Alone At Last

Alone At Last
Ivy’s POV

The coronation party carried on like nothing had happened earlier with Malrik. The music returned, the guests laughed too loudly again, and the palace staff moved around with trays like they weren’t just preparing for bloodshed minutes ago.

But I knew what I felt.

Leo had been gone for almost thirty minutes and came back with a colder expression than usual. Malrik and his rogues were gone…escorted out peacefully, like he truly came for peace just like he claimed. But something about the look in Leo’s eyes told me that “peace” came with a cost.

I pulled him aside once, twice, five times. Each time, he brushed past my questions.

“What did Malrik want?”

“Nothing that concerns you.”

Nothing that concerns me? I was his mate, his queen, and he expected me to swallow that answer? I stared at him as he turned away from me again to speak with one of the Elders. Fine. If he didn’t want to tell me in front of everyone, I’d get it out of him later. Privately.

Hours later, after the ceremony was officially sealed and half the guests were drunk enough to start singing off-key, I slipped away with Olivia towards one of the studies. I needed a breather…and honestly, I needed to talk to someone who wasn’t plotting something political for once.

Olivia’s eyes were still wide from everything she had seen tonight. “Your palace is… big,” she said awkwardly as she walked in and looked around. “I thought your father exaggerated when he said it was terrifying.”

I laughed. “Welcome to my world.”

She sank into the long sofa and blew out a breath. “You wouldn’t believe the day I’ve had.”

“Try me.”

“I booked an Uber to get here,” she started, shaking her head. “The driver got halfway, then stopped and said, ‘I don’t go to this part.’ I thought he meant some ghetto area or danger zone. Turns out he meant this forest road. He literally made me get out and left.”

“Oh my God,” I covered my mouth. “You walked through that long forest road alone?”

“Almost," she said. "I would have, but those big scary guys earlier…the ones that I came in with…they saw me stuck and offered me a ride. Said they were headed in the same direction.”

I froze. “The rogues really brought you here?”

She shrugged. “I mean, they weren’t wearing name tags that said rogue kidnappers, so I just thought…ride is ride.” She sipped from a drink she probably wasn’t supposed to have. “Honestly, they were nicer than most men I’ve met.”

I forced a smile. She doesn’t know. She has no idea what those men really are and what they can do. Or what Leo really is. Or me.

“We will… talk about your life choices later,” I said slowly.

“Please,” she waved it away. “It’s over. I’m fine. You’re fine. Congrats, by the way. You got promoted to Queen and wife on the same day. Lucky you, Ivy.”

I snorted. “Trust me, the pay isn’t enough.”

We ended up pulling out our laptops and work folders somehow…because only Olivia would attend a coronation party and still remind me of an undone project.

“Okay,” I sighed, scrolling. “The Elendor proposal…”

A sharp knock cut through the room.
Three fast knocks. Like someone who didn’t believe in patience.

The door opened before I even answered.
“Por favor,” came the familiar accented voice. “Tell me you are not working right now.”

I looked up and there she was…Rosa…standing with her hands on her hips, black curls bouncing, fiery Latina energy fully loaded. “This is your wedding night, mi reina. Not a business conference.” 

I grinned. “Rosa, I’m just checking something quickly.” 

“No.” She waved a finger in my face. “Close it. Shut it down. Throw it away if you must. Work will still be there tomorrow, child.” 

Olivia stood. “Hi, I’m Olivia…” 

“She knows,” I said, smiling between them. “She’s like my mom.” 

Rosa winked at Olivia. “Ah, so you are one of the brave people who stood by her side. I like you. You have courage.” 

Olivia smiled shyly, her cheeks turning slightly red at the compliment. “Thank you ma.”

Rosa turned back to me. “Come on, hijita. Go and enjoy your night. This castle will not collapse if you kiss your husband for a few hours.”

I smirked mischievously. “Speaking of kisses… how are things going between you and my father? I set you two up pretty nicely earlier. Any fire igniting?”

She rolled her eyes so hard her forehead creased. “The only fire I ignite is in my kitchen.” 

I laughed. “So nothing?”

She shrugged casually. “Do not worry about me and Richard. We are adults. We will handle ourselves.”

That actually made me feel better. God, the last thing I needed was both of them ending up alone.

Before I could respond and tell her that I needed a little sibling, the door opened again and my family walked in…Richard, Uncle Marcus, and my biological father.
They looked exhausted but proud.

Richard pushed his hands into his pockets. “It’s getting late. We should start heading back.”

Leo entered behind them like a silent storm. “Already throwing people out of my palace?” he teased me quietly.

I ignored him.

Richard stepped forward and faced Leo directly. “I still stand by what I said,” he warned. “If you’re not interested anymore, return my daughter. If any harm ever comes to her, I don’t care if you’re king, wolf, god, or some supernatural bullshit…I will bring war to your doorstep.”

“Dad,” I groaned. “Please…”

“I heard him,” Leo cut in, meeting Richard’s eyes. “Loud and clear.”

Richard nodded. “Good. And make sure she visits us every weekend,” he added and Leo nodded, although I know he wasn’t having it. 

Olivia hugged me. “Enjoy your honeymoon. I’ll send you the work reports.”  

“Perfect,” I said. “I’ll resume next week…”

Leo turned sharply. “Next week? Will you be able to walk” 

“Huh?” 

“That’s too soon, my love,” he said. 

Richard narrowed his eyes. “Why is that too soon? What exactly do you plan to be doing to my daughter that she can’t walk back into her office next week?”

I slapped my forehead. “Leo, please stop talking.”

Rosa looped her arm through Richard’s and started dragging him toward the door. “Vámonos. Todos ustedes…out. Give the couple privacy everyone.”

I turned to my biological father. “Ezra will take you to your room.”

He nodded warmly before leaving.

Richard, already halfway out, still managed to shout…“Princess, I’m looking forward to seeing you at the office next week!”

Leo called back from inside, “Expect her in five months!”

“Five…what do you mean five months?! What are you doing…” my dad started roaring, but Rosa slammed the door shut in his face.

Silence.

Me and Leo just stared at each other.
Then both of us burst into laughter at the same time, the kind that came from pure chaos and relief.

The moment the laughter died, we just stared at each other…finally alone. Finally free of speeches, crowns, politics, threats, rogue peace deals, protective fathers, and wedding chaos.

Just us.
“Holy shit,” I said, dragging a hand across my face. “My family is insane.”

“Insane?” Leo scoffed. “Your father threatened to declare war if I ever hurt you. Your uncle kept checking google for different kinds of poison. I think your family is planning my funeral already.”

We laughed again until our stomachs hurt.
Then everything went quiet.

Leo stepped closer, voice low. “Now that we are finally alone…”

He slid his arms around my waist with zero shame. “Let’s go to our room. I want to show you something.”

Heat crawled up my skin. “You’re being naughty.”

He didn’t deny it. He lifted me effortlessly, my legs wrapping around him as he carried me out of the study.

“Trust me,” he murmured against my neck, voice dark and sinful, “I haven’t even started yet.”