Ivy
The waves crashed around me as I looked to the moon and howled. The howl of sorrow and loss. A howl that speaks of true heartbreak. There is no one here with me to fight to the bitter end and everything we worked so hard for is gone. Not another soul of our kind, for they have fled, and I have stayed to fight.
The hoard of humans moves towards my location, with pitchforks and fire. Not one single wolf believed who I was and so now we are here, fighting to make sure that my family is safe. My mate, bless him, is safe with the children and that knowledge brings solace in this moment. The tension builds inside of me as I hear the footsteps of the crowd closing in. My family should be in the hills by now and I have wasted enough time. The time has come. One last howl.
I can see the glow through the trees of the fires that burn brightly on the end of their torches. I start to run, feeling the tree branches snap against my sides until I reach the human clan. Using all my strength, I leap forward, taking one down with scratch wounds that will never heal. There is screaming and a few of them run in the opposite direction.
I cry out in pain, and feel fire connect with my fur, singing the skin underneath. I quickly heal and leap and bound, scratching, and biting whoever came close; I must save my community.
What felt like hours, I look around the ground? I have killed many and need rest. Looking over the dead bodies makes me feel sick, and I am covered in human blood. I have never killed a thing in my life because of our beliefs.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrNzQddxmi
“Argh!” I cry out.
Realising that taking a moment was a mistake as a pitchfork came down on my behind. I retaliate and throw myself around, snapping the pitchfork as I go. Another strike from the opposite side.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jiou68R9e
“Argh!” I cry out again.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUwb4ul4Oy
This one hits the side of my snout and I feel my jaw break. The remaining humans are setting a trap, and I knew that it wouldn’t take long for these savages to end me. I am losing a lot of blood and I can see the sand underneath me stain red.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrQ31qXB6d
“GET IT!” they yell.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tDvM3Jjx6
I receive two more blows to my back and wince in pain. The humans’ faces are masked by the shadows of their lights. I bare my teeth and lash out and who ever comes close, but still trying to draw them closer. I need to find the perfect opportunity to use my gift, the moment to make the ultimate sacrifice for my people. I just hope that my village and my family can be safe, for now.
Deepening my claws into the sand, there is not much more time, My body is struggling to heal itself. I focus my mind on the burning village, the forest and potential harm to my family, humans trying to eradicate us for sport as they hang our heads on the outskirts of the village. The anger and fear is rising from the pit of my belly.
“Come on kitty, you’re going home as a rug,” they cheer.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7FqC4ZZF6
I can feel the heat in my heart.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJph86lsAr
“ITS EYES!” they shout.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpB1gSkBu5m
I know its coming, my visions turn red caused by the anger. I unleash it from the whole of my being and my soul.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZpCXOpU00
“Aaaaaargh!” I scream, roar and howl at the same time.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcLJ68Yzfy
It caused a shockwave for miles and a command so strong that each human in it’s wake falls to the ground.
Panting and exhausted from the fight, my healing ability is extinguished. How could I not have completed the job? Something I was supposed to do and ended like this? I take solace is knowing that I used my powers, given by the moon to save my pack, my family and I just hope they got away.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvf3z9hY6uy
“She is waking Alpha,” Ivy faintly heard and older woman say.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQ28wYOaIp
“Ivy?” “Ivy?” Rowan repeated.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNVRTdXdbw
Ivy wanted nothing more than to open her eyes at the sound of his voice and tell him that she’s okay. To tell him that she just had a nightmare and it’s all a big misunderstanding, but she couldn’t. Ivy felt her eyes flicker under their lids, refusing to open, which left her in the dark.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEM9Hvx3NQO
“Alpha, give the brew some more time,” Ivy heard again.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS71R2MeE2J
“It’s been two days Geraldine!” 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJN7U2qF9u
Rowans’ voice was rough and agitated.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNMMpUn86s
“Our Luna will be fine, go attend to your needs and if she stirs again, we will let you know.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoc6fdr8J7p
Who the hell is Geraldine? Ivy thought. She heard Rowan leave the room and she desperately wanted to cry out that she was here, and she was okay. Her mind wanted to yell but her lips didn't move. The sound from the door closing told Ivy that her pleas were left unheard. There was a warm breath near her ear when the Alpha left and the woman whispered.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBCWApSMnd
“Come on Luna, your Alpha needs you, we need you Saviour.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PWLnOhweG
Ivy’s mind was completely rattled at the woman’s words. Saviour? 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNcL3WqczN
“Catori?” she cried out internally. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51O14YYsTM
No answer.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4bfkD58xU
Luna yes, Saviour no.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmnhmGpuFb
Ivy felt her heartbeat quicken as the panic set in. She was confused and puzzled at what had happened. What are you doing body? What is happening to me?90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsQPtAdWxE
“Geraldine her pulse is through the roof, what should we do?” Ivy heard another voice say.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DgNko1biZ
Cold hands pressed against her wrist to check her heart rate.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoobUTsfHD
“Administer more,” Geraldine confirmed.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaHjvx2612
Ivy didn’t feel any pain or anything going into her but soon after Geraldine’s words, she felt a soft, velvet feeling wash over her mind and body. Her body relaxed and the panic subsided. She felt warm and safe, but her head felt large and foggy.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5YbvzDWnc
Ivy allowed sleep to take over her, yet again.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jeDrlPlHM
The forest behind me is on fire. This war has done so much damage to my people, my village, and my family. The enemy knows who I am, and they know my secret. I force a shift with my wolf and dart off into the clearing in hopes to cross the river in the North. My mind is pounding but I hope that the fire stops at the riverbank and doesn’t cross.
I hear the soldiers behind me, some losing their lives in the disaster that they’ve created, others are yelling and shouting as they bound after me.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKst35gzAb
“THROUGH THE CLEARING!” I hear them shout.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfez4se2vOE
Cursing my white, snow-like coat for making me so visible, I quickly drop and roll to the ground. I have no idea where my companion is and can only wish that he’s still alive. He’s guided me for ten years and helped when things got rough, helped me understand what I must achieve.
The yelling from the soldiers were at a distance now. I stop for a moment to scry for any other wolves that mean to do me harm and may be lurking ahead. This war has got out of hand; father went to far and now they want my head. This is all his fault; I start to think. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyk0ha89q2
Taking a moment to look back as the destruction behind me, I can see the red glow in the sky and pray that rain comes to help grow what has been lost. The rest of them will struggle to rebuild if it does not.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoqRbluBeP
“Hello pretty,” said a voice in front of me.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSjZceNMkS
“Alpha Almere,” I reply with confusion.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdg9QSMeGCE
“Ah, judging by your face, you couldn’t feel me with your magic, could you?” he sniggered. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJZ7Y03zoi
“Well pretty, I’ve found your weakness. It seems that mugwort masks my appearance through your scrying magic.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHl8TlnBZV
I growl at him, teeth bared.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXO5Alt4HM
“Oh, now pretty don’t be like that. I also bought wolfsbane because you see, I did some study of my own and have access to your father’s scrolls. Legend has it, that these two ingredients combined can kill you.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFEuHxVhDW
The glee on the man’s face made me want to kill him, but it was against everything I stood for.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfun5t5AZ7R
“I will take your father’s place on the throne, mark my words. What is the point of having an army, someone like you, and not use it?”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08VAf00gTA
The anger welled up inside of me, out of control. I knew what this monster was capable of. Lycan’s and Wolves ruled together, and this disgusting man of the South will never sit on the throne and wreak havoc on this land. Ever. Again.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OctqCwRpN
He crept closer to me as he was speaking, telling me everything that he has planned when he took his place in the royal court. He spoke of planting my mother and father’s head on a spike as the new flag. He spoke of joining our armies together to take over the other territories and rule under one ruler.
These plans would change our way of life, the others in the community would suffer greatly too. I hadn’t realised that as he crept forward, I was subconsciously retreating, until my rump hit the wall of a cliff face.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrOvblaBib
“Got nowhere to go now pretty, any last words?”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ69EG7txrc
The fear and the anger came from nowhere, tipping over boiling point with this man. I gnashed and growled as he came forward with his jar of mixture that he would no doubt force feed me until my death.
In my heart, this is the moment I know that my companion was talking about in his vision. The moment that I fill my duty as a Princess, the time to save my people.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWlwFg2pFX
He lunged towards and tried to grab my scruff. My ears flattened to the back of my head, and my tail between my legs.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEZRsKQtog
“Aaargggh!” I scream, roar and howl at the same time.
The shockwaves of my command reached for miles around us. I saw the trees move back as if there were gusts of wind with no storm. I watch as the brute from the South collapsed, holding his heart. The life diminishes from his eyes and fell to the floor on his knees, gasping for breath, curled in a ball, lifeless.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgELrx1Ifg
My own head starts to feel foggy, and my vision is blurry. I’m nauseous from the blurriness and sit on the ground. The wind has been knocked out of me. This is how my companion said it would end. I used my power for good and helping people from this wretched wolf. Resting against the cliff face, I succumb to my fate and gently close my eyes. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgryvs4Nm8s
It was if a lifeforce from her nightmares, surged Ivy awake. She sat up and gasped for air, but still unable to open her eyes. Rowan who rested next to Ivy, sprang into action.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqLPT5Ssvf
“GERALDINE!” he yelled.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuBsYPCAaG
Footsteps clunked up the staircase, as the woman scrambled to come to the Alpha’s call. Ivy tried to force her eyes open, but they felt so heavy. She used all her inner strength and managed to pry her heavy lids from her face, and they gently lifted. Rowan rushed to her side and kissed her forehead, like they’d been apart for days. Geraldine ran through the open doorway and looked shocked to see Ivy sitting up.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2Uh9gXgKf
“Luna!” she gasped.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnjSx5Xa5s
Rowan followed Geraldine’s gaze and stared at Ivy curiously.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfHHUcmtyR
“W-w-what’s wrong?” Ivy managed to say, although her voice was hoarse and throat dry. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gNaG3C0qd
Rowan ignored Ivy’s question and instead turned to the old woman.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImwl5IjlNx
“What does this mean?”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkrhgZFxJG
Geraldine smiled at the Alpha and turned her back to him as she fetched a mirror from the mantle of the fireplace. She returned and handed the mirror to Ivy.
Ivy gasped in horror at her reflection. Her hair looked like a bird’s nest, and it looked dry and tangled. Her body looked darkened by what seemed like dirt and Ivy knew they hadn’t bathed her. However, the colour of her eyes drew the most attention to her face. They were the colour of a deep red.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gnQ7flly6
“How long have I been here?” Ivy asked Rowan.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKftrkDfxE
His face looked sunken like he hadn’t eaten, and his eyes had bags. They were slightly grey, meaning that he hadn’t slept.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbTYALgZGQ
“Four days,” he murmured.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpiZhFzfel
The news shocked Ivy and she shot a bewildered expression at Geraldine, seeking confirmation and the woman confirmed with a slight nod. The old woman promptly left the room to give Rowan and Ivy some privacy.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZ0NM3ZZHj
“Four days…” Ivy repeated.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9PU75JIRm
Rowan searched Ivy’s face for answers, which she didn’t have.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGG5wenKGkJ
“This is all my fault. I marked you and we made love and then you passed out.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1a5samjbHB
His voice trailed off with his head rested on her shoulder.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuvtCGXNmR
“I am so sorry Ivy,” he whimpered.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmfFdnEInX
Ivy lifted his head from her shoulder so that she could see his face. She ran her thumb over his lips and bent down to kiss him gently and sighed.
“I don’t have any answers for you Rowan, I don’t know what happened. While I was asleep, I had the strangest dreams, but they felt like they’ve happened before, like a vision,” she confessed.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWgYptM1Ls
“What were they about?”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaMxxgrIzI
Ivy shrugged because she wasn’t entirely sure what she saw. Her stomach growled in hunger, just as Geraldine returned with a meal. Ivy greedily took it off her and scoffed down the meats and vegetables. Rowan laughed at the sight of her; unkempt and savage looking.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyg9lOLudBd
“Well good thing you haven’t lost your appetite. I sure am hungry too, so I’ll come and check on you later and maybe we can go for a walk. For now, I need to get to training.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhqXhSefm5
He kissed her forehead as he stood and gave thanks to Geraldine before walking out the door.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NoQzKwoSw
“Where am I?” Ivy asked.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMX17L25QB
Geraldine pottered around the room and Ivy watched her intently before the woman answered.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxV3oCi8n9a
“You are in the Guardian’s Temple my dear,” she replied.
Ivy looked around the room and noticed that the room was much brighter than hers. It’s filled with pinks and purples. Benches lined the walls with herbs and plants and thick books sat on the shelves above them. The arch shaped window next to the bed, brought in the brightest light, and was lined with vines on the outside.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZaoYydhQp
“There is a Guardian’s Temple here? I thought that was lost centuries ago?”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoJ6nRuf6n
“When our community was first established in this territory, it was a tradition to have a Guardian Temple, and I guess that the Alpha’s of our pack thought it was a requirement to keep it. It’s such a beautiful and tranquil place,” Geraldine said.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TZaXgAT6j
She moved toward the bed and sat down at Ivy’s feet to continue her story.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDrAmOJZRk
“I am a part of a family of herbalists and healers. My great, great Grandfather used to serve the King and Queen of the Lycan’s before we were all separated by a great fire. Legend has it, that we had to flee the West because of greed and a crazed wolf wanted power so badly that he was willing to kill for it.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3G1fVTm9U
Geraldine got up and walked to the window while she spoke. The pain of the event was written all over her face as she remembered the stories she’d been told.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGmFN0cFPU
“We managed to come here and find solace. There is a beautiful willow tree out the front that is hundreds of years old. It shelters us from view of the pack house. Might be why you haven’t seen the Temple. Now, my abilities are still passed through generations and generations and my daughter will soon take over attending to this pack. We cover sick ailments to herbal remedies and wounds. The work never ends but it gives us an opportunity to give back to the pack.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwtepqhRgd
Ivy sat eagerly waiting for Geraldine to continue her story. She enjoyed listening to some of the pack’s history and where they came from. Ivy had never been interested in history and she performed poorly in the subject at school. There were still small things that she knew such as the Lycan’s and Wolves were totally separated now, almost enemies. It happened many years ago through war.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6Sonwgo3Y
“How many do you heal?” Ivy asked.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyYhskXei8
“Not as many now because we haven’t had a war in so long, but Elder Calvin ensured that our traditions would never die. Now I run workshops and share my knowledge with the young pack members that aren’t built for fighting,” Geraldine smiled.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmw66qNolx
“As Luna now,” she continued, nodding at Ivy’s neck, “It is your duty to understand the history and your history as a wolf. There are also so many other things that you should probably read about.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XzMivvaaM
Geraldine stopped for a moment and stared at Ivy’s red eyes.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCherIx3Pc3
“First you must bathe,” the woman confirmed.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvZAqu78CN
Ivy never thought that being clean felt so good. She walked back into the room that she’s been staying in for the last four days and noticed that Geraldine left a brush on the bed. Ivy also saw a thick, dusty, heavy-looking book on the bedside table. After getting dressed, she walked over to the book, a History of the Lycan Relationship. Ivy rolled her eyes and smiled. Geraldine clearly wanted Ivy to make a head start on learning the origins of her pack. Ivy got comfortable on the bed with the book in her lap. She hoped that Rowan would return soon and take her back to her own room. She skipped through the boring parts, and dove straight into Chapter 10, The Great Divide.
Ivy never felt that she was great at school and the information that she read or studied about had issues cementing in her mind as knowledge. It was almost like she’d study and retain the information until a test or exam and then it vanished. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdPohifPBe
She continued to read and realised there were certain aspects that felt familiar in her brain, like she had read it somewhere before. Ivy turned the pages, one after the next for hours. She learnt that the Lycan and Wolves used to live together as one and even mated with one another. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmOteYsMaz
Lycan’s had a mating system just like the wolves and their royalty system worked much the same. Their royalty rules over one land, not territories and there are differences in titles. The thought of ruling over one land made Ivy shiver in angst over the responsibility. Wolves now rule over their own territories, but Lycan colonies still exist in the West and the East and under the same royal family. However, despite their royal titles, Lycan’s still remained within their borders and never crossed into wolf territory. The divide bought despair as families were torn apart. Some chose their own kind, and some chose their loved ones. Those that chose love were generally shunned by the other villages and encouraged their kin to breed into Wolf or Lycan; never both.
There was still a hierarchy system when both species lived harmoniously. Usually the wolves were farmers, healers, and scouts, as they are more one with the land around them. Lycans were generally royalty, soldiers, and warriors. It seemed that, that time was a world away and the only issues they dealt with were wars with humans, not each other.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4Y3vt3paP
Ivy didn’t realise how immersed she had become with reading and was startled by the gentle knock on the door. It creaked open and the scent of Rowan filled the room. Ivy eagerly put the book down and greeted him.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNPwENu3AX
“Hello my love,” Rowan said.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8erHXd9NM
“Hello.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwPauyXkH0
He reached the bed and embraced Ivy tightly, making her feel safe.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOPklOiMdv
“Mm, you smell better now though,” he teased.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakE5ecyG1r
Ivy playfully punched him in the arm, and he fell onto the bed like a child.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fbghd4Fl2
“Oof! Death by Luna,” he cried.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gPAuHkpWR
“You seem happier,” Ivy said.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpH3HjUi78
“Well of course. My Luna looks her normal self for now, except your eyes. You are breathing, you are awake, and I can kiss you and talk to you. I’ve also eaten.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsM8NzJO3k
“I’m happy to see you Rowan. I’ve been doing my Luna duty and reading all about our history,” Ivy stated confidently.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiG3hCz65Vg
Rowan leant over to inspect the book that Geraldine gave Ivy and smiled as he flicked through the pages.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUO3r1XV7Y
“So, you have, very impressive.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhJ5LduFEl
“How’s Alex and everyone else?”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9kPPHPWLI
“Never mind about them Ivy, you need to rest and focus on yourself,” Rowan said.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3StjgZJYL3
“Did you still have the Luna festival without me? I’m sorry for ruining that for you.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelHUrbjfIz
Rowan grabbed Ivy’s face between his hands.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8Jz7hH5B8
“Don’t you ever be sorry. Your health is number one and the pack understand that you hear?”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPDGbJeY1T
Ivy nodded her head and struggled to move through the strength of Rowan’s hands. He released her face, satisfied with her response. He quickly got off the bed and extended his hand out to Ivy.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlc3kMReM7
“Time for a walk.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YTzJ1KsoT
Ivy accepted his offer of assistance and slid off the bed, using his strength until the feeling came back in her legs. He immediately saw her struggle and assisted her down the stairs.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMT0V73Tp1
“I’m fine, I can walk,” Ivy insisted.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMSO9gdXKt
“You haven’t walked in days,” Rowan protested.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzIufUzLRC
“Geraldine let me walk to the bathroom,” she teased.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMp6kyEhpft
Rowan growled and looked over his shoulder to see if he could get a glimpse of the old woman.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiutFXwqD5
“Relax Rowan, I am still capable and the whole idea of going for a walk, is to walk.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3asIDOjMq
Their bond connection relaxed and so did Rowan as he continued to walk through the hall to take Ivy outside. Once they were on the bottom level of the Guardians Temple, Ivy took in her surroundings. It was darker and damper than she’d expected, especially since the room was so bright. There were pots boiling over the fireplace and on the kitchen stovetop. The smell of cinnamon and other spices filled her nose and reminded Ivy of Christmas in her old home. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIVdWK9sIJ
Rowan opened the double doors that led outside and revealed the most exquisite garden. There were roses of all different colours to one side and the other boasted colourful herbs and vegetable plants. Out the front of the Temple, there were green, lush laws and in the centre of the garden stood the biggest willow tree that Ivy had ever seen.
Rowan led her to the willow tree and pulled back its old and fragile leaves. Underneath the umbrella of the tree sat a table and chairs with a coffee pot. Next to the coffee pot, there laid a book as big as the one Geraldine told Ivy to read, but not as dusty though. She skipped to the table as Rowan followed and took a seat.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSP6nM8vi9b
“Coffee?” she asked.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCgQic2g0k
“Yes please, Ma’am.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejciLi4lfH
Ivy filled both mugs and picked hers up in two hands. She smelt the coffee aroma through the steam first before taking a sip.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8jJqq8hX3
“What was it like for you? Being unconscious for that long?” Rowan asked.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQuE7bvS9n
Ivy shied away from the question, mainly because she didn’t have an answer and instead tried to change the subject.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ689zaj1RvU
“Hm? You bought a book? The Lore and Tales of True?”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QYI3nTf7c
“You’re avoiding the question,” Rowan growled.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3R90kr6Yrq
“I don’t want to talk about it now. It’s something that I’d rather forget. But you bought a book for me? What is it about?”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7Y7R6uPA8
“There are a few stories in there that you might like to read for the afternoon. It’s better than the history book you’ve been reading,” Rowan shrugged.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxlmBHLdxs
“Am I not coming back to the pack house now?”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JMF8PJmxu
“Not for a few hours yet my love. The Warriors are in there having a meeting with Alex and I want to make sure the place is quiet so you can come home and rest.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9pN9K1UCj
“I’m well rested, let me assure you. I’ve slept for four days.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOc8uqwWro
Rowan looked pained by the comment.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhbfYSDm1z
“I’m sorry, too soon. Come and collect me in the evening. Make sure it’s before dinner so I can enjoy my meal at home,” Ivy said.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsbFJ76ZZy
Rowan’s face lightened up slightly and agreed to Ivy’s terms. She flicked through the pages of the book whilst Rowan watched her intently.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUsPAtj1HV
“What?” she snorted.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSzBhlpKGd
“Nothing. I’ll get you in the evening. I’ll make sure of it.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwhpwiTMPF
His attitude towards Ivy was stiff since she didn’t answer his question. However, Ivy still hadn’t got her head around what happened, let alone the ability to explain it. Rowan said good-bye and Ivy denied his offer of help back to the Temple. She wanted to sit in the canopy and read the story book that Rowan brought her. Ivy flicked through the pages to see if any story grabbed her attention and saw that something was scribbled on a title page. The writing was not Rowan’s.
“The girl will come,” she read aloud.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHSt4atjg6
“LUNA!” Geraldine called.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SWteAWh5B
“IN THE TREE!” Ivy shouted back.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrjiu87SHj
The woman emerged through the leaves of the willow tree and offered to refill the coffee pot. Ivy nodded to say yes whilst she scanned the rest of the writing.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIj5ZmclHn
“What do you have there?”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDhM6JH9EY
“A book Rowan gave me. He said I might want to read something other than a history book before going home.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjzHxNkazN
“You’re starting in the middle?”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBicoSoJF7
“Well yes, but only because I noticed scribbles through the pages of this story. What do they mean?” 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzRoVhZr6A
Ivy raised the book so that Geraldine could see the pages.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15W6zU4Km8
“Hm, maybe read the story and see if anything comes to mind. I’ll top this up,” she said slowly, before picking up the pot and slinking away.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZltvps3YB
Her body language told Ivy that the woman was uneasy about something. She thought it couldn’t be the story, but maybe that Ivy told Rowan that Geraldine allowed her to walk to the bathroom. Either one was preposterous.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NwdLc071D
“The Royal Scry,” she read.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLJRnLL0k0
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0afYeaNFXG
The Royal Scry
Once upon a time in a kingdom that surrounds us all, the Moon Priest had a vision that the world as we know it will need a heroine. The Heroine will be able to see for miles around and warn of any danger lurking. It is sad that she will come from royal Lycan breeding and to whom she encounters will follow her into battle. This is for she is the epitome of loyal, trustworthy, honest, and brave. The Heroine is destined to be sought out by none other than someone born into the position of prophecy; a companion to help guide the heroine in all their journeys and planning. The Heroine, whom the Moon Priest chooses will be forced to make the ultimate sacrifice for her kind. Those that meet her will bow their heads and bare their necks for the blood red eyes will uncover her. She possesses magic like no other and her companion must teach her to use her intuition and magic for good and never for evil. The Heroine is said to always resemble a female, just as the Moon Priest wants, to protect those in the kingdom, using great strength and empathy but never violence. Once the Heroine fulfils her duties of the Priest and protects those that she must, she will in turn lose her life. A life for a life. The Royal Scry can defeat the evil inside successfully with the help of her companion, she may plead for her life. If she is unsuccessful in the rein of the Scry, it is believed that she’ll suffer from insanity. Insane with lust and violence, so much so that the kingdom will remove her from this world and bare their fate to the thing they fear the most…90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqvyaPH4rS
Ivy turned over the page and saw a detailed illustration of who the folklore described. Lycan royalty were always so dainty, fragile, and beautiful looking. Ivy had never seen one, as they live in the West but from what others have described and what she’d read there is no mistaking it. The small man in the backdrop looked like the Companion and bore what looked to be an orb. The people around her in the picture bowed, but what drew Ivy in the most was the wolf, howling to the moon. For an older book, the wolf was crisp white and looked like it hadn’t faded, but the wolf also had red eyes. Below, there were people drawn and a kingdom in the far distance that sat upon a mountain.
The leaves on the willow tree were pulled back and Ivy jumped in fright.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMX0bZCvQx
“You’re still here?” Rowan questioned and looked puzzled.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwegYnvnM3W
“I started reading the book you gave me, and I guess I just haven’t put it down.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQZmOoX8mS
Rowan came over and stood behind Ivy.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC82n6O5uAZ
“Which one are you reading?” he asked as he peered over her shoulder.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ629FDn8zXO
“Ah, the Royal Scry, she’s beautiful, isn’t she? It used to be my favourite story.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGxSqNFKlV
“Is it just a story?”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1C36GjNm0R
“What do you mean, my love?”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMFjczwrKw
“Just asking,” Ivy squeaked.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIA90dbaCK
“Are you ready to come home? It’s time we got a decent meal into you, whatever you would like, and get you into your own bed.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgipePAXwti
“I am more than ready,” Ivy smiled.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvjYUDK0Fc
Geraldine saw them off and they both thanked her for all her hard work. Rowan was truly grateful that she saved his Luna.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VUNV4jXfn
“Did you not bring the car?” Ivy asked Rowan.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDxHxFIdTm
“No, you said you can walk,” he teased.
Ivy scoffed at him and picked up the pace. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQEzdB8zUX
The pair walked in silence until the pack house came into sight. Ivy felt relieved that she was finally home. They hadn’t passed anyone on the way home in the community which she thought was odd but quickly forgot about it when Rowan started to talk.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVq7A8MU49o
“There’s someone I would like you to meet, tonight,” he said abruptly.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaizhSyBFi6
“Sure thing,” Ivy replied. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNu53SUxWg
She thought it might have something to do with her new title and was more than happy to play along, to make her Alpha look stronger. Although, she couldn’t work out why Rowan was being so cold towards her. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7PwDuQyN7
Ivy ran to the steps of the pack house and Audrey opened the door. She was there to greet them both, but Ivy bound past her to her room. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoJ8wIciSj
Ivy stopped abruptly at the door and noticed all her possessions were gone. Fear and anger consumed her instantly.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8qT4XSdra
“ROWAN!” she called out.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tm50GBEbT
“WHERE IS MY STUFF?”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUNQT5dii6
No answer.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8fbmhoGz7
“ROWAN!” she yelled.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWd5PXKvFE
Still no answer.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGJKZYP3Yb
“Hey, hey what is all the yelling about?” Alex questioned, as he ventured out from his room. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfW8GxHOAg
“Oh, Ivy. Are you okay? What’s going on? Are you hurt again? I’ll go find Rowan.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrT56psvcTI
“I am fine,” she snapped.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27VNwYs6sD
“Where is my stuff?”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgCDby2dkc
Alex whimpered at her sharp tongue.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRooM9Hjya9
“Sorry Luna, Rowan moved your stuff to his room.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbR1uEbdZIc
Ivy had no idea what she was so angry about and so suddenly. In her head, it was reasonable to move her belongings into her mate’s room. In wolf terms they were married now and that’s where she should be. However, Ivy’s emotions stirred wildly because he touched it without asking.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdHbqp3pde
“What’s going on?” Rowan asked as he walked up the stairs.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uQqmn9hyC
“You moved my stuff?” Ivy sternly asked.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPenuawpY21
“Ivy, I really don’t know what’s gotten into you, but I thought I’d surprise you.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSw8koUS7t
“Well, I am surprised. Surprised that you moved everything without asking!”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbDdJWME9J
“My love, it’s only one door down,” he tried to reason.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKvNXLctAH
Ivy could feel his temper rising through their bond. Instead of replying she turned to their room and slammed the door.
