Ivy's Claim The bird and the wolf II

I gulped down the drink in my hand as I stared across the room at Song and Alpha Aric, they sat atop the dais lost in each other and every time he touched her I felt fragments of my broken heart push against the base of my throat and I was forced to swallow it back down or choke to death.

I had known Song all my life, we grew up in the same village and from an early age I understood that she and her family were treated differently. As I grew older it became obvious why, but my mother and I never made them feel segregated.

I guess I always thought of Songbird as my own, so it was a bitter pill for me to swallow when I realized that she was never really mine in the first place.

Following Ryker out here had opened a whole new can of worms, and I was staring at the result.

But as I continued to gaze at the besotted couple and the smile of joy on Song's face I had to admit to myself that it probably would of never worked between us. I don't think that I would of been able to put that euphoric look on her face because they were in love but it was more than love. They were devoted to each other. And Song didn't see me as a lover but a brother, a bitter pill I had no choice but to swallow.

I sighed in defeat swaying a bit on unsteady legs as I turned away from the happy couple. Glancing around the full room, the mating ball was in full swing, everyone dressed to impress including yours truly. It was a formal affair, black suits and shiny gowns.

The clink of fine china, soft music and happy giggles added to the ambiance. Everyone was having a grand time, everyone but me.

I stumbled across the room, I needed to get out of here, the sugar sweet atmosphere left a sour taste in my mouth.

"Off so soon?" A sultry voice interrupted. I glanced to the side of me blinking furiously to clear my vision. "I'm not seeing things am I? You're much to beautiful for my imagination." I slurred. The beautiful apparition dressed in a shiny tight dress giggled. Her blue eyes gleamed mischieviously at me, "I'm Selena, would you like some company handsome?"

"Sure," I slurred. "I'm all yours."

Might as well distract myself with a willing companion. Selena latched onto my arm like the slithering tentacles of an octopus. She steered me away and as I glanced up my gaze clashed with those of fiery flaming sapphire blue.

"Ivy," I whispered, my gut clenching for some reason in guilt. The urge to push Selena's slithering arms away caused my fingers to tingle awkwardly. I clenched my eyes closed. What the hell was wrong with me? Get a grip man. Shaking myself out of my stupor

I turned away from the woman with the flaming eyes and allowed Selena to lead us away.

Stepping into the cold dark night, I took a deep breath trying to clear the fog from my brain, and the quiet streets of the small village became clearer.

We stumbled forward the light strains of music and laughter following our receding footsteps. The sound of the guzzling stream that flowed gaily throughout the village beckoned to me.

I stopped, pulling on the arms of my companion. "Is everything alright?" She glanced at me in confusion. I didn't respond I was thirsty, pushing her hands away I bent forward awkwardly. I was sure I looked like I was about to fall in as I cupped my hands and drank, splashing some on my face I stood swaying a bit on unsteady legs. I pulled the ends of my shirt out of my pants wiping the water and the some of the drunken fog away.

The beautiful creature I had left the ball with finally came into focus. Long golden blonde hair, slivery blue eyes and a tight little body sheathed in a short red dress. My eyes widened, she was indeed beautiful and hot as hell, but as I stood there looking at her full breasts, tiny waist and long, long legs. I gulped, I knew I couldn't do this, I wasn't that guy.

I cringed in embarrassment pushing my fingers through my already tangled blonde hair. "I'm sorry, I...I can't do this, I don't think I'll be much fun tonight." She laughed, a sharp glint in her blue eyes. "Come," she whispered soothingly, taking my hand as she guided me to a small dark alcove at the side of the stream hidden against the mountain rock.

"Didn't you hear what I said?" I frowned, stumbling forward. She pushed me against the cold smooth stone, pressing her warm body against mine. "Stop thinking so hard," she whispered in my ear biting the soft lobe. "It doesn't have to mean anything, just two people finding a release." She trailed her hands down my chest, slipping the button free she pushed a hand into my pants. I groaned as slender warm fingers wrapped around my soft length, pumping up and down, my body responded but my mind rebelled.

I grabbed her wrist stopping her. "Stop!" I grunted. Her hand stopped and she stepped back a hurt look flashing across her striking features. "I'm sorry." I muttered releasing her wrist.

"Don't baby, I understand," she soothes, "You just need some more encouragement." She slid to her knees unzipping my pants, reaching for me, her mouth latched on and I watched in horrified amazement as her soft, warm, wet mouth swallowed me, her head boobing up and down. I groaned, "Selena, sto..p.." the pleasure mounting as she increased her administrations. The blood rushed through my veins and I stopped thinking, my vision blurred and all I could do was feel, and it felt real fucking good.

My knees grew weak and my body slid a bit down the stone wall. Selena released me and pulled me down helping me into a sitting position, she straddled my hips, her dress pushed obscenely away, her fingers working her clit furiously as she pushed her soft warm body down onto my throbbing length. I groaned in pleasure, closing my eyes as she began to ride me. My hips bucked against hers, my pleasure mounting. I could feel my body tightening and I grabbed her waist pushing her down onto the cold ground, towering above her I continued to thrust into her.
She screamed, wrapping her long legs around my waist, "Yes baby, harder, faster." My movements became franctic as I chased my release pumping furiously into her heat, fucking her mercilessly, her body tightened and she screamed her pleasure. I bucked against her, the orgasm quick, the pleasure fleeting as I released my seed into her.
Our bodies stilled, our heavy breathing the only sound against the quiet night. In the distance I could hear the soft strains of music coming from the palace and slowly reality returned. I groaned, what the hell have I done. I staggered away from the woman on the ground, fixing my clothes in haste. My fingers trembled as I ran it through my messy hair, my body slick with sweat.

My stomach roiled with nausea and I struggled swallowing the bitter taste of regret and guilt. I scrubbed my hand down my face. What. The. Fuck. Have. I. Done.

"What's wrong, it wasn't as good for you as it was for me." Selena smirked, a knowing glint in her eye as she fluffed her hair and rose to her feet.

"It shouldn't have happened," I gritted out through clenched teeth. I turned away my head bent as I struggled to keep my body in an upright position, swaying a little on my feet as exhaustion set in.

"Why not? You're not her's, well not yet anyway. Can't blame a girl for being curious. I have to admit I didn't see the allure, but if you fuck her like that. Well! That changes everything." I glanced at Selena her dress now in place.

"What the hell are you talking about?" I frowned.

She laughed, her eyes glowing eerily and the tip of her fangs glinted in the muted slivery light of the moon as she closed the distance between us. She looked dangerous. I cautiously took a step back, I was drunk not stupid.

"I'm talking about your mate, you buffon."

"No need to be rude, but I don't have a mate, I wouldn't have touched you if I had a mate." And for some horrifying reason Ivy's face flashed before my eyes. I stood there confused, slightly drunk and trying to be alert. It seemed like what we just shared didn't mean a thing to Selena and somehow I felt as if she had pushed to hard. I grimaced, that can't be right. I did enjoy it, didn't I?

"Don't beat yourself up about it, you see I always get what I want." She smirks, a poisoned look in her eyes and her once beautiful features morph into a conniving one. "And don't lie to me, you've been claimed, not that I care."

I sigh, "Look, Selena let's ju.st, just forget this ever happened," raising my hands up in surrender. "Oh no you don't," she screamed, her body tight with anger, "I want her to know, bitch deserves what's coming to her." She spits at me.

"Who the fuck are you going on and on about," I bellowed impatiently my body stiffening in anger. Yeah John, I admonished silently, just like you to pick up the cuckoo chick.

"Are you that drunk? She questioned, a frown on her brow, ignoring what I had just asked. I hesitated for a moment, taking a few steps backwards I turned to leave. "Princess Ivy, you fool." She threw at my back.

I whip around glaring at her. "You didn't know? Did you?" She sneers, "We were all warned to stay the hell away from you that you were claimed by the Princess."

"What!" I was stunned, I had no idea, Ivy was beautiful and I wasn't a fool I knew she had a tiny crush on me but her mate? What the hell.

I glanced at Selena a smug look on her face, she was enjoying this, my confusion, and my turmoil heightened.

Then the full import of her actions slammed into me and my body tightened in rage. "So this was just a game to you." I gritted out. She cackled, "No hard feelings buddy, I just wanted a little taste." She said, smacking her lips together, she raised a finger, "One point for me, zero for Ivy."

"Get the fuck away from me," I sneered, I knew I had heard enough.

"No worries, no one can hurt you, that brown haired bitch has Alpha Aric..."

"SHUT THE FUCK UP." I growled. "Don't fucking talk about her, or I'll march my human arse right back up there for her mate." She visibly swallows backing away, realizing that she had overstepped her bounds. She stepped away from me her movements quick and sure as she fled.

I slumped against the side of the mountain, raking my fingers through my hair, what a clusterfuck of a night, I just wanted to forget about it, all of it. About Song's mating, my lack of judgement and now, I groaned, remembering what Selena had revealed. Ivy's claim.

My feelings for Song were confusing and my emotions choatic. I had to admit I was jealous, not of Song's happiness, no I would never take that away from her. But I was jealous of the bond that she now shared with someone else, I had wanted that with her. And now I was even more confused by Ivy's claim. Could I find happiness here? I don't think I could, but a vision of Ivy's heated gaze flashed across my mind.

I clenched my eyes closed knocking my head against the cold stone, trying to knock back some sense into my fried brain.

I knew better, better than to leave the ball with a strange shifter woman.

I sighed, what was done was done I just hope that what happened tonight wouldn't come back to bite me in the ass.