Chapter 0491

The door clicks shut behind Ivy, but not before I catch the sound of her muffled sobs. My hands curl into fists at my sides. I storm down the hallway, my boots pounding against the hardwood as I hunt for Gregory.

He's in his office. I don't bother knocking.

The Alpha glances up from his paperwork, then leans back in his chair, fingers steepled. "Grant. What's the problem?"

I don't sit. Can't. Not with this fire burning through my veins. "Took Ivy out for a run tonight. Thought she needed air after everything." I pause, waiting for some sarcastic remark, but he just watches me, silent.

"Her father ambushed us when we got back."

That gets a reaction. Gregory straightens, forearms braced on the desk. "Where?"

"Right outside the packhouse. Called her names. Blamed her for everything. Then had the nerve to claim it was all a misunderstanding—said she'd be moving back home soon." My jaw locks. "Thought you were handling him. Not letting him terrorize her with lies."

A heavy sigh. "Sit down, Grant."

"I'm fine standing."

"Wasn't asking." His Alpha tone brooks no argument.

I drop into the chair, muscles coiled.

Gregory scrubs a hand over his face. "Didn't expect Seraphina Raines to break down in my office, begging on her knees for mercy for her mate. I granted it for her sake."

That... wasn't what I anticipated. Never met Ivy's mother, but I assumed she'd be as strong as her daughter. Clearly, Ivy forged her own strength.

Another reason our mate is extraordinary. Evander murmurs in my mind.

"So what now?" My voice is rough. "He gets to harass her whenever he wants?"

"Of course not. He'll spend tonight in the cells for that stunt. Banned from leaving pack lands. And I'll issue an Alpha command—he doesn't go near Ivy without my direct permission."

Good. He wouldn't be able to disobey that.

"Did she get her things for school tomorrow?"

"They're in her room. Her mother wanted to see her—that's how I realized you'd taken her out."

My gaze drifts to the window behind Gregory's desk. "She looked... shattered."

He gives me a moment before prompting, "Anything else?"

"Yeah. I want to train Ivy and Valeria separately from the warriors. Especially now. Don't need distractions after what happened."

Gregory studies me long enough to make most wolves squirm. But Guardians don't fidget. I meet his stare head-on.

"Demonstrations every other day. And Grant? I expect rapid progress."

A smirk tugs at my lips. "Already knew you'd say that."

When I leave, I head straight back to Ivy's room. Pressing my ear to the door, I hear quiet sniffles. As I turn to leave, I find Benedict leaning against his doorframe, arms crossed.

"Grant?" One eyebrow arches.

"Checking on her. We ran into her father earlier." I keep my voice low, glancing at her closed door. "She's still upset."

His arms drop as he steps closer. "What kind of run-in?"

I relay the encounter. His lips press into a thin line. "Worried Seraphina cared more about her mate's punishment than he did. You talked to Gregory?"

After I summarize our conversation, Benedict nods. "The Alpha command will keep him away. But I'll keep an eye on her too."

"Appreciate it." I move to step past him when a chuckle stops me.

"Don't. The more I watch her, the harder it'll be for you to sneak around."

His grin fades as he sobers. "She's strong, Grant. But even the strongest need someone at their back."

I nod once. That, I already knew.