At the beginning

Chapter 5

Ivy

I sat on the park bench waiting for Liam to arrive. Internally, I was kicking myself for being on time. Liam was notorious for being late.

Expected, at 10:10am, Liam strolled through the park towards me.

I pointed to my watch and shook my head teasingly. Liam chucked and shrugged.

“I knew I should have told you 9:30am and you might have been on time!” I rolled my eyes. Liam smiled.

“If I was on time you wouldn’t feel comforted by my familiarity.” Liam argued. I groaned.

“The usual?” Liam wriggled his eyebrows at me.

“Yep! Let’s do it!” I agreed happily, following him across the road to the bank of shops.

The bell rang as Liam pushed the door open. I was overwhelmed by the nostalgia of it instantly. The long ice-cream freezer, the small wicker tables, massive chalkboard menu on the back wall, and Nancy’s warm face greeting us. As soon as she noticed it was us, she rushed around from behind the counter and wrapped her arms around me warmly.

“Ivy! So good to have you home!” Nancy gushed. I smile.

“Morning Nancy!” Liam added, clearly feeling left out. Nancy giggled before patting him gently on the cheek.

“Good to see you too, Liam.” She winked. “Now what’ll we have this morning? The usual?” Nancy grinned.

“Yes please!” I agreed happily.

“Prefect! Have a seat, and I’ll have that ready in a few minutes.” She waved her hand at us, ushering us to the empty tables.

We sat down and waited. Liam told me about his family dinner and how his brother, Will. Was no different, still as cold as ever. I sat and listened, happy to have someone else’s problems to listen to instead of my own.

“So how was last night?” Liam asked as Nancy placed my double chocolate milkshake with whipped cream, caramel topping and strawberries on top and Liam’s coconut milkshake with whipped cream, chocolate topping and coconut flakes on top, in front of us. It was just as I remembered.

“Thank you!” I almost squealed.

“You are so welcome. It is nice to see you, you have grown into a beautiful young woman.” Nancy said as she stroked my long wavy brown hair down my back. I felt a warm sensation settle in my chest. I wasn’t used to receiving that kind of affection anymore. Motherly.

I smiled and took a long sip of my milkshake.

“So?” Liam interrupted. “Last night?” He pushed.

“Oh, it was alright. Dad got me a job.” I shrugged, attempting to be nonchalant.

“A job?!” Liam repeated in confusion.

“Apparently as the Beta’s nanny.” I shrugged, spooning a heaped spoonful of cream and strawberries into my mouth.

“I heard they got a nanny for Evie.” Liam nodded.

“So I have to reintroduce myself after this.” I added.

“Evie is great. At least you’ll have fun!” Liam tried to put a positive spin on it. He knew I would be disappointed I wasn’t using my nursing degree.

“Wait…” he said, holding his heaped spoon in the air in front of his mount.

“Where did he hear about the job? It wasn’t advertised, I don’t think.” Liam crumpled his eyebrows in confusion.

“Apparently he has a girlfriend…” I mumbled.

“A girlfriend?!?” Liam practically yelped. Lucky Nancy was hard of hearing or she would be been frightened.

I nodded.

“What do you think about that?” Lain asked, raising his eyebrows at me questioningly. He knew I was hiding how I really felt.

“Ummm. I’m ok.” I lied.

“Tell me.” Liam pushed. I exhaled slowly.

“I wasn’t expecting it. I don’t think I would ever have been expecting it honestly.” I said, keeping my gaze on my milkshake.

“It will be good for him though?” Liam encouraged.

“Yea it will. It has been almost 5 years and I know he is lonely. He did seem really happy.” I nodded. “I just couldn’t help the feeling of betrayal. I don’t want him pining and grieving forever, but I guess I never had the image of a stepmother in my mind.” I shrugged. Finally saying out loud the words I had been saying in my head.

“Completely understandable.” Liam nodded, slurping from his straw. I smiled at how normal this felt. Drinking milkshakes at Nancy’s with Liam.

“I can’t tell him that though.” I added hurriedly.

“Na, I get it. You’re happy for him but also weren’t prepared.” Liam commented. Sometimes the things he says surprise me. He can be so mature when he wants to be. Sometimes.

I lent back on my chair and noticed a few other tables had filled up while we were chatting. I recognized a few of them.

Then the bell of the door rang, and my blood ran cold.

“Ivy? Is that you??” The familiar shrill voice yelled in my direction. I grimaced and Liam tensed. He knew this would not go well.

“Hi…” I muttered.

“Oh my goddess!!” She squealed, running around tables towards us. I looked up and, sure enough, there stood Kelly in all her glory. Kelly had never really been my biggest fan. She hated that I was friends with Liam and hated that I got to spend so much time with his family. Kelly wanted the Luna title. Mate bond or not. She had been gunning for that position since we were in primary school. She was stunning. Curvy but thin body, long straight blonde hair, tanned skin and looked as if she stepped straight off of the runway every minute of every day. I fidgeted in my chair as I glanced down at my black converse shoes, denim mini skirt and oversized basketball t-shirt. I was not cut from the same cloth.

“I didn’t know you were coming back!” Kelly gasped, a slight twinkle in her eyes. She was enjoying this.

She playfully slapped Liam on the arm.

“Why didn’t you tell me Ivy was home at family dinner last night?!” She scolded. Liam grimaced again. I raised my eyebrows at him.

“Didn’t he tell you?” Kelly glared at Liam, “I am going to be the Fire Moon Pack Luna.” She stated, holding her head high and grinning. I was unaware but not surprised.

“Oh right. Congratulations then.” I nodded.

Liam held his hand in front of her to stop her.

“Ah, just because you’re sleeping with my brother doesn’t mean you will be the Luna. Let’s get that straight.” Liam corrected. Clearly, this has been annoying him. I can see why; having Kelly attend family gatherings would drive me nuts.

“Watch yourself, Liam.” Kelly warned, glaring down at him. Sending daggers through her eyes. Quickly, Kelly turned on her heel and headed back towards the door.

“I probably won’t see you at the next family dinner, Ivy. I guess I’ll see you around. I don’t usually hang out with the lower levels of pack members.” Kelly called back to me, smirking as she flicked her hair and disappeared through the doorway.

“I forgot how much fun she was!” I laughed, rolling my eyes.

“I would rather stick pins in my eyes than sit at another family dinner with her. She wasn’t even invited, she just sat at the table with us!” Liam groaned in exasperation, running his fingers through his hair. I chuckled.