IVY
Swarmed with emotions, I'm rooted to the spot as I watch every single soul leave the meeting location.
The silence offers no condolences as I'm left alone with my hated mates.
Fury and tension burn through me with an intensity I’ve never experienced before, a feeling only enhanced by the enclosed proximity to those who continue to lure me in and hold me at arm's length all at once.
My hands clench at my sides as I repeat Viola's words in my mind.
“Ground her. Now.”
My back curls, unraveling and stiffening all at once, until my head tilts back, my eyes locked on the ceiling as my breath lodges in my throat.
I feel completely disoriented and out of touch with the rest of my body, like I'm fighting with my magic over the same matter, only I don't know which side of the fence I stand on, whether I want to tear everybody to shreds or run for the hills.
My fingers flex at my sides as I inhale sharply, attempting to recenter my attention on my mates. My gaze passes over Baron,Teddy, and Archer in a blur, settling on the white fur and large pupils that are part of Sax’s current form.
“Whatever the fuck you think is going to happen right now can be eradicated from your thoughts, because it's not going to come to fruition,” I vow, my voice husky and heavy, burning up my throat as if fire is about to part my lips.
“Ivy,” Teddy says softly, lifting his hand in surrender, and I shake my head.
“Don’t! Don't speak to me,” I snap, fueled with the rage that's been simmering beneath the surface since the night they rejected me. Now I understand what is holding me back; it’s all I can feel. “Not now, not ever, not ifhecan't give me the truth I deserve,” I add, watching as Teddy takes a step back, gulping as his gaze casts over his friends.
“What is she talking about?” he asks, and I tilt my head to the side, eyes wide.
“Would you like the opportunity to disappoint me too?” I snarl, and his eyebrows rise as my tongue runs across my bottom lip and I stare at him expectantly. “Why did you reject me?” The words hang in the air just like they've done twice before today, and he gapes at me in disbelief. I snicker, the sound hollow and haunting from my own lips. “How does it feel to succeed so effortlessly?” I muse.
“Ivy… Princess,” he tries, but rage licks across my tongue like acid.
Before I can speak, Baron takes a step forward.
“Ivy, I know you're mad right now, but we're trying to help.”
“Don't bother, it's not wanted,” I retort, my body hot with anger as I take a step toward the door.
Archer follows the movement, blocking my exit.
My nostrils flare and my hands clench at my sides. “Back off,” I command, and he shakes his head slowly, his eyes narrowing.
“You need to listen first,” he states.
“Are you going to tell me what I want to know?” I press, and he sighs.
“You know I'm not going to do that.”
I hate how much more the disappointment weighs inside of me, even though I knew those words were coming. “Then back off,” I snarl, throwing my arms out in front of me in frustration, and fire bursts from my limbs, setting theU-shaped table on fire, engulfing the room in thick smoke.
Frustration and pain hiccup through me.
I need to get away from them as fast as possible.
“I’m done with your secrets, and I'm done with you.”
My body is no longer the one making the decisions around here; that much I know is true.
With my spine straight and my focus narrowed, I take another step toward the door, but Archer follows the movement for a second time.
“Teddy,” he commands, and my gaze snaps to the Water Protector in question.
