Chapter 4
954 Words
The Hale mansion stayed alive long after midnight.
Even after dinner had ended, people lingered in the living room with drinks in hand, sharing old stories, laughing over childhood memories, and debating pack history like it was a competitive sport.
Ivy had slipped away almost an hour earlier.
She blamed exhaustion.
The truth was much simpler.
She needed a break.
Not from the gathering.
From Marcus.
Every time she caught sight of him across the room, she became painfully aware of herself. She noticed when he laughed. When he smiled at someone. When people instinctively stepped aside to let him pass.
She hated that she noticed any of it.
She was halfway to the staircase when she heard her name.
"...the Marsh girl."
Her feet stopped before she could think.
The voices were coming from the sitting room beside the hallway.
"Lena's friend," a woman said.
"I don't understand why she's here."
Another voice answered.
"She's human."
There was no hostility in the words.
Only quiet judgment.
"These gatherings are meant for pack families."
"Not outsiders."
Ivy swallowed.
"I suppose she's harmless."
"Maybe."
"But she doesn't know our traditions."
"Or our customs."
"It feels... inappropriate."
The words weren't shouted.
If anything, that made them hurt more.
They spoke as though she wasn't a real person.
As though she were simply an inconvenience.
She should have walked away.
She knew that.
Instead, she stayed rooted where she was.
Then another voice entered the conversation.
Low.
Steady.
Immediately recognizable.
"She's my daughter's guest."
Marcus.
The room fell silent.
"She's under my roof," he continued calmly.
"And as long as she's here, she'll be treated with the same respect as every member of this pack."
Nobody answered.
Marcus didn't raise his voice.
He didn't need to.
"If anyone has concerns," he said evenly, "they're welcome to bring them to me."
A long pause followed.
Finally, the woman spoke again.
"We meant no disrespect, Alpha."
"I know."
His tone remained polite.
"But I won't have my guest made to feel unwelcome."
Silence.
Then chairs scraped softly across the floor.
Someone muttered an apology.
Footsteps moved toward another room.
Only then did Ivy remember she should probably leave.
She turned quickly.
Unfortunately...
"So."
She froze.
Marcus stood in the doorway behind her.
He'd clearly known she was there.
"You heard."
It wasn't a question.
She looked down.
"I wasn't trying to listen."
"I know."
She felt embarrassed anyway.
"I'm sorry."
"You've done nothing wrong."
His voice was gentler now.
"They were."
Marcus shook his head.
"No."
"They weren't."
She forced herself to meet his eyes.
"They're right."
"I'm not part of your world."
"I don't know the rules."
"I don't always know where I'm supposed to be."
She gave a small, awkward laugh.
"I've probably broken five traditions already."
"You haven't."
"I don't even know enough to know if I have."
Marcus was quiet for a moment.
Then he spoke.
"You've been respectful."
"You've treated everyone kindly."
"You've never assumed you belonged somewhere you didn't."
His eyes stayed on hers.
"That's more awareness than some wolves twice your age possess."
Ivy blinked.
She hadn't expected that.
"You don't have to say that."
"I'm not saying it to make you feel better."
"I'm saying it because it's true."
Something warm settled in her chest.
She tried very hard not to let it show.
"You defended me."
The words slipped out before she could stop them.
Marcus didn't deny it.
"You shouldn't have had to hear that conversation."
"I've heard worse."
"I'm sure you have."
His jaw tightened briefly.
"That doesn't mean you deserved it."
The hallway suddenly felt very quiet.
Very small.
He wasn't standing especially close.
Yet somehow she was aware of every inch separating them.
"You really don't flatter people often, do you?" she asked, hoping humor would ease the tension.
One corner of his mouth lifted.
"No."
"Lena tells me I'm terrible at it."
Ivy smiled.
"I believe her."
For the first time since she'd met him, Marcus laughed.
It wasn't loud.
Just a soft, genuine laugh that reached his eyes.
It changed his whole face.
She found herself smiling back before she realized she was doing it.
"You should get some sleep," he said.
"Tomorrow will be busier."
"I've noticed nothing around here is ever quiet."
"It won't be for a while."
He hesitated.
Then added,
"If anyone says anything to you again..."
She waited.
"They answer to me."
Her heart skipped.
It was probably simple hospitality.
Nothing more.
That was exactly how she should take it.
Still...
Hearing him say it made her feel unexpectedly safe.
"You don't have to protect me."
"I know."
"But I will protect every guest in this house."
There was nothing personal in the words.
At least...
That's what she kept telling herself.
She nodded slowly.
"Thank you."
A quiet silence settled between them.
Neither seemed in a hurry to end it.
Finally, Ivy took a step backward toward the stairs.
"Goodnight..."
She almost said Alpha Hale.
Instead, another name left her lips.
"Goodnight, Marcus."
For the first time that evening, he looked genuinely surprised.
Only for a heartbeat.
Then his expression softened.
"Goodnight, Ivy."
She hurried upstairs before she could overthink what she'd done.
Inside her room, she leaned against the closed door and let out a long breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.
Her heart refused to settle.
She closed her eyes.
He defended you.
The thought came immediately.
In front of his own pack.
She groaned softly and buried her face in her hands.
"He was being polite," she whispered to herself.
"He was being a good Alpha."
Nothing more.
She repeated those words several times before climbing into bed.
Unfortunately...
Sleep believed none of them.
- Writer
