Chapter 3

BRIELLE

Trembling, I scrambled back from the green-eyed creature. I was too terrified to call for help, paralyzed by what it might do to me.

"Who are you?" I breathed, inching toward the door.

She padded forward with a low laugh. "You still haven't figured it out? I literally came out of you, and you're asking me a question like that?"

I froze at the sound of the wolf's voice.

Her glowing eyes narrowed, and she tilted her head at my question.

"Or did losing our baby rob you of your mind, too, Brielle?"

"Our baby?" I whispered, staring at the creature in absolute disbelief.

Her toothy grin widened as she waited patiently for me to put the pieces together.

And then, it finally hit me.

"My wolf. You're... my wolf?"

"You can call me Bane," she purred with dark satisfaction.

I couldn't believe it. I stared at the green-eyed beast in shock, my mind scrambling to comprehend how this was even possible.

"No, you can't be. I don't have a wolf," I stammered, refusing to accept it.

A low, angry growl rumbled in her chest.

"So, who are you going to believe?" she challenged. "The words of those idiots who know nothing, or your own two eyes?"

I fell silent, looking down at my own body, remembering exactly where she had just emerged from.

"You'd better believe it, Brielle," Bane said, drawing my gaze back to her. "You've always had a wolf."

"Always?" I echoed, my mind spinning at the implication.

Bane went on to explain that she had been trapped inside me for years, but I simply hadn't been able to hear her.

She had been watching everything, completely unable to break through and communicate with me—until today.

"You finally decided to make a choice for yourself, without anyone telling you what to do. That was what connected us." She lowered herself to the floor with deliberate grace, crossing her front paws.

Instantly, I knew exactly what she meant.

Argon's demand for a divorce, after every single sacrifice I had made for him, had pushed me to my breaking point. I had finally wanted to leave him forever.

That spark of defiance was the fire that had finally forged the bond between my wolf and me.

Slowly accepting this new reality, I asked Bane what she was.

She looked nothing like any wolf I had ever seen. Wolves had red, gold, blue, or even yellow eyes. But she was the first I had ever encountered with eyes of vibrant green.

A fierce pride radiated from Bane as she revealed our heritage.

She told me we were Ivys—a rare, ancient lineage of wolves long thought to be extinct.

An Ivy wolf could be awakened by a single spark of true rage, their power driven entirely by the wolf's sheer will. That was how Bane had finally managed to break through the barrier between us.

"You let that fool use you like a toy, over and over again. After all the pain he caused, after the death of our baby, you just want to sign his divorce papers and walk away?"

She let out a mocking scoff and rose to her feet. "There's a reason we're called Ivys, Brielle. We don't care about status or bloodlines. We are poison to our enemies. If someone hurts us, we take our revenge. We make them suffer."

Her green eyes gleamed with wicked delight, sending a shiver racing down my spine.

"So, what are you going to do?" she pressed. "Are you going to let Argon go enjoy his perfect life while you drown in your misery? Or are you going to show him the true power of an Ivy?"

I didn't know how to answer. I was still too overwhelmed by her sudden existence to think straight.

"I don't know," I whispered, lifting my gaze to meet hers.

But she was already gone.

***

My twenty-four hours were up.

A sharp knock hammered against my door, followed by Argon and Estelle demanding to be let in.

I had been lying in bed, completely lost in my own thoughts.

The second I unlatched the door, Estelle shoved past me. Dressed in her latest designer gown, she marched into the room and immediately demanded the divorce papers.

"I assume you've signed them?" Argon asked coldly, his gaze sweeping the room with clear distaste. "My lawyer will be here any minute."

I didn't answer. Instead, I walked over to the desk where I had left the documents, picked them up, and carried them back to him.

He snatched the folder from my hands and flipped it open.

"What is this?" he snapped, shoving the blank signature lines in my face. "Why haven't you signed them? What the hell are you waiting for?!"

Estelle stepped up beside him, her eyes narrowing. "Just throw her out if she won't cooperate, Argon. She obviously still thinks she's Luna. Toss her onto the street."

Keeping my head bowed in a show of submission, I murmured, "That's not the reason. It's the promise I made to your father, the late Alpha. I just couldn't bring myself to sign them."

I reminded Argon of the vow I'd taken on his father's deathbed, then made my plea.

"Please, just give me three months to fulfill his dying wish. Let me help you and your future Luna prepare for your wedding. As soon as you're married, I'll leave forever," I pleaded, finally raising my eyes to meet his.

Argon stared at me, his brow furrowing in utter confusion, while Estelle let out a harsh, mocking laugh. "His dying wish? You must be out of your mind if you think we're going to let you—"

"Alright," Argon interrupted, shocking Estelle into silence. "I'll allow you to stay for three months. When the time is up, you sign these papers and get out. Have I made myself clear?"

"Yes, Alpha," I replied, bowing my head once more.

Argon's decision visibly infuriated Estelle. She immediately grabbed his arm, protesting and demanding he kick me out.

But Argon waved her off.

"It was my father's last wish, and she owes me this. Besides," he said, a cruel smirk touching his lips, "it will be even more entertaining when the entire pack watches her personally hand over her position to you."

That instantly brightened Estelle's mood. She agreed with a smug smile, shooting me a triumphant glare.

"Exactly. She's weak anyway. I bet she won't even last a month," Argon mocked, turning on his heel and leaving the room with Estelle clinging to his arm.

I slowly raised my eyes, watching their retreating backs until the door clicked shut.

Then, echoing clearly in the back of my mind, I heard Bane's voice.

"You chose wisely, Brielle. Very good."