Bound to the Alpha King

50 - Accused

Nathaniel's POV

I watch in admiration of Ivy as she trains drills with Kane, connecting every hit with ease. I see her smirk and chuckle lowly as Kane directs her, her eyes filled with passionate emotion. Her hair is pulled back into a loose ponytail, some of it falling out in her face as she exerts herself. There's something about watching her that brings such pride to me. We've all been training together for a few weeks now that things have settled down. There hasn't been anymore attacks or surprise visits from those who we obviously don't want to see, and Ivy, Kane and Genevieve have settled in well here at Crystal Moon.

There have been some problems with the rogue wolves from what Kaiden had told me, but he didn't know much else. He said he just wanted to bring it to my attention and would let me know if anything else suspicious occurred. I haven't heard a thing, so it's fine for now, I guess. I do suspect that a lot of things are connected, but there's a lot of speculation and no proof.

It's irritating, but hopefully something will pop up.

"She really knows what she's doing. I'm surprised that even without Seles she's managed to keep her technique up." I say to Evie as she stands beside me.

"Kane kept on her to maintain it. He hoped it would distract her from things and give her confidence without her wolf."

"Well, it was sure successful."

"Now it is. Back at Red Moon she picked her battles. Over time Cole and Alarik wore her down and she stopped fighting. It's nice to see that desire in her eyes again. I missed it, and her." Evie says, her voice full of emotion as she watches her friend in admiration.

A moment later, Ivy connects a hit with Kane, and he skids backwards.

"What the?" Ivy says as she looks at her hands. "I shouldn't have been able to do that." Evie and I look at each other and then make our way over to her and Kane.

"Did I hurt you?" She says as she looks at Kane with pain in her facial features, worried she did something to him. He shakes his head. "No, I'm not hurt but sure as hell surprised. You hit me with the force you used to, back when you had Seles."

"I wonder if she's starting to resurface a little bit." I state and Ivy sighs. "Maybe, I don't know for sure. I haven't heard her since the cuffs were taken off."

"Althea said it would take time. This could be the start of things."

"I hope so." Ivy states with a twinge of sadness in her voice.

Damn how I wish I could bring Seles back to her.

- - -

Ivy's POV

I pluck out notes on the piano in the music room as I sing, feeling the music flow through me, relaxing me. I've settled in well, but there is still so much unanswered and it's irritating me to say the least.

Nathaniel is meeting with the other reigns and his parents again today to discuss the overall state of things and to begin plans for his coronation. They've all met quite a few times now since I was revealed and announced as his mate, and I've kept myself away from most of the discussions, only because I haven't felt comfortable.

I know I'll have to start attending, but my nerves have gotten the better of me. Nate has tried to reassure me that I can join in when I'm ready, but I know it must look odd to not have me there. I'm the queen for fuck's sake. I've done everything else with ease. Visiting packs, meeting wolves and the like, but actually getting involved in major discussions for the entire race? Nope.

I sigh loudly, my irritation getting the better of me as I close the lid on the piano keys with a soft thud.

I think part of it is that even after my cuffs being off for well over a month now, Seles still hasn't resurfaced and I'm losing hope. I know she's still there, but I have no idea how to help her come forward again. I don't even know if my body is even capable of doing so anymore, but it's not like I can test that theory either.