Chapter 12: Ivy

Chapter

Twelve

IVY

W hiskey's apology cuts off as a roar rips through the cave. The sound tears at my eardrums, feral and raw. Through the dim light, I catch sight of Wraith's massive form charging toward us, his blue eyes wild with murderous intent.

Had I been that loud?

Oh fuck.

Whiskey's arms tighten around me protectively, but before Wraith reaches us, a flash of white hair intercepts him. Valek slams into Wraith's side, sending them both crashing into the rock wall. Valek's movements are unsteady, his coordination still off from whatever drugs linger in his system. But his erratic swaying like a drunken sailor works to his advantage as the two alphas grapple.

Then Wraith's huge hands lock around Valek's throat.

"Oh, no, not my neck," Valek chokes out. He smashes his forehead into Wraith's, stunning the enraged alpha long enough for Thane to lock his arms around Wraith's torso from behind.

Even with both alphas restraining him, Wraith thrashes free, grips a fistful of Thane's hair, and slams Wraith face-first into the cave wall with a roar.

"What the fuck?" Whiskey snarls above me, his grip tightening. "How did they hear that and not everything else?"

Valek's strained laugh echoes off the cave walls as he grabs Wraith's arm and tries in vain to haul him off Thane. "Oh, we heard it all, you inconsiderate oaf." His accent thickens with exertion. "Every delicious moan, every desperate whimper..." He pauses, turning to look right at Whiskey. "And all your bullshit. But it seems our favorite rabid beast took exception to that last cry." His silver eyes lock onto mine, lips curling into a knowing smirk. "I suppose because it is clear our omega was not coming that time."

Heat floods my cheeks at his words, but I keep my expression neutral. I won't give him the satisfaction of a reaction. Not that it matters, since a moment later, Wraith's fist connects with Valek's face and sends him flying.

"Ivy, tell him you're fine before he fucking kills someone," Thane snaps, rolling to his feet. Blood streams from his nose where Wraith smashed his face into the wall.

"I-I'm okay," I call out, but my voice comes out too hoarse after I was thoroughly reamed by Plague and Whiskey. He doesn't seem to hear me as he lunges for Valek again.

Valek has barely managed to recover from the previous hit, but he still manages to block Wraith's next punch with his arm. "Louder, little omega!"

"Wraith!" I push out of Whiskey's arms, even though I'm still trapped on both their knots, ignoring his grunt of protest. "Stop! I'm fine!"

This time, my voice rings clear through the cave, but Wraith doesn't seem to have heard me at all.

Wraith's snarls echo off the cave walls as he pummels Valek with insane force. My heart pounds against my ribs, panic clawing at my throat. This isn't like his usual outbursts. There's no recognition in those wild blue eyes, no hint of the gentle alpha I've come to know.

Just blind feral rage.

"Wraith, please!" I cry out, my voice cracking. "It's me! I'm okay!"

But he doesn't respond. His massive fist connects with Valek's jaw, sending the white-haired alpha crashing back into the cave wall. Before Valek can recover, Wraith is on him again.

Thane tackles Wraith from behind once more, muscular arms straining as he tries to pull Wraith off Valek. "Stand down!" he roars, but Wraith just twists in Thane's grip, grabs him by the throat, and slams him down into the ground with another roar.

"Fuck," Whiskey grunts, his arms wrapping around my waist again as he tries to reposition us. I wince as his knot shifts inside me. "We gotta do something."

Plague's hands are gentle but insistent as he eases me forward. "Hold still," he mutters. "I'm going to try to pull out."

I bite back a whimper as he slowly withdraws, his knot tugging at my stretched rim. It's gone down sooner than it usually would have, probably because of the sheer adrenaline we're all experiencing, but not completely. I force myself to breathe through it. We don't have time for gentleness.

Not with Wraith tearing the cave apart.

With a final, slick pop, Plague pulls free.

He doesn't waste any time. He darts across the cave, snatching up his discarded belt. His hands move with surgical precision as he pulls out a syringe, uncapping it with his teeth.

"Hold him!" he shouts to Thane and Valek, who's managed to stagger to his feet.

"What do you think we're doing, the fucking waltz?" Valek slurs.

They throw themselves at Wraith, grappling with his thrashing limbs. It's like watching them try to wrestle a lion. Wraith roars, the sound shaking dust from the cave ceiling.

Plague darts in, jabbing the needle into Wraith's neck and depressing the plunger. For a moment, nothing happens. Then Wraith's movements start to slow, his snarls becoming slurred growls.

But he doesn't go down.

If anything, the sedative seems to confuse him more. He staggers, head whipping back and forth as he tries to focus. His fist lashes out blindly, catching Valek in the ribs with a sickening crack.

"Fuck!" Valek wheezes, doubling over. "Is that the best you can do, Doc?"

Plague's face is grim as he prepares another syringe. "It should have knocked out a bull elephant. His metabolism is off the charts. Impressive, but?—"

"Stop it with the science talk, no one gives a fuck!" Valek snaps, wiping the blood off his face and tasting it before throwing himself back into the fray.

I struggle against Whiskey's hold, desperation clawing at me. "Let me go to him," I plead. "Maybe I can calm him down."

"No fucking way," Whiskey growls, his arms tightening around me.

But as I watch Wraith lash out again, catching Thane in the jaw with a glancing blow, I know we're running out of options. If we can't calm him soon, someone's going to get killed.

The thought sends ice through my veins.

I can't let that happen.

I shift my hips, gasping at the stretch as Whiskey's knot tugs at my entrance. It hurts, a deep ache that radiates through my core, but I grit my teeth and bear down.

"Ivy, stop," Whiskey hisses, his hands gripping my waist. "You're gonna hurt yourself."

I ignore him, focusing on my breathing as I slowly work myself free. It feels like I'm being torn apart, but I don't stop. Can't stop.

When I finally manage to pull off Whiskey's knot, the sudden emptiness is jarring, and I stumble as I try to stand on shaky legs. Come gushes down my thighs, soaking through the borrowed shirts I'm still wearing, but I barely notice.

I take a stumbling step forward. Then another. My legs feel like jelly, and every movement sends sparks of pain shooting through my thoroughly wrecked body. But I force myself to keep going.

"Ivy, don't!" Whiskey calls out behind me, panic in his voice as he scrambles to his feet.

I ignore him, my eyes locked on Wraith's massive form. He's panting and snarling heavily, chest heaving with each ragged breath as he thrashes against the other three alphas' holds. Steam pours through his sharp exposed teeth in the chilly cave like smoke from a dragon's maw.

"Stop," I call out to the others, my voice stronger now. "Let me try."

Before any of them can stop me, I close the distance between myself and Wraith. His wild eyes lock onto me, nostrils flaring as he catches my scent. For a heart-stopping moment, I'm afraid he doesn't recognize me at all.

I take another careful step closer, my hands held out in a placating gesture. "It's okay," I murmur. "I'm safe."

Wraith snarls again, lunging forward against Thane and Valek's restraining grip. His massive muscles strain as he tries to break free to get to me, tendons standing out in stark relief. Sweat and blood gleam on his skin in the dim cave light.

"Ivy, get back!" Thane shouts, his arms locked around one of Wraith's biceps.

I ignore him, taking another step closer.

"Please," I whisper, reaching out slowly. "Come back to me."

My fingertips brush his scarred jaw, feather-light. He flinches at the contact and goes utterly still, his chest heaving with each panting breath. Those intense blue eyes bore into mine.

"It's me," I murmur, cupping his face in both hands now. "I'm right here. I'm okay."

I press closer, ignoring the warning growls from the other alphas. My thumbs stroke along Wraith's cheekbones, tracing the raised edges of the scars jutting from his sharp teeth. He trembles beneath my touch, caught between leaning into the contact and pulling away.

"That's it," I encourage softly. "Come back."

Without breaking eye contact, I slowly lower myself onto his lap, straddling his thighs. I let my hands wander, mapping the planes of his broad chest, his muscled abdomen.

Gradually, his ragged breathing slows, falling into rhythm with the steady stroking of my hands. I can still feel the rage simmering beneath the surface, but it's no longer threatening to consume him.

"There you are," I murmur, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead.

A soft growl builds in his throat, barely audible over the sound of his harsh breathing. But it's there. The first hint of recognition breaking through the haze of fury.

I continue my gentle exploration, letting my hands drift lower. Over the ridges of his abs and down to the sharp cut of his hipbones. He's already half-hard from the lingering adrenaline and my thigh pressing against the bulge in his pants.

When my fingers brush the waistband of his pants, he goes utterly still. Even his breathing seems to stop as he waits to see what I'll do next. I pause there.

"Can I...?" I ask softly.

He just watches me with those intense blue eyes.

Slowly, so slowly, I let my hand drift lower. He twitches when I brush against his length through the fabric, a sharp growling gasp escaping him as he trembles beneath my touch, his breath coming in short, sharp pants. His hips cant upward slightly, seeking more contact.

I wrap my hand around him through his pants. He's so huge, straining against the confines of the fabric. A low rumble builds in his chest as I start to stroke him. Not quite a growl, but not quite a purr either. Something in between that vibrates through my whole body where we're pressed together.

"That's it," I encourage softly. "Let me take care of you."

His hips buck up into my touch, seeking more friction. I feel him getting harder by the second, throbbing beneath my palm through the thin fabric of his pants. His breathing grows more ragged.

I lean in, pressing soft kisses along his jaw. Over the scars that mar his cheeks. Up to the shell of his ear. He's trying so hard to stay in control, to not hurt me.

I have to show him it's okay.

That I'm not afraid.

With trembling fingers, I tug at his waistband. Wraith's growls intensify, the sound reverberating through the cave. But I don't flinch away. I can tell the difference between his rage and his hunger. Instead, I press closer, nuzzling against his neck as I ease the fabric down.

"Shh," I murmur against his skin.

His cock springs free, already hard and leaking. I wrap my hand around him, marveling at how hot he feels against my palm. How impossibly big.

I start stroking him slowly, carefully. His breath comes in harsh pants, chest heaving beneath me. The tension coiled in every muscle is clear. So is the way he fights against his instincts to lash out against the alphas holding him back. One wrong move and anything could happen.

"What are you doing?" Thane growls warily.

Wraith lets loose another snarl at the sound of Thane's voice and whips toward him, sharp teeth glinting like daggers in the dim light.

I need to distract him before he lashes out again.

Without hesitation, I slide down his body, positioning myself between his muscular thighs. His growls rumble through me as I wrap my hand around the base of his cock. I lean in and run my tongue along his length, tracing the prominent veins. The taste of him explodes across my tongue, musky and primal.

I glance up to see Thane and Valek struggling to hold Wraith's arms. Plague hovers nearby, another syringe at the ready. But Wraith's burning blue eyes are locked on me now as I take the head of his cock into my mouth.

The stretch is intense. He's so big, my jaw already aches as I try to accommodate his girth. But I'm determined to keep him distracted. To bring him back to himself. I hollow my cheeks and suck hard, drawing a choked snarl from deep in his chest.

"That's it," Plague murmurs from somewhere above me. "Keep him focused."

Wraith's growl takes on a more aggressive edge again.

I shoot Plague a look and he shuts up.

I try to ignore the others, concentrating solely on Wraith. On the way his muscles quiver beneath my touch. On the salty taste of precome on my tongue. I work my way down his shaft inch by agonizing inch, relaxing my throat to take him deeper as I grip his thighs for purchase.

Wraith strains against Thane and Valek's hold, his hips jerking up. For a moment I'm afraid his cock will choke me, but then Whiskey's there, his huge hands pinning Wraith's hips to the ground.

Wraith snarls furiously at Whiskey, but it cuts off into a strangled groan as I swallow around him. His cock pulses against my tongue as I bob my head, taking him a little deeper with each pass. Saliva pools in my mouth, dripping down my chin as I struggle to accommodate his size.

I pull back slightly, letting his cock slip from my mouth with an obscene pop. "You're doing so well," I praise him, my voice husky. "Such a good alpha for me."

I dive back down, taking him into my mouth again. This time I manage to swallow him to the edge of his knot, his cock hitting the back of my throat. Wraith lets out a sound I've never heard before, somewhere between a roar and a moan.

I focus on the heavy weight of his cock on my tongue. On the way his pulse races beneath my fingertips where they're wrapped around the base of his shaft beneath the swell of his knot. I bob my head faster, hollowing my cheeks as I suck him hard.

He's close. So close.

A strangled roar tears from Wraith's chest as his crown bumps the back of my throat again and I have to fight not to choke on the sheer thickness of his cock stuffing my mouth. His whole body goes rigid, every muscle locking up as he hovers on the edge.

My other hand grips his powerful thigh as I bob my head faster, taking him to the edge of my limits with each pass. Tears prick at the corners of my eyes from the strain, but I don't stop. Not until I feel like I might actually choke.

I pull back slightly, letting just the head rest on my tongue. My eyes lock onto his as I swirl my tongue around the sensitive crown. A shudder runs through his massive frame and his eyes roll back, his body sinking against the other alphas' grasps.

My hand wraps tighter around the base of his shaft, fingers only able to partially encircle his girth. I can feel his knot beginning to swell, hot and insistent against my palm. There's no way I can let him knot my mouth. Not without dislocating my jaw. But that doesn't mean I can't lick along the edge of his knot, drawing more strangled snarls from him.

I glance up from beneath my lashes to see his head is thrown back, baring the scarred column of his throat. Sweat glistens on his skin in the dim light, highlighting every scar and bulging vein. He looks like a wild god, barely contained in human form.

A movement in my peripheral vision catches my attention. I flick my eyes to the side without breaking my rhythm. Valek leans against the cave wall, his silver gaze locked on us. One hand grips Wraith's shoulder, but the other...

Heat floods my cheeks as I realize what I'm seeing. Valek's other hand is wrapped around his own cock, stroking in time with my movements. His usual smirk is gone, replaced by an expression of raw hunger that makes my core throb.

Good. That's the closest he'll be getting to any action after what he put us all through.

Valek's tongue darts out, wetting his lips as he watches me take Wraith deeper. "Beautiful," he purrs. "Such a good little omega, aren't you? Taking our feral beast so well…"

Wraith snarls at the sound of Valek's voice, his body tensing. I let go of Wraith's thigh just long enough to flip Valek off before grabbing it again, digging my nails in through the fabric of Wraith's pants to refocus him on me.

"That's it," Valek encourages, his own breathing growing ragged. "Show him what that pretty mouth can do."

As much as he pisses me off, I have to squeeze my thighs together to soothe the growing ache between my legs.

Focus .

I need to focus on Wraith.

I take him deeper, relaxing my throat as much as I can. Wraith's cock pulses against my tongue. He's so close. Ready to snap.

"Look at her," Valek murmurs. His hand moves faster on his own length. "I bet she'd let us all have a turn if we asked nicely."

Wraith roars, lunging toward Valek. Thane manages to hold him back, shooting Valek a warning glare. "Shut the fuck up before I let him tear your throat out," he growls.

Valek just laughs, the sound dark and hungry. "You can't tell me you're not thinking it too. Thinking about taking her at the same time."

Heat floods through me at his words. Images flash through my mind. Flashes of skin, tangled limbs, hungry snarls and my desperate cries. I try to push them away, but they linger at the edges of my consciousness.

I hollow my cheeks, sucking harder as my hand works his shaft faster. Wraith's hips buck up, driving his cock deeper. I cough again but don't pull back.

"Fuck," Whiskey grunts.

The most raw, primal roar yet tears from Wraith's throat. His cock pulses against my tongue as he plummets over the edge. Hot spurts of come flood my mouth, so much I can barely swallow it all.

But I don't stop. I keep sucking, working him through it. Wraith writhes beneath me, caught between ecstasy and overstimulation. I keep working, focusing on the way his massive frame trembles beneath me.

On the broken sounds spilling from him.

On the taste of him on my tongue.

Gradually, his movements slow. The tension bleeds from his muscles as the last aftershocks fade. I pull back carefully, letting his softening cock slip from my mouth. Salty come dribbles down my chin and I wipe it away with the back of my hand, glancing up to meet Wraith's gaze.

His blue eyes are clearer now, the rage completely gone.

And he's staring at me like I've hung the moon and stars.

I reach up, cupping his scarred face in my hands. His skin is feverishly hot against my palms. He leans into my touch, a low rumble building in his chest.

"There you are," I murmur, stroking my thumbs over his scarred jaw.

He nuzzles into my hands, eyes fluttering closed. The others are still holding him, muscles tensed and ready to restrain him if needed. But I can feel the fight draining out of him with each passing second.

"It's okay," I tell them softly. "You can let him go now."

Thane and Valek exchange wary glances, but slowly release their grip on Wraith's arms. Whiskey's hands ease off his hips. For a moment, they all hold their collective breath, waiting to see if the feral rage will return.

"Ivy," Plague says cautiously. "You should move back. Just in case?—"

I silence him with a look. "He won't hurt me."

To prove my point, I lean in and press a gentle kiss to Wraith's forehead. He lets out a shuddering breath, arms coming up to wrap around me. His hold is careful, so careful, like he's afraid I'll shatter if he squeezes too tight.

Wraith's arms tighten around me as I press my forehead against his, breathing in his familiar scent. The tension finally drains fully from his massive frame, his growls softening to contented rumbles.

A low purr breaks the moment. "Well, that was quite the show," Valek drawls, his accent thicker than ever. I glance over warily to see him slouched against the cave wall, looking thoroughly debauched. His silver eyes glitter darkly as they flick between me and Wraith. "I must say, little omega, you have quite the talent for taming beasts."

Heat floods my cheeks, but I refuse to give him the satisfaction of a reaction. Instead, I focus on Wraith, making sure he's fully back to himself. His blue eyes are clear now, filled with a mixture of lingering hunger and sheepish embarrassment that looks completely out of place in contrast to his otherwise fearsome appearance.

I love it.

Love him.

I nuzzle into his neck happily.

Valek's gaze drifts to Thane, who's standing rigidly a few feet away. A slow, wicked grin spreads across Valek's face. "Speaking of beasts that need taming... our illustrious leader is looking a bit pent up , isn't he?"

Thane's jaw clenches, his hands curling into fists. Without a word, he spins on his heel and stalks deeper into the cave, disappearing into the shadows. But not before I catch a glimpse of the prominent bulge straining against his pants.

"Must be awkward," Whiskey remarks with a snort. "Poor bastard's the only one who didn't get any relief."

I shoot him a glare, but there's no real heat behind it. He's just being an ass like usual. It's kind of nice for there to be some normalcy to the pack's dynamic again.

"I'll make it up to him when we get home," I reply.

Whiskey gives me a little grin, his honey-brown eyes lightening. "Home, huh? So you haven't run away after all, wildcat?"

The weight of everything that's happened since Valek kidnapped me settles over me like a heavy blanket.

My eyes dart to Valek, narrowing as I take in his smug expression. Anger flares in my chest, hot and bright. I manage to tear my gaze away from him, focusing back on Whiskey.

"I didn't do it on purpose," I mutter, my voice rougher than I intend. "It's... complicated."

Whiskey's brow furrows. "Complicated how? All we know is this asshole took off with you and he was rambling some vague bullshit about giving you a choice."

"I'm standing right here, you know," Valek slurs.

"Don't remind me," I mutter, leaning against Wraith's broad chest. His arms tighten around me instinctively, and I draw comfort from his solid presence. "I just have a lot of shit to unpack, okay?"

"Unpack?" Whiskey presses. "Unpack what?"

"Mentally," I snap. I take a deep breath, trying to center myself. "Look, I just... I need time to process everything."

Whiskey opens his mouth, clearly ready to push for more answers, but Plague cuts him off, clearing his throat.

"It's a long way back to the Chateau," he says, his clinical tone a stark contrast to the charged atmosphere. "We should leave soon if we want to make it before the blizzard completely closes the mountain path."

Plague's words hang in the air, reminding us all of the harsh reality waiting outside our little cave sanctuary. I sigh, nuzzling closer to Wraith. Part of me wants to stay here forever, wrapped in his strong arms, surrounded by my pack.

But Plague is right.

We can't hide here forever.

"Okay," I murmur, reluctantly pulling away from Wraith. His arms tighten around me for just a moment before he lets me go. The loss of his heat makes me shiver.

As I stand, my legs wobble beneath me. The ache between my thighs is a stark reminder of everything we've just done. Wraith is on his feet in an instant, steadying me with those huge, rough, gentle hands. I lean into him gratefully.

The others start getting ready and gathering what little we have. Plague repacks his stolen medical supplies while Whiskey and Thane check over our weapons. Thane is acting borderline traumatized, like he's just seen shit he can never unsee.

Yeah.

I'm definitely going to be making it up to him.

I take a tentative step, wincing at the soreness that radiates through my core. Wraith growls softly, clearly distressed by my discomfort. Before I can reassure him, he scoops me up in his arms like I weigh nothing.

"Wraith," I start to protest, but he silences me with a nuzzle.

How can I argue with that?

I relax against him, resting my head against his broad shoulder. His familiar leather and forest rain scent wraps around me like a blanket. And to be fair, I won't get far with bare feet.

Or after what Whiskey and Plague just did to me.

"Everyone ready?" Thane calls out, his voice gruff.

A chorus of grunts and nods answers him. With one last glance around the cave that sheltered us, we step out into the frigid early morning air.