Athindrya

Chapter 18

It had been four days since Ivy had had any real interaction with Azai. The most that had happened between them, was when she was walking up the stairs to her room last night and he had actually looked her in the eyes. Otherwise, he had been giving her the silent treatment, and she was going insane.

So much for her trying to ignore the mate bond.

Ivy and Lilka had tried desperately to get Azai to look at them, let alone talk. Together, they had come up with an idea to try and show Azai that Ivy was sorry. The only problem was, he wouldn’t spend more than a few seconds anywhere near her.

She had been wondering how Azai was managing to stay so far from her. If Lilka’s behaviour had been of any indication, surely Azai’s wolf would be the same.

Ivy was pacing around her room, like the caged animal she was. Azai had been serious when he said she wouldn’t walk anywhere alone. She couldn’t leave her room without someone following her. To be fair, she could’ve easily gotten rid of them, but after everything that had happened, she wasn’t going to take that risk.

Though it would’ve been so incredibly satisfying to let Lilka out for a run, Ivy was constrained to her four walled room. At this point Ivy couldn’t think of another way to get Azai to notice her. She had been racking her brain, but nothing.

Ivy let out a loud, frustrated sigh as she stopped her repetitive pacing, her face centimetres from the wall. She was hungry, and she would be damned if she wasn’t going to eat because of the fucktard outside her door. She let her head fall against the wall at the impending confrontation that would inevitably arise when she opened the door.  

Azai’s Gamma was the one on shift from mid afternoon to who knows when. She had learned he was called Jax. She preferred fucktard. He never said a word to her or anyone else, other than a select few. Raining herself in, Ivy pushed herself off the wall and stalked towards the door.

A small gust of air wafted past her as she swung the door open. As per usual, she was met with the back of the aforementioned fucktard. Ivy stood still for a minute, before coughing obnoxiously and pushing past him.

She made her way down the flight of stairs and made a direct line for the kitchen. She didn’t have to look behind her to know he was following her closely. She rolled her eyes. How dumb did they think she was? Did they honestly think she would try ‘running off’ again?

Hummf. Lilka’s sound of discontent rang in Ivy’s head.

She walked towards the fridge, rummaging for what she wanted. As she pottered around, her guard stationed himself by the door. It didn’t take her long to whip up a good satisfying meal. Ivy sat herself down at the kitchen island and ate quietly. She could’ve gone to the main hall, but that would’ve required interacting and socialising. Two things that weren’t her forte.

Though she tried to ignore it, Ivy could feel Jax’s eyes on her. Her shoulders tensed. He was silently challenging her to make a move. It was no secret he didn’t like her, not that she didn’t reciprocate his feelings. A part of her was itching to make a run for it, solely for the opportunity to kick his arse.

Her homicidal thoughts were interrupted when three voices neared the kitchen, and soon entered. It was none other than Eleonor, Kiza and some other wolf she didn’t know. But his ranked scent gave him away.

Ivy lifted her head as she watched the trio saunter in. Her fucktard of a guard bowed his head as the two women passed him. But when the guy walked in, his head dipped lower. Ivy definitely clocked that as strange. Stranger yet though, was the male’s reaction. She didn’t miss the flicker of hurt that shone in his eyes as he looked almost longingly at her guard. Ok so they definitely had some sort of history, Ivy thought. But again her thoughts were stopped when Kiza spoke up.

“Ivy, hi!” The woman wasted no time in coming round to Ivy’s side and hugging her. “Why did you not tell us you were our brother’s mate?”

Guess the cat’s out of the bag. Lilka remarked sarcastically. I don’t think that’s gonna help with Fucktard liking us though. She added, laughing.  

Ivy couldn’t stop the pang of hurt that spread across her chest at Azai’s mention. Nonetheless, she smiled a little. She had grown fond of Eleonor and Kiza, even though they had only technically met once. But Ivy had felt a sense of acceptance with the two women that she didn’t encounter often.

“You should meet our brother, who also happens to be my twin. Zakai.” Kiza said, as she pointed to the male in the room.

No sooner had she introduced him, did he come flouncing over. “Please call me Zak. Only our parents call me Zakai.” He finished off with a little curtsey.

“Nice to meet you.” Ivy shook his outstretched hand. Zak’s smile widened. He had a charming smile. Which Ivy found to be infectious, as she soon felt her lips curve upwards.

“So what is a lovely wolf doing down here by herself at this hour?” Zak’s exaggerated flamboyancy definitely helped ease the slight tension in Ivy’s shoulders.

“Well your brother has me on lockdown after we fought…” Ivy began.

“Ah. A lovers’ quarrel.” Zak sighed dramatically, feigning swooning. A pause, before the three women burst out laughing.

“Yes, well. The i***t won’t even let me approach him, so I can’t apologise.”

“i***t, huh? I like her already.” He said, turning round to Kiza, who just smiled in agreement. Ivy’s heart clenched at all the positivity emanating from the twins.

“Actually.” Ivy said cautiously. “Could you guys help me trick him into seeing me?”

The three other wolves looked at each other for a moment before nodding their heads vigorously.

“Great. I just want to ask him to meet me in the woods for something I have planned. But since he won’t give me the time of day, maybe you could get him to come.”

“Yeah absolutely.” Kiza spoke up. “But you’re going to have to make sure he walks into the woods either before you do or with the wind so he doesn’t catch your scent.”

“It all depends on what you have planned really.” Eleonor added from beside her.

“I wanted to surprise him with lunch in the woods. I know it’s not much…”

“No! Its perfect!” Zak shouted. “The woods are such a romantic place, and Azai loves picnics.” He was practically jumping in place in excitement.

“Kiza and Zak can tell Azai they want a family picnic in the forest tomorrow, which will explain the smell of food.” Eleonor said while pacing around the island. “But that doesn’t change the fact that he needs to walk there alone.”

“Maybe, you can ask Shane to take up his time with some sort of meeting so that when he leaves, he thinks he’s meeting us and not Ivy.” Kiza finished.

Ivy could’ve sworn she felt as though her heart would burst. These people had so easily accepted her into their family. They were so eager to help her with her problems, what would they think if they found out she was the one they ran out of the pack?

The four of them quickly finalised the remaining details of the plan. They stayed in the kitchen chatting and laughing together. Eventually Eleonor was too tired and Kiza walked her back to her room. As soon as they were gone, the tension in the room skyrocketed. Zak’s attention kept flicking between Ivy and Jax.

Sensing they might have things to discuss and want to be alone, Ivy pretended to want to return to her room. Jax jumped on the opportunity and was about to escort her back when Zak held him back.

“I think we need discuss the new perimeter security.” His voice left no room for disagreement.

With one last look at Ivy, Zak nodded at her, signalling she was free to go.

Don’t have to tell me twice. Lilka smiled, as Ivy sped out of the room.

When Ivy was back in bed, she lay staring at the ceiling.

For someone who acted so jovial and carefree, Zak sure can be commanding when he wants to. She spoke out loud.

We also don’t know for certain what’s going on between those two. Lilka replied.

True. But we probably should get some sleep. We have a lunch to prepare tomorrow. Ivy said just as a yawn came out of her mouth. See you tomorrow Lilka.

Goodnight Ivy.