60

Nathaniel’s POV
It feels so good to have her in my arms again. Kane takes his jacket off and drapes it over my mate, covering her chilled naked body as she clings to me tightly. I hear her sniffle and I rest my face in the crook of her neck and coo lightly to her. “Shh, baby. It’s okay. You’re safe now.”
I glance over her shoulder, looking at the now two dead bodies of Alarik and Cole as I squeeze her tighter.
“Let’s get home.” I say as I adjust her weight, keeping her as close to me as possible while walking back to the car.
— –
The trip continues in utter silence, the air thick with tension and emotion. I look over in the car at Ivy to my left, now dressed in black sweats and a long-sleeved grey shirt that I had brought in the chance we found her. I watch as she stares out the window, seemingly entranced by the blowing snow outside. Her eyes are wet, but no tears fall as if she’s afraid to let them go in fear they’d never stop.
I feel her heartbreak through our bond, and I want to comfort her so badly, but I know she needs space. I can sense Seles in her now and I know they’ll need time to process all that’s happened.
She will talk when she’s ready.
I glance across the back seat at Kane and Genevieve, and they both give me half smiles in silence, thankful that we found her, but clearly worried about how she is.
I clear my throat and glance out my own window for a few moments before Ivy speaks.
“Alarik tried to save me.”
I turn my attention to her, and she turns to face me and wipes a stray tear away. I don’t respond, giving her time to collect herself to continue.
“He started pushing against Cole in the last week or so that they had me there. He wasn’t happy with how Cole was handling things and was feeling manipulated and used. He was disagreeing with him more often.”
She shifts her weight and rolls her neck slightly. “He told me that Cole convinced him to kill the previous Beta, and that it tainted his wolf so badly that he didn’t react well around other wolves. He left my cell open and the house so that I could get out. He came to find me after I confronted Cole and ran off. He defended me, he…”
She rambles out her sentences quickly before choking back a sob and covering her mouth.
She takes a few deep breaths and then looks to me.
“I don’t want his name tarnished for this. Cole was the instigator of all of it. Can we do something so that his memory isn’t tainted by this?”
I nod. “Of course. In the end he knew what he had to do. He knew what Cole was doing was wrong and redeemed himself by trying to make sure you got home safe.” She nods and half smiles. “Thank you. As much as I didn’t like him, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him. His death was the catalyst for Seles to come forward again. He saved me in more ways than one.”
“Speaking of Seles.” Kane says quietly, before continuing. “She was just a white wolf before right Ivy?”
She nods. “Yeah, just white. Why?” She questions as she looks at him.
“Her fur seemed to almost shimmer like silver. Was it ever like that before she got locked away?”
Ivy shakes her head. “No. I remember clearly. She was just white.”
“I have a theory, but I think we will need to test it when we get back.”
“Which is?” Evie questions, joining in on the conversation.
“I think Ivy being bound by silver for so long may have affected them both in some way or another, but we can figure it out when we get back home. Ivy you should rest if you can, you’ve been through a lot.” He states with concern, and I see Ivy go to protest but shut her mouth as quickly as she went to open it.
“I should.”
I lift my arm to signal for her to come over to me and she curls into my lap, resting her head on my shoulder like a little baby. Her green eyes look up at me, clear exhaustion evident in them. I kiss her forehead and wrap my arm around her to keep her in place.
“Sleep now, songbird. I love you.”
She smiles. “I love you too.”
— –
Ivy’s POV
It’s been a few weeks since I killed Cole and I’m still processing, but I feel a hell of a lot better than I did before. I’ve just been taking it easy, making sure to take the time I need to get myself right again. Nathaniel has been nothing but supportive and I’m so thankful to be back home, safe and with him again. I’m getting back to myself each day.
We buried Alarik in the graveyard on the packlands, and held a ceremony regarding his bravery and sacrifice, and the council officially cleared him of all charges as Nathaniel had promised. I’m still sad that he passed but will forever be grateful to him for protecting me and looking out for me in the end.
Seles and I have been working on our communication again and becoming more and more stronger each day. I can shift easily now, and all seems well. We’ve been going on runs with Nathaniel, Evie and Kane and the sense of belonging has been heart warming and welcoming. I don’t feel like such an outcast anymore.
I stretch and groan loudly as I step outside, the sun shining brightly making all the undisturbed snow sparkle like diamonds across the lands around me. I’m currently waiting for Nathaniel to get back from a visit to the rogue compound, as Lela and Volmir are transferring to our pack today.
It’s odd to know that they were part of the attack that had started all of this in the first place, but I feel oddly comforted that they are going to be a part of the pack now. I don’t feel any ill will towards them, as I know Cole manipulated them as well, played on their vulnerabilities. He was a sick and twisted individual, but hopefully now we can all heal from his torment and scheming and live together peacefully.
I squint as I see a car pulling up and my heart stammers in excitement as I can sense Nate’s presence in the car even more now that I have Seles again. Our bond still isn’t complete, but it’s stronger, heightened by our wolves feeling connected.
I plan to change that soon, warrior.
I hear Seles in my head, and I laugh lightly. We’ve both been planning something special for our mate, and as nervous as I am for it, I’m excited too.
The car pulls up and Nathaniel is out of the car first and walks up to me and pulls me into an embrace, peppering me with kisses and I laugh. “Hi there.” I state happily and he backs off and flashes me a wide grin. “I missed you, songbird.”
“I missed you too!” I peek around him and see Lela and Volmir exit the car and approach. Nathaniel moves to stand behind me and they both bow in respect to me.
“Luna Queen.” Lela and Volmir both say with pride and rise. I reach out my hand and shake theirs both before pulling them into tight hugs. “I’m glad you’re both here now, and I hope you can find some peace living your life with our pack.”
Lela smiles at me. “Thank you, Luna. We wanted to apologize for our contribution to what happened to you.”
“I accept. It wasn’t your fault.” I say quickly and I watch as the two look at each other and tears brim in their eyes. “It’s time to start over fresh. Welcome to Crystal Moon.” I say proudly as Nate grasps my hand, squeezing it tightly in reassurance. Lela and Volmir bow before taking their leave and I turn to Nathaniel and wrap my arms around his neck.
“How are you?” He asks and I smile. “I’m really good. Finally feeling more like myself.”
“I hated having to leave you. I thought I was being selfish again.”
“I’m not mad I promise.” I state calmly as I grasp his face in my hands.
“I shouldn’t have left; you were still recovering. Hell, you still kind of are.”
“You made a promise, and I swear it was fine. You’ve given me the space and support I’ve needed to get through this. Stop thinking that you’re not acting proper towards me. You have duties, I have duties. You’re fine to leave me occasionally.”
“Evie didn’t think of it that way.”
“Of course, she didn’t, but that was different.” I massage his shoulders as I continue. “You’ve identified those flaws and you’ve worked so hard to not let them affect us. I’m proud of you owning up to what happened, even though I don’t think it was as serious as Evie stated it to be.”
I back away from him slightly. “But that’s how her and I are different, I guess. All that matters is that I love you, and that we’re together wholeheartedly.”
His gaze softens as he pulls me in for a hard kiss, and I chuckle lightly as he pulls away from me, my lips slightly throbbing, and desire pooling in my belly. I push the feeling away to keep myself composed, but I know Nathaniel caught my arousal and he smiles wickedly.
A low growl escapes his throat and I put my hand out and laugh. “Stop right there. Seles and I planned our whole evening, so don’t go all crazy on me now.”
“Oh?” He questions seductively and I can’t help but bite my lip.
“Yes, so keep it in your pants until later, okay?” I joke and he laughs loudly before taking my hand to head back into our home.