Ivy’s POV
My heart pounds as I walk out of the elevator, my shoes scuffling the carpeted hallway as I make my way down to Alpha Nathaniel’s room. I really debated coming over here still looking battered and bruised, but as Kane and Evie said, I really should say thank you to them for looking after me and making sure I got home alright after Cole’s beating.
I get to the end of the hallway, and I stand and stare blankly at the door. A few moments pass while I try to contemplate what I could possibly say to Nathaniel.
“Hey thanks for saving my ass….”
Good lord. I can’t do this. It’s embarrassing enough that I did get my ass beat with him watching, but now I’ve gotta relive it again? I shake my head. With my fear getting the best of me, I go to turn away from the door and walk away, but I stop as the door opens suddenly and I’m face to face with Nathaniel and all his blue-eyed glory. He’s in a black t-shirt and blue distressed jeans, his hair damp and slightly falling in his face.
We stare at each other for a few moments before he asks. “Ivy, would you like to come in?”
I nod sheepishly, and he steps aside, and I walk past into his room. I hear the door shut quietly behind me, and I turn back to face him again. He approaches me slowly, his eyes never leaving my face. I go to speak, but I’m silenced as he reaches up to caress my face, running his thumb under my right eye.
“Does it hurt?” He asks, and it’s hard to not notice the twinge of emotion in his voice. I shake my head. “It’s okay, just tender with the bruising.”
“I wish that this didn’t happen to you.” He says as he lowers his hand and I catch myself missing the warmth of his hand. “I’m used to it.” I say and his face tenses and he frowns. “You shouldn’t be.”
“I came by to say thank you for helping me. As much as I didn’t want you to witness how I’m treated, I’m glad it was you and Tobias who came to my aid.”
“You don’t need to thank me.” He states and I shake my head. “Yes, I do. You helped me even though I am a complete stranger. You had no obligation, and I’m thankful.”
Suddenly, his phone rings and he glances at me. “Go ahead answer, I’m okay.” He half smiles as he looks at the number and answers on speaker. He says hello and then a melodious female voice speaks back, “Nathaniel my son! How is your visit going at Red Moon?”
Oh my God, it’s his mom! The queen!
I go to head towards the door, but Nathaniel quickly blocks my path with his huge body and shakes his head. As he responds to his mother.
“Hello mother, my visit is going well. I’m sure by now you’ve heard of my decision regarding the merger I take it?”
“Yes, I just heard. I just want to make sure that you’re confident in your decision so early?”
“I am mother. I’ve got one of the pack members here, her name is Ivy. I spoke to you about her performing for the mating ball. She’s the vocalist I saw at Iron Wolf.”
My eyes go wide, and I manage to say at a decent volume for her to hear, “Hello your majesty.”
“Oh! Ivy, yes! Nathaniel told me all about how wonderful your singing voice is. Are you willing to come perform a few songs for me and my husband? We would love to hear you before the mating ball!”
Nathaniel smirks at me as I feel the blood rising to my cheeks, and of course I stutter in my response. “Uh, o.. of course! As long as the Alpha of my pack okays it, I should be able to come to see you and the King.”
“Oh nonsense, you don’t need his permission. When Nathaniel comes back home after his visit, just tag along with him. You don’t mind do you, Nathaniel?”
I raise my hands, but before I can protest to him with gestures, he responds. “Of course not, mother. Ivy and I will see you in a few days, then.”
“Perfect! We look forward to it. See you both soon! Love you!”
“Love you too mother, bye.”
Click.
“What makes you think that Cole will let me leave after what you witnessed yesterday?” I blurt, my emotions clearly in turmoil. He chuckles. “Cole doesn’t have a choice, he doesn’t have power over me, and it’s for an event that his pack is attending this year. It would be stupid of him to reject your attendance. He’s all about appearances, and it would look bad on him.”
I stare at him in silence, just completely and utterly shocked that I’ll be going to meet the King and Queen…
“Don’t look so shocked, my parents are really nice.” He says as he goes and sits down on the couch. I follow and sit down across from him, crossing my legs to try and cover my nerves. “You guys are wolf royalty. It’s hard to not feel something about going to meet them.”
“That is true, but I promise you’ve got nothing to worry about.” I scrunch my face slightly as I process his statement. “Okay. I’m trusting you, don’t make me regret it.” I pause for a few seconds and then ask, “How long will we be gone?”
“Only a few days max, you’ll meet my parents and then we will go over the plan for the ball, performance times, etc.” He pauses, “Unless you want to stay until the actual ball? It’s only a little over a week away so it might be better to just stay until then to reduce travel time. Up to you though.”
Stay a whole week? Could I?
Before I can really stop myself, I agree. “I mean if it’s okay with your parents and you, I would like to stay.” Nathaniel smiles at me then, and I feel warm inside. “I’m sure it won’t be a problem. I’ll probably have work and things to do but you’re welcome to come stay as my guest.”
I need the break from here. I don’t care. I’ll take any chance I get.
Do you have a dress for the ball?” He asks and I nod.
“Okay, bring it with you and it’ll be cleaned and ready for when you’re done performing. Did you want to wear a different dress to perform?”
I look up and think. “Possibly, my dress I have now possibly wouldn’t be ideal for singing, but I don’t know if I could afford one.” Nathaniel shakes his head. “We can go look for one, or my mother and my sister Talia will help you.”
“I guess it’s settled then.” I state and he smiles again, directly at me and I adjust my position on the couch before standing. Nathaniel stands after me, but I wobble a bit and he’s at my side immediately.
“You okay?” I nod, feeling my head starting to pound. “Just tired, I need toget back to rest. Evie said I took a bad hit to my head, so I need to take it easy.” I go to walk again but I wobble again, and Nathaniel shakes his head. “You can just rest here. I’ll let Genevieve know.”
I look up at him, my head aching. “I couldn’t, you’ve probably got things to do.”
“Nothing I can’t do while you sleep. Just come on.” I sigh and walk with him past the couches and into the back bedroom of his room. He walks with me over to the bed and pulls back the covers and I settle in. He covers me up, and sits beside me, pushing my hair out of my face.
“Rest now. I’m here if you need anything. Promise.”
I feel my eyes getting heavy as he looks at me and I nod.
“Thank you.” I start to fade, and I swear I hear him say,
“Rest up little songbird.”