Chapter 0489

"Ivy." Alistair's voice cuts through the tension in the room. "How would you feel about moving out of your parents' home and into the packhouse?"

She glances around at everyone before answering. I sit beside her, taking her hand in mine. "What about my parents? Especially my mother. I don't think she has any idea what my father's been planning."

"I'll confront your father personally. I'll inform him that I'm taking over as your guardian until you turn eighteen. Your mother can choose to stay with him or move here with you. Your father won't be allowed near you without my permission. As for his punishment—for trying to sell you to cover his gambling debts—that's between him and me."

Ivy nods, considering his words. "I want to move into the packhouse. Before becoming a Guardian, I might have hesitated, but now... I can't trust him anymore." She hesitates. "My mother won't leave him. Does that matter?"

Nathaniel smiles reassuringly. "No. Like I said, I'll be your legal guardian. You'll have a room on Beta Lucian's floor so he can keep an eye on you." He says this to Ivy, but his gaze flicks to me. The message is clear—stay out of her room, stay out of her bed.

She's made it obvious she's waiting for her mate. And since that's me, she's essentially saving herself for me. I give Nathaniel a firm nod of understanding.

"I'll speak to your parents tonight, Ivy. Tomorrow, you can gather your things, or I can send someone to do it for you."

"I'll need clothes for school tomorrow. Maybe my mother can pack a bag for me?"

"I'll make sure of it. For now, follow Beta Lucian. He'll show you to your room." She stands, ready to leave. "Oh, and Ivy—now that you're a Guardian, Donovan will oversee your training. I don't know why this pack has two Guardians, but I want you both in top condition. If trouble's coming, we'll be ready."

"Yes, Alpha." She follows Lucian out.

I rise to leave as well. "Grant." Nathaniel stops me.

"I know she's your mate. I know you're a Guardian, and you're like a son to me. But don't challenge me again."

I meet his gaze. "Keep her safe, and we won't have a problem, Alpha."

Adrian steps up behind me, resting a hand on my shoulder. "Grant, I get it. You and Evander are furious about what her father tried to do. And I can only imagine how angry you both are about Alpha Dominic's proposition. But you know my father. He always protects this pack—and that includes Ivy. Let him handle it."

Adrian has always been the voice of reason for me. "You're right." I turn back to Nathaniel. "My apologies, Alpha."

"Apology accepted, Grant. And stop calling me Alpha—you know it irritates me." His gruff tone makes me smirk.

"Yes, sir." I turn to find Ivy.

"And Grant." I pause, glancing back. "If I catch Ivy in your room or you in hers after hours, you'll answer to me. She's under my care now, and I'll treat her like my own daughter."

"Understood, Nathaniel." I leave with a lighter heart, reassured about Ivy's safety.