By the time we had made it back to the states, I was more than worn out. The plane ride hadn’t been like the others, and as much as I wished it would have been, I couldn’t help but think that was partially my fault.
I wasn’t as forthcoming as I was before.
“We’re here,” Hale whispered softly in my ear as I looked up at him. I was still pressed firmly against him in the back seat of the car as we drove from the airport to the pack house.
“Finally,” I replied. “I can’t wait to get out of this car and stretch my legs.”
There was an eerie silence as the car came to a slow stop. All three of the guys were sitting up straight before looking at each other. “When we stop Ivy, I want you to stay in the car.”
“What?” I asked with confusion. “Why?”
“Just for once, please do as you’re told. Please,” Damian begged with a sigh as my eyes met Hale’s and he nodded in agreement.
“Okay. I’ll stay in the car.”
Slowly the car moved forward more, but as it stopped, I finally got a glimpse of what was worrying them. Allison and my father stood with a group of older men at the front of the pack house and a smirk adorned Allison’s face.
“What the f c is she doing here?” I snapped in anger as she stared at the car with amusement.
“I don’t know, Ivy.” Damian replied, “but just please stay here. We don’t want you to get hurt.”
Knowing Allison was here, I couldn’t make any promises to him, but one thing was for sure, I would wait and see what happened first.
All three of the guys exited the car and started talking to those present. Voices were raised and glares were being thrown. However, when Allison slapped Hale in the face, I about lost my sh i t. Ignoring what they said, I jumped from the car, “lay your n g hand on them again and I’ll kill you myself, bitc h.”
Laughter erupted in the crowd as the group stared at me, “oh, this little human has jokes, doesn’t she?”
James quickly was at my side as he looked down at me, shaking his head, “why don’t you ever listen?” He smirked.
“Hey, I did listen. Until she touched what is mine,” I murmured as I watched her say something to the guy next to her.
“Why is this human even here?” Allison yelled, “she is nothing to this pack and should be long gone. There is no bond anymore!”
Pushing past James, his arms wrapped around my waist as I glared at her and pulled down the collar of my shirt to expose James’ mark. “The bond isn’t gone, d u m b as s. The rules just changed.”
Shock ran through the woman and seeing this sent pleasure through my chest. I had something on her she wasn’t aware of, and I planned to complete the prophecy. Regardless of what Damian and Hale had done… they were both still mine.
“That isn’t possible!” She yelled. “It’s a trick!”
The men with her didn’t seem to be very enthusiastic about how Allison was acting. Her desperate attempts to cause issues were irrelevant. “Allison enough.” One of the men said.
“Ivy, this is the elder council,” Damian said in a professional manner.
“Hello.” I said softly with a smile, “it’s a pleasure to meet you all, but what are you doing here?”
An older graying man stepped towards me and as he did, James’ grip tightened as Hale moved closer. “Calm down. I’m not going to hurt her. I just want to see the mark.”
“Oh!” I exclaimed with my cheeks blushing, “of course. Here you go.”
Pulling down my collar, I allowed the man to take a closer look, but never once did he touch it. Instead, after a moment he stepped back and turned to Damian. “We will be on our way. I do expect to see you all at the next meeting in two months time.”
Damian nodded his head with a small smile, “of course, Elder Don. We wouldn’t miss it.”
Allison and my father still stood speechless as the men gathered into their vehicles and drove away. The pleasure of knowing that whatever she was trying wasn’t going to work.
“Ivy–” my father’s voice said softly. “Can we talk?”
“No, we can’t.” I snapped, “you made it clear what you think about me and I have nothing to say to you. Now both of you need to leave right now!”
I was p i s s e d, but at the same time, I was hurt. I couldn’t believe my own father had done what he did to me, and still tried to let his wife hurt me. She was an evil b t c h, and I wanted nothing to do with her. At the end of the day, she needed to leave us alone.
“Who do you think you’re talking to?” She snapped at me as she took a step closer, only to be stopped by Damian, who stood quickly in front of me.
“If you touch her, Allison… I will kill you.” Damian growled in a protective manner as James and Hale stood by protecting me as well. I didn’t need them to protect me, but their actions made my heart swell.
“You will regret making this decision, Damian.” She warned, “things are not going to end up the way you’re hoping.”
I wasn’t sure what she was hinting at, but I didn’t like the sound of her warning. There was a glint in her eyes that made my stomach knot. Yet, Damian said nothing as she and my father turned and got into their car, and left.
How were things supposed to get better for the five of us if we were still having to deal with Allison’s issues? Damian sighed as he turned to face me, “let’s get you inside.”
Nodding my head, I followed behind him, and Hale with James at the rear. The feeling of having them all around me was comforting, but at the same time, it didn’t feel complete yet.
I needed Talon.
“Why don’t you freshen up, and we can get some food and hang out for a bit?” James whispered in my ear from behind, causing me to blush.
“That sounds wonderful, but… there is a problem,” I admitted, watching as all eyes turned to me.
“What’s wrong now?” Damian sighed, brushing his hand over his face.
“First off… don’t be an a s.” I said, rolling my eyes, “I was merely going to ask what room I’m staying in. I don’t want to be presumptuous about my accommodations. Unless you want me back in my cottage?”
Hale’s eyes widened as he shook his head, “no no. Come with me, and I will show you where to go while James and Damian sort some things out.”
Laughter escaped my lips as Hale gestured towards the stairs, and I caught a glimmer of amusement on James’ face. He could sense my emotions, and even though I once found it invasive—I was growing fond of it.
‘Perhaps you should have some fun with him.’ James replied through the link, causing me to smirk.
‘Perhaps I will, but the more the merrier…”
There was no doubt about what I was hinting at, but I had a feeling the answer would be no.
‘As much as I want to, I think you need time alone with Hale,’ he replied.
‘I know, but he doesn’t want that with me right now. He seems scared,’ I sighed.
‘Then entice his wolf, Ivy.’
The suggestion was one I hadn’t thought about before, and perhaps he was right.
Following Hale down the hallway, he stopped outside of the master bedroom and opened the door. “Damian told me he had this fixed for you while you guys were gone. This will be your room.”
Confusion filled me at Hale’s words, and as I passed the threshold, my eyes widened. A huge bed lay against the far wall, bigger than any king-size bed I have ever seen. White thick blankets on top of it, and an abundance of pillows. The entire room had a feminine feel and completely depicted my personality.
My heart swelled with love and appreciation as I gasped, and tears filled my eyes. “He did this for me?”
“Yeah, he isn’t as bad as you and others think. Damian just has had a hard time believing in love, but I can already tell that around you he is changing. He isn’t as cold as he used to be.”
“I’m beginning to see that,” I replied as a heavy breath escaped me, “thank you for coming home, Hale,” I said as I turned to face him. “I can’t do this without you.”
A soft chuckle escaped him as he turned to leave, “I will let you take a shower.”
James’ comment ran through my mind again as I quickly reached out and grabbed his wrist, “wait. Don’t leave just yet.”
“Did you need something else?” he asked with confusion.
I needed him, but I couldn’t lead that way. He was still so temperamental, and like James said, I had to entice his wolf if I wanted him to play.
“I uh–just don’t want to be left alone. Will you wait in here for me to finish?”
There was clear hesitation in his eyes as he cleared his throat and forced a smile as he nodded.
“Uh, sure. I will just wait on the bed.”
Smiling, I tried to get my nerves under control. I wasn’t the type of girl to be super outgoing, but I had to learn to be comfortable around them. After all, they were my mates.
Slowly, I began to undress, bit my lip as his eyes widened slightly watching me. “Ivy—”
“What is it, Hale?” I feigned innocence as I pulled off my shirt and slowly slid down my shorts until I was just in my bra and panties. “Is something the matter?”
“What are you doing?” he asked, looking slightly uncomfortable.
“Getting undressed for the shower?” I asked, confused, as I raised a brow with a smile. “I can’t shower fully dressed.
Reaching around, I unclasped my bra, letting it drop to the floor as his eyes darted to my bare breasts. The gold in his eyes flickered as his wolf slowly fought for the surface.
“I think I should wait downstairs—” he replied with more hesitation as he started to get up.
“Oh, stop.” I scoffed with a smile, “I’ll go into the bathroom. Never thought you would be one to get all soft around me being naked, Hale. You have seen me naked a few times, and even had sex with me.”
S i t. I thought that would have worked, but it didn’t. Turning towards the bathroom, I moved towards the shower and turned the water on. ‘It isn’t working… he was going to leave.’
James’ laughter echoed through my mind, causing me to groan, ‘so play with yourself and make him stay. His wolf will love it.’
‘I’m starting to think this is wrong, James.’ I groaned internally. ‘It hurts that he doesn’t want me.’
‘Oh, he does. Trust me on that. He just needs a shove.’
Stepping into the shower, I thought about what he told me to do, ‘for some reason, I have a feeling you are going to get me into trouble.’
‘Oh, don’t worry, babe.’ James laughed, ‘you are going to like it.’
