For those confused as to why SNOWFLAKE is not kind to IVY let's remember that Snowflake generalized even Kendall at first. She didn't like him, not only because of what was happening to her but also because he was human. She felt he was only a "mere human" and nothing more at the beginning. She also generalized him for being a Prince, calling him arrogant and whatnot. Yet, she was surprised by him several times and even grew to love him. That being said, in the first story when Kendall's father was explaining the war, Snowflake called shapeshifters cowardly leaving during the war. Therefore, Snowflake generalizes Ivy in with this group. It's something she does naturally and it doesn't make sense for her to immediately like Ivy. Just because Snowflake doesn't trust her kind doesn't mean she won't give Ivy a chance. She did give Kendall a chance, didn't she? She's allowing Ivy her chance right now, by talking to her. If Snowflake were truly and completely against Ivy, she would be standing outside with Martin.

Chapter Twenty Six

She walked faster than usual, however, she still held a beauty in her footsteps. She reminded me much of a graceful yet dangerous cat rather than a wolf.

We didn't stray far from the first room we had entered before she opened a pair of elegant doors, gorgeous in appearance. She didn't turn her head or acknowledge my presence, but simply walked in. I hesitated but followed behind right before I was enveloped by darkness.

My vision shifted, revealing a personal office of sorts. It held two stiff chairs in front of a grand, dark desk. I watched as she opened the curtains, allowing the moon's light to stream in.

Beyond the window and outside, I could see the most beautiful garden. We had once grown one within the village, yet it dulled in comparison with this one.

"Cayne says you're thinking about turning tail and leaving," she said bluntly as she glanced out the window before taking a seat in the large chair behind the desk.

I did not reply but watched her as she studied me before saying, "Typical of your kind, but Cayne seems to think differently about you. I just can't seem to figure out why." She then narrowed her eyes, as if trying to find something within me.

"Prince Gordon is kind, that is all," I replied shortly, any hopes of a conversation with her diminishing. It was clear she did not have the same leniency towards my kind that Prince Gordon did.

She then rolled her eyes, her fingers drumming lightly on the desk. "Do you know what would've happened if I just gave up because it was the easier choice?" She asked, completely changing the subject.

I shook my head silently as I sat in one of the chairs, sitting across from her. Her eyes finally met mine, holding an expressionless look. "That's exactly what you're trying to do now. You're taking the easy way out because things are getting too tough."

I frowned, opening my mouth. There was more to it than that, but she wouldn't listen. "I know you think the easier choice is the best one, but sometimes it's not,' she started, turning fully to look at me, crossing her legs.

"If I had just ignored my emotions, Protectors and guard dogs would still be used everywhere. Werewolves would still have a tainted reputation, there would have been no change. Do you understand that?

If I had ignored myself, I would've just been Kendall's Protector. I would've been executed when they eventually found out we were intimate, given that our relationship hadn't ended. Kendall would've found another Protector and life would've gone on."

She was silent for a moment before her voice softened just a fraction. "If I had given up, I wouldn't be happy in a relationship with Kendall like I am now. We wouldn't be so close and we sure as hell wouldn't be having children.

I know that werewolves are still viewed as below humans, but things are getting better. It's taking time, but eventually, we'll reach a point of equality. If you keep going, Ivy, things will get better for you and your kind. It may seem like that's impossible now, but you're already improving mindsets. People are already changing their perceptions of shapeshifters because of you. Don't let that all go to waste."

We were both silent, her words settling themselves in my mind. She was right, however, did that mean deaths were justified? I didn't believe so because deaths should be avoided, not encouraged.

"People are dying because of this. If I stop, the deaths will stop. People will be satisfied," I said, and she sighed, pausing a moment before replying.

"You can't avoid death, Ivy," she said, laughing humorlessly. "Death has been in this world since the beginning and he'll still be here when we're all gone. Death rules this world, not the humans. Are you saying that because humans and werewolves died for what I did that it was wrong?"

I looked away, wishing this was easier. She was proving my thoughts to be invalid. I admired her for all she did for werewolves and believed that the sacrifices had been necessary. I had never questioned her actions, yet I was questioning my own.

"In the end, it's up to you. It's up to whether you think the benefits outweigh the cost. For me, they did. Do you really believe that a love life is more important than your entire race?"

My eyes snapped up at her words, frustration swimming through my veins. She could not possibly understand. She had not lived in the same way I had, had not been paired with one male her whole life. Kai was my other half. If I did not consider him, I was not considering myself.

"It is not that easy. If I continue, I am allowing myself to throw away my own life. I will be without a future," I tried, but she wasn't fazed.

"My future was locked the moment I was captured. I threw away the key myself when I decided to go behind Kendall's back for my own kind.

I chose my race over my heart. Do you think that was easy? I didn't know Kendall would come back to me. I didn't know shit. I thought I was going to be killed. The only thing I did know was that when I was, I wouldn't have any regrets about my choice."

I was quiet, my excuses running out. I could not think of another reason, nor could I think of anything else to say. She was quick to reply to my every response as if she was expecting it.

"Did you regret not choosing Kendall at any point?" I asked softly, still not able to look at her.

She paused for a moment before speaking, "I didn't regret my choice, but there was a time I regretted how I handled it. I should've gone about it differently. I should've gone through it with Kendall and not sneaking around. If he had said no, I would've gone through with it regardless, but maybe it would've hurt less when we separated for that time."

My fingers ran over my dress, the material soft. "Do you think Kai will come back if I did not choose him?" I asked, my words unsure.

I glanced up to see her studying me before she shrugged her head, flipping her curls over her shoulder. "I don't know Kai and I don't know your relationship with him. But if you love someone, don't you think letting them chase their own path is the right thing to do? You know, just because you're spending your life with someone doesn't mean you have to walk down the same trail as them," she explained, her words ringing true.

Kai and I had walked down the same structured, pre-planned path together our whole lives. Even now, when the path had taken a dark turn towards the edge of a cliff, we were still placed together. It was not until Prince Gordon had ordered him to leave the palace that Kai had drifted off of our path, diverting onto his own. Was that so wrong? Or was it okay, as long as we were side-by-side?

I believed that if I continued as is, Kai and I would be able to have a better future. We would spend some time apart but converge once again when this was all over. We would be able to raise our own children in a future brighter than our childhoods had been. Then all would be fine for us. Kai would be upset for now, but he would understand that it was all necessary for the long-run, would he not?

If I stopped this, Kai and I would be let go, our paths meeting together sooner than later. We would not be able to return to our village, despite the fact that it was being rebuilt. It would undoubtedly be burned down once again, or we would be killed. We would have to go into hiding, possibly even from our own kind, angry at our lack of action. We could not safely have a family. It would be a risk just to be together. However, we would be together.

"Thank you for speaking with me today," I said, looking at her. My words were sincere, despite our rocky beginning. I was thankful for her help. She had aided in untangling my thoughts and allowing them to organize.

She smirked, tilting her head. "Do you know why I didn't tell Cayne no?" She asked simply, causing me to shake my head. I suppose I did not expect her to say yes, given how she felt towards my kind.

She leaned towards me, starting with, "I believe in you, Ivy. No one was there to tell me that, but then again, I didn't need it. But I do want you to know I believe that you have to power to change the world's mind about shapeshifter. Make up for what they did in the past. Show the world that not all of you are born with your tail between your legs."

I was startled, blinking a few times. She had gone from hating my kind to wanting to see a change in a matter of minutes. I had thought I knew where she stood, yet I did not. She was puzzling, to say the least.

There was then a knock on the door before an enforcer called, "Prince Gordon is leaving soon. He requested for the shapeshifter."

I sighed, standing up as she did. She glanced at the garden once again before turning towards me. "Have you noticed the way that Cayne looks at you?" She asked, making me pause in my steps.

"Looks at me?" I asked, confused as we walked out the room. I knew he considered me to be more than his enforcers, but I did not think he considered me to be much more.

She laughed, shaking her head. "Maybe I see why Kendall calls me dense so often. I guess you're as blind to attraction as I am."

I frowned, disagreeing with her words. "Prince Gordon is not attracted to me. It is no more than friendship," I said, and she smirked at me.

"Yeah? That's what I told myself about Kendall. I didn't even say we were friends. Now look at where we are," She replied, nodding her head to where her companion stood.

He was scanning the room when his eyes landed on her, lightening a shade. I brief smile passed through his face before his eyes flickered to me and it all disappeared just as quickly. Prince Gordon stood beside him, a warmer smile on his own face when our eyes made contact. Had he done the same thing as his brother when I walked in?

"Are you ready to leave, my dear? Shall we had to Calyx's palace and pick up Kai so that you can both leave together?" Prince Gordon asked, his voice without expression.

I smiled at him, shaking my head. "No, päästja. I will remain with you. Snowflake has helped me see that this is the best option," I replied, my smile blooming when his own formed at my words.

"I knew I would be able to count on you," he said, smiling at Snowflake who winked at him.

"Anything for my favorite," she said happily, laughing when her companion glowered at her.

Prince Gordon sighed, seeming more relaxed than before. "Shall we?" He asked, looking at me expectantly.

I nodded, bowing and saying parting words to Snowflake and her companion. "Lead the way," I murmured, following Prince Gordon back to the palace.