Chapter 48: Blood

Ivy's hands trembled as she called to the guard to retrieve the envelope, her gut screaming at her to burn it, to let it remain unread. Yet, she couldn't. Whatever this was, it was meant for her. The ominous gesture wasn’t something she could ignore.  

Minutes later, the head guard entered the room, the envelope resting on a tray, as though its contents might bite. He placed it on the desk before stepping back, awaiting her orders.  

"Open it," Ivy said, her voice steady despite the icy fear gripping her chest.  

The guard hesitated for a moment before nodding. He donned gloves, carefully unsealing the envelope and pulling out the thick, black-edged card within. He glanced at her briefly, his face tightening, before clearing his throat and reading aloud.  

“To the Queen who defies the tides of power, 

Do you really think you’re untouchable? 

You’ve made your move. Now, it’s my turn. 

Every rose has its thorns, Ivy. And I promise you, they’ll find their way to your skin.”  

The room felt colder with each word. Ivy’s legs threatened to give out beneath her as the guard continued.  

“The past never forgets, no matter how far you run.

You know who I am. You know what I’m capable of.

Consider this your first warning… and your last.

\- S” 

Silence engulfed the room. Ivy swallowed hard, her pulse roaring in her ears as she stared at the card. The script was elegant, the words chilling, and the signature—just a single letter—struck her harder than a physical blow.  

Who could it be?

The guard cleared his throat again, unsure whether to say anything more. “Do you want us to—”  

“Burn it,” Ivy whispered, cutting him off. Her voice cracked under the weight of the command, but she didn’t care. “Burn the rose as well.”  

***

Meanwhile, Leo paced the length of his bedroom, his thoughts tangled in a restless knot. The bed felt impossibly cold, the room even colder without Ivy’s presence. Why had she insisted on going home tonight? The question tormented him, flashing through his mind like a warning light he couldn’t ignore. She had given her usual excuses—something about needing her space—but Leo wasn’t convinced.  

How had he survived all these years without her? The thought made his chest ache as he ran a hand through his hair, glancing at the clock. It was nearly midnight, but sleep was a distant hope. He couldn’t take it anymore. Throwing on a shirt, he headed for the door, determined to check on her.  

But as his hand reached for the doorknob, he felt the unmistakable pressure of someone pushing through the mindlink. He groaned, his jaw clenching. He had made it clear—no one was to disturb him through the mindlink unless it was life-threatening.  

The intrusion was persistent. He sighed and finally granted access. "Speak," he commanded, his voice sharp.  

"Alpha," Zane’s voice came cautiously. "There’s been a revolt among the other packs. Their Alphas are camped outside our kingdom, threatening to unite for war. They demand to see the face of their king—or at least know who he is."

Leo exhaled heavily, his fingers tightening around the doorknob. "And what have you done about it?"

There was a brief, telling silence before Zane answered. "I’ve tried to reason with them. I told them you would address them soon, that a meeting was scheduled. But… they’re not budging, Alpha. They’re demanding answers now."

Leo growled softly. "What do they want with my face anyway?" He paused, weighing the situation. "Fine. Tell them I’ll meet with them tomorrow."

"Understood, Alpha." 

Leo cut the link with a sharp snap. More reason to be with Ivy tonight, he thought grimly. Who knew how long this standoff would keep him away? But then, another concern struck him. Should he take Ivy with him to the meeting? No. Too risky. The packs couldn’t know about her yet, not with Dina’s bloodthirsty claws still lurking in the shadows.  

Determined, he opened the door and stepped outside. The cold night air brushed against his skin, but it wasn’t the chill that made him falter. Darkness loomed around him, thick and oppressive, almost tangible. He staggered back, a wave of dizziness washing over him as he felt something shift inside him.  

The darkness clawed at him, igniting a primal hunger—a vampire’s hunger for blood. Human blood. No. No. His wolf side snarled in defiance, resisting the pull. Memories of a promise to his mother surged forward, her voice faint but firm. He had vowed never to hurt humans for blood. His wolf had always despised the thirst, yet now it fought a losing battle against the rising tide of his vampire instincts.  

The darkness surged again, stronger this time, and Leo ran. His feet pounded against the earth as he bolted into the woods, his breaths ragged. He couldn’t let either side take control—not his wolf, not his vampire. If he lost control, it would be a bloodbath.  

His thoughts were a storm of chaos as he raced through the forest. Ivy. He needed her. Her scent, her presence—it was the only thing that could anchor him. He didn’t stop until he reached her house. Her scent hit him like a calming wave, soothing the storm inside him, but the darkness still lingered, scratching at the edges of his sanity.  

Without hesitation, Leo leaped over the gate, triggering the alarms he had insisted on installing. He barely registered the sound of hurried footsteps and shouts from the security team. None of it mattered. If anyone got too close, he feared what his instincts might do.  

He scaled the side of the house with ease, landing on Ivy’s balcony within seconds. Her room was dark, but her scent was unmistakable. It filled the air, wrapping around him like a lifeline. But as he stepped inside, his wolf growled low in his chest. She wasn’t here.  

Panic flared, feeding the darkness. Where was she? Dangerous possibilities raged through his mind, each one more terrifying than the last. He followed her scent down the hallway, his heart pounding. It led him to another room. Without hesitation, he shoved the door open, his wolf and vampire instincts on edge.  

Ivy shot upright in bed, her wide, startled eyes locking on his. But the fear melted away as recognition dawned.  

"Leo?" she asked, her voice groggy. "What are you doing here?"

He couldn’t answer. Couldn’t find the words. He crossed the room in a single stride and pulled her into his arms, burying his face in the crook of her neck. Her scent washed over him, calming the beasts within. For a moment, everything was still.  

But then he heard it—the steady pulse of her heartbeat. Blood. The sound teased his vampire side, the darkness urging him to taste, to claim. His fangs elongated, and he turned his head away, shaking with the effort to control himself.  

"Are you okay, babe?" Ivy’s worried voice broke through his haze.  

Leo stepped back, his throat dry. "I… I just wanted to see you. I’ll be leaving tomorrow for a business trip." 

Her brows furrowed. "A trip? And you’re just telling me now? How long will you be gone this time?" 

He staggered slightly, his vision blurring. Ivy rushed to his side, her hands steadying him. "Hey, hey," she said, her voice rising with concern. "What’s wrong?"

Leo’s lips parted, a single word escaping in a broken whisper. "B—blood." 

And then the darkness consumed him as he collapsed into her arms.