Ivy’s POV
The morning light filtered weakly through the heavy curtains, casting long shadows on the stone walls of Kiernan’s chambers. I hadn’t slept. Not really. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the letter again. I saw Selena’s smirk behind the lie. I saw the look in the Alpha’s eyes as he read it out loud. Calm. Calculated.
But not cruel. That was what haunted me most. The Alpha wasn’t cruel. That meant this wasn’t about hate. It was about order. Truth. Power.
I sat up slowly, my body stiff from sleeping in the same position for too long. The bandage on my wrist itched, and I tried not to scratch it. Kiernan was still asleep, slouched in the armchair near the fireplace, arms crossed, boots still on. He hadn’t left the room once.
It was strange, having someone like him protect me. K
