Emerson
Ivy looked uneasy which he understood. Emerson knew it would be hard for her to choose who was more worthy of her power. A small part of him was delighted that she chose come along, in hopes that she saved his people, her true origin. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecfEdlFs6D
The visions that Emerson had have come in hard and strong. He’d only told Ivy about the he had in the office because she saw him slip into it. The others had shown him fire, war and the chilling screaming of those that they loved and cared about. No matter what fate brought to the group, there would be death, for that Emerson was certain. Living with wolves in the past few weeks had been entertaining. Watching them eat and converse was fascinating to Emerson. Some of them gulped their food as if they hadn’t eaten in weeks and others preferred to hunt and eat their kill fresh, but allowed their wolves to take over. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu500a04HgN
Emerson understood why Rowan and the pack were respected among other territories; he allowed his pack to be wolves. The territory was secluded enough, away from the nearest human village, where Angus came from. He thought about Angus and how much he struggled being away from Fi for so long. Angus constantly wrote to her and snuck off in the middle of the night. For him to back by the afternoon, Emerson knew he’d tapped into his wolf for the speed required to return in the time frame.
The five of them set off after Ivy returned with the Chief Sentinel. She told him that he was required to mind the pack in her absence. Ivy was a fine Luna and stepped up when required. She sent word out with the Scouts to surrounding territories of her absence and what had become of Alpha Rowan. Ivy requested that anything amiss needed to be reported to the Chief straight away. The other Alpha’s were reeling with anger over what happened to one of their own. There was built up angst and tension between the North and the South. Some of the younger ones like Rowan, would have no clue as to why, it’s just how it’s always been. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YCHnV56kj
The last Saviour sacrificed their life and saved those around her when she was cornered in the last Great War. Great Wars generally started between the Lycan communities and Wolf territories. The hunt for the Saviour was long. One Alpha got so caught up in trying to catch her for her blood, they didn’t care about the chaos around them. They did not know what she was capable of and the Lycan’s were only too happy to keep her safe. Amidst the fighting, burnings and carnage, and murdering, she escaped. He followed her through the forest until he cornered her. He wanted his seed inside her and wanted to know what would happen if he were to create a hybrid. Only for the sake of his power. At that time, no one knew that the Saviour’s genes were not genetic but chosen by the Moon Priest of around five months gestation. As the Alpha made a move to subdue her, the howl cried over the land and something like a sonic boom flattened the trees around them. It seemed like she sacrificed herself, for herself but, there wasn’t anything to fight over anymore. There wasn’t a Saviour, the wolf pack’s Alpha had passed, and they had no one to command them.
“Are you okay Emerson?” whispered Ivy.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0v2aNRgA3A
“Yes, I’m just thinking about the previous Saviours and their stories.”125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVK7zlvysr
“How they ended?”125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFn1HdEfv3Q
“Yes, but also how and why they started as well as what good it brought to those around them.”125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkMHebergz
“So, being a ‘Saviour’ is more of a curse and nothing good can come from it? Other than me dead?”125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDg0fKWWCg7
“Don’t think like that Ivy. I know its hard, but we are here for you every step of the way,” smiled Emerson.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrCJlQVn0w
“Is there anywhere in your stories that tell us how to break it without dying?”125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlDqow5FC9
Emerson shook his head slightly.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4HCsJiRJt
“Not in these ones Ivy, but you may be the first.”125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlfkdcqa8z
The Saviour didn’t look convinced. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZQENyihzb
“Is my fear of dying a sign of weakness?”125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdsz3PCGR7
“Heaven no Ivy, you are only fearful because you know what to expect. The others didn’t.”125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFDOu8BYhB
Alex and James returned from scouting the clearing ahead. They started to walk along the back of the Elder Hall, from where Rowan was dragged through the forest. There were dry blood marks through some of the grass which led into the trees. It was enough for Ivy to hold his scent and be able to follow it. Emerson secretly hoped that it lasted and didn’t fizzle out so that they could make some quick ground. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLc6xYgisz
“There is nothing out there but a few rabbits and deer, we should be safe to cross,” announced Alex.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmHRup9mqG
“Are there anymore trail marks through the clearing?” Ivy asked.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2N5CvQb5K
“They stop about halfway through. Even if they were in a hurry, they must have realised the trail they left.”125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiUaiyq2k0
James was a whizz at tracking and his skills were vastly un-utilised during his time in the South with Alpha Harold. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rqNPiBfwY
“Let’s get through the clearing as that’s the border of the territory and we’ll get some lunch, then see if there are any other clues around the place,” stated Ivy.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRNshhd9oX
The group moved quickly to remain undetected. The tree line ahead looked grim and grey. Who knew who could have been keeping eyes on them in the darkness from afar.
The sun shone, which blinded their view slightly and anything on the other side appeared as a shadow. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRj4z2wIAv
Emerson squinted through the sun rays and noticed the trees approaching. Their huge round trunks were tall and sturdy and such a dark brown in colour. Emerson took note that the forest they were in was much different to the one near the human village. That one was less dense and dark. He spotted a nice spot that had boulders and smaller rocks curved around two trees. It was the perfect set up for lunch as it shielded the group from behind. They also had a clear vision of up ahead if anyone approached. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfk2u3AKp3
“Great eyes Emerson,” Alex said and slapped him on the back. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVwKWZcTKW
Alex annoyed Emerson, the man didn’t know his own strength. He took a seat with his back rested against a boulder and watched Angus organise tools and equipment to light a fire. Ivy walked around one of the rocks with some kindling she found close by. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnmTswzasM
“James, why don’t you see if you can find anything substantial for lunch?” asked Ivy.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWgqGl7HH6
“Yes Ivy,” James nodded as he turned around and darted off into the forest. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Igv5d59Pn
Angus yelled out in glee when the fire started to smoulder, and the smallest of flames licked the twigs that Ivy gathered.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbC0FEOYNPL
“That is how you light a fire,” he beamed. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Z7XRDmAUE
“Hopefully James won’t be too much longer, I am starving,” whined Alex. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaH5QHhTRVF
“How can you think about your stomach right now? I don’t want to be here for long,” said Ivy.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wdvonsGtp
“We need a plan, Luna; we can’t just follow his scent and then walk straight into a trap,” stated Alex.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqtzSp0XZn
James appeared through the trees with four rabbits held in his hands. The men took one each and Ivy and Emerson shared. Angus graciously cooked Emerson’s half over the fire whilst the others ate in silence. Emerson watched as they skinned their rabbits and tore away the flesh from the bone. He’d never get used to the sight of it. However, Emerson was grateful that James drained their bodies before returning as that was the part, he hated watching the most. The sight of it made him squeamish. Emerson lost his appetite after a few small bites and ripped up some nearby grasses from the ground, wrapping the rabbit for later.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRB2uYSf4e
“Alex, do you have any idea who would have done this to Rowan?” Emerson turned his attention to him. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VwcEaeEBQ
“Nope! We are pretty peaceful in the North,” he mumbled, still chewing the food in his mouth. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1LG5v0XMT
“This is my fault,” Ivy muttered. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKgJxHsEUc
“This is not your fault Ivy,” Emerson said. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXJOlNV62k
“It is. Alan knows who I am, and we haven’t been able to find him anywhere at home. I feel it in my gut that he has something to do with this.”125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgg9P8iJ7tS
“You don’t possibly know that.”125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLmSx58iyp
“I do,” she said and wrapped her arms around her body. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyoNVVoeip
“You said yourself that your vision was of red earth and soldiers so tall. The wolves that attacked Brian were armoured. Rowan was aware who was behind it, they just got to him first,” she confessed. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZjWXVtuVk
James choked on a piece of rabbit and coughed until he contained his composure. Ivy stared at him with a look of confirmation, like they both knew something. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTDshu55qi
“Who is it then?” Angus asked. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6DvFRlJzY
“Harold,” Ivy stated.
Alex sat in silence and Emerson watched the colour drain from his face. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeShn7iakSI
“You can’t be serious?” he eventually stammered. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7ABods0t1
“He was the only one besides Alan who knew who I am. It’s a bit ironic that Alan is missing, and Harold’s soldiers are around causing havoc.”125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUZ754jcTm
“Why would your father do something like that?” asked Alex.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJBHpMun2e
Ivy returned Emerson’s look and urged him to answer the question, given the conversation they had days before. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSwLybpefF
“…because Alan is not Ivy’s father. He stole her,” Emerson confirmed.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvryFMB7vy
Alex gasped but no one said another word as they all watched the flames lick the branches. The only sound came from Ivy has she sighed heavily into her lap.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKN86CI8UHE
“We need to know what’s going on here Ivy…like everything,” suggested Alex.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdiJIWJV2j
“Alex, it’s really only you that doesn’t know,” she confessed. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbP4LocVds
“Always me, to know nothing but blindly follow,” he threw his hands in the air. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRV9jty5dy
“Honestly, you haven’t missed much,” she continued. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVMar3lzPx
“No, nothing. Just that Alan isn’t even your father and that he stole her to give her to some god-awful man, who now also has my best friend and Alpha to our pack!”125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjI0cxjCi22
“Calm down Alex, please,” Emerson quietly pleaded. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNV9wx700oo
“I am a Royal Lycan Alex,” Ivy stated. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4YoYLcCeG
“Perfect.”
Alex instantly ceased his tantrum and stood. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCukWbyR7i6
“Sit down child,” Emerson teased. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0ktOtGRov
He left Alex to calm down on his own and Emerson turned his attention to forming a plan of where they were headed to search for Rowan. Time was of the essence, and they had no idea where to even begin. By now, Ivy held her knees by her face and Emerson could tell she tried to hold back tears and anger. It must have been the hardest thing for her. Her mate bond with Rowan was so strong. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BqEbRivlp
Emerson knew where to start but dared not say it, for Ivy could turn and kill him at any point. For now, Emerson decided to keep the idea to himself and only mention it if it was required. The others were seasoned warries, and their heads were built for this situation. Emerson decided his obligation through their search was to be there for Ivy when no one else could be. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhO303pTSO8
Angus and James talked among themselves, and Emerson tried to put the pieces of the last few weeks together. The visions that him and Ivy shared and experienced must have meant something. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxmKEYi2Zm
“I think we should start at Alan’s territory,” Alex said calmly as he returned. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvoeBHSCDa
James and Angus agreed with the suggestion. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHc84SijH6
“If he is truly out to get you and hand you back to Harold, then he might be hiding Rowan there. He might think it’s the first place Ivy would go.”125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsbvHFBgey
“I think you might be right,” agreed Emerson. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3ywmFliE2
Ivy looked up at them, over her knees and shrugged. They felt the sense that she over the ordeal and happy to tag along. Even if Emerson didn’t have a wolf, it didn’t much to notice that she was about to go through another mood swing. A new challenge presented itself; they had to get Ivy to shift again. With her ever-growing emotional turmoil, it might’ve been hard. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXGkI6mZRZ
“Come on Ivy, say something,” Emerson ushered. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHI9mCsOGN
“I think it’s somewhere to start. We should easily be able to get there before dark, it’s not far from here. So, you might be right,” she responded, perking up.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzw3WOvE3D
Emerson started to put out the fire with wet moss from underneath the boulders and thankful that they all agreed on something. James and Angus began to organise their weapons and clipped them on the outside of their sacks for easy access. Alex began to scout ahead and located the river so that they could follow it into Alan’s former territory. Ivy stood, looking brighter and shook off the dirt from her behind.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwARUeGYymQ
“My back hurts,” she said to Emerson. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyADwZ1bPTv
He gestured her to turn around and lifted her shirt. The red marks on her back were bruised and bled. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc01P9BmcN3
“Jesus Ivy, what did you do?” he asked.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcsGuArjiQ
“Nothing, I woke up like this… I just don’t feel right.”125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwONChL4Pb
“We have to keep an eye on it so that it doesn’t become infected.”125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ258W8qOnMS
Alex yelled from a distance in the direction of the river, so they picked up their belongings and followed his voice, further into the forest, to Alan’s territory.
