Chapter 14
583 Words
(Ivy’s POV)
The forest suddenly changed.
The air felt different.
Heavier.
Colder.
Even the wind had gone still.
River slowed until we came to a complete stop.
“River?”
She didn’t answer.
Her ears stood tall as she stared into the trees ahead.
Every instinct inside me screamed that someone was watching us.
Then—
A twig snapped.
A tall man stepped from between the pines as if he’d been part of the forest the entire time.
He looked to be in his late forties, broad-shouldered and powerfully built. Dark hair framed a sharp jaw, while piercing blue eyes swept over the clearing with practiced ease.
Power rolled off him in waves.
Not loud.
Not boastful.
Controlled.
Confident.
The kind of power that didn’t need to announce itself.
His gaze landed on me.
For just a moment…
Surprise flashed across his face.
Then it disappeared.
Behind me, Jace came to an abrupt halt.
“So…” the stranger said calmly.
“I was wondering why I smelled trespassers.”
His eyes never left Jace.
“Alpha Jace.”
The title hung in the air like a challenge.
Jace’s jaw clenched.
“Move.”
The stranger didn’t.
Instead, he folded his arms across his chest.
“I thought I made myself clear the last time.”
His voice remained calm.
“You are not welcome in Ironwood territory.”
Kolton stepped forward with a low growl.
“This doesn’t concern you.”
A faint smile tugged at the stranger’s lips.
“You’re standing on my land.”
He tilted his head slightly.
“I’d say it concerns me.”
Jace took one threatening step forward.
“She belongs to me.”
For the first time, the stranger looked at me instead of Jace.
His expression hardened.
“You’re mistaken.”
The three words weren’t loud.
They didn’t need to be.
They carried enough authority to silence the entire clearing.
Kolton’s growl deepened.
“You don’t know what she is.”
The stranger’s eyes remained fixed on me.
For the briefest moment…
Something flickered across his face.
Recognition.
River suddenly became alert.
“Ivy…”
“What?” I whispered.
“Don’t move.”
The stranger slowly started walking toward me.
Every step was careful.
Measured.
Like he didn’t want to frighten me.
Jace’s voice cut through the silence.
“Run all you want…”
His crimson eyes locked onto mine.
“…but I always find what belongs to me.”
Ice spread through my chest.
The stranger stopped walking.
Without turning around, he spoke.
“If you know what’s best for you…”
His voice became noticeably colder.
“…you’ll leave.”
Silence.
Jace let out a low, dangerous growl.
For several long seconds, neither Alpha moved.
The forest itself seemed to hold its breath.
Finally, Jace took a slow step backward.
His eyes never left mine.
“Don’t worry, Princess,” he said darkly.
“I’ll be back.”
A cruel smile crossed his face.
“And when I return…”
“…you’ll be punished.”
A shiver raced down my spine.
Then, with one final glare toward the stranger, Jace turned.
Kolton followed.
One by one, the rest of the wolves disappeared back into the trees.
Only when the last scent faded did I finally breathe again.
The forest became eerily quiet.
I slowly took a step backward.
Then another.
I just needed to get away.
“Pup.”
My entire body froze.
The deep voice came from directly behind me.
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