Chapter 0479

The moment I realized my date with Silas was canceled because he joined the rogue hunt, I decided to stay in and rest. The bite mark on my leg throbbed, and Dr. Whitmore said it would take at least two days to heal fully.

I couldn't deny the warmth in my chest when Gregory texted to check on me. Sleep had been restless—every time I shifted, pain shot through my leg. But waking up to his message made me smile. I never expected him to be this thoughtful.

"Yes, he is," Valeria murmured sleepily in my mind, stretching like a lazy cat.

After packing an overnight bag, I met my father downstairs. We grabbed coffee before hitting the road. The drive was long, so I dozed for the first few hours. When I woke, the scenery had shifted dramatically.

At the pack borders, my father announced our names, and the guards let us through. He drove with purpose, pulling up to an extravagant packhouse buzzing with activity. The moment I stepped out, a man—clearly the Alpha—emerged from the entrance. His gaze swept over me, lingering too long, before he turned to my father without a word.

"That was unsettling," Valeria muttered. I agreed. Not even a greeting.

My father guided me forward. "Alpha Dominic, good to see you again. This is my daughter, Ivy."

I shot him a look. Obviously, I was the only daughter he had.

Alpha Dominic extended his hand. When I reached to shake it, he instead lifted my fingers to his lips, kissing them for several seconds too long. His eyes never left mine, watching for my reaction. I forced a polite smile.

"Pleasure to meet you," I said, though every instinct screamed to step back. Something about him felt... off. No wonder he hadn’t found his mate—or maybe she’d rejected him.

"My omegas will take your things," he said, and two figures hurried forward to grab our bags. "I’ve arranged a private breakfast for us."

Inside, the packhouse was all dark wood, crimson drapes, and black furniture. Heavy. Oppressive. Like something out of a vampire’s lair.

He led us upstairs to a room overlooking the forest—or it would have, if the blinds weren’t drawn shut. Only slivers of light seeped through. Despite the bustling activity outside, the interior was eerily silent.

The omegas setting the table didn’t speak. A thick black tablecloth muffled the clink of plates. My father seemed unfazed by the grim atmosphere.

Once seated, the omegas served us and vanished.

"So, Ivy," Alpha Dominic began, "your father mentioned you’ll be eighteen soon."

I glanced at my father, who nodded for me to answer. "Yes, in a couple of months."

"May, correct?"

I nodded.

"Ah, Ivy of May. Fitting." He smirked. "Is that the origin of your name?"

I turned to my father, who was shoveling food into his mouth like a starving man. "No idea," he said between bites. "Your mother named you. Probably liked flowers."

Helpful.

"And are you still in school?" Dominic pressed.

"Senior year. I’ll graduate right after my birthday."

"Are you intelligent?"

The bluntness threw me. Most people asked about grades. "I’d like to think so."

"Good. I prefer clever women."

I focused on my plate, unsure how to respond.

"Your father says you’re training for the warrior trials."

"Yes. I plan to outperform most in my pack."

"Strength and intelligence." His smile widened. "Excellent qualities in a mate, don’t you agree?"

My stomach twisted. Valeria, please tell me he’s not considering us.

"Goddess, I hope not. He’s unsettling."

Before I could reply, my father stood abruptly. "Well, Alpha, I should attend to that matter we discussed. You two get acquainted."

"Wait—" I started to rise.

"Stay," he said, leaning in as if to hug me but instead whispering, "Don’t embarrass me."

Then he was gone.