Emerson
Ivy looked uneasy which he understood. Emerson knew it would be hard for her to choose who was more worthy of her power. A small part of him was delighted that she chose come along, in hopes that she saved his people, her true origin. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ134auORh3s
The visions that Emerson had have come in hard and strong. He’d only told Ivy about the he had in the office because she saw him slip into it. The others had shown him fire, war and the chilling screaming of those that they loved and cared about. No matter what fate brought to the group, there would be death, for that Emerson was certain. Living with wolves in the past few weeks had been entertaining. Watching them eat and converse was fascinating to Emerson. Some of them gulped their food as if they hadn’t eaten in weeks and others preferred to hunt and eat their kill fresh, but allowed their wolves to take over. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQI6DbnoC8
Emerson understood why Rowan and the pack were respected among other territories; he allowed his pack to be wolves. The territory was secluded enough, away from the nearest human village, where Angus came from. He thought about Angus and how much he struggled being away from Fi for so long. Angus constantly wrote to her and snuck off in the middle of the night. For him to back by the afternoon, Emerson knew he’d tapped into his wolf for the speed required to return in the time frame.
The five of them set off after Ivy returned with the Chief Sentinel. She told him that he was required to mind the pack in her absence. Ivy was a fine Luna and stepped up when required. She sent word out with the Scouts to surrounding territories of her absence and what had become of Alpha Rowan. Ivy requested that anything amiss needed to be reported to the Chief straight away. The other Alpha’s were reeling with anger over what happened to one of their own. There was built up angst and tension between the North and the South. Some of the younger ones like Rowan, would have no clue as to why, it’s just how it’s always been. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjGRct6u2u
The last Saviour sacrificed their life and saved those around her when she was cornered in the last Great War. Great Wars generally started between the Lycan communities and Wolf territories. The hunt for the Saviour was long. One Alpha got so caught up in trying to catch her for her blood, they didn’t care about the chaos around them. They did not know what she was capable of and the Lycan’s were only too happy to keep her safe. Amidst the fighting, burnings and carnage, and murdering, she escaped. He followed her through the forest until he cornered her. He wanted his seed inside her and wanted to know what would happen if he were to create a hybrid. Only for the sake of his power. At that time, no one knew that the Saviour’s genes were not genetic but chosen by the Moon Priest of around five months gestation. As the Alpha made a move to subdue her, the howl cried over the land and something like a sonic boom flattened the trees around them. It seemed like she sacrificed herself, for herself but, there wasn’t anything to fight over anymore. There wasn’t a Saviour, the wolf pack’s Alpha had passed, and they had no one to command them.
“Are you okay Emerson?” whispered Ivy.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmsIb2gvte
“Yes, I’m just thinking about the previous Saviours and their stories.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGb4d2awHp
“How they ended?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGyMt0FBBT
“Yes, but also how and why they started as well as what good it brought to those around them.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5kgbiaq3a
“So, being a ‘Saviour’ is more of a curse and nothing good can come from it? Other than me dead?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7039gK0sWB
“Don’t think like that Ivy. I know its hard, but we are here for you every step of the way,” smiled Emerson.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlGBy4a4dF
“Is there anywhere in your stories that tell us how to break it without dying?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGg8HoGWux
Emerson shook his head slightly.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVypRRnmQ1h
“Not in these ones Ivy, but you may be the first.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaXnKXNS8N
The Saviour didn’t look convinced. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQMuMyxMYW
“Is my fear of dying a sign of weakness?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZ3blp0pKk
“Heaven no Ivy, you are only fearful because you know what to expect. The others didn’t.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eTpRB3Lrl
Alex and James returned from scouting the clearing ahead. They started to walk along the back of the Elder Hall, from where Rowan was dragged through the forest. There were dry blood marks through some of the grass which led into the trees. It was enough for Ivy to hold his scent and be able to follow it. Emerson secretly hoped that it lasted and didn’t fizzle out so that they could make some quick ground. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPVbHTUHZi
“There is nothing out there but a few rabbits and deer, we should be safe to cross,” announced Alex.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02dNqnjcH7
“Are there anymore trail marks through the clearing?” Ivy asked.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIr4UlgKEXm
“They stop about halfway through. Even if they were in a hurry, they must have realised the trail they left.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBi3ily3Zv
James was a whizz at tracking and his skills were vastly un-utilised during his time in the South with Alpha Harold. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ES1UilxEE
“Let’s get through the clearing as that’s the border of the territory and we’ll get some lunch, then see if there are any other clues around the place,” stated Ivy.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonBBhRHLxG
The group moved quickly to remain undetected. The tree line ahead looked grim and grey. Who knew who could have been keeping eyes on them in the darkness from afar.
The sun shone, which blinded their view slightly and anything on the other side appeared as a shadow. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTl4IB7gBeh
Emerson squinted through the sun rays and noticed the trees approaching. Their huge round trunks were tall and sturdy and such a dark brown in colour. Emerson took note that the forest they were in was much different to the one near the human village. That one was less dense and dark. He spotted a nice spot that had boulders and smaller rocks curved around two trees. It was the perfect set up for lunch as it shielded the group from behind. They also had a clear vision of up ahead if anyone approached. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Z5rAdFnur
“Great eyes Emerson,” Alex said and slapped him on the back. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADWWCTrp5L
Alex annoyed Emerson, the man didn’t know his own strength. He took a seat with his back rested against a boulder and watched Angus organise tools and equipment to light a fire. Ivy walked around one of the rocks with some kindling she found close by. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zr1yOIUqS
“James, why don’t you see if you can find anything substantial for lunch?” asked Ivy.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUMnnLn1Cs
“Yes Ivy,” James nodded as he turned around and darted off into the forest. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2QlR8J7m8
Angus yelled out in glee when the fire started to smoulder, and the smallest of flames licked the twigs that Ivy gathered.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYah32E0mjJ
“That is how you light a fire,” he beamed. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoeAcWDSv1
“Hopefully James won’t be too much longer, I am starving,” whined Alex. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7vWeNlV1m
“How can you think about your stomach right now? I don’t want to be here for long,” said Ivy.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1jamQl8W0
“We need a plan, Luna; we can’t just follow his scent and then walk straight into a trap,” stated Alex.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJ1fRjTwKe
James appeared through the trees with four rabbits held in his hands. The men took one each and Ivy and Emerson shared. Angus graciously cooked Emerson’s half over the fire whilst the others ate in silence. Emerson watched as they skinned their rabbits and tore away the flesh from the bone. He’d never get used to the sight of it. However, Emerson was grateful that James drained their bodies before returning as that was the part, he hated watching the most. The sight of it made him squeamish. Emerson lost his appetite after a few small bites and ripped up some nearby grasses from the ground, wrapping the rabbit for later.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVk58y0MSF
“Alex, do you have any idea who would have done this to Rowan?” Emerson turned his attention to him. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKce6tFRt72
“Nope! We are pretty peaceful in the North,” he mumbled, still chewing the food in his mouth. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1QTyMg4Fv
“This is my fault,” Ivy muttered. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIdXV26orJ
“This is not your fault Ivy,” Emerson said. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumtRbo3wp0
“It is. Alan knows who I am, and we haven’t been able to find him anywhere at home. I feel it in my gut that he has something to do with this.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9UzaogMpW
“You don’t possibly know that.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorCAZx9HG6
“I do,” she said and wrapped her arms around her body. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZTEZVMSGH
“You said yourself that your vision was of red earth and soldiers so tall. The wolves that attacked Brian were armoured. Rowan was aware who was behind it, they just got to him first,” she confessed. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8FNC6e1Fa
James choked on a piece of rabbit and coughed until he contained his composure. Ivy stared at him with a look of confirmation, like they both knew something. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQKrFKdWaF
“Who is it then?” Angus asked. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKN1v9HVlUT
“Harold,” Ivy stated.
Alex sat in silence and Emerson watched the colour drain from his face. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrk0f9bo7mK
“You can’t be serious?” he eventually stammered. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXunDswMq1
“He was the only one besides Alan who knew who I am. It’s a bit ironic that Alan is missing, and Harold’s soldiers are around causing havoc.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKNYSkYV80
“Why would your father do something like that?” asked Alex.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBtK3hBvSH
Ivy returned Emerson’s look and urged him to answer the question, given the conversation they had days before. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUvIyU1N4V
“…because Alan is not Ivy’s father. He stole her,” Emerson confirmed.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXI1AZ34Dqo
Alex gasped but no one said another word as they all watched the flames lick the branches. The only sound came from Ivy has she sighed heavily into her lap.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5suQge3cH
“We need to know what’s going on here Ivy…like everything,” suggested Alex.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KxJV6jmHW
“Alex, it’s really only you that doesn’t know,” she confessed. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTufCwfvcnZ
“Always me, to know nothing but blindly follow,” he threw his hands in the air. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4nyu9vX1o
“Honestly, you haven’t missed much,” she continued. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3PzewbLdW
“No, nothing. Just that Alan isn’t even your father and that he stole her to give her to some god-awful man, who now also has my best friend and Alpha to our pack!”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2acYYHnXd
“Calm down Alex, please,” Emerson quietly pleaded. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CSSpPV2Xm
“I am a Royal Lycan Alex,” Ivy stated. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHYBdifaO6
“Perfect.”
Alex instantly ceased his tantrum and stood. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqJgpA163w
“Sit down child,” Emerson teased. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bA9JhNKmm
He left Alex to calm down on his own and Emerson turned his attention to forming a plan of where they were headed to search for Rowan. Time was of the essence, and they had no idea where to even begin. By now, Ivy held her knees by her face and Emerson could tell she tried to hold back tears and anger. It must have been the hardest thing for her. Her mate bond with Rowan was so strong. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiREjIkDFcP
Emerson knew where to start but dared not say it, for Ivy could turn and kill him at any point. For now, Emerson decided to keep the idea to himself and only mention it if it was required. The others were seasoned warries, and their heads were built for this situation. Emerson decided his obligation through their search was to be there for Ivy when no one else could be. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vnrU2x2ne
Angus and James talked among themselves, and Emerson tried to put the pieces of the last few weeks together. The visions that him and Ivy shared and experienced must have meant something. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwPUhiSKgZ
“I think we should start at Alan’s territory,” Alex said calmly as he returned. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSnxUcDkHI
James and Angus agreed with the suggestion. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytPEbLYtcj
“If he is truly out to get you and hand you back to Harold, then he might be hiding Rowan there. He might think it’s the first place Ivy would go.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnZRiRJyzC
“I think you might be right,” agreed Emerson. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwY68NcslZI
Ivy looked up at them, over her knees and shrugged. They felt the sense that she over the ordeal and happy to tag along. Even if Emerson didn’t have a wolf, it didn’t much to notice that she was about to go through another mood swing. A new challenge presented itself; they had to get Ivy to shift again. With her ever-growing emotional turmoil, it might’ve been hard. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBmQUPWAsj
“Come on Ivy, say something,” Emerson ushered. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfgzebJttX
“I think it’s somewhere to start. We should easily be able to get there before dark, it’s not far from here. So, you might be right,” she responded, perking up.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX32q0l3oRk
Emerson started to put out the fire with wet moss from underneath the boulders and thankful that they all agreed on something. James and Angus began to organise their weapons and clipped them on the outside of their sacks for easy access. Alex began to scout ahead and located the river so that they could follow it into Alan’s former territory. Ivy stood, looking brighter and shook off the dirt from her behind.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadKYACS57j
“My back hurts,” she said to Emerson. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNZN5mr1ir
He gestured her to turn around and lifted her shirt. The red marks on her back were bruised and bled. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCiYpRcRWu
“Jesus Ivy, what did you do?” he asked.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXrLHDGINF
“Nothing, I woke up like this… I just don’t feel right.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDVvIeHSxw
“We have to keep an eye on it so that it doesn’t become infected.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6c01w9yehd
Alex yelled from a distance in the direction of the river, so they picked up their belongings and followed his voice, further into the forest, to Alan’s territory.
