Hunter's POV
Our guest had left sometime in the evening, which is odd. But there has been a bit of a change in Ivory since he left, she seems to have relaxed a little, but it still feels like something is bothering her. I wish I could see what's bothering her. I know that there is something. I can feel it. It may not be overwhelming me, but it's still there. All I want to do is ease her worries and let her know that she can trust me. That I won't hurt her, but I can't say that I'm happy to see her light up over another guy. Best friend or not, she is my mate. It just saddens me that she hasn't willingly come around me. I don't want every interaction to be initiated by me. I want her to enjoy this too. I sigh, frustrated with my thoughts.
I call for Emery to see me. I need to know more about Mr. Black something seemed strange with him. And Emery will turn over every rock he can get his hands on not long after he appears in my office with a smile. "Good morning Hunter; what can I get you today," he chuckles afterward. "You're oh so funny, Emery, but I need you to gather everything you can on Marcus Black, our disappearing guest." He nods and heads out as I lean back in my chair and sigh. What am I going to do?
Ivory's POV
After talking with Hunter, Jackson and I texted back and forth. I am so excited to see him. I know I owe him an explanation about what happened. But still, it is great to see him. There's a knock at the door that pulls my attention back. I get up and answer the door to see Roxie standing there. "Hi, Roxie, what's up?"
She laughs and smiles. "Wow, four words as a greeting? I think I've hit the jackpot." She looked me over and held out her arm. "Looks like you could use a pick me up. Let's go get breakfast together!" She beams at me, waiting for me to take her arm. I'm slightly nervous about taking her arm, but Marcus is gone, and I am starving, so maybe it's not a wrong choice. I take Roxie's arm, "okay, sounds like fun." I can't help but smile just a bit.
"Oh my god! Four words and a smile? I definitely hit the jackpot!" She smiles and leads me into the dining hall. On entry, you can see members goofing around and having a good time, but soon that pleasant sight is ruined by one person.
My worst nightmare enters my vision with a sickly sweet smile. "Good Morning, Ivory. I just wanted to say I'm sorry for getting off on the wrong foot earlier. I must have gotten you confused with someone else." She picks up a box off the table and holds it out to me. "This is for you. I hope you like it."
I take the box from her, cautious about her still, and open it. It's a bracelet. I look at her, confused, "thank you, and it's fine." Rebecca grabs the bracelet and helps me put it on. When she closes it, it almost feels as if it locks. She pulls me in for a hug, and her soft words chill me to my bones. "This should be a helpful reminder, and I think you are smart enough that I don't have to tell you not to say anything or try removing it." I freeze for a moment remembering Roxie is standing right there, and I need to act like nothing is happening, "thank you again, Rebecca, it's so nice."
She pulls away and smiles like she didn't just threaten me. "Oh, you're so welcome, and as I said, I'm sorry for us getting off on the wrong foot. I hope we can be friends." She smiles so sweetly it's almost sickening. My wrist starts burning; I bite the inside of my cheek, trying to control the pain a bit without reacting much. "Of course, that would be great," I say through grit teeth, not breaking my composure. With that, Rebecca strides off like she's won control over me. I again am forced to focus on this burning pain that continues to radiate through my hand and arm, but not long after, Roxie's presence brings my focus back.
"That was interesting. Wonder who she thought you were," Roxies says as we sit. I try to eat, but every time I move a single muscle, the pain starts again, each time worse than the last. I focus on the food. I've almost gotten through it all, but I'm starting to feel sick. "You know you don't have to eat it all; I know you don't eat much," Roxie takes my hand, looking at me. I smile because she is like her brother. In the end, both are super sweet and very caring people. "Thanks. I don't want to be rude. I hate to waste it." "It's not a waste. Jasmine always overserves at mealtime; I swear she's trying to fatten us up," Roxie says, laughing.
We sit there and talk for a bit before I notice Hunter walking into the room; I slip my hand under the table as he walks up. He's smiling, "He's cute, don't you think?" Sasha chimes in, and I can't help but agree he is cute. When he smiles, you can see the little dimple appear on his right cheek. His voice pulls me out of my daydream, "Ivory, would you like to go on a run with me?" I sat there, shocked for a moment. "Go…. go get to know him; he seems like a good one." I feel Sasha pushing me to go, and I mean, how bad could it be to get to stretch my legs a bit. "That sounds lovely, Hunter." For a moment, I don't feel the pain. Instead, I think this calm and safe wave of energy flows through me, but I can't figure out why. But I'm not going to question it right now.
Hunter' POV
After sitting in my office for a few more minutes, I looked outside, and an idea popped into my head. I wonder if she's up for going on a run with me. Leaving my office, I stop by her room, but I can tell she's not in there, so I head downstairs. Not long afterward,s I find her sitting in the dining hall with my sister. They are just talking and look like they enjoy each other's company. She soon sees me as I lock contact with her. I notice she slides her hands out of view, but I brush it off. I'm more focused on her smile. She seems lost in thought, but I realize that the closer I get to her, Ash is going nuts, which could only mean her wolf is out. I stand next to Roxie so as not to intimidate her. "Ivory, would you be up to going on a run with me," I ask, seeing that it pulls her attention to me and she looks shocked for a moment, but it changes quickly? "That sounds lovely, Hunter."
My heart soars, and a small wave of trust washes over me. This is a process, and I couldn't be happier with it. I hold my hand out to her, and she places her tiny hand into mine, to my surprise. There is a shock that sparks when she makes contact. I had already put some change of clothes into a bag that was next to the door. After we leave the packhouse, I give her some privacy as we change. She changes before me, and when I see her, my breath is sucked from my lungs. Her wolf is beautifully white, and her eyes pop against her pale fur. Ash can help but howl at her sight, and I can't blame him. She is stunning. I link her and let her know to follow as I start to run to the southern section of the woods. I found a meadow a few days ago, and I noticed that she's drawn to the outside, so I think she will enjoy it there.
We enjoy the silence between us as we run. I can feel how happy Ivory is out of the packhouse. Guessing she was maybe feeling a bit trapped in there, too afraid to go out by herself, and I can't blame her. She was probably tapped back home and never really got to be outside very much. I start to slow down as we get closer to the meadow. "We are going to take this path. I want to show you something, okay?" I ask through the link waiting for her to respond. Her voice comes through ever so softly, "okay, where are we going?" "It's a surprise; you have to wait and see. Trust me. You will love it."
She lets a smile slip as we continue to run the rest of the way. Once we make it to the spot, I slow down. "You can change here. It's the most private and covered area." I turn my back so that she can change. I take the time to change myself. I was finishing up when she stepped from around the bush; she still steals my breath away, even in jeans and one of my shirts. I grab the bag and hold my hand out again, hoping she will take it again. I can see that she's nervous about taking it, but then a sudden shock runs up my arm, and this time she has one hand in mine and the other around my forearm. I smile and clear my voice, "Ivory do you trust me?" I ask her, watching how she reacts. She seems to think about it before she answers, but this wave of calm runs through me. "Yes, I trust you," She responds very softly. "Close your eyes and hold onto my hands; don't peek, okay," I smile as she closes her eyes and takes both my hands. I slowly walk into the meadow getting to the middle of this clearing before releasing her hands. I see her face change, and she looks like she is searching for me. I take another step back, "open your eyes." She slowly opens her eyes, and they shine in shock, I see her smile, but I don't think she noticed it. She looks around, taking in every last detail.
I take the opportunity to lay the blanket out in the grass. Looking back at Ivory, I can see tears fill her eyes, but she doesn't seem sad. "Ivory, would you come sit with me?" I ask as I pat the spot next to me; she wipes her eyes, nods, and sits with me. "This is beautiful, Hunter." She says as she continues to look around. "I thought you would like it. I guess I was right on that," I chuckle. She nodded her head. I start to notice one of her hands trembling a bit. I will make a quick mental note of it for now.
I let her continue to look around. I get lost in thought while watching her. There is a jolt of electricity coming from my side. To my surprise, Ivory is lying against me. I take my chance. "Have you ever played 20 Questions?" Ivory pulls her attention away and says, "no, I haven't."
"Well, it starts with me asking a question, and then you answer, and then you get to ask me a question. How would that sound?" As she looks at me, I can see that she is nervous. "Sounds fun," She says, smiling.
"Okay, let's start with an easy one…. What's your favorite color?" I have to say blue. What is your favorite color?" I smile and look into her eyes. "Purple… Violet, if I'm correct." I see her cheeks turn the deepest shade of red, and there's a small glimmer in her eye for a moment. "If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?" I see that she thinks about the question for a moment before responding. "I don't think there isn't one place that I could pick. I would want to see everything." Her voice is so soft and airy. "What about you? Is there anywhere you would go?" I look at her for a moment and then smile. "Honestly, if I could go anywhere, it would be with you. It wouldn't matter the place. As long as I get to see you smile." "He's pretty smooth, don't you think?" "So…. Something has been on my mind for a while. Is something wrong with your arm? It was trembling earlier… I want to know that you're okay." I look at her, hoping she can see my genuinely concerned for her.
Ivory's POV
"Something has been on my mind for a while. Is something wrong with your arm? It was trembling earlier… I want to know that you're okay." That one question just dropped my heart into my stomach. There is no way in hell that I can tell him. What am I going to say? I have to make something up that he will believe. Fuck...Fuck...Fuck…
"Tell him. Ivory tell him. What's the worst that could happen?" Sasha chimes in, "There is a lot worse; there is no way in hell that he can know. That will only guarantee our fate." "What about our fate? Why are we letting others dictate our choices and lives for Moon Goddess's sake! Why not just tell him? He'll keep us safe." "It's not worth putting others at risk. Keeping it from him is for the best." I cut the link to Sasha. I'm right about this. Hunter's presence brings my attention back; he's still watching me, waiting for my answer. "I have small tremors after running for so long," I smile as I lie to this man that has only been good to me, but it's all for the best.
Right?....