21

Ivy’s POV
I can’t believe I was so clumsy, yet again. Nate caught me before I made a complete fool of myself, and as embarrassing as it was, I was thankful that I didn’t hurt myself. But the weirdest thing? We stared at each other for such a long time after he helped me up. Complete silence but burning stares. I know I’m feeling something for him, but I can’t let it continue. He’s unmated and the King for fuck’s sake.
The way he looked at me, held me has been playing on my mind since we got back into the limo. I’ve been trying my hardest to not look at him, best my eyes and mind betray me, and I do something stupid.
I want to kiss him, feel him hold me again…
I sigh quietly and try to focus outside again, but Nate draws my attention to him by clearing his throat.
I turn my head and notice that he’s looking at his notepad that he’s been using when he’s been on his calls. He’s sitting so casually beside me, leaned back into the limo seat with his left leg up with the right stabilizing him on the floor. He’s resting his elbow on his raised knee, the top of his pen in his mouth and my gaze lingers to his tattoos his forearm. From here they look like intricate vines, but I can’t make out much else. His dress clothes fit just right in my opinion, showcasing what I can only imagine is a God-like physique.
Honestly, he’s breathtaking, and I’m surprised no one has jumped at the chance to be with him.
Okay, stop gawking and drooling over your King!
It’s then he looks up and catches my gaze, his icy eyes making me lose my resolve. I quickly look away and turn my attention to the window, and I hear him clear his throat again. I turn and gasp slightly as he’s now moved to hover over me where I’m sitting. The movement of the car doesn’t seem to phase him as he leans in closer to me, my heart and mind racing a million miles a minute. His body engulfs mine, his stance intimidating but oddly alluring.
“Ivy.” He says my name and I close my eyes to try and keep my composure. They shoot open only moments later as he grasps my chin slightly with his fingers, lifting my head to match his.
“You keep staring as if you want something. What is it?” He calls me out, and I feel the blush creeping into my cheeks. He chuckles lowly, his eyes burning into mine with desire. He leans into my right ear, placing his hands on the seat on either side of my head, blocking me in.
“Tell me.” He whispers and I swear my entire body melts and freezes at the same time. He pulls his head back to stare at me again, and it takes forever for me to get out a response.
“I shouldn’t.” I manage to say, my voice breaking slightly under his intense stare.
“Don’t be the scared girl, afraid to make a mistake. You’re not at your pack, you’re here. Show me who you used to be.”
I look at him, annoyed that he’s using this type of tactic against me. “You don’t know who I was before this.” He notices my change in demeanour, since he chuckles again. “No, I don’t, but I want to know.”
I glare at him with annoyance. “I’m not backing off until you tell me, songbird.”
Songbird? Is that a nickname for me?
I sigh as I know he means it, and I cave. “I was wondering how, or maybe even why you’ve managed to be single all these years. Don’t you have girls all vying for your attention?”
He pauses, and then smiles. “Not any worth of attention. Until now.” His response takes me aback as he leans in, and I welcome the kiss that follows. It’s soft at first, but then each of our primal desires take over and it evolves into something harder, more demanding as if our lives depended on it.
I hear Nate growl lowly as he breaks the kiss and sits down right beside me. I turn and look at him and his desired stare makes me throw all cautions to wind, and I can’t restrain myself any longer. He’s awakened something in me and in a split second, I’m climbing into his lap, straddling him. He places one hand on my right hip, digging his fingers in, holding me in place and I lean down to him again, kissing his neck softly. His other hand comes up and grasps the back of my neck tightly, moving up into my hair and he pulls back and then down to his mouth, kissing me again.
My mind is racing as to what is happening, but it feels so right. No one has touched me since my pack boyfriend in my teens, and I feel desired, wanted. I run my hands over his shoulders, chest, and arms as we continue to fight for dominance in the kiss, the sounds coming from him driving me wilder. His hands wander, making my whole-body shiver in response.
We break away from each other and I try to steady my breathing when he pulls me back down and kisses me softly. I rest my head on his shoulder, biting my lip as it dawns on me what we just did.
“I’m…” I go to talk, and he interrupts me. “Don’t you dare apologize.” I sit up, still straddling him and look at him and then look away.
“I don’t know what came over me, here I am talking about you being single and now I’ve just….” I pause. “I just don’t want to seem like one of those girls that just throws themselves at you.” I say as I climb off his lap, the guilt finally setting in as to what I’ve allowed myself to do.
“Ivy. I know you’re not like that. I’ve never gotten that vibe from you at all, and I think that’s why this happened. You’ve done nothing but treat me with respect and treated me like a regular person. You didn’t pretend to like me; you weren’t afraid of me. You are the most welcoming woman that I’ve met in a very long time.” He says as he tugs my arm and pulls me to sit across his lap this time, my head resting on his shoulder as he holds me.
“I’m just worried I won’t be able to restrain myself now that I’ve had a taste of you.” I blush at his words, knowing full well this has just changed everything between us.
The car pulls to a slow stop, and Nate leans over to look out the window and smiles.
“We’re here.”
Should be an interesting time here at the palace, that’s for sure.
Nathaniel’s POV
I watch as Ivy walks beside me as we enter the palace with Tobias following behind with Ivy’s bags. My mind is still swimming with thoughts that threaten to undo all my self-control. The kiss between us was pure welcomed insanity. Feeling her on top of me, fighting for dominance? Pure primal nature and I wanted more.
I can’t help but chuckle as I she turns slightly to look at me, her eyes widened in shock and awe.
“This is..” she trails off, turning herself in every direction, clearly still in a state of bewilderment at what I can only assume is the furnishings and overall state of the palace having not stepped foot in it before.
The main hall is decorated with an assortment of expensive paintings and decorations on pure white walls, with marble flooring white with streaks of black and silver. Dark wooden accented tables and stands with roses and other flowers litter the main entrance, matching the giant archway that leads into the next part of the palace.
We’re stopped by Renee, my parent’s personal assistant who I recognize right away. She bows her head to the three of us. She turns to Ivy.
“Welcome to the palace Ivy. My name is Renee and I assist Queen Daciana and King Oryn, Reigns of the Northern Continent. If you need anything while you are here, please do not hesitate to ask. As you’re a guest of Alpha Nathaniel, a room has been set up for you in the guest area of his wing in the palace.”
Ivy nods, still clearly speechless which I find partially amusing as Renee turns to address me.
“My lord, your parents have set up a meeting for tomorrow afternoon at 1:00. Please let me know if there is anything else you require. Your usual room is still as you left it in your wing.”
I nod at her. “Thank you, Renee, I appreciate it. Tell my parents I will see them tomorrow.” She nods and smiles at Tobias before turning and walking away.
Ivy clears her throat before turning to face me. “You have your own wing in the palace?” I chuckle at her disbelief. “Yes. All heirs take over the wing as their own. It gets passed down the royal generations.”
“This is a lot.” She states plainly and I can’t help but agree with her. “It is, but don’t worry, that’s all you really need to know. C’mon, let’s get you settled into your room. It’s getting late.”
All she needs to know for now. Kiba states in my thoughts.
I start to walk slightly ahead of Ivy, leading her through the archway into the main hall that allows access to every other section of the palace. “The two large staircases here lead upstairs to the upper level of the royal ballroom on the right, and another banquet like space on the left. The lower level here leads to the main entrance of the ballroom again on the right, and where we’re going is on the left, to the living quarters. Follow me.”
She nods. “Is the matting ball being held in the ballroom?” She questions and we make our way through the doors on the left side. “Yes. I’ll give you a tour of it within the next couple of days and show you everything you need to know for your performance.”