Ivy
Alpha Harold was away from some meeting for only a few78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjtWEMEIdJ
days. In that few days of knowing he was away; the air and demeanour of the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsPvYF08mF
territory was light and playful. Catori was a great distraction and Ivy spent78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PKMsl9UDI
the time getting to know James and his wolf Arwen. James still sat outside of78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlo2DrbFgd1
the door of the bedroom, like a trained puppy dog, too scared of the outcome if78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWcI1O2TNc
Alpha Harold were to come home early. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODPzhFkV0g
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It allowed them to talk constantly, and he would bring Ivy his favourite foods78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIHMrH1GTO
that he liked to cook. Ivy learnt that James wasn’t born there, his mother was78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLPgIQbg5Y
a Lycan and his father a wolf. Lycan’s don’t like cross breeding and banished78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBHuMuva3U
his father, keeping his mother in the pack to breed with one of their own.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVeuIr1Gj0
James then became a strong Warrior; he never went to school because Harold78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoQlSD693y
always expected him to train. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IrV7UmnG8
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It was Luna Katherine that took James and his father in, going against the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AwFauFJcs
advice of Harold. However, Harold had the final say of James’ contribution to78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1QZ8mWwzB
the pack. James had also explained to Ivy that this pack worked very78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXL6KzO8dX
differently to that she was used to. They have armoured Soldiers, not Warriors.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1B3MmBI8n
They were not peaceful and that all Soldiers were to present in their78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYBY4cNqXm
wolf-selves and James was concerned that some might not even be able to get78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSFr32Vc0P
back to their human forms. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8upk1r35bm
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James had always been grateful of Harold taking him in and has never questioned78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ199v08JE4
anything the Alpha has done. Until stealing Ivy. Now that he is the Alpha’s78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cziFjzV3H
Beta, James told Ivy that his father couldn’t be prouder. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJjGxARrTT
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUU7NPIdDrV
They spoke in length of hopes and dreams and Ivy shared that she really wanted78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7r1WthovDf
to find her own mate, in her own time but she was stuck there. James78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxITh72FIs
accompanied Ivy outside when Harold was away and explained to her what happened78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWzOvIR3gN
to the forest. He said that Harold went mad when he found out that Katherine78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbudpPgHSa
was terminally ill, and he expected her to pass. Harold locked her in the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXATiSd969C
fortress with no windows, so that nothing could get to her like germs and other78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8PDtiETiJ
sicknesses. He wanted her to live as long as possible. All the pack’s resources78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0rva97DxK
that surrounded the pack hall and what seemed to be the castle, went into78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdagdxyUIs
building and solidifying the territory. What was left was a vast desert78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAUNWt0axF
wasteland of dirt and sand, with a trickle of a river. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIYwPbGINx
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Harold’s territory died to prolong their Luna’s life. Ivy thought that it was78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGelFYjusMt
poetic but did not solve her issue; the man he had become.
Ivy wasn’t expecting Harold home so early, but he must78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlpTKI4e0I
of returned late in the night. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xKMWXNBep
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“Ivy wake up! I can smell him!” Catori warned. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tVFyfdEQK
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The warning alerted Ivy and her eyes flung open and wished that he wouldn’t78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxcQlGwyNX
come to the room. The sound of boots made their way up the stairs and towards78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhdQWTE2S8
her door. She held her breath and prayed to the Moon Goddess that James was78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaLD1cfMlE
still there. Ivy tried to connect with James through a mind-link. She was78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI43aRPZAqx
relieved to have felt his presence, but he had her blocked. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSFBQ1Q1zQ
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“Catori, see if you can talk to Arwen.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWllYKaqofL
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“James m’boy! Oh, how I have missed you,” Harold announced, “You would not78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpYoPWnYOM
believe the time I’ve had.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpLho66U4j
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“How is my pretty? Hasn’t given you too much drama?” he continued. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43LNLemDsV
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“No sir, she has come quite accustomed to her quarters,” James replied. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVO5HNwZdio
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“Great! That’s just great, well when she wakes soon, you can tell my pretty78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXqsdng3x3
little bitch that it’s her birthday, and my ceremony day,” Harold sneered. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmt8SzVIOEY
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“Yes, Alpha.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeD9RQNbIWR
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Ivy was thankful that she connected with James. He sounded remorseful when78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0MbHz3snI
replying to the Alpha but she felt sorry for him when he must deal with the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzKLEh4vye
wrath of Harold. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVLfh9A61J
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Ivy tossed and turned in her bed, unable to shut off and tried to get comfortable.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCblKt6ga3
James sensed her restlessness.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0220FzIzn
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“Go to sleep Ivy,” he sent. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFPyNtlKH2
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“I can’t now, knowing that he is home,” she sent back. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvPqKllAIW
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KMn8B97qp
Ivy looked at the clock, it was 1:00AM, Happy Birthday, Ivy she muttered78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdjyHaf18O
to herself. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uGgE7x06t
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“Happy Birthday Ivy,” James sent.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjjUgb9kv3
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It made her smile. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IWWFj2DsU
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“Thank-you James.”
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Ivy still had her eyes closed tightly, barely awake,78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtwm3pZOVm
but she could feel someone standing over her. She could feel their eyes78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0g1kSDJ4n3
staring. Almost immediately, her closed eyelids were burnt with a bright light,78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqPJ3FMKlJ
seeing stars. Once Ivy had come to full consciousness, the same twenty women,78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXv9hPyuWSV
that escorted her to her room on the first night at Harold’s castle, stood78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡye5sCJfCc3
around the bed. The lights were turned on, but they looked different, almost as78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnY2Cpp2iJ
if they walked back through time. Their hair was washed, brushed, and pulled78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbtjdmIF2m
back into buns. The women wore gold and dark green robes which accentuated each78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQuTO6XMju
of their curves. Ivy could make out their skin tones now that they were clean78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ882SkA1zUC
and had scrubbed off the dirt that initially made them look like they were78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLt550of2y
brown and ashen in colour.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuFToraYan
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“Happy Birthday ma’am, sorry to disturb you but we need to get you ready for78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsURKq3EQF
the ceremony today,” said the first woman, her expression not changing. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2Xc0FSewd
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“Thank-you, what time is it?” asked Ivy.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslqMj7GO2G
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“The time is 12PM ma’am. We tried to let you sleep as much as possible.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfY6ydg42xo
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡew7z2Cb2Hh
The woman glared at Ivy with fear in her eyes, as if waking her up at 12PM was78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYolkgrS5JB
a crime. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡka4JWu5wqs
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“It’s okay,” Ivy assured her, “What time is the ceremony?”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYI8v0837W
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“7PM ma’am.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGjaDwJcOB
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“So what is first on the agenda ladies?” 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ836ME04yCZ
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Ivy clapped her hands together and bounced out of bed. She giggled at the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTnTkOTnni
frightened faces staring back at her by her sudden burst of energy and78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQJVwPphDM
enthusiasm. Might as well get this over with, she thought to herself. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvr4bgZ8LF4
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Ivy tried to calculate the next seven hours in her mind and what they could78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEggLHRbro
possibly be wanting to do in that time, just as two of the women wheeled in a78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rXyTSrRT9
cart, sporting a large cloche accompanied with a bottle of champagne with one78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qv1zFcFVy
glass. Ivy’s stomach flickered at the thought that Harold might have a nice side78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqESw8RUkv
and that she just needed to find it. She lifted the cloche to reveal the most78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HMCJAiyic
amazing cake she had ever seen. It was decorated with wildflowers and all kinds78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOMRXNF3M9
of different coloured icing and fondant. On the top was a message scribed with78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVcHkPY5Ak
buttercream. Happy 18th Birthday, Luna. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQryFtJoJ2
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“Did Harold send this?” Ivy asked. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2bx2aS8zu
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A different woman stepped forward this time with a dismayed expression. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6S7r2C45D
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rhPBlD3PW
“Beta James, was up all night making this for you,” she confirmed, but was78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfZRKJxKjl
eyeing Ivy suspiciously. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGIcpjPGXp
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“Please tell him thank-you, the gesture is much appreciated.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuELxk3AABz
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The woman nodded her head and left the room abruptly. Ivy wasn’t disappointed78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6X7yREMkR
in the gift, nor who made it but because she had high hopes that today would78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rOQRbzKTy
not leave her doomed. The remaining women were making a fuss throughout the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jbwLZpF2J
rest of the room as Ivy watched. A couple started to run a bath and gather some78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFYSyGTd8c
items in the bathroom, three started making the bed, two more were preparing78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXtxCZHSBy
hair styling tools and placing them on the drawers, three were going through78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWKkuLnGuu
the drawers and packing Ivy’s things.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡte9lTNXONL
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3esjTBO7BG
“Excuse me?” Ivy asked. The woman stared at her rudely, as if Ivy was wasting78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmNOyR2Xkt
her time. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5tFcZcMYY
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“Why are you packing my things?”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALSTZgNMY5
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The woman scoffed at her, as if she were a child. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAUynj5tAA
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“How can you expect to be Luna, ma’am and in a separate room to the Alpha?”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZUD9FhSsg
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Ivy hadn’t thought that far ahead. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODdsvzAJN6
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“Shit,” she said out loud. The women stopped what they were doing and stared at78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsCC1C9wE3
her for swearing. The remaining women, who Ivy hadn’t even realised had left,78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeyElzJjyd
broke the silence by coming into the room carrying a gown, her gown. It was78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX15aAbL0sr
beautiful and Ivy hoped that it wasn’t Luna Katherine’s. The woman who brought78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEC0y9c04G
it in sensed Ivy’s thoughts.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLdj3vHgRM
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“This is new, chosen by the Alpha.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuJMKdyRsm
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The news brought a smile to Ivy’s face, and she couldn’t help but continue to78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9E3pGCOmw
stare at its beauty. The gown was gorgeous, ivory in colour and the lace78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9Yy8frtNe
bordered the chest piece, which dipped slightly into a heart-shaped bodice.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKFVv89GXU
This truly looked like a wedding gown. Ivy ran her hand through the fabric and78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3M8JNTCqq8
appreciated the beading, it was so soft. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6kyo4zR9f
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“Bath time ma’am,” said a woman emerging from the bathroom, startling Ivy.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZx8hXrmrHJ
Seeing her jump, the woman backed away. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBgiNZxhRO
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“It’s okay, you just startled me,” Ivy said turning to her. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOOf8j1To6
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She proceeded to remove her clothes and untied her messy ponytail from the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmySt8m8K18
restless sleep and walked towards the bathroom. She opened the door and the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6Hf78UjlQ
steam hit her body and instantly made her feel warm. The bath was enticing even78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RBSBpuKsc
with the whispers and the bustle of the other’s organising everything for the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3bFPj2eqo
next few hours, in the other room. Ivy stepped into the bath and sunk into the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡng6gh6Oy0q
hot water that was filled with buttermilk and honey. She instantly relaxed with78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWiwwfVOpy
the aromas. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSuOLYgILu
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“You feel so calm with our fate, Ivy?”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0vlAi9A1X
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“I am enjoying this moment. Patience. We shift tonight, Catori and that78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiXRr9ldAZ
is my ceremony, nothing to do with this Alpha.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaudmWi0Mx
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Catori purred with happiness at Ivy’s words and the contentment rippled through78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4IWJC9jRU
her. Ivy was excited to shift under the full moon tonight, the night that she78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGT17J1Mn1S
can completely become one with her wolf. Other kids that she went to school78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohpRfITl8l
with always said that it felt like you truly got to know your wolf and their78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTXAYmKe81
intentions. The running apparently was the best part. That is what Ivy prepared for. She decided that tonight was a ceremony for her, and far as she78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwM97Ct0Mwt
was concerned, Alpha Harold bought her a very expensive gown, to rip to shreds78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd02eWrQkhU
while shifting. The thought made her laugh. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡul5Wneo9dW
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There was a tap on the door, which Ivy knew was a signal that she had spent too78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5ip7hZyF6
long in there and needed to get out to fit the tight schedule. She was now78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ndWhtjXJi
aware that small talk didn’t interest the women, so Ivy just let them tell her78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1XGokPlHj
what to do and where to go so that they felt like they are doing their jobs78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHFuL10WyA
according to their orders. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2Uz9lgze1
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Ivy was poked and prodded with hair clips to hold her hair back from her face.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDH9P3mesv
One woman burnt her with a flat iron, trying to curl her hair. It hurt so bad78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJCJiKPObx
that Ivy’s first instinct was to growl at her, followed by holding a wet cloth78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJT9hzsJBqe
over it so it didn’t blister. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaILQ97Hx67
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Her hair was finally finished, and the women slowly spun the chair so that she78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliG3JRjuF5
was facing the mirror. Ivy gasped quietly at the person staring back at her.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2abpqHRaA
She looked like a porcelain doll, with her translucent skin and her blonde hair78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdl5qhw2HQ8
pulled back tight. The curls in the bun looked perfect, there was not a strand78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60xoRIgq9b
out of place. Ivy found it hard to recognise herself. The first thought that78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRuFwezf61
ran through her head was the disappointment that her father couldn’t see her78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYZcdcKC0P
like this. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the time on the clock, it’s78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMX8vVe1xuv
6:15PM. Where the hell has the day gone? 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvPVxHNScp
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJX1Tx0Ru4s
Behind Ivy the gown was being lifted gently off the bed and five women were78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbuzpOPigm
preparing the bodice, for her to step into. They helped Ivy from the chair and78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBOj0TWB2K
gently helped her hold her balance as she stepped into the gown. After what78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIwrMoXv3X
seemed like forever of pinning and getting in and out of the dress so that it78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6ANmmmJEC
was perfect, Ivy heard the zip slide up the back and she was finished. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnaMpmxV6t
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jlep2bNmQ
The loud bugles outside blew, signally the pack to gather before the ceremony.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1sLluhqZY
Ivy’s stomach suddenly filled with butterflies, with what she was about to do.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZeZuahweR
The butterflies quickly turned to nausea, and she ushered for something to78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLe3hfvadkh
vomit into. A woman rushed and grabbed a water bucket from the bathroom and handed78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡno9tFFM9hK
it to Ivy just in time. The woman that stood next her, patted her mouth clear78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9qSNykmnh
and then quickly checked the dress for splash back. She smiled, letting Ivy78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLjBkfHYPT
know that they were in the clear and the dress was fine.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebEo6Y5TzR
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksQSmgqeLQ
Beta James appeared in the doorway and Ivy noticed how quickly her nerves78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLthy2PmS7
dissipated. He let out a grunt, to make his presence known and the entourage of78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYf2r78uWh
women quickly gathered their things to leave. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGCOM94ltN
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcxOwjRzqm
James could not stop staring at Ivy.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRIktTBhIs
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHUMfCP9u1
“What?” Ivy asked, “It’s like you have never seen something so beautiful?” she78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxtdc5uXPj
continued to tease. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmK1He3pXc
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7s7cAHp9y
“You do look spectacular, Luna,” he answered with a smile across his face. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZ8obS2qlW
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyzRLLYkJ3
“I am not your Luna, James.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IXGIRys16
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIhzWFDOT0
He looked at Ivy perplexed with her response, but then his face changed with78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBw0RbieRY
worry. Remembering what he came into the room for, James looked behind him, up78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieQpE4PGQW
and down the hall to make sure everyone had left, and then closed the door78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPE7erPAHDU
behind him. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9D28TeIfJ5
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fZGjwl46U
“What are you doing James? Is this the part where you reveal your undying love78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPp3UjT5ecK
for me? We had a great time together but -,”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHD4kr0XejB
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexhpKeSjmr
“Shh Ivy, I don’t like you… I mean in that way, I’m giving you an out,” he78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz59bOQjZRp
blurted, relief washed over his face, like he had deliberated this for a long78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQV8y5nVRS1
time and now its finally off his chest. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAFwi0aLni
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWXZxuc5XA
“You’re what?”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlvZNplbEH
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDHbBscr9S
“You heard me Ivy.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5ZpFXGKsm
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhu2Ajfv2o
James moved closer to Ivy with his hand outstretched. Her gaze turned to his78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLt7woiDRH
hand, and he unclasped his fist, revealing a key. James noticed her confused78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTt7v9mvFxJ
expression. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXvPFVnHo3
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDecMw9Dgx
“I have thought long and hard about this Ivy, what he is doing to you and what78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVcDKUAGmi
he wants to do to you is completely out of line. I am putting my neck on the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6o5t3x81I
line for you by doing this, please take it.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxCiDKKWaj
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOU5FDZUCV
“The key only unlocks the room though?”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYQdGzIuoE
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD43Kuvg3tD
“No, this is the master key for the pack house, and the grounds.” 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShpjKn5ySH
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDr7ywOeyuS
James shook the key at Ivy as if it were burning his hands. She slowly took the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjyqOlFSJg
key from him, and her mind ran circles as to how and when she could get out of78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjbkycVlH6
there. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3hmknbBGv
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRNN7NoLnA
“The master key?”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTPnPJdWcb
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhqDcY9RCd
James nodded his head and turned his back to open the door. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqElCj6ErW
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhQIJimjbt
“Wait!”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvZWvEbiNx
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCNJ10Q7ZR
He turned his head to allow her to continue talking. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNyo0u8Yve
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLDdEXMc7j
“This…this key, you said is the master key for the grounds. Does this unlock78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaVYnEHBsy
the mechanism in the gate?” 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijAVYSqD6m
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjJVjLWzWM
James nodded again and walked out of the room. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnX2odxbwIX
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAn1v2fAG9
“Ivy, this is the way out, leave…now!”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3lpVXTkLh
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ygyR5gQAg
“I must choose the right time, to allow us time to run and get out safely into78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjV1gCDUT7
the woods, it’s about a two-kilometre run.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2xl48HUaM
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxCLGNRcHD
“But the moon, the shift.” Catori felt anxious and rightfully so. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgj1Ff6JbN
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBZbjYodeK
“Harold needs to hurt, too,” Ivy confirmed. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwFp4mmdnm
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxl5Zoo3s9
As quickly as James had left, the women returned, which forced Ivy to hastily78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBeJJwuvCH
tuck the key within her bodice, out of sight. The bugles sounded again, and Ivy78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3T4FpqETf
knew it was time for her to head towards the banquet hall for the ceremony. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxatB44moH
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSpujv8Hec
The women escorted her from the room and down the stairs in silence.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULUqsmDNqf
Traditionally her father would be waiting, so that he could walk her to the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpZawpNbWI
doors and escort her to her new mate, but instead there were a large gathering78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlWRUcUKSr
outside of the hall. Ivy’s heartbeat quickened as they fell silent and turned78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsjA2iOGkf
to look at her with their heads bowed. The fear crept in, and Ivy stood up78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBRyXuKK9W
straight and accepted their good graces. She walked through the crowded hall of78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3Opy6VsvT
pack members, each one with their necks bared as she passed until she made it78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GqQYjzvps
to the huge glass banquet hall doors. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNlc5ZhtAc
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjUxvuUWG2
The doors were already opened, and Ivy could see Alpha Harold at the end of the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenD5trtLOE
isle, barely dressed to impress. He sneered and licked his lips as he looked at78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtTiL9SZw1
her, with his eyes trailing up and down at her body. Ivy felt disgusted and78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Fh5frAtlm
angry. She tried to hide her feelings and continued to walk towards him. Ivy78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFHoPqgW9R
made it to the end without running back, but the sight of the man made her feel78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOl5pVAQay
like she broke out in a rash. She walked to the alter and stood next to Alpha78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPyfIRjGWK
Harold, looked across at him and smiled. He returned her gaze and smiled back,78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYN7TeWWDi
then proceeded to place his hands on her ass. Ivy had to fight the urge to kill78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9Z8ElInGo
him. Catori growled in her mind and Ivy could almost feel her hackles raised.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyzUnEBBXR
If they could shift, she would have and let Catori kill him. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnsBpP36xh
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6o2Tu7B5a
Harold turned to face the pack members that were gathered in the hall, and78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ungJYWBVU
guided Ivy with his hand to do the same. Ivy searched longingly for James in78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyXvf8HiFT
the crowd and spotted him in the back corner. They made eye contact, and James78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86qiiAB5wS
gently nodded his head, like Ivy was supposed to understand. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuxjIe2nJ5
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNurJJjQFD
“Thank you for being here tonight, my beautiful pack,” Harold addressed78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJgLaEgyBB
everyone. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKwQjSd3IT
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ERR0UDUzH
“Tonight, I will choose our new Luna and take her in as my Chosen One. May her78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4Bk4mf3qL
beauty allow us to rule strong and may it bring down our enemies. May my seed78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡio0WHSDvvp
be forever planted in her,” he chuckled. Bile rose in Ivy’s throat and fear78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnd3QQiKZW2
overwhelmed her as she listened to the rest of the pack share the joke. Except78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡje6IWIZb3W
she knew that he wasn’t joking. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplA5ExVJM1
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2r73XGIjkw
“What do we do Catori?” Ivy mind-linked her wolf, “I don’t want to do this78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BlROUCSnO
anymore, I thought I could be strong enough and escape later.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kStupMZLb
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLW7VTTcxoT
“Reject him.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzibfvp6JG
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtehCipWkv
Rejection was the ultimate embarrassment and the thought added to Ivy’s already78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtonuDsDFk
nauseous stomach. She felt like she was going to vomit again but managed to78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXbeotKiuE
hold it down. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOwEWewczk
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sx6bfbtee
“He hasn’t made you pledge before, so you have to accept him as your Alpha.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhsTdl8S5k
Say no.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxC4Thl53i
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxJGpy6hWC
“I, Alpha Harold, of the Barron Pack, present to you, your new Luna!”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrH21pmcwF
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5CCTGblp9
They all cheered. Ivy thought that she couldn’t possibly take away their hope. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOicfPQ5CrS
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQjunGNd8J
“I, Alpha Harold, declare Ivy Sinclair, Luna and Chosen Mate of the Alpha!”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4AGjWRT7P
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagrxaCaZx8
The pack howled, cheered and carried on until Harold silenced them. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYMeMTryi3
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNgCtA3Sqn
“Ivy, don’t do it. No, reject him!” Catori pushed. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWkRC5JxgG
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAtRqC7HZU
Ivy’s head felt like it was tearing in two as the pack bond was trying to78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ10ounjFrz
complete once she accepted her role as Luna. She could hear Catori whimper with78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0n96aW5lv
the pain. Ivy held her hands to her head and dropped to the floor. The pain was78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5vjDRQewI
unbearable. Harold knelt down next to Ivy and whispered. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoN49b2tEdo
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8u0mPxu99
“Say yes, accept it and the pain goes away and then I can mark you here at this78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCwyh7AYJ4
alter in front of everyone.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdaDcBESuc
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZC3pbimE8
Through her fingers that held her face, she could see his jagged, broken teeth78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1RIWTQ51j
between his parted lips as he smiled. She could smell his horrendous breath78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAV4bi1vgPH
of booze and age. Ivy saw his hollowed cheek bones and felt his anger rise as78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAYcy5i2a8
his heartbeat increased. The pressure within Ivy’s head made her eyes feel like78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyJQ6vZVaD
they were going to burst out of her skull. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHN0GX1y5kF
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTh7uSePkxS
“IVY! REJECT HIM!”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPacqbyWCU
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2L9BIk557
She heard what sounded like low rumbles of thunder in the distance and felt78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdAJZj5Y52
like an alien was trying to escape her body in the most horrendous way78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1nZtU32hE
possible. Catori tipped Ivy over the edge with her incessant nagging and anger78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5YUk8rT9T
boiled over. All Ivy could do was scream in release.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoShBKKnoqa
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMRIQloGsL
“AAAAAAAAAAARGH!” she shrieked. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6AvFv55Mk
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwNnjwMtwX
Ivy managed to lift herself from the floor, gasping with every breath, and78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mDkuRONNp
stared straight at Alpha Harold. He looked horrified and angry all at once. His78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJ0hinPfyx
face was bright red, and he looked like he was going to burst, and she could78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC39yQ2qgJ5
see his veins in his head pop out over his temples. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eadzhpOHi
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmCaokQ3EP
“I, IVY SINCLAIR, DAUGHTER OF ALPHA ALAN, REJECT YOU AS MY CHOSEN MATE,78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0fSTK45Ew
HAROLD!” she screamed at him. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhH1fPpqP8a
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEXaeoZeVw
“Run.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqBFnvIGLe
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8mZbghkvt
Ivy’s mind settled from the bond that was trying to form and the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowR2URTLDa
circulation around the pack ceased. It happened quick enough for her to regain78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUb2EO66q9
composure and she ran. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgO6wDzs0e
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16KGFigKoa
“STOP HER!” Ivy heard from behind.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAF0P8NM20K
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HgYwkUxor
“STOP HER NOW!”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GnLDARdlz
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzFnLBgYOX
Nobody moved an inch to stop her but allowed her free passage straight out the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6YoHk9cRV
door and towards the front entrance. To Ivy’s surprise the Sentinels opened the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnH2oVIY1dp
door and she scrambled down the great, big steps outside. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwX9DeYiZ6p
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVO1jGr8Ufi
“GET HER NOW! JAMES CHASE HER!” Harold’s voice roared after Ivy as she sprinted78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fvdPv1IT3
towards the gates. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKp70oeXQbN
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5uJAi6Osk
As Ivy ran, she looked to the sky, it was bright red and dark clouds78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBP3LjSWP3p
were forming around the territory. The gates got closer and Ivy pulled78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFeGhgump3
the key out of her bodice so that she could pull the lever up but she was78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupqwYkfpIT
stopped in her tracks. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQFOZgRp9i
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1SyRPN4IM
A Sentinel had emerged from the side of the tower as if to stop her. Alarmed,78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFveQwuw195
she instantly skidded to a stop along the gravel, and he threw his hands up as78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZL0H8uEoXu
if reassuring there was nothing to fear. Ivy used the moment to quickly catch78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDFnpeE7EX
her breath. She turned to see James racing after her. Ivy glared at the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdQZxrfRl2
Sentinel, who was instantly caught off guard and scampered to throw the lever78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrW0D6IrHcQ
down to open the gate. Ivy didn’t have time to evaluate his odd reaction, she78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6qlQqDZpu
focused on the opening gate and as soon as there was enough room to squeeze78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8Q99BUB9D
herself through, she did. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFQBfw53es
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqNIYta5li
“IVY!” James called out. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUji48IQlKI
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUzGN2bEy9
She turned her head to looked and him and he stopped running, looking78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHoCktrdtj
completely startled too. He turned back and ran towards the fortress. What78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzT9lMgTqjz
the hell? 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65WxoHbuJu
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡub6GsXBQGW
It didn’t matter now; she was free, and Ivy began to imagine the army that78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzrDARZ5ek
Harold would be preparing. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdMy1EpIAB
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhqGvFxRbY
Ivy was exhausted but she had to keep running because the moon was rising, and78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFxfUTKDSq
she would begin to shift soon. She needed to be somewhere safe. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWyCtEG56i
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYcYljnEa1
In the distance, it was like Harold’s pack finally woke up and realised what78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJk6bbwr1u9
happened. The bugles sounded but this time not for celebration but for a hunt. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmVPyOjQbG
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FVfEIdpJ2
Ivy used the training that the old Chief explained in a session once. She78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdX6m3lmox9
changed direction constantly and soaked herself through as much water as she78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlgB5Y9dmE
could in hopes to mask her scent. Harold and Ivy were not bonded so he didn’t78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4FJ824gAB
have the magnetic pull to her that a bond would create. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3e5TfONSu4
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegvoe1C0sQ
The thunder rumbled in the distance, coming from the direction that Ivy was78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBjOYSBz2Z
running too. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sA88cd0Br
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAly9zcJ8K
Excitement filled her as she is fast approached the edge of the forest. The78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9PxEX2miK
forest looked dense which was good for coverage. The only issue was, Ivy had no78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqJIHPsOBb
idea where she was. The moon rose quickly, and it was red,78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKjeWTXBDv
like the sky reflected the colour of the dirt.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxzESqxXJm
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEazyaFZMjI
“No time to stop now Ivy, I can feel the change coming along,” Catori78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKtz9nwu9X
urged. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIfIM3gmef
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdeaHQtc38
Only stopping to take a breath, Ivy continued into the forest. Once, far enough78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIggQwV9mXK
in, it was eerily silent and cool. Ivy’s eyes took a moment to adjust as the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6m9sfc4Sv
canopy of the trees blocked out some of the red, tinged light. Nearby she heard a stream running through the trees and she started to head towards it. Her78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0fH4jpGoE
father had told her, that no matter where you were, if you were lost, find78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy96U8j1UFR
the stream, and follow it down and it will take you to the next78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63jDFWYTLY
territory. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zFRscIcj3
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6TsxZHn41
When Ivy reached the trickle, she took a moment to sit and hydrate. She scooped78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAN4WnNOYZa
fresh water into her mouth, and the gentle breeze brought a chill to her bones78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWrqhRc4Ya
as it went through her soaked gown. On the other side of the riverbed, there78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSZcxR3wVn
was a rock face which had a protruding top which almost looked flat. Ivy78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbO2yrnd0Nw
focused on her surroundings with her senses. She closed her eyes to listen to78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8i6BdGYZ2
the breeze. The wind was getting trapped somewhere, with an echo and she knew78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGBHRa3vDM
there had to be a cave above. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRL9Gk7a3Po
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLbpjBq3I0
Ivy crossed the river and saw an old makeshift path that led through the rock78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0djKkRuTu
face. She followed the narrow path and at the end there was a steep incline.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Qjdx9wdBW
Putting her faith in the forest now, she began to climb the steep ascent and78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9iSA1uuCB
with much relief there was a cave opening over the ridge. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IT61iGlLs
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHjz1bco2g
By this time Ivy was exhausted, her body trembled, and the moon became larger, like it moved towards her. She fell to the ground from her own78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cFYbAs67p
weight and could no longer stand. She opened her eyes, and her vision blurred slightly, and Ivy knew it was time. The shift. Blurred eyes were Catori78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrwC3u09VZ
coming forward to take control and Ivy’s pupils dilated rapidly. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡML3KEu7qc5
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREQwW1JVYJ
Ivy’s fingers felt the dirt underneath them and she felt every nail tear as78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNuI6eUVbh
Catori pushed further forward, forcing the shift, with claws emerging where78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbdPCfeJLT
Ivy’s fingernails once were. The pain was awful, but she tried to stay as78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvDEZ2bNBT
silent as she could, from fear of being hunted. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfi8SUSRrz
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRkEhiiFyx
“Hush Ivy, this will be all over soon. I am trying to make this as quick as78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNfspuGxX0
possible,” Catori purred, easing Ivy’s body. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxKjAaludc
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrXHLhmbXK
Catori pushed forward again, and Ivy felt every single bone in her back crack78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jKrgyrjJk
and pop. She couldn’t help but scream out in agony. Her legs felt like they78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9DlBPKO8F
were snapping. Another pop and another scream. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5Q901Ykhh
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qsYvA0LmR
“Oh, please Cat,” Ivy begged between breathes, “Make this stop.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNO7QdqQzuY
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiI5XMUmut
With each new scream, there was a crack of lightening and a crash of thunder.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fFQJCtFYB
The process was far worse than anyone had ever described to her. One last push78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYqRD3acwe
from Catori and one last scream from Ivy, it was over. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHM268SGgHW
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QMpDCOxqc
Catori stood up panting and proud as ever. She thrust her chest out and with a78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7x1exTaLS
break in the brewing storm, she let out the most beautiful, shrill howl at the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50N10g8JsC
moon.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQN9H9dNvfz
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpSoQUffSm
“Ar-ooooooooooooooo.”
