33

Ivy’s POV
It’s the beginning of the second week of the retreat and I’m just getting out of the shower as Nate and I have made plans to go walk around town today and do some shopping. He showered earlier and left to go arrange our ride into the city.
I had told Nate that I wanted to get Kane and Genevieve something from the trip, so he suggested we go walk around town and see if anything catches my eye in any of the shops.
I’m excited.
I walk out of the bathroom, towel wrapped around me and head to the closet to pick out my clothes. I settle on black ripped jeans with a grey flowy tank top and place them onto the bed. I reach and grab a bra and underwear and quickly slip them on, dropping the towel.
It’s then I hear a small whistle come from behind me. I turn and see Nate eyeing me up and down and I blush.
I know he’s seen me naked multiple times now but the effect he has on me is intoxicating.
I change into my clothes and pull my hair up into a simple ponytail and put on some minimal makeup as Nate responds to some more emails from Tobias, and some moments later, we’re ready to go. We walk out of our room together, seeing Sara and the other wolves hanging out in the main area of our suites. As soon as Sara meets my gaze, she stands and approaches us. “Going somewhere?” She asks sweetly and I nod.
“Into town.” Is all I say, and she smiles and looks to Nate. “Enjoying yourself here, Alpha King?” She questions and I feel Nate brush his hand with mine and he grasps it tightly, and I notice Sara’s eyes dart to our hands intertwined and her eyes widen for a short moment in disbelief.
“Why yes, Sara. I’m very much enjoying myself. Especially with Ivy.”
Sara clears her throat awkwardly and nods. “Have fun in town.”
“We will.” I state and smile at her. She turns and goes back to everyone else while Nate and I head out towards the front of the resort.
“I don’t know what her issue is.” I say softly and Nate squeezes my hand as we continue to walk. “She wants what she can’t have baby, she’s jealous. But let her keep going on like that, it just makes her look pathetic to everyone around her, pining over someone that doesn’t want her.”
I squeeze his hand back. “I’m not sure why you picked me of all people, but I’m glad you did.”
— –
“There’s so much here for a resort town.” I say as we walk past a wide array of stores and small shops. I’m a bit overwhelmed at it all, but having Nate here makes it tolerable.
We continue to walk, and I see a crystal shop and tug on Nate’s hand. “I’d like to go in there for Evie. She loves crystals and stones.”
He smiles. “Okay, let’s go.”
We walk into the quaint store, the scent of herbs and incense flooding my senses the moment we enter. I see wide assortments of crystals amethysts, onyx, citrine, geodes and the like all arranged beautifully in displays with varying sizes and shapes. We walk down each section of tables and I pick out four crystals for Genevieve; rose quartz, red jasper, black tourmaline, and of course a moonstone for our wolf heritage.
“These your choices?” Nate asks and I nod, feeling really excited about giving them to Genevieve.
We purchase them and head back out, the small paper bag with the gemstones hanging from my wrist as we continue.
“Are there any weapon shops in town? I thought I may get Kane a side blade of some sort.” Nate nods. “Yeah, there’s a blacksmith just a couple roads down from us, he makes everything by hand. They’re pretty good pieces. I have a few of my own back home.”
“Okay let’s go there then.” I state and we go to walk, but Nate’s phone rings. We stop and he takes it out of his pocket and his face grows concerned. “It’s Tobias. He wouldn’t call unless it’s important…” He trails off and I look at him. “Answer it, silly. I’m alright.”
He half smiles at me and then with a swift movement he answers. “Tobias. What is it?” He turns away from me for a moment and I look around us and I see a small girl near one of the shops close to us. I see her looking around wildly for something and I decide to approach her. I kneel and hear her panic in her voice as she looks at me.
“I can’t find my mom and dad. Do you know where they are?” I shake my head. “I don’t sweetheart. Where were you with them last?” I question and I see the gears turn in her head as she thinks deeply. “They said we were going to go eat, but then I got separated and now I can’t find them.”
“Are you from here? What’s your name?” she nods. “Yeah, we live here. There are just too many people. I’m Nina.”
“Okay Nina. Let’s see if we can find them. Where are the restaurants?” She points to her left. “Over there.”
“Okay.” I stand and hold out my hand to her and she takes it. “Let’s find your mom and dad okay.” She smiles and nods and we head off towards the restaurants. It’s only a few moments before we arrive, and I see Nina looking back and forth for her parents. “What does your mom look like?”
“She’s blond with an orange top on and blue shorts.” I look around then, fixing my eyes on all the people around us and I notice a woman and man looking more frantic than the others. They get closer and their eyes land on Nina and I and they run over.
“Nina! Thank goodness you are okay baby.” The mother says as she scoops her up in her arms, she looks at me and mouths a thank you and I nod. Nina’s father shakes my hand. “Thank you for helping her, we really appreciate it. Easy for a little girl to get lost with all these people.”
“She was brave. You’ve got a wonderful daughter. Take care.”
“You too. Thank you again.”
I watch them all walk off together and smile to myself, happy I helped her.
I decide to wander in the area and take in the sights and sounds of all that’s around me, but not before long I realize that I’ve wandered far off from Nate and I’m not sure which direction to head back in. I exhale deeply, feeling worried that I may not find my way back.
I keep wandering, thinking that I’m going in the right direction, but then I stop.
I’m totally lost.
I feel off, like someone’s watching me and my heart starts to race.
I decide to pull out my phone and call Nate. He answers on the first ring. “Ivy! Where are you?” I hear the slight panic in his voice.
“I’m okay, I went and helped a little girl, she was lost. Then I got lost myself.”
“What’s near you?”
I look around and notice a large carved stone statue of a horse.
“A horse statue.”
“I know where you are. Stay put there. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
“Okay.” We hang up and I go over and lean up against the statue waiting for him. It’s not long before I see his large form walking up to me and as soon as he reaches me, he engulfs me in a tight hug.
“I was worried. I hung up from Tobias and you were nowhere to be found.” He backs up and places a kiss on my lips. “I’m sorry. I was trying to help someone, and it didn’t dawn on me that I don’t know my way around.” I feel a pang of guilt for making him worry.
“It’s okay. Did you still want to go to the blacksmith?” I nod. “Yes, and then food?” I ask and he nods. “Of course.”
Nathaniel’s POV
I was worried about her, more than I’d like to admit but I’m glad she called me when she got lost. I watch her admiring the blacksmith’s weapons and my mind drifts to what Tobias called to talk to me about.
Another rogue attack on another pack in my territory.
I may have to cut the trip short if this persists. These attacks are becoming more frequent, and something may need to be done about the rogues. They don’t follow regular pack rules and traditions, but I know they have a leader.
A leader who I may need to have a conversation with and get to the bottom of this.
I’m drawn back to Ivy as she holds a blade in her hands, a side dagger with a blackened leather handle and some etching done in the blade.
“This is perfect.” She turns to the blacksmith. “Is there an area in the back or something where I can test it out? Just weight wise and handling.” The blacksmith nods and leads her and I into his training room in the back.
“Ivy, you know how to use that?” I ask and she nods.
“Did I forget to tell you?”
“Tell me what?” I question intently and she chuckles.
“I guess I did.”
She pauses and tosses the blade in the air and I low key panic but she then backflips, catching the blade artfully before landing in a warrior stance close to the ground. It’s then it dawns on me.
“You were a warrior before, weren’t you?”
She nods. “Yes. Only female one in Red Moon.” She places the blade in its sheath and hands it to the blacksmith. “I’ll get it. Thank you.”
I approach her. “Part of the life story you haven’t told me, right?” She nods before she tightens her ponytail.
“It’s my old life. Without my wolf I can’t be that anymore.” I go to continue the conversation, but the blacksmith brings her the case with the blade in it and she hands him her payment for it. I reach over and take the case from her, and we walk back through the blacksmith store and back outside. I feel her sadness emanating from her as we walk.
“You know you can tell me.” I state as we walk towards the restaurants, and she nods. I know I’m pushing when I said I’d respect her wishes but deep down I want to know.
“I know, I’m just still not there yet. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. I’m sorry I keep reminding you of something you know. I just want to be there for you.”
She stops me and pushes up on her tiptoes to kiss me lightly.
“You are there for me, and I admire you for it.”