Ivy
She was wrought with fear, every time she closed her eyes and attempted to get comfortable. Ivy was jerked awake by a strong pull in the direction of the window in the room. Her body told her that something wasn’t right and spent the last few hours nauseous. She begged for Rowan to give her a sign or a feeling to know her instincts were right. Ivy punched his pillow next to her and huffed as she got up. She wrapped herself in her dressing gown and sent a link to Alex in hopes to make a connection; it failed. Ivy felt nervous and impatient. All she wanted to do was cry which she couldn’t even manage. During her bath that was prepared for her, she sobbed until her eyes were sore and swollen.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdBxcFqhBZ
“Why is no one taking me seriously?” Ivy thought out loud. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJ5QQPutPR
She knew that Rowan was in danger and even felt it to her core, she thought that she’d almost felt his pain. The feeling was infuriating because it was something so uncommon and that day had been a whirlwind of emotion. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasBvg1dSRy
Ivy hadn’t had the opportunity to digest the information that Emerson spat at her, like who is was and why he’s here, or why James and Angus are with him. The part that Ivy focused on most was her missing father.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiosVZbMIwg
“Are you awake Ivy?” 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEU50DUb87
A small voice infiltrated her head and she realised it was Alex.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4cR9guVZL
“Yes, yes I’m awake!” she shouted back through the link. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQhHKEjMcr
Ivy knew he was further away from the house because the connection was weak.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35O5lDWPMq
“Is Emerson with you?” he asked.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOOJhymGlM
“No, he’s in bed. Why?”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNlhAxoEUm
“Get dressed and meet us at the Elder Hall.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Gqcq6JIOg
It didn’t take long for Ivy to throw her robe onto the bed and to change her clothes. She raced into Alex’s room and started to shake Emerson violently to wake him.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVW4zSIgix
“Get up! Wake up! Hurry up!” she urged. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2wIGRFmdw
“What in heavens,” he mumbled and then realised that it was Ivy standing over him.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIAPp0EsYS
“Are you okay? What is going on?”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQDWtEFIM7
“Alex told me to wake you and meet them at Elder Hall. Let’s go get James and Angus.”
Emerson shot out of bed and grasped his clothes off the wardrobe door where they were draped and quietly excused himself to the bathroom, blushing. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDuvALddnc
“It’s not like I haven’t seen a naked body before Emerson,” Ivy teased.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxk9a8Fc1T
“Well, you haven’t seen mine,” he called as he walked out from the bathroom fully dressed. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHy55v7iwcP
Emerson struggled to keep up with Ivy’s pace as she quickly walked down the hall and stairs to James and Angus’ quarters. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLMQYHl3I2
“You don’t need to bother,” panted Emerson.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuWstuvpF2
“Why?”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2xOHxoYzj
“They went with Alex.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYryirxTqN
Ivy felt glad that they were there already and impressed that they offered to help Alex find her mate. It made her feel like they had her best interest at heart.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeplcAzpMQ
“Okay Alex, we’re coming,” Ivy reached out. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiciWfAxPYK
It didn’t take long to reach the Elder Hall and poor Emerson struggled to keep up the whole way. Ivy was too eager to reach Alex and hopefully get some answers. Even though she hadn’t slept all night, her eyes were wide and alert to their surroundings. The Elder Hall looked creepy in the middle of the night, especially with no lights, which was odd. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3n0fGVeBDw
Ivy could make out broad, muscly shadows from the Warriors as they gathered around the front entrance when they arrived. The men talked amongst themselves quietly and shared the same grave emotion. Some looked beaten and the others had a look in their eyes that they’re ready to kill. Ivy scanned the group and couldn’t see Alex.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhaObDwotG
“Where is Alex?” she asked the group.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyjpMuj5Uo
“Luna, Alex is tracking and should be returning at any moment,” a Warrior answered, with his head lowered. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONOKGe8Cun
“What’s going on here?”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEXVwYa7Ub
“We think you should wait for Alex to explain.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUhtkX6vJD
“I think you ought to tell me now Warrior. Alex didn’t drag me out for nothing,” snapped Ivy.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡencIWQCAjh
The Warrior turned his back slowly and walked up the first few stairs to the main doors of the Hall. He didn’t need to open them completely before the scent hit Ivy’s nostrils, musk and pine.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQB75uisZ7
“Where is he?” she growled. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyP8JkxINI
“Please Luna, wait for Alex,” the Warrior pleaded.
She pushed past the burly man and into the foyer of the Hall. Rowan’s scent was all over the room but no sign of him. No sooner had Ivy walked into the room, she slipped and fell flat on her ass and her hands hit ground first. There were no lights to light up the room, other than a few lanterns the Warriors carried outside. The ground was slippery and sticky to touch.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldcxknDPIr
“Give me the goddamn lantern,” she huffed. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHMSU01EGG
Ivy heard the Warrior gulp as she heard Angus and James rush in through the door to help her up. She used their strength to pull herself to her feet when Emerson walked in with a lantern.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50WmRXcrhs
“Oh, my dear Moon Priest, have mercy,” he whispered. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlb3DmzNI3H
Ivy’s eyes followed his gaze and through the light from the lantern, she saw the foyer covered in blood. She gasped loudly, only thinking the worst.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQySi2TiZ7D
“Whose is this?” she asked whoever listened.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Bccyqqp46
“I’m sure that it isn’t -,” Angus tried to say.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJ84Ibv4Tr
“I said whose is it?”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpJn5NkwWz
“We don’t know yet Luna. Alex is tracking through the back now to see if there are any clues,” said the Warrior.
Ivy was unable to move her feet and her head swirled again which made her eyes flicker with dizziness.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKXXpHUYMW
“Ivy, perhaps come and sit outside,” suggested Emerson.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxgRhgaUkJ
He tried to gently pull her arm in the direction of the door. Ivy yanked it away and managed to get down on all fours and smelt the floor. She recognised Rowan’s scent through the blood and knew that some of it was his and her heart sank. It was mixed with scents of others too and prayed that it wasn’t Rowan’s father’s or Adrian. Ivy sat back on her heels and felt a small tear fall from her cheek.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlkS38dOYO
Where the hell was Olcan? Why couldn’t he shift? Why Rowan? Thoughts circled through her mind, none of which she found answers for. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JSNtef9Mb
“Is she in here?” Ivy heard Alex murmur to another Warrior outside the door. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8yyqeagco
He saw her kneeling in the pool of blood and placed his hands on her shoulders. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡau0IHcfXWz
“He was here Alex. This is him."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjgz90wSvg
“I know Ivy. We will find whoever did this too him.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavqhXokgHc
“He isn’t dead Alex. I would have felt our bond break and I haven’t,” she whispered, trying to hold her emotions in check. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdJEHaDXZj
“Well, that’s a start.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZxJjh2J0r
“Who the hell would want to take him?”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcon9kvvvhG
“I don’t have the answers right now. Maybe we should go get you changed and meet in the morning to figure this out.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXp5CLLNlBi
“Please don’t tell the pack anything tonight. They have been through enough and we’ll tell them when we know more,” Ivy decided.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WZDQ7sbB7
“Yes, Luna,” he confirmed.
Emerson walked in front of Ivy and urged her to stand up. She followed his gesture and slowly retreated to the house without another word. Ivy bid the men farewell as they stayed gathered at the bottom of the stairs and discussed her mental wellbeing. Once in her room, Ivy walked to the bathroom and took off her damp clothes. They slapped the ground when they fell from being soaked with blood. Rowan’s blood. She turned the shower on and decided to clean herself. The water burnt her skin and she winced in pain; her skin shifted from white to red as she scrubbed herself clean from the blood that had dried. It felt therapeutic as the water burnt the body part she’d scrubbed and scratched. With one last ditch effort, Ivy used the remainder of her energy to send a probe out to Rowan, but it failed. She was exhausted emotionally and mentally. That day she lost her mate and who she was. She had no idea how to move forward and hoped that Emerson held true to his word to guide her. The only thing that remained on Ivy’s mind was to save Rowan, the ultimate sacrifice for her village, people, and her community. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNMwjYbhW1
It’s dark, damp, and cold. I shiver as a soft breeze trails my skin. My eyes start adjusting to the darkness around me. Looking down at my hands and body, they are bloody, but I realise that I am naked. Trying to mind link to anyone around me, I get blocked time and time again. I try to move my feet forward to head towards the breeze, it must be a way out, but I am knocked back on my ass followed with the rattle of chains. Where am I? My ankles are hurting bad and when I rub the tender flesh, I can feel the thick, cold cuffs locked tight. The chains lead to a stone wall towards the back of what feels like a cave. I can hear running water in the distance and smell a fire burning. I am not in anyone’s territory. I want to be home, warm, and snuggled with my mate. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqv4NBclFAB
Ivy’s body jarred itself awake as the water hits her mouth. She jerked her body upright to avoid drowning and rubbed her eyes. It took some time for her to realise where she was, still in the shower. Ivy passed out with her vision and was crumpled on the shower tiles.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpB8QdYuwd
“What the hell was that?” she muttered. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXC7X1dLxG
A dream? A vision? Rowan? 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrfoTGdxmP
She felt an urgency to wake Emerson. If the last few weeks taught her anything it was that her and Rowan had a deep connection, much deeper than most. She wouldn’t sound entirely crazy at the thought they’d be connected through visions too. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8mwkqLYHK
Once dressed, she ran into Alex’s room, where Emerson resided temporarily. Ivy barged through the door without knocking, hoping he’d still be awake. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQNXzzQzG7
“Emerson, wake up!” she yelled. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7W87xlzcto
Ivy threw back the covers and to her surprise, Emerson was missing. She listened for sounds coming from the bathroom and there was nothing to hear. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidxNlCzbrR
“Emerson?” she called again. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQnttUmtcU
No answer.
Ivy decided to walk back to her room and as she passed the staircase, from the corner of her eye, she saw the foyer light was lit downstairs. She crept down the flight of stairs, until she heard muffled voices coming from the office. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbt9bUwjcJo
“This is dangerous, we have no idea where he could be. We can’t leave Ivy here on her own and the pack un-guarded,” said a voice.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKLpNq6zJY
“We have no choice; our Alpha is out there!” came another. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFu59xYzBAg
“Emerson, what do you reckon?”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WrT5DmUBG
“I think Ivy should be here and not have secret meetings at night. She would be great help.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDLy3K90pm
As Ivy listened closer and snuck closer to the door, she tried to keep her breathing light and deep. If Alex was in the room, he’d be able to hear her increased heartrate, the moment it began to beat faster. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZFCetUksB
“I think he’s right aye,” said Angus. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTx55oS9kd
“We will tell Ivy when we have a plan. She needs rest. Some of us will head out now, myself included.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagnEATnFuN
“You are not going anywhere without me,” Ivy growled. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92utxXzfPS
She couldn’t let the conversation continue without her presence. Ivy stood in the doorway of the office and eyed each person that was in the room. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHJj537J7m
“Ivy!” 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXamTnxXwDi
Alex looked surprised. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kjl8VacNs
“What are you all doing here?” she asked.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwnVtB39EO
“We were thinking of ways to find Rowan,” replied Alex.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSe1Aqk134
“Without me?” her voice rose. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4C7uYmXEN
“Well, no, I just wanted to have a game plan to present to you, then tell you.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCLVZ7IiIJ
“So, without me?”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVz4A0MMmS
“Ivy, it isn’t like that,” soothed Emerson and tried to calm her down. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1I2k7S4TE9
He noticed the veins in her forehead began to bulge whilst she stared down Alex. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD79MKIXDsX
“What’s it like then Emerson? You are supposed to be here to help me, not plot against me.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWeUQrZDF3
The minute that Ivy ceased eye contact with Alex to respond to Emerson, he sighed in the corner of the room.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6zivHVgSo
“You,” she turned back to Alex.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sRsb6yw8l
“You should know most of all that I will want to come too.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPseOLrTLA
“You, Ivy, should know most of all that if Rowan knew we brought you along and you weren’t safe and in danger, then he’d kill me.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhbep3WdHR
“Fine, but do not come back crying when you cannot find him, because if you fail me Alex, I will kill you myself.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hd5S4g1BY
Ivy held her posture straight and commanded Emerson to meet her in the kitchen. She slammed the door as she left and heard Emerson shuffle out behind her. Once Ivy was confident the two were alone in the kitchen, she jerked her body around.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmm7vyCKBmU
“What the hell is going on?”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9s3HmkWu1
“I’m sorry Ivy, I only went to that meeting to convince Alex to let us bring you.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKi4ALVr2kj
“US! So, you are going too?” she shouted.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlTW2spxyJ
Emerson begged her to keep her voice down.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRezwgaeWfr
“I told James and Angus that we have to stay here with you, to help you. We won’t be going anywhere.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrENuQtbUwc
His words seemed to calm down the Luna and he watched her breath slower.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuL8ZYMbWvw
“Emerson, I came to find you. I need to talk about some things.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCMajg15jO
He raised his eyes in suspicion, but Ivy didn’t let him answer.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuwLZJy1vW
“I need to know where I came from and where I’m supposed to belong.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pSI3n4wCr
“I think you are too tired for this conversation. You’ve had a huge day and I think you need rest.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QD7vwWyaT
“I cannot think of anything worse,” Ivy rolled her eyes. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDbuV1xAK1
“You were born in Lycan country. The most beautiful and green of all. We have all sorts of different communities in one great big village. The Lycan’s despite the stories, are a welcoming group, we just do things differently.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxduRQDGoa
“How?”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40P8Yr3jxs
“There is a spiritual belief system and most of the day-to-day business is run through prophecies and what’s to come. There are some Lycan’s, like where I come from that can speak to Ancestors through meditation.”
Emerson lit up whilst he spoke about his home, and Ivy could tell that he missed it. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoliTb0BOI
“What do the Royals do?” asked Ivy.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAFtShRjB2
“The Royals tend to our needs, they make sure that everything runs smoothly and are constantly being advised by the Ancient Speakers of big events,” he sighed. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKunheTVV8
“So, they would know about me?”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0ccvUUvFX
“Yes. They knew about you when you were born.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTTlkLiXVL
“Who took me?” she pushed.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGHQEJwtVX
“Ivy, do you really want to get into this now?” Emerson yawned.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaEb45WOdI
“I need to know Emerson, who took me?”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHeuHTZwpK
“The person that you know as ‘Dad’,” he stated. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1F0bvh9RKb
Ivy gasped in astonishment. Somewhere in the back of her mind the thought that perhaps her parents found her dumped, in the forest somewhere, and that they were innocent. She thought that maybe they just took in a small, orphaned child and didn’t think anything of it. Emerson grew concerned about Ivy’s silence. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOqo9goS40
“Ivy?”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZINRlTZ0D
“How do you know this?”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluqEw0BWvk
“Our community knows this. The King and Queen were most upset and still are. They have not feared your safety because they knew who you were destined to become. In fact, their advisors always keep them up to date with what’s going on.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgRMYlvX7i
“They watch me?”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qIO9n3s5w
“From afar but never too close,” confirmed Emerson.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxNdWjHssV
“So, what happened?”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpmKING4LD
“Alan came to the Lycan territory and requested funds for a war against another territory in the South. He promised many things like Lycan expansion into the South and free passage for trade. The King denied his request. They did not want to be involved in such things at the time and Alan used his mate to affiliate herself within the castle, as if she were part of the kitchen staff. When she had her chance to take you, she did.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecZ1XhJj8d
“It’s hard to imagine Dad asking for any help,” Ivy murmured. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotUisVQMJ5
“The war ultimately came to him. Lycan’s uprooted everything in Alan’s territory looking f or you, with no luck. It turned out they had you squirreled away in a cave somewhere in the forest. When they got to the South, Alan had already run with our most prized possession. He contacted Harold and his army and then they attacked the Lycan’s from behind.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUK41BrOaNB
As Emerson continued his story, Ivy reached for the chair. The information became too much to handle. The past few weeks were a whirlwind for her and yet somehow, her own father was always behind it. She’d learnt mate ship, friendship, leadership, lies and deceit in quick succession.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzlnHcbvEC
“They always kept a close eye on you through communication with the Ancients. They were told them that you’d return, which has kept hope alive in the community. I was born and when they realised what and who I was, they made sure I had the best training and schooling. I stayed in the castle, hidden from the world so I could bring you home.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREzNqqx9VT
“Wait, you want to take me back?” asked Ivy, shocked. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHEOnSfysp
“Not now Ivy, and not to live. Maybe someday I can guide you back to where you belong, but you are needed here for now.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivujOxWlad
“What do you mean ‘for now’ Emerson? I am Luna to this pack; my place is here forever.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczIdtG6M1g
Ivy started to panic and knew that Rowan would kill her Companion for suggesting such a thing. Emerson stared at her like he tried searching her soul, searching for answers. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMWW821DL6
“We will talk about that later; you need at least a few hours sleep. You will tell the pack what is going on at breakfast. They will help you and then we will decide what we are going to do.”
