Ivy's POV
The ballroom buzzed with pheromones from dozens of wolves, making my scent glands work overtime. My sensitive nose struggled to adjust to the concentrated wolf essence hanging in the air. I inhaled deeply a few times, trying to regain my equilibrium.
"You girls ready?" My father's voice cut through my sensory overload.
I looked up at him and gave a confident nod. "Can we enter without you guys?" I asked, already planning our dramatic entrance.
Casting a glance at Nancy, who stood nervously beside Grant, I felt a surge of protectiveness for my friend.
My father's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "You are planning something with the she-wolves, aren't you?"
"Yup," I admitted with a mischievous smile, slipping my arm free from his. "If you hear a massive brawl, feel free to make an appearance. But I swear, dad, if you fawn over another she-wolf in front of me, I'll hit you."
Dad laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I promise I won't, and if by some miracle I do, you have my full permission to punch me in the face." His smile warmed me, and I rose to my tiptoes to plant a kiss on his cheek.
"Thanks, daddy."
"You're welcome, my girl."
I reached for Nancy's hand. "Let's go."
"Are you sure, Ivy?" Nancy's voice trembled slightly.
"Yes, absolutely." I gave her a reassuring smile, which she returned hesitantly. "Chin up. Don't worry. I've got you." She nodded, gathering her courage, and we pushed through the doors together.
The moment we reached the middle of the grand staircase, conversation died. Every head turned in our direction, eyes widening, jaws dropping.
"They're staring," Nan whispered nervously.
"It's because we look so hot," I whispered back, just as the scent of lust hit her. She stumbled slightly, but I steadied her as we continued our descent to the bottom of the stairs.
"Let's get a drink," I suggested, guiding her toward the bar while ignoring the hungry stares following our every move. "Why are they staring?" she asked again, still unaccustomed to such attention.
"I already told you. We're stunning." I handed her a flute of champagne and clinked my glass against hers. "Your birthday's in a few days, and these men are your potential mates. Enjoy today while you can. Your life will change completely when you turn eighteen."
I knew Nancy would find her mate on her eighteenth birthday—a good man, though I couldn't exactly remember who. A guard, perhaps? What mattered was that she'd be happy. I'd stopped attending these gatherings after accepting Warren, who had forbidden me from coming, claiming he couldn't bear me being so far away. At the time, it had seemed romantic, but I later realized it was just his controlling nature asserting itself.
"What the fuck are you wearing, you tramp?" A shrill voice sliced through the ambient chatter, silencing the crowd around us. I smiled into my glass as Nan paled beside me. I patted her back reassuringly and turned around.
"Excuse me?" I took a deliberate sip from my drink and faced Kathrine. She wore a pristine white sheath dress with a matching pearl necklace. Chelsea stood beside her in a pale blue bodycon dress with a coordinating choker. They looked beautiful, but they couldn't hold a candle to Nan and me.
"That dress and necklace were supposed to go to my niece." Chelsea stood silently next to her aunt, eyes fixed on the floor.
I arched an eyebrow. "I bought them. They're mine. I allowed my best friend to borrow them. What's the problem?" I tilted my head, feigning confusion.
"Bullshit. You bought them knowing Chelsea wanted them, and let that weak wolf strut in here flaunting them in front of us."
I took a deep breath and squared my shoulders. "So?" Kathrine recoiled, sputtering indignantly. I stepped closer. "Who are you to dictate what I can do? Are you my parent? Are you a gamma, beta, or alpha? No? Then why should it matter?"
Kathrine growled. "It matters because weaker wolves need to know their place."
"I agree. Weaker wolves should know their place." My voice took on a dangerous edge as Killian flashed in my eyes, causing Chelsea to tremble visibly.
Kathrine missed my implication. She puffed out her chest and reached for Nan, but I intercepted her. "Move," she demanded, stamping her foot and releasing a wave of power that crashed against me ineffectively.
"Don't touch her," I warned.
"Move." Kathrine tried to sidestep me, but I caught her wrist and threw her backward, sending her sprawling onto the floor.
Her power lashed out again, washing over me harmlessly. Nancy whimpered behind me, but I kept her shielded. I released a thunderous growl that parted the crowd, revealing my father as he approached.
"What the hell is going on?" His gaze moved from me to Kathrine, and I watched his eyes cloud over when they landed on her.
"Mikael." Kathrine scrambled to her feet and rushed into my father's arms. I fought the urge to growl. "This girl was bullying me and my niece."
His eyes shifted to me, devoid of recognition. I stepped forward to face him directly.
"How dare you..." he started with a growl, but before he could finish, I pulled back my fist and punched him squarely in the face.