Bound to the Alpha King

19 - Freedom for Once

Nathaniel's POV

"The Alpha will be with you shortly." Alarik tells me as I wait inside Cole's office to inform him that Ivy will be coming back with me to help prepare for the mating ball. The disdain in his tone as he speaks to me is evident, as I'm sure he's just as angry with me for my decision regarding the pack merger as his Alpha is.

I'm slightly distracted as my mate is still back in my room, sleeping peacefully. I checked on her before I left as I was worried about her head injury from the piece of shit I'm currently waiting for. She seemed okay, and it took a lot for me not to crawl in beside her.

I've been surprised at my degree of restraint with her. I know the moment I don't have to hide how I feel, the floodgates are going to open, and I won't be able to keep my hands off her.

It's then a door behind the desk in the room opens and Cole enters. I adjust my stance as I stand in front of the desk, crossing my arms. Cole glances at me, noticing my stance immediately.

"Can I help you, Alpha King?" Cole speaks, and I don't waste time. I want to get back to Ivy.

"I came to notify you that Ivy will be coming with me when I leave. As I told you before, she's been hired to perform at the mating ball next week. My parents would like her to stay at the castle while preparations are being made. Also, the mating retreat after the ball is back on, so be prepared for some of your pack members to be invited if they don't find their mate at the ball."

Cole's face turns from shock to a scowl in a matter of seconds.

"Why does Ivy need to go now? She's only performing." He questions me stupidly, his concerns for her leaving the pack grounds coming more and more to the surface.

"She's been hired to do a job, and there's a lot more preparations for her "performance" than you think. I'm not asking permission. Unless you'd like to explain to the royal family as to why she can't leave the pack, and why this seems to be a problem?" I question him, pushing for some sort of slip up concerning his problem with Ivy, but he doesn't bite. Maybe he's smarter than I thought.

He shifts weight to his opposite side as he answers me. "There's no problem, please just keep me informed of her actions while she's with your family. I wouldn't want her behaviour to look poorly on me and this pack."

I scoff slightly, as I turn and walk towards the door, opening it to leave. "You've already done that a bit yourself, Alpha. I wouldn't worry about her." I walk out, closing the door behind me.

I know I shouldn't keep pushing Cole, but I can't help it. He's a terrible Alpha and with what he did to Ivy, I can't even look at him with any ounce of respect. I make my way out of the packhouse and back to the residential building, and up to my room.

I open the door and as I walk in, Ivy comes walking down the hallway from the bedroom, her fiery hair slightly tousled and yawning loudly. She stops dead in her tracks when she sees me and half smiles at me.

"How are you feeling?" I ask and she nods her head slightly. "Better. Thank you for letting me crash. Did you get any work done you needed to?" I nod. "Yes, don't worry. I just came back from seeing Cole."

The moment his name comes from my mouth she frowns slightly, and her eyes widen in worry. "How did that go?" She questions, clearly still concerned.

"It went fine, don't worry your pretty little head. I just went and told him about our travel plans for you to come back with me for the mating ball preparations."

"He didn't say anything about me not being allowed to go?"

"I didn't give him a chance." She sighs and its almost as if all the tension leaves her body. She bows slightly. "Thank you for advocating for me, Alpha. I guess I should go pack."