Chapter 56: The Trap and the Twist

Leo

Three days. Three endless days. I couldn’t get my mind off Ivy, and every minute that passed felt like a weight pressing down on my chest. We spoke on the phone yesterday  but since then, I haven’t been able to get her on the line.

The work stacked in front of me was becoming a blur—territory disputes, rogue reports, nothing compared to the pull I felt to be with her.

A knock at the door snapped me out of my thoughts. It was Zane, his face tense as usual.

“Your majesty,” he began, his voice careful, “What are we going to do with her? You haven’t said anything since we took her hostage. It’s so unlike you to kidnap a shewolf and subject her to that amount of torture, even if it’s a rogue. Do you know her personally?”

I looked up at him then, the gears in my mind grinding to a halt. Zane’s question lingered in the air like a poison.

My gaze dropped, remembering the day we’d captured her. The rogue she wolf. The moment I locked eyes with her—there was something about her that screamed she wasn’t just another rogue. 

I hadn’t known it at the time, but it was crystal clear when I heard that guttural growl. 

Checkmate.

She was Malrik’s mate. 

I leaned forward, fixing my eyes on Zane as I spoke. “She’s Malrik’s mate,” I said, voice low and clipped. “That’s why we’ve kept her alive, and that’s why we’ll keep her here.”

Zane’s eyes widened in realization. “Ah, clever,” he muttered, as if the pieces were falling into place for him. “What better way to trap the rogue Alpha than to capture his mate?”

I nodded, my expression cold. “Exactly.”

Zane’s approval was written all over his face. “Sharp wits, Alpha. You’re playing this game like a master. Very soon, we will end his reign of terror for good.”

I allowed myself a small smirk, though it was tainted with a cold, calculating edge. “It’s just the beginning. I know about Malrik’s obsession with her. He’ll crack soon enough. It’s only a matter of time before he makes his move. He can’t stand to see his mate suffer.”

Zane furrowed his brow. “But your majesty, it’s been two days. Nothing from him yet. No attempts to free her. No attacks.”

I chuckled darkly, leaning back in my chair. “Patience, my friend. I know Malrik. He’s playing the long game. He’ll crack, and when he does, we’ll be ready.”

I rose from my seat, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on me. But as I made my way to the window, something inside me stirred—a flicker of unease, deep in my gut.

And then, through the link, I felt it. The presence.

My wolf, Theo, growled inside me, a deep, raw sound that made my blood run cold.

“Speak,” I barked, my voice sharp.

“Alpha,” came the voice through the link, panic clear. “It’s Miss Blackwood. She—”

Before he could finish, I was already on my feet, fury and fear coursing through my veins. Zane’s worried eyes met mine, but I barely registered his presence as I tore towards the door.

“Zane,” I snapped, turning back to him. “Take control of everything. Tighten the security around the rogue. I want eyes on her every second until I come back.”

Zane nodded quickly, his usual smug grin wiped away by the intensity in my voice. “Understood, Alpha.”

I shot him one last look, the weight of the promise heavy on my shoulders. “If she escapes, I will kill you,” I growled, the words leaving my mouth like venom. The look on Zane’s face was all the confirmation I needed. He knew I wasn’t kidding.

Without another word, I sprinted out the door, the adrenaline fueling my every step.

I didn’t wait for anything to happen. I didn’t hesitate. I let my wolf take over, the transformation swift, the pain brief.

The world around me blurred into a streak of movement, the wind whipping past me as I dashed through the forest, praying to the moon goddess that nothing happened to Ivy.

Please, let her be okay.

The forest became a blur, trees flashing past me as my paws hit the ground with every bound. My heart pounded in my chest. I was closing in on the pack’s border, but all I could think about was Ivy. 

Was she safe? What happened to her? I didn’t even wait to hear the report, and I cut the link in panic.

My wolf howled in frustration, as we ran deeper into the forest. I will rather die than let anything happen to her

And with that thought, I pushed myself harder, the trees closing in around me.

*** 

Ivy’s POV

The airport was a flurry of movement—families saying their goodbyes, businessmen rushing to their gates, and announcements echoing overhead. I stood between my father and Uncle Marcus, hands stuffed into the pockets of my coat as they prepared to board their flight.  

"Remember, if you need anything, anything at all, you call," my father said, his voice firm but laced with concern.  

Uncle Marcus, standing beside him with a smirk, threw an arm around my shoulder. "And try not to reenact the scene we walked in on last time we came back," he teased.  

I groaned, rolling my eyes. "Oh my God, will you ever let that go?”  

Marcus chuckled, nudging her playfully. "Not a chance, kid. That was gold."  

My father sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Marcus, enough." He turned back to me, his expression serious. "Just… take care of yourself. No work. No stress. And…"—his brows furrowed—“for the love of God, don’t do anything reckless."  

I sighed, crossing my arms. "I know, Dad. I’m not a child.”  

His eyes narrowed. "And don’t bring shame to me. You’re engaged, not married. I don’t want you getting pregnant before—"  

I interrupted him before he got the chance to finish his lecture. "Dad, for the hundredth time, I’m not pregnant! We haven’t even had sex. Yet."  

The second the word left my mouth, I froze. Shit.

Uncle Marcus choked on his laughter, wheezing as he clutched his stomach. My father’s face turned a shade of red so deep I was sure he was about to combust on the spot.  

"Yet?" he repeated, his voice dangerously low.  

I swallowed hard. "I—I mean—"  

"There is no yet!" he boomed, drawing the attention of several travelers nearby.  

Marcus was dying, bent over in hysterics. "Oh, man, this is better than I could’ve ever hoped for."  

I groaned, covering my face. "Just… go before I book a one-way flight to another country and change my name."  

My father huffed, glaring at me for a long moment before finally sighing in defeat. "We’ll talk about this later."  

"Sure," I muttered. "Looking forward to that."  

He placed a hand on my head, smoothing down my hair like he did when I was younger. "Stay safe, sweetheart. And call."  

"I will."  

I watched as they walked toward their gate, Uncle Marcus still chuckling under his breath. Once they disappeared from sight, I exhaled a deep breath, turning on my heels.  

Now, finally, I could breathe.  

My father had been relentless. From the moment I woke up in the hospital to the second he left for his flight, he had kept me away from my phone and laptop, monitoring me like a hawk.  

I understood his concern, but I wasn’t fragile. I wasn’t some delicate doll that would shatter under the slightest pressure. And yet, I had passed out. 

The doctor’s diagnosis of extreme exhaustion was frustrating, but not surprising. Then there was the black rose and envelope. I still haven’t figured out who sent that and why?

I had been pushing myself too hard, ignoring the warning signs. 

But none of that mattered now.  

As soon as I was alone, I switched my phone back on and dialed Leo’s number.  

It rang once. Twice.  

Then—not available.

I frowned, lowering the phone. That was odd. Leo always picked up, or at least called back within seconds.  

Shaking off the unease, I made a quick stop at my house, grabbing a few essentials before heading to Leo’s mansion. But once inside, the warmth of home made me pause. I craved something… comforting. Something familiar.  

A warm bath.  

Stripping down, I sank into the tub, letting the hot water soothe the tension in my muscles. For the first time in two days, I allowed myself to relax. But as much as I tried to let go of everything, the thoughts wouldn’t stop.  

The strange note. Leo. My body. The strange healing.  

I ran my fingers over my skin, tracing where the cut had been. Gone, as if it had never existed.  

My fingers curled into a fist.  

Something was wrong.  

Pushing the thoughts away, I eventually climbed out, dried off, and dressed. After packing a small bag, I stepped out of my room and headed downstairs.  

"Make sure to keep your eyes open at all times," I instructed the head of security, my tone firm. I wasn’t taking any chances.  

"Understood, Miss Ivy."  

Satisfied, I got into the car, and my driver drove off toward Leo’s place.  

By the time the car rolled to a stop in front of Leo’s mansion, the unease in my gut had only deepened.  

The driver opened the door, and I stepped out, slinging my bag over my shoulder. One of the guards approached, taking it from me before leading the way inside.  

But the moment I stepped into the living room—  

I stopped.  

My breath caught in my throat.  

Someone was sitting on the couch, lazily swirling a glass of wine in hand.  

Wearing Leo’s shirt.  

Our eyes locked, and my blood ran cold.  

What the hell was she doing here?