Freedom For Once

Nathaniel's POV

"The Alpha will be with you shortly." Alarik tells me as I wait inside Cole's office to inform him that Ivy will be coming back with me to help prepare for the mating ball. The disdain in his tone as he speaks to me is evident, as I'm sure he's just as angry with me for my decision regarding the pack merger as his Alpha is.

I'm slightly distracted as my mate is still back in my room, sleeping peacefully. I checked on her before I left as I was worried about her head injury from the piece of shit I'm currently waiting for. She seemed okay, and it took a lot for me not to crawl in beside her.

I've been surprised at my degree of restraint with her. I know the moment I don't have to hide how I feel, the floodgates are going to open, and I won't be able to keep my hands off her.

It's then a door behind the desk in the room opens and Cole enters. I adjust my stance as I stand in front of the desk, crossing my arms. Cole glances at me, noticing my stance immediately.

"Can I help you, Alpha King?" Cole speaks, and I don't waste time. I want to get back to Ivy.

"I came to notify you that Ivy will be coming with me when I leave. As I told you before, she's been hired to perform at the mating ball next week. My parents would like her to stay at the castle while preparations are being made. Also, the mating retreat after the ball is back on, so be prepared for some of your pack members to be invited if they don't find their mate at the ball."

Cole's face turns from shock to a scowl in a matter of seconds.

"Why does Ivy need to go now? She's only performing." He questions me stupidly, his concerns for her leaving the pack grounds coming more and more to the surface.

"She's been hired to do a job, and there's a lot more preparations for her "performance" than you think. I'm not asking permission. Unless you'd like to explain to the royal family as to why she can't leave the pack, and why this seems to be a problem?" I question him, pushing for some sort of slip up concerning his problem with Ivy, but he doesn't bite. Maybe he's smarter than I thought.

He shifts weight to his opposite side as he answers me. "There's no problem, please just keep me informed of her actions while she's with your family. I wouldn't want her behaviour to look poorly on me and this pack."

I scoff slightly, as I turn and walk towards the door, opening it to leave. "You've already done that a bit yourself, Alpha. I wouldn't worry about her." I walk out, closing the door behind me.

I know I shouldn't keep pushing Cole, but I can't help it. He's a terrible Alpha and with what he did to Ivy, I can't even look at him with any ounce of respect. I make my way out of the packhouse and back to the residential building, and up to my room.

I open the door and as I walk in, Ivy comes walking down the hallway from the bedroom, her fiery hair slightly tousled and yawning loudly. She stops dead in her tracks when she sees me and half smiles at me.

"How are you feeling?" I ask and she nods her head slightly. "Better. Thank you for letting me crash. Did you get any work done you needed to?" I nod. "Yes, don't worry. I just came back from seeing Cole."

The moment his name comes from my mouth she frowns slightly, and her eyes widen in worry. "How did that go?" She questions, clearly still concerned.

"It went fine, don't worry your pretty little head. I just went and told him about our travel plans for you to come back with me for the mating ball preparations."

"He didn't say anything about me not being allowed to go?"

"I didn't give him a chance." She sighs and its almost as if all the tension leaves her body. She bows slightly. "Thank you for advocating for me, Alpha. I guess I should go pack."

I smirk. "That you should. I'll send a couple of my team to help you get your items to the cars. We will leave tomorrow. Okay?" She nods and walks past me towards the door. I grab her arm slightly, stopping her. She turns and faces me as I let go. I have to ask.

"Did you want to have dinner with me tonight? We can talk about how the next week or so will go." I ask and she blushes, her cheeks turning a rosy pink.

Please say yes.

"S...sure. Here?" She stutters in her response, and I chuckle.

"Yes. Is there a favourite food you like?" She looks to the side, obviously thinking.

"I really like roasted potatoes and vegetables, with either chicken or steak."

A girl after my heart, literally and food-wise too.

"That can be arranged. I'll come grab you from your house later this evening around 8, sound good?"

"Yes, Alpha. I'll make sure I'm ready."

"Great. See you then Ivy."

"See you." I watch as she then turns and walks out the door, but not before giving me a small smile.

Ivy's POV

I stand in my room, just staring at my closet. I've managed to pull a few things out, like some jeans and t-shirts, but I've slowed down in picking out clothes to pack. All because I'm panicking.

What if I completely screw this up? What if I wear the wrong thing? What if...

I shake my head and take a deep breath.

Is it scary that I'm going away from the pack? Yes.

Is it nerve wracking that I'm leaving with the Alpha King? Hell yes.

But is this also what I've always wanted? Also, yes.

I walk over and grab the bag I packed when I was planning to leave the pack before Alpha Nathaniel came. I unpack the clothes from it and place them in the suitcase on my bed alongside a few more outfits. I grab my mating ball dress from my closet and lay it out nicely beside my suitcase in its garment bag. A few more moments pass, and when I'm satisfied that I've packed enough clothes, I go into the bathroom to pack my toiletries into my small toiletry bag, grabbing all my currently used items, including my minimal amount of makeup, toothbrush, hairbrush, and shower essentials.

I carry the bag out with me and tuck it nicely into my suitcase, sighing.

"I really hope that's enough stuff." I say to myself as I zip up the large suitcase and put it aside to be picked up later.

I go back into the bathroom and run my fingers through my hair as I look into the mirror. I showered and did my makeup before I started packing but left my hair for last because I wasn't sure what to do for dinner with Nathaniel. I sigh loudly and then I hear Genevieve call my name.

I yell out "In the bathroom!", and a short few seconds later she appears beside me.

"So, I hear you're leaving with Alpha Nathaniel tomorrow?"

I nod, "I'm actually going to the royal castle to help get things arranged for the mating ball performance." The smile on Genevieve's face makes me chuckle.

"Happy for me?" I ask and she hugs me from behind. "Oh, you know I am. Enjoy your time away. I'll see you at the ball."

She goes to leave, and I blurt out, "He asked me to dinner tonight." She turns back, her eyes wide. "He what? Oh my God!"

"Could you help me with my hair? I don't know what to do. It's not a fancy dinner or anything." She smiles wide again. "I've got the perfect idea. Stay there." She returns a few moments later with some elastics and some styling spray and a curling iron.

She gets to work, curling my entire head and then pulling back each of the sides into small ponytails aside from small pieces in the front to frame my face. Like some of my usual styles, but the curls give it some more flair. As soon as she finishes, there's a knock on the door and Genevieve looks at me with a smile. "I'll get that." She's gone within a second and I go back into my room to get changed.

I choose a fitted off the shoulder black dress that sits just above my knees, with some sheer black tights underneath and a grey cardigan to cover my arms. I spray some perfume on, and I hear Genevieve yell for me. "Ivy, Alpha Nathaniel is here!"

"Coming!" I yell back as I put some lip gloss on and quickly do another once-over in the bathroom mirror before walking out into the living room. As he comes into view, I'm taken aback. His hair is styled, slightly messy but pushed back from his face. He's in a casual dressy outfit, black dress pants paired with a black button up long-sleeved dress shirt. the sleeves are rolled up, showcasing those oh so familiar tattoos that I saw when he first arrived here.

He speaks first. "Hello, Ivy."

"Hello, Alpha." I reply and he smirks at me. "You look beautiful. Are you ready?"

I nod, walking over and grabbing my black ankle boots, slipping them on. "Yes. I am now."

"Are your things packed?" He questions and I nod again.

"Good, we're leaving now." He turns and with a small whistle, Tobias walks in, smiles at me and heads back towards my bedroom. He returns shortly after, my suitcase and garment bag in hand. "Is this everything?" He asks and I nod. "Yes, that's all. Thank you." He walks past and is gone out of sight again.

I turn and look at Genevieve and then back to Nathaniel.

"We're leaving now? I thought it wasn't until tomorrow?"

"Something has come up, and I've gotta get back. Are you okay with coming now? I can always leave Tobias behind, and he can bring you tomorrow if you need more time."

I shake my head. "No, it's okay, just surprised is all. If you have to get back, you've got to. I won't delay you."

Genevieve approaches us and pulls me into a hug. As we part, I ask "Will you say bye to Kane for me? I know he's doing late night training."

She nods. "Of course. Have fun and we will see you soon!" I smile and Nathaniel allows me to walk in front of him and he follows behind me. His limo is near the gate just outside my house, and we walk side by side over to it. Tobias is closing the trunk as we approach and makes his way to the passenger side. Nathaniel opens the rear door for me. I say thank you as I climb inside and move over to the opposite side as Nathaniel climbs in behind me and closes the door.

"We will go to dinner in the next town over and then make our way to the palace. It's a decent length of a drive, so just let me know if we need to stop or anything, okay?" I turn to look at him and smile.

"Sounds perfect to me." The limo engine comes to life and pulls forward past the gate, and finally I am outside of Red Moon's pack lands, feeling relieved for once in my life.