Mated To My Mate's Worst Enemy Chapter 96

ARIA

The rumors spread through the pack like wildfire.

I wasn't sure how word had gotten out—perhaps someone had overheard our conversation in the garden yesterday, or maybe Jason had mentioned what he'd witnessed to a friend who mentioned it to another friend. However it happened, by the time I woke the next morning, everyone in Shadowmere seemed to know that Ivory had developed something revolutionary.

"Have you heard?" Celine asked as she helped me dress, her usual professional neutrality cracked by genuine excitement. "They're saying Ivory created something that makes plants grow instantly. That she can turn seeds into full crops in seconds."

"I've heard," I said carefully, not wanting to reveal that I'd witnessed the demonstration firsthand.

"The elders are already gathering," Celine continued. "Everyone wants to see it for themselves. Can you imagine what this could mean for the pack? For all the territories? If she's really found a way to speed up food production like that—"

I could imagine. I'd seen it with my own eyes, watched a seedling transform into a mature plant in the space of heartbeats. The implications were staggering.

By the time I made my way down to the main hall, the pack house was buzzing with activity. Groups of wolves clustered in corners, discussing what they'd heard in excited whispers. The elders had indeed gathered, their expressions a mix of curiosity and barely contained hope.

And at the center of it all, looking distinctly uncomfortable with the attention, was Ivory.

She stood near the entrance to the council chamber, surrounded by pack members who were pelting her with questions. Her responses were measured, cautious, clearly trying to temper expectations even as people's excitement grew.

"I'm not certain about the long-term effects yet," she was saying when I got close enough to hear. "The testing period has been limited. I need more time to verify that the accelerated growth doesn't compromise nutritional value or introduce unforeseen side effects—"

"But you ate the food yourself," someone interrupted. "For a week, I heard. And you're fine."

"One week is not a comprehensive study," Ivory countered. "There could be cumulative effects that only appear over longer periods. There could be variations based on plant type or soil composition or a dozen other factors I haven't had time to test—"

"The pack needs this," Elder Morrison said, his voice cutting through the noise. "If what we've heard is true, this could change everything about how we manage food resources. We can't sit on something this important while you run endless tests."

"With respect, Elder, rushing to implement an untested compound could cause more harm than good," Ivory said, frustration creeping into her voice. "I'm not trying to withhold anything from the pack. I'm trying to make sure what I give them is actually safe."

"Then demonstrate it," another elder suggested. "Show us what you've developed. Let us see for ourselves what it does, how it works. That way we can make an informed decision about how to proceed."

Ivory looked conflicted, her gaze sweeping over the gathered crowd. I saw her eyes land briefly on Jason, who stood near the back with his sister Lia on his hip. Something in her expression softened for just a moment before she schooled it back to professional neutrality.

"A demonstration," she repeated slowly. "I suppose that would be reasonable. But I want it understood that this is still experimental. That what I'm showing you is the result of initial research, not a finished product ready for widespread use."

"Understood," Morrison said, nodding. "We'll observe with appropriate scientific skepticism. But Ivory, the pack deserves to know what you've accomplished. They deserve to see the kind of dedication and brilliance that goes into protecting them."

I watched Ivory's reaction to the praise—a slight flush, quickly suppressed. She wasn't comfortable with admiration, I realized. Wasn't used to being the center of attention despite all her accomplishments.

"I'll need to prepare," she said finally. "Gather the necessary materials, set up a proper demonstration space. Give me an hour."

The crowd began to disperse, though the excited chatter only intensified. I caught fragments of conversation as people speculated about what they'd see, about what this could mean for the pack's future.

Kael appeared at my side, his presence announced through our bond before I actually saw him. He looked troubled, his brow furrowed as he watched Ivory disappear toward the herb storage rooms.

"This wasn't how I wanted this handled," he said quietly.

"What do you mean?"

"She wasn't ready to share this publicly. You saw her yesterday—she was keeping it quiet, testing privately, not even telling the leadership about her progress. And now the entire pack knows and they're demanding a demonstration." He shook his head. "She's being pressured into revealing something she wasn't comfortable sharing yet."

"But the pack does need to know," I said carefully. "If this compound works the way she showed us yesterday, it could solve so many problems. Food scarcity during harsh winters. Supply issues during conflicts. The applications are—"

"I know what the applications are," Kael interrupted, not unkindly. "And I'm not saying the pack shouldn't eventually benefit from her research. I'm saying she should have been allowed to share it on her own terms, when she was ready, instead of having it leaked and then being hounded into a public demonstration."

He was right. Even if the outcome was the same—Ivory sharing her breakthrough with the pack—the process mattered. Being forced to reveal something before you were ready, having control taken away from you, that left marks even if the end result looked positive.

"Should we postpone it?" I asked. "Give her more time to prepare, to do additional testing?"

Kael considered this, then shook his head. "The damage is done. If we postpone now, it'll only increase speculation and pressure. Better to let her demonstrate, get the initial excitement out of the way, and then work with her on a proper research timeline for further development."