Ivy
Ivy allowed Catori to have control and she stayed in78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdwAuZ6yFq
her wolf form for a few days. This was mainly so that Ivy could ensure they78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimuUn90ppQ
kept warm and made it easier to hunt. They had been training non-stop and78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNbF7eQ72l
Catori shared her wisdom with Ivy. She advised Ivy that she needed to be ready78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgVZiT3edH
for anything that came their way. Ivy was totally confused with her advice but78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6ybzTUuYN
figured she knew what she was talking about. Ivy thought it had something to do78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTp4WkVz1I9
with the fact they were in the middle of the forest, female, and un-mated.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdadCgolw14
Catori taught her to use all her senses when scouting and looking for food. She78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4EGwQPNJj
taught Ivy what poison smelt like, when she foraged for food such as berries78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqhwx9NGYk
and plants. The worst part of training had been the shifting. Catori said that78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokQvXd795j
it was imperative that they train to shift like a flash of lightening for the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstkuEKpoVW
best defence. That part had been agonisingly painful for both. Completing a78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlObFlQqp9z
shift between Ivy and Catori all the time, made Ivy feel heavy, tired, and78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLe16NXulQ
weak. It had the opposite effect on Catori, so she took the lead for the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TKx3wCvS2
following days.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNqZYI61Dg
Ivy hadn’t heard any more of Harold’s men and she hoped that James took them on78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62LHNMiBxn
a wild goose chase. It still bugged her that James helped her, mainly because78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlV5pwZ8AW
she had no idea why he decided to help her in the first place, especially when78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOFglmVtiO
he could have been banished, killed or worse; stripped of his Beta title.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC89Kj27Ogd
Still, Ivy was grateful. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNISUHkiZxn
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhqAZWWkjt
Catori and Ivy have become so close it was almost as if they were one. Ivy78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BH9WK9SfM
found it easier to feel how Catori is feeling even before she speaks and vice78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLb2nYbEDv
versa. Catori had been following the river down-stream towards the North-West78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwS9IpNCHBz
side for a few days. It was getting colder and colder the further up they down.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxi6KPGS6wu
Ivy’s gown was ripped to shreds on the night of their first shift, so she78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTfhzkHgHP
didn’t even have that to cover herself. Catori and Ivy both agreed that it was78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6T9HfryUsS
best that Catori kept their wolf form. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75ss0U6VQB
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZPmRCW1jT
“We are coming close to town Ivy.” 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4f7762Lzkr
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaV9aAu1b9
“Really? You said that we weren’t due to hit a territory for at least another78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1di0ZohLTx
couple of days,” Ivy answered.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCirVeLX2up
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PScuxr21G
“I smell smoke and a stench that I cannot describe. I have never smelt this78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ldOuzwxbB
before. The river heads in that direction past the forest tree line.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMpsR4OgGz
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTAr6CEXyK
Ivy used Catori’s vision to view their surroundings. Ivy knew they were78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdWnXwpuSf
approaching a clearing because the trees started to separate. The spaces78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYiaj7ZDld
between them were larger and there was more sunshine peeping through the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGA6htfrGv
canopy. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡII73s3hiVC
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRWVKNoUmN
“There is no fire though, Catori.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwlk1huLUI
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkeil7neBU
“Mmm, perhaps there is a campfire close by, we need to be alert.”
Catori kept to the edge of the forest but still78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiDzVCPfPM
maintained closeness to the river. Her ears were constantly pricked to hear78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNgjaS5ymz
anything out of the ordinary around them. She used all of her strength to focus78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DgOUJnD08
her hearing and welcomed the slight sounds around them. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAJ6Fsgq2i
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqB4XVwNwMU
“Children, children laughing?”
“We will wait until sunset and then we will check it78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtbdwvpJYw
out and continue. For now, lets just stay hidden in the forest,” Ivy ordered.
Catori found a patch of dirt and positioned herself78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6DOaNn2lf
between two large rocks so that it was hard to been seen. With her soft, white78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupvMMRkBYO
coat, it was hard to camouflage against the browns and greens of the forest78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8g0cCm2kG
floor. Ivy became impatient. The wait was horrendous as she was eager to get to78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9viJI1Cxv
the next territory, to plead with someone to take her in for a few nights.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPJLD9Dn5c
Catori decided that heading North was likely to be safer. The North hate the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7rkNluTa3
South, but they might also hate them too as they would come from that78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyT30ed6z3v
direction. Ivy feared being sold back to her father the most. Even when she78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaLh8m1Gon
thought about him and what he did, and what he caused her, the anger built78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpTVNUVvY9
rapidly. Catori shook her fur at the thought, feeling the same emotions.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTyeLPdQA6
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3fKtTEeuT
Sunset was almost upon the white wolf, and she proceeded to make her way back78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZOABdkMvf
to the edge of the forest. Ivy warned Catori to be careful in the clearing and78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtlJNOJH5b
kept a constant look-out through the wolf’s eyes. Ivy looked through the last78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EOJvtOQxQ
few trees and she saw houses, upon houses and fences holding livestock.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5V6mN67Z9U
Furthermore, there were lights everywhere and nowhere safe to cross down the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWxQXQ8Byh
river safely without being seen. The river ran under a bridge further into the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9yap9uKGb
town, and Ivy noticed people carrying vegetables, eggs and hay, right across78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4OOgYLp3b
it. Most of the people further in the town and down the lane were retreating78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74K7RJuyIK
into their homes for the night as dusk began to turn. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQboeJEOwj
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhMf1xyNBU
“Easy meals,” stated Catori, as she licked her lips. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCxZJTTFG6
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCJhZaawfn
Ivy was mortified and told her that this must be the human village that her78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8BEYGQyCQ
father used to go on about, especially the dangers. To humans, wolves were78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDoFVfN9Ym
nothing, but folklore and Ivy had no idea if they were aware they existed. The78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VcqFzLAuC
human species would probably never find out because they are too dumb to78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsHWFynk2g
understand and accept it. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0lEdiQ76D
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtM22fkEdGV
“You’re up,” said Catori.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyP7L0DXbS
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dKiN0Daxc
“What do you mean?”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhd32ZzMYi
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYNXk0jCHu
“Well I can’t just walk in there and the rivers runs through the middle of78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Virm6Pckk
town. You are the human form Ivy.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHW0NeetXd4
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEPaWxgfUD
“I don’t have clothes,” Ivy stammered. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCq7EiT5KQ3
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmal7rvtVg
“Well hopefully we get seen by a woman first and she might give us some.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBBcEYtEdB
Look for a barn for us to rest in.” 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KJo84g4TK
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoYxnZWDAJ
Ivy sighed heavily, knowing that Catori was right. Ivy commanded control78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeOd0vR2U9
back and allowed Catori to shift. Ivy would never get used to that78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1FNA1I8vt
feeling. The quick shift made a sound or at the very least someone heard a bone78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJuNrZvO11
crack. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYAQHGaJcP
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnGtF92C5M
“Hello? Is there anyone there?” a man asked. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeVeX5hHUa
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ip1uE8lTO
He was too close for comfort and neither Catori or Ivy saw him hunched over his78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SlHtV1p0f
garden before. Catori tried using her mind to nudge Ivy forwards, but Ivy was78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JfE6vfxb1
too embarrassed with no clothes. She groaned, "Why did it have to be a man?"78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7FgOTBj64
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbsqsYjWFD
“Hello?” he called again. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0E6zX3YfzH
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZt2qBfLZSj
“Angus! Who are you talking to? Are you talking to yourself again?”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlC5Mc3DZn
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8crDAAYAl1
A short, stout woman came from the back of the house that the garden was78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOh7HIAKjzH
connected to. Her arms were crossed, and her feet tapped on the stone path, as78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuF8Cxwm40
if her dinner was getting cold inside. Ivy smelt the food from different houses78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76JlKXRrtq
and her mouth watered straight away.
Ivy gulped and took one step into the clearing, and78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vALGjDhui
then another whilst she tried to cover herself the best she could. She heard78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCKQon8ebt
the woman gasp and the man turned to see what the commotion was.
"My Lord,” Ivy heard.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknnezXRoDH
“Go inside Angus and get me some clothes.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jEizSvLGy
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6iDRJPJW9
The woman quickened her pace towards Ivy, and she tried to use her body as a78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOeWGL1rs8
shield so that any onlookers couldn’t see Ivy’s naked body. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFN9bJ1WNBa
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj73qtDi615
“Come now dear, look at the state of you,” she said, walking closer. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUrN0BGXNp
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInkKke2T5p
Ivy flinched at her warm, soothing tone and looked past her at the man78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXvWoBa3hO
named Angus, running out of the door with some clothing draped over his arms.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe95nZiflJj
The woman tried running her hands through Ivy’s hair, with no luck due to not78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOidgzlg8tw
being brushed in days. Ivy allowed the woman to do so, even though Catori78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXihKSM0eJ
growled in her mind. She was too focused on trying to cover her body with her78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjkdIC6K7W
hands. Angus approached, with his head bent back behind his shoulders, trying78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PXuEKtNWl
not to look at Ivy as he handed over the clothes and a blanket. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3N8jcHVpX1
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCfXAwOnmb
“Come on dear, put these on,” the woman said, whilst handing one piece of78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OlUQbje6B
clothing to Ivy at a time. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡut4ao3iPQ5
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvo7xFAHig
“They might not fit your tiny little waist, but we definitely need to get you78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XTpo51NCS
washed up and you can tell us where you came from…and in such a state. I have78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpLt5kt8GA
some hot soup on the fire now.” 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaWZNTBqd6
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRgZItlWDo
The woman turned away after she fussed over Ivy, expecting her to follow. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPq0ljXTpSv
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOzJGaUgi0
“Be cautious Ivy,” Catori warned. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc87a1ApxQJ
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVBvyiLRMI
The woman didn’t seem that bad to Ivy, so she followed without speaking a word.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJu0xIR95Uf
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhY5yHshqvW
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EAnHnP3pd
Walking into the couple’s home, Ivy was instantly warmed by the fire. The small78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFWv7uAPlH
living area was lit by the light of the fire and the woman stirred through soup78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrEQEyUYlN
before she placed it in bowls. The aroma of the vegetables hit Ivy’s nose and78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofNs6dSqXy
her mouth watered. Angus, stared at Ivy with the weirdest expression and she78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD38gdqKoIO
knew that if she spoke, he’d have jumped out of his skin. The woman returned to78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqvgqpj8Oc
the living area and handed Ivy a bowl, then immediately started asking78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAx6V7HPROK
questions. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEZrlHKQUT
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeoVIMkz2l
“So, where are you from dear? The next village is about one hundred miles in78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6jgohxj4t
the other direction, and by the state of you, you haven’t had a bath in a78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iLnQZsX0G
while.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTQtDwXe1Q
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKn0ZCWvh3N
She was right, Ivy was covered head to toe in dirt and grime and her hair was a78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIjOroBFpg
tangled mess. Before Ivy could answer, Angus spoke. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1k6Vr4Mva
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVsKncyCMT
“Leave her alone for a moment, let her eat Fi.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXi32rcdpE
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AKE5tJbxY
His eyes urged Ivy to continue eating. Fi grunted and they sat in silence. The78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXj571wVAC
sounds of slurping irritated Ivy, so she decided to make conversation.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuA1wZuvA7
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrhfi8phGS
“I have been in the forest for a few days now, I have lost count. I am being78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNINq7rxtYp
hunted.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnndrpJBu5
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jiXKD5Iag
Fi snorted into her soup, “What ever do you mean, hunted?”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKByKtlCeB
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4h7ihW6wh
“I was made to marry a man that I did not want to, and decided to leave, he has78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14y9xqwy4h
sent soldiers after me,” Ivy replied. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwrEEKkPfW
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKKx30QTYc
The couple looked dumfounded and confused, but also looked wary of her, as they78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72vXod2DOU
let a fugitive into their home. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmp9XsxpACV
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlt8J5dEKC
“Okay, well at least we know where you came from, you can rest here a few days78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEHb71REdV
and be on your way. I will go and get a bath ready for you,” Fi announced.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLI4ZHN0nG
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1Il1YU54L
She took the bowls off the table, placed them on the bench next to a wash tub78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozzNLBh5g7
and disappeared into another room. Ivy’s gaze shifted to Angus, who stared at her. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1w6eTWoViK
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPztzzFC6sG
“Have you been trained?” he asked. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0ERETW2kw
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOfdxc2RjZ
“Trained enough to hold my own,” Ivy retorted. The question confused her. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSsk25YeKz
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPXDtlZkmF
“No, you’re not. Your arms are skinny and weak. There is no muscle to them.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLsIqnrAPF
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6C5p6MPVb
“I started training with a solder before I ran, I know the basics.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTViSHIuZOL
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvP1tyNe5CX
“We train in the morning, first thing,” he commanded. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQtFONt8Na
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyTvjytG5F
Ivy’s mouth opened to respond. She was furious and was not about to be bossed78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cvTHxBNWw
around by any male. She felt the heat throughout her body and her cheeks turned78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVV4znXdsH
a shade of red. Angus cut her off almost immediately in a lowered tone. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZsVadHgiG
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3R16qDJEg
“I am not stupid girl; I know what you are and where you have come from. There78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsK0zygg1B
are no soldiers for miles, and I know what borders the village. Fi may be78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkgaLkS0pi
oblivious as are all the rest in this town, but I know.” 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqpow38vtF
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyCd58yPGU
Angus finished his speech and left Ivy stupefied. Fi came back from the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyKIMgdAlz
bathroom with a towel over her shoulder. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPnn6dbEoH
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOqvn684X3
“All done, take your time in there, you will need as much time as you can get,”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0k0A5h3H8t
she announced, looking at Ivy up and down. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡni7KsX1QYV
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyoTg8MHl4
Ivy thanked Fi and accepted the towel that was held out to her. She rose from78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcJf8HUkEa
the chair, feeling shaky about what Angus said to her and headed towards the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdUIm7uuWT
door Fi came out of. Ivy looked over her shoulder before entering, to see where78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynJavdqRSz
the couple had gone. Fi had disappeared into another room and Angus was still78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qySicD66c
seated at the table, watching her. This time he had a smile spread across his78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Hkt2aPV8w
face. Angus checked over his shoulder to make sure that Fi was not around and78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8UuZn5h5n
decided to put Ivy out of her misery. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvHn8ZMa81
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcVN4TCepf
“I can smell you; I can smell another wolf for miles. See you in the morning,”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpyzRN8PtJ
he chuckled, and proceeded to hold his nose as he left the room, teasing Ivy78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kblzVAFCG
about her stench. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREWJd506HL
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUtkmjHsbx
Ivy had to pick her mouth up off the floor as she watched his hunched over78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhj5tStCzte
silhouette walk into what must be their bedroom. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZHSL0rGr7
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48geqU4v97
Ensuring that Ivy locked the door behind her, she took off the over-sized78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSspuVlRYS
clothes that Fi generously gave. There was no aroma to this bath to help relax78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1v9cvUlqVO
her, but Ivy didn’t think much of it. She dipped her toe into the steaming78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRWerHguy6
water, just to make sure that she wouldn’t be boiled to death. She let out a78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4Mjwvze12
sigh of relief that the water was the perfect temperature, and she sank her78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9IBprhJdJ
entire body into the warmth, and allowed the water to consume her. Fi had78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVYSj1yjn1
left a scrubbing brush on the ledge of the bath, which made Ivy giggle, that Fi78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RYfzojrCA
thought she needed it. The steam from the bath alone was enough to allow78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeoKqpqqec
whatever was stuck to her skin, slide off. Ivy used it anyway for the bits that78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuRv9rZphh
wouldn’t budge. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFZ710LwoB
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoUT63oEcA
Catori purred softly in Ivy’s mind, which put her at ease. Knowing that her78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmA9xYcNzy
wolf felt safe, made her feel safe. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2p2c7WrYXb
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtuxTCE7rt
Ivy spent what felt like hours in the bath. The skin on her toes and fingers78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ymk5ABAo3
were wrinkled. She reluctantly got out of and noticed that Fi also78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCmXLisEw9
left a brush and some new clothes. The clean ones were a better fit. Ivy78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UBzbGOflf
wrapped her hair in a towel and retreated to the lounge to sit by the fire. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtJPB7FxTQ
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFDWGahNTW
Fi sat on one end of the couch with a stack of blankets and a pillow that78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ak5EucAJQ
rested beside her. When she noticed Ivy, she stood and apologised that they78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQK1WNTZ0vA
didn’t have another bed in the house, but the couch was the best they had. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yWR5edkY1
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKw48ZSBt9N
“Thank-you for your hospitality,” said Ivy as she sat on the floor in front of78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxNpVe4YLb
the fire.
Fi sat back down again and gestured Ivy to hand over78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb78Rr8TVdH
the brush. Then she clapped her hands on her legs, ushering Ivy to shuffle back78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiardC5ZRb
into her. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTNv6hFv1Q
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczLZYiMzOQ
Ivy obliged because the woman reminded her so much of her mother and she78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlaMtCDFFY
wondered why Fi had no children. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8e711scXi
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4QthcI2vR
Fi began to brush Ivy’s hair, starting at the bottom and working her way up to78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qRADNY9Cz
Ivy’s scalp. Even though Ivy washed her hair, Fi still managed to pull out78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCF0BSS2yIz
small twigs that were tangled in there. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6QLA2WDGw
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60dE9L5BS9
“I’m sorry you have been through, what you’ve been through,” Fi said. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwKCzAKyWo
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZpsQOdKak
“I am a strong woman, and I want to choose my own love to spend the rest of my78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1u7PyF9aJW
life with, not an old man,” replied Ivy, still staring at the fire in front of78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRkAZyI74D
her.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgO4cSAZqj
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWyn7ecMtV
“They all grow old and grumpy love, and sometimes we do too,” Fi laughed. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sH2Z3niEY
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZs3HZ97k7
“Where did you meet Angus?” 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1F2ufUjXkj
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOZVpBvjoB
“I used to go to the forest to collect berries and other plants that my family78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmuLD2zfiN
used for herbal teas. I saw Angus in the river bathing one afternoon,” she78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3N6lD1NUgi
sighed remembering the moment. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSNpzwCKk5
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrifBMB2JcY
“He was toned, and muscular and I had never seen a man naked before. I just78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWhvN51Pgl
knew that I was going to marry that man. He looked at me, like he could sense I78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrD0K9c2kp
was staring and walked over to ask me who I was and where I come from,” she78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgf0nODk0s4
continued, “the rest is history and here we are today.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdkzg4TVL7
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAnUJ8X2fJ
“I hope I find someone like that.” Ivy confessed.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvY60xpUIzo
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFwR1YZxr7
“Some one that can sweep me off my feet and I just know.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AkQhzc2E7
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwudC6F5n8i
“Now, a pretty girl like you? Can’t find a man?” Fi asked, leaning over Ivy’s78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKwwaf43b2
shoulders to look at her face.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvT6KoC3g3
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xd9UE0br9
“That’s absurd,” she added. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyF07BSqU5Z
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVX3wEvfwh
Fi put the brush down by her side and clapped her legs a second time,78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0dibx4ro6
signaling that she was finished, and she hauled herself out of the couch. Ivy78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHr2KPOI8J
quickly moved out of her way and thanked her. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMH4aH5WGz
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4qyxA5mxB
“Please rest now, don’t stay awake too late. Angus said he has chores for you78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2LWTHLyqC
in the morning.” 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArYe0HUFP8
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dV2c3VnaD
Ivy decided that the woman was right and spread the blankets over the couch to78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5Pzkjkk86
lay down. The pillow was soft, the blankets were made from wool which felt like78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVE9LEOrqWA
a cloud that hugged her. Ivy’s eyes became heavy and realised how exhausted78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2aaYV7B4l
she’d become, she closed her eyes and willed for sleep to take over.
Morning came quickly, the sun shone through the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzf9IuauyQQ
curtains that were slightly opened. The light shone straight into Ivy’s face. She78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Khgx9zmcQ
slept deeply and had to wipe off the drool that ran down her chin as she woke.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLPvtmqkJ0
She stirred for a moment, and wished to go back to sleep, when Angus spoke.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoEMqwRyQA
“Good morning, sunshine,” he said, and held out a cup. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eDpQ4yIwd
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4bmg10E9O
The scent of coffee hit Ivy’s nose and she instantly grabbed the mug from him78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qgUvBIDOL
and gulped loudly. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXY1oNwdZq
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwHuHJGES7
“Steady on soldier,” he laughed. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7l8rlNeoC
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsF5aUPf4BB
“Sorry, I haven’t had a coffee in who knows how long,” Ivy apologised. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39zjfOO4Ky
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yH91O1KxB
Angus sat on the opposite couch, “Don’t say sorry to me, it’s the gift from the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHV2Rl8zpuk
Moon Goddess.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSN5AA0sOPt
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPkSrRqRdT
“How long have you lived here?” Ivy asked, looking around to see if Fi was in ear shot.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyouCd6zKzt
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Wa6Ich9qs
“It’ okay, Fi goes to the markets early on Thursday mornings. She ordered me78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeh4X36Iam5
not to wake you yet. I’ve lived here ten years,” Angus said proudly.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01xrEQwLfT
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRELvXfzNk
“How do you… you know do it?” Ivy asked with caution.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZAEJMtO2d
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5r1WV413uv
“Humans are a stupid species, but I’m here because my mate is human. Weird I78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UjCCteUir
know,” he stated with raised hands. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRx5qaKrMbo
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsFqEJrDOU
“Fi?”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5FQT2gOtF
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92OKaC5UF6
“Yep, she seen me in the river, and I could feel I was being watched. I saw her78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqFM8TiVoM
trying to pathetically hide in the bushes. Then I knew, she was the one. It78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrT4XwdIzwf
washed over me and it’s a feeling that I cannot describe,” Angus explained. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzFbp4Dpsb
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKK1XY0b00X
“The village works much the same as a pack, they are a community. If I feel78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGV4mIRRPK
like I need to shift, then I go to the forest to chop wood for a while and no78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBRzpLpiHe
one bats an eyelid,” he continued. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxVbthsKjh
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1bBgj0w1B
“What pack are you affiliated with?” Ivy pressed. She suddenly felt a feeling78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AJf1ILQDC
of dread in her gut. The closet territory to the human village was Harold’s.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXmDsdk7Vy
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 having78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVwIyIZsex
their conversation. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTlNJI0cbO
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXTApzlnw5
“No one’s anymore. I was banished by the East and decided to come this way, closer78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHwnj2dMS5
to the South, and well the rest is history; I never made it to the South,” he78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr94qZQcRuw
smiled. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfCh8Mucai
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMMR5XhirM
“What about you? What is your story?” pressed Angus. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnNVsi1Lwz
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacOjjBN3Ma
“I am on the way to the North and although I wasn’t banished from the South, I78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPVgvCvNto
certainly escaped. Now I’m just looking for my mate and wanting to move on from78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQfIGYHFCK
what I left behind.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLjJA1cAR3
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQNxWuOkZ9
Angus nodded whilst listening to Ivy’s vague story. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZE1rs1uZB
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfj0n8DA9Mu
“Right, well we have some training to do. I would be killed if it was found out78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZzrKXry8O
that I left a royal leave my home, knowing that they were unfit to do so.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0PB06koUr
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpIZ5LD8I1
“I am no royal Angus, just an Alpha’s daughter,” corrected Ivy.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tAqOmXwmP
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7O5VgIMIvR
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 that78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AQSZufvcC
and skin your colour, any wolf would spot you a mile away.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfq5MM9Cuxw
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2wvqWd5h5
The statement left Ivy confused, but quickly came to the conclusions that Angus78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08lQalApoZ
had no clue what he was talking about. She quickly folded the blankets and78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1bpArxEzt
placed them on the end of the couch as Angus held the front door open for her78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wFXy3Z78V
to go outside. He led Ivy through a large pasture, toward the forest edge,78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBxVnQDvK1
close to where Angus and Fi found her. Ivy could see the outline of a barn,78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjzAlxlapX
amongst the first few trees at the back of the property. When they reached it,78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Cw3VVIq1b
Angus unlocked and opened the doors which revealed all types of weapons that78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwJq4J3rMZ
hung on the walls. Ivy’s eyes grew wide as she marveled at his collection.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rytHGUqrI
Angus noticed her peaked interest, which quickly faded to fear.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtOGC0Un1Y
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvdNgdSEJs
“We are not training with any of these m’lady. We are training just as people,78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMEXmoU4L1
in human form. Sparring if you like.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCxgPfN9UI
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWaIo0ZAnC
“Why the barn?”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5REkZ3giRL
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV62you3m4s
“Because I know how hard its going to be to stay in human form during battle,78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVD6X4bFgM
and not let your inner wolf take over. Also, the growling is not going to help.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mrLJSG5Eu
If we did this out in the open, then we would both be running.” 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzsczXGnHM
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBJNuoNCy7
Angus had a point, and a smile grew across Ivy’s face. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCwMlUmQLQ
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnz6L8yrpF
“Okay, show me what you got,” he challenged.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToHLAvFuqk
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TaQnuEvZI
Ivy initiated the spar by posing her body in a defensive stance and waited for78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tnK7iSoY3
Angus to deliver the first blow. He made the first connection to her arms as78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzM3rSQP0U
Ivy continued to defend herself. She retaliated and delivered a quick kick to78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZ2j4We370
his shin and Angus doubled back, cursing. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAamGkmBxeE
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKVvdra0Nh
Hours went by with Angus showing Ivy what to do, and what not to do. They added78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgmGU4ytVU
weapons such as sticks. Angus taught her new blocking poses and how to keep her78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqWF57x9ig
feet firmly planted on the ground by shifting her weight with each blow. Angus78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgrvcLMdCM
taught her what cues to look for in battle to pre-empt an attack and when to78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9JRZwzLIR
strike. Ivy felt exhilarated and wished that she had been destined to become a78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgB0tUyzSCC
Warrior instead of an Alpha’s daughter. Ivy knew that if she had to fight for78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUk8DXJLsui
her life, it would be a lot harder to control Catori and harder to notice the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlj64SFkWFH
cues that Angus taught her. Angus seemed to have confidence in Ivy’s basics and78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARYBPZIu8d
continued to add more advanced skills into the session. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaycdUAqKLh
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFb7u4Gwez
By the end of the day, Ivy was able to pin Angus to the ground and keep him78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22iWrmPDaj
there. She felt strong and like she could hold her own, but nothing like a78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiH0oXTsk6
Warrior in a pack. Warriors was required to train all day, every day. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNYi1nAoR0
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ACBMTaSZ5
“Wow, I’m really impressed with your progress,” Angus said, panting. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSuvp7AGR5
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9VbgZZFRq
“Thank-you,” Ivy replied, flopping to the ground with her arms outstretched. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWBBw7XoZd
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYor5Tcdhp
“I’m done. Toast.” 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3aiKoK2yZ
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYuKpgaUGV
Angus took some time to gain his breath back and looked outside through the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BzbZuIzrT
barn doors. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtK5QvxWdov
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjVxOpSlg3
“I’ve worked you all day, you must be sore, time to go back. Fi will have78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgG8nxTMOjD
dinner prepared.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0QtSIkD7p
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp17Ba0HqWi
Angus was eager to get back at the thought of food and bounced on the heels of78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yrSbmqTz9
his feet, as he waited for Ivy to accept his outstretched hand. Ivy groaned and78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUPC1sopsQ
accepted his offer to help her up, using his strength to pull her tired body78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfL9JDcGwnx
off the ground. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnjcQwP87i
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdcKqcReRL
“I want to use proper weapons tomorrow,” she stated. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQNGIb5S3h
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiIGCZ6H66
“Whoa, tomorrow? I thought you’d want to get going?” he asked whilst he locked78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjeGth335v
the doors behind them. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSN4QIn6Tb
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaEISRFv8k
“Oh, yeah right, I suppose I should.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTkRUdyr3Z
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFewCnboq0v
They made their way back to the house and Angus didn’t say anything else. They78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasxNMTHHdU
covered so much today and were too tired for conversation. Ivy hoped Fi would78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUORvEMJy3I
see her sweaty, dusty clothes and offer Ivy another bath. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvjKXZzwjL
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhRWHAxhew
It wasn’t long before Ivy and Angus reached the house. Ivy entered through the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxunzksvYoU
door panting, from trying to keep up with Angus’ long strides. Ivy looked78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqp6J2t2sF5
around the room and the table were set for dinner. The smells that came from78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONek6iAUtA
the kitchen made her salivate. Fi had really gone out of her way and Ivy could78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7salrPYZwl
hear her humming in the bathroom to herself, as she clunked around. Angus78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dRSUZUeqh
closed the door behind him, louder than usual so that Fi could hear that he was78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHE0eBntRg
home. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsq1v1V7rj
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmgmX1gtfe
“Oh, hi honey, I’m just in the bathroom washing up for dinner. I won’t be too78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4yBx3SWiG
long, get changed,” she said. Angus excused himself to their bedroom and Ivy78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzd6ISzMwOE
took a place at the table. Moments later, Fi emerged from the bathroom and saw78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERkL3CN2ei
her. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBNgY0DEPW
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6DBHSlLxJ
“Oh my, he worked you hard today, you look exhausted. Go and wash up and I will78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNHPOQaz7Y
get dinner plated,” she said, looking at Ivy’s grubby hands and face. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQkKDJb9ap
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcTKH2g6Ch
Ivy was relieved that she was excused to go and wash up. The fresh water felt78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZQ1NbTbOY
great on her face, and she scooped some in her hands to drink. I won’t have78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyKFUP8und
time to stop for a drink, Ivy remembered Angus’ words. As true as his words78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPohNDxWJSE
were, Ivy wasn’t prepared for Angus to be so gruelling. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9RD1loe1v
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6CMVuwDnP
Ivy finished in the bathroom and headed out, back to the table. Angus was78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgbLsiM9L6
seated at the head of the table and narrated their day to Fi while she prepared78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NKjpa9jQs
the remainder of dinner. Angus and Fi interacted with each other and amused Ivy as78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59omm3Yqdz
she watched them communicate. They were so doting and respectful toward one78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7e0QpjPia6
another. She sensed that if anything happened to either of them, they would be78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUnAQtlXJB
heartbroken. That’s what mate ship was and that is what Ivy wanted. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFKjdaVgUs
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriXIc8ZvBH
Dinner was delightful. Fi bought a turkey and fresh vegetables at the market.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2XOchc5K2
Angus and Ivy devoured their meals like their lives depended on it.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMk4opfVaSD
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ALjistizH
“Jeez, you two must be hungry,” Fi said amused. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBVPWL7oAX
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfkI7vwUeK
Ivy nodded her head with her mouth full. Angus stretched over the back of the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPewuQSYOO
chair and belched. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxv5bcp1MG
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEE03LxofjD
“Beautiful meal my love. I love Thursdays. Let me clear the table for you and78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZs6zRlio6J
you go put your feet up.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iTIY8hXhx
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NznFt2bt5
He kissed Fi’s forehead gently whilst grabbing her plate. Angus turned to Ivy78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwC6ffueiv
and told her to join Fi. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Kuqesa3Gz
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOXvA4xI6X
“You have done enough for today,” he nodded toward the couch. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEvDleskWA
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0f5R5RHdP
Before Ivy took a seat, she excused herself to go outside. She hadn’t seen the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5x4jmmyKkX
village since she’d been there and thought Angus was trying to hide her away,78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡej4uC8p632
just in case. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEoh6VGk1k
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZKu4zzFYv
Ivy leant against the front of the house and took in the sights around her. The78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrE0o88QT58
whole village seemed to be paved out with stone. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfigSOtY0kd
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJg7StX6wfW
“I can see the appeal.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPf6plgDjH
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYKxAXzBPL
“Me too, it seems nice here.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbJfHsXUyb
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYY26tfHWOm
“We can’t stay here Ivy,” Catori stated, picking up on Ivy’s thoughts.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJJr4lrOoj
Ivy hated that she could do that. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlN3Zkn7it
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjU7peP4bx
“I know, but it seems nice that I could just walk down the street and maybe78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXO0WqFtxSM
meet my mate.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkw6NSAA7ec
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw81IXyImtV
“We are destined for something larger.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6Roicau2i
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLD8D80OoE
“I wonder what territory Angus comes from?” Ivy mind-linked, kicking herself78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9otfmiWYRR
that she didn’t probe him further that morning. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsbAWxXQmT
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQU3yIn4BtC
“They are nice people; his wolf is so far hidden, or he is really good at78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsXo1kBLsO
blocking me out. All of my questions were left unanswered.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPlsWw7DgN
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSr3a3mIAE
The trees around her were so tall and untouched, they were magnificent in78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvcDIAdZ15
size. Kate entered Ivy’s thoughts, and she wished that Kate was with her, or78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNamqiuIUab
that she was still alive. She hoped that her dad had ordered a retaliation and78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvQdB6jmlV
he would find her soon.
The sun continued to set, and everyone bustled to78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2Jj8poUaR
reach their homes so they could retreat inside to the warmth of their78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMoAu12nlf
fireplaces. When Ivy stood upright, she could see the riverbed, just below the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrW48q1i7Wk
bridge and wandered where it led. As the village became less busy, Ivy could78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAG7zucocmU
hear the trickle of the water flowing through -78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJfCTNnuUV
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9X67zoGpR
Snap!78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DyknmHXNF
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkMkgAzWqL
Ivy’s eyes darted straight to where the source of the noise came from. She78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjqfTKtz32
sniffed the air and smelt damp, grungy dander. She focused her vision down the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLhE4IQ7r7
paved path that led into the forest and could make out five shadows through the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlh6JkP809k
trees. Ivy strained her eyes for a few seconds longer, to see if she could78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3kZ3X4NSo
catch a glimpse of anything else. Two pairs of glowing eyes stared back at her,78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlwNBVddnd
and her heart fell out her ass. Ivy mentally kicked herself for becoming too78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9UrsiH90w
complacent and stretched her limbs to go inside. She tried to act as though she78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EyzV8Ut7E
hadn’t seen them and that she belonged in the village and trudged to the door. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ13oQWmS04
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs58fM8iZfY
Once inside, Angus and Fi were cuddled up on the couch reading poetry. Ivy made78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugSZwm6C2v
her bed opposite to them and listened as they repeated lines together. Her eyes78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7u43NaMf1Z
became heavy, and she tried to keep them open. Ivy needed to tell Angus what78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aYKlywg0O
she’d seen. Angus was probably used to seeing and smelling Rogues in the forest78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQH4pi5CG0Y
and tell her not to worry. Comfort overcame Ivy and she quickly gave in to her78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqRzsjI6cf
tired mind.
Ivy stirred on the couch, and she thought she heard78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXpf8xMZJG
the couple finally retreat to their room. She lifted her eyes to confirm but78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2N0Vmmnkti
noticed through heavy eyes that Angus was putting out the fire. He spotted her78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1EVwgkDuW
waking and stilled. Ivy quickly sat upright to ask what he was doing but he78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfL4rFD8DQ
silently lifted his forefinger to his mouth to quieten her. Ivy’s body started78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwLd1XDTOn
to adjust to being awake and her instincts took over, and she smelt it. The78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSczn6HNaYf
disgusting wet dog smell that she smelt earlier. She silently hoped that she78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiIOUUkvJt
didn’t smell that bad when Angus and Fi saw her on her first night here. Ivy78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHyKjZh3Ea
tried to mind-link Angus and to her surprise, made a connection. He opened78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAua7Joxnj
himself up to her. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHVNHAa3Ka
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0t4yvJKa2
“What do we do? Who are they?”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpMy7OFs2h
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2wKs3i3eP
“I DON’T KNOW, BUT I HAVE A SAFE WAY OUT!”, he replied. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiEZLCXQQT
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxrLSlHQNd
Ivy winced at his response; it was so loud that she nearly jumped out of her78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40s63XoIT2
skin. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkarpmomVt
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIfNs1SuWl
“Sorry, I haven’t used that in a long time,” he grimaced, almost whispering. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegEF6JnPlv
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTLcTLLjhq
Angus ushered her towards the bathroom and Ivy willingly obliged, knowing that78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3fGUhAOfB
she put her trust in someone she just met. Every instinct in her body, told her78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELkIdYWidU
to run like hell. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdSMEJq48y
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Es3vq4Rfp
Angus tried heaving the bath to the other side of the bathroom. After he tried78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTI9Ns6NK1
multiple times, Ivy jumped in to help. They managed to move the bath which78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrFYP3GClS
revealed a trap door. Angus slowly opened the door, and rush of cold air came78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1lmikcwBY
through the top. The coolness gave Ivy goosebumps. She rubbed her arms quietly,78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6skAikA8nY
to generate some warmth and linked Angus again. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAbsyqjwz2
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8RaN76RRp
“Where is Fi? Is she safe?”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3L2JymAHU
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZyDKSVbZu
“Fi is fine she's asleep after drinking her tea, nothing will wake her. I left a78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaqYulO3Aw
note to say I left early to start my errands.” 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrvtwZhYVh
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoiGmuQymb
“Angus, but there are wolves out there, what if they come in the house looking78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgobqPtAT0
for me?”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ab2E3nxo8
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRVfPmBUOV
“They won’t be so stupid. Then they’d have a human army on their hands and78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGVbW5gA5G
trust me they wouldn’t risk it. If Fi was a wolf, they’d smell her out and78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIoGmxYemH
might be a different story, now hurry up.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3i76UWbbL
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzzuMEb0TS
Ivy responded to Angus’ urgency and without thinking, she started to descend78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNPnWGznEm
the ladder. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DUSCfvZih
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZ3Zy3laYZ
“Follow the tunnel right to the end, it takes you to the forest on the other78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7S5602uPn
side of town. I will meet you there shortly,” Angus linked to Ivy.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ts3pFiRxk
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8uNmf4Bhd
He sensed her distrust and added, “I made this for when I escaped.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWIWnVeHFw
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwFq0XA2tS
“You told me you were banished,” Ivy argued. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKal1Fvd7XZ
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1gOPNLTIE
“Can’t trust new people,” Angus shrugged and closed the door. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbg4a6RstnT
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpgVtdjAXo
Ivy had no other option than to trust him. She either got to the other side of78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHosqJuN40
the tunnel with an awaiting ambush or when she got to the end, Angus would be78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkexjufrjh
there. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdNJseNUtH
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQq3nfg13B
“What choice do we have? Sit in the dark?”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLg1CxRSPcf
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaXiY1N9RQ
Ivy wasn’t in the mood to argue with Catori, so she gave her eyes a few moments78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4forkCXvh
to adjust to the darkness. She saw the opening of the tunnel which gave her a78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbF0i47xpmt
glimmer of hope that Angus told the truth. The tunnel was tiny. Ivy squeezed78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GEDTuUO1X
through the small opening and realised she had to crawl along on her stomach to78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesH7xJ6jnL
reach the other side.
Ivy finally reached the end of the narrow tunnel. The78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9S2r4CJFGN
narrow opening, much like the entrance, opened into a basement like cut out.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorcIKtbRhB
She pulled herself out, one limb at a time and fell into a heap on the dirt78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5Y3MI06SG
floor. Ivy stared at the ladder that connected with the trapdoor above. She had78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjspP9Cw3x
a fleeting thought that if she happened to crawl in a full circle, she’d allow78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tI5WYFMIJ
Catori to shift and rip Angus’ head off. Ivy climbed to the top of the ladder78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvap8iaWti
and gently pushed on the door. She cringed when is creaked loudly and paused to78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraqWedlhLL
listen for any movement above. Instead, the door was ripped from her hands and78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLv2TGxxpDn
Ivy gasped loudly and tried to keep her balance on the ladder. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1PPlK5nuW
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGR6KY14Iq
“Scared ya,” Angus laughed. His face beamed down at her. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66sX7IcUJM
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAxMrOaxFh
“Took you long enough,” he complained. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHUdl0dQZO
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cN8IlRBBf
“Well, you failed to mention how tight it was,” Ivy snapped back. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85cMECPhrh
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uQdZnHYNJ
“Not my problem that you didn’t shift and let your wolf scrape through. Would78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnod5ziPGf
have been a lot quicker.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtghIue4l12
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF02jMiUFhj
“Well you-,” Ivy tried to quickly answer. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7fKU43feG
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfl53HyVGom
“AND you didn’t use your instincts before you opened that door. If you had78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHKfmzsyIJ
taken a moment to focus on your surroundings, you would have known it was safe78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PCyfuAIFZ
to come out.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDz5FNuNr24
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6vlsEqxOH
Ivy couldn’t argue because he was right. She climbed out from the trapdoor and78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyP9G93ujmO
brushed herself off, straightening her back to stretch. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHGQVJVpgk
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmM7TvCIO9
“Well thank you for everything Angus. The training, the food and water and78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RgcRt6bQg
getting me out of here safely. I can’t put you or your mate in danger, I have78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwxhNtPSYZ
to go.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSC2nUwylCH
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddBSSgEkI6
“To hell you are!”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYzmShbE7D
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4YNoscLak
“Why not?” Ivy looked puzzled. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4wK0lK8rk
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCe7Z2OOYy
“Use your damn instincts girl. We are surrounded and there is no way I’m going78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUxGaz45EC
to let a young, little princess such as yourself, go wondering off in the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2zKKjdvAY
forest. They will have my head.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwsgtxw15Z
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2yo35fmtp
“First of all, I am not some member of the royal family. Secondly, I’m78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1mQi47f92
following the river to wherever that may lead me and thirdly, I can take care78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl91DBygWvJ
of myself,” Ivy argued. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUMHbPDYfm
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaLTA8N1Wr
“I’m coming whether or not you like it. Those wolves are in the forest78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoF3qVlEkKK
surrounding this village and if we don’t move now, we will be dog food.” 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzB17qpx6m
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKhekYzYLM
Ivy rolled her eyes at Angus and gave in a steely look. He didn’t budge and Ivy78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVzUgSNVat
knew that she had to keep moving. Angus had told her that it was at least a78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUVp88FZEc
day’s walk, without stopping, to the next territory. Angus extended his arm out78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWQYeys5oM
to his side, pointing to the forest. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdanJpYo0nh
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYwRk2K4bd
“Ladies first,” he jeered. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXJUWpBAja
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HFK3S7s0F
“Just because you are with me, doesn’t mean you can boss me around.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqEKyE0qBx
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zFAA9bDgD
With a huff, Ivy started toward the forest. Angus kept up with her easily and78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nOa9BUcxc
she wondered how big his wolf was. His human stride made Ivy jog to keep up,78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkwHVphfMr
his wolf stride would force her to run. They walked in silence for a moment,78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZ1s35yTOn
each ensuring that their ears were pricked to notice any sudden movements from78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2W6NE3WlEG
around them. Ivy noticed that Angus kept looking down at her as if he wanted to78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgB4s1GHMf
say something.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGS4xuHSux
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“Yes?” she asked, giving him permission to speak.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFfoUj0UQ1
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“Oh, I just wanted to know if your anger had subsided enough to realise, we are78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTfZp3tEyy
being herded in a northerly direction.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZcacPf60J
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3y5FEy37N
Fear ran through Ivy and her face turned whiter than normal.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffwHvpwvt2
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“Calm down lass. It’s not a southern army, otherwise they would have changed78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErYmrysjPx
our direction, or have killed us both by now.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXo0VZNeaI
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Ivy directed her attention to left and the right of them. They were far enough78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpT0ML0AuJn
away to not startle, but close enough to show them that they were there. Ivy78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GXsUy37mM
could see their shadows moving through the trees. There were three travelling78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcM8r8puQZT
on the left, three on the right and three travelling behind. Angus encouraged78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HjHPJSh14
Ivy to keep walking and talking like normal with no sudden movements. Angus’78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6ZocUX8in
knowledge about battle, instincts and tactics made Ivy wonder if he was ever78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCdUSf5z60
involved in an army or at the very least a ranking Warrior in the East. Ivy had78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTfluMcGMh
never heard of any wolf clans that housed royalty, but Angus constantly78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ka3IryJla
compared Ivy to whatever clan he's met . Ivy continued to wonder if where he came from there78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoVMMIsBb8
were royal wolves that had similar features. The only royal communities that were78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxGjUb2Ca0
still around on their mainland were the Lycan’s.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACBpwCVKyq
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The sun had risen and was encroaching into the middle78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbroxwR6jVt
of the day. Angus and Ivy had been on the move the whole time. Ivy’s mouth was dry,78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1h3mcWNLJ
and she was desperate for a drink. Angus kept encouraging her to move on because78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23bd2YKIcc
they didn’t know what these other wolves were doing. Ivy eventually whined that78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYolyonoXJ
she needed to rest, and her stomach grumbled loudly. Angus reluctantly let her78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgmWlqINhb
sit by the trunk of a large tree, while he scouted the area to make camp and a78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPXEAsI89e
fire. Ivy watched him disappear behind some trees, trying to look for small78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhT693hoWb
morsels of food and understood why Fi fell in love with him. Angus adored Fi,78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0R4pqpcxG
and always talked about her, but avoided his past. Regardless, Ivy learnt that78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcog48W9FPh
Angus was a blacksmith within the village, which explained the large range of78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdNmss2ygK
weapons in the barn. He confirmed that each weapon that hung on the wall, he78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJu5dmTUr2
created. Angus explained that hiding his wolf form from Fi and the village was78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUJD6BBtYZ
initially the hardest thing he’s ever done but it all worked out through78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rzUNCRR2A
determination. Angus feared that if Fi found out, she would reject him, and he78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuItI1mhkG
would be right back where he started; alone. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpISitND6Ei
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“Here looks just fine,” Ivy called out, as Angus came back with two small78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MOMRtzXKB
rabbits.
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Ivy chose the spot where she was already sitting,78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjhZT83s51
because her legs felt like they no longer had the strength to hold her weight.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseFTFIciw2
There was a boulder that Angus could rest his back on, that sat under the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkdGhq1sVO
umbrella of a tree and offered some protection. They were almost on the border78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnedruxlZN
of the next territory. Angus mentioned that they should arrive by nightfall. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHgmpGTG4S
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“Perfect spot,” Angus agreed, “Now, can you make a fire?”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEOLW6sCpw
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKqoztpwMR
Ivy nodded. That was one thing that she could do. Angus trotted off to gather78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtOHM3JnLw
some kindling and some larger pieces of wood close by. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIco6aYvxY
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The constant feeling of being watched, started to frustrate Ivy. It seemed78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscE0G4NEHM
pointless to her that if they weren’t going to kill them, then they could have78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMpmJmBDxa
at least come forward. She thought that whoever commanded them was useless. No78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqLOJILDeT
wonder the North were labelled as weak.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBK5ezphg7M
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Angus returned with his arm piled with wood. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20xaDpVLeu
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“We aren’t going to need that much,” Ivy said. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2XXQKLocU
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“Well, we might, we need to cook, and you need to rest, so I need to stand78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzXsbyeJQv
guard.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSj93r173A
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“No you don’t. You said yourself, they don’t want to hurt us.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUqpJWDo6b
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“Can’t be too careful, right?” he grimaced. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTW2amXZTP
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Angus took smaller pieces of wood and twigs. He pulled the grass from around78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKbEqEAery
Ivy and created a small, heaped pile near where Ivy sat. Ivy found small pieces78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0Sx8z3V77
of flint from around the rocks and cracked them together to create a spark. She78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfti2JcOQrM
noticed the smoldering grass and gently blew through cupped hands to force a78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlVSqYblZi
flame. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68k9Y1Y5zh
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“I’m glad you can do that, it’s starting to get chilly,” Angus said, watching78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwroBdZQcGD
intently. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvLiSOrcAk
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“Well, it’s the one thing I know how to do.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAqVxVRhJL
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“Good, because I can’t.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfW4AZp16A
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Angus’ response shocked Ivy into laughter. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0jiyaD2RX
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“What about the fireplace in your home?”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2ST6umEyO
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“Fi does it, and she would be super mad that I put it out.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7FeB9d681
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The thought made Ivy giggle. A weapon-smith that cannot make fire, certainly78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6scZFTeXVY
eased the mood. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjv6aSWY9e
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As they enjoyed more laughter together, the unknown wolves were getting closer,78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48mP6NMl4J
and made the circle tighter. Ivy shot a look at Angus and responded with a nod78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtvB3kRxIh
to confirm her thoughts.
