Chapter 22: Chapter 22

BLAKE:

Blake's mind was filled with a lot of things while he was getting dressed to go to the Fae Land and propose as he should. He kept thinking about what had happened with the Omega and why he was not able to remember anything. He couldn't place his fingers on what really happened, but it gave him a chilly feeling inside. Could the Omega be under a spell? Because as far as he knew, his subjects won't dare to lie to him. He sighed as he put on his clothes. In order to avoid his mother's nagging, he decided to wear something important, something an Alpha King should put on.

The outfit was simple, but made it so that he didn't feel bad for wearing pants when it would only be proper to wear trousers. After looking in his wardrobe again, he took the time to choose something different from how he usually wore it, because he didn't want to look like he was trying too hard. He found a dark grey vest top with black stripes, which went down until at his stomach. His pants were black and fitted tightly around his legs. A pair of black leather boots finished his outfit. Satisfied with what he saw in the mirror, Blake grinned and stepped out.

Ian and Neil were already waiting for him outside. They had wanted to bid him farewell. "Are you missing me already?" Blake teased as he closed the door.

Ian scoffed. "Missing you? We came to bid you farewell." He answered.

"I see..." Blake said and rubbed his temple. He was quiet for a while before looking at them. "You know I need to do this, right?"

Neil looked at him with surprise. "Of course! The Queen is counting on you!" He replied.

Blake felt slightly guilty when he thought about his mother, who wanted him to do this. He sighed and faced his beta and cousin.

"Make sure to tackle the case of the Omega, who bit a vampire and don't forget to give me feedback when I return." Blake ordered.

"You can count on us," Ian said. Neil only nodded. "You know, I am your Beta and it would have been good for me to follow you to the Fae land, you know."

"Are you going there to propose as well?" Neil asked nonchalantly and Blake chuckled while Ian glared.

"I understand your point, Ian. But, there are a lot of things that need your attention here. Take the Omega and Vampire case, for example. I need someone to take care of the pack while I'm gone, so stop whining like a baby." Blake patted his shoulder.

Ian sighed. "Fine. Follow me, the car is ready," Ian said as he led the way.

When they got to the car, his mother was already waiting for him. "What took you so long?" She asked immediately. He stopped in front of her.

"Getting dressed, of course." He answered.

She scanned his body with her eyes and sighed before cupping his cheek. "You know you have to do this, right?" She asked.

"Yes, mother." Blake answered.

"I don't want anything to go wrong, Blake. We have come this far to go back. This proposal is an important one; it is what will make our pack have a higher hand against the witches. Don't screw this up!" She warned in a very firm tone, to signify that she was serious and meant what she said.

"I have heard you, Mother." He replied.

She let go of his face and entered the car. Blake sighed and faced Ian and Neil. "I'm leaving the pack in your care. No mistakes! I'll be back." He ordered and entered the car.

"Go well," Ian said as they took off. He sighed and looked at Neil, who rolled his eyes and walked away, taking the road to the mansion. Ian scoffed and took another route.

***

All through the journey, Blake wasn't in a good mood. He said nothing and when his mother talked, he would only nod his head and turn to look at the road. He hated every bit of the journey, considering that he wasn't happy with whatever he was going to the Fae land to do.

Now and then, his mind would go back to the pack he had left behind and especially Ivy. He couldn't stop thinking about her. He was also worried about her strange behavior that day. Blake couldn't comprehend why she would get sad and gloomy because he mentioned her parents. She also left him there in the woods. He wondered whether he had said something wrong. Blake couldn't wait to get things at the Fae land over with, then return to see her and clear things. If he had his way, he would have taken her with him, but it would look suspicious. How can you bring a lady to a place of proposal? It would make things look awkward and suspicious, and that would not be good. He ruffled his head a bit and looked at the driver.

"Hasten up a bit." He ordered.

The driver nodded. "Yes, Alpha."

Blake leaned his back on the car seat and sighed, ignoring his mother's lingering gaze. He didn't want to say anything because that would give birth to another discussion between him and her and they would center it on the proposal, which is something he didn't want to talk about.

IVY:

Ivy had taken off her hunting clothes and wore a short black dress which didn't reach her knees, but didn't expose her body. She sighed as her mind went back to the time she spent with Blake in the woods. Everything was going fine until he asked that question, the question she had always tried to avoid in any conversation. She ran her hands through her hair and cleared her throat.

"I'm bored," she muttered and pouted. "I should probably go out and take some fresh air. Where could Meredith be?" She asked no one in particular and got down from the bed. She slid into her fluffy slippers and opened the door to go out.

When she opened the main door, she came face to face with Neil. She gasped and moved back. "Did I startle you?" He asked.

"Somehow. I had no idea that there was someone at the door." Ivy answered, tucking a bit of her hair behind her ears.

"Oh," Neil muttered as he looked at her from head to toes before asking. "So, where are you off to?"

"I was bored, so I decided to step out and get some fresh air." Ivy answered.

"Sounds fun. Shall I accompany you?" Neil asked.

"Huh?" Ivy was surprised.

"I asked if I should accompany you," He said.

"That would be great, but aren't you busy?" She asked.

"With what?"

"Helping the Alpha, of course." She replied.

"Not at all," Ian answered. "The Alpha has traveled to the Fae land, so I have a bit of time."

Ivy nodded and closed the door as they walked. She couldn't help but wonder what he had gone to do in the Fae lands. Could it be what she was thinking? Is he going there to get married to that Fae princess? Ivy couldn't stop thinking, so she decided to ask Neil.

"You said that the Alpha traveled to the Fae lands,"

"Yes." Neil replied.

"Um... What did he go to do there?" She asked and saw a smile appear on Neil's lips.

"He went to propose to the Fae princess so they could start the marriage preparations." Neil answered, and she felt like a thousand needles just pricked her heart.

"Oh, that is if she agrees, right?" Ivy asked in a bid to comfort herself.

"Of course she would agree. That was why her mother, the Fae Queen, came the other day," Neil said, and Ivy felt like he was adding to her wounds.

"That's... That's... um... Cool." She said and smiled at Neil, so he wouldn't suspect anything. Neil returned the smile as they strode down the road.

"Let's forget about that and talk about something else." Neil suggested.

"Fine by me." She grinned.

"So, how has your stay in the pack been? Do you like it here?" Neil asked.

"Yes. It's been amazing so far, considering the fact that the people are hospitable and didn't reject me." She answered.

"That's cool. They must have liked your personality, that's why." Neil smiled and she smiled back. "How about Meredith?" He asked.

"Well... Meredith has been more like a sister than a friend to me. I like her a lot. She didn't make me feel lonely, but always there to help me." Ivy answered with a smile as she remembered the times they spent together.

"That's her for you. Fierce but nice and warm," Neil said, and Ivy chuckled.

"How about you?" Ivy asked.

"I'm an elder," He said and raised his shoulders with pride, which made Ivy laugh.

"It's obvious. You're older than her," Ivy said, and Ian chuckled. "It's nice walking with you. I'm not bored anymore." Ivy looked at him and smiled.

"Of course! There's no boredom where I am." Neil flashed her a smile, which made her laugh.

She was glad that she got to spend time with him. At least she won't be alone and think too much.