KADE’S POV
The journey home takes three days. Ivy rides beside me, wrapped in my cloak and one of my spare shirts. She's still weak from her time in the dungeon, but she's getting stronger.
"Are you nervous?" I ask as we crest the hill overlooking my father's estate.
"Terrified," she admits, staring at the massive stone castle ahead. "Look at that place. It's enormous."
"It's your home now," I remind her gently.
"Is it though? Really?"
I reach over and squeeze her hand. "Yes. I promise."
The guards at the gate recognize me immediately. "Prince Kade! Welcome home!"
"Thank you, Marcus," I reply. "Is my father expecting us?"
"Yes, Your Highness. He's waiting in the throne room with the full court."
My stomach drops. "The full court?"
"Yes, sir. He wanted to make this... official."
I glance at Ivy. Her face has gone pale. "What does that mean?" she whispers.
"It means we're about to make a very public entrance," I tell her. "Are you ready?"
"No. But I don't have a choice, do I?"
"You always have a choice with me," I say firmly. "We can wait. We can do this privately first."
She shakes her head. "No. Let's get it over with."
We ride through the courtyard. Servants and guards stop what they're doing to stare. I can hear whispers starting already.
"Is that her?"
"Isn't she the slave girl from Whitedove?"
"She doesn't look like much."
"What was the prince thinking of getting a mate from Whitedove of all places?"
I feel Ivy tense beside me. "Ignore them," I murmur.
"That's easier said than done."
We dismount at the main entrance. Captain Ryan takes our horses while I help Ivy down. Her legs are still unsteady from the long ride.
"You look beautiful," I tell her.
She looks down at herself. "I'm wearing your spare clothes. I have no jewelry, no makeup, no fancy dress."
"You don't need any of that. You're perfect as you are."
The great doors open as we approach. Derek is waiting for us inside.
"Kade!" he says, embracing me. "Thank god you're safe. We heard about the fight with Darius."
"I'm fine," I assure him. "Derek, I'd like you to meet Ivy. My mate."
Derek's eyes widen as he looks at her. Derek bows to her. "It's an honor to meet you, Lady Ivy."
Ivy looks surprised. "You don't have to bow to me."
"Yes, I do," Derek says with a smile. "You're going to be our queen."
"If your father accepts me," Ivy says quietly.
"He will," I say, though I'm not entirely sure myself. "Come on. Let's get this over with."
We walk through the corridors toward the throne room. The closer we get, the more people we encounter. Nobles, courtiers, servants. They all stop to stare.
"Prince Kade," Lord Aldric greets me. "Welcome home."
"Thank you, Lord Aldric. This is Ivy, my mate."
Lord Aldric's smile falters slightly. "Ah. Yes. We heard." He gives Ivy a shallow nod. Not quite a bow.
This happens again and again as we make our way through the castle. Polite greetings for me. Cold acknowledgment for Ivy.
"They hate me," she whispers as we pause outside the throne room doors.
"They don't know you yet," I correct. "Give them time."
"What if time doesn't help?"
"Then they'll learn to respect you anyway."
The doors open with a loud creak. The throne room is packed. Every noble family in the kingdom seems to be here. They're all dressed in their finest clothes, making Ivy's simple outfit stand out even more.
"Prince Kade Fenrir," the herald announces. "And his chosen mate."
We walk down the center aisle toward the throne. I can feel hundreds of eyes on us. The whispers start immediately.
"That's her?"
"She's so plain."
"What kind of political alliance is this?"
"I heard she was a slave."
"This is madness."
Ivy's hand trembles in mine. I squeeze it reassuringly.
Father sits on his throne, looking every inch the king. His expression is carefully neutral as we approach.
"Father," I say, bowing when we reach the dais.
"My son," he replies. "You look well. Considering."
"Thank you."
"And this is the young lady who's caused such a stir?"
I help Ivy step forward. "Father, I present Ivy. My mate. My chosen queen."
The room goes completely silent. Every eye is on Ivy as she curtseys deeply.
"Your Majesty," she says, her voice barely above a whisper.
Father studies her for a long moment. "Rise, child."
Ivy straightens but keeps her eyes down.
"Look at me," Father commands gently.
She raises her head and meets his gaze.
"You're younger than I expected," he observes.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"And you come from the Whitedove Pack. The pack that executed your parents for seeking alliance with us."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Yet you chose to help my son. To warn him of danger."
"I did what I thought was right."
Father nods slowly. "I see."
He looks out at the assembled court. "My son has chosen his mate. As is his right. As the future king, his choice stands."
A few murmurs ripple through the crowd, but no one dares object openly.
"However," Father continues, "this union will require... adjustments. From all of us."
I don't like the sound of that.
"The feast will be held tomorrow night," Father announces. "To formally welcome our new princess."
More murmurs. Not all of them sound pleased.
"You may go," Father says to the court. "Except you, Kade. I need to speak with you privately."
The nobles file out slowly, many of them stealing glances at Ivy as they pass. I can see the judgment in their eyes.
"Derek," I call out. "Would you escort Ivy to her chambers? Make sure she has everything she needs."
"Of course," Derek says, offering Ivy his arm.
"I'll see you soon," I tell her.
She nods but looks worried as Derek leads her away.
When the throne room is empty except for Father and me, he stands and walks down from the dais.
"Well," he says. "That was interesting."
"She's my mate, Father. My true mate, even though she doesn't know yet."
"I believe you. The question is whether that's enough."
"What do you mean?"
Father begins pacing. "Do you see how they looked at her? Do you hear what they're saying?"
"They'll come around."
"Will they? She's common-born, Kade. A former slave. She has no family, no connections, no political value."
"She has me," I say firmly.
"Yes, she does. And that's the problem."
"I don't understand."
Father stops pacing and looks at me directly. "You're going to be king someday. Everything you do, everyone you choose to associate with, reflects on the crown. On the kingdom."
"So?"
"So you need to be in complete control. Of yourself. Of her. Of how she's perceived."
I feel my wolf stir with irritation. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that if you want this marriage to work, if you want her to be accepted, you need to mold her into what they expect. You need to train her, shape her, control her completely."
"She's not a dog, Father."
"No, she's going to be a queen. And queens are made, not born. Especially queens like her."
The implication in his words makes my blood run cold.
"You need to understand something, Kade," Father continues. "Your control over her must be absolute. How she dresses, how she speaks, who she associates with, even how she thinks. Every aspect of her life must be managed."
"That's not control, Father. That's imprisonment."
"That's royalty," he corrects. "That's what it takes to survive in this world."
I stare at him, seeing a side of my father I've never noticed before.
"Think about it, son," he says, placing a hand on my shoulder. "If you truly love her, you'll do what it takes to protect her. Even if it means controlling every aspect of her existence."