Ivy
Ivy allowed Catori to have control and she stayed in77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL39wBcPKeD
her wolf form for a few days. This was mainly so that Ivy could ensure they77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLLLlkvwic
kept warm and made it easier to hunt. They had been training non-stop and77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXb8LiOmwsg
Catori shared her wisdom with Ivy. She advised Ivy that she needed to be ready77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkgNz4ET7U
for anything that came their way. Ivy was totally confused with her advice but77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAusDlBQUP
figured she knew what she was talking about. Ivy thought it had something to do77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlkZZmt5rt
with the fact they were in the middle of the forest, female, and un-mated.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGeZs8WL5D
Catori taught her to use all her senses when scouting and looking for food. She77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERrUMwiGpz
taught Ivy what poison smelt like, when she foraged for food such as berries77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QbbHeI7Gr
and plants. The worst part of training had been the shifting. Catori said that77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuMxxiglTC
it was imperative that they train to shift like a flash of lightening for the77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXylSe6jMk
best defence. That part had been agonisingly painful for both. Completing a77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGBc44OAmn
shift between Ivy and Catori all the time, made Ivy feel heavy, tired, and77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxKKkLgKaT
weak. It had the opposite effect on Catori, so she took the lead for the77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZChQ0tS9F
following days.
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aWWbW59sA
Ivy hadn’t heard any more of Harold’s men and she hoped that James took them on77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYETJETLdPY
a wild goose chase. It still bugged her that James helped her, mainly because77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zoX00fgut
she had no idea why he decided to help her in the first place, especially when77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugcZloLPBr
he could have been banished, killed or worse; stripped of his Beta title.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFzD1VoriG
Still, Ivy was grateful. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXxn1hTR7G
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUUc6MNGRI
Catori and Ivy have become so close it was almost as if they were one. Ivy77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxm4fHSKXp
found it easier to feel how Catori is feeling even before she speaks and vice77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGCbHrZZIu
versa. Catori had been following the river down-stream towards the North-West77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJYVnMHDyg
side for a few days. It was getting colder and colder the further up they down.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj00qfpPIh8
Ivy’s gown was ripped to shreds on the night of their first shift, so she77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcOmuyjPSL
didn’t even have that to cover herself. Catori and Ivy both agreed that it was77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvofTl3WgZy
best that Catori kept their wolf form. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWI6ND5jbT
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“We are coming close to town Ivy.” 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7UpL0Xkgb
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Z8W1GBugE
“Really? You said that we weren’t due to hit a territory for at least another77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUGZhQtBW9
couple of days,” Ivy answered.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQLxnucbzs
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxypDKvGwXQ
“I smell smoke and a stench that I cannot describe. I have never smelt this77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxIgRa5MQR
before. The river heads in that direction past the forest tree line.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQq6m8doSD
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbbUr6rz6k
Ivy used Catori’s vision to view their surroundings. Ivy knew they were77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEK43KndTx
approaching a clearing because the trees started to separate. The spaces77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEvBI6grdw
between them were larger and there was more sunshine peeping through the77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0flf1ZEY5p
canopy. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTTsGm9bMm
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“There is no fire though, Catori.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkh8ZzvCJa6
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“Mmm, perhaps there is a campfire close by, we need to be alert.”
Catori kept to the edge of the forest but still77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiC5axP43z0
maintained closeness to the river. Her ears were constantly pricked to hear77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdREwFoEvu9
anything out of the ordinary around them. She used all of her strength to focus77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5LlWOctLr
her hearing and welcomed the slight sounds around them. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVneZ2py82p
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTG82ai2vgI
“Children, children laughing?”
“We will wait until sunset and then we will check it77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vAzOxyRzo
out and continue. For now, lets just stay hidden in the forest,” Ivy ordered.
Catori found a patch of dirt and positioned herself77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJLDltmVOb
between two large rocks so that it was hard to been seen. With her soft, white77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFkITc33h3
coat, it was hard to camouflage against the browns and greens of the forest77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmwKut1dUp
floor. Ivy became impatient. The wait was horrendous as she was eager to get to77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciOsCoysUQ
the next territory, to plead with someone to take her in for a few nights.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPqE3PKH38
Catori decided that heading North was likely to be safer. The North hate the77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KKMEAfsyF
South, but they might also hate them too as they would come from that77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97uOX5uVjw
direction. Ivy feared being sold back to her father the most. Even when she77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1zbyx0jrB
thought about him and what he did, and what he caused her, the anger built77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNLjTHobY0
rapidly. Catori shook her fur at the thought, feeling the same emotions.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99zjcFLBmN
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Sunset was almost upon the white wolf, and she proceeded to make her way back77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTkgDs1d2w
to the edge of the forest. Ivy warned Catori to be careful in the clearing and77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuKhHrD29c
kept a constant look-out through the wolf’s eyes. Ivy looked through the last77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGodkDmBwde
few trees and she saw houses, upon houses and fences holding livestock.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6IznC8tvi
Furthermore, there were lights everywhere and nowhere safe to cross down the77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbNHsXYAXc
river safely without being seen. The river ran under a bridge further into the77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYF8gGeB6MZ
town, and Ivy noticed people carrying vegetables, eggs and hay, right across77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGq2TWre9SN
it. Most of the people further in the town and down the lane were retreating77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKY4iJ0oa9
into their homes for the night as dusk began to turn. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PFbe2odTM
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“Easy meals,” stated Catori, as she licked her lips. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnVFpkwsFp
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Ivy was mortified and told her that this must be the human village that her77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5H7AX3sjM
father used to go on about, especially the dangers. To humans, wolves were77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzpW7nshzL
nothing, but folklore and Ivy had no idea if they were aware they existed. The77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fAJPffqv3
human species would probably never find out because they are too dumb to77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9nMtUdbMu
understand and accept it. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yz6XVvDFA
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“You’re up,” said Catori.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHlevqK71U
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeRD5IxTHq
“What do you mean?”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQxHSrRC5M
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2m4JrnsSlK
“Well I can’t just walk in there and the rivers runs through the middle of77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPA35JHX1yF
town. You are the human form Ivy.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4QKuGfzNr
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCECteCncC
“I don’t have clothes,” Ivy stammered. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT79GCOVEfc
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEO8nqVexuK
“Well hopefully we get seen by a woman first and she might give us some.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1a1kdlJvyW
Look for a barn for us to rest in.” 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYb5WhQnfeq
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMa9Gmt3WdO
Ivy sighed heavily, knowing that Catori was right. Ivy commanded control77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREvzg9VEtR
back and allowed Catori to shift. Ivy would never get used to that77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaH1zyJJumu
feeling. The quick shift made a sound or at the very least someone heard a bone77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlz30PltOs
crack. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjipwiUgWEI
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTJZ0Llqcz
“Hello? Is there anyone there?” a man asked. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9IgeDkHUM
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzWFe1JRSX
He was too close for comfort and neither Catori or Ivy saw him hunched over his77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7EVJrz89N
garden before. Catori tried using her mind to nudge Ivy forwards, but Ivy was77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDwXBVgsYu
too embarrassed with no clothes. She groaned, "Why did it have to be a man?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDw74OwcN1y
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUb9ObpmU3W
“Hello?” he called again. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZi042G5HJ
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymL19T3GNE
“Angus! Who are you talking to? Are you talking to yourself again?”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8um3ziLz6
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCoPPENKr4
A short, stout woman came from the back of the house that the garden was77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7fmDN0p69
connected to. Her arms were crossed, and her feet tapped on the stone path, as77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxi7jCF3w8
if her dinner was getting cold inside. Ivy smelt the food from different houses77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47UuDH75HW
and her mouth watered straight away.
Ivy gulped and took one step into the clearing, and77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucJ1Rll3c4
then another whilst she tried to cover herself the best she could. She heard77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhx9qKlFOIb
the woman gasp and the man turned to see what the commotion was.
"My Lord,” Ivy heard.
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukkdlecYpa
“Go inside Angus and get me some clothes.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEI6SJnglnc
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AqfjjdH8m
The woman quickened her pace towards Ivy, and she tried to use her body as a77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepGSgooSi1
shield so that any onlookers couldn’t see Ivy’s naked body. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTMaHGvFJR
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMNlT9BZ8X
“Come now dear, look at the state of you,” she said, walking closer. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYB63WPPJXk
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4edG5e4bNL
Ivy flinched at her warm, soothing tone and looked past her at the man77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqPRMrUk0x
named Angus, running out of the door with some clothing draped over his arms.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEYJFunCs1
The woman tried running her hands through Ivy’s hair, with no luck due to not77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTMSCzEyC4
being brushed in days. Ivy allowed the woman to do so, even though Catori77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3fBOchInb
growled in her mind. She was too focused on trying to cover her body with her77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiva3tC4G6
hands. Angus approached, with his head bent back behind his shoulders, trying77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPt5fU0L94a
not to look at Ivy as he handed over the clothes and a blanket. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbn1V6VIRI
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25KNsxfRhz
“Come on dear, put these on,” the woman said, whilst handing one piece of77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmHE1ZVpOZ
clothing to Ivy at a time. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWs4kTgI6Cs
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhKfewFF06
“They might not fit your tiny little waist, but we definitely need to get you77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWpZAyTApN
washed up and you can tell us where you came from…and in such a state. I have77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcafowy0hl
some hot soup on the fire now.” 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tqCgTsPhe
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB306TQF2m2
The woman turned away after she fussed over Ivy, expecting her to follow. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPaE94bQt2
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ106RFjBifr
“Be cautious Ivy,” Catori warned. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlWdMTUOnI
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34mgOkXWdG
The woman didn’t seem that bad to Ivy, so she followed without speaking a word.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VXmFvvEIA
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Walking into the couple’s home, Ivy was instantly warmed by the fire. The small77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuieJw4NMp
living area was lit by the light of the fire and the woman stirred through soup77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdewFNY9SFM
before she placed it in bowls. The aroma of the vegetables hit Ivy’s nose and77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQDmja9otP
her mouth watered. Angus, stared at Ivy with the weirdest expression and she77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTIrvAv4AA
knew that if she spoke, he’d have jumped out of his skin. The woman returned to77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmRTQHagtH
the living area and handed Ivy a bowl, then immediately started asking77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eSj3Tx5ir
questions. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgw0jsBgvmA
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRt3Ah85iS6
“So, where are you from dear? The next village is about one hundred miles in77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNfppaHk0n
the other direction, and by the state of you, you haven’t had a bath in a77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAufpgwe6D
while.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcLLvg1eav
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHoQknTpxm
She was right, Ivy was covered head to toe in dirt and grime and her hair was a77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwkB8KRmfC
tangled mess. Before Ivy could answer, Angus spoke. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJANRgudL5B
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhnmeYGuKy
“Leave her alone for a moment, let her eat Fi.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NtPOe5Is7
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQrViWCaYS
His eyes urged Ivy to continue eating. Fi grunted and they sat in silence. The77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38MlRosqfq
sounds of slurping irritated Ivy, so she decided to make conversation.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFG2RzVPjI
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjXflLKKK7
“I have been in the forest for a few days now, I have lost count. I am being77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qPXDQYWjL
hunted.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2zAygOJ4f
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKNFoPrxAX
Fi snorted into her soup, “What ever do you mean, hunted?”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwKsy2l5Et
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKxEe63dOU
“I was made to marry a man that I did not want to, and decided to leave, he has77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBTfGNBDNv
sent soldiers after me,” Ivy replied. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡba0ME0Eyrg
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCUYI05GYm
The couple looked dumfounded and confused, but also looked wary of her, as they77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYeXk3OKwt
let a fugitive into their home. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXlcJ7q2gG
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1onDEhAM54
“Okay, well at least we know where you came from, you can rest here a few days77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1PLKzfmfk
and be on your way. I will go and get a bath ready for you,” Fi announced.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjh2Pb9fpd
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEhxQYBt9i
She took the bowls off the table, placed them on the bench next to a wash tub77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AA1JyCaFJ
and disappeared into another room. Ivy’s gaze shifted to Angus, who stared at her. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYT0XoDiir5
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwKFxMXQoq
“Have you been trained?” he asked. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8hyjYK9Bq
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLbzMCf9pT
“Trained enough to hold my own,” Ivy retorted. The question confused her. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRezwmiKD4
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw30s9JpcU6
“No, you’re not. Your arms are skinny and weak. There is no muscle to them.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhddFLsbh45
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1qpLTCj0J
“I started training with a solder before I ran, I know the basics.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRI5Ix6bPu
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4gvBerqg4
“We train in the morning, first thing,” he commanded. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKQEImdbZq
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMLh9oZtVn
Ivy’s mouth opened to respond. She was furious and was not about to be bossed77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQrTHFWdpX
around by any male. She felt the heat throughout her body and her cheeks turned77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPCuWwShRn
a shade of red. Angus cut her off almost immediately in a lowered tone. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqv8mdykJKH
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LN4NXCzex
“I am not stupid girl; I know what you are and where you have come from. There77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UlFMrsnbI
are no soldiers for miles, and I know what borders the village. Fi may be77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXUCwoUtVV
oblivious as are all the rest in this town, but I know.” 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2TzaxSHD2
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡic1km2B4jN
Angus finished his speech and left Ivy stupefied. Fi came back from the77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbe3fvZhLN5
bathroom with a towel over her shoulder. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVHaLabvIk
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRFLShKT4P
“All done, take your time in there, you will need as much time as you can get,”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPz4JmCvu0h
she announced, looking at Ivy up and down. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtp6USdIfBf
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyTfcdlzoB
Ivy thanked Fi and accepted the towel that was held out to her. She rose from77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKjAvnfooD
the chair, feeling shaky about what Angus said to her and headed towards the77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WmaJcLVL1
door Fi came out of. Ivy looked over her shoulder before entering, to see where77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡST9vvt2dnZ
the couple had gone. Fi had disappeared into another room and Angus was still77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6dcpV9zu9
seated at the table, watching her. This time he had a smile spread across his77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3YypUJy0E
face. Angus checked over his shoulder to make sure that Fi was not around and77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwpRuYxd1X
decided to put Ivy out of her misery. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJheRpXxmQr
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“I can smell you; I can smell another wolf for miles. See you in the morning,”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpcnJgCbDW
he chuckled, and proceeded to hold his nose as he left the room, teasing Ivy77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08uHPeUPQy
about her stench. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZXoPSexCC
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9zWgE6UId
Ivy had to pick her mouth up off the floor as she watched his hunched over77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCEbzJcYK8
silhouette walk into what must be their bedroom. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52eoQKzpuC
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxicFKiy18
Ensuring that Ivy locked the door behind her, she took off the over-sized77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3trgbdcfvE
clothes that Fi generously gave. There was no aroma to this bath to help relax77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDYIX8DI0H
her, but Ivy didn’t think much of it. She dipped her toe into the steaming77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbv3Pzq8hai
water, just to make sure that she wouldn’t be boiled to death. She let out a77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdlyp9AzdI
sigh of relief that the water was the perfect temperature, and she sank her77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDaKhJG52s
entire body into the warmth, and allowed the water to consume her. Fi had77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUxLgZPyKN
left a scrubbing brush on the ledge of the bath, which made Ivy giggle, that Fi77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hzoGExgT1
thought she needed it. The steam from the bath alone was enough to allow77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdraCxBIAA
whatever was stuck to her skin, slide off. Ivy used it anyway for the bits that77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLsGMmETXM
wouldn’t budge. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrwbqPLLDQ
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOWAJ40BGi
Catori purred softly in Ivy’s mind, which put her at ease. Knowing that her77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfJCOjjBol
wolf felt safe, made her feel safe. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAkz9hQ1iu
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcsklxta6j
Ivy spent what felt like hours in the bath. The skin on her toes and fingers77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmoDS4CO1A
were wrinkled. She reluctantly got out of and noticed that Fi also77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNXQpOnv9B
left a brush and some new clothes. The clean ones were a better fit. Ivy77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcabLgydvW
wrapped her hair in a towel and retreated to the lounge to sit by the fire. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fn73tXJqT
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hxx60Rw0I
Fi sat on one end of the couch with a stack of blankets and a pillow that77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL78xrzMRym
rested beside her. When she noticed Ivy, she stood and apologised that they77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qA52xI8xJ
didn’t have another bed in the house, but the couch was the best they had. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXejQSwvYw
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqrQA6Nf4o
“Thank-you for your hospitality,” said Ivy as she sat on the floor in front of77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSkvJbbfRf
the fire.
Fi sat back down again and gestured Ivy to hand over77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zBOM7w4eV
the brush. Then she clapped her hands on her legs, ushering Ivy to shuffle back77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEYu3mjlKq
into her. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpQsfYcmc4
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UQhxtpDjC
Ivy obliged because the woman reminded her so much of her mother and she77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi89n1IBChg
wondered why Fi had no children. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQQfxRgR9W
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52qyqEj2SF
Fi began to brush Ivy’s hair, starting at the bottom and working her way up to77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDo6JIYIq5i
Ivy’s scalp. Even though Ivy washed her hair, Fi still managed to pull out77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquJfsd8UEP
small twigs that were tangled in there. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZfsrVVgQb
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2vyWtOi9o
“I’m sorry you have been through, what you’ve been through,” Fi said. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKinhm8jLH
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHot6KN9KYQ
“I am a strong woman, and I want to choose my own love to spend the rest of my77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0sURYR7T9
life with, not an old man,” replied Ivy, still staring at the fire in front of77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hK3RKwpbS
her.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB35GTWqWqS
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBtpID9VPo
“They all grow old and grumpy love, and sometimes we do too,” Fi laughed. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TDpItnlCA
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0DNrJVs9D
“Where did you meet Angus?” 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOUoHeu0nk
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1959jfFP7V
“I used to go to the forest to collect berries and other plants that my family77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNpZZ6WLsb
used for herbal teas. I saw Angus in the river bathing one afternoon,” she77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdx4LuRuCB
sighed remembering the moment. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURxAlGU3vh
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlqUXcoY1M
“He was toned, and muscular and I had never seen a man naked before. I just77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCaHtcsjEk
knew that I was going to marry that man. He looked at me, like he could sense I77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6dYBgp54k
was staring and walked over to ask me who I was and where I come from,” she77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡda3shDer6m
continued, “the rest is history and here we are today.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvbpi58LNf
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxvGFEOp8G
“I hope I find someone like that.” Ivy confessed.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtZBIOBWvd
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVPut2HGLd
“Some one that can sweep me off my feet and I just know.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYkEN9gesJ
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgy7nlGVgZ4
“Now, a pretty girl like you? Can’t find a man?” Fi asked, leaning over Ivy’s77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7RdqAv1sH
shoulders to look at her face.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jCL5f2Ytu
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRx7cTb6sy
“That’s absurd,” she added. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmK65ZEfyeB
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35Ktg44kzW
Fi put the brush down by her side and clapped her legs a second time,77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XDOM3cnt5
signaling that she was finished, and she hauled herself out of the couch. Ivy77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyRwwd0hTt
quickly moved out of her way and thanked her. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXYUnoSOe2
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQhasiQxcY
“Please rest now, don’t stay awake too late. Angus said he has chores for you77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUV9hY6YnY
in the morning.” 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDoKhow2nv
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzu1l6cNAUU
Ivy decided that the woman was right and spread the blankets over the couch to77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENaQZCCHUt
lay down. The pillow was soft, the blankets were made from wool which felt like77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevW64fvEdu
a cloud that hugged her. Ivy’s eyes became heavy and realised how exhausted77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXrMgJ2yvH
she’d become, she closed her eyes and willed for sleep to take over.
Morning came quickly, the sun shone through the77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9g0EOZRPZ
curtains that were slightly opened. The light shone straight into Ivy’s face. She77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TTd4OTYOx
slept deeply and had to wipe off the drool that ran down her chin as she woke.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuDwYlMB1R
She stirred for a moment, and wished to go back to sleep, when Angus spoke.
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmoMzlHFES
“Good morning, sunshine,” he said, and held out a cup. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRIwCm3dDZ
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04EqGaXRL2
The scent of coffee hit Ivy’s nose and she instantly grabbed the mug from him77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwgkPVloJ2
and gulped loudly. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSGIDs6dvf
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dcSr8ECiA
“Steady on soldier,” he laughed. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3J9S0fCjD2
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4H98Wgy9Ss
“Sorry, I haven’t had a coffee in who knows how long,” Ivy apologised. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPhugQDcM3
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBf4hI5nYj
Angus sat on the opposite couch, “Don’t say sorry to me, it’s the gift from the77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwk8rs3HNBA
Moon Goddess.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7vSwpj1BF
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFnBGo75Xp
“How long have you lived here?” Ivy asked, looking around to see if Fi was in ear shot.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvXJMLPlD3
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJ5lMXLlA3
“It’ okay, Fi goes to the markets early on Thursday mornings. She ordered me77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlje7ruzcR8
not to wake you yet. I’ve lived here ten years,” Angus said proudly.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRcpnHy9vW
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgJRMDHjgj
“How do you… you know do it?” Ivy asked with caution.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmqiIwmexl
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKfvXMWssJ
“Humans are a stupid species, but I’m here because my mate is human. Weird I77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSG6x0aXbKQ
know,” he stated with raised hands. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTB9euOKay
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKvbNUgH8T
“Fi?”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEdXAOZMx0
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlwm93Vitu
“Yep, she seen me in the river, and I could feel I was being watched. I saw her77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iLd28MLFv
trying to pathetically hide in the bushes. Then I knew, she was the one. It77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PWWHQ56OE
washed over me and it’s a feeling that I cannot describe,” Angus explained. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSYl9vjKyG
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsX1QHbmub
“The village works much the same as a pack, they are a community. If I feel77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0kL9WibCH
like I need to shift, then I go to the forest to chop wood for a while and no77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDQHRCYg2F
one bats an eyelid,” he continued. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzjzIXZ8an
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0U3EWOKDyD
“What pack are you affiliated with?” Ivy pressed. She suddenly felt a feeling77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXP4MzktUT
of dread in her gut. The closet territory to the human village was Harold’s.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcDGNDOcWl
Ivy hoped that he wouldn’t confess to Harold’s pack in case he was still in alliance with Harold. It meant that Ivy was in grave danger, even just having77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgB1Ro1R1QS
their conversation. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpS16X8hN7X
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuTH1Oode2
“No one’s anymore. I was banished by the East and decided to come this way, closer77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmbUEFV7ff
to the South, and well the rest is history; I never made it to the South,” he77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvqBf2lJQb
smiled. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNkIeWwspn
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGS1lRr3b6
“What about you? What is your story?” pressed Angus. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBLBWzPnUz
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzi2gpb0KG1
“I am on the way to the North and although I wasn’t banished from the South, I77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTYub1lPOC
certainly escaped. Now I’m just looking for my mate and wanting to move on from77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6onJioHDY
what I left behind.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJM8oxG6sT5
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfUbj4js8z
Angus nodded whilst listening to Ivy’s vague story. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvf8hQqIywO
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBdRp2NKRd
“Right, well we have some training to do. I would be killed if it was found out77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkV4QuVwqoH
that I left a royal leave my home, knowing that they were unfit to do so.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIH0jYmBpX7
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsUJ3ZKFJ8
“I am no royal Angus, just an Alpha’s daughter,” corrected Ivy.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0ckPvuiCD
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9EJdIQnIe
Angus let out a bellowing laugh whilst he took their cups to the kitchen.
“You don’t need to hide from me. With hair like that77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyatI85t7nk
and skin your colour, any wolf would spot you a mile away.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYHKmPTS3r
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSL1iy1xFFA
The statement left Ivy confused, but quickly came to the conclusions that Angus77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBa3ZzsYyOf
had no clue what he was talking about. She quickly folded the blankets and77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakhscXEsDR
placed them on the end of the couch as Angus held the front door open for her77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdifgkBgrrm
to go outside. He led Ivy through a large pasture, toward the forest edge,77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ683bsjYyC9
close to where Angus and Fi found her. Ivy could see the outline of a barn,77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhS6pitd5fz
amongst the first few trees at the back of the property. When they reached it,77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0K9TdKLwoy
Angus unlocked and opened the doors which revealed all types of weapons that77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEi3dei2sM
hung on the walls. Ivy’s eyes grew wide as she marveled at his collection.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzgiqTsYGo
Angus noticed her peaked interest, which quickly faded to fear.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfPMzWlsSv
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxChvYXrx5I
“We are not training with any of these m’lady. We are training just as people,77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CTSW9rHJR
in human form. Sparring if you like.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcfpD6o4bh
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVybnX20Ze
“Why the barn?”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL76WXxBoNz
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXUL6elcf2
“Because I know how hard its going to be to stay in human form during battle,77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszckTil0pZ
and not let your inner wolf take over. Also, the growling is not going to help.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIb1HP4S3c
If we did this out in the open, then we would both be running.” 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPvl80vsNz
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYtYwKvBQm
Angus had a point, and a smile grew across Ivy’s face. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwi2eklfgb
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZljNLBMVD
“Okay, show me what you got,” he challenged.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiXZ2gSMcY
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpH3XVKhuUc
Ivy initiated the spar by posing her body in a defensive stance and waited for77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfD876mREE
Angus to deliver the first blow. He made the first connection to her arms as77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sBUxfrMF9
Ivy continued to defend herself. She retaliated and delivered a quick kick to77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVQRxeXQWW
his shin and Angus doubled back, cursing. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjPWZG7Fwp
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YR56vMGYD
Hours went by with Angus showing Ivy what to do, and what not to do. They added77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKBcSjIW85
weapons such as sticks. Angus taught her new blocking poses and how to keep her77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVkkEkID8l
feet firmly planted on the ground by shifting her weight with each blow. Angus77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw70NbkMK2k
taught her what cues to look for in battle to pre-empt an attack and when to77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTHUyl9FEs
strike. Ivy felt exhilarated and wished that she had been destined to become a77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPovW4QBL1T
Warrior instead of an Alpha’s daughter. Ivy knew that if she had to fight for77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxP7crjRcrj
her life, it would be a lot harder to control Catori and harder to notice the77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2s50L0h7m
cues that Angus taught her. Angus seemed to have confidence in Ivy’s basics and77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAKEj8vE2F
continued to add more advanced skills into the session. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iVlK5mdYe
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1APP3AtNa0
By the end of the day, Ivy was able to pin Angus to the ground and keep him77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfts8Xi9GL
there. She felt strong and like she could hold her own, but nothing like a77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApFimpnXsP
Warrior in a pack. Warriors was required to train all day, every day. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEOAHM5tDV
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYNd3Bav6b
“Wow, I’m really impressed with your progress,” Angus said, panting. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMepAJTcEf
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhpwABs2kp
“Thank-you,” Ivy replied, flopping to the ground with her arms outstretched. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYH2ecggQi
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78jcO4aKSf
“I’m done. Toast.” 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3iG22sPHe
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Bv95VirYf
Angus took some time to gain his breath back and looked outside through the77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQXcsfl4Fe
barn doors. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsreqOtJg1i
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0Y7oQYVUw
“I’ve worked you all day, you must be sore, time to go back. Fi will have77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgSheoHOCh
dinner prepared.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALVDKTY5lk
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGswcGtsR5
Angus was eager to get back at the thought of food and bounced on the heels of77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ycwtbp7Xt
his feet, as he waited for Ivy to accept his outstretched hand. Ivy groaned and77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGrQT7gR4R
accepted his offer to help her up, using his strength to pull her tired body77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSK7D6uPM4
off the ground. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGRtqQiD0q
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOQDrzCQ2c
“I want to use proper weapons tomorrow,” she stated. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbT10Oo4VGp
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytGVlpS8uv
“Whoa, tomorrow? I thought you’d want to get going?” he asked whilst he locked77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpnqLnTsWh
the doors behind them. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWcGgAKOTJ
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kMdEbMywQ
“Oh, yeah right, I suppose I should.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHt9PEnIGx
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgf8eXJY1H
They made their way back to the house and Angus didn’t say anything else. They77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsTD9isTm5
covered so much today and were too tired for conversation. Ivy hoped Fi would77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Yp7jR9Esx
see her sweaty, dusty clothes and offer Ivy another bath. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LzxYl5Cph
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIg6OiFRac
It wasn’t long before Ivy and Angus reached the house. Ivy entered through the77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAVxb1Euo6
door panting, from trying to keep up with Angus’ long strides. Ivy looked77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6csJ849Z9J
around the room and the table were set for dinner. The smells that came from77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHTE8NdYGl
the kitchen made her salivate. Fi had really gone out of her way and Ivy could77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1W3o7NJqHx
hear her humming in the bathroom to herself, as she clunked around. Angus77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxo5aiCMEpe
closed the door behind him, louder than usual so that Fi could hear that he was77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMUnkNt5PS
home. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGgDfW7Sj6
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAJoD8pvQ7
“Oh, hi honey, I’m just in the bathroom washing up for dinner. I won’t be too77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sDrc52v3s
long, get changed,” she said. Angus excused himself to their bedroom and Ivy77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetnghpL9Pb
took a place at the table. Moments later, Fi emerged from the bathroom and saw77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbR0Bu6hbh
her. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRIL79ej3m
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99EMny8aJ6
“Oh my, he worked you hard today, you look exhausted. Go and wash up and I will77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZA1CLUP6pw
get dinner plated,” she said, looking at Ivy’s grubby hands and face. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNO0SwweQt
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsBQQyW6p8
Ivy was relieved that she was excused to go and wash up. The fresh water felt77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFIogM2QAc
great on her face, and she scooped some in her hands to drink. I won’t have77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHofFxobq1
time to stop for a drink, Ivy remembered Angus’ words. As true as his words77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3TehFa0aH
were, Ivy wasn’t prepared for Angus to be so gruelling. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfZX1bCFSV
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mx27P8WEC
Ivy finished in the bathroom and headed out, back to the table. Angus was77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjr4l6nt5OO
seated at the head of the table and narrated their day to Fi while she prepared77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQadzOSqJsp
the remainder of dinner. Angus and Fi interacted with each other and amused Ivy as77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3i1gZ872o
she watched them communicate. They were so doting and respectful toward one77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDVhBaMZto
another. She sensed that if anything happened to either of them, they would be77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjI3wRyY0V
heartbroken. That’s what mate ship was and that is what Ivy wanted. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBS5TQRtw5s
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVU7U77mujA
Dinner was delightful. Fi bought a turkey and fresh vegetables at the market.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nViQOJtov
Angus and Ivy devoured their meals like their lives depended on it.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIl54DXztVU
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SMam6qlBH
“Jeez, you two must be hungry,” Fi said amused. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXlUiZWvoL
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRVaIfk3d5
Ivy nodded her head with her mouth full. Angus stretched over the back of the77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUX3Q8t3h61
chair and belched. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhUwigdWwq
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWKbB5yxUJ
“Beautiful meal my love. I love Thursdays. Let me clear the table for you and77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7qm0rK7qs
you go put your feet up.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTwLd3NQ9b
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDJM14raml
He kissed Fi’s forehead gently whilst grabbing her plate. Angus turned to Ivy77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7m2hB4cVd
and told her to join Fi. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDLmxuDCYO
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpWdVNu0oK
“You have done enough for today,” he nodded toward the couch. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrShIUJVUeS
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXCSnYMMtJ
Before Ivy took a seat, she excused herself to go outside. She hadn’t seen the77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNl1QnShFAE
village since she’d been there and thought Angus was trying to hide her away,77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwmeVXZZEo
just in case. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraSmNjvG5H
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVG7L9cXUs
Ivy leant against the front of the house and took in the sights around her. The77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mGoEHk4Pu
whole village seemed to be paved out with stone. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebKd37fbKj
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaScxLjw4l
“I can see the appeal.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfVzuUqWv3
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KToBZTjk8
“Me too, it seems nice here.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7Hl9EL4WR
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVCuWuV67E
“We can’t stay here Ivy,” Catori stated, picking up on Ivy’s thoughts.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DrEbs7lbA
Ivy hated that she could do that. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzjx0mWSM3
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCU3NX2DyDj
“I know, but it seems nice that I could just walk down the street and maybe77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuNx0CLynZ
meet my mate.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvA6Idkukh
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxijpYQjH5
“We are destined for something larger.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xVRXECswB
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVC4Rn2cEHj
“I wonder what territory Angus comes from?” Ivy mind-linked, kicking herself77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cIJcc9Qwb
that she didn’t probe him further that morning. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsvvJBvgc7
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycZDeIGHSU
“They are nice people; his wolf is so far hidden, or he is really good at77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsBLcTjThK
blocking me out. All of my questions were left unanswered.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXfLz9ma4c
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1zyu2ON7B
The trees around her were so tall and untouched, they were magnificent in77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEEI1ZxpE4
size. Kate entered Ivy’s thoughts, and she wished that Kate was with her, or77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzh3q6cIpf
that she was still alive. She hoped that her dad had ordered a retaliation and77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqiiC7LKMV
he would find her soon.
The sun continued to set, and everyone bustled to77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23Dfm6t0yO
reach their homes so they could retreat inside to the warmth of their77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcWJMGmA84
fireplaces. When Ivy stood upright, she could see the riverbed, just below the77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKFrUFRkOC
bridge and wandered where it led. As the village became less busy, Ivy could77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnygXI9PJw
hear the trickle of the water flowing through -77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatAagjcD5U
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9rLbHJ16Z
Snap!77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbZrMq1V2K
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xyL1X7QF3
Ivy’s eyes darted straight to where the source of the noise came from. She77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5kr8u8ZYK
sniffed the air and smelt damp, grungy dander. She focused her vision down the77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkOsh5xxDC
paved path that led into the forest and could make out five shadows through the77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCMqhhaCtf
trees. Ivy strained her eyes for a few seconds longer, to see if she could77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsedvkigq8Y
catch a glimpse of anything else. Two pairs of glowing eyes stared back at her,77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuSUHk6npe
and her heart fell out her ass. Ivy mentally kicked herself for becoming too77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxll3pwJHh
complacent and stretched her limbs to go inside. She tried to act as though she77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmgrvAwgVF
hadn’t seen them and that she belonged in the village and trudged to the door. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycs92IAHDw
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU22Y6r8uU5
Once inside, Angus and Fi were cuddled up on the couch reading poetry. Ivy made77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhd9B8Sezpc
her bed opposite to them and listened as they repeated lines together. Her eyes77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDkMXTKHoZ
became heavy, and she tried to keep them open. Ivy needed to tell Angus what77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBT7ws8VFX
she’d seen. Angus was probably used to seeing and smelling Rogues in the forest77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmCclLgUX0
and tell her not to worry. Comfort overcame Ivy and she quickly gave in to her77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazxduCHY4s
tired mind.
Ivy stirred on the couch, and she thought she heard77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvjMIiK5om
the couple finally retreat to their room. She lifted her eyes to confirm but77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUecRyfega
noticed through heavy eyes that Angus was putting out the fire. He spotted her77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoQ8Wkt40M
waking and stilled. Ivy quickly sat upright to ask what he was doing but he77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5cwPHDVSc
silently lifted his forefinger to his mouth to quieten her. Ivy’s body started77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFYnUbuhVl
to adjust to being awake and her instincts took over, and she smelt it. The77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxChBQccwXn
disgusting wet dog smell that she smelt earlier. She silently hoped that she77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqGB4FfR3u
didn’t smell that bad when Angus and Fi saw her on her first night here. Ivy77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0BEyesNEh
tried to mind-link Angus and to her surprise, made a connection. He opened77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HSB3ygA0Z
himself up to her. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AfUBUzKMG
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVI239ZLJ3
“What do we do? Who are they?”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIMdsRLM1S
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCW3XxGC1lk
“I DON’T KNOW, BUT I HAVE A SAFE WAY OUT!”, he replied. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyJ0eQ1wKr
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoUJ2v8V4Y
Ivy winced at his response; it was so loud that she nearly jumped out of her77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPl7W1aYJQz
skin. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSWZVFpDqf
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLkq8RtwiO
“Sorry, I haven’t used that in a long time,” he grimaced, almost whispering. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitL5S3L4Fk
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0OvkDJoDL
Angus ushered her towards the bathroom and Ivy willingly obliged, knowing that77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LhVhAsAlr
she put her trust in someone she just met. Every instinct in her body, told her77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkl9XdY9Zv
to run like hell. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQh0TAF2PPn
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyawW1irVR1
Angus tried heaving the bath to the other side of the bathroom. After he tried77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAko054rB0
multiple times, Ivy jumped in to help. They managed to move the bath which77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpiDRIjEA9
revealed a trap door. Angus slowly opened the door, and rush of cold air came77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxuY8uMUyg
through the top. The coolness gave Ivy goosebumps. She rubbed her arms quietly,77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqL0dHvHPnd
to generate some warmth and linked Angus again. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIdvnptRuB
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlm3a1HTvg
“Where is Fi? Is she safe?”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXu9PvkDst
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdC7gWiTne7
“Fi is fine she's asleep after drinking her tea, nothing will wake her. I left a77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyZxBQh8kP
note to say I left early to start my errands.” 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJmU43mKC6
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPY1TAAHCb0
“Angus, but there are wolves out there, what if they come in the house looking77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6FevplROM
for me?”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqVmH0Mucu
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGAE2SDiFe
“They won’t be so stupid. Then they’d have a human army on their hands and77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2X88D1Gs1
trust me they wouldn’t risk it. If Fi was a wolf, they’d smell her out and77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSPONBo9EE
might be a different story, now hurry up.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwD7dhwSzf
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2095AKWBP
Ivy responded to Angus’ urgency and without thinking, she started to descend77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11xJ0QDtH1
the ladder. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kkL5GYfcL
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBN3L5J4B3
“Follow the tunnel right to the end, it takes you to the forest on the other77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1IgJzVCAU
side of town. I will meet you there shortly,” Angus linked to Ivy.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSPpKyNwKO
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGATNGCLw5P
He sensed her distrust and added, “I made this for when I escaped.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYR1Kpoe4r
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAO8b6nTZ3g
“You told me you were banished,” Ivy argued. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ym8SvIy3b
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALNHeaSBBb
“Can’t trust new people,” Angus shrugged and closed the door. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2ZiVfgfYS
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs51Ep0fF6P
Ivy had no other option than to trust him. She either got to the other side of77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxE0phHgI1
the tunnel with an awaiting ambush or when she got to the end, Angus would be77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGXzbxvIx0
there. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDjAdlMM2a
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQ3HS02Jxh
“What choice do we have? Sit in the dark?”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtRTobZy5S
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLprxO1VMq
Ivy wasn’t in the mood to argue with Catori, so she gave her eyes a few moments77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTjqgEyZzW
to adjust to the darkness. She saw the opening of the tunnel which gave her a77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3eHhaO5U0
glimmer of hope that Angus told the truth. The tunnel was tiny. Ivy squeezed77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHT3F1Or4ex
through the small opening and realised she had to crawl along on her stomach to77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3euauBA50h
reach the other side.
Ivy finally reached the end of the narrow tunnel. The77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAofXG2a9p
narrow opening, much like the entrance, opened into a basement like cut out.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10d8KilKE2
She pulled herself out, one limb at a time and fell into a heap on the dirt77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBS1pj5IywF
floor. Ivy stared at the ladder that connected with the trapdoor above. She had77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxhMdTSM2t
a fleeting thought that if she happened to crawl in a full circle, she’d allow77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67GYUdsK2m
Catori to shift and rip Angus’ head off. Ivy climbed to the top of the ladder77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSidQR63s3Y
and gently pushed on the door. She cringed when is creaked loudly and paused to77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HvMzsFiqV
listen for any movement above. Instead, the door was ripped from her hands and77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrY9dCsKv1h
Ivy gasped loudly and tried to keep her balance on the ladder. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VNJzydoR8
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkIV3NQZJV
“Scared ya,” Angus laughed. His face beamed down at her. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcnlqTc2Dq
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WPslYuZtu
“Took you long enough,” he complained. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoBStDMy9Q
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQxR4PHC2w
“Well, you failed to mention how tight it was,” Ivy snapped back. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5EzCHbXzT
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjK2CsWn6LE
“Not my problem that you didn’t shift and let your wolf scrape through. Would77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdSU9lanwG
have been a lot quicker.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMtb8afBA2
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCAcdS3PGv
“Well you-,” Ivy tried to quickly answer. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrwq7VL0IE
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9HOKcJSxM
“AND you didn’t use your instincts before you opened that door. If you had77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIMVMMprw7
taken a moment to focus on your surroundings, you would have known it was safe77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmw8rPCpFCc
to come out.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yEZGfFTfP
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2yPftmsBy
Ivy couldn’t argue because he was right. She climbed out from the trapdoor and77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPM7UYzDpTL
brushed herself off, straightening her back to stretch. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj597V7g4L1
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBqE5LWQvv
“Well thank you for everything Angus. The training, the food and water and77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6HCUG2xpM
getting me out of here safely. I can’t put you or your mate in danger, I have77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RVKjCr35x
to go.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlI3G2Am1b
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjLv3iz4PB
“To hell you are!”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SdMdfOOWo
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ev7Z9hlRh
“Why not?” Ivy looked puzzled. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLZSHmturR
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUh1V4iV2U
“Use your damn instincts girl. We are surrounded and there is no way I’m going77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkwUTr8M16
to let a young, little princess such as yourself, go wondering off in the77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkz4Md5OEfx
forest. They will have my head.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cXFSeW6o9
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgVAUpuANZ
“First of all, I am not some member of the royal family. Secondly, I’m77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcgE5JwvF4
following the river to wherever that may lead me and thirdly, I can take care77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYeVzxe0Bb
of myself,” Ivy argued. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFbtYABns8
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXip6PVPgL0
“I’m coming whether or not you like it. Those wolves are in the forest77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YpaSte75O
surrounding this village and if we don’t move now, we will be dog food.” 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqlfRgU2gq
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJXiUlESXZ
Ivy rolled her eyes at Angus and gave in a steely look. He didn’t budge and Ivy77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEUSaQz1hc
knew that she had to keep moving. Angus had told her that it was at least a77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhJIVoWRD2
day’s walk, without stopping, to the next territory. Angus extended his arm out77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwxmR4nQ9W
to his side, pointing to the forest. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1s1LwMQWt
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXolIce9kPA
“Ladies first,” he jeered. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAtGFkCd7K
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxocy17GdRF
“Just because you are with me, doesn’t mean you can boss me around.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RnpBQBTSE
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡve7Exh7iU7
With a huff, Ivy started toward the forest. Angus kept up with her easily and77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhe64J5eccX
she wondered how big his wolf was. His human stride made Ivy jog to keep up,77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBK2eUHhno
his wolf stride would force her to run. They walked in silence for a moment,77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQC11TzbS7
each ensuring that their ears were pricked to notice any sudden movements from77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJ441FJuHO
around them. Ivy noticed that Angus kept looking down at her as if he wanted to77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBIT8BYsUn
say something.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdFMKmJqBl
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0hLUMA6Jd
“Yes?” she asked, giving him permission to speak.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrg9j5VXs4v
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wuL0fL6G2
“Oh, I just wanted to know if your anger had subsided enough to realise, we are77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevDamTSatn
being herded in a northerly direction.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEPOb6mrcV
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Fear ran through Ivy and her face turned whiter than normal.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0K0yB26TiT
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“Calm down lass. It’s not a southern army, otherwise they would have changed77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbtE0p17Jg
our direction, or have killed us both by now.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡittQiLXkmy
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Ivy directed her attention to left and the right of them. They were far enough77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5kL0FWeRf
away to not startle, but close enough to show them that they were there. Ivy77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIek20loa4
could see their shadows moving through the trees. There were three travelling77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLz7XcVcqQ
on the left, three on the right and three travelling behind. Angus encouraged77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjhdESyR5D
Ivy to keep walking and talking like normal with no sudden movements. Angus’77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLefNQZ5wBv
knowledge about battle, instincts and tactics made Ivy wonder if he was ever77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXdKWbT3tt
involved in an army or at the very least a ranking Warrior in the East. Ivy had77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJJXZA77R7
never heard of any wolf clans that housed royalty, but Angus constantly77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tu01eDjjI
compared Ivy to whatever clan he's met . Ivy continued to wonder if where he came from there77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKAuFcSZ2k
were royal wolves that had similar features. The only royal communities that were77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoEVthsKIv
still around on their mainland were the Lycan’s.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9I49RobHH
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The sun had risen and was encroaching into the middle77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLUsKgn3B2
of the day. Angus and Ivy had been on the move the whole time. Ivy’s mouth was dry,77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGg3FCK4Mu
and she was desperate for a drink. Angus kept encouraging her to move on because77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlptrdr4HFJ
they didn’t know what these other wolves were doing. Ivy eventually whined that77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiqrWBZX39
she needed to rest, and her stomach grumbled loudly. Angus reluctantly let her77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmiJHVrLYP
sit by the trunk of a large tree, while he scouted the area to make camp and a77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDElN1JSWeE
fire. Ivy watched him disappear behind some trees, trying to look for small77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBU7JdZKbZ
morsels of food and understood why Fi fell in love with him. Angus adored Fi,77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaEPydF6d3
and always talked about her, but avoided his past. Regardless, Ivy learnt that77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9UHRGDdPo
Angus was a blacksmith within the village, which explained the large range of77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcKVfWue5Y
weapons in the barn. He confirmed that each weapon that hung on the wall, he77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtiDe4GVzA
created. Angus explained that hiding his wolf form from Fi and the village was77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscuDed5SgS
initially the hardest thing he’s ever done but it all worked out through77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJgIxSyjCc
determination. Angus feared that if Fi found out, she would reject him, and he77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnSW87NUtP
would be right back where he started; alone. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrDhnBmuhs
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“Here looks just fine,” Ivy called out, as Angus came back with two small77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWLLBvQuqE
rabbits.
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Ivy chose the spot where she was already sitting,77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TMEBkZ5Eo
because her legs felt like they no longer had the strength to hold her weight.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb57lBEEwYq
There was a boulder that Angus could rest his back on, that sat under the77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKqbNI3GSs
umbrella of a tree and offered some protection. They were almost on the border77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90tmJIdYqg
of the next territory. Angus mentioned that they should arrive by nightfall. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfN6xufkxn
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“Perfect spot,” Angus agreed, “Now, can you make a fire?”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqntFFdMhZR
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Ivy nodded. That was one thing that she could do. Angus trotted off to gather77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTH07DEgZ2
some kindling and some larger pieces of wood close by. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYefpnYl2W
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The constant feeling of being watched, started to frustrate Ivy. It seemed77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ttFf1mDjD
pointless to her that if they weren’t going to kill them, then they could have77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDflXGXunva
at least come forward. She thought that whoever commanded them was useless. No77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0ZTkaQlNQ
wonder the North were labelled as weak.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2ihdiwLGM
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Angus returned with his arm piled with wood. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqKGQBXKWA
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“We aren’t going to need that much,” Ivy said. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0XhK6ZBuh
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“Well, we might, we need to cook, and you need to rest, so I need to stand77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwecXOPksbE
guard.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4U5YfDu3Bq
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“No you don’t. You said yourself, they don’t want to hurt us.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSLBiwK90L
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“Can’t be too careful, right?” he grimaced. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLPIm3uf3M
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Angus took smaller pieces of wood and twigs. He pulled the grass from around77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPNL1S917R
Ivy and created a small, heaped pile near where Ivy sat. Ivy found small pieces77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbz2nH9uPR
of flint from around the rocks and cracked them together to create a spark. She77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiDfnQXa9N
noticed the smoldering grass and gently blew through cupped hands to force a77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcUz99tD7Y
flame. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKo4pSiaVUp
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“I’m glad you can do that, it’s starting to get chilly,” Angus said, watching77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuOp4hB1Xk
intently. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVCeoTbUYW
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“Well, it’s the one thing I know how to do.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavdQrUeH9w
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“Good, because I can’t.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylN80PZr9I
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Angus’ response shocked Ivy into laughter. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiC6WyuHFZ
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“What about the fireplace in your home?”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUBB6eQ4Tz
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“Fi does it, and she would be super mad that I put it out.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvHW0Q67eC
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The thought made Ivy giggle. A weapon-smith that cannot make fire, certainly77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsP7v2bDuw5
eased the mood. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuNBw6tNpw
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As they enjoyed more laughter together, the unknown wolves were getting closer,77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklrNaX5pqG
and made the circle tighter. Ivy shot a look at Angus and responded with a nod77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIqXEAjEuJ
to confirm her thoughts.
