Chapter 87: The Switch
The scent of damp earth and pine filled the crisp morning air as Ivy’s unconscious body slumped on the cold ground.
Isabella smirked in satisfaction, brushing a strand of hair from her face as she looked down at her Ivy’s limp form.
“You almost had me worried for a second,” Lila said softly.
Isabella scoffed. “Please. Your sister is predictable—too trusting for her own good. And now?” She turned to Ivy. “She’s right where we want her.”
Lila turned to Isabella with a triumphant smirk. “We’re back on track now,” she said smoothly.
Isabella, still reveling in their victory, narrowed her eyes slightly. “And what are we going to do with Ivy?”
Lila’s expression darkened with satisfaction. “A good friend who owes me a favor is going to sell her to the rogue Alpha, Malrik. Someone told me he’s desperately looking for anyone dear to Leo Ashton.”
A shared smirk passed between them as they basked in their success, their plan unfolding seamlessly.
“I already set my script in motion. Told my dear clueless Alpha that I’m traveling away from all the unpleasant chaos of the past, to reconnect and attain peace,” Lila continued, tilting her head in amusement. “And my parents? They’re fully on board with this. They support it completely.”
Isabella grinned. “And when we go back?”
“When we get back, I’ll have to put the mask aside,” Lila purred, slipping off her hoodie and nose mask.
Her newly dyed brown hair, identical to Ivy’s, spilled over her shoulders. As she blinked, the contact lenses in her eyes reflected the exact shade of her twin’s.
Isabella’s eyes widened in astonishment. She looked down at Ivy’s crumpled form on the ground, then back at Lila.
“Wow,” she murmured. “This is mind-blowing! I can’t even tell.”
Lila smirked and held up a delicate silver necklace, her fingers curling around the chain before slipping it on. A victorious glint shone in her eyes.
“But there are people who might tell, which is why I got this from a witch,” she said, fastening the clasp. “With this, no one will. Not even Leo.”
Isabella’s excitement bubbled over. “So what’s the plan? What exactly do we need to do when we get back?” she asked eagerly, completely ignoring Ivy’s unconscious form.
“Oh, that?” Lila drawled, waving a dismissive hand. “I’ll break off the engagement with Leo on the basis that he doesn’t trust me enough. I’ll tell him I need time away, that I don’t feel anything for him anymore. He’ll be heartbroken… and you’ll be right there, giving him a shoulder to cry on. Meanwhile, I’ll have Ivy’s entire life all to myself.”
Isabella squealed, clapping her hands together like an excited child.
Just then, three men came into view. Lila waved them over as they approached, her expression unreadable.
“The resemblance is uncanny,” one of the men—Jim—murmured as he studied her Ivy closely.
Lila barely spared Ivy a glance before leaning down, her fingers brushing against her twin’s pale skin as she pulled a necklace from around Ivy’s neck.
“This could be important,” she said out loud, studying the piece of jewelry before slipping it into her pocket.
Straightening, her expression hardened. “Make sure she doesn’t return or escape. Deliver her straight to Malrik,” she ordered, pure disgust flashing in her eyes as one of the men lifted Ivy’s limp body over his shoulder.
“Even if she escapes—which I highly doubt,” Isabella murmured to herself with satisfaction, “I made sure I planted a seed of hatred so she won’t be finding her way back to Leo. Ever.”
Lila and Jim talked for a little while as they went over the final details. Jim nodded as they sealed the deal with a firm handshake, before he motioned for his men to move.
As they began taking Ivy away, Lila called out, “Oh, and Jim?”
The man paused, glancing over his shoulder.
“I’d rather have her dead than ever coming back,” she sneered.
****
Leo’s POV
Another dead end.
I clenched my teeth, my jaw aching from the force. Ivy’s father was coming back, and I still hadn’t caught the bastard responsible for kidnapping her. What would he think of me? That I was incompetent? That I wasn’t fit to protect his daughter? The thought burned through me like acid.
Paul stepped beside me, his expression grim.
“Someone blew our cover,” he muttered. “Dante knows some people are after him. He’s in hiding.”
I turned to him sharply. “And what does that mean?” I demanded, my frustration boiling over.
Paul hesitated, then cleared his throat. “It means he’s making himself impossible to find.”
I let out a low growl, my vision tinged with red. “He’s a rat—flush him out,” I snapped, my voice dripping with venom.
Paul stiffened. “Yes, Your Majesty,” he said firmly, bowing his head as I stormed out of the alley.
This search had turned into a game of hide-and-seek, and I was getting sick of it. How hard could it be to find one goddamn rat?
I climbed into the car, the engine roaring as we sped toward the mansion. My body ached for Ivy, for her warmth, for the way she made the darkness inside me feel lighter.
The past few days had tested me in ways I never imagined. I hated myself for ever doubting her, for even entertaining the thought that she must have lost her mind. I should have seen through Isabella the moment she swooped in, playing hero.
And Ivy… she had looked at me last night with such devastation, such heartbreak, that it nearly destroyed me. I had sworn at that moment—no matter how she turned out to be, no matter what dark secrets she held, I would stand by her. Even if it cost me everything.
I hadn't let her out of my sight since. Even when she got up to use the bathroom, I clung to her legs like a needy child. And when we lay in bed, I buried my face in the crook of her neck, inhaling her scent, letting it calm the raging storm inside me.
Nothing—not fate, not the goddess—would ever come between us again.
As soon as I stepped through the mansion doors, my instincts screamed that something was wrong.
Laughter. Soft, familiar. But something about it sent a chill down my spine.
I turned the corner into the living room and froze.
Ivy and Isabella sat together on the couch, laughing like they were lifelong best friends.
What the hell?
Like they sensed my presence, their laughter died. Both turned to me, their bodies going rigid.
I didn’t stop to think—I stormed toward Isabella, rage searing through me like wildfire.
But before I could reach her, Ivy moved.
She stepped in front of me, arms spread wide, blocking my path.
What the fuck?
“Get out of my way, Ivy,” I growled, my wolf thrashing beneath my skin.
“No.” Her voice was firm, unwavering. “Let her be.”
My heart pounded. “Excuse me?”
“She explained everything, Leo. She was just looking out for you,” Ivy said, her voice softer now. “She’s sorry. And don’t forget—she saved me from Daniel.”
The words were foreign, meaningless noise.
She was defending Isabella after everything?
I took a step back, my hands curling into fists. “Ivy. Move.” My voice was low, dangerous. My wolf was clawing to be let loose.
She didn’t flinch. Instead, she squared her shoulders. “You know what? I can’t do this anymore,” she said, shaking her head. “If this is how you treat someone who’s only ever loved and supported you, then who’s to say you won’t do worse to me?”
Pain lanced through me, sharp and unexpected.
“Ivy—”
“No, Leo.” Her voice wavered, but her eyes burned with resolve. “I’m done. This engagement is off.”
My breath caught in my throat.
She turned to leave, but Isabella rushed forward, grabbing her arm. “You didn’t mean that,” she pleaded, tears glistening in her eyes. “Please, don’t do this.”
I stood frozen, my body numb.
“No,” Ivy whispered, her voice breaking. “I’m calling off the engagement. We are done.”
As she turned to leave, her body swayed.
Before I could move, she collapsed.
“Ivy!” I surged forward, but Isabella was already kneeling beside her, a strange look flickering in her eyes before she masked it with concern.
My heart pounded, a deep unease settling in my chest.
Something wasn’t right.