in my embrace and say to Kyle.

“Listen, asshole. No one told you to come over and open your mouth. You caused this situation.”

Ivy pats my sides and pulls away, catching her breath.

“Okay, guys. Let’s not turn this into a fight. Our fight is against Ben and his sick friends, not each other.”