Chapter 14: Chapter 14

BLAKE:

Blake yawned as the elders, his mother, and the Far Queen talked on and on. He wondered when this meeting would end, so he could go calm his nerves.

"What about our lovely princess? Didn't she come with you?" Elder Matthew asked.

"She said she had something very important to take care of. But she knows she is getting betrothed today." The Fae Queen answered.

"Hmph!" Blake snorted.

"Alpha, did you say something?" The Fae Queen asked, staring at him with her enormous eyes.

Blake faked a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "No, please carry on with the meeting," he said.

The Fae Queen smiled. "So, when are the two betrothed going to see each other and talk?" She asked, looking at them one by one.

"You know our festival is at hand. It would be wiser if they met in your kingdom after the festival," Blake's mother said, and the elders nodded.

"What do you have to say about this, Alpha and Blake? Are you okay with meeting the Fae Princess after the festival?" The Fae Queen asked.

Blake felt like screaming at the top of his voice, and telling them he doesn't want any of this, but that would mean disappointing his mother, the elders, and the Fae Queen herself. It would mean putting his pack at risk. Maybe he could just go with the flow for now. As things progressed, he would know what to do.

"Yes, your highness. I am okay with that." He smiled at her and she smiled back.

"So, it is settled, then. Our Fae kingdom will form an alliance with the Velvet Moon pack through marriage. I am happy to be part of you all," the Fae Queen said,

"The feeling is mutual, your highness," Elder Corbin said.

The Fae Queen clapped her hands, and a Fae came in. He wore a robe that swept the floor as he walked in. He held onto a red-colored box and bowed before giving it to the Fae Queen. She collected it and picked a paper out of it, then scribbled something on it before bringing out her royal stamp. Immediately, she brought that out. Blake saw the elders smile in delight. He saw a proud glint in his mother's eyes, too.

"You all know why we stamp, right?" She asked.

"Yes, your majesty. It is to seal an agreement." Elder Matthew answered.

"Good. Today, I, the Queen of the Faes, in honour and admiration, therefore betroth my daughter, the Fae Princess, to Alpha Blake of the Velvet Moon pack."

With that said, she stamped the paper and her guards stomped their feet, one after the other in a dangerous rhythm. She stretched out her hand and the Fae with the robe, collected the paper, and went to give it to Alpha Blake for him to stamp it as well.

Blake collected the paper and picked up his stamp box from a stool beside the chair he was sitting on. He brought the stamp out and looked at his mother. She nodded, giving him the go-ahead. With shaky hands and a sad heart, he stamped on it too, and the elders clapped.

"It is done! Marriage preparations will begin immediately he visits the Fae Princess," the Fae Queen said as the Fae, with the robe, collected the paper back from Blake.

"It is an honor, your highness," Blake's mother said.

"Thank you," the Fae Queen said and stood up. Blake stood up as well, and the rest followed. She stretched her hand forward for a handshake, and Blake took it reluctantly.

"You are welcome." He smiled as he let go of the hand.

"Thanks for the hospitality," she said and clapped her hands. Her guards stood up and led her out.

Blake's mother and the elders escorted her outside, but Blake remained inside the meeting room. He ran his hands through his hair and headed to the back door, which was the easiest way to the garden, the place he always visited to cool off, whenever he was having a bad day.

Who would think becoming an Alpha would make you shoulder a lot of responsibilities? Some of which would not even settle well with you. You would be treated as if your feelings didn't matter at all. They'll all believe everything was done for the welfare of the pack, leaving you in a devastated state of mind. That was how Blake felt right now. He reached for the door and opened it. To his surprise, he saw Ivy sitting close to the door, watching Meredith, who was sniffing the flowers.

"Poison Ivy?" He called, and she turned to look at him. The way her eyes met his, made his heart flutter.

"Alpha Blake." She stood up and bowed. Meredith came and did the same.

"What are you two doing here?" He asked as his gaze lingered on Ivy.

"We came to relax. The garden is an amazing place for relaxation." Meredith answered.

"She is right." Ivy concurred.

"Oh, that's nice," He cleared his throat. "Meredith, can you excuse us for a minute?" He requested similarly like the last time.

"Sure." she answered, gave Ivy's shoulder a little squeeze before leaving.

"Poison Ivy, walk with me," he said and folded his hands behind his back.

"Okay," she said and followed him.

They walked through the garden in silence as Ivy gushed at the beauty. He could see her smiling and sniffing the flowers as they walked by. There was a particular daisy at the forefront, hanging there and looking so beautiful. He saw her smile as she hurried to grab it. He was faster and took it first. She halted and faced him.

"Um... Take it. It's for you," he said, smiling at her charmingly.

"Thanks." She collected it, sniffed it, and smiled at him.

Blake's heart melted just by seeing her smile. There was something about her that made him want to know her more, something that made him feel connected to her, but he was getting betrothed soon.

"So, how has the pack been treating you?" Blake asked.

"Good. To be honest, I love it here. The people are so nice, friendly and hospitable. It's been an amazing experience so far." Ivy answered.

"And Meredith?" He asked.

"She is so nice. I love her." Ivy responded. Blake could sense the sincerity in her tone, which made him yearn more for her.

"That's nice. I am glad that you love it here." He smiled.

"Thank you." She smiled back.

"But you need to be careful, too. Do not go out at night, because evil might be lurking in every corner," he said.

"What do you mean?" She asked, facing him.

"I mean, you shouldn't go out at night for your own safety. I think I saw someone sneaking out at night the other day. I can't place my hands on the details, but I'm sure it was someone," he said with a knowing glint in his eyes. He didn't want to say it blatantly. His scrutinising gaze was enough to squeeze it out.

Ivy cleared her throat. "Yes, that was me."

"What were you doing out by that time of the night?" He asked, and she bent her head.

He couldn't get why she would leave the pack house at night without anybody knowing. Where could she have gone to? What did she go out to do? Too many questions ran through his mind, and he became anxious. Her silence didn't help matters, either.

"Talk to me, Ivy." He nudged her.

"It's kind of embarrassing." She bit her lips.

"Whatever it is, you can share it with me. I'll help in any way I can." He put his hands on her shoulders.

"I went out to work on my werewolf side. I was restless, and couldn't sleep, so I decided to do it when everyone was asleep. I tried out hunting on my own, but I'm sorry if I was wrong," she said and bent her head again.

"You don't have to feel embarrassed because of that. It's fine if you wanna go to train at night. The weather here in Boston is friendly, but you need to be careful, okay?" he said in a calm and sweet voice.

"Okay, I will. Thanks for understanding," she said.

"It's my pleasure." He smiled.

He looked over her shoulder and saw another daisy. Since he thought she loved daisies, he leaned close to the extent their faces were very close to one another. He grabbed the daisy, but her scent wafting past his nostrils got him stuck there for a bit. He wanted more of that sensational fragrance.

It was like honey mixed with cinnamon, and he could feel his belly twitching in excitement. He set his gaze on her, intense and prolonged. They both leaned in. Blake brushed his lips over hers. The spark he felt when their lips touched sent chills down his spine.

His wolf purred crazily inside him. He put his hand on the back of her head and deepened the kiss, tasting, teasing and savoring every inch of her mouth. He was glad she didn't push him away, but was just as eager. She parted her lips, whimpering softly and giving him the chance to slip his tongue in. He stroked and kissed her with a feverish urge. He dragged her bottom lip roughly between his teeth. Ivy groaned and pressed her body against his.

Someone cleared their throat and they jumped apart.

"That's one way to show off. Sharing spit out in the open?" Neil scoffed.

"How long have you been here?" Blake asked.

He saw Ivy lower her head. The thought of her being embarrassed crossed his mind, and he sighed in guilt.

"Long enough to see what you two were doing. Seriously? That is so not cool." Neil said, and glanced at Ivy.

"I…I'll... I'll take my leave now," Ivy said, bobbing her head and walking away with a hand over her chest.

"Alpha?" Neil knitted his eyebrows, looking more incensed than he should be.

"Neil…"

Neil sneered. "You're treading on thin ice."

"Just…forget about it," Blake said and walked down the route he came.