Chapter 15
817 Words
(Ivy’s POV)
“Come out.”
The voice wasn’t harsh.
But it wasn’t optional either.
River’s ears lowered.
“He’s an Alpha.”
“I know.”
“He’s strong.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat.
Slowly, I stepped out from behind the trees.
The man stood several feet away, giving me space.
He didn’t move toward me.
Didn’t reach for me.
Didn’t even raise his voice.
“I’m not going to hurt you,” he said calmly.
I stayed silent.
Years of experience had taught me one thing.
People lied.
He studied me for a long moment before speaking again.
“Shift.”
I didn’t move.
His silver eyes softened.
“Please.”
River looked at me.
“He’s asking.”
Before I could respond, his voice deepened.
“Shift.”
The Alpha command wrapped around me.
Firm.
Impossible to ignore.
Pain rippled through my body as River willingly released control.
Bones shifted.
Fur receded.
My paws became hands once more.
The cold winter air bit at my bare skin.
I wrapped my arms around myself instinctively.
Without a word, the Alpha removed the heavy robe draped over his shoulder and tossed it toward me.
I caught it awkwardly.
There was no hunger in his eyes.
No cruelty.
No judgment.
Only quiet patience.
I slipped the robe over my shoulders as quickly as I could.
It was far too large.
It smelled of cedar, leather…
And home.
“Look at me.”
His voice was gentle.
Not a command.
A request.
I hesitated before finally lifting my eyes.
He looked to be in his early fifties.
Dark brown hair was streaked with silver at the temples.
His silver eyes held years of experience…
And a weariness that only came from carrying the weight of an entire pack.
He didn’t look at me the way Jace always had.
Like I was something to own.
He looked…
Concerned.
“You’ve been through a lot.”
It wasn’t a question.
I nodded once.
“I’m Ivy Black,” I whispered.
“And my wolf is River.”
His expression changed.
Almost imperceptibly.
“Ivy… Black.”
He repeated my name slowly.
As if searching his memory.
Then he looked back toward the trees where Jace had disappeared.
“Why does Alpha Jace want you?”
My throat tightened.
“I…”
The words wouldn’t come.
I opened my mouth.
Nothing.
Eight years of fear wrapped around my throat like chains.
Vincent didn’t rush me.
He simply waited.
Patiently.
Finally…
“He bought me.”
The words were barely audible.
Vincent’s jaw tightened.
“When I was twelve.”
Silence.
“He took me from the Rogue King.”
Another silence.
“I’ve… I’ve been his servant ever since.”
I couldn’t stop once I started.
“He put a shock collar around my neck.”
“I wasn’t allowed to eat unless I earned it.”
“I slept in an attic.”
“If I disobeyed…”
My voice cracked.
“I was punished.”
Tears blurred my vision.
“Darren almost beat me to death.”
The last sentence broke me.
Everything I’d held inside for eight years came crashing down at once.
I covered my face, trying to stop the sobs.
Instead…
Strong arms wrapped around me.
I froze.
Vincent didn’t force the hug.
He simply held me.
Steady.
Protective.
Like he was giving me permission to fall apart.
“It’s alright,” he said quietly.
“You’re safe now.”
Safe.
No one had ever said those words to me…
And meant them.
I clutched the front of his robe as years of pain poured out of me.
I cried for my parents.
For Isaac.
For the childhood I never got to have.
For the girl I’d been forced to become.
Vincent never interrupted.
He simply stood there until the tears finally slowed.
When I pulled away, embarrassment flooded my cheeks.
“I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to apologize for.”
He gently brushed a tear from beneath my eye.
Then he smiled.
The first genuine smile I’d seen from anyone in years.
“You’re coming with me.”
I blinked.
“What?”
“To Ironwood Pack.”
“I can’t just…”
“You already have.”
Confusion filled my face.
He chuckled softly.
“You crossed into my territory the moment you outran Jace.”
Then he extended his hand.
“My name is Vincent Fletcher.”
I stared at it.
The name stirred something familiar.
Not a memory…
More like a feeling.
As though I’d heard it long ago.
“I promise you this, Ivy.”
His voice became steady.
“As long as you stand beneath Ironwood’s trees…”
“No one will ever put another collar around your neck.”
Something inside me finally loosened.
For the first time in eight years…
I believed someone.
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