Ivy
They’d been walking for what seemed like an eternity and the sun was about to set on another day. The journey would’ve been much easier in wolf form, but Emerson slowed them down. Neither of the men were willing to carry Emerson and Alex argued that if their wolves were fatigued from lugging him on their backs then they couldn’t fight if it was necessary. Alex had a point, but the group were fatigued from walking for hours. The forest canopy shaded them as they continued along the river, but they knew it was dusk from the change in temperature. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXawSTjulKp
Although they’d been shaded for majority of the day, Ivy’s skin burnt red and hot. She put it down to her fair complexion and had been soaking herself in the cool water when the others stopped for a toilet break. The men hadn’t noticed yet, but they were too engrossed and alert to noises and movement that surrounded them. Ivy tried sending another mind-link to Rowan with no luck. She knew there was no point in trying but hoped that the one time she did it would connect. Ivy didn’t want to be the reason they walked past a nearby camp that confined her mate. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQimAPw7QtJ
“I think we should stop for the night,” announced Alex.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKDvR5Ssgl
The others mumbled in agreement as Emerson trudged behind. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWDYyv5LJO
“Why are we stopping?” he yelled through small pants. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbDfQ99o86
“We are staying here tonight. It’s almost dark and this place is more secluded from any of the travelling paths through here,” Ivy responded. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosP48rXOSz
She turned around to see how far Emerson was behind her, but he’d managed to catch up quickly. She saw the horrified expression on his face. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6H9SUoe5C
“What has happened to you?” he stuttered. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUN5CWwACbP
“What do you mean?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2jIvG5Ykl
“YOUR SKIN! It’s so RED!” he hissed as he tried to keep quiet. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuGnwSZOSQ
Emerson grabbed Ivy’s arm and pulled it closer to his face. Ivy growled back at him in pain.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wBL22o1p5
“We need to soothe this,” stated Emerson.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaF4l0bJQu
“I have. I’ve been in the water all day,” she said and yanked her arm back. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikiOLBxNXU
“There is nothing out here like that Emerson.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cMGjy1vPw
His facial expressions as he studied her limbs and his wide eyes worried Ivy.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnZyTjMhN2
“This is not burning from the sun Ivy.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPL4dazzpUG
Emerson’s face changed from horrified to concerned. He found some energy in his step as he quickly headed to where the other’s made camp.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Sd6dXsfad
“We can’t stay here,” Emerson said.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7E1cFa60Bk
Ivy heard Angus groan at Emerson’s announcement, as she followed him cautiously. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqC2hBZnJl
“There is nowhere else to stay Emerson, what has gotten into you?” argued Alex. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVlLWJJ6uH
Emerson’s arms flapped in Ivy’s direction as she stood next to him. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ97FDtOImn
“This is what has gotten into me, wolfsbane! It will affect all of you and then we are toast!”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQ5iILSKRK
Angus, James, and Alex looked over and gazed at Ivy’s blistered and red body.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCCpgK1pkh
“Guys honestly, it’s not even that bad. I haven’t even sensed the plant.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaA17wSYCLp
“Well, I’m going to go search for it, James you can come with me,” stated Angus, clapping his thighs. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmO61rv7ff
“Why would you want to go search for it?” asked Emerson.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXInOMRZT8
“It doesn’t make sense,” interrupted Alex.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoslQe9P8D
The group turned their focus on him.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMSlppolFZ
“If Ivy’s been in contact with wolfsbane, we have moved on since she’s touched it. The effects are not that long lasting unless you’re constantly exposed to it. Ivy is burning by the second. What we need to find is the antidote…and fast before it burns your insides,” he added.
Internally Ivy’s body felt fine, and it wasn’t having an effect. On the outside her skin was turning to second degree burns and she wanted to scream out in pain. The only way she dealt with the pain throughout the day was to stay silent. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIDEuWIsHL
“Keep her away from the water Emerson, we will go find a sapling from the Bo-ing tree. Hopefully it hasn’t closed it's saplings in the warmth,” Alex stated.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsRhkE8c86
Ivy kept quiet and watched the others gather their weapons and disappear in between the trees. She turned to Emerson who stared at her arms and legs, in disbelief. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIXeEYQ8va
“Oh, it hurts so bad,” she managed to wince once the others were out of ear shot. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSF02wMoDw9
“I know Ivy, won’t be long. Just stay away from the water.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOB7p1rjrPk
“I swear I haven’t touched any though, and what a stupid weakness to have as the Saviour,” she said through gritted teeth.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nlmqYU74G
The moment her words left her mouth, Emerson’s dropped wide open. Ivy almost had to scoop it off the floor. Before she could question him, the others returned quickly with sap from the tree and Alex started to prepare salve for the burns. Emerson removed himself from them and muttered something to himself as he walked away. Ivy didn’t pay attention to what Alex or Angus said but fixated herself on watching Emerson. He pulled out his scribes, scrolls and pencils from his sack and started to scribble, using older scrolls for reference. Ivy’s attention was snapped back to Alex as he squeezed the sap from the veins in the leaves and mixed it with other sap that dripped from the bark. He gently used another leaf from the ground to scoop it and smeared it over her arms and legs. Ivy felt the tingling sensation and numbness straight away. She thanked him for his quick thinking. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipvPgVx6NE
“Definitely wolfsbane if you’ve felt it that quick. Leave this one and stay still while it works its magic. We’ll leave in the direction of the tree and take some more in case there aren’t any more trees on the way. Now, we will build camp around you,” Alex smiled. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocsm8cPR74
The three of them wasted no time building a fire and hunting for their dinner. They settled enough fresh grass to lie in comfort around the fire for each person. Emerson was still engrossed in his reading, and Ivy thought he saw his forehead glimmer slightly.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7zhGEXndU
“Emerson?” she called.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xpPlTN5Yd
He barely lifted his eyes from his scrolls.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimX0LsfYoQ
“In a minute, this is important.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YOEGDYhXw
Ivy was taken aback from his blunt reply. James sat down with his meal and looked at her with soft eyes. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5iAv6OiCb
“I’m sorry for doubting you. I haven’t even thanked you for giving me my freedom.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIV3anw268
“It’s okay Ivy, I understand your judgement. I’d be wary too. Just so we are clear, I am here for you, to serve you. You are my friend.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzFHqrEjyP
James’ response warmed her heart and she looked at Angus who she’d only met weeks ago. The people that surrounded her, she now considered family. Alex who was only there to make sure that his Alpha, his best friend, is unharmed and to return him home. That, and the fact that Rowan would kill Alex if he didn’t follow his Luna. Her eyes shifted to Emerson, her Companion, someone that would be with her no matter what. Ivy knew that he was a quirky little thing but had her best interest at heart. Angus approached Ivy and handed over some roast duck. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVY1eANcYc
“Wanted to cook tonight?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KlQCu2h8V
“I miss cooking at home and Sunday night is Fi’s roast duck,” he said proudly. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgXbccr1X1
“How is she?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXNo2jGY7V
“Getting there; we mainly speak in letter. I told her that I was chosen as a weapon-smith for the Royals and that I can sneak back sometimes,” he giggled. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43lysytr9V
“So, if we save Rowan’s ass he better pay up because I need to show my wife that I’ve been working,” Angus added. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xu5IbxSjY
Ivy managed a small laugh through her pain. Of course, Angus convinced his wife that he took the job for coin. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjhL2pKfjH
“Emerson, come and eat,” Ivy said.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlasTUIGt6
“In a minute,” he mumbled.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwlzUflU6J
“What are you doing anyway?” asked Angus.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLnpK9oYCq
“Linking,” he replied.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqUx7vQYOU
“What in heaven’s, come and eat. We cooked this time, and you were whinging not long ago that you were hungry,” Angus demanded.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeu7BmghzOK
Grudgingly, Emerson put his pencil down and came over by the fire. He took a seat and Angus handed him his food. Emerson devoured it like a wolf. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOa01GyTKZ
“I think I have an answer,” he stated with his mouth full.
Dusk had turned to night and Emerson’s face was lit through the flames of the fire. The group continued to watch him and waited for him to continue. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5fnBrOOd6
“Ivy, you’ve mentioned before that a ‘crappy’ weakness to have as a Saviour would be wolfsbane like a normal wolf. I think I figured out your weakness and you do have one… it’s just not wolfsbane.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgDOudGcmg
“Go on. I really want to stop this pain,” Ivy said. She whimpered as she moved her legs to bring back some blood supply. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMaPaovnoq
“Nowhere in the prophecies of the Saviour, or what was recorded, has there been mention of a mate.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9GSOwlbFO
“Okay, what does a mate got do with anything? He isn’t here,” Ivy questioned. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEPWaYcJ6B
Emerson cleared his throat and Alex shuffled awkwardly with a sigh. It seemed that he’d connected the dots before Ivy and held his head in his hands. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTAKsm86fK
“Precisely Ivy, he isn’t here. You are both connected in ways that isn’t ‘normal’ wolf mate ship. Your bond is strong but also unique. You experience things that others don’t.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5NBtaPXfl
“Hold up!” Angus interrupted. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qMip5QK1A
“Emerson, are you trying to tell us what I think you are?” he asked cautiously. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6D4XdBbT7
“If the question is that Rowan is Ivy’s weakness, then yes, Saviour’s aren’t meant to have mates for this reason,” Emerson pointed at Ivy’s body. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUBPrrxrs8
“You mean he’s the one being tortured with wolfsbane and I’m copping it?” Ivy asked.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7Bl13N05l
Emerson solemnly nodded his head and she looked puzzled.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NSAIV0pgO
“Rowan is being tortured with wolfsbane and you’re feeling the effects too. Maybe not to the same extent but the burns are significant,” Emerson confirmed.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWyQKcjgGg
Ivy’s head spun. There were too many twists and turns to keep up with her duty, her family, and this prophecy. She wanted to go home and longed to feel Rowan’s arms around her. She wanted to kiss him one more time. Ivy inhaled deeply to allow her fear to escape her and sat up straighter than before. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNtW8nFMWB
“That’s why Olcan couldn’t shift and get him out of there. I may be in for a world of hurt. If that happens, we at least know what they are doing to him.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XpDHqDHvW
“It would also explain the wounds on your back, if they’ve lashed him,” said Angus. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJi4Sn1WrE9
Ivy hadn’t thought of that and almost forgot about it because of the pain from the burns. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lmoOcVzQg
“Why isn’t he healing?” Ivy asked. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjTjPjoKEc
“He can’t heal if he is weakened by wolfsbane, or the wounds are too deep like yours. He must be in a room full of it,” James answered. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwMZHsb7Wo
“I think we should try and get some sleep and leave first thing in the morning. Hopefully they give the poison a break and Ivy can function,” suggested Alex.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTu4TE7dHCV
“There is another way if the pain too unbearable,” said James. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVajL7WuC69
“Don’t even mention it, James,” warned Angus. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8p4ilve0Qc
Ivy raised her eyebrows at James to get him to continue. At that point she wanted to hear all suggestions. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOzPXqhV8Z
“You could reject him. You would be free from pain to find him,” he shrugged.
Ivy thought it over and knew it would be the last resort. When she rejected Harold, the ground felt like it shook around her and pain pounded in her head. If she were to reject Rowan, the ground might shake apart and swallow her whole with pain and grief. She just hoped that they find him, or he was cunning enough to escape before she had to think about it again.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTcOPVOsQz
“Thank-you for the suggestion, James. It’s good to have a backup plan.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtsDwL2k7x
“I know he’s alive,” confirmed Ivy.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50LhqMusoC
“Good and you let us know if that changes,” said Alex.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rvdZ2CPL8
“Oh, you will know,” replied Emerson, yawning.
The group followed suit and turned to get comfortable on their grass beds. Ivy chose to sleep upright so that she didn’t rub the balm off on the grass. She watched them drift off to sleep but her mind was too wired from thought. If Rowan can’t heal himself, then can I heal him? If Ivy were to try, it would take a few days to recover but she hoped it would be enough for Olcan to shift so he could get out of wherever he was. Ivy made a mental note to ask Emerson the next day. She started to think about it more strategically before her eyes closed from heaviness and made a pact to herself that this Luna, will become a Warrior Luna, the first one ever. The courage that built inside her eased her mind and heart enough to close her eyes and allowed sleep.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WTnNbW0Uz
There are mountains all around me and the breeze is ice cold. The cold hits my face before I’m instantly warmed from the sun as it peeps around the top of a mountain. The mountains create a trench-like crossing and above it, on the mountain, are golden arches spread over the trench, placed like a bridge. They are a beacon of light as the sunlight bounces off them.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPFydWUop0
“You really did say they were beautiful,” I look over to Emerson. He is so excited to be home that he cannot wipe the smile off his face. I am glad for him, but I am also so sad that the home I knew, the home I was supposed to lead to victory is now destroyed. This is my last hope to get revenge. The revenge that I have been craving. Rowan is a distant memory, Angus, Alex, and James also. He took everything from me other than my Companion that I so selfishly chose to protect.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfl3VMbneOK
“Why didn’t we come here sooner?” I ask Emerson.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0RFjMaRBE
“You weren’t ready and then we didn’t have time,” he replied.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzdMV6IWOv
I chose to stay and continue with a pointless search, rather than come here and seek help. My heart before my head. I have made so many sacrifices now that I can’t keep up. When will my destiny be filled? I haven’t had the option to die for someone as they all chose to die for me.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtQn51hTzj
“Ivy are you okay?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DU4QVeHF2
“Hmm? Yeah, I’m fine,” she replied.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSnRXtUqFj
Ivy recognised Alex’s voice immediately. She didn’t have to open her eyes.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxJpiYqGWR
“Time for your balm, it’s sunrise.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpCPrzqE4F
She held out her arms so that Alex could lather more salve over her arms and legs. It hurt less than before, and Ivy breathed easier when Alex applied it. She opened her eyes to survey the damage from the night and apart from a few blisters, it didn’t look too red.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jfiwaOKF5
“It’s coming up good,” he announced, proud of himself. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6kI41MVjj
Angus walked over and nodded to Alex. He put the leaf down and together they stretched out their hands. Ivy accepted the offer and the men used their strength to pull her to her feet. Ivy instantly lost balance, but Angus caught her. He allowed Ivy to rest her weight against his strong arms until the feeling came back in her legs. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBMhaKCwv3
“Where is Emerson?” Ivy asked frantically, looking around the camp.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIfIiJG983
“In the field ahead, trying to link the Ancestors to get some clarity,” they joked. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvDOWTL3G8
“Hey! Don’t mock what you don’t know,” Ivy growled.
Once Ivy could walk again and not resemble a baby deer, she gained speed to go and find Emerson.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8iyrXouaD
“Ivy, where are you going?” called Alex.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEfjb97ir0
“To tell Emerson we’re going!” she shouted back. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqf3vo0G09
Alex was satisfied with the answer and turned to start packing their camp and put out their smouldering fire. Emerson looked so majestic in the field. Sitting there with his eyes closed, soaking in the morning sun. Ivy quietly approached him so that she didn’t disturb him, but his eyes opened instantly. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCm036ycgTp
“What are you doing Ivy?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcB63kBOEG
“I’m just here to let you know that we’re leaving.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm19sR6FpNW
Emerson grumbled under his breath and began to rise. Ivy hoped that they find something in Alan’s territory that could lead to Rowan. If not, she had no idea where to turn to next. If they gave her mate another torture session, she hated to think of the repercussions. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxY7Ka2hMnJ
James, Angus, and Alex were packed and ready to move on. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FzVGkrsMT
“Right, the border is just over the hill. We should make it in no time,” said Alex, bouncing around. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVu0dAxxPI
“Don’t get your hopes up Alex,” Ivy warned. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0ZChHgmxp
Alex poked his tongue out at her and giggled, ushering them all forward. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRCzdDzNdd
“Let’s move!”
Stumbling into Alan’s territory, Ivy’s old home, was heart breaking. There were broken homes and smashed shopfronts everywhere. Everything she’d grown up with was just gone, along with the people. Ivy didn’t recognise the place at all and seeing the destruction took her breath away. The poor people that she’d grown up with and the ones that taught her and waited on her. The group respected the silence and Ivy’s reaction, now more than ever if one of them spoke, she would rip them apart. The anger bubbled away in the pit of Ivy’s stomach until it was unbearable, and she vomited to release it, at Emerson’s feet.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgEXko5u93
“Sorry,” Ivy whispered. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaXUf7ph4u
“Better out than in, this would be hard,” he assured. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4ZIfwoYHO
It was the first time that Ivy set foot in the place she called home since she’d been with Rowan. She heard the others speak of the horrors, but she didn’t expect was she saw. Ivy started to walk through what was known as the ‘Main Quarter’. Books from the bookstore were strewn across the road and the store had a huge, burnt-out hole in the roof, and the windows were smashed. The Farmer’s Market tent was collapsed, and the corpses of chickens and cattle were spiked through the broken tent pegs. The whole street reeked of death and the skeletons of those who stayed behind to save their homes, laid along the gutters. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13nB1gg1ff
Tears welled in Ivy’s eyes, and she was determined to keep them at bay. The General Goods store’s inventory was thrown everywhere and the inside of the store house black furniture and ash. The nauseous feeling didn’t ease as Ivy’s eyes wandered over the rest of the Quarter. Emerson gently placed his hand on her back, and she leant into him for support.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtnGz8XnnS
“Do you want to go look?” he asked, like he read her mind. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDiXD9eevJ
Ivy shook her head. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiDwJpf8Gz
“No. My home would look like this, and I can’t right now. I just want to find my mate.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtZWuTEU4P
James returned to them with a stern look on his face. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3HiucUqRm
“I found something by the Herbalist store. The one shop that isn’t burnt to the ground and all the wolfsbane is gone.” 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwKTqFpMlA
Ivy hadn’t realised that the others left them alone.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtXXyTaHEv
“That’s odd. So, they must’ve at least come through here?” Emerson answered. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6LFy2gf2F
“For sure,” Alex called, and emerged from a building of rubble. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cR1RuoP4J
“There is soot from a fire that was lit not that long ago, near the back entrance,” he gleamed. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyO5NGGFQ4
“Could be Rogues,” Ivy pointed out. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOBusrMxUN
“I don’t believe in coincidences,” stated Angus.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNvXEhqWC1
“Search the rubble and report back to me in an hour. Check the buildings and check by the river,” Ivy ordered.
Angus, James, and Alex scattered through the buildings, more than happy to oblige. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4TUH7AMFu
“We are getting close, I can feel it,” said Emerson. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLlvgftnv2
“I can’t get my hopes up, especially after my vision last night.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnRy0IDMDz
“You had one too?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQa7z6X3ej2
“Yeah, and I hope that it’s wrong. If they come back with nothing, then we need to talk.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvAhNTKaKj
The duo stood in silence and Emerson knew the wait made Ivy uneasy. She was lost in thought and prayed the men left no rock unturned otherwise she’d return with an army. The strongest army that she could gather, and she’d kill Harold with her bare hands. Ivy was angered to the point that if her sacrifice meant she’d take her life with his, then she’d do it. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozInmckBnl
“How long will it take to gather an army?” she asked Emerson suddenly. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPwNqMcCko
The question surprised him, and she saw it on his face.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5g4pHYf9lJ
“There is one option we haven’t discussed yet,” he murmured. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2XMIwJTd5
“To fill your duty?” Ivy asked.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6q7wPkGQyE
Emerson looked uncomfortable at the assumption she made. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qDD0fwWkT
“I will be with you until yours is fulfilled you know?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7O3uDUxar
“I know, but you haven’t answered my question. I want the North and whoever else will join, to take the South and bring back my mate.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVN0Trkojd
“Ivy, you are talking about a war. It takes time and if I know where you’re going with the suggestion, it is something that hasn’t been done in centuries.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20AsjOKdwL
“I will not lose friends, family or the ones that I love to this cretin anymore.”
Emerson nodded his head but stopped conversing. He knew by the tone in Ivy’s voice that she’s serious now. She was in pain, her body, her head, and her heart. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD30fItOQ0P
Ivy was the Saviour and held innate ability to obliterate her enemies for how she saw fit, to save them all. If she felt that Rowan was still alive, she’ll strive to find him. If he dies and their bond broken, she’d walk that land until she found the one who killed him. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjypmiMSnhM
“Ivy I can feel your growl in the earth,” whispered Emerson. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSQERyn9yy
“I’m not growling, it wasn’t me.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0g9O0ikZo
The hour was up and there was no sign of Angus, James, and Alex. Ivy fidgeted her feet around in the dirt waiting for them to walk back through the rubble. She felt Emerson’s heartbeat through her body as it quickened with every passing second. The fear flowed through him, and he tried to shake it off. Come on Ivy pleaded silently. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUMg30IkV7
“Ivy,” Emerson pressed. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqs2JeerF3
“Don’t you dare say it,” Ivy ordered. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkr3heawtUd
A shadow emerged on the outskirts of the end of the street and Ivy immediately clasped onto to Emerson’s arm tightly. There was only one. The silhouette approached and continued to walk with a limp as they patiently waited. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDlC6HeC7X
“There is only one,” stated Emerson.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmM9NEFmqVF
“Who is it? Can you tell?” Ivy begged.
Emerson craned his neck from side to side. The shadow walked into the sunlight and Ivy breathed in sharply. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkWyi9zLiX
“It’s Angus,” cried Emerson. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzakrRgdT4g
Ivy’s feet started to move forward, into a fast walk and then a jog. Angus was dirty and she saw beads of sweat that ran down his forehead, with track marks down his face. When they faced each other, centimetres a part, Ivy realised that his sweat mixed with tears. She grabbed his upper arm for comfort, and he knelt before her in the dirt, clutching her legs. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6IpfE8wes
“Angus, what happened?” Ivy asked softly. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScgimfA3U8
“Where are the others?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD53X3D3uvW
He whimpered at her questions and held tighter. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mTeJymu0N
“This town… surrounded by traps,” he said softly. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjm07sXkyWM
“Where are they Angus?” Ivy commanded. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RVf6zIT3J
He shook his head against her knees. Emerson emerged next to them and tried to lift the heavy man to his feet. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQl1dCC1lJe
“I am going to kill whoever did this,” he eventually said. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKB9uGfVa4G
“Who rules like this? I’m sorry Ivy for behaving like this. I should be strong,” he said between sobs. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7oacPgtGa
“You are strong Angus, and we will get our revenge,” Ivy said confidently. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREUh7K7UdQ
“Can we get them for a burial?” she asked.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8s0sGb24m
Angus shook his head slowly and refused to talk about it anymore. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDL2Te5NJe
“Emerson, it is time.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCGp9Zj59C
The return of only Angus cemented something inside Ivy of what was required of her. If she continued the way that she was, she’d lose everyone until it was just Emerson and her to walk the golden arch trench. She knew now that her vision was a warning.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHleUnheSu6
“Are you sure? This is something that you weren’t ready for?” 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnEASJEtko
Emerson stepped around her and sat next to Angus, in front of her. Ivy wiped the pooling tears from her eyes. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5d0Nbz5Io
“I need my mate. I need their help to get him.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdv1sPgJknf
She reached across and touched each of them.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJt4sOCZSv
“I need my family and I will not lose you both as well, as a result of being stubborn.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmsWKPUiW4
Ivy’s attention turned to Angus. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQUes6ymV1
“This is your chance; I’m giving you a choice with no explanation required. Leave now and go home to Fi or come with us and get the revenge that’ll be served cold. As your Luna and as your friend, this will be the first and last opportunity.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYCxPBBS7j
Angus returned her stare for some time. He searched for something in Ivy’s eyes, as if he investigated her soul. Angus fought against his head and his heart, much like Ivy had been. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoi1xOE6rl
“I will go with you,” Angus stated and bowed his head.
Ivy turned to Emerson and asked the same question even though she knew he was bound to her. He replied the same and bowed his head. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2qoEhHhyl
“Emerson and Angus pack our things.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBh9ucifROP
“Ivy if I may, where are we going to go from here other than back? There are traps everywhere to where Rowan must be held,” Angus asked politely. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0FI3GpA4J
“Fear not Angus, we’re getting help,” she replied. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj93vnjbMzj
He immediately relaxed at her words and Emerson suddenly became a bouncing bunny that Ivy couldn’t contain. His actions confused Angus, given the circumstances, and he pushed Emerson over. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsF9Ua1rf9i
“We are going to the West,” Ivy said, trying to make more sense of her plan. The traps that were set surrounded them; she knew that they held Rowan close by. It was a vast area and wildly protected. Ivy felt more confident in her decision as her plans formed in her mind. What she was requesting wouldn’t come easy as Emerson had previously warned but Rowan was still alive, and she had to try. From her vision, she had one extra person with her that was still with them, and it gave her more confidence. Ivy learnt to listen to her visions moving forward as they were warnings, so very clear as of the result from the events that occurred.
Angus still tried to work out where they were headed, and Emerson waited in anticipation for him to finally figure it out. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWScP4IA4Dz
“Lycan’s…” he whispered. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEImfdvBRu
Once their belongings were packed and they’d split the sacks between them, Ivy started to climb up some rubble, so she was off the floor. She wanted to cover as much of the area as possible without being blocked from the fallen buildings. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmw7nUtXrne
“Ivy, what are you doing?” asked Emerson. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6eTCrv88W
She raised her finger to Emerson to silence him. Once she stood on top, she inhaled as deeply as possible. She made sure that she balanced her emotions and slowed her heartrate. On her exhale, Ivy sent out the strongest mind-link to cover as much ground as possible before she left, even if her better judgement told her it’ll fail. She sent out love, hope and healing and let the slight breeze lift and take out her scent to the love of her life. She waited, and waited without saying a word, but silently prayed in her head. Her mind turned foggy and cold quickly…she made a connection!
Ivy’s surprise almost knocked her off her feet and almost broke the link that barely hung on. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPC9e2rjwwX
“I’m coming for you Rowan. Please stay with me. I love you.”
