Ivy
Ivy allowed Catori to have control and she stayed in73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Pe0Nd2MWc
her wolf form for a few days. This was mainly so that Ivy could ensure they73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2Ihcx73ES
kept warm and made it easier to hunt. They had been training non-stop and73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZ1f8NR8dC
Catori shared her wisdom with Ivy. She advised Ivy that she needed to be ready73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEFPZIJ7GP
for anything that came their way. Ivy was totally confused with her advice but73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGc0rrBUav
figured she knew what she was talking about. Ivy thought it had something to do73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MpN0JicOa
with the fact they were in the middle of the forest, female, and un-mated.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eOCmDmeMO
Catori taught her to use all her senses when scouting and looking for food. She73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVAvFgJ7Pp
taught Ivy what poison smelt like, when she foraged for food such as berries73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjMThNCOYD
and plants. The worst part of training had been the shifting. Catori said that73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLCGGRkR0n
it was imperative that they train to shift like a flash of lightening for the73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4R6wMlSuZ
best defence. That part had been agonisingly painful for both. Completing a73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNCC7Vq4TA
shift between Ivy and Catori all the time, made Ivy feel heavy, tired, and73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuuqHuXQeZ
weak. It had the opposite effect on Catori, so she took the lead for the73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVEQIXRjA5
following days.
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbKAfPhlaw
Ivy hadn’t heard any more of Harold’s men and she hoped that James took them on73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBI7d671yc
a wild goose chase. It still bugged her that James helped her, mainly because73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOt6rNBL1sj
she had no idea why he decided to help her in the first place, especially when73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eCoFWcBv1
he could have been banished, killed or worse; stripped of his Beta title.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7A7DgIz5Q6
Still, Ivy was grateful. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoq8ozqksq
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRQF2dN7k8
Catori and Ivy have become so close it was almost as if they were one. Ivy73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJy67D9CL32
found it easier to feel how Catori is feeling even before she speaks and vice73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jh6CFI4qk
versa. Catori had been following the river down-stream towards the North-West73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEKIY1LPmR
side for a few days. It was getting colder and colder the further up they down.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKmKfYIvY0
Ivy’s gown was ripped to shreds on the night of their first shift, so she73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaTfpLdqr2
didn’t even have that to cover herself. Catori and Ivy both agreed that it was73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mkWCCmvel
best that Catori kept their wolf form. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYxtqA5L7S
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoWohNa5hw
“We are coming close to town Ivy.” 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpBHBTTLiV
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMwWOJ2yh5
“Really? You said that we weren’t due to hit a territory for at least another73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCluDnl7wE
couple of days,” Ivy answered.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zfIEpXvDl
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4iAAMGvVB
“I smell smoke and a stench that I cannot describe. I have never smelt this73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoSnC09XAp
before. The river heads in that direction past the forest tree line.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPdPxEbkiK
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiSPYiRath
Ivy used Catori’s vision to view their surroundings. Ivy knew they were73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wp1v4RZXm
approaching a clearing because the trees started to separate. The spaces73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYstJ6ObXxn
between them were larger and there was more sunshine peeping through the73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA579uB9cIm
canopy. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lXw7x3QWj
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPplWtNYeT
“There is no fire though, Catori.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXJTmPF3wN
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LFqEpegpU
“Mmm, perhaps there is a campfire close by, we need to be alert.”
Catori kept to the edge of the forest but still73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjzS5CoChe
maintained closeness to the river. Her ears were constantly pricked to hear73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCCaSPtJKo
anything out of the ordinary around them. She used all of her strength to focus73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfV8cYKNbac
her hearing and welcomed the slight sounds around them. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRwm8qLzF7
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0p6Y55gb0
“Children, children laughing?”
“We will wait until sunset and then we will check it73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbR7vj8AiL
out and continue. For now, lets just stay hidden in the forest,” Ivy ordered.
Catori found a patch of dirt and positioned herself73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZbCqfOxN4
between two large rocks so that it was hard to been seen. With her soft, white73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sIDSoALgE
coat, it was hard to camouflage against the browns and greens of the forest73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ205j5XzuF6
floor. Ivy became impatient. The wait was horrendous as she was eager to get to73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYdTAINQBs
the next territory, to plead with someone to take her in for a few nights.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIK0wLiNVy
Catori decided that heading North was likely to be safer. The North hate the73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5mAvXdkrw
South, but they might also hate them too as they would come from that73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlFn8O7i2c
direction. Ivy feared being sold back to her father the most. Even when she73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJuznialI3
thought about him and what he did, and what he caused her, the anger built73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVNQia84YM
rapidly. Catori shook her fur at the thought, feeling the same emotions.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLT4yQNU9JH
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPW5kBQly5W
Sunset was almost upon the white wolf, and she proceeded to make her way back73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HxmjbEFwR
to the edge of the forest. Ivy warned Catori to be careful in the clearing and73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4RgVjUsNF
kept a constant look-out through the wolf’s eyes. Ivy looked through the last73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXa4pr1QvC
few trees and she saw houses, upon houses and fences holding livestock.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07HwhDJsQi
Furthermore, there were lights everywhere and nowhere safe to cross down the73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MdpHFWpGL
river safely without being seen. The river ran under a bridge further into the73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBvCrkfZzb
town, and Ivy noticed people carrying vegetables, eggs and hay, right across73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccVj7qKI58
it. Most of the people further in the town and down the lane were retreating73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewwR9lM0x5
into their homes for the night as dusk began to turn. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9N03XISrEX
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhLBZmRtRA
“Easy meals,” stated Catori, as she licked her lips. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJV7RYwlaRW
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjICOqVSAFE
Ivy was mortified and told her that this must be the human village that her73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRurUEQpFX
father used to go on about, especially the dangers. To humans, wolves were73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAnuGY9pfo
nothing, but folklore and Ivy had no idea if they were aware they existed. The73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RYRqZUhWQ
human species would probably never find out because they are too dumb to73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQotSOuArCC
understand and accept it. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhf4vGtBkp
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKmIySR8VN
“You’re up,” said Catori.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRkjI322t5
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8lxbm1GmZ
“What do you mean?”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHRyq9bhfE
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjI84dLEWFk
“Well I can’t just walk in there and the rivers runs through the middle of73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkaSiGRPzx
town. You are the human form Ivy.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoUc0Ewe5F
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2KJCb8rzW
“I don’t have clothes,” Ivy stammered. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5eMrPHPC8
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWRrZCKoZj
“Well hopefully we get seen by a woman first and she might give us some.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXexGne8IBr
Look for a barn for us to rest in.” 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOVdc5o9kE
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCzOKUc9E7
Ivy sighed heavily, knowing that Catori was right. Ivy commanded control73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLckKIWVgBA
back and allowed Catori to shift. Ivy would never get used to that73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5evJ05W9fj
feeling. The quick shift made a sound or at the very least someone heard a bone73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1xRHwqGeS
crack. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmw5lfL2aX
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJM5qdk7nu
“Hello? Is there anyone there?” a man asked. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7rtgMyrQt
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKND5YIk6f
He was too close for comfort and neither Catori or Ivy saw him hunched over his73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ879mYx8Iox
garden before. Catori tried using her mind to nudge Ivy forwards, but Ivy was73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EQZI4hbGQ
too embarrassed with no clothes. She groaned, "Why did it have to be a man?"73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzYNYEYJvp
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqnXLGMWEr
“Hello?” he called again. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEafdZeoWJv
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCO8gcRYPC
“Angus! Who are you talking to? Are you talking to yourself again?”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jXmUDYPpo
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjO2p5bE36
A short, stout woman came from the back of the house that the garden was73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaY4FCncuL
connected to. Her arms were crossed, and her feet tapped on the stone path, as73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRySmkc9vm4
if her dinner was getting cold inside. Ivy smelt the food from different houses73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7QCNAGiQw
and her mouth watered straight away.
Ivy gulped and took one step into the clearing, and73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Z1HJ4Ud5d
then another whilst she tried to cover herself the best she could. She heard73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJv8hd7Bjvv
the woman gasp and the man turned to see what the commotion was.
"My Lord,” Ivy heard.
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIyOwaTZfh
“Go inside Angus and get me some clothes.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQRxdG9pfB
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgvf70Q5Kj
The woman quickened her pace towards Ivy, and she tried to use her body as a73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEw3R52bpLo
shield so that any onlookers couldn’t see Ivy’s naked body. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QQb6aXIh3
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREFpwNfj1w
“Come now dear, look at the state of you,” she said, walking closer. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdg5gvHyfD
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHylFBcCMtN
Ivy flinched at her warm, soothing tone and looked past her at the man73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOA5RB24JWJ
named Angus, running out of the door with some clothing draped over his arms.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2dF62zbrp
The woman tried running her hands through Ivy’s hair, with no luck due to not73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPFVG1EEyq
being brushed in days. Ivy allowed the woman to do so, even though Catori73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzp90nELFH
growled in her mind. She was too focused on trying to cover her body with her73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ptm9y95D6
hands. Angus approached, with his head bent back behind his shoulders, trying73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oPtOkI5Ln
not to look at Ivy as he handed over the clothes and a blanket. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRe5ZY8ygBd
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw58OdLgJEo
“Come on dear, put these on,” the woman said, whilst handing one piece of73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZj20l48jBt
clothing to Ivy at a time. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MgUkGK6Iw
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaL5f7jRAZ
“They might not fit your tiny little waist, but we definitely need to get you73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcDuyAGXRE
washed up and you can tell us where you came from…and in such a state. I have73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwwK3816hx
some hot soup on the fire now.” 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVEJQVGlzt
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASydhKFX7r
The woman turned away after she fussed over Ivy, expecting her to follow. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecp5v74rez
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7Yk5ndbcF
“Be cautious Ivy,” Catori warned. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqODx1iN1u
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYi0y8Bnave
The woman didn’t seem that bad to Ivy, so she followed without speaking a word.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRiinGJK6P
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAeNQPWtiR
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpj0obgoypk
Walking into the couple’s home, Ivy was instantly warmed by the fire. The small73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmV5wQP5V3
living area was lit by the light of the fire and the woman stirred through soup73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4b7V5Jfacv
before she placed it in bowls. The aroma of the vegetables hit Ivy’s nose and73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEu4r6NUtNL
her mouth watered. Angus, stared at Ivy with the weirdest expression and she73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ESlvGP0iF
knew that if she spoke, he’d have jumped out of his skin. The woman returned to73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOiCqIdjKM
the living area and handed Ivy a bowl, then immediately started asking73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcL2L2gM9mj
questions. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1H1SBs9Kma
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiGb2a7o2G
“So, where are you from dear? The next village is about one hundred miles in73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfkHRbewuk
the other direction, and by the state of you, you haven’t had a bath in a73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxLY1Au8LL
while.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgP4RapOgF
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEdhy5Cxs5
She was right, Ivy was covered head to toe in dirt and grime and her hair was a73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCUr5waDwM
tangled mess. Before Ivy could answer, Angus spoke. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVFF7j4v1V
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXso9dFKcLT
“Leave her alone for a moment, let her eat Fi.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Wk1Xu2wme
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37SaJko8ys
His eyes urged Ivy to continue eating. Fi grunted and they sat in silence. The73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWfj5aGN8O
sounds of slurping irritated Ivy, so she decided to make conversation.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8u7Rit2Qxt
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtYCHI7MKT
“I have been in the forest for a few days now, I have lost count. I am being73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrg8ngsFymx
hunted.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy31X7GxGIz
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbN4AlHaJQ8
Fi snorted into her soup, “What ever do you mean, hunted?”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCytcym2US
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ667mmwqEUA
“I was made to marry a man that I did not want to, and decided to leave, he has73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDc4z3r3gg
sent soldiers after me,” Ivy replied. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVDy0B3fwV
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJX5Qg9XkG
The couple looked dumfounded and confused, but also looked wary of her, as they73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5X6XjOozov
let a fugitive into their home. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeDW3KxCt5
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1jmrvTeke
“Okay, well at least we know where you came from, you can rest here a few days73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtNJTM8TLm
and be on your way. I will go and get a bath ready for you,” Fi announced.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNEeTY9J08
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtC5Mmu7Yn
She took the bowls off the table, placed them on the bench next to a wash tub73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZxYg6MKTk
and disappeared into another room. Ivy’s gaze shifted to Angus, who stared at her. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyA66XRC7A
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPX5O2q5W9
“Have you been trained?” he asked. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUQNqbFxus
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiliMnN9oC
“Trained enough to hold my own,” Ivy retorted. The question confused her. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaXVL3TclD
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNez05XrGr
“No, you’re not. Your arms are skinny and weak. There is no muscle to them.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfBdh9z1iQ
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyIJI3bVsv
“I started training with a solder before I ran, I know the basics.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtbGI4NeMN
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOarf3dV2r1
“We train in the morning, first thing,” he commanded. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAwEH0W1BY
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDW8sungKL
Ivy’s mouth opened to respond. She was furious and was not about to be bossed73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrqR5Ue1Lj
around by any male. She felt the heat throughout her body and her cheeks turned73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarAi2x8vwc
a shade of red. Angus cut her off almost immediately in a lowered tone. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlYNAbuLye
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfyumA9hoS
“I am not stupid girl; I know what you are and where you have come from. There73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39C0HjIasH
are no soldiers for miles, and I know what borders the village. Fi may be73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0SVjL9t4F
oblivious as are all the rest in this town, but I know.” 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonZUlHfVG0
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYExu2KHnk5
Angus finished his speech and left Ivy stupefied. Fi came back from the73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAApngn0lY
bathroom with a towel over her shoulder. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaEFGXYxsH
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6mKXGaCYL
“All done, take your time in there, you will need as much time as you can get,”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYk9Dl6Oi1
she announced, looking at Ivy up and down. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXSYHYLhuW
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBkM757kxE
Ivy thanked Fi and accepted the towel that was held out to her. She rose from73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCJktMIgCM
the chair, feeling shaky about what Angus said to her and headed towards the73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5TwQOgp56
door Fi came out of. Ivy looked over her shoulder before entering, to see where73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVbQBzjU7q
the couple had gone. Fi had disappeared into another room and Angus was still73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnZvwGIDXx
seated at the table, watching her. This time he had a smile spread across his73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueRVDtifqy
face. Angus checked over his shoulder to make sure that Fi was not around and73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS00ufYAMQ9
decided to put Ivy out of her misery. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDOTkVu3PU
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjohb00IArl
“I can smell you; I can smell another wolf for miles. See you in the morning,”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylD2s3T3ru
he chuckled, and proceeded to hold his nose as he left the room, teasing Ivy73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtjK2tGrtO
about her stench. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrarJUXy4v
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLR0bYawCl4
Ivy had to pick her mouth up off the floor as she watched his hunched over73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4I9sImjTu9
silhouette walk into what must be their bedroom. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MZshb0EF0
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBz75g6bjVO
Ensuring that Ivy locked the door behind her, she took off the over-sized73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJraTcokACD
clothes that Fi generously gave. There was no aroma to this bath to help relax73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4T2sI43Vu
her, but Ivy didn’t think much of it. She dipped her toe into the steaming73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5Y6TntwDY
water, just to make sure that she wouldn’t be boiled to death. She let out a73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeBbLzF3rp
sigh of relief that the water was the perfect temperature, and she sank her73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtnylDqIvk
entire body into the warmth, and allowed the water to consume her. Fi had73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAX5qGin2u9
left a scrubbing brush on the ledge of the bath, which made Ivy giggle, that Fi73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlW623xZbzZ
thought she needed it. The steam from the bath alone was enough to allow73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNh20brbfv
whatever was stuck to her skin, slide off. Ivy used it anyway for the bits that73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAUHqvzjAr
wouldn’t budge. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGihpCtYDzi
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3JhVORq5b
Catori purred softly in Ivy’s mind, which put her at ease. Knowing that her73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaUACnJT2c
wolf felt safe, made her feel safe. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGo9mUO0Y6t
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsnoxNZXJo
Ivy spent what felt like hours in the bath. The skin on her toes and fingers73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfv7zRB75bP
were wrinkled. She reluctantly got out of and noticed that Fi also73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6aiaDQ6UD
left a brush and some new clothes. The clean ones were a better fit. Ivy73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHFbqAY2vp
wrapped her hair in a towel and retreated to the lounge to sit by the fire. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcP8m6f776i
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ega3sQ5QZ
Fi sat on one end of the couch with a stack of blankets and a pillow that73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mN9irnjRJ
rested beside her. When she noticed Ivy, she stood and apologised that they73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2tOfdkYo9
didn’t have another bed in the house, but the couch was the best they had. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNPNsqNphg
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoLkGQiE9V
“Thank-you for your hospitality,” said Ivy as she sat on the floor in front of73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsR9EaDmhpQ
the fire.
Fi sat back down again and gestured Ivy to hand over73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OnZajDAfi
the brush. Then she clapped her hands on her legs, ushering Ivy to shuffle back73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPl9wTos4er
into her. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhC6d7JuYuN
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftNhqxBMLR
Ivy obliged because the woman reminded her so much of her mother and she73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHIKJBrIUd
wondered why Fi had no children. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwuD3o8WQD
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhr2PbvKHKA
Fi began to brush Ivy’s hair, starting at the bottom and working her way up to73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYzDz1YafF
Ivy’s scalp. Even though Ivy washed her hair, Fi still managed to pull out73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXfONIjZSW
small twigs that were tangled in there. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXCXUs5eYE
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3AcgD4qxz
“I’m sorry you have been through, what you’ve been through,” Fi said. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzv0nWig83z
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkp7DgNi888
“I am a strong woman, and I want to choose my own love to spend the rest of my73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LFq2VravH
life with, not an old man,” replied Ivy, still staring at the fire in front of73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSrdd0qj8Q
her.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdq9XKzL6e
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhN8fyuh9r
“They all grow old and grumpy love, and sometimes we do too,” Fi laughed. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoalLfbLiF
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxzH5Ffu42
“Where did you meet Angus?” 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrNsshs3Bb
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnd0WFGQekE
“I used to go to the forest to collect berries and other plants that my family73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJ5bLOozH3
used for herbal teas. I saw Angus in the river bathing one afternoon,” she73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrwGSuOj5i
sighed remembering the moment. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXz1fMwp2yk
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCv5FIZUmv
“He was toned, and muscular and I had never seen a man naked before. I just73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATSPgDZKuv
knew that I was going to marry that man. He looked at me, like he could sense I73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33rAWsAp0P
was staring and walked over to ask me who I was and where I come from,” she73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcj47oDxKcR
continued, “the rest is history and here we are today.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpjL9Su2iM
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOnSd6rLup
“I hope I find someone like that.” Ivy confessed.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirxSYeXozg
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi66vje5Dmr
“Some one that can sweep me off my feet and I just know.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxhjfQykYs
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCF6ElpNiBf
“Now, a pretty girl like you? Can’t find a man?” Fi asked, leaning over Ivy’s73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9vQHTAsIJ
shoulders to look at her face.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oB9ZGBnhd
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnjXvSfRj2
“That’s absurd,” she added. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxrBFnFB6p
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyYvORMArw
Fi put the brush down by her side and clapped her legs a second time,73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYUE4kR5U3
signaling that she was finished, and she hauled herself out of the couch. Ivy73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8RRglAq2G
quickly moved out of her way and thanked her. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BcMlT5Xc8
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHO6bIxKm9h
“Please rest now, don’t stay awake too late. Angus said he has chores for you73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxMxzGR01V
in the morning.” 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5jC5naKjf
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQl3wifTUEt
Ivy decided that the woman was right and spread the blankets over the couch to73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYJpyVRzSl
lay down. The pillow was soft, the blankets were made from wool which felt like73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1w5WYaDvVX
a cloud that hugged her. Ivy’s eyes became heavy and realised how exhausted73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuctqtqiu2G
she’d become, she closed her eyes and willed for sleep to take over.
Morning came quickly, the sun shone through the73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBum5Kkmno
curtains that were slightly opened. The light shone straight into Ivy’s face. She73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QsL2Wvitp
slept deeply and had to wipe off the drool that ran down her chin as she woke.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpm3Y1XrhJx
She stirred for a moment, and wished to go back to sleep, when Angus spoke.
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4k4DYsRZfz
“Good morning, sunshine,” he said, and held out a cup. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB736xnNnpl
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NykzeG7tI
The scent of coffee hit Ivy’s nose and she instantly grabbed the mug from him73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYYiNaqIIJ
and gulped loudly. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKga8NEAtH
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEjJ8fJ3pq
“Steady on soldier,” he laughed. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOUJNeQhqR
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKUXhwZDrS
“Sorry, I haven’t had a coffee in who knows how long,” Ivy apologised. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7nGiTtV8A
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PZMHZnYnL
Angus sat on the opposite couch, “Don’t say sorry to me, it’s the gift from the73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDrbqbbi20
Moon Goddess.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAFhBF0Zmo
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09kw7J6ASV
“How long have you lived here?” Ivy asked, looking around to see if Fi was in ear shot.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIcy3r2KQ3
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpzXwyF8Oo
“It’ okay, Fi goes to the markets early on Thursday mornings. She ordered me73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOtsRc33mj
not to wake you yet. I’ve lived here ten years,” Angus said proudly.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoMsGalX1B
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiV8ZzLD6Tl
“How do you… you know do it?” Ivy asked with caution.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89HbquAVm5
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NL3CE5zus
“Humans are a stupid species, but I’m here because my mate is human. Weird I73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tkEUSkrIV
know,” he stated with raised hands. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBYtcpWEL0
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQM80sfSMgA
“Fi?”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xqzzjtwox
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgB9mEF2qHP
“Yep, she seen me in the river, and I could feel I was being watched. I saw her73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQauT2LVa4b
trying to pathetically hide in the bushes. Then I knew, she was the one. It73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYVvTaOLXZ
washed over me and it’s a feeling that I cannot describe,” Angus explained. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUrm1i6GTr
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvsosT6yAT
“The village works much the same as a pack, they are a community. If I feel73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWk9jpdv9qi
like I need to shift, then I go to the forest to chop wood for a while and no73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TqzSTMilj
one bats an eyelid,” he continued. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgxba4sbbG
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoux1Za2rk
“What pack are you affiliated with?” Ivy pressed. She suddenly felt a feeling73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiClQZqJoFh
of dread in her gut. The closet territory to the human village was Harold’s.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcT44EIdcdD
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 having73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcaNTebyHG
their conversation. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWs9QuwQBV
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cgB6fsShX
“No one’s anymore. I was banished by the East and decided to come this way, closer73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWdg2oI1jq
to the South, and well the rest is history; I never made it to the South,” he73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEQcbiZ5vj
smiled. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgnf6FNQpg
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY353r5GJlk
“What about you? What is your story?” pressed Angus. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqzo83gU5s
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGwCFUATbU
“I am on the way to the North and although I wasn’t banished from the South, I73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtH8C6tVjQ
certainly escaped. Now I’m just looking for my mate and wanting to move on from73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2KeWIPVgc
what I left behind.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceIzYkPDpB
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLI6b6inON
Angus nodded whilst listening to Ivy’s vague story. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5m09HsCs6C
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5alPDxzVcs
“Right, well we have some training to do. I would be killed if it was found out73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IHetrr9h4
that I left a royal leave my home, knowing that they were unfit to do so.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePmuJdTm0F
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLz6b05Bj6
“I am no royal Angus, just an Alpha’s daughter,” corrected Ivy.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCFPgbQxe3
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC07Oe11oNA
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 that73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4FajhUI9I
and skin your colour, any wolf would spot you a mile away.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMc6LszIhJM
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ928l3rSs9U
The statement left Ivy confused, but quickly came to the conclusions that Angus73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCe1arjp2v
had no clue what he was talking about. She quickly folded the blankets and73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0cwH0Qj1a
placed them on the end of the couch as Angus held the front door open for her73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6S9HLwBAg4
to go outside. He led Ivy through a large pasture, toward the forest edge,73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqt3aFo5yo
close to where Angus and Fi found her. Ivy could see the outline of a barn,73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDXrZDzLz7
amongst the first few trees at the back of the property. When they reached it,73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7lEYap5Nb
Angus unlocked and opened the doors which revealed all types of weapons that73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMFjEUR4Jc
hung on the walls. Ivy’s eyes grew wide as she marveled at his collection.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtT4X2xMtEq
Angus noticed her peaked interest, which quickly faded to fear.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aZYsAHD0s
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeYjEbX9Ps
“We are not training with any of these m’lady. We are training just as people,73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6oyOmSFUt
in human form. Sparring if you like.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlERtfIPEsj
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QXTkmcQ3C
“Why the barn?”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkz2ZQqvDYX
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4plo3AixF
“Because I know how hard its going to be to stay in human form during battle,73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWfHUOQiqv
and not let your inner wolf take over. Also, the growling is not going to help.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQ9M5AT9d1
If we did this out in the open, then we would both be running.” 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBUVH7LbXr
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMENkHquan
Angus had a point, and a smile grew across Ivy’s face. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRZeRC2BUr
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaG6vzrPYDj
“Okay, show me what you got,” he challenged.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmd64BMDCfX
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxpDq5awuU
Ivy initiated the spar by posing her body in a defensive stance and waited for73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7yrkyoPBv
Angus to deliver the first blow. He made the first connection to her arms as73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGP8KqlVXs
Ivy continued to defend herself. She retaliated and delivered a quick kick to73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAL99UZGhZw
his shin and Angus doubled back, cursing. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZNLBC5Cw9
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFE1tOyq8C
Hours went by with Angus showing Ivy what to do, and what not to do. They added73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqUyGeOhpR
weapons such as sticks. Angus taught her new blocking poses and how to keep her73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaT9ru6qrGl
feet firmly planted on the ground by shifting her weight with each blow. Angus73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVAnarPfdr
taught her what cues to look for in battle to pre-empt an attack and when to73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfoE1shAiP
strike. Ivy felt exhilarated and wished that she had been destined to become a73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBsQn40aBZ
Warrior instead of an Alpha’s daughter. Ivy knew that if she had to fight for73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFk4JWH5DA
her life, it would be a lot harder to control Catori and harder to notice the73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphbTUTPhs6
cues that Angus taught her. Angus seemed to have confidence in Ivy’s basics and73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd291hfQWWY
continued to add more advanced skills into the session. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTACNUlcIH5
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqfpUcrcS4
By the end of the day, Ivy was able to pin Angus to the ground and keep him73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0keeKz0AV
there. She felt strong and like she could hold her own, but nothing like a73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaulW0icAS
Warrior in a pack. Warriors was required to train all day, every day. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZIFCy4Ik8
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMMvDJWQZO
“Wow, I’m really impressed with your progress,” Angus said, panting. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIlSUlkTSG
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmn1blbl3UJ
“Thank-you,” Ivy replied, flopping to the ground with her arms outstretched. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7z3e94D49Z
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXABSgSTyg
“I’m done. Toast.” 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2XbjmajZQ
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD86IUPsdfC
Angus took some time to gain his breath back and looked outside through the73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71Mp0470bw
barn doors. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cHkl9eHIm
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdogXOgWluN
“I’ve worked you all day, you must be sore, time to go back. Fi will have73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ANUbPjY1m
dinner prepared.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMR3EHU5rbA
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlo9Zbl1NQ
Angus was eager to get back at the thought of food and bounced on the heels of73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhXWkYy4iY
his feet, as he waited for Ivy to accept his outstretched hand. Ivy groaned and73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASZTkyye8i
accepted his offer to help her up, using his strength to pull her tired body73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGCl5MaDVN
off the ground. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1D8q6FHrg
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJiuB8fIg6
“I want to use proper weapons tomorrow,” she stated. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmg8lzULAt
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtl6Ptp5Ba9
“Whoa, tomorrow? I thought you’d want to get going?” he asked whilst he locked73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RLzFdz93Q
the doors behind them. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDvFYjdWIB
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDd7PtERvw
“Oh, yeah right, I suppose I should.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gCzMkDivM
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwo88ZwFhr
They made their way back to the house and Angus didn’t say anything else. They73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5J3LxnKCf
covered so much today and were too tired for conversation. Ivy hoped Fi would73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAr5uJAJal
see her sweaty, dusty clothes and offer Ivy another bath. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5s4ch2CDHQ
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKotqdEM5Gx
It wasn’t long before Ivy and Angus reached the house. Ivy entered through the73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Kbp7djhDU
door panting, from trying to keep up with Angus’ long strides. Ivy looked73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzP7DCCOMAo
around the room and the table were set for dinner. The smells that came from73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpIYPn2zPX
the kitchen made her salivate. Fi had really gone out of her way and Ivy could73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82VIJguKWM
hear her humming in the bathroom to herself, as she clunked around. Angus73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnJZqMhy1Z
closed the door behind him, louder than usual so that Fi could hear that he was73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGulmq8j9B0
home. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASQwF2pQlR
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaVPJvYh1R
“Oh, hi honey, I’m just in the bathroom washing up for dinner. I won’t be too73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtMALuPF7X
long, get changed,” she said. Angus excused himself to their bedroom and Ivy73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWtNdBUs6d
took a place at the table. Moments later, Fi emerged from the bathroom and saw73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR084TTU8Yr
her. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTFJWkrAeH
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9xIoSRbtD
“Oh my, he worked you hard today, you look exhausted. Go and wash up and I will73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1c6bAJoqOK
get dinner plated,” she said, looking at Ivy’s grubby hands and face. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Z5enrdEOh
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55gVt3lLZ3
Ivy was relieved that she was excused to go and wash up. The fresh water felt73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1ou9fSDXv
great on her face, and she scooped some in her hands to drink. I won’t have73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrO6Ux16sS9
time to stop for a drink, Ivy remembered Angus’ words. As true as his words73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39rJn71xEA
were, Ivy wasn’t prepared for Angus to be so gruelling. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5E5AsOlew
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RUgTPRCl7
Ivy finished in the bathroom and headed out, back to the table. Angus was73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEIE01cSTe
seated at the head of the table and narrated their day to Fi while she prepared73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHbFY2loyi
the remainder of dinner. Angus and Fi interacted with each other and amused Ivy as73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DGcP3nO4z
she watched them communicate. They were so doting and respectful toward one73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJclMNjmOnm
another. She sensed that if anything happened to either of them, they would be73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6O0B0HqCZP
heartbroken. That’s what mate ship was and that is what Ivy wanted. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zXsK4UKGX
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPW4KxI6pD
Dinner was delightful. Fi bought a turkey and fresh vegetables at the market.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLFqhqT4Nm
Angus and Ivy devoured their meals like their lives depended on it.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kyI2joTc1
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCBWSqECAA
“Jeez, you two must be hungry,” Fi said amused. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCaeirKQSd
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6uujemPKi
Ivy nodded her head with her mouth full. Angus stretched over the back of the73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1t6zR6Ew0E
chair and belched. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRPVPx0fN3
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHfiYmi3tn
“Beautiful meal my love. I love Thursdays. Let me clear the table for you and73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWP0QPvUkKl
you go put your feet up.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42xTj54psv
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5XlNj1qmN
He kissed Fi’s forehead gently whilst grabbing her plate. Angus turned to Ivy73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpLMzHVF8B
and told her to join Fi. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5kFZtqrc6
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6SDs4XSxo
“You have done enough for today,” he nodded toward the couch. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54z9Rh9fYI
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93Bc5eeIvQ
Before Ivy took a seat, she excused herself to go outside. She hadn’t seen the73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCLDmWpqyJ
village since she’d been there and thought Angus was trying to hide her away,73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueHQBR93tt
just in case. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcuBhTIzrD
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLWRcE0Owp
Ivy leant against the front of the house and took in the sights around her. The73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPfD0nVIDv
whole village seemed to be paved out with stone. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4W3vABiHY
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODDu5p9OVq
“I can see the appeal.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVBdmxHvBt
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbhbMlY2P3
“Me too, it seems nice here.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SC6JMBJIH
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHcACRcKLI
“We can’t stay here Ivy,” Catori stated, picking up on Ivy’s thoughts.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRjPHllQlB
Ivy hated that she could do that. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7q8OmQJYu
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFvfMSMI56
“I know, but it seems nice that I could just walk down the street and maybe73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wqceDKZ0e
meet my mate.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42qEoqpVje
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rCq7SlD41
“We are destined for something larger.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpgCpyOrXb
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxn4bTcXQ42
“I wonder what territory Angus comes from?” Ivy mind-linked, kicking herself73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnWiuH2A7V
that she didn’t probe him further that morning. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHqLDEEbwZ
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPrFK7VYKe
“They are nice people; his wolf is so far hidden, or he is really good at73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHC1la0alPD
blocking me out. All of my questions were left unanswered.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIOuojdOfK
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJnTJNHSVs
The trees around her were so tall and untouched, they were magnificent in73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRhZdB49EK
size. Kate entered Ivy’s thoughts, and she wished that Kate was with her, or73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgupwn2N4lj
that she was still alive. She hoped that her dad had ordered a retaliation and73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VLSt4zG5l
he would find her soon.
The sun continued to set, and everyone bustled to73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSs0luNcuP
reach their homes so they could retreat inside to the warmth of their73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyMyTlew0r
fireplaces. When Ivy stood upright, she could see the riverbed, just below the73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07DG9ywOKj
bridge and wandered where it led. As the village became less busy, Ivy could73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2XMwXTbPe
hear the trickle of the water flowing through -73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIQrEgyOF5
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNc3DxJjjc
Snap!73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVwavl8mTE
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJtvfJaMvE
Ivy’s eyes darted straight to where the source of the noise came from. She73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFHXliqRBp
sniffed the air and smelt damp, grungy dander. She focused her vision down the73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0ay5Uopai
paved path that led into the forest and could make out five shadows through the73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtANVw6tD0D
trees. Ivy strained her eyes for a few seconds longer, to see if she could73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2d7kvFHz5h
catch a glimpse of anything else. Two pairs of glowing eyes stared back at her,73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIBG3lQSex
and her heart fell out her ass. Ivy mentally kicked herself for becoming too73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJllcwY6J2K
complacent and stretched her limbs to go inside. She tried to act as though she73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRfkvtPmtr
hadn’t seen them and that she belonged in the village and trudged to the door. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtVz1Y31Cg
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlQOObqAM6
Once inside, Angus and Fi were cuddled up on the couch reading poetry. Ivy made73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4FVjM3FwQ
her bed opposite to them and listened as they repeated lines together. Her eyes73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD90DXGuuDP
became heavy, and she tried to keep them open. Ivy needed to tell Angus what73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uMAsi1Yln
she’d seen. Angus was probably used to seeing and smelling Rogues in the forest73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcF4Yc9i6F
and tell her not to worry. Comfort overcame Ivy and she quickly gave in to her73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQVpGxZq12
tired mind.
Ivy stirred on the couch, and she thought she heard73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYLMNLqeaX
the couple finally retreat to their room. She lifted her eyes to confirm but73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjRcZm7hdm
noticed through heavy eyes that Angus was putting out the fire. He spotted her73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQHJ7JfUe1
waking and stilled. Ivy quickly sat upright to ask what he was doing but he73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvavDHrj7of
silently lifted his forefinger to his mouth to quieten her. Ivy’s body started73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrx5iTkROjz
to adjust to being awake and her instincts took over, and she smelt it. The73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiRaw3hdUJ
disgusting wet dog smell that she smelt earlier. She silently hoped that she73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOlajvflcS
didn’t smell that bad when Angus and Fi saw her on her first night here. Ivy73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWklaf7JAEM
tried to mind-link Angus and to her surprise, made a connection. He opened73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQP6u61GrBy
himself up to her. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmZ8v1XaIT
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIH4AygAzp
“What do we do? Who are they?”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQI0KQ7SYD
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUO7S3iK9ck
“I DON’T KNOW, BUT I HAVE A SAFE WAY OUT!”, he replied. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdH3g1YZKO
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCrobBrvRT
Ivy winced at his response; it was so loud that she nearly jumped out of her73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanwvPt5Y7J
skin. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gm6BcqjAb
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrj2X8PMEk
“Sorry, I haven’t used that in a long time,” he grimaced, almost whispering. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaC1BswcLUt
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6h4jDIaIkw
Angus ushered her towards the bathroom and Ivy willingly obliged, knowing that73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowZossb1oz
she put her trust in someone she just met. Every instinct in her body, told her73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eywKjNJxf
to run like hell. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfFuAxyfqT
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGakMY3IYO
Angus tried heaving the bath to the other side of the bathroom. After he tried73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmOii30ki9
multiple times, Ivy jumped in to help. They managed to move the bath which73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJXDA16DJR
revealed a trap door. Angus slowly opened the door, and rush of cold air came73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs39bhEpce6
through the top. The coolness gave Ivy goosebumps. She rubbed her arms quietly,73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3Vx2jtUQn
to generate some warmth and linked Angus again. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJ5ADRtbOD
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNCX4b8Xhj
“Where is Fi? Is she safe?”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZQ0OQ2v62
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ227lGXfDX5
“Fi is fine she's asleep after drinking her tea, nothing will wake her. I left a73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbM50ACXuts
note to say I left early to start my errands.” 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtcbEBcHAF
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJd22w9EPJ
“Angus, but there are wolves out there, what if they come in the house looking73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIQOUYfQ7y
for me?”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡge0ywEYQ0C
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLxI45ZHWZ
“They won’t be so stupid. Then they’d have a human army on their hands and73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbok539Kxg
trust me they wouldn’t risk it. If Fi was a wolf, they’d smell her out and73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOY7GhjifEL
might be a different story, now hurry up.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIkvP8j0nl
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXdX2A3H5T
Ivy responded to Angus’ urgency and without thinking, she started to descend73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisxNbM3SEk
the ladder. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOP3jp9Q6ru
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06WTja6zkl
“Follow the tunnel right to the end, it takes you to the forest on the other73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSuernB8Rp
side of town. I will meet you there shortly,” Angus linked to Ivy.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ghu2tENJn
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74LyK3pPeh
He sensed her distrust and added, “I made this for when I escaped.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43FOZaJ2s5
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXkQdaCVmg
“You told me you were banished,” Ivy argued. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKg9jSgeNy
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6yGWQxunT
“Can’t trust new people,” Angus shrugged and closed the door. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04F9YktlQa
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEitsLWiQa
Ivy had no other option than to trust him. She either got to the other side of73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUd5HEdds0
the tunnel with an awaiting ambush or when she got to the end, Angus would be73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KqMyT46v7
there. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcnLoNS5FH
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyt37UeaVp8
“What choice do we have? Sit in the dark?”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgI4qfHLGQ
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zM7e4oPM1
Ivy wasn’t in the mood to argue with Catori, so she gave her eyes a few moments73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVnhRRdroz
to adjust to the darkness. She saw the opening of the tunnel which gave her a73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiSHK1B92H
glimmer of hope that Angus told the truth. The tunnel was tiny. Ivy squeezed73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqW3JpzLam
through the small opening and realised she had to crawl along on her stomach to73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SzPbjSNNq
reach the other side.
Ivy finally reached the end of the narrow tunnel. The73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNtpzyNBQw
narrow opening, much like the entrance, opened into a basement like cut out.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WQeGtyIbS
She pulled herself out, one limb at a time and fell into a heap on the dirt73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCKGEhIwBo
floor. Ivy stared at the ladder that connected with the trapdoor above. She had73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXZ3MhKPNu
a fleeting thought that if she happened to crawl in a full circle, she’d allow73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZKXGkiWoe
Catori to shift and rip Angus’ head off. Ivy climbed to the top of the ladder73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aw72bt9eU
and gently pushed on the door. She cringed when is creaked loudly and paused to73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSCGTRpq5T
listen for any movement above. Instead, the door was ripped from her hands and73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXpmkm79uC
Ivy gasped loudly and tried to keep her balance on the ladder. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9wcvzxh76
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGds3LSFyB
“Scared ya,” Angus laughed. His face beamed down at her. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLegkducel
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLSTn6lshW
“Took you long enough,” he complained. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEHfunoGsb
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDh3dfM3Qkt
“Well, you failed to mention how tight it was,” Ivy snapped back. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPFJ5b0cgQ
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXPT3oNI9h
“Not my problem that you didn’t shift and let your wolf scrape through. Would73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2jlNu83Ce
have been a lot quicker.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASH8MToiVZ
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yZmIbQFNw
“Well you-,” Ivy tried to quickly answer. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAmFuVoT63
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacjLUjHoDn
“AND you didn’t use your instincts before you opened that door. If you had73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlqpQw7NjL
taken a moment to focus on your surroundings, you would have known it was safe73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBI0R1nXKk
to come out.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtnfeGVUBP
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaT6qAtLtrf
Ivy couldn’t argue because he was right. She climbed out from the trapdoor and73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiqEJASSqR
brushed herself off, straightening her back to stretch. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkU8459D9TP
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEisDv8hA3
“Well thank you for everything Angus. The training, the food and water and73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgvmz6z78D
getting me out of here safely. I can’t put you or your mate in danger, I have73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2tvryEk1d
to go.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqLDPXS6wL
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSalcUFcME
“To hell you are!”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKtVZcyS4i
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6TWikkucR
“Why not?” Ivy looked puzzled. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRd72uAI1q
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0eqUSItWH
“Use your damn instincts girl. We are surrounded and there is no way I’m going73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENegIJ9tIZ
to let a young, little princess such as yourself, go wondering off in the73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlr0JLkfSA
forest. They will have my head.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMA4EWYJR4d
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEVpKcFRhC
“First of all, I am not some member of the royal family. Secondly, I’m73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PoqxWmxtS
following the river to wherever that may lead me and thirdly, I can take care73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jvah9wyuy
of myself,” Ivy argued. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSmFoHRi9p
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnFqf0hYH1
“I’m coming whether or not you like it. Those wolves are in the forest73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAVvkvf5aD
surrounding this village and if we don’t move now, we will be dog food.” 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68DWm611Z2
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qJLNla3bn
Ivy rolled her eyes at Angus and gave in a steely look. He didn’t budge and Ivy73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrDJjXWo7E
knew that she had to keep moving. Angus had told her that it was at least a73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqklH1a0aq9
day’s walk, without stopping, to the next territory. Angus extended his arm out73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EGAR3qoZJ
to his side, pointing to the forest. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeAzuKmnni
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8r3q4z3Jk
“Ladies first,” he jeered. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOQo3ycxf5
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP124EtxQ3l
“Just because you are with me, doesn’t mean you can boss me around.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUP05tdwGE
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVEaq7bt5J
With a huff, Ivy started toward the forest. Angus kept up with her easily and73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqqzJaMS8H
she wondered how big his wolf was. His human stride made Ivy jog to keep up,73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAk8FdGn9E
his wolf stride would force her to run. They walked in silence for a moment,73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0PrbhbWCB
each ensuring that their ears were pricked to notice any sudden movements from73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeh2NGY5wi
around them. Ivy noticed that Angus kept looking down at her as if he wanted to73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl41PQdeeM0
say something.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Hc1skc8Q2
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“Yes?” she asked, giving him permission to speak.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVLepeugus
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“Oh, I just wanted to know if your anger had subsided enough to realise, we are73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEL9wNst0tv
being herded in a northerly direction.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEi6DGhHM8
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Fear ran through Ivy and her face turned whiter than normal.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAJjy6grRA
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“Calm down lass. It’s not a southern army, otherwise they would have changed73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkMJezffqX
our direction, or have killed us both by now.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIM6PEKqDi
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Ivy directed her attention to left and the right of them. They were far enough73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlb4IIl1mzP
away to not startle, but close enough to show them that they were there. Ivy73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhxDvDz4t5
could see their shadows moving through the trees. There were three travelling73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDnOHEKFQR
on the left, three on the right and three travelling behind. Angus encouraged73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKVylnHYjc
Ivy to keep walking and talking like normal with no sudden movements. Angus’73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX51fpitdQ5
knowledge about battle, instincts and tactics made Ivy wonder if he was ever73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5ApKIIiDI
involved in an army or at the very least a ranking Warrior in the East. Ivy had73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIx1KY98Pu
never heard of any wolf clans that housed royalty, but Angus constantly73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1aMUdE8j0
compared Ivy to whatever clan he's met . Ivy continued to wonder if where he came from there73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54Lv8CcdzK
were royal wolves that had similar features. The only royal communities that were73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7bbgGGuB0
still around on their mainland were the Lycan’s.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdJBEgT26I
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The sun had risen and was encroaching into the middle73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZvbJHD8Tk
of the day. Angus and Ivy had been on the move the whole time. Ivy’s mouth was dry,73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KszRA4h0J
and she was desperate for a drink. Angus kept encouraging her to move on because73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnRXclMNvi
they didn’t know what these other wolves were doing. Ivy eventually whined that73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSeXcnCOKB
she needed to rest, and her stomach grumbled loudly. Angus reluctantly let her73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnV7sJeOG3P
sit by the trunk of a large tree, while he scouted the area to make camp and a73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR30WVzqdy6
fire. Ivy watched him disappear behind some trees, trying to look for small73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMx0rdzxIM
morsels of food and understood why Fi fell in love with him. Angus adored Fi,73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeTcHUzCGw
and always talked about her, but avoided his past. Regardless, Ivy learnt that73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2m6G4iexh
Angus was a blacksmith within the village, which explained the large range of73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPUBy2fTTL
weapons in the barn. He confirmed that each weapon that hung on the wall, he73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTfghwQdHl
created. Angus explained that hiding his wolf form from Fi and the village was73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkm6e6lr3O
initially the hardest thing he’s ever done but it all worked out through73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88Mmt7Bisl
determination. Angus feared that if Fi found out, she would reject him, and he73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKWPRZrSWa
would be right back where he started; alone. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBmTpdhp9o
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“Here looks just fine,” Ivy called out, as Angus came back with two small73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJU36dbRcV
rabbits.
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Ivy chose the spot where she was already sitting,73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yg1Vc1ufs
because her legs felt like they no longer had the strength to hold her weight.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaxaT2xJRr
There was a boulder that Angus could rest his back on, that sat under the73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3X0gfl4Gm
umbrella of a tree and offered some protection. They were almost on the border73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxm6wNpmV5
of the next territory. Angus mentioned that they should arrive by nightfall. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOrHYVaQfK
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“Perfect spot,” Angus agreed, “Now, can you make a fire?”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡub53KkHyA8
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Ivy nodded. That was one thing that she could do. Angus trotted off to gather73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EJ2BDKR0S
some kindling and some larger pieces of wood close by. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaWbGW9Nd2
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The constant feeling of being watched, started to frustrate Ivy. It seemed73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeO6nbbjUP
pointless to her that if they weren’t going to kill them, then they could have73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAc5CyvNnFa
at least come forward. She thought that whoever commanded them was useless. No73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ugCrVe6yN
wonder the North were labelled as weak.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8JK1duEHu
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Angus returned with his arm piled with wood. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiS3DG6qWt
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“We aren’t going to need that much,” Ivy said. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUg8g7zKaR
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“Well, we might, we need to cook, and you need to rest, so I need to stand73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQNKNSEyBM
guard.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97gyNdH8uY
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“No you don’t. You said yourself, they don’t want to hurt us.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBndOtiMqyD
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“Can’t be too careful, right?” he grimaced. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHMhZPwObe
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Angus took smaller pieces of wood and twigs. He pulled the grass from around73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrurDdWUeHP
Ivy and created a small, heaped pile near where Ivy sat. Ivy found small pieces73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxm1xakQBOj
of flint from around the rocks and cracked them together to create a spark. She73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZZaqwcSFN
noticed the smoldering grass and gently blew through cupped hands to force a73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciqyJjcHV4
flame. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzJ1iSqgUK
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“I’m glad you can do that, it’s starting to get chilly,” Angus said, watching73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKamV2X0GJv
intently. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmojlkwLon
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“Well, it’s the one thing I know how to do.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSj5HeLAJA
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“Good, because I can’t.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWHtVNygW7
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Angus’ response shocked Ivy into laughter. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiSzcfYyVy
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“What about the fireplace in your home?”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGraly5WJw
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“Fi does it, and she would be super mad that I put it out.”73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVy3WyoZ7k
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The thought made Ivy giggle. A weapon-smith that cannot make fire, certainly73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPTXHmrIWH
eased the mood. 73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9h9nNIrtMI
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As they enjoyed more laughter together, the unknown wolves were getting closer,73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EYSbGiE8D
and made the circle tighter. Ivy shot a look at Angus and responded with a nod73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnB33IEaSUx
to confirm her thoughts.
