46. Ivy
T he bright light of morning has broken into my nest, rousing me from my much needed rest. It seems one of my alphas dared to draw the curtains wide while I slept.
Being in heat is such a peculiar thing. The lack of control I had in my mind and body should have terrified me, but my mates worked so very hard to keep me satisfied and secure. My trust in them is now a sturdy, unshakable thing that will continue to grow as we nurture our fresh bonds.
My entire body aches, my nest smells of days’ worth of debauchery, and I’m exhausted beyond measure. But never have I been so content. Oran has wrapped himself around me. My head rests beneath his chin, while he spoons me from behind. Cillian is plastered to my front so I can hear his beating heart.
It’s almost exactly like the familiar, not so fond memory of when I learned of the secrets they’d been keeping. But none of that matters anymore. I feel their love for me and their concern for my well-being through our bonds. I’m certain now that they have never and would never mean to harm me in any manner. There’s so much clarity that comes with these connections, and I’m beyond grateful for it.
“Good morning, petal,” my prime alpha calls, standing near the bed.
He’s half-dressed in only his trousers. Despite the hours we spent tangled together, I’ll admit I’m disappointed; he’s so enticing to look at naked.
“Good morning.” My voice is raspy, hoarse with sleep and all the screaming that came during the craze of heat.
I wiggle my way from between my alphas, though both try with sleep-dreary limbs to keep me close. When I crawl to the edge of the bed, Sloan meets me there—kisses me slowly as he cups my cheeks in his hands.
“Are you well?” he asks, turning my cheek to begin a visual inspection of my body. Every little bruise, every mark was placed there with love.
“I’ve never felt better,” I smile. “All thanks to you three.”
“ Gods, Ivy . You know how to make an alpha feel useful.”
“Of course you’re useful, alpha,” I laugh. “Your knot is a wonder.”
“Cheeky omega,” he huffs, then kisses me again—slow, chaste presses of his lips on mine.
When Sloan pulls away, he places a last peck to my forehead, smiling bright. “It’s a good thing you’re well because I’m here to fetch you.”
“Fetch me? What for?”
Sloan nods. “Well, little omega, your timing is impeccable.”
My brow furrows—it’s always riddles with him. “How so?”
“It so happens that your heat broke just in time for your coronation day.”
I sputter, alarmed that he is so casual even now. My coronation? We haven’t even addressed the court as a pack. “ What? I thought we’d have another day, surely?”
Sloan laughs, rubbing soft circles on the apples of my cheeks with his thumbs. “Unfortunately, no. Ciaran will lose his mind if we even consider postponing. He’s had much to deal with after delivering the news of our pack in Cillian’s place. I’d rather not push him. Besides, it’s better not to leave any more time for dissent to grow. You and Cillian need to assert your rightful place so the court can fall in line.”
A realization dawns on me amidst the mild panicking. Something Cillian mentioned before I feel deep into the throes of my heat. It seems Sloan is unaware of all that today entails.
I smile at him—devious. “I see Cillian never informed you of his plans before my heat started.”
Uncertainty flares in our bond as Sloan’s forehead crinkles. “What’s that, now?”
“Cillian and I aren’t the only ones being crowned today...Prince.”
Sloan’s brows shoot up in surprise, shock flaring in our connection “ Prince ?”
My mate is so handsome when he’s shaken—rarely have I seen his easy facade slip. I wrap my arms around his neck to hold him close and send reassurance down our bond.
“Prince consort, to be precise,” I say with a proud grin. “Loyal to his queen for all eternity.”
My alpha groans, resting his forehead against mine. I can sense his amusement, through the wave of nerves swimming in our connection. Though I know this was never something he intended for himself, he will do this—do anything—for his pack. “You royals and your scheming...”
“ Us royals,” I correct him, kissing the frown from his lips.
* * *
Sloan woke Cillian and Oran soon after, rushing the three of us through the morning. He made sure I was bathed and fed before sending me off to prepare for the festivities.
I still can’t believe the timing—fresh off a heat and expected to face my court with three new bond marks, and two prince consorts in tow.
I wonder if the nobility will even attend. Or perhaps they’ll come so they can jeer and throw produce at me for corrupting their beloved king.
No— I can’t think like that. If problems arose that would precipitate violence after Ciaran announced our pack, someone would have told me by now. At least, I would hope so.
I haven’t gotten the chance to spend much time with either of Cillian’s brothers, but I'm certain they couldn’t hate me so much as to let me walk into the lion’s den.
These nerves are likely stemming from the unrest I’m experiencing after being separated from my alphas. We’ve gone through such an intense few days together and our bonds are so new.
While I’m settled in my feelings for them, I’d rather spend weeks learning, laughing, and growing our love, before facing such a feat as this.
Regardless of my selfish desires, today marks the true beginning of my responsibility to our kingdom—to our people. Their needs will always come before mine.
I only hope our rule will help give a voice to all—bringing Namara into a new era that values the lives of its citizens over the vain notion of legacy.
As I’m lost in my dreams for the future, a knock rings out. I can sense Sloan tugging at our bond just before he enters.
“You again,” I say with a smile. “You’re quite the taskmaster today.”
Teasing my alpha has swiftly become my new favorite activity—simply for the way it makes heat flare in his eyes.
“Well, petal. Someone has to keep this pack in line. If not me, then who?”
He’s right, of course. Were it not for Sloan, I don’t know that our pack would have come together as swiftly as we did. He was there, every step of the way, giving assurances and pushing us out of our comfort zones when needed. He’s truly well-suited as our prime alpha.
Speaking of, I realize for the first time that he is quite spectacularly dressed. While I love him in all fashions—be it for work in the garden or his very own coronation—he is exceedingly handsome.
But today, Sloan is regal dressed in fine emerald cloth with gold patterns. His hair, while usually tied up, cascades over his broad shoulders in the most tantalizing way. I may insist he wear it this way more often. It looks so soft, so silken that I want to wrap my fingers in it while I?—
“Fuck’s sake, petal, your perfume.” Sloan laughs, coming to sweep me up in his arms and kiss me hard on the mouth. “Just had your heat and you’re already eager again?”
I flush. “For you? Always.”
Sloan’s chest rumbles, pleased with the praise. He kisses my bond mark—just a whisper of a touch—leaving me breathless.
“I have something for you,” he says, a smile on his lips.
“More courting gifts?” I ask, hopeful.
I do love gifts. I suppose that’s natural though, as an omega.
“Not quite.”
I swat at his arm. Always so mischievous, so cryptic. “Well! What is it?”
Sloan retreats, not turning his back on me—just as he did in the garden. Another attempt to appear mysterious. When he reaches the door, he opens it wide, leaving me with a rather unsettling, “I think you mean who is it?” before he disappears from view.
My brother fills the threshold, his familiar blue eyes gleaming with pride. I rush into his embrace, holding back tears that threaten to spill. He’s only been gone a week, but so much has happened.
I’m sure he’s heard about the bonding by now, and I’m nervous for his response. His calm demeanor should clue me in to his feelings, as should the fact that neither Aspen nor Lily have come to warn me. Still, Hawthorn’s been so much like a father to me. His approval means more to me than I can articulate.
“Don’t cry, Ivy dear.” He wraps his arms around me and hugs me tightly—just long enough to let the overwhelming emotions settle.
“You’re here,” is all I manage, pulling back to look him in the eye.
“We arrived yesterday.” My brother sweeps an arm out, motioning us back to the settee. When we sit, he nods toward my neck—to the three magnificent, silvery bond marks adorning my throat. “I see much has changed in my absence.”
“Are you angry?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
Thorn chuckles, running his hand through his hair and exhaling deeply. “I’ll be honest—when Aspen told me what happened, I nearly throttled him for allowing our little sister to be taken advantage of by three alphas.”
“ No . Not taken advantage of,” I interject. “We’re Fate-blessed.”
“I know, dear. Let me finish.” My brother pats my hand, amused by my eager defense of my alphas. “Aspen told me everything about the scent matches, your husband’s decree, and…your heat.”
Thorn clears his throat, uncomfortable with having to bring up that last bit. Some things never change.
“And?” I press.
“And at first, I didn’t understand, Ivy. How could I have left my little sister in the care of her Fate-blessed mate and return to find she’d done something so unthinkable?”
I deflate, but I should have expected this. Perhaps in time he’ll see how beautiful a pack can be—how it’s the only way forward for me, my sisters, and Oleander. I don’t want any of us to experience what our mother went through.
“ But ,” he chimes, renewing my hope.
“But?”
“Then he told me what your king had learned about packs, and I couldn’t believe I’d been so dense. I knew the common folk lived much longer than us, but I never asked why. Instead, I perpetuated long held ideals that set my siblings up for a life of pain and suffering. I swore I’d do better for you than our parents did and here, I failed.”
My heart seizes. Of course he would blame himself for the ways of the world despite the fact that this tradition has long been established. He didn’t know because no one’s ever told him. No one’s ever asked. We simply accepted the status quo.
Hawthorn isn’t motivated by legacy and lineage like our father was, and he would never have purposely put us in a dangerous situation. I don’t blame him for this in the slightest.
“Thorn, no . You couldn’t have known this. None of us did. Cillian only learned by accident. Had he not eavesdropped on his father’s conversation, we could still be living in the dark.”
He frowns, unconvinced. “I would never seek to tear you from your pack, Ivy. So long as you’re happy and cared for, I’ll stand behind you. Not only as your brother but as an ally—as the King of Lucernia exalting the bravery of Namara’s new queen.
Fresh tears well in my eyes, and I launch myself into my brother’s embrace once more. It’s such a relief to know Thorn is exactly the alpha I’ve always known him to be. Not once has he failed to demonstrate the selfless, unconditional spirit of love.
“There there, dear,” he mutters, patting my back until my sobbing subsides.
I sniffle, wiping the tears from my cheeks. “Thank you.”
“No, Ivy, thank you . Because of your courage, our kingdoms will be changed for the better.”
“There are those who may not welcome the change.”
I’m still nervous about what could befall my siblings because of this. Regardless of Hawthorn’s support, there are many kingdoms who may respond poorly. If my actions were to rob my siblings of the chance to marry, I’m not sure I could forgive myself.
“People are stubborn,” he admits, smiling. “But they are also self-interested. Once they learn of the benefits: longer lives, compounded wealth...and the other more salacious elements…” My brother coughs, his cheeks red with embarrassment for having to speak of this with his sister. “They will come around.”
“You truly believe that?”
He nods. “I do.”
I laugh then, grinning widely. The lightness in my chest is a welcome, freeing thing. For days I’ve juggled guilt and elation, excitement and apprehension. Today, it seems, I can just allow myself happiness for this new life I’m forging with my wonderful alpha mates.
“You will love them, Thorn.”
“If you love them, so will I, little sister.”
“And the others—what do they think?” With all this excitement, I’ve yet to ask about my other siblings.
Thorn chuckles. “Sage feels as I do. And Cillian has spoken to Aspen and Lily who are in your corner. The twins…well…they will revel in the influx of alpha attention as I’m sure you can imagine.”
I frown, noting his purposeful exclusion of Rose.
“And Rosie? Is she angry?”
Hawthorn scratches the back of his head, averting his gaze. I thought my sister might be livid. For all she hates alphas, I can only imagine she’s losing her head over the fact that I have bonded with three.
“Rose doesn’t know,” he breathes.
“What do you mean she doesn’t know?” How can he say that when he’s spent a week with her?
“Well, I only learned when we arrived back in Namara.”
I don’t understand. Would she not have learned then as well? “Thorn? You’re speaking in riddles.”
My brother pauses, further stalling and making me sweat. He’s usually so composed and quick with his words.
“Rose is still in Glenndyre—with Blair.”
I raise my brows. That is an interesting development. “By choice?”
He sighs. “I suppose you could say that, but I don’t know, Ivy. She was so peculiar while we were there. I’ve never seen her behave in such a way. And the way Blair was carrying on...I thought maybe he was similar to Cillian. That perhaps he and Rose were?—”
“A scent match?”
Hawthorn nods. “But then she would screech and say she hated him, as she usually does. And on the day we were set to leave, she locked herself in her chambers. Wouldn’t even come out to say goodbye.”
“I don’t understand.”
That doesn’t sound like my sister at all. If anything, I would think she’d be climbing the walls to get out of the palace and onto the ship.
“Neither do we,” he says. “But, I intend to check on her. After your coronation, we’ll stay for a few weeks, as we planned. Then we’ll travel to Glenndyre before returning to Lucernia.”
I don’t like the uncertainty surrounding my sister. But if she stayed willingly, perhaps Thorn’s theory is right. Maybe Rose just needed to come to terms with the scent match, as I have done.
“Are you worried?” I ask.
“For Rosie? Always. She will give me gray hairs one day,” he chuckles. “But she’s also capable, and smart as a whip. I have no doubt she will hold her own against anyone she comes across.”
He’s too right. Our Rose is one of a kind.
For now, I’ll trust in my brother’s assessment and hope she’s busy finding her happiness. I wish she were here to see me crowned—and just for the simple fact that I miss her. But Glenndyre is only a short voyage and I’m sure I’ll be seeing her soon enough.
“But, enough of that,” he says, smiling. “You have a celebration to prepare for. And I have the twins to wrangle.”
Thorn and I share another laugh, standing to embrace each other a final time before he goes to find what trouble Daisy and Oleander are getting themselves into.
“I’m so proud of you, Ivy,” he says, the sentiment mirrored in his eyes.
Pride flares down the bond from Cillian. From Sloan, and Oran too. Their love is a warm, rushing light I never want to live without.
And now, I no longer worry I might have to.