Whispers in the Hallway

Ryker's POV.

As I made my way down the hallway I felt surprisingly upbeat. After leaving Caden's chambers, I felt as though I might actually be able to change things for the first time in a long time. I was beginning to put the puzzle together after our conversation which had been more illuminating than I had anticipated.

Caden's heart was in a tangle, and he was about to make a choice that would either change everything or ruin him. In any case, I was going to be present to see it through. As usual, I smiled at the maids I passed in the hallway. Their heads fell in a mixture of humiliation and awe as they flushed. I had become accustomed to the game and always found it entertaining.

I didn't think much of it. It was merely a harmless conversation to kill time. It was good to have their attention for a moment but the smiles they gave me were as short-lived as the moments themselves. I was still thinking about Caden and the mess Ivy had left behind when I turned a corner and noticed something that made my step stutter. It was of course Ivy.

She was standing next to an elder of the council, a man I had known for many years. Eldric was his name and he had always come across as calm and somewhat neutral. However, I discovered that neutrality could be easily manipulated as I observed them in the shadows.

They were too preoccupied with their chat to pay attention to me. My instincts kicked in and I froze. I had to listen. I couldn't resist. I wasn't comfortable with the way things were going and I wasn't going to ignore it without hearing what was being said.

I carefully retreated a step hiding behind a pillar that barely covered me from their line of sight. Ivy spoke first, her tone piercing and almost pleading.

She was saying “I've made it clear what I want. Caden has to wed me. Luna should be me. I ought to be the one by his side. You assured me of this.”

The elder had a quiet steady voice that you could trust even when you shouldn't. “Yes indeed. We're going to make sure. Caden will follow our directions. Ivy, there's nothing to be concerned about.”

With interest sparked I squinted. She was not even Caden's chosen mate, not really, so what had they promised her, and why was she so sure she would be Luna? There must have been more to this discussion.

Ivy went on, her voice lowering now with a cold edge, “I don't care what it takes. I'll do anything it takes to claim him as my own. Even if I break her, I'll have Caden. . .”

Her use of the phrase ‘break her’ chilled me to the bone. I could sense the bitterness and venom in her words. It went beyond simply being Luna. It was a personal matter rather than merely one of status or authority. And it was becoming clear to me how far Ivy was prepared to go.

Eldric was silent for a while presumably considering what she had to say. There was a note of caution in his tone when he eventually spoke. “You are aware of how important the pack's unity is. Deviation from the council will jeopardize Caden Alpha's status. He will follow instructions and is devoted to the pack's customs.”

Ivy, though, wouldn't have it. She continued her voice rising in anger. “If the pack is not with me it makes no difference. Luna is the one who maintains order and efficiency. I will not stand by and allow her to take what is rightfully mine.”

I felt a chill go through me as she spoke and I automatically balled my fists. It was about Emerald not just about Caden or the pack. It was Ivy who had been secretly planning. I could not and would not overlook that.

Now Eldrics voice was hesitant and quieter. “Take caution, Ivy. You're going down a hazardous path. Any forceful actions might not sit well with Caden especially if he discovers what we are doing.”

Ivy said, “I'm not asking for your advice, Eldric,” in a venomous and sharp voice. “I'll tell you what's going to happen. I'll make sure Emerald is removed from the picture if Caden rejects me. She has no place here. She is frail. Additionally, Caden will be forced to follow our instructions if he wishes to remain Alpha.”

As the gravity of what she had said set in, I felt my heart skip a beat. Make certain that Emerald is not involved. It was a cold, calculating, and brutal elimination; it wasn't a straightforward one. Mercy was not an option in Ivy's plans.

She was prepared to do whatever it took to get rid of the only woman Caden cared about. Her desire to be in charge of everything, including the pack's future, went beyond simply wanting him as her mate. And she would not think twice about destroying Caden's life to get there.

I stepped back and tried to breathe steadily while I tried to take in what I had just heard. This had more to do with Caden than a straightforward romantic triangle. Power was at issue. In charge. Ivy was playing for everything, not just the Alpha title. A complex web of manipulation intertwined Eldric’s backing of the council's sway and her own perverted goals.

A sense of dread crept over me as I felt the pressure in my chest increase. One thing was evident from Ivy's words: she was not going to back down. She was prepared to ruin anyone who stood in her way. Emerald was that someone at the moment. I had to do something.

As Ivy and Eldric carried on their conversation my thoughts were already ahead of them. I couldn't allow this to continue. Everything that Caden had fought for and everything that was at risk couldn't be destroyed by Ivy.

However, I was also aware that it would be disastrous if I confronted her right away and admitted to eavesdropping. When she realized I had her she would act even more ruthlessly. I must be more intelligent than that. I waited until they finally parted ways, my heart still pounding.

Ivy left first her steps deliberate and swift, her face etched with determination. Eldric turned to walk away after watching her go, his face still unreadable. For a long moment, the hallway was quiet except for the distant sound of footsteps as I stood there.

My ears were ringing with my heartbeat. What I had just overheard was weighing me down. Since Ivy had revealed her true self there was no turning back now. However, I couldn't afford to be careless. I had to exercise patience and caution. Ivy had already taken action. It was now my turn to make mine.

I would ensure that she didn't get away with it. Even as I turned and started back the way I had come my heart continued to race in my chest. However, I kept thinking that the game was far from over, and I wasn't sure whether I could stop Ivy in time, and she was dangerous.