River of Fire

Ivy's POV

I pace around my room, trying to pick an outfit for the show tonight. I've got three options pulled out; black ripped leggings with a long black sleeved fishnet top over a white tank top, my red baby doll dress with fishnet stockings, or acid washed jean capris with a black corset.

I pace, looking over each option and ultimately decide on the red dress and stockings. I kept my set for tonight chill, so I won't be moving around too much. Plus, I know Nate would like it.

I can't kid myself; I'm dressing up for him.

I get changed, making sure to put my favourite perfume on and sit down to do my makeup. I decide to do heavier winged liner, mascara, a nude lip, and a little bit of pink blush. I tidy up my brows and fill them it slightly and add some highlighter to my cheekbones.

I style my hair, pulling it back into a half pony with some pieces out to frame my face.

I stand and take another once over when I hear a whistle. I turn around and see Evie in my doorway, all dolled up herself in black leggings with a very low-cut silk top.

"Looking good as always. You ready to see your Alpha?" She says excitedly and I nod.

"I can't wait to see how you are together now that you've been physical. I'm interested that's for sure. I know it sounds creepy, but I just want to make sure you're good. You know?" I smile at her.

"I know, and I appreciate it. Nate treats me like a queen. You'll see."

"Let's go then! Don't want to be late!" I grab my purse, my set-list and head out with Evie, Kane in tow in his dressier clothes.

- - -

I walk into the familiar bar, thankful to be back in the atmosphere of Iron Wolf and I spot Kai near the downstairs bar as I walk further in with Kane and Genevieve. The background noise of everyone talking with music playing is a beautiful sound to my ears.

"Thank you so much for doing a set tonight. You're a lifesaver." Kai says as he hugs me, and we pull away and I smile. "Of course, anything for you. You know that." Kai goes to speak again but he stops just as he starts. I hear some of the chatter tone down, and my back prickles in response and immediately I know Nathaniel has arrived and he's behind me.

I turn and I'm met with those stunning blue eyes and a smirk, and I can't help but blush. He walks closer to me, stopping about half an arm's length away. I see Tobias not too far behind and he smiles at me briefly before I bring my attention back to Alpha in front of me. He's in an all-black ensemble as usual, looking mouth-watering. His black hair is styled slightly, messy but controlled.

"Hello again songbird." He says and my heart flutters hearing his voice again and I smile. "Hi, Alpha." I peek around him and wave to Tobias. "Nice to see you again, Beta Tobias." I say and he nods. "Likewise, Ivy."

"Would you like your usual booth upstairs Alpha Nathaniel?" Kai asks and Nathaniel nods. "That would be great Kai. Thank you."

Kai takes his leave and Nate turns his attention to Kane and Genevieve. "Nice to see you both again, hope you are well?" Genevieve pipes in. "We're great, Alpha. Better more so that Ivy is back. We missed her."

"I do apologize for taking her from you for so long, but it was time well spent. Wouldn't you say so Ivy?" Nate half smirks and the blood rushes to my cheeks when I get what he's implying. What's worse off is that Kane and Genevieve know exactly what he's talking about!

Good lord.

I stammer a little in embarrassment. "Uh... y..yeah. You can say that." Nate chuckles at my awkwardness but reaches out to grab my hand slightly. "Can I talk to you upstairs for a moment? If you've got time?" I nod. "My set isn't for a bit yet so sure." We walk away from everyone else, heading upstairs and over to where I spoke to and met him for the very first time, and we sit in the booth.

"I can only stay for a little bit, an emergency meeting got called by my parents."

"That's okay don't feel obligated to stay. I know you want to be here, but don't let me get in the way of your duty."

"How are you so understanding and not taking offence to me pushing our calls and plans? You don't even pester me for details about what I'm doing."

I sigh. "You're an important man. You've got important things to do. I know I'm important to you too, but I also know that your duty as an Alpha and our King takes precedence. As for details, I'm not privy to them in any way shape or form. I just know it's for the best of the packs."

"God you're something else." He leans into me, whispering. "If I didn't have to leave, I'd be taking you in the back of my limo right now." I audibly gasp and immediately blush crimson. "Nathaniel!" I exclaim quietly and he chuckles in my ear before pecking a kiss on my neck.

"Tobias said he will stay in my place to support you, I just wanted to see you. I'll see about coming back if the meeting doesn't take too long."

"Okay." I say and we stand together, and he pulls me into him and trails his hand up my back and to my neck, pulling me into a deep kiss. Our lips move effortlessly with each other, and he groans as we pull away. "I missed feeling your kisses." I state dreamily, and he smiles before grasping my hand again and we head back down to everyone.

We all stand chatting for a few more moments before Nathaniel takes his leave and we say our quick goodbyes, Tobias staying behind and mingling with us still. Tobias offers for us to all hang out in the booth upstairs, so we all head up, order drinks and not before long I head back down to do my set.

I sing my four songs that I chose for the evening, and it ends with some screams and applause.

I missed this.

I'm sad that Nathaniel had to miss my set, but as I said before I know his job is more important. I head back up to the booth and I see Tobias and Kane doing shots as Evie watches on, sipping on her gin and tonic. I sit back down and Tobias hands me a shot. I smile, and we clink and down it all.

"So, Nathaniel has taken quite a liking to you, Ivy." Tobias states and I try to hide my blush.

"Oh, she likes him too Tobias." Evie says with a smirk, and I scoff.

"He was having a hard time adjusting to his future new role, but now he's taking it in stride. Softened up a little bit too. Not such a hard exterior towards everyone. It's good Ivy. You are good for him."

"I didn't realize. Thank you for telling me. To be honest, I was feeling like maybe I was being a burden to him, but now having you say that I realize I haven't been. I appreciate it, Tobias. I really do."

It's then the instruments start to play for the next set, and I get up to go watch.

We party and keep partying, letting a lot looser than we usually do, and before I know it, I'm feeling lightheaded and dizzy. I go over to Genevieve and lean into her ear, the now loud club music playing since the sets are long over.

"I'm going outside for a little bit of air. I'll be back."

"Sounds good!" She yells and I head downstairs and outside, the cold air hitting me and feeling great against my warmed skin. I head over to the left of the Iron Wolf entrance around the corner out of view, and lean back into the brick wall, closing my eyes slightly.

"Ivy." I hear a very unfamiliar voice and open my eyes to see three men standing in front of me, and I immediately get an unfriendly vibe from them. I look at all three of them closely – all of them are built similarly, two with blond hair flanking left and right and one with brown hair in the centre. Brown hair has a scar on his eyebrow, and the blond-haired ones look like they're twins.

I respond. "Can I help you?"

"No but you can keep your mouth shut." Brown hair says to me.

"Excuse me?" I question and suddenly the one blond man on the left lunges at me and I dodge his advance, my instincts kicking in and knowing I need to defend myself. I try to get myself away from the wall, but I'm not quick enough and they all box me in.

The blows start coming and I try to deflect them all but it's almost impossible. I wince as my ribs and chest are hit hard knocking some of the wind out of me.

Do not let them get you on the ground Ivy!

I manage to stay upright and get a couple blows in, but one of the blond twins pushes my hands out of the way and pins me by my neck against the wall. I cough and sputter and kick out trying to loosen his grip but it's no use. Just when I start to see stars he lets go and I fall to my knees.

It's short-lived as a swift kick comes into my stomach and it's with enough force that I'm knocked onto my back. I put my arms up to my face to block whatever other hits come my way, but I'm not expecting what comes next.

A searing pain flares in my abdomen, and I feel wetness seeping out. I open my eyes and the brown-haired man is over top of me, and out of the corner of my eye I see the glint of a pocketknife, now stained red. I realize then I've been stabbed. I glance down and see the dark red blood come out of my wound and stain my dress darker.

The pain is unreal, throbbing with every beat of my heart and the blood just doesn't stop....

"Hope you lived a good life, Ivy." I hear one of the men say as they leave me battered and bleeding onto the asphalt.

- - -

Genevieve's POV

I look around for Ivy since it has been well over an hour since I saw her last. I walk up to Kane and yell in his ear. "Have you seen Ivy? She told me she was going out for some air, and I haven't seen her since."

He shakes his head no and leans into my ear. "Let's go see if we can find her." I nod and we head outside, looking around. The scent of blood hits me and my eyes go wide. "Do you smell that?" I say as I look to Kane and he nods, his eyes darkening, signalling his wolf is present. "This way." He points and I follow and once we round the corner I gasp loudly.

I see Ivy's body laying in a pool of blood.

"Ivy!" I scream and run over to her, scooping her up into my arms. I feel a faint pulse coming from her, but her heartbeat is erratic and skipping. She opens her eyes slightly. "Ev...."

"Shh. I'm here. Kane is too. What happened."

"Three....attacked. Knife." Is all she manages, and I look down seeing her stab wound and I growl. "What in the actual fuck!"

"I'm going to go get Tobias." I nod and Kane takes off. Mere seconds later he comes reeling around the corner with Tobias and his eyes widen at the sight of her bloodied and battered in my arms. He kneels and checks her pulse like I did and lowers his head. "She needs to get to a hospital."

"There's not one near here. Not close enough." Kane states plainly.

"Then she's going to Midnight Moon, Nate's packlands. It's the closest aside from Red Moon unless you want to get her home."

"She's not going back home. For all we know Cole did this." I growl and Kane nods. "I agree, it's not safe for her to go home. Never has been."

"Midnight Moon it is then. I'll go get the car."