Ivy’s POV
I returned to my room, my mind racing with plans to confront the mysterious hold Kathrine seemed to have over my father and Grant. The minute I opened the door, I found Nancy sitting on my bed, tears streaming down her face.
"Nan?" I rushed to her side, instantly alarmed. "What happened?"
She wiped furiously at her tears, trying to compose herself. "It’s nothing. I’m just being silly."
I sat beside her, taking her trembling hands in mine. "Don’t lie to me. Something’s clearly wrong."
Her hazel eyes met mine, filled with a fear that made my wolf stir protectively. "I just—I don’t want you to leave, Ivy. The pack was falling apart before you came back, and now…"
There was something else—something deeper she wasn’t telling me. I could sense it in the way her eyes darted away when I studied her face too closely.
"Who threatened you?" I asked directly.
Her sharp intake of breath confirmed my suspicion. "No one," she whispered, but her voice betrayed her.
"Nancy," I pressed, my tone gentle but firm, "we’ve been friends forever. I know when you’re hiding something."
Fresh tears welled in her hazel eyes. "I can’t tell you. She said—" Nancy stopped herself abruptly, clamping her lips shut.
"She?" I prompted, though I already had a good guess who "she" was.
Nancy shook her head frantically. "Please, Ivy. Just drop it. I don’t want to cause any more trouble."
I cupped her face gently, forcing her to look at me. "Listen to me. No one gets to threaten my best friend. No one. I promise you, I will handle this before I leave."
"How?" she whispered.
A slow smile spread across my face—not warm, but dangerous. "By reminding everyone exactly who I am."
I stood suddenly, pulling Nancy to her feet. "First things first. We’re going to get ready for tonight."
Her lips formed a small pout. “Thanks to Kathrine, that is. I was trying to give you a surprise.”
I cut in, smiling, “But we’re going to give them an entrance they’ll never forget.”
For the next hour, I transformed Nancy. I styled her soft blonde hair in elegant curls that cascaded down her back like golden waterfalls. I applied her makeup with expert precision—subtle but enhancing, making her hazel eyes pop dramatically. Finally, I helped her into a flowing gown the color of champagne that hugged her curves before flaring gracefully at her knees.
"The finishing touch," I murmured, retrieving a diamond jewelry set my father had given me years ago. The necklace and matching earrings caught the light, sending prismatic rainbows dancing across the walls.
When she saw her reflection, Nancy gasped. "I look…"
"Like the strong she-wolf you are," I finished firmly. "You’re not just pretty, Nan. You’re powerful. Don’t ever let anyone make you forget that."
Now it was my turn. I slipped into a figure-hugging maroon dress with a dangerous slit up one side. The fabric clung to my curves like a second skin, the deep color striking against my skin. I paired it with an onyx and silver jewelry set that had belonged to my great-grandmother—the witch whose blood ran in my veins.
I styled my dark hair in loose beach waves, applied a smoky eye, and finished with a bold red lip. Standing back, I examined our reflections side by side—gold and red, light and dark, both radiating strength.
"We look like we’re going to war," Nancy whispered.
I met her eyes in the mirror. "In a way, we are."
A knock sounded at the door. "Time to go, baby," my father’s voice called.
I squeezed Nancy’s hand reassuringly. "Remember, no matter what happens tonight, you stand with me. Not behind me. With me."
She nodded, shoulders straightening with newfound confidence.
"Then let’s show them what real she-wolves look like," I said, opening the door to face whatever awaited us.
My father stood there in a tailored suit, his eyes widening slightly as he took in our appearance. "You both look…" he paused, seeming to search for the right word, "formidable."
I smiled, pleased with his choice of description. "Good. That’s exactly what I was going for."
As we walked toward the main hall, I could hear music and voices growing louder with each step. The celebration was already underway, but our entrance would set the tone for everything that followed.
At the massive double doors leading into the hall, Dad turned to me. "Ready for your surprise?"
I nodded, composing my features into what I hoped was a convincing look of ignorance.
He pushed open the doors, and instantly the room fell silent. Every head turned toward us as we stepped into the bright light of the grand hall.
"SURPRISE!" the crowd roared in unison.
I widened my eyes and placed a hand over my heart in feigned shock, playing my part perfectly.
But as my gaze swept across the room, I spotted her—Kathrine—watching me with calculating eyes from the center of a group of admirers. Her expression flickered briefly with something like hatred before smoothing into a practiced smile.
Game on, I thought, as I stepped fully into the light, ready to reclaim what was mine.
The crowd parted as I moved through them, murmurs following in my wake. I could feel the weight of their stares—some admiring, others wary, a few openly hostile. But I kept my chin high, my steps measured and confident.
My father led us to the center of the room where a magnificent cake stood, adorned with flowers and my name in elegant script. Behind it, a banner proclaimed "Welcome Home, Ivy" in bold letters.
"Speech!" someone called, and others took up the chant.
I stepped forward, feeling the room’s attention like a physical weight. From the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Kathrine moving closer, her smile never reaching her eyes.
"Thank you all for this wonderful welcome," I began, my voice clear and strong. "It’s been too long since I’ve been home with my pack—my family."
My gaze swept deliberately across the faces before me, lingering on those I knew to be Kathrine’s supporters. "And family protects each other, stands by each other, no matter what."
I raised my glass, my meaning unmistakable to those who needed to hear it. "To the Silvermoon Pack—may we remember what truly makes us strong."
The crowd echoed my toast, but beneath the cheers, I felt the undercurrents of tension, the shifting alliances and whispered concerns. The battle lines were being drawn, and I had just made my first move.
Tonight was only the beginning. The real fight was yet to come.