Athindrya

Chapter 13

Ivy woke up to the sound of someone knocking loudly on her door. Lilka was still curled up half asleep, so it wasn’t Azai. Ivy wouldn’t know what to do if she had to open her door to face the Alpha in the pyjamas she had been lent.

Another knock sounded, forcing Ivy to get out of bed. She walked over to the door, remembering to limp. Any wolf would’ve heard her even steps otherwise. Opening the door, she was met with the stoic face of Grumpy McGuard. Wonderful. Because he was obviously the first face she wanted to see in the morning.

As soon she was visible, he announced she was expected downstairs for breakfast with the Alpha. The second his name was pronounced Lilka was up and ready to go. Apparently so was Grumpy McGuard as he turned on his heals. He must have expected Azai to get rid of her or at least not treat her well.

Either way, Ivy took great pleasure in stopping him.

“I have no presentable clothes.” She said with exaggerated gentleness. If he wanted to play, she would destroy him at his own game.

Grumpy McGuard huffed in exasperation, before heading off again, presumably to find her some clothes. Ivy smiled victoriously to herself, closing the door behind her. Though she was going to have to come up with another name for him, Grumpy McGuard was getting a bit long.

Ivy checked the time. It was only eight thirty in the morning and she could see the pack starting to come to life. As she waited for clothes to be given to her, she realised there was not much to do in her room. As pretty as it was, it still felt like a prison to her. Lying on her bed, she stared up at the ceiling.

What do you think Azai wants with us Lilka?

I don’t know. But whatever it is, it can’t be that bad. He probably just wants to get to know us. Lilka replied. In a very intimate way… She added laughing.

Urgh. Control your urges Lilka, we can’t disappoint the Council. Remember Marcus? Or have you forgotten everyone else already?

No I haven’t forgotten! Lilka said indignantly. I’m just saying that we can’t forget that Azai is our mate. Why is it surprising to you that there is a mate bond?

It’s not that. It’s just… Ivy gave up trying to explain. Anyway what was his wolf like?

Oh he was magnificent. Lilka threw herself back dramatically. He’s called Alden. He’s strong, I can feel it. And he wants to marks us desperately, and frankly I want to mark them just as much.

Ivy rolled her eyes as her wolf rambled on about how wonderful their mates were. She couldn’t deny the attraction she felt towards Azai, but she also couldn’t forget her responsibility she had towards Marcus, or the fact this was her one chance at freedom.

Soon enough, there was someone knocking timidly at the door. Ivy shouted for whoever it was to come in, it wasn’t a ranked wolf or their knock would’ve been much more confident. Sure enough, a young female omega wolf poked her head round the door.

“The clothes you requested miss.” The omega kept her eyes glued to the floor as she spoke. Ivy tilted her head in confusion, she was still considered a rogue, so why was this female acting submissive?

“Thank you.” Came Ivy’s simple reply.

The girl stepped into the room, placing the pile of clothes she had been holding on the chest of drawers. She retraced her steps and was gone almost as quickly as she arrived.

Ivy moved towards the pile of clothes, looking at what she had been brought. To her surprise, the clothes seemed to be exactly her kind of style. There were two pairs of relaxed training trousers, one black one grey. There was also about five different cotton tops, some more colourful ones and then some darker ones.

Ivy couldn’t help but be touched by the attention Azai had paid to her. It would’ve been so easy to just get the typical ‘girly’ clothes; but he had really hit her style on the nose. Ivy even noticed there were knickers in her size. The most surprising of all though, was the bras in various sizes.

Ivy smiled to herself as she put on her newly acquired clothes. Other than the clear uncertainty in bra size, Azai had been spot on with the sizing of the rest of the clothing.

Once decent Ivy hobbled down the stairs, suddenly realising she had no clue as to where Azai wanted to meet her. She assumed it was for breakfast, so she directed herself towards the kitchen. The wonderful scent of bacon wafted past her, almost being carried by the delicious smell.

Bacon, bacon, baaacon… Lilka chanted happily.

It wasn’t as if Ivy were about to disagree. Bacon was something that should be protected at all costs. Walking into the kitchen, Ivy came across a few wolves just going about their business. They all looked up as she entered, but no one said or did anything.

Sighing to herself, Ivy walked up to a guy doing the dishes.

“Hey. Uh I think the Alpha asked me to meet him, but I don’t know where. Do you happen to know?”

The male smiled kindly at her and pointed to a door on the other side of the large kitchen. Ivy thanked him, wondering what his knowing smile was about.

She opened the door leading to a relatively normal looking back garden. Not really knowing what to do with herself or where to go she simply stood by the door. Finally, as the wind changed, Azai’s remarkable scent floated towards her. Following it, she was led to what seemed to be the end of the garden. Tucked away in a corner was a small wooden door in the middle of a huge hedge.

Ivy sighed as she ducked under the door frame, to find herself in a flowery tunnel. The gravel under her feet crunched. Azai’s intoxicating smell was intertwined with so many different flowers. Outside the tunnel, the gravel path guided her, through vibrant flowers in lush green shrubs, to a small table set up underneath a large willow tree. A little waterfall spread out into a stream that ran along the secret garden.

The table was set up with two place settings, a mountain of food and a note. Ivy picked up the note, realising this was the source of Azai’s scent.

Dear Ivy,

I called you here this morning so we could enjoy breakfast together. I realise this might all be a bit overwhelming, so I thought you could get started without me. That way you can have some time to yourself before we begin to get to know each other. I will join you soon.

Yours,

Azai

OH. MY. GOD. Lilka sighed, as she lay down theatrically. How romantic!!!

Really? Don’t you think it’s a little odd? How would he know when I get here and when to join us?

May I remind you of the mate bond? Plus his wolf Alden probably has already picked up our scent.

There was no point in disputing what Lilka said, Ivy already knew it all to be true. Looking at the mass of food spread out on the table, Ivy’s mouth watered. She had gone back to bed without her usual pre-breakfast breakfast.

Sitting down, Ivy began digging in. She chose almost everything from the selection. There was bacon (which she chose first obviously), sausages, some fruit, ham and one or two hash browns. She didn’t want to seem greedy.

She could get used to this. Eating outside with the calming sound of the waterfall, birds chirping and the amount of food that was currently in front of her. About a quarter of the way through her plateful, Azai strolled into the secluded garden.

Ivy immediately stopped eating, looking up at him, challenging him to repeat his words from the day before. Lilka was in the middle of doing a little happy dance, when Azai sat down in from of them. It was ludicrous, Ivy realised, just how much she had missed his scent. She had to battle herself not to close her eyes and inhale.

Surprisingly, Azai said nothing as he took his time arranging the food on his plate. Ivy observed him, curious as to why he was suddenly being so quiet and reserved. He began to eat in silence, and it wasn’t long before Ivy did so too.

The silence felt oddly peaceful and comforting. In the back of her mind, Ivy could tell Lilka was already trying to strengthen the link between her and Alden; by making minimal conversation. Although Ivy couldn’t hear what the two wolves were discussing, she wouldn’t have been surprised if Lilka had managed to mention mating and marking so quickly.  

Ivy looked up from her plate. She tried to sneak a peak at her so called mate, but he must have felt her eyes on him, because his eyes soon met hers. It was as if Ivy was being transported to another world. His eyes were almost black, she could see her own reflection in them. But the more interesting thing she could see was the love he had swirling in his intense eyes. Taken aback she quickly averted her gaze back to her noticeably smaller portion.  

When both were coming to the end of their meal, Azai spoke up.

“I know I didn’t make the best first impression, but I’m hoping you can give me a second chance. I would really like to get to know you.”

Ivy mulled it over. There was definite harm in getting to know him. He could be a nice guy and she would get attached and then it would make her job ten times harder than it already was. On the other hand, she did want to find out more about him, and this way it might make finding out their secrets a little easier.

“I agree to giving you another chance to make a first impression. But do not see it as anything more than that.”

Ivy hadn’t expected for him to respond with a megawatt smile. To be honest, she had deliberately made herself sound harsh and blunt. A small part of her though was glad he wasn’t dissuaded, and she felt her lips lift up the tiniest bit.

“Perfect. How about we take a walk around the pack lands and I can show you around.” He said, never ridding his face of the smile that graced it.