The morning sun spilled through the trees, painting Ivy's house in golden hues. The world was calm for once. No missions. No running. Just silence—an unfamiliar, almost fragile peace.
But Ivy couldn't stop thinking about the voice.
Ivora.
She hadn't heard that name in over a decade. Only one person ever used it with love—her brother.
She sat on the porch wrapped in Jayden's hoodie, sipping coffee, her eyes distant. The forest surrounding the house moved softly in the breeze. Her purple eyes shimmered under the sunlight, but something about her still seemed… hidden. As if part of her blended into the trees behind her—still instinctively camouflaging.
Jayden stepped out, running a hand through his messy hair, still shirtless from the night before. "Morning," he murmured, walking up behind her.
She didn't answer right away.
"You're thinking about it," he said, sitting beside her.
She nodded. "The voice. My name... Ivora. No one's called me that since..." She trailed off.
Jayden took her hand, gently. "We'll figure it out. Together."
Before she could reply, the door creaked open and small feet pattered across the wooden floor. A sleepy, tousled-haired Xander appeared in his dinosaur pajamas, rubbing his eyes.
"Momma…" he mumbled. "I had a bad dream again."
Ivy instantly opened her arms, and he climbed into her lap. But his eyes found Jayden next, and for a brief second, they held something else—uncertainty, maybe even hurt.
Jayden reached out hesitantly. "Hey, buddy. You wanna come here?"
Xander looked at Ivy first, who gave him a gentle nod. Then the little boy reached out and climbed into Jayden's arms.
"You're really not mad at me anymore?" Jayden asked softly.
Xander looked up at him. "You made Mommy cry," he said bluntly.
Jayden winced, guilt flooding him.
"But… you hugged her last night. And Mommy smiles different when you're around now," he added. "So I guess… you can stay."
Jayden blinked, heart tight. "Thanks, little man. That means everything."
"Okay," Xander mumbled, then leaned against his chest. "Can I call you Daddy now?"
Jayden's eyes flew to Ivy's. Her lips parted slightly in surprise, but she gave him a small nod, her eyes misty.
"You can call me whatever you want," Jayden whispered. "I'd be proud to be your daddy."
Xander beamed sleepily. "Okay, Daddy."
They spent the day together—laughing, making pancakes (badly), and building a messy pillow fort in the living room. For once, Ivy wasn't hunting. She wasn't running. She was living.
Later that afternoon, while Xander napped on the couch curled into his blanket cocoon, Ivy led Jayden outside to the clearing behind the house.
"I want to show you something," she said, her tone softer than usual.
Jayden followed her into the trees, where the sunlight broke into slivers through the branches. She stepped into the center of the clearing, closed her eyes… and suddenly, her entire form shimmered.
She vanished—blending into the woods perfectly.
"Camouflage," her voice came from nowhere. Then she stepped back into view, purple eyes glowing gently. "It started when I was a kid. The day I lost my family."
Jayden stepped closer, watching her.
"But it didn't stop there," she said. "Watch."
She raised her hand slowly, and the wind began to swirl. Leaves lifted into the air, dancing. Then she waved her other hand, and a flicker of flame sparked to life in her palm.
Jayden's breath caught.
"I have elemental control," Ivy said. "Air. Fire. Water. Earth. But… when I'm overwhelmed, it can get dangerous."
She hesitated. "One time, on a mission… I lost control. I was so angry. I turned the rogue and the building around us into ash. I didn't mean to. I just… snapped."
Jayden stepped forward, taking her hands in his. "You were a girl carrying a war inside you. And still—you saved lives. You raised Xander. You survived."
She looked at him, vulnerable in a way few had ever seen. "Do you think I'm a monster?"
"No," he whispered. "I think you're the strongest person I've ever met."
They stood in silence, the wind still circling around her like it belonged to her. He brushed a hand against her cheek. "You don't have to hide anymore, Ivy. Not your powers. Not your past. Not your heart."
She let out a shaky breath—and leaned into him.
---
Meanwhile…
In a far-off city hidden by mountains and snow, a man knelt before a tall, shadowed figure seated on a throne of dark stone.
"Alpha," the man said, panting, clearly having run for miles. "We've found her."
The figure sat forward, his face still mostly hidden in shadow.
"She's alive?" His voice was deep, composed—but it shook with emotion beneath.
"Yes, sir. We tracked her to Los Angeles. She's staying with a child and a werewolf Alpha. A strong one."
The shadowed Alpha rose, slow and powerful. His golden eyes gleamed.
"Ivora…" he whispered. "I knew you were still out there."
He stepped forward, the cloak around his shoulders shifting slightly to reveal a jagged scar down his collarbone.
"Prepare the plane," he said. "We leave at dawn."
---
Back in Ivy's world…
That night, Ivy stood at her bedroom window again. The stars blinked above. Jayden was tucking Xander in again—reading his favorite dinosaur story.
She turned toward the mirror.
For a second… just a second… she thought she saw golden eyes staring back from behind her reflection.
Her breath hitched.
Was it the voice again?
Or something… someone else?
To be continued