by Alexis Davie
She was, and she couldn’t be happier about it.
Harley laughed as he grabbed her bags. “Ready for the most boring drive of your life?”
The drive back to Birch City wasn’t nearly as boring as he had made it out to be. Perhaps it was because Ivy chatted the whole way, constantly pointing out clouds with funny shapes or random sites that Harley obviously couldn’t see because he had to keep his eyes on the road. However, Ivy took pictures to share with him later—much later, after they took a little time to get reacquainted.
Birch City was even smaller than Ivy had imagined. The name made the town sound tiny, barely even big enough to get its own dot on a map, but this? This was well beyond negligible.
Harley’s house was at the edge of town: a whitewashed, single-story home sat on one side of a dirt road. There was a modest porch with a swing and fairy lights strung across the beams, a metal cooler resting next to the porch. The setting sun in the background made the whole scene feel cozy.
“I’ll take your things inside if you want to just hang out on the porch,” Harley said. “You can help yourself to whatever you find in that metal cooler.”
He was already halfway up the stairs, carrying her bags, when Ivy took her first step towards the house. She couldn’t get over how quaint it all was. Pies cooling on the window sill at this point wouldn’t have surprised her. It was nice.
Ivy bounced up the stairs and onto the porch. She reached into the cooler and grabbed the first thing she put her hand on: a bottle of her favorite beer. She thought it was just a nice coincidence until she glanced into the cooler to find a bunch of more identical labels. In fact, the container was full of them. Ivy grinned to herself. Harley had truly made sure she would feel at home.
She got comfortable on the swing and waited for Harley.
Harley came back out onto the porch, carrying something folded on his arms. When he unfolded it, Ivy saw that it was some sort of giant blanket, big enough to cover two fully grown adults.
“It can get cold out here at night,” he said. Harley sat down next to her and covered the two of them in the fabric. Ivy snuggled into the warmth of the blanket and leaned closer to him.
“It’s really quiet out here,” she murmured, her voice soft.
“I bet it’s like another world compared to Houston.”
“Yeah.” For a moment, neither of them said anything else, and Ivy let out a deep sigh. “I could close my eyes right now and it would be like nothing else in the world exists outside of you and me and this house.”
Harley leaned his head on top of hers, kissing her hair. “Then close your eyes.”
Ivy must’ve been more tired than she realized, because she fell asleep as soon as she closed her eyes. Then again, she hadn’t slept much the night before, too excited to spend a couple of days with Harley again, this time in his home rather than in hotels.
When she woke up again, she was inside the house, stretched out on the sofa in front of the fireplace. She looked around at how sparsely the place was decorated. It was definitely a single man’s place. Ivy had planned to sink back into her cocoon of blankets, but an enticing smell from the kitchen made her stomach growl. She followed her nose and found Harley standing close to the stove, over a simmering pot.
“Hey,” she mumbled, still a little sleepy. Harley turned to her and smiled.
“Hey,” he greeted her, walking up to her to kiss her on the forehead. “You’re awake. Are you hungry?”
“Yeah,” Ivy said. “What smells so good?”
“It’s this bean soup my mom used to make.”
She sighed in contentment. “Sounds amazing.”
“Well, unfortunately, it won’t be ready for another hour,” Harley told her.
“Oh?” A playful smile spread across Ivy’s face. “I have an idea of how we can pass the time.”
She wiggled her way out of her pants and then hopped onto the kitchen table with her bottom resting against the cool mahogany wood. Harley stood there for a moment, staring at her pink and black striped underwear until she grabbed him by the arm and pulled him closer. Ivy kissed him, and Harley immediately kissed her back. Harley’s fingers grazed the outside of Ivy’s panties before working their way inside her, causing Ivy to gasp into his mouth. She spread her legs open to let Harley press completely against her, their bodies connected from head to toe.
Harley smelled like sweat, earth and fresh air—he was the embodiment of Ivy’s surroundings, of the freedom they had in this place, far away from everything else. When they were together like this, nothing else seemed to matter.
The next morning, Harley found Ivy staring at her phone in the upstairs bathroom. She held the device with both hands, glancing at the screen like she was waiting for it to burst into pieces.
“Is everything all right?” he asked, and Ivy jumped at the sound of his voice. “Sorry, I—I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“No, it’s—” She didn’t finish her sentence, her head turning back to her phone, which she still gripped tightly. “I, um… I don’t know.” She pulled her hair back from her face and sighed. Harley noticed that she looked… smaller, like whatever she had seen on her phone had defeated her; like she had curled in on herself, trying to hide from the rest of the world.
“I got a message from my uncle,” Ivy said, her voice low and small. “It’s…” She gestured helplessly with her phone, turning her body towards Harley. “It’s about my dad,” she added. “I’m… God, Harley, I’m really sorry, but I need to go back to Houston. Like, right now.”
Harley nodded his head. He didn’t want Ivy to leave, but despite the fact that she had said her relationship with her father wasn’t all that great, he was still her father, and it was obvious to Harley that Ivy still cared for him.
“Okay,” he said. “C’mon. Let’s get to the airport.”
* * *
At first, Ivy had told Harley to let her go back to Houston on her own, thinking it would be better if she handled this by herself. But now that they had almost gotten back to her place, she was glad that she had agreed to let him accompany her. She didn’t know what awaited her when she went to see her dad, but at least she knew she would have Harley by her side to help her through anything that might happen.
When the taxi dropped them off at her building, Harley let out a small whistle.
“So,” he said. “This is your apartment complex?”
“Yeah,” Ivy answered.
“It’s… smaller than I thought it would be.”
She laughed slightly, and they made their way up the stairs to the third floor, where her apartment was, each one of them carrying their respective bags. “Things are expensive here, so I take what I can get.”
“You know,” Harley told her, “you’re always welcome at my place.”
“Thank you,” Ivy said, and she meant it. “It’s nice for a visit—”
“You’re saying you wouldn’t want to live there?” he interjected, and Ivy stopped in her tracks and turned back to him.
“What, are you offering?” she asked.
Harley suddenly avoided her glance, like he was nervous. “Well… yeah.” His voice was not only honest—it was also anxious, like he feared what her response was going to be.
Ivy could only stare at him, his offer of them living together in his home back in Birch City hanging heavily in the air between them. He was absolutely serious, Ivy could tell from his voice and from the way he still wasn’t looking at her. She still had to give him an answer.
She leaned forward to kiss Harley on the nose.
“Just let me deal with this first, okay?”
Harley grinned at her.
Ivy led them to her apartment and opened the door. The place was well-decorated, a far cry from Harley’s sparse bachelor pad. There was a tiny kitchen with no oven, just a stovetop, and a small refrigerator. A screen separated the bed from the rest of the room, and the bathroom was barely big enough for the toilet and shower to both fit.
It was a bit cramped, sure, but Ivy had wanted an apartment she could afford by herself.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you?” Harley asked her, sitting down on her bed while she dropped her bags on the floor of her room.
“I’m sure.” Ivy walked closer to him until she could put her hands on his shoulders and he could hold her hips. “They won’t like an outsider in a family matter.”
“I might be an outsider,” Harley said, “but they won’t know that I’m a rival. Right?”
“I’m not willing to take that chance,” said Ivy. “Just stay here. Yes. Stay.” She rubbed his dark hair, scratching his head. “Good boy.”
Harley chuckled. “Promise you’ll call me if you need anything?”
“I promise.”
He leaned up to kiss her, and Ivy had to pull away from him before she let herself carried away. Uncle Lincoln’s message had seemed urgent, and she couldn’t waste any more time. “I have to get going. Don’t wait up for me, okay?”
“Yes, dear,” Harley said, and Ivy playfully shoved his chest.
* * *
The Belyakova compound was off the beaten path and gated. Even Ivy was subject to metal detectors and security pat downs. Of course, she supposed she had been gone too long to be an exception. After what felt like endless scrutiny, she was admitted to her father’s room.
Ivy had expected him to be in his office, but he was lying on his bed. Except that he wasn’t in his human form, he… her father, Alexei, had shifted into a great white wolf who seemed to be barely alive, his breaths coming out in shallow puffs.
“Dad!” Ivy cried, a gasp escaping her mouth despite bringing up a hand to cover it.
An attendant silently reached out and touched her on the shoulder.
“He’s very ill. He isn’t able to take human form any longer.”
Ivy ran to him. She stroked his head then kissed him. Alexei licked her fingers and arms but could not get up. If he couldn’t shift back to his human form, Ivy would have to transform so that she could hear whatever he had to tell her. Once she had shifted into a wolf, Ivy found the perfect spot to lean her head on the bed, close to her father’s.
Oh, my sweet girl, Alexei said, and even like this, his voice was barely audible. I’ve missed you.
She nuzzled his head. Dad…
I’ve wanted to talk with you about… He took a deep breath. Many things. I want to say I’m sorry. If your mother had known about how we’ve grown apart, she would never—
Ivy nudged her father with her head.
The old wolf sighed. At least I’ll get to be with her soon.
Dad, don’t talk like that, she said. You’ll be—
I’ll be dead before you know it, is what I’ll be, her father finished.
Did you call me here just to say goodbye?
We always fought so much, Ivy, Alexei continued. It was wrong of me to ignore you and to treat you the way I did. I am sorry, my sweet girl, and I love you. That’s the first thing I want to say.
Ivy chuckled inwardly. You planned a lecture?
The big wolf wriggled his head closer to his daughter’s and took a deep breath.
All fathers have this lecture planned, he said. Milaya, I want you to be happy. I want you to pick a man that makes you happy.
Ivy smiled to herself, once again nuzzling her father’s head.
There’s one I have in mind. She could’ve sworn she saw a smile turn up the corners of his mouth.
I pray that he is a good man, a kind man, one that realizes you are a treasure. You deserve it, dear child. You deserve so much better than this dirty life I’ve built of blood and sorrow. A heavy paw lifted to rest on Ivy’s snout. You will always be my little princess, Ivy.
Ivy snuggled closer, tears burning behind her eyes, but she forced herself to hold them back. If this was the last time she would ever see her father, she didn’t want to cry in front of him.
The doors to the room opened again.
“Bunny! You got here before me!”
Larkin stood next to Alexei’s attendants, unfastening the tie around his neck. Ivy immediately stepped in front of the bed, becoming a barrier between her father and Larkin.
“Oh, I’m so glad you got to talk to your father before his failing health snatched him away from us forever!” Larkin exclaimed. “Now, look at the two of you, so perfectly cozy as a father and daughter should be. I hope this moment is bringing your weary heart a taste of joy, sir.” Then his eyes widened in surprise, and he chuckled to himself. “Wait, where are my manners? We can’t talk if you’re like that and I’m like this.”
He shifted into a brown and black wolf, his fur colored with wisps of grey. He sat down on his hind legs, but Ivy remained exactly where she stood, just in case he tried anything. She didn’t trust him, and whatever reasons he had for being here were surely nothing but bad news.
Alexei spoke first. What business do you have here, Larkin?
Well, Larkin began. I know your mind has been troubled by the future of the pack. And you were afraid you would not get to see your daughter again before you passed on. As I promised I would, I brought your daughter back home, fulfilling your most ardent wish.
You did not bring me back! Ivy snarled. I came because my uncle told me about my father!
Larkin, as he always did, ignored her.
Now, he said, I ask you to fulfill my most ardent wish.
And what wish would that be? Alexei demanded.
Larkin pulled his lips back, as if he were smirking. I wish for your blessing to marry Ivy and lead the pack as man and wife.
Ivy felt all of her fur standing on edge, and she was immediately ready to pounce on Larkin and rip him to shreds, growling and snarling at him.
You’re insane if you think I will ever—!
Now, now, dear. Alexei was still even-tempered. Larkin has simply misunderstood the situation.
Misunderstood? Larkin’s voice was composed, but his eyes had suddenly narrowed. He stood on all four, and Ivy watched him closely. She could tell this was not going according to his plan, and she wanted to be ready to attack him, if she had to. No, I understand the situation perfectly. You’ve groomed me to be your replacement, Alexei, and to be the perfect match for Ivy. A single word from you and the future of our pack is assured.
Alexei summoned what little strength he had left to rise on his front legs.
The future of the pack, he said, as firmly as Ivy had ever heard him speak, rests with my brother.
Larkin took a step towards the bed, and the attendants in the room immediately shifted, ready to lunge at him. Ivy saw Larkin glancing around, realizing that he was trapped. She could’ve taken him on her own, although he didn’t think she had the strength to do it, but now he was surrounded, and he would be in the middle of a match he clearly wouldn’t be able to win.
Larkin shifted back into his human form, glared at all the occupants of the room, and walked out through the doors.
* * *
When Ivy returned home, Harley was in the bathroom, talking to someone on the phone. She was so wound up after what had happened back at the family compound that she couldn’t make out what he was saying. She was too anxious to stay still, pacing back and forth around her small living room area until Harley finally came out.
“Hey, you’re back!” he said with a smile, which disappeared the moment he saw her expression. “Hey, how… how did it go? Is everything okay?”
“Um…” Ivy rubbed the back of her head. “I don’t even know where to start.” She tried to offer him a smile, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. She rubbed her eyes, wanting to wipe away her tears before they could spill over.
Harley led her to the sofa so that she could sit, and Ivy leaned her head on her hands.
“My dad’s a lot worse than I thought,” she began. “I mean, Uncle Lincoln told me it was urgent, but… I didn’t think it would be this bad.” She turned to look dejectedly at Harley. “I don’t kn
ow how much time he has left.”
Harley pulled her into his arms, and Ivy leaned against him, relishing his support.
“So, does that mean you’re the next in line?”
Ivy shook her head. “Larkin—” She felt Harley tense at the mentioning of his name, and she hurriedly continued. “Larkin thought that I would be, so he…” She took a deep breath. “He told my father he wanted to marry me.”
Harley pulled away from her only enough to glance down at her. Ivy couldn’t read the expression on his face. He seemed to not know what to say himself.
“My dad quickly shut him down, though,” she reassured him. “He insisted that Uncle Lincoln would lead the pack, and after the way Larkin stormed out of there, I don’t think he’ll ever show his face around again.”
Harley let out a sigh of relief, his entire body relaxing, and Ivy realized how worried he had been for her, for her wellbeing. She wrapped her arms around him, pulling Harley until they were embracing again. Ivy kissed his shoulder, suddenly understanding the meaning of the situation. If Larkin wasn’t around any longer, he wasn’t going to come after her again. She no longer had to worry about him showing up and dragging her back.
“I’m free,” she whispered, feeling tears spring to her eyes anew. These tears, though, were of joy and disbelief. “Harley, I’m free.”
“In that case,” said Harley, kissing the top of her head, “I have something I need to tell—”
Someone pounding on the door interrupted their conversation. Ivy and Harley turned to look at each other. Who could it possibly be? Harley stood up to answer, but as soon as he approached the entrance, the door flew open, pushing him back against the wall.
“Harley!” Ivy cried, jumping to her feet.
Three well-dressed men made their way inside her apartment. Harley started to get to his feet, but two of the men grabbed his arms and held him in place.
The third man stood before Ivy, smirking and waving a key in his hand as if it were a magic wand.
“Bunny,” Larkin said, and his sarcastic smile made Ivy’s hair stand on edge. Every nerve in her body was alert. “I forgot to tell you I had a key for your apartment made. Sorry.”