IVY:
Ivy woke up the next day and stretched her body. She yawned and rubbed her eyes, then groaned and fell back on the bed when a knock sounded on her door. If that was Meredith, then it would mean another round of training for her.
“Meredith, is that you?“ She asked with creased brows. It's not like she doesn't like to spend time with Meredith, she does. Meredith was nice and accommodating, more like the sister she never had, but she wasn't in the mood to go out now.
“Yes, it's me. Don't tell me you're just getting up from bed?“ Meredith asked.
“Just come in,“ Ivy said and Meredith opened the door.
"Come on, girl! You need to get ready. We are going into the woods today,“ Meredith said, shaking her head slightly.
Ivy groaned. “I just feel like sleeping some more.“
“Not today, Missy,“ Meredith said and pulled Ivy up from the bed, then pushed her into the bathroom. “Wash up and get dressed quickly. I'll be waiting for you.“ Meredith added and walked out of the room.
Ivy sighed as she slipped out of her nightgown. As her thoughts traveled far, she entered the bathroom and took a bath. Ivy had mixed feelings about how she was going to blend in with the pack members. She knew they were nice and friendly people, but to be sincere, she felt more welcomed with Meredith and the Alpha. Speaking of the Alpha, she felt her heart thump a bit. She'd swear she didn't know what was going on with her whenever she thought of him. No matter how she tried to forget, his thoughts still found ways of getting to her.
She was done in no time and put on black pants with a White t-shirt. She didn't put on a jacket as a result of the warm weather in Boston and slipped into her sneakers. Packing her hair in a ponytail, she left the room, and met Meredith leaning on the wall close to her room door. Meredith turned when she sensed Ivy and smiled at her.
“Let's go!“ She held Ivy's hands, and they left the Woodson's house premises. Meredith held her and led her to the woods where they settled down on some tree branches there. They talked a bit and laughed too. They have not talked much when Meredith scratched her nose. Ivy could sense it, too.
“The Fae Queen is here,“ Meredith said and just as Ivy was about to say something, guards marched by in a single file and row. Ivy watched as a carriage covered from the top to the bottom passed, too. She couldn't make out whoever was in there because of the thick clothing used to cover it. She saw them head down the road to the Alpha's house.
“What is the Fae Queen doing in a werewolf territory?“ Ivy asked. Her interest was piqued, and she wished to know everything.
“Are you seriously telling me you don't know what the Fae Queen is doing here?“ Meredith asked in disbelief.
Ivy shook her head and still went further to say, “No, I don't. I'm new here, remember?“
“Oh! Yeah...Well, the Fae Queen is here to form an alliance with our pack. After the massacre in Norway, it wouldn't be long until the witches come for vengeance, so we want to be ready for when they'll come.“ Meredith explained.
“And to do that?“ Ivy asked, glancing at Meredith with a bid to nudge her.
“To do that, Alpha Blake would have to get married to the Fae Queen's daughter.“
Ivy gasped. “The Fae princess?“ She asked.
“Yes. The Fae princess. If the meeting today is successful, and we hope it would, the Alpha will get betrothed to the Fae princess, and then marriage preparations would set in. Isn't that great?“ Meredith said with a hopeful glint in her eyes.
“But, if the pack wants to form an alliance, why must it be with the Faes?“ Ivy asked, as that was the question bothering her at the moment.
“The Alpha is in a better position to answer that question,“ Meredith said.
“And do you think he wants to do this?“ Ivy asked again. She tried to be careful in her approach so it wouldn't look like she was trying to get something out of her.
“Of course he does. The welfare of the pack is Blake's topmost priority. He is ready to do anything as far as it would keep the pack safe from external attack.“ Meredith answered.
“How about internal?“ Ivy asked.
“I don't think there is going to be any. And if there is going to be one, we will be more than ready to stop them. After the Alpha gets married to the Fae Princess, we will get stronger.“ Meredith beamed.
Ivy just nodded. She didn't know why she felt sad that the Alpha was going to get betrothed. Ivy felt like a cub beaten mercilessly by the rain and needed someone for comfort. Like, who the hell would want to get betrothed to a Fae Princess just to form an alliance? That thought alone made her shudder. Like, was he going to get married… just like that?! Is she just going to watch that happen, and pretend like she wasn't affected at all? How on Earth is she supposed to take in this news? Ivy sat there dazed, and lost for words. She hit her head, trying to dismiss this strange feeling she developed immediately after after Meredith told her. She didn't want to feel this way, at least not in the presence of Me,redith but she found out that she couldn't help it. She was still lost in her cloud of thoughts when Meredith shook her.
“Hey, the festival is at hand. Haven't you gotten an outfit yet?“ She asked and Ivy smiled nerously, and scratched the back of her head.
BLAKE:
Blake sat down in the meeting room with his other, and the five elders. They had gotten ready for the arrival of the Fae Queen, and now that she was in their territory, Blake had more doubt about is these marriage stuff. They had sent guards out to escort her in and when her tiny servants entered, everyone stood to their feet. Blake was adamant at, first but his mother pulled him up just as the Fae Queen entered.
“Greetings, your highness.“ Blake's mother bowed.
“Pleasure to meet your acquaintance,“ Blake said, contemplating on whether he should bow to her or not. He was new to this Alpha thing even though they chose him as the Alpha eight years ago. He thought that a prominent figure like himself shouldn't bow to her. After all, they're both leaders. With that decided in his mental thought, he refused to bow and waved instead.
He could see that the Fae Queen noticed that, and he saw her shook her head in a disapproving manner. She was someone who loved to be accorded respect, but it looked like the young Alpha didn't seem like someone who would give her the honour she deserved. Anyway, she won’t make a fuss about it. After all, she was here to see into forming an alliance with them.
Blake cleared his throat when he saw the displeased look on her face, and walked up to her, then bowed. “You are welcome. Please, have a seat and feel comfortable.“ He said, using the most polite tone he could think of in a brief span of time. She nodded with a grin and sat down with her guards beside her. After she had sat down, everyone did the same.
“You are welcome once more,“ Blake's mother said.
“Thank you.“ The Fae Queen gave her a momentary smile while using her eyes to scrutinize the place, especially Blake, whom her daughter was getting betrothed to.
“So, let's go into the meeting in full,“ Elder Larry said and everyone settled down in their seats.
“You want to form an alliance with my kingdom, right?“ The Fae Queen asked, using her eyes to scan everyone in the meeting room.
“Yes.“ Blake's mother answered.
“On what ground?“ The Fae Queen asked.
Everyone expected Blake to answer her, but technically, his mind was elsewhere. His mother felt like kicking him in the shins. She stylishly pinched him, and his attention came back to the meeting. He looked at her and she gave him a warning glare.
“Your highness, as an aftermath of the operation which our Alpha and warriors undertook weeks ago in the Norwegian territories, we are certain that the witches will strike back," Elder Baker said with his gaze lingering on Blake, who was frowning the whole time.
“So, you want to form an alliance through marriage?" The Fae Queen chuckled.
“Yes.“ Blake's mother answered.
Immediately his mother finished saying that, Blake looked ahead with a face carved from granite. She saw that and saw his disapproval.
“We'd be happy if you put our request into consideration. You know, our territories share similar strength in my knowledge, and it would be to the advantage of us both if we can merge together.“ Elder Corbin chimed in.
“I would be delighted to form an alliance with your pack,“ the Fae Queen said and Blake frowned deeply. He was repulsive at this idea and doesn't like it a bit. While everyone else wore beautiful smiles on their faces, Blake was not happy. He stood up and held his mother up, then led her out of the meeting room.