Chapter 5 - The Attack in the Shadows
Morning light broke over the Sterling Palace, but it brought no warmth.
Ivy sat in the opulent suite Kellen had assigned her, though she hadn't slept a wink. The explosion last night had rattled her to her core. She knew, with terrifying certainty, that she was walking through a nest of vipers.
The door clicked open.
Kellen walked in, looking exhausted. There were dark circles under his golden eyes, and his knuckles were wrapped in white gauze.
“Are you hurt?” Ivy asked instantly, rushing over to him.
“I’m fine,” Kellen said, holding up a hand to stop her. But as she drew close, he couldn't help himself. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against his broad chest.
Ivy gasped softly, melting into his embrace. For the first time in her life, she felt safe. Truly safe.
“They tried to reach Toby again last night,” Kellen whispered into her hair. “The council... Lydia... they are panicking because we are standing in their way.”
“Lydia hates me,” Ivy murmured against his shoulder. “She knows the pack will never accept an Omega as anything other than a servant, let alone...”
“Let alone what?” Kellen pulled back, looking down into her eyes.
“Nothing,” Ivy blushed, looking away.
“Ivy,” Kellen took her chin in his hand, tilting her face up. “Look at me.”
She met his gaze. The air between them grew unbearably hot. The mate bond, suppressed for so long by her lack of status and hidden magic, burst through the dam.
Kellen leaned down and pressed his lips to hers.
It wasn't a gentle kiss. It was a collision of souls. A starving wolf finally finding its counterpart. Ivy let out a soft sigh, her hands rising to grip the lapels of his jacket as a warm, violet light flickered faintly around their fingertips, sealing an ancient bond recognized by the Moon Goddess herself.
When they finally broke apart, both were breathing heavily.
“You are my Luna,” Kellen said fiercely. “Not Lydia. Not anyone else.”
Before Ivy could process the staggering weight of his words, the door was kicked open.
Lydia stood in the doorway, flanked by four royal guards and three senior council members. Her face was a mask of absolute, righteous horror.
“I knew it,” Lydia shrieked, pointing a shaking finger at Ivy. “Look at them! She used dark magic to bewitch the Alpha King! And look at what she’s holding!”
One of the guards stepped forward, holding up a small glass vial filled with black, bubbling liquid—the exact poison that had nearly killed Toby.
“We found this,” the guard declared, “hidden inside the cleaning cart in her quarters.”
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Ivy’s blood ran cold. “I didn't put that there! I’ve been here all night!”
Lydia stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with triumphant malice. “Guards! Arrest the traitorous Omega. She tried to assassinate the prince, and now she has bewitched our Alpha!”
