Ivy
Ivy allowed Catori to have control and she stayed in74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0tBlce53Y
her wolf form for a few days. This was mainly so that Ivy could ensure they74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMNaqX6QQ9
kept warm and made it easier to hunt. They had been training non-stop and74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjE0v7eafe8
Catori shared her wisdom with Ivy. She advised Ivy that she needed to be ready74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡco3ks43nrx
for anything that came their way. Ivy was totally confused with her advice but74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KbPgUO8XN
figured she knew what she was talking about. Ivy thought it had something to do74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2GLafLlIB
with the fact they were in the middle of the forest, female, and un-mated.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTzP2TwtUm
Catori taught her to use all her senses when scouting and looking for food. She74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyAF5RcrIb
taught Ivy what poison smelt like, when she foraged for food such as berries74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPcMoIE45n
and plants. The worst part of training had been the shifting. Catori said that74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvef1TKmO1a
it was imperative that they train to shift like a flash of lightening for the74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsg5XMTxvr
best defence. That part had been agonisingly painful for both. Completing a74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWTpj44MtT
shift between Ivy and Catori all the time, made Ivy feel heavy, tired, and74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg25BwSOx3f
weak. It had the opposite effect on Catori, so she took the lead for the74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOoqUDaq6K
following days.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSd4WUsxO5n
Ivy hadn’t heard any more of Harold’s men and she hoped that James took them on74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNidzdBBZgx
a wild goose chase. It still bugged her that James helped her, mainly because74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTSIHYWRye
she had no idea why he decided to help her in the first place, especially when74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5HCBtPum0
he could have been banished, killed or worse; stripped of his Beta title.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTSib8ohQp
Still, Ivy was grateful. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONcdssh6Yd
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lxSSZ1Sy1
Catori and Ivy have become so close it was almost as if they were one. Ivy74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevld5TRKha
found it easier to feel how Catori is feeling even before she speaks and vice74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82xZdWIEt0
versa. Catori had been following the river down-stream towards the North-West74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLzBTfkC7n
side for a few days. It was getting colder and colder the further up they down.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXEFCwELUq
Ivy’s gown was ripped to shreds on the night of their first shift, so she74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡau8dx2uvYZ
didn’t even have that to cover herself. Catori and Ivy both agreed that it was74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUiHvSH9bc
best that Catori kept their wolf form. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Nw155d3pd
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqq7zKrW4O
“We are coming close to town Ivy.” 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxqBiSI9uO
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5iiUX6ru5
“Really? You said that we weren’t due to hit a territory for at least another74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbV1BdVB0Gn
couple of days,” Ivy answered.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpN7ikUBZh
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt87GPdtVej
“I smell smoke and a stench that I cannot describe. I have never smelt this74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRKAaeBgBd
before. The river heads in that direction past the forest tree line.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd19ndDNeoG
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvE8BHmLHVI
Ivy used Catori’s vision to view their surroundings. Ivy knew they were74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZehhRhovzF
approaching a clearing because the trees started to separate. The spaces74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCgEJqMHmb
between them were larger and there was more sunshine peeping through the74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJjEi3U6gD
canopy. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhm7LWV4GM
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmcJl0pmHz
“There is no fire though, Catori.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeKXQ8a2b7
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGv83jqxOB
“Mmm, perhaps there is a campfire close by, we need to be alert.”
Catori kept to the edge of the forest but still74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IsX61B2Hl
maintained closeness to the river. Her ears were constantly pricked to hear74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhe810Jd2ni
anything out of the ordinary around them. She used all of her strength to focus74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibYQag2rzO
her hearing and welcomed the slight sounds around them. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQeHp5j6P7
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOXJK0sWAG
“Children, children laughing?”
“We will wait until sunset and then we will check it74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1o4w4UeoK
out and continue. For now, lets just stay hidden in the forest,” Ivy ordered.
Catori found a patch of dirt and positioned herself74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUp5uKWn3A5
between two large rocks so that it was hard to been seen. With her soft, white74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUpW5UPvqC
coat, it was hard to camouflage against the browns and greens of the forest74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSff2UwAd9X
floor. Ivy became impatient. The wait was horrendous as she was eager to get to74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1ByYnkkFX
the next territory, to plead with someone to take her in for a few nights.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDiWuCjjgF
Catori decided that heading North was likely to be safer. The North hate the74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvyA91S2Fk
South, but they might also hate them too as they would come from that74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQKU4WiYck
direction. Ivy feared being sold back to her father the most. Even when she74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCJHPWGQrS
thought about him and what he did, and what he caused her, the anger built74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOIz56eDpb
rapidly. Catori shook her fur at the thought, feeling the same emotions.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExafN1pWAf
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TbscCQ4MH
Sunset was almost upon the white wolf, and she proceeded to make her way back74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMqJJEdJSk
to the edge of the forest. Ivy warned Catori to be careful in the clearing and74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmI5VQu8ABU
kept a constant look-out through the wolf’s eyes. Ivy looked through the last74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuHjlY99K8
few trees and she saw houses, upon houses and fences holding livestock.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjRlQLuYuS
Furthermore, there were lights everywhere and nowhere safe to cross down the74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBe6bk0Wnc6
river safely without being seen. The river ran under a bridge further into the74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsGbMQTGGC
town, and Ivy noticed people carrying vegetables, eggs and hay, right across74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL57TntAmQ5
it. Most of the people further in the town and down the lane were retreating74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFI3PiV1Qs2
into their homes for the night as dusk began to turn. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqGeRigW35
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjACLjPLj2a
“Easy meals,” stated Catori, as she licked her lips. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkLHwOM4eK
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAkR7jmn1u
Ivy was mortified and told her that this must be the human village that her74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3I8q6fv6WO
father used to go on about, especially the dangers. To humans, wolves were74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rcNcT0FwW
nothing, but folklore and Ivy had no idea if they were aware they existed. The74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxvvHsb0QX
human species would probably never find out because they are too dumb to74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjXRhcM9wj
understand and accept it. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGoGZo2s1Z
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARHz2WdqW9
“You’re up,” said Catori.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37yHENKIjo
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGljaN6YJUF
“What do you mean?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpinhyD01p
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzt26F4zE5U
“Well I can’t just walk in there and the rivers runs through the middle of74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNO22P7pYyh
town. You are the human form Ivy.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TgJ8eXHFc
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75ehxaxhtX
“I don’t have clothes,” Ivy stammered. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuVoJr4JZ0
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRJZQZ6Uaw
“Well hopefully we get seen by a woman first and she might give us some.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0ceKX3bzZ
Look for a barn for us to rest in.” 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUa7ffcyCz
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUtjWvVLCn
Ivy sighed heavily, knowing that Catori was right. Ivy commanded control74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9S0PHsAbp
back and allowed Catori to shift. Ivy would never get used to that74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1HRZsx7Gs
feeling. The quick shift made a sound or at the very least someone heard a bone74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY16kzYUGHK
crack. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTkm8KIYd9
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ppcy5cGpD
“Hello? Is there anyone there?” a man asked. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RSXclceX4
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtJ9IejRa1
He was too close for comfort and neither Catori or Ivy saw him hunched over his74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZwBhuSGl2
garden before. Catori tried using her mind to nudge Ivy forwards, but Ivy was74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2RePIv9my
too embarrassed with no clothes. She groaned, "Why did it have to be a man?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3b2lpxTHy
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROvla4K8VV
“Hello?” he called again. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyzx7YdIJt
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2F4ARtkcC
“Angus! Who are you talking to? Are you talking to yourself again?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzc9QEG8QyQ
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLnXiLHBBB
A short, stout woman came from the back of the house that the garden was74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwShplJVzuM
connected to. Her arms were crossed, and her feet tapped on the stone path, as74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dO5snZfXi
if her dinner was getting cold inside. Ivy smelt the food from different houses74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyjKkHVdam
and her mouth watered straight away.
Ivy gulped and took one step into the clearing, and74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWC8kcW1ehn
then another whilst she tried to cover herself the best she could. She heard74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjObLvl2Pi
the woman gasp and the man turned to see what the commotion was.
"My Lord,” Ivy heard.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHQstjsajt
“Go inside Angus and get me some clothes.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhMp33wA08
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMLBYOraBg
The woman quickened her pace towards Ivy, and she tried to use her body as a74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPr9euoj5Y
shield so that any onlookers couldn’t see Ivy’s naked body. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76IGa2Tn2m
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcI3AIYp8CL
“Come now dear, look at the state of you,” she said, walking closer. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8mrCHHU14
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVGWMZjntG
Ivy flinched at her warm, soothing tone and looked past her at the man74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jI817zZLj
named Angus, running out of the door with some clothing draped over his arms.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvs3CIlRk6G
The woman tried running her hands through Ivy’s hair, with no luck due to not74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOaBrZQAsu
being brushed in days. Ivy allowed the woman to do so, even though Catori74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItKWEj3nq4
growled in her mind. She was too focused on trying to cover her body with her74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3tMuENhbJ
hands. Angus approached, with his head bent back behind his shoulders, trying74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScEfcbkNLG
not to look at Ivy as he handed over the clothes and a blanket. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9e4oJ5mzA
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9B4LWbO0z
“Come on dear, put these on,” the woman said, whilst handing one piece of74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EV25PddH9
clothing to Ivy at a time. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1uQLKlNAq
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrC50axMf9Y
“They might not fit your tiny little waist, but we definitely need to get you74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91B8THkBWq
washed up and you can tell us where you came from…and in such a state. I have74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fPmHy6PmX
some hot soup on the fire now.” 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjJuAuuCw9
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqzN5HMm4Q
The woman turned away after she fussed over Ivy, expecting her to follow. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6BmZ9Jj4k
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UFjS4xgR9
“Be cautious Ivy,” Catori warned. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSCcjlCj8g
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YYlYzsLBM
The woman didn’t seem that bad to Ivy, so she followed without speaking a word.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uAyBFb1zw
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Dh1OPkxBd
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Walking into the couple’s home, Ivy was instantly warmed by the fire. The small74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITJlhWfAqy
living area was lit by the light of the fire and the woman stirred through soup74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERvfkYu1y8
before she placed it in bowls. The aroma of the vegetables hit Ivy’s nose and74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFYiJup8kD
her mouth watered. Angus, stared at Ivy with the weirdest expression and she74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eIwNGBB2L
knew that if she spoke, he’d have jumped out of his skin. The woman returned to74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsXlXr104r
the living area and handed Ivy a bowl, then immediately started asking74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnLVP3I1xi
questions. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGD5uzEI5n
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81kAUcCSux
“So, where are you from dear? The next village is about one hundred miles in74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6Ur9Z0LYM
the other direction, and by the state of you, you haven’t had a bath in a74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIXGTdYShJ
while.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGUnSbXm4C
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAYhZpPj0r
She was right, Ivy was covered head to toe in dirt and grime and her hair was a74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3r6i5N2h1D
tangled mess. Before Ivy could answer, Angus spoke. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4C4Ree0Nt1
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“Leave her alone for a moment, let her eat Fi.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnBVwcpIH6
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His eyes urged Ivy to continue eating. Fi grunted and they sat in silence. The74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKnFqztipG
sounds of slurping irritated Ivy, so she decided to make conversation.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaf4ki1EN2
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSQyrPHCQY
“I have been in the forest for a few days now, I have lost count. I am being74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSNWfp23XX
hunted.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1ipHYryPi
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2u4tDJ6Bk
Fi snorted into her soup, “What ever do you mean, hunted?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJz7uj157X4
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpArXOxbUr1
“I was made to marry a man that I did not want to, and decided to leave, he has74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntRB7bEcc2
sent soldiers after me,” Ivy replied. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGIcVYpdbL
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiWn8W5Dq0
The couple looked dumfounded and confused, but also looked wary of her, as they74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfXDfB2VX5
let a fugitive into their home. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJIkQRR1JD
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTI0I6wMzW
“Okay, well at least we know where you came from, you can rest here a few days74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KSMPb85vB
and be on your way. I will go and get a bath ready for you,” Fi announced.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuV5uYwrARv
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwO69C0XIW
She took the bowls off the table, placed them on the bench next to a wash tub74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmWrUu4AgB
and disappeared into another room. Ivy’s gaze shifted to Angus, who stared at her. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaoyCEh30v
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBi8lym7qFx
“Have you been trained?” he asked. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAr1lpymMPg
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3hy79mqTu
“Trained enough to hold my own,” Ivy retorted. The question confused her. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kcyFiPctw
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxKzHmcxVx
“No, you’re not. Your arms are skinny and weak. There is no muscle to them.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRLmUFvU2O
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7ex7mpi0F
“I started training with a solder before I ran, I know the basics.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7EZSo8NTL
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlkQK0znFP
“We train in the morning, first thing,” he commanded. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQeGHVvnzh
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sbMxVuLyr
Ivy’s mouth opened to respond. She was furious and was not about to be bossed74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GxkmTgUza
around by any male. She felt the heat throughout her body and her cheeks turned74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2FmGS7dg5
a shade of red. Angus cut her off almost immediately in a lowered tone. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFn6LeFSAU
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelPdshCtU2
“I am not stupid girl; I know what you are and where you have come from. There74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8kmHoH44d
are no soldiers for miles, and I know what borders the village. Fi may be74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdjMvsugB3
oblivious as are all the rest in this town, but I know.” 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡck9N3zptHf
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9CVyDMohc
Angus finished his speech and left Ivy stupefied. Fi came back from the74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZunFVUp6Tk
bathroom with a towel over her shoulder. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmL2x3LqaOY
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0HB18Tsd0
“All done, take your time in there, you will need as much time as you can get,”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtRifNGWn7
she announced, looking at Ivy up and down. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡph6CZYbxM7
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5xCrceqHG
Ivy thanked Fi and accepted the towel that was held out to her. She rose from74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLMhaHnwjP
the chair, feeling shaky about what Angus said to her and headed towards the74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtKR922Qin
door Fi came out of. Ivy looked over her shoulder before entering, to see where74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6k5XkXHZdU
the couple had gone. Fi had disappeared into another room and Angus was still74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDAFkI7Cl1
seated at the table, watching her. This time he had a smile spread across his74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDLDKOZffM
face. Angus checked over his shoulder to make sure that Fi was not around and74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCF7X3MAqJ
decided to put Ivy out of her misery. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTJXrgkAKc
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDbVR0ODn9
“I can smell you; I can smell another wolf for miles. See you in the morning,”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwueznD34w
he chuckled, and proceeded to hold his nose as he left the room, teasing Ivy74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0A1xwtikj
about her stench. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOZSuV4SPq
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMULkbwz41T
Ivy had to pick her mouth up off the floor as she watched his hunched over74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvqllqYnBj
silhouette walk into what must be their bedroom. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSipneCK2d
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡld8dgmw9yu
Ensuring that Ivy locked the door behind her, she took off the over-sized74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXZPu2Y9CU
clothes that Fi generously gave. There was no aroma to this bath to help relax74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LhjpB07no
her, but Ivy didn’t think much of it. She dipped her toe into the steaming74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFYbowW5Yf
water, just to make sure that she wouldn’t be boiled to death. She let out a74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6PskUOFZE
sigh of relief that the water was the perfect temperature, and she sank her74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7e8ROE87l
entire body into the warmth, and allowed the water to consume her. Fi had74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHC7nkyaQx
left a scrubbing brush on the ledge of the bath, which made Ivy giggle, that Fi74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76qd4i4lqX
thought she needed it. The steam from the bath alone was enough to allow74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3CM9XVaj5
whatever was stuck to her skin, slide off. Ivy used it anyway for the bits that74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MywgwKlAO
wouldn’t budge. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTuhizeSxj
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgebTW1JFY
Catori purred softly in Ivy’s mind, which put her at ease. Knowing that her74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGDJ7x6Ya8
wolf felt safe, made her feel safe. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Vrz6q79c0
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfRHQoeL1e
Ivy spent what felt like hours in the bath. The skin on her toes and fingers74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNIZXcQnd7
were wrinkled. She reluctantly got out of and noticed that Fi also74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDjjbGyPNA
left a brush and some new clothes. The clean ones were a better fit. Ivy74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZvLLbwsUM
wrapped her hair in a towel and retreated to the lounge to sit by the fire. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIkw3duiSW
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcuj9amEF2
Fi sat on one end of the couch with a stack of blankets and a pillow that74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAzFggq5De
rested beside her. When she noticed Ivy, she stood and apologised that they74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJ1tw36vM5
didn’t have another bed in the house, but the couch was the best they had. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JNiAV8DEY
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjAgyqhKMu
“Thank-you for your hospitality,” said Ivy as she sat on the floor in front of74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4a16qmkoX0
the fire.
Fi sat back down again and gestured Ivy to hand over74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuftBw1QSN
the brush. Then she clapped her hands on her legs, ushering Ivy to shuffle back74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHacj1zuNqN
into her. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpkRpzs5uc
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjtjDkUXPm
Ivy obliged because the woman reminded her so much of her mother and she74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJydI5VLh9
wondered why Fi had no children. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoi1rKXXpo8
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwj9mlKANv
Fi began to brush Ivy’s hair, starting at the bottom and working her way up to74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrm69sCNio4
Ivy’s scalp. Even though Ivy washed her hair, Fi still managed to pull out74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9FsWyQCcA
small twigs that were tangled in there. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqHWne3Pvo
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKppXxtK0C
“I’m sorry you have been through, what you’ve been through,” Fi said. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VsHsNORpU
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fO7ARHAy7
“I am a strong woman, and I want to choose my own love to spend the rest of my74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFQaG9HDzc
life with, not an old man,” replied Ivy, still staring at the fire in front of74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvIXbVQyTc
her.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3HTvhVHVh
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nx3R9jOSe
“They all grow old and grumpy love, and sometimes we do too,” Fi laughed. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXDDyDJLvr
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGbaUZQivc
“Where did you meet Angus?” 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bpHlHhIZ6
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZfnuWkkJY
“I used to go to the forest to collect berries and other plants that my family74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUICeZYb2F
used for herbal teas. I saw Angus in the river bathing one afternoon,” she74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVnCFPO5E9
sighed remembering the moment. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1O6S9MUnp
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0cE8QBVlM
“He was toned, and muscular and I had never seen a man naked before. I just74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFS90CHtrGZ
knew that I was going to marry that man. He looked at me, like he could sense I74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZndmk1a5y
was staring and walked over to ask me who I was and where I come from,” she74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73fxnxsOeb
continued, “the rest is history and here we are today.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaUWC8qcTc
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSfjtA0GOD
“I hope I find someone like that.” Ivy confessed.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6EnIBdBxS
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgLebeZJ0c
“Some one that can sweep me off my feet and I just know.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgsY55HNoM
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ebpQJU6tZ
“Now, a pretty girl like you? Can’t find a man?” Fi asked, leaning over Ivy’s74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEf6ZgJ40cx
shoulders to look at her face.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVf88YIymu
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEngGceuYzc
“That’s absurd,” she added. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLYx0qNBGh
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91mDFiMK5K
Fi put the brush down by her side and clapped her legs a second time,74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8MivBTiW8
signaling that she was finished, and she hauled herself out of the couch. Ivy74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkvQwo81yM
quickly moved out of her way and thanked her. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0c7MKyBUiB
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQDXKWutuP
“Please rest now, don’t stay awake too late. Angus said he has chores for you74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVzpXRJJr7
in the morning.” 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuavSXH2zJ
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalQtCQCKdZ
Ivy decided that the woman was right and spread the blankets over the couch to74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6vv5XkNpE
lay down. The pillow was soft, the blankets were made from wool which felt like74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8R9XbRWMY7
a cloud that hugged her. Ivy’s eyes became heavy and realised how exhausted74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5EWMPQChY
she’d become, she closed her eyes and willed for sleep to take over.
Morning came quickly, the sun shone through the74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlrAtjEmpG
curtains that were slightly opened. The light shone straight into Ivy’s face. She74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAR2QrK2zq
slept deeply and had to wipe off the drool that ran down her chin as she woke.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJusiMPD1Bi
She stirred for a moment, and wished to go back to sleep, when Angus spoke.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBS1cWpCld
“Good morning, sunshine,” he said, and held out a cup. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSTC7LJitx
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVUt1ZpnLl
The scent of coffee hit Ivy’s nose and she instantly grabbed the mug from him74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlg6bUPv1s
and gulped loudly. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9TpupCndA
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8j8TMuz2eN
“Steady on soldier,” he laughed. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTo3CQBIrTg
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxztdsSB2J3
“Sorry, I haven’t had a coffee in who knows how long,” Ivy apologised. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OPwJ5JVH9
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfd0mzIy1J
Angus sat on the opposite couch, “Don’t say sorry to me, it’s the gift from the74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsfdUbKuU0
Moon Goddess.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6PfIFGAYd
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2eUo3lDgp
“How long have you lived here?” Ivy asked, looking around to see if Fi was in ear shot.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbZyd9Z8ss
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSUfQiJq44
“It’ okay, Fi goes to the markets early on Thursday mornings. She ordered me74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDrB1J3L90
not to wake you yet. I’ve lived here ten years,” Angus said proudly.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCZVszP9Xz
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpyiqbDzPz
“How do you… you know do it?” Ivy asked with caution.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15sREMRbc0
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOTdrEtDMx
“Humans are a stupid species, but I’m here because my mate is human. Weird I74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ClhdGvhR3
know,” he stated with raised hands. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtau6vsGhX
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEsnuRIyno
“Fi?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVuFFtGtDP
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpc5hYsvsEZ
“Yep, she seen me in the river, and I could feel I was being watched. I saw her74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZFGTubegI
trying to pathetically hide in the bushes. Then I knew, she was the one. It74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPZbd27yva
washed over me and it’s a feeling that I cannot describe,” Angus explained. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsxcibiqmB
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdryyHanBz
“The village works much the same as a pack, they are a community. If I feel74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeJOYHIcjs
like I need to shift, then I go to the forest to chop wood for a while and no74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3IvQPgYSN
one bats an eyelid,” he continued. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdZw8sBqa1
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTImo4awv6
“What pack are you affiliated with?” Ivy pressed. She suddenly felt a feeling74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XvBWrwb33
of dread in her gut. The closet territory to the human village was Harold’s.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MTBCNYw7T
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 having74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwl9xvNGyN
their conversation. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1rsX8VgGG
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPg5Th6olj
“No one’s anymore. I was banished by the East and decided to come this way, closer74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZyTaBZhnU
to the South, and well the rest is history; I never made it to the South,” he74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoz0PMNrsJ
smiled. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oY48EBM4K
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuG3kCN1LcZ
“What about you? What is your story?” pressed Angus. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAAo59eR7K
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlARW0PqRj
“I am on the way to the North and although I wasn’t banished from the South, I74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmdbx3y6Di
certainly escaped. Now I’m just looking for my mate and wanting to move on from74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzA4UcpSUv9
what I left behind.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cffB8l1w5
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSmcIYp5Oh
Angus nodded whilst listening to Ivy’s vague story. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡss78UhVolY
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YAkzro5pp
“Right, well we have some training to do. I would be killed if it was found out74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0lwGO2DAG
that I left a royal leave my home, knowing that they were unfit to do so.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qPSaoiASK
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXj70ihRGYq
“I am no royal Angus, just an Alpha’s daughter,” corrected Ivy.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZMURzYqFE
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUC9i29TEXI
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 that74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEgo2V6xtW
and skin your colour, any wolf would spot you a mile away.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZeQLqZZIx
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlAosYFWro
The statement left Ivy confused, but quickly came to the conclusions that Angus74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHJqh0aqtk
had no clue what he was talking about. She quickly folded the blankets and74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqbVCuNDAh
placed them on the end of the couch as Angus held the front door open for her74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLp5k3f4pe
to go outside. He led Ivy through a large pasture, toward the forest edge,74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4r37tvbux
close to where Angus and Fi found her. Ivy could see the outline of a barn,74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9IfP1X6rt
amongst the first few trees at the back of the property. When they reached it,74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoU9xVBa5Xu
Angus unlocked and opened the doors which revealed all types of weapons that74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQTxz4Joit
hung on the walls. Ivy’s eyes grew wide as she marveled at his collection.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmjZAXIvHW
Angus noticed her peaked interest, which quickly faded to fear.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhk5wg6ki9E
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5prVN1dydp
“We are not training with any of these m’lady. We are training just as people,74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WUyXb2LtK
in human form. Sparring if you like.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fnBBM8YzG
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzoJprDKdo
“Why the barn?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPza4dJW927
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4hXIAIa5H
“Because I know how hard its going to be to stay in human form during battle,74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlK6ZKp4uDV
and not let your inner wolf take over. Also, the growling is not going to help.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNdzcIq1y6
If we did this out in the open, then we would both be running.” 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcRRzfoQCj
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3tEdQcVUY
Angus had a point, and a smile grew across Ivy’s face. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDbQZSKk5L
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUvYHxuqmS
“Okay, show me what you got,” he challenged.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ253bxo1FQm
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhps1GP2Jg
Ivy initiated the spar by posing her body in a defensive stance and waited for74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXBdjPeNMx
Angus to deliver the first blow. He made the first connection to her arms as74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRZpzuVME7
Ivy continued to defend herself. She retaliated and delivered a quick kick to74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHysxpNR0e
his shin and Angus doubled back, cursing. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGD8Nu2VIa
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bZhtITTV2
Hours went by with Angus showing Ivy what to do, and what not to do. They added74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xdOvkLxdU
weapons such as sticks. Angus taught her new blocking poses and how to keep her74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCbMYtLBlT
feet firmly planted on the ground by shifting her weight with each blow. Angus74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq97i8PCWim
taught her what cues to look for in battle to pre-empt an attack and when to74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwiqSqssgy
strike. Ivy felt exhilarated and wished that she had been destined to become a74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6hKm7qfna
Warrior instead of an Alpha’s daughter. Ivy knew that if she had to fight for74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgM3atmiSNM
her life, it would be a lot harder to control Catori and harder to notice the74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWMlCPEMM6
cues that Angus taught her. Angus seemed to have confidence in Ivy’s basics and74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKVDkEF6nm
continued to add more advanced skills into the session. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvScobnrbY
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36pGk7B7Za
By the end of the day, Ivy was able to pin Angus to the ground and keep him74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bZbCSGuvo
there. She felt strong and like she could hold her own, but nothing like a74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqQE3Vnm78
Warrior in a pack. Warriors was required to train all day, every day. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtKKgFKZhc
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRYfRKrThJ
“Wow, I’m really impressed with your progress,” Angus said, panting. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkFbWn1aWP
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfPKMuhO6A
“Thank-you,” Ivy replied, flopping to the ground with her arms outstretched. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5tuGWFHmz
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qBrCstUjv
“I’m done. Toast.” 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡignxAIN8T2
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDrsrMiBro
Angus took some time to gain his breath back and looked outside through the74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEcJk8rIgG
barn doors. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aDvD4zF17
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡht3UE4AcGP
“I’ve worked you all day, you must be sore, time to go back. Fi will have74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCevwnDxVTN
dinner prepared.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxm1FaoeinK
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2kNcQRtYC
Angus was eager to get back at the thought of food and bounced on the heels of74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSq0eCUcYD
his feet, as he waited for Ivy to accept his outstretched hand. Ivy groaned and74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qIGKvUC1g
accepted his offer to help her up, using his strength to pull her tired body74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sm893MaYZ
off the ground. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBK8eDqmo7
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI72Gscel3S
“I want to use proper weapons tomorrow,” she stated. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONqvXYmk72
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKut5TiLk6
“Whoa, tomorrow? I thought you’d want to get going?” he asked whilst he locked74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiAqcYxGvZ
the doors behind them. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH434lh9aAG
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ625T9ndEAw
“Oh, yeah right, I suppose I should.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhNe2jhQM0
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYIsqQvJFj
They made their way back to the house and Angus didn’t say anything else. They74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQSy0MpXJX
covered so much today and were too tired for conversation. Ivy hoped Fi would74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSY3sZzbdZd
see her sweaty, dusty clothes and offer Ivy another bath. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8NEiBsMzq
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpDOgrHtmz
It wasn’t long before Ivy and Angus reached the house. Ivy entered through the74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIohIaHxLgb
door panting, from trying to keep up with Angus’ long strides. Ivy looked74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciw3jZXYev
around the room and the table were set for dinner. The smells that came from74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyvxBKAeAm
the kitchen made her salivate. Fi had really gone out of her way and Ivy could74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIyOCUvulL
hear her humming in the bathroom to herself, as she clunked around. Angus74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡur4BhSvPjZ
closed the door behind him, louder than usual so that Fi could hear that he was74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkDjhbpZJo
home. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJtVdrl7Fj
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPkNqqtw7p
“Oh, hi honey, I’m just in the bathroom washing up for dinner. I won’t be too74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPDkMc7J5i
long, get changed,” she said. Angus excused himself to their bedroom and Ivy74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nBTtfdor3
took a place at the table. Moments later, Fi emerged from the bathroom and saw74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7w1q02pD3
her. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoyVJYlfuw
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxWuYqBm9K
“Oh my, he worked you hard today, you look exhausted. Go and wash up and I will74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfg9EOUGTTW
get dinner plated,” she said, looking at Ivy’s grubby hands and face. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnkE0lObxs
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVpYKIg2E4
Ivy was relieved that she was excused to go and wash up. The fresh water felt74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7Bvlq9joj
great on her face, and she scooped some in her hands to drink. I won’t have74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPQ3ky8m9Y
time to stop for a drink, Ivy remembered Angus’ words. As true as his words74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZoUYLlFtC
were, Ivy wasn’t prepared for Angus to be so gruelling. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojBcc0NOV0
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckCP9aSDV7
Ivy finished in the bathroom and headed out, back to the table. Angus was74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfXyxJEVBI
seated at the head of the table and narrated their day to Fi while she prepared74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsD5fkZJ9aQ
the remainder of dinner. Angus and Fi interacted with each other and amused Ivy as74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeK4F0bo5j
she watched them communicate. They were so doting and respectful toward one74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlM3sVk5jWv
another. She sensed that if anything happened to either of them, they would be74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRc10ptVSq4
heartbroken. That’s what mate ship was and that is what Ivy wanted. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUnFnBnzdr
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2pUTeDhhf
Dinner was delightful. Fi bought a turkey and fresh vegetables at the market.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ivUQEV5sY
Angus and Ivy devoured their meals like their lives depended on it.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqeW2OBiTM
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYkh888ATg
“Jeez, you two must be hungry,” Fi said amused. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VcrMi3fgZ
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡly9QX9q4wm
Ivy nodded her head with her mouth full. Angus stretched over the back of the74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafHBGTV6V0
chair and belched. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmGou0wof5
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9al5UPatA
“Beautiful meal my love. I love Thursdays. Let me clear the table for you and74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrjvIF5gnm
you go put your feet up.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CiBqIcoBE
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMDmgJCAVN
He kissed Fi’s forehead gently whilst grabbing her plate. Angus turned to Ivy74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoncsj6z98
and told her to join Fi. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MaUpe7pnx
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlD05ful1r
“You have done enough for today,” he nodded toward the couch. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02oMwNJDOm
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08CFw54TLy
Before Ivy took a seat, she excused herself to go outside. She hadn’t seen the74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUW8UeyIRt
village since she’d been there and thought Angus was trying to hide her away,74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1KJjHkN3O
just in case. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixdjziIdYT
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtz39hHLgN
Ivy leant against the front of the house and took in the sights around her. The74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80V86BYuwO
whole village seemed to be paved out with stone. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWdlfMLybT
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0M2NhdsC9V
“I can see the appeal.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8HmqqNPUe
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsk1A2uARd
“Me too, it seems nice here.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsskj3Nsdz
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHA0Z3DnGSv
“We can’t stay here Ivy,” Catori stated, picking up on Ivy’s thoughts.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2D1LYHDHE
Ivy hated that she could do that. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrLrk6Lgsy
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfjYKwlafx
“I know, but it seems nice that I could just walk down the street and maybe74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFxTYDZ1B2
meet my mate.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuUk48urln
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyjuknE7np
“We are destined for something larger.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSELlLiljFX
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dYfIz6oRm
“I wonder what territory Angus comes from?” Ivy mind-linked, kicking herself74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkXcnfk5S5
that she didn’t probe him further that morning. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45G69bbY0B
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGFXWH91UX
“They are nice people; his wolf is so far hidden, or he is really good at74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaLGK3alei
blocking me out. All of my questions were left unanswered.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yh7NCKaX8
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemmsMF5DJt
The trees around her were so tall and untouched, they were magnificent in74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmP0tSAAUG
size. Kate entered Ivy’s thoughts, and she wished that Kate was with her, or74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7FVyk1JIP
that she was still alive. She hoped that her dad had ordered a retaliation and74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8oZAPeVUb
he would find her soon.
The sun continued to set, and everyone bustled to74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUp1lomWPDp
reach their homes so they could retreat inside to the warmth of their74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYxECbkoF5
fireplaces. When Ivy stood upright, she could see the riverbed, just below the74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvy2789P3j
bridge and wandered where it led. As the village became less busy, Ivy could74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklroeTmhOh
hear the trickle of the water flowing through -74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFHYACfjbO
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2nd7HzpIj
Snap!74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnP4opmaKId
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJaEy1fFxX
Ivy’s eyes darted straight to where the source of the noise came from. She74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsl4QZxWyTl
sniffed the air and smelt damp, grungy dander. She focused her vision down the74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kBaUkr4vz
paved path that led into the forest and could make out five shadows through the74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiz1AqoF0j
trees. Ivy strained her eyes for a few seconds longer, to see if she could74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbkIA6Qmnl
catch a glimpse of anything else. Two pairs of glowing eyes stared back at her,74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gt88MYSFk
and her heart fell out her ass. Ivy mentally kicked herself for becoming too74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80UFkbit8M
complacent and stretched her limbs to go inside. She tried to act as though she74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUf1nIa92MO
hadn’t seen them and that she belonged in the village and trudged to the door. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpIVSYrE3V
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKA6oyI49GE
Once inside, Angus and Fi were cuddled up on the couch reading poetry. Ivy made74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1UJMrNUEj
her bed opposite to them and listened as they repeated lines together. Her eyes74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstqOrdQxfO
became heavy, and she tried to keep them open. Ivy needed to tell Angus what74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5J026L0vm
she’d seen. Angus was probably used to seeing and smelling Rogues in the forest74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2I4forUH1v
and tell her not to worry. Comfort overcame Ivy and she quickly gave in to her74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLvNqhUZL0
tired mind.
Ivy stirred on the couch, and she thought she heard74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDMh1Ist6E
the couple finally retreat to their room. She lifted her eyes to confirm but74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgOpUryhiI
noticed through heavy eyes that Angus was putting out the fire. He spotted her74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeC2I6ZwfPn
waking and stilled. Ivy quickly sat upright to ask what he was doing but he74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvw4h2GvBq
silently lifted his forefinger to his mouth to quieten her. Ivy’s body started74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBk7VcbkmS
to adjust to being awake and her instincts took over, and she smelt it. The74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhxUJtlM51
disgusting wet dog smell that she smelt earlier. She silently hoped that she74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4UKXRF8IW
didn’t smell that bad when Angus and Fi saw her on her first night here. Ivy74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZXQUei82p
tried to mind-link Angus and to her surprise, made a connection. He opened74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCfzLtBWOo
himself up to her. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡem60UjFhI6
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TFwOnXEyt
“What do we do? Who are they?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrp5ig75uOr
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgu1IrQOimF
“I DON’T KNOW, BUT I HAVE A SAFE WAY OUT!”, he replied. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRd6cm5SxYg
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oV3JvZMwg
Ivy winced at his response; it was so loud that she nearly jumped out of her74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSS2UorrjMG
skin. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8EPXVi7fG
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtE33W8d64
“Sorry, I haven’t used that in a long time,” he grimaced, almost whispering. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3QAwXA5f1
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rOZKol2Yi
Angus ushered her towards the bathroom and Ivy willingly obliged, knowing that74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdvEJ266cd
she put her trust in someone she just met. Every instinct in her body, told her74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDPJukvDa2
to run like hell. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAmNVw5iaA
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7rMxYlbEV
Angus tried heaving the bath to the other side of the bathroom. After he tried74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYDHJJZWxt
multiple times, Ivy jumped in to help. They managed to move the bath which74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xv0MqO9Zz
revealed a trap door. Angus slowly opened the door, and rush of cold air came74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwfCDYcsm9
through the top. The coolness gave Ivy goosebumps. She rubbed her arms quietly,74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaw70JF8v6
to generate some warmth and linked Angus again. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvBGR7H1ey
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdMTiCstka
“Where is Fi? Is she safe?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZAtbcgHJe
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw836oggI43
“Fi is fine she's asleep after drinking her tea, nothing will wake her. I left a74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVMZjyeAIN
note to say I left early to start my errands.” 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsA168YJXJ
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCmd9k4CwR
“Angus, but there are wolves out there, what if they come in the house looking74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdihWnqVSuh
for me?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZV1DPaxA0
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡif8XSkghna
“They won’t be so stupid. Then they’d have a human army on their hands and74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLURRy9LVa
trust me they wouldn’t risk it. If Fi was a wolf, they’d smell her out and74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTB6zRVuEuI
might be a different story, now hurry up.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1Equ4ZhXd
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5NfKZU3z4
Ivy responded to Angus’ urgency and without thinking, she started to descend74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1Bx8GKfID
the ladder. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RII9Ag8wP
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCJIqhKffQ
“Follow the tunnel right to the end, it takes you to the forest on the other74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzY2ppAkGlD
side of town. I will meet you there shortly,” Angus linked to Ivy.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxt4W0LCuR
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnoJiYM0Al
He sensed her distrust and added, “I made this for when I escaped.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplhVOhJCkQ
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnKXb8RFL9
“You told me you were banished,” Ivy argued. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVlr3AFnBI
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmLmHJWE6C
“Can’t trust new people,” Angus shrugged and closed the door. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE53DlAXpde
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHqITiFiA8
Ivy had no other option than to trust him. She either got to the other side of74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKg6uuq8RZv
the tunnel with an awaiting ambush or when she got to the end, Angus would be74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGBjt4tJBR
there. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSprCxGDqj
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidI2MUyoy6
“What choice do we have? Sit in the dark?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMmjy41D9Q
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFUOx6x3Xa
Ivy wasn’t in the mood to argue with Catori, so she gave her eyes a few moments74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcR4jI75Fj0
to adjust to the darkness. She saw the opening of the tunnel which gave her a74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Dq3wH9YKy
glimmer of hope that Angus told the truth. The tunnel was tiny. Ivy squeezed74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjIeTCu1jQ
through the small opening and realised she had to crawl along on her stomach to74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcNdO2atI0
reach the other side.
Ivy finally reached the end of the narrow tunnel. The74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKp5ekp6s0Y
narrow opening, much like the entrance, opened into a basement like cut out.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ738AObKnL8
She pulled herself out, one limb at a time and fell into a heap on the dirt74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvz3F6rlDJ
floor. Ivy stared at the ladder that connected with the trapdoor above. She had74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbN26L2ftd5
a fleeting thought that if she happened to crawl in a full circle, she’d allow74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65pi9WL4fy
Catori to shift and rip Angus’ head off. Ivy climbed to the top of the ladder74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LgKPsUP81
and gently pushed on the door. She cringed when is creaked loudly and paused to74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkDLwyEEjd
listen for any movement above. Instead, the door was ripped from her hands and74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14zcDOMOMB
Ivy gasped loudly and tried to keep her balance on the ladder. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrx117TtdZX
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtTNOpL4lL
“Scared ya,” Angus laughed. His face beamed down at her. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsOLovbHCS
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuFMOYWhSn
“Took you long enough,” he complained. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8xR74BglY
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOH5PhR9ztc
“Well, you failed to mention how tight it was,” Ivy snapped back. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlwZtMpqAV
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrgHA8u7mU
“Not my problem that you didn’t shift and let your wolf scrape through. Would74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzKylOQsgX
have been a lot quicker.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbctnP9Ebf
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjQG6Kyqpf
“Well you-,” Ivy tried to quickly answer. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYiXWUdfOI
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡug9B0fZr3H
“AND you didn’t use your instincts before you opened that door. If you had74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoULzZRVhq
taken a moment to focus on your surroundings, you would have known it was safe74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopin0maB6g
to come out.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0aMGk8f4l
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWfTHYEwwQ
Ivy couldn’t argue because he was right. She climbed out from the trapdoor and74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcpJHaqPUE
brushed herself off, straightening her back to stretch. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fcQWjg8iV
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKImqlBz9e
“Well thank you for everything Angus. The training, the food and water and74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdc9o7rUvks
getting me out of here safely. I can’t put you or your mate in danger, I have74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqorkXDnpXd
to go.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExnYAt4ae0
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbhZGdqVWS
“To hell you are!”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysiUZhdKbI
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkr43l8275
“Why not?” Ivy looked puzzled. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABNrX6Zgp3
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxFhYxdM3A
“Use your damn instincts girl. We are surrounded and there is no way I’m going74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bgoCROGxA
to let a young, little princess such as yourself, go wondering off in the74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOL5UF5tkj2
forest. They will have my head.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEM84MNq9B
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa61m4oZNvO
“First of all, I am not some member of the royal family. Secondly, I’m74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkjvkv9wzx
following the river to wherever that may lead me and thirdly, I can take care74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QPDxmiLW8
of myself,” Ivy argued. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAjJ9bp99b
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVggWpyjDm
“I’m coming whether or not you like it. Those wolves are in the forest74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡms78weg0Z5
surrounding this village and if we don’t move now, we will be dog food.” 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9JuzDoLs5
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDSBWQURqq
Ivy rolled her eyes at Angus and gave in a steely look. He didn’t budge and Ivy74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZlpPmNtzw
knew that she had to keep moving. Angus had told her that it was at least a74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9SRHi9Kls
day’s walk, without stopping, to the next territory. Angus extended his arm out74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmxRSciR2h
to his side, pointing to the forest. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHz7ML7QsNo
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bKEQQRUg4
“Ladies first,” he jeered. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAd3RrWYZ00
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdI007zABtm
“Just because you are with me, doesn’t mean you can boss me around.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1D10jyNCds
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97YRoMApvy
With a huff, Ivy started toward the forest. Angus kept up with her easily and74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcM2JTvcRR
she wondered how big his wolf was. His human stride made Ivy jog to keep up,74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9d7teqA7SX
his wolf stride would force her to run. They walked in silence for a moment,74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8tWEEBTlW
each ensuring that their ears were pricked to notice any sudden movements from74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaiPtvvJ5U
around them. Ivy noticed that Angus kept looking down at her as if he wanted to74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xbu6q5vei
say something.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHP00V8dHv
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVBUaoM4z8
“Yes?” she asked, giving him permission to speak.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYFc5BxATA
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“Oh, I just wanted to know if your anger had subsided enough to realise, we are74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPCB62I14I
being herded in a northerly direction.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzDIB6WwLi
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0BHKLogyH
Fear ran through Ivy and her face turned whiter than normal.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFB1RUo5dPa
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“Calm down lass. It’s not a southern army, otherwise they would have changed74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDg4hYgMye
our direction, or have killed us both by now.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wrPOoAb0l
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Ivy directed her attention to left and the right of them. They were far enough74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlLJWr9y0c
away to not startle, but close enough to show them that they were there. Ivy74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIAtcJzNKd
could see their shadows moving through the trees. There were three travelling74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09PBcIRqfm
on the left, three on the right and three travelling behind. Angus encouraged74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1On5A1hz7
Ivy to keep walking and talking like normal with no sudden movements. Angus’74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWpEhh9EfZ
knowledge about battle, instincts and tactics made Ivy wonder if he was ever74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIrMwoXq7r
involved in an army or at the very least a ranking Warrior in the East. Ivy had74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaInGymQ94
never heard of any wolf clans that housed royalty, but Angus constantly74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxg9ZdARzW
compared Ivy to whatever clan he's met . Ivy continued to wonder if where he came from there74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdU4ebyAXp
were royal wolves that had similar features. The only royal communities that were74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVXl8ZMJ7T
still around on their mainland were the Lycan’s.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKi4hZgZnI
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The sun had risen and was encroaching into the middle74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEnJw3kyCU
of the day. Angus and Ivy had been on the move the whole time. Ivy’s mouth was dry,74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwx1s9zRlz
and she was desperate for a drink. Angus kept encouraging her to move on because74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTvzM8wzzV
they didn’t know what these other wolves were doing. Ivy eventually whined that74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCP5a68Knsw
she needed to rest, and her stomach grumbled loudly. Angus reluctantly let her74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWZGiif6zq
sit by the trunk of a large tree, while he scouted the area to make camp and a74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUBA2Hsl1I
fire. Ivy watched him disappear behind some trees, trying to look for small74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoKuRNLsYY
morsels of food and understood why Fi fell in love with him. Angus adored Fi,74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XxPuRJIQo
and always talked about her, but avoided his past. Regardless, Ivy learnt that74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2iaGV6z1D
Angus was a blacksmith within the village, which explained the large range of74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJOc31cBJm
weapons in the barn. He confirmed that each weapon that hung on the wall, he74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoMTUW8344
created. Angus explained that hiding his wolf form from Fi and the village was74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLk48wHNNx
initially the hardest thing he’s ever done but it all worked out through74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmRmvJ8TKF
determination. Angus feared that if Fi found out, she would reject him, and he74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJodT5sm3m
would be right back where he started; alone. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtlS8sWRk5
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“Here looks just fine,” Ivy called out, as Angus came back with two small74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlT9sCPty2A
rabbits.
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Ivy chose the spot where she was already sitting,74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV93ZANwafm
because her legs felt like they no longer had the strength to hold her weight.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2z3kjqDHl
There was a boulder that Angus could rest his back on, that sat under the74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ986JUWCTYG
umbrella of a tree and offered some protection. They were almost on the border74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9UTsWMv2D
of the next territory. Angus mentioned that they should arrive by nightfall. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnm1ea7vAXR
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“Perfect spot,” Angus agreed, “Now, can you make a fire?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAAkGkPdq9
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZHFbrkFtQ
Ivy nodded. That was one thing that she could do. Angus trotted off to gather74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoSr90BVR7
some kindling and some larger pieces of wood close by. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSedKSQwSzj
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6lxVoxzPP
The constant feeling of being watched, started to frustrate Ivy. It seemed74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUEbSdrXaN
pointless to her that if they weren’t going to kill them, then they could have74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgdOOShxf3
at least come forward. She thought that whoever commanded them was useless. No74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKC5c3XICp
wonder the North were labelled as weak.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dmRuiaUCr
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Angus returned with his arm piled with wood. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSh2LU7HaI
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“We aren’t going to need that much,” Ivy said. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLElJfPW6TM
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“Well, we might, we need to cook, and you need to rest, so I need to stand74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnv6phHvSyJ
guard.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRy67Da2Ue
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFVYPSPXPO
“No you don’t. You said yourself, they don’t want to hurt us.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCRA7mXNiA
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“Can’t be too careful, right?” he grimaced. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTpONoNVDZ
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Angus took smaller pieces of wood and twigs. He pulled the grass from around74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmepix20GU
Ivy and created a small, heaped pile near where Ivy sat. Ivy found small pieces74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVWUDGIBvy
of flint from around the rocks and cracked them together to create a spark. She74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyrsbIiTG0
noticed the smoldering grass and gently blew through cupped hands to force a74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrk43kBeq2
flame. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KCHmoXXBv
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“I’m glad you can do that, it’s starting to get chilly,” Angus said, watching74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNL2Lc42Wq7
intently. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqYqH3Th3l
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“Well, it’s the one thing I know how to do.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ANrmdSq6O
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“Good, because I can’t.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IT36Vhh6V
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Angus’ response shocked Ivy into laughter. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfJOM6NLzu
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“What about the fireplace in your home?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡte7PJp7Y47
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNqw3nN1K8
“Fi does it, and she would be super mad that I put it out.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKdeOuYCO4
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The thought made Ivy giggle. A weapon-smith that cannot make fire, certainly74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobceEaVRyz
eased the mood. 74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbVflDZ0P2
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As they enjoyed more laughter together, the unknown wolves were getting closer,74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgo9kIp9LF
and made the circle tighter. Ivy shot a look at Angus and responded with a nod74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR07JlwI2a2
to confirm her thoughts.
