Ivy
Ivy allowed Catori to have control and she stayed in69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZumtnvENY
her wolf form for a few days. This was mainly so that Ivy could ensure they69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyqkOTuD3u
kept warm and made it easier to hunt. They had been training non-stop and69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxMLbYKSzG
Catori shared her wisdom with Ivy. She advised Ivy that she needed to be ready69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7y8CBWwJRu
for anything that came their way. Ivy was totally confused with her advice but69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKSUkJmgJ1
figured she knew what she was talking about. Ivy thought it had something to do69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUO9C1VN8E
with the fact they were in the middle of the forest, female, and un-mated.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4Qf2eirIO
Catori taught her to use all her senses when scouting and looking for food. She69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bWcG53wgR
taught Ivy what poison smelt like, when she foraged for food such as berries69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfujLIdzxW
and plants. The worst part of training had been the shifting. Catori said that69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVsYDnbrvm
it was imperative that they train to shift like a flash of lightening for the69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jYu68WOsB
best defence. That part had been agonisingly painful for both. Completing a69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsP9imoBRge
shift between Ivy and Catori all the time, made Ivy feel heavy, tired, and69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweR1AAB83c
weak. It had the opposite effect on Catori, so she took the lead for the69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0qeliTPKX
following days.
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjMEevwst5
Ivy hadn’t heard any more of Harold’s men and she hoped that James took them on69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZC17MgZXD
a wild goose chase. It still bugged her that James helped her, mainly because69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaYMPG9uZo
she had no idea why he decided to help her in the first place, especially when69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwEI6mr6OF
he could have been banished, killed or worse; stripped of his Beta title.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqrUQP85Sq
Still, Ivy was grateful. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssqBhkC5Hp
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sCEVxlZRc
Catori and Ivy have become so close it was almost as if they were one. Ivy69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6BCcZigF4
found it easier to feel how Catori is feeling even before she speaks and vice69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgrzk8qPBf
versa. Catori had been following the river down-stream towards the North-West69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTh4gkP6Cro
side for a few days. It was getting colder and colder the further up they down.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ekoAIi18G
Ivy’s gown was ripped to shreds on the night of their first shift, so she69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0x6rNT7h10
didn’t even have that to cover herself. Catori and Ivy both agreed that it was69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7Bo9mFNME
best that Catori kept their wolf form. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKrlDVaDK0
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuqnZS5gfL
“We are coming close to town Ivy.” 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvX2lohvfvi
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbF86BB9tWP
“Really? You said that we weren’t due to hit a territory for at least another69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlmpn6n17B
couple of days,” Ivy answered.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOKq11s20K
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9BKLClMuq
“I smell smoke and a stench that I cannot describe. I have never smelt this69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7m4HfqJ3tH
before. The river heads in that direction past the forest tree line.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9qkzKOUU4
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabjPe4Yvtz
Ivy used Catori’s vision to view their surroundings. Ivy knew they were69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34IVNVJ3b2
approaching a clearing because the trees started to separate. The spaces69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvYSqLjtJO
between them were larger and there was more sunshine peeping through the69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54pQ5IQgI3
canopy. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxouZXvww8
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBL50w8Tobs
“There is no fire though, Catori.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPQweOMjIB
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSaBj1qRao
“Mmm, perhaps there is a campfire close by, we need to be alert.”
Catori kept to the edge of the forest but still69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpEA1Tk0FB
maintained closeness to the river. Her ears were constantly pricked to hear69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzx0ZiAk9D
anything out of the ordinary around them. She used all of her strength to focus69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHFBJdCk3T
her hearing and welcomed the slight sounds around them. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQz2iIqYwg2
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCjRGUS615
“Children, children laughing?”
“We will wait until sunset and then we will check it69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EMokU3BO5
out and continue. For now, lets just stay hidden in the forest,” Ivy ordered.
Catori found a patch of dirt and positioned herself69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9Rst3Itor
between two large rocks so that it was hard to been seen. With her soft, white69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQw5LRk5ZF
coat, it was hard to camouflage against the browns and greens of the forest69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oKCq5RkHY
floor. Ivy became impatient. The wait was horrendous as she was eager to get to69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAo1pUiRFbA
the next territory, to plead with someone to take her in for a few nights.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fZIMNXqZg
Catori decided that heading North was likely to be safer. The North hate the69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GQWXflxC2
South, but they might also hate them too as they would come from that69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmKiqKF84S
direction. Ivy feared being sold back to her father the most. Even when she69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzroBuNvZs
thought about him and what he did, and what he caused her, the anger built69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYf3wniXlB
rapidly. Catori shook her fur at the thought, feeling the same emotions.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkuGxJEgIW
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJN7oa8wqp
Sunset was almost upon the white wolf, and she proceeded to make her way back69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3w3VeLbMl
to the edge of the forest. Ivy warned Catori to be careful in the clearing and69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvETH8uj3Q
kept a constant look-out through the wolf’s eyes. Ivy looked through the last69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWvb5MiEWC
few trees and she saw houses, upon houses and fences holding livestock.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIGLeEjBW9
Furthermore, there were lights everywhere and nowhere safe to cross down the69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dy2Aa48s9
river safely without being seen. The river ran under a bridge further into the69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyv3irmmign
town, and Ivy noticed people carrying vegetables, eggs and hay, right across69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUblGePvB1
it. Most of the people further in the town and down the lane were retreating69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY11jLRlcz0
into their homes for the night as dusk began to turn. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe76jV882Fw
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTzX5peGP9
“Easy meals,” stated Catori, as she licked her lips. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmpGJaKyc3
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQwRx9lt6j
Ivy was mortified and told her that this must be the human village that her69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGj505WL0de
father used to go on about, especially the dangers. To humans, wolves were69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDkHCMtXTD
nothing, but folklore and Ivy had no idea if they were aware they existed. The69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA29quuVhyz
human species would probably never find out because they are too dumb to69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9N8dFPmYuJ
understand and accept it. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMq3eyIF8C
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7REyTIdwqQ
“You’re up,” said Catori.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgmYnpHw7d
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2Pefqel0w
“What do you mean?”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXD2Gss3tsR
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9LOqeCsmb
“Well I can’t just walk in there and the rivers runs through the middle of69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTqGVtcEH9
town. You are the human form Ivy.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwY8wvcyJn7
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOts7eynAS
“I don’t have clothes,” Ivy stammered. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs90eq6Y7uN
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2GLmEc6kB
“Well hopefully we get seen by a woman first and she might give us some.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMwvj6OlOz
Look for a barn for us to rest in.” 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVOSTtoHNV
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSR3t7mAkkY
Ivy sighed heavily, knowing that Catori was right. Ivy commanded control69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrhWufTFlh
back and allowed Catori to shift. Ivy would never get used to that69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBjfg4pDyW
feeling. The quick shift made a sound or at the very least someone heard a bone69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xsKxUgrpP
crack. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRLW1huqra
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo98v1YyOmS
“Hello? Is there anyone there?” a man asked. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDhDPn3HMw
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihYUqADKTy
He was too close for comfort and neither Catori or Ivy saw him hunched over his69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCklEzSHoiG
garden before. Catori tried using her mind to nudge Ivy forwards, but Ivy was69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrIXCOyPW1
too embarrassed with no clothes. She groaned, "Why did it have to be a man?"69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehdDdexRj3
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcCG62zOYU
“Hello?” he called again. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBqLrPd52C
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaqk9SMjD5
“Angus! Who are you talking to? Are you talking to yourself again?”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMkwurDItr
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CoHdw55eJ
A short, stout woman came from the back of the house that the garden was69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasFwRXj9w0
connected to. Her arms were crossed, and her feet tapped on the stone path, as69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SqbUIKFy1
if her dinner was getting cold inside. Ivy smelt the food from different houses69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYjHYdEydJ
and her mouth watered straight away.
Ivy gulped and took one step into the clearing, and69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFguJdZqyL9
then another whilst she tried to cover herself the best she could. She heard69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzCiwb73CJ
the woman gasp and the man turned to see what the commotion was.
"My Lord,” Ivy heard.
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTJy1ywZcz
“Go inside Angus and get me some clothes.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMSOl5LCxt
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRbDcfvtsU
The woman quickened her pace towards Ivy, and she tried to use her body as a69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqg5SZmIuL
shield so that any onlookers couldn’t see Ivy’s naked body. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoEkaBQg1O
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmtGCj5EB8
“Come now dear, look at the state of you,” she said, walking closer. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSuJzREG3q
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wsznk7fnP
Ivy flinched at her warm, soothing tone and looked past her at the man69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzwoOxDbrK
named Angus, running out of the door with some clothing draped over his arms.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBsV3MF9zv
The woman tried running her hands through Ivy’s hair, with no luck due to not69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvuzzD5X9u
being brushed in days. Ivy allowed the woman to do so, even though Catori69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBie6QyJ6rU
growled in her mind. She was too focused on trying to cover her body with her69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfK8vEYCn8
hands. Angus approached, with his head bent back behind his shoulders, trying69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAl6vDL3bU
not to look at Ivy as he handed over the clothes and a blanket. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGSWZzQHUC
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXmtvS5pOJ
“Come on dear, put these on,” the woman said, whilst handing one piece of69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmebR5ENuBw
clothing to Ivy at a time. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzzByZYM9M
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXCnT0BYVb
“They might not fit your tiny little waist, but we definitely need to get you69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJTechS0hS
washed up and you can tell us where you came from…and in such a state. I have69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKNSOaP38N
some hot soup on the fire now.” 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIqt2Gp1AR
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJci6rTtd58
The woman turned away after she fussed over Ivy, expecting her to follow. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEwywiJuNm
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllFvWZbMia
“Be cautious Ivy,” Catori warned. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Oo9qyx2Kv
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySaWTS2klW
The woman didn’t seem that bad to Ivy, so she followed without speaking a word.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUr7gmauL12
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3PUieFqtM
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZN91x5hen
Walking into the couple’s home, Ivy was instantly warmed by the fire. The small69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYTNSVSvmT
living area was lit by the light of the fire and the woman stirred through soup69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lZ4Bu2Vwx
before she placed it in bowls. The aroma of the vegetables hit Ivy’s nose and69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4eh9b3H5v
her mouth watered. Angus, stared at Ivy with the weirdest expression and she69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHuKtNEaLp
knew that if she spoke, he’d have jumped out of his skin. The woman returned to69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuJ7gSPlgF
the living area and handed Ivy a bowl, then immediately started asking69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOt1P4UnrM
questions. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPn4waZcVS9
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOI8TCciYmt
“So, where are you from dear? The next village is about one hundred miles in69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSCQcqHMFI
the other direction, and by the state of you, you haven’t had a bath in a69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4yfT3EkOr
while.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCXXnhzPGh
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsPbvQOQ8r
She was right, Ivy was covered head to toe in dirt and grime and her hair was a69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKwtCrCY4p
tangled mess. Before Ivy could answer, Angus spoke. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheL6GuG5T6
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrWaJ2HV1T
“Leave her alone for a moment, let her eat Fi.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUhjp9al38
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7d0ebKuHpQ
His eyes urged Ivy to continue eating. Fi grunted and they sat in silence. The69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4MoGLe82i
sounds of slurping irritated Ivy, so she decided to make conversation.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5qAyngNtS
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FU4eJ7b52
“I have been in the forest for a few days now, I have lost count. I am being69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQzZHy7lLW
hunted.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3iKSJy4eD
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDO7bO5WPF
Fi snorted into her soup, “What ever do you mean, hunted?”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0TBtZvK7s
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ogx97mcm1
“I was made to marry a man that I did not want to, and decided to leave, he has69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALUQRrKBTu
sent soldiers after me,” Ivy replied. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkstSan2j1A
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRyLDeledZ
The couple looked dumfounded and confused, but also looked wary of her, as they69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQofZm7oQ3
let a fugitive into their home. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJT4x3Aadm3
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTXOVjz5y2
“Okay, well at least we know where you came from, you can rest here a few days69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bVTWRsQs9
and be on your way. I will go and get a bath ready for you,” Fi announced.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKW2ZNjjVR
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2v19E00Xxy
She took the bowls off the table, placed them on the bench next to a wash tub69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7rLi4zLaN
and disappeared into another room. Ivy’s gaze shifted to Angus, who stared at her. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQC8zy8HJ9
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipe1e3cSo2
“Have you been trained?” he asked. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljBTi4bOyH
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuZE60VPQJ
“Trained enough to hold my own,” Ivy retorted. The question confused her. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknJs1KnOQX
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4nMqCSdHP
“No, you’re not. Your arms are skinny and weak. There is no muscle to them.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2iFj9A7ZY
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghihidUrWA
“I started training with a solder before I ran, I know the basics.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKr0HuM7RdJ
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUnJHQ9WKK
“We train in the morning, first thing,” he commanded. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVU4lrYlY9j
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTuX3fi4xr
Ivy’s mouth opened to respond. She was furious and was not about to be bossed69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWimDMBg7t
around by any male. She felt the heat throughout her body and her cheeks turned69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSxOUaAiXc
a shade of red. Angus cut her off almost immediately in a lowered tone. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPOAOHJB3O
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6kBMxdy6a
“I am not stupid girl; I know what you are and where you have come from. There69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNxjSaSkvB
are no soldiers for miles, and I know what borders the village. Fi may be69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHfR58g2XX
oblivious as are all the rest in this town, but I know.” 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12OrmtGb24
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYojGrb2ER
Angus finished his speech and left Ivy stupefied. Fi came back from the69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkVhWLmxQw
bathroom with a towel over her shoulder. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqr4ZDDafZ8
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBGMdFCcMP
“All done, take your time in there, you will need as much time as you can get,”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBqW8dgtL9
she announced, looking at Ivy up and down. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPph0jLRjg
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhGWo5SOFo
Ivy thanked Fi and accepted the towel that was held out to her. She rose from69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBo6jvjBuv
the chair, feeling shaky about what Angus said to her and headed towards the69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtLxeAOpeI
door Fi came out of. Ivy looked over her shoulder before entering, to see where69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKy9tnXsqiT
the couple had gone. Fi had disappeared into another room and Angus was still69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pZijVySIm
seated at the table, watching her. This time he had a smile spread across his69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeSrsUbX8g
face. Angus checked over his shoulder to make sure that Fi was not around and69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLDwwu5xDL
decided to put Ivy out of her misery. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxntfwUrOe
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgl6VxCbVM3
“I can smell you; I can smell another wolf for miles. See you in the morning,”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfnqyvMYja
he chuckled, and proceeded to hold his nose as he left the room, teasing Ivy69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXmVXE03Nv
about her stench. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnMalKbxcw
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx25dMSWdjO
Ivy had to pick her mouth up off the floor as she watched his hunched over69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaDNFLuRBv
silhouette walk into what must be their bedroom. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SGl9Xp7hS
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9MicDoZbr
Ensuring that Ivy locked the door behind her, she took off the over-sized69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkHLIFdbey
clothes that Fi generously gave. There was no aroma to this bath to help relax69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0RbXVWDq4
her, but Ivy didn’t think much of it. She dipped her toe into the steaming69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZ1cP4YL23
water, just to make sure that she wouldn’t be boiled to death. She let out a69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKcdAzG80l
sigh of relief that the water was the perfect temperature, and she sank her69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCctDmWJic
entire body into the warmth, and allowed the water to consume her. Fi had69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCcND3NqxZ
left a scrubbing brush on the ledge of the bath, which made Ivy giggle, that Fi69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWPeIFFP11
thought she needed it. The steam from the bath alone was enough to allow69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XmCop3KxE
whatever was stuck to her skin, slide off. Ivy used it anyway for the bits that69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YgCV6uqfB
wouldn’t budge. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1CV4ycZKw
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKT6kKTNBM
Catori purred softly in Ivy’s mind, which put her at ease. Knowing that her69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIQVrKGl1C
wolf felt safe, made her feel safe. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QqbhSkiu1
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcbac2UbRV
Ivy spent what felt like hours in the bath. The skin on her toes and fingers69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9b0LwU51x9
were wrinkled. She reluctantly got out of and noticed that Fi also69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10qKdVBKOs
left a brush and some new clothes. The clean ones were a better fit. Ivy69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTD1MJxyBIJ
wrapped her hair in a towel and retreated to the lounge to sit by the fire. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenKFAgn1Vh
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjTgzfWBTK
Fi sat on one end of the couch with a stack of blankets and a pillow that69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EkQTghHRv
rested beside her. When she noticed Ivy, she stood and apologised that they69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryGmSoa75t
didn’t have another bed in the house, but the couch was the best they had. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3m17UIMV2y
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA33XXVnvy9
“Thank-you for your hospitality,” said Ivy as she sat on the floor in front of69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKKzonJcxO
the fire.
Fi sat back down again and gestured Ivy to hand over69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUiCZnlnYE
the brush. Then she clapped her hands on her legs, ushering Ivy to shuffle back69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjICzHe8SlE
into her. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsupYImF0h
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXeYP2bNgh
Ivy obliged because the woman reminded her so much of her mother and she69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzeBA5Q7A7
wondered why Fi had no children. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBehJx1Rq7x
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Grqbdpmtx
Fi began to brush Ivy’s hair, starting at the bottom and working her way up to69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIyCIsbI4E
Ivy’s scalp. Even though Ivy washed her hair, Fi still managed to pull out69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTvUx2FDcf
small twigs that were tangled in there. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIReazsTItZ
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmI6jnASKt
“I’m sorry you have been through, what you’ve been through,” Fi said. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5DL665lRo
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FpTFPjGKy
“I am a strong woman, and I want to choose my own love to spend the rest of my69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyx7CrkmYNS
life with, not an old man,” replied Ivy, still staring at the fire in front of69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx39GiFCJ1z
her.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwsSa0Qv3W
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyrVuUakBi
“They all grow old and grumpy love, and sometimes we do too,” Fi laughed. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rsBLAIE0r
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8e3JGLa9PQ
“Where did you meet Angus?” 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfRllAkhbm
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFH3ysgYBQ
“I used to go to the forest to collect berries and other plants that my family69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kH0Q1UwxR
used for herbal teas. I saw Angus in the river bathing one afternoon,” she69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJTKMHEObb
sighed remembering the moment. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRyBt8OGHb
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zLf6CL1Jw
“He was toned, and muscular and I had never seen a man naked before. I just69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuKWF1IrBA
knew that I was going to marry that man. He looked at me, like he could sense I69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQl51SO9sG
was staring and walked over to ask me who I was and where I come from,” she69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbPcrNy240
continued, “the rest is history and here we are today.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ru9i9RVnb
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84nTGqLbhl
“I hope I find someone like that.” Ivy confessed.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBHlJ2nYOJ
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQfugZ00mG
“Some one that can sweep me off my feet and I just know.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXxgxzJuKA
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuh7ErIGq8
“Now, a pretty girl like you? Can’t find a man?” Fi asked, leaning over Ivy’s69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0Hvyy7Wcg
shoulders to look at her face.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnd6CS2tbU
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTh4VRq32x
“That’s absurd,” she added. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eYN5RkE5X
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6ZPM9n6z5
Fi put the brush down by her side and clapped her legs a second time,69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6snOtBocV0
signaling that she was finished, and she hauled herself out of the couch. Ivy69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vwPZtP516
quickly moved out of her way and thanked her. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6ouS41Myr
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQeR8AD7hr
“Please rest now, don’t stay awake too late. Angus said he has chores for you69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOCLegRxnp
in the morning.” 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtq61NQZuc3
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZ2dygbZfc
Ivy decided that the woman was right and spread the blankets over the couch to69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSX7Klre8a
lay down. The pillow was soft, the blankets were made from wool which felt like69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyi8OWuvdB
a cloud that hugged her. Ivy’s eyes became heavy and realised how exhausted69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0U3H2HPHWq
she’d become, she closed her eyes and willed for sleep to take over.
Morning came quickly, the sun shone through the69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGFpq4J0i9
curtains that were slightly opened. The light shone straight into Ivy’s face. She69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUP5WcdR87b
slept deeply and had to wipe off the drool that ran down her chin as she woke.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RiV6FDXlJ
She stirred for a moment, and wished to go back to sleep, when Angus spoke.
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5cuEf53CR
“Good morning, sunshine,” he said, and held out a cup. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YnZ0cseB9
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdfnnq8LIq
The scent of coffee hit Ivy’s nose and she instantly grabbed the mug from him69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOpvyikJWh
and gulped loudly. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZFae4A5gY
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzb4rTQKGSg
“Steady on soldier,” he laughed. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnlwFt0Lqr
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7Zm1A6vs5
“Sorry, I haven’t had a coffee in who knows how long,” Ivy apologised. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOADnctWCqk
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCPSp4LyGy
Angus sat on the opposite couch, “Don’t say sorry to me, it’s the gift from the69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhF2ZDCiKjp
Moon Goddess.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4UKbqe3Ke
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAGz4Welu7
“How long have you lived here?” Ivy asked, looking around to see if Fi was in ear shot.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiSyTBbGNZ
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2yO1BT2Ut
“It’ okay, Fi goes to the markets early on Thursday mornings. She ordered me69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuXCLtkPDX
not to wake you yet. I’ve lived here ten years,” Angus said proudly.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBMZmdGNNW
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39uz4JBDHw
“How do you… you know do it?” Ivy asked with caution.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHXH5QoMYo
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkfYaHbRCF
“Humans are a stupid species, but I’m here because my mate is human. Weird I69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKvh3we9tu
know,” he stated with raised hands. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jhjWf0I7i
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8O5LEWLqRX
“Fi?”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzy6HQcGam
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitWWGCMN0R
“Yep, she seen me in the river, and I could feel I was being watched. I saw her69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CAfGAsZLI
trying to pathetically hide in the bushes. Then I knew, she was the one. It69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPh9MSdtEWj
washed over me and it’s a feeling that I cannot describe,” Angus explained. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9JospFkWe
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46lvad7SeJ
“The village works much the same as a pack, they are a community. If I feel69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoOJV0nQY9
like I need to shift, then I go to the forest to chop wood for a while and no69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9slUV70lkf
one bats an eyelid,” he continued. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDJsSSdc9R
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEeIG1pdfU
“What pack are you affiliated with?” Ivy pressed. She suddenly felt a feeling69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMkxqZwSXb
of dread in her gut. The closet territory to the human village was Harold’s.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MK3gl8pky
Ivy hoped that he wouldn’t confess to Harold’s pack in case he was still in alliance with Harold. It meant that Ivy was in grave danger, even just having69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKn5koHGSO
their conversation. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MXdd8WKuV
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwo5nHqa37
“No one’s anymore. I was banished by the East and decided to come this way, closer69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3ZPdaIad2
to the South, and well the rest is history; I never made it to the South,” he69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHUuxPur8O
smiled. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Tm5sEEDWi
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMy3yH1bW0
“What about you? What is your story?” pressed Angus. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaZMfhxBk1
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqCzUWYxCK
“I am on the way to the North and although I wasn’t banished from the South, I69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7o6ZIUpYeI
certainly escaped. Now I’m just looking for my mate and wanting to move on from69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlTwSHTW3H
what I left behind.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5y9qXVlekh
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFFD48JvOm
Angus nodded whilst listening to Ivy’s vague story. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlXNrqsm0Z
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9bAnLMEa9
“Right, well we have some training to do. I would be killed if it was found out69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFY1uzAPNt
that I left a royal leave my home, knowing that they were unfit to do so.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNC6clvOto
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKE5HRVfmV
“I am no royal Angus, just an Alpha’s daughter,” corrected Ivy.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PTW8WLYIP
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDNNpjKl0A
Angus let out a bellowing laugh whilst he took their cups to the kitchen.
“You don’t need to hide from me. With hair like that69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2TPxSrMlC
and skin your colour, any wolf would spot you a mile away.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDG2wLmlUC
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7Fpeks0OM
The statement left Ivy confused, but quickly came to the conclusions that Angus69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xztBmIP40
had no clue what he was talking about. She quickly folded the blankets and69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfA6hyejQr
placed them on the end of the couch as Angus held the front door open for her69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yCmaBcyH8
to go outside. He led Ivy through a large pasture, toward the forest edge,69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxLvPopzUS
close to where Angus and Fi found her. Ivy could see the outline of a barn,69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIPRplXude
amongst the first few trees at the back of the property. When they reached it,69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSCaENiT33
Angus unlocked and opened the doors which revealed all types of weapons that69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gBbHJm5us
hung on the walls. Ivy’s eyes grew wide as she marveled at his collection.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKZSMyrjVm
Angus noticed her peaked interest, which quickly faded to fear.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaV68OOVB2
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxewLpzxUA
“We are not training with any of these m’lady. We are training just as people,69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOL4EvjKzk
in human form. Sparring if you like.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1FhZ3RepX
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUnQ8sgIPN
“Why the barn?”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyRGhkE15F
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxrKlop9QR
“Because I know how hard its going to be to stay in human form during battle,69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpfscxgn7W
and not let your inner wolf take over. Also, the growling is not going to help.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJnWT3TsPw
If we did this out in the open, then we would both be running.” 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TKW6ZEcT0
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5n4bVPLIhG
Angus had a point, and a smile grew across Ivy’s face. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMnLgqeqkr
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpSz6GjPks
“Okay, show me what you got,” he challenged.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmVui1YxNY
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5FHWm4dZV
Ivy initiated the spar by posing her body in a defensive stance and waited for69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzGP4cT14Q
Angus to deliver the first blow. He made the first connection to her arms as69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RVAiWFAeo
Ivy continued to defend herself. She retaliated and delivered a quick kick to69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqG11FM51w
his shin and Angus doubled back, cursing. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoV8eWXIvdv
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2EO2vuNvb
Hours went by with Angus showing Ivy what to do, and what not to do. They added69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaU2HS5MVyn
weapons such as sticks. Angus taught her new blocking poses and how to keep her69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWaxj0Eoyl
feet firmly planted on the ground by shifting her weight with each blow. Angus69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIZwdipesy
taught her what cues to look for in battle to pre-empt an attack and when to69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPyBAkI7B7
strike. Ivy felt exhilarated and wished that she had been destined to become a69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3V8Rrh84De
Warrior instead of an Alpha’s daughter. Ivy knew that if she had to fight for69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OClSE0iEF
her life, it would be a lot harder to control Catori and harder to notice the69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlw4VJp4XNf
cues that Angus taught her. Angus seemed to have confidence in Ivy’s basics and69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgINoMQPW8
continued to add more advanced skills into the session. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUJzQms6sk
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmnVqvTeu3
By the end of the day, Ivy was able to pin Angus to the ground and keep him69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHeag4ltVA
there. She felt strong and like she could hold her own, but nothing like a69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAq8AkUMEX
Warrior in a pack. Warriors was required to train all day, every day. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYlHFzkKhW
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdg51RQJQfc
“Wow, I’m really impressed with your progress,” Angus said, panting. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfZZ3tX61j
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhq4r4zrIyF
“Thank-you,” Ivy replied, flopping to the ground with her arms outstretched. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZaot1aaN9
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyQXjagr9M
“I’m done. Toast.” 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1DVhZeNed
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjY9fClaVMw
Angus took some time to gain his breath back and looked outside through the69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSAb8NdfYC
barn doors. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNm77H354p
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuK0K1c5txw
“I’ve worked you all day, you must be sore, time to go back. Fi will have69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCDuQUMNEl
dinner prepared.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIY0e9hJwy
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWBSZi7vtc
Angus was eager to get back at the thought of food and bounced on the heels of69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysCmlHmOfL
his feet, as he waited for Ivy to accept his outstretched hand. Ivy groaned and69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmOnBXtq3F
accepted his offer to help her up, using his strength to pull her tired body69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8u77E7SvzL
off the ground. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEzZkC4hpt
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEaxMuSj3K
“I want to use proper weapons tomorrow,” she stated. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YyShuKKki
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1elzYyFsGU
“Whoa, tomorrow? I thought you’d want to get going?” he asked whilst he locked69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9xDjYaTV0
the doors behind them. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKCKwdK4xg
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAlpYCcInf
“Oh, yeah right, I suppose I should.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4yd1H4eUx
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcPH3ealoE
They made their way back to the house and Angus didn’t say anything else. They69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxuF0RlUfl
covered so much today and were too tired for conversation. Ivy hoped Fi would69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YFFK1Ecav
see her sweaty, dusty clothes and offer Ivy another bath. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FvyKHtfbg
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09EIJBeam1
It wasn’t long before Ivy and Angus reached the house. Ivy entered through the69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJlggpyUiU
door panting, from trying to keep up with Angus’ long strides. Ivy looked69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJop5Mz2fir
around the room and the table were set for dinner. The smells that came from69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEeD7G8fwS
the kitchen made her salivate. Fi had really gone out of her way and Ivy could69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbjyT9Q1km
hear her humming in the bathroom to herself, as she clunked around. Angus69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aSLP1KYIW
closed the door behind him, louder than usual so that Fi could hear that he was69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyZny9dX1S
home. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuZSCfNne8
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYazt2rpde
“Oh, hi honey, I’m just in the bathroom washing up for dinner. I won’t be too69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7kNhcXqos
long, get changed,” she said. Angus excused himself to their bedroom and Ivy69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKUWQs3wv0
took a place at the table. Moments later, Fi emerged from the bathroom and saw69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCfpDRTONu
her. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnGIVgba2l
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4NP5oA3vX
“Oh my, he worked you hard today, you look exhausted. Go and wash up and I will69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOtb1JtuFz
get dinner plated,” she said, looking at Ivy’s grubby hands and face. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjMIozY6xj
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMldAIgd1h0
Ivy was relieved that she was excused to go and wash up. The fresh water felt69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEejhc1lz15
great on her face, and she scooped some in her hands to drink. I won’t have69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiE3IDR5Ymj
time to stop for a drink, Ivy remembered Angus’ words. As true as his words69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLI7D4KhJ3M
were, Ivy wasn’t prepared for Angus to be so gruelling. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4OTfAhBU1
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjL9pkmy1H
Ivy finished in the bathroom and headed out, back to the table. Angus was69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxMEeE4gB4
seated at the head of the table and narrated their day to Fi while she prepared69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAV0vtkHuS
the remainder of dinner. Angus and Fi interacted with each other and amused Ivy as69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2356C6DUH6
she watched them communicate. They were so doting and respectful toward one69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCa5LOzQHf
another. She sensed that if anything happened to either of them, they would be69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboGnZkVkDV
heartbroken. That’s what mate ship was and that is what Ivy wanted. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9mOMDt4DG
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4qASASG0u
Dinner was delightful. Fi bought a turkey and fresh vegetables at the market.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxthT9Z8Dnf
Angus and Ivy devoured their meals like their lives depended on it.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmC4oM6iFZ
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81PXIG9UWP
“Jeez, you two must be hungry,” Fi said amused. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5QqetW3ht
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6xNulbYUj
Ivy nodded her head with her mouth full. Angus stretched over the back of the69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGUUEyC8fX
chair and belched. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhOKwAQP2Z
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3j8DIzkBR
“Beautiful meal my love. I love Thursdays. Let me clear the table for you and69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxT6mRfg48
you go put your feet up.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKR21K1mKIg
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZe3jnDTJ1
He kissed Fi’s forehead gently whilst grabbing her plate. Angus turned to Ivy69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7v0tBVIzC
and told her to join Fi. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7O2Kbm5q6T
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsmvwgWfuj
“You have done enough for today,” he nodded toward the couch. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRG3ACsTtt5
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwX53aj8Ag
Before Ivy took a seat, she excused herself to go outside. She hadn’t seen the69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6M2eQwHjD
village since she’d been there and thought Angus was trying to hide her away,69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOjmgKs5ok
just in case. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdctzbSgJy
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnA36cyEWNj
Ivy leant against the front of the house and took in the sights around her. The69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstoBFHmR8F
whole village seemed to be paved out with stone. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopZ3I7D3Tc
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ua0Wl4fMJ
“I can see the appeal.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4ZbOLCnuO
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwInlKr4eNc
“Me too, it seems nice here.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQjA3bsd6D
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnclsH5OjF
“We can’t stay here Ivy,” Catori stated, picking up on Ivy’s thoughts.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhAfvir131
Ivy hated that she could do that. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshgXyKPEBZ
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBrMOcjCMM
“I know, but it seems nice that I could just walk down the street and maybe69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsvdZWCX5S
meet my mate.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2PYxZWv9s
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8IwibbOZW
“We are destined for something larger.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUjE3FPqMW
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhzIfepZNB
“I wonder what territory Angus comes from?” Ivy mind-linked, kicking herself69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIcwvOWvhL
that she didn’t probe him further that morning. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡircalEgJIK
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0nOpf6h8f
“They are nice people; his wolf is so far hidden, or he is really good at69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCOEkDptTC
blocking me out. All of my questions were left unanswered.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucL7YYLnQl
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1QXHveXI4
The trees around her were so tall and untouched, they were magnificent in69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJatCkjnnC6
size. Kate entered Ivy’s thoughts, and she wished that Kate was with her, or69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmulITyUVMl
that she was still alive. She hoped that her dad had ordered a retaliation and69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgfKVVwp3M
he would find her soon.
The sun continued to set, and everyone bustled to69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlVlrqmOID
reach their homes so they could retreat inside to the warmth of their69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAPEtebpKt
fireplaces. When Ivy stood upright, she could see the riverbed, just below the69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQ7gPToNUg
bridge and wandered where it led. As the village became less busy, Ivy could69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6NJ89I0jG
hear the trickle of the water flowing through -69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLWGfhRZQA
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmAnEhiztJ
Snap!69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OMNSE7iYY
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6rxnWyJje
Ivy’s eyes darted straight to where the source of the noise came from. She69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsr9RVpXmXC
sniffed the air and smelt damp, grungy dander. She focused her vision down the69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYbOI3uzeP
paved path that led into the forest and could make out five shadows through the69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMns4lROkl
trees. Ivy strained her eyes for a few seconds longer, to see if she could69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5MDvdXmYS
catch a glimpse of anything else. Two pairs of glowing eyes stared back at her,69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2L5XPdKwBp
and her heart fell out her ass. Ivy mentally kicked herself for becoming too69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DtnZZLFOO
complacent and stretched her limbs to go inside. She tried to act as though she69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuVXMuGwQT
hadn’t seen them and that she belonged in the village and trudged to the door. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GbSvcszU3
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFReFhAR3rM
Once inside, Angus and Fi were cuddled up on the couch reading poetry. Ivy made69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrRZoObU4F
her bed opposite to them and listened as they repeated lines together. Her eyes69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotktAn4iEo
became heavy, and she tried to keep them open. Ivy needed to tell Angus what69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3DXIZiwJ4
she’d seen. Angus was probably used to seeing and smelling Rogues in the forest69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8HHB1eUcZ
and tell her not to worry. Comfort overcame Ivy and she quickly gave in to her69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlirQeNcR6p
tired mind.
Ivy stirred on the couch, and she thought she heard69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbk92tgNI9
the couple finally retreat to their room. She lifted her eyes to confirm but69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXvQibELkP
noticed through heavy eyes that Angus was putting out the fire. He spotted her69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPG3uMcn6wx
waking and stilled. Ivy quickly sat upright to ask what he was doing but he69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVmwlKTi5R
silently lifted his forefinger to his mouth to quieten her. Ivy’s body started69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflmcrZEX8h
to adjust to being awake and her instincts took over, and she smelt it. The69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOzKZZQiRr
disgusting wet dog smell that she smelt earlier. She silently hoped that she69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BQDZbvrjU
didn’t smell that bad when Angus and Fi saw her on her first night here. Ivy69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBTbBQSBGq
tried to mind-link Angus and to her surprise, made a connection. He opened69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ceikMkHGx
himself up to her. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbUjviNhfJ
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcD6ScDvwNG
“What do we do? Who are they?”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxFK24eDU4
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEu5qfPDoqX
“I DON’T KNOW, BUT I HAVE A SAFE WAY OUT!”, he replied. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UYf0qboUk
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHrLaMcThF
Ivy winced at his response; it was so loud that she nearly jumped out of her69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQdVdn2b25
skin. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXu1MWsY03B
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9d93qWDKs
“Sorry, I haven’t used that in a long time,” he grimaced, almost whispering. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZVYPK7F39
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReP52Rc4hf
Angus ushered her towards the bathroom and Ivy willingly obliged, knowing that69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCuS9BhzXg
she put her trust in someone she just met. Every instinct in her body, told her69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm925vMTm35
to run like hell. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IV4qVzHI5
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLziImCXYL
Angus tried heaving the bath to the other side of the bathroom. After he tried69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfutHjJtsmA
multiple times, Ivy jumped in to help. They managed to move the bath which69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeuBezIsm7
revealed a trap door. Angus slowly opened the door, and rush of cold air came69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmPc6iCePj
through the top. The coolness gave Ivy goosebumps. She rubbed her arms quietly,69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6kkpoIOFC
to generate some warmth and linked Angus again. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAX6RuYffO
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIfylVHcAY
“Where is Fi? Is she safe?”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMzP1WyJXR
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIeVdNPJtb
“Fi is fine she's asleep after drinking her tea, nothing will wake her. I left a69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYcxFGRYgv
note to say I left early to start my errands.” 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWB16nHtq2
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4Y91Ts1Vn
“Angus, but there are wolves out there, what if they come in the house looking69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnb8pvRvAk4
for me?”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55FylgmN5q
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSTnJYZspK
“They won’t be so stupid. Then they’d have a human army on their hands and69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MJZy4wqov
trust me they wouldn’t risk it. If Fi was a wolf, they’d smell her out and69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIefSoUIlm
might be a different story, now hurry up.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2er3Gdy1F
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHpdB4JzcO
Ivy responded to Angus’ urgency and without thinking, she started to descend69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZiNz4SKcs
the ladder. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsc5KTdMzz
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuGDlSvHt5
“Follow the tunnel right to the end, it takes you to the forest on the other69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzz1m7psM3J
side of town. I will meet you there shortly,” Angus linked to Ivy.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNcI1F1tya
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpC4vmLt6jq
He sensed her distrust and added, “I made this for when I escaped.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBJAn8SJk4
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsgC6uXZis
“You told me you were banished,” Ivy argued. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNAf17RKTX
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwT1LX22zEa
“Can’t trust new people,” Angus shrugged and closed the door. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47miGqtkeq
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCkeY2RTtN
Ivy had no other option than to trust him. She either got to the other side of69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWG11cGUN6
the tunnel with an awaiting ambush or when she got to the end, Angus would be69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04Q0wE4Apo
there. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgJb1XLg7i
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYqIe5CCkZ
“What choice do we have? Sit in the dark?”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4npbH0SZO
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuktbsaTQD
Ivy wasn’t in the mood to argue with Catori, so she gave her eyes a few moments69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMWgYIfncF
to adjust to the darkness. She saw the opening of the tunnel which gave her a69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHETvyBbEci
glimmer of hope that Angus told the truth. The tunnel was tiny. Ivy squeezed69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnHxUxngGu
through the small opening and realised she had to crawl along on her stomach to69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFV2oOjAUaC
reach the other side.
Ivy finally reached the end of the narrow tunnel. The69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDbfPJ7nkW
narrow opening, much like the entrance, opened into a basement like cut out.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwYVAaWX7s
She pulled herself out, one limb at a time and fell into a heap on the dirt69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOMmulPDG8
floor. Ivy stared at the ladder that connected with the trapdoor above. She had69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UjkJNj1xz
a fleeting thought that if she happened to crawl in a full circle, she’d allow69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpBvRhVCUb
Catori to shift and rip Angus’ head off. Ivy climbed to the top of the ladder69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjE51FsH3S
and gently pushed on the door. She cringed when is creaked loudly and paused to69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGBMiwV1o7
listen for any movement above. Instead, the door was ripped from her hands and69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1rSE1SBdO
Ivy gasped loudly and tried to keep her balance on the ladder. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHnHoH73xP
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYXV58gsBQ
“Scared ya,” Angus laughed. His face beamed down at her. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyhXF03bTY
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpeH4yx3rk
“Took you long enough,” he complained. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rxNbwCdry
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2CQKZr4U5
“Well, you failed to mention how tight it was,” Ivy snapped back. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhG0HyXNgi1
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvvwwiNWRU
“Not my problem that you didn’t shift and let your wolf scrape through. Would69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzCbDOVjDs
have been a lot quicker.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1OojMVYPP
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4R66g8HiN
“Well you-,” Ivy tried to quickly answer. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOuL5YFjc0
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTljsmmxqFO
“AND you didn’t use your instincts before you opened that door. If you had69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bQ5VyJf1m
taken a moment to focus on your surroundings, you would have known it was safe69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYac6rXVjL
to come out.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ArIvgGoFX
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bmGZmVMBA
Ivy couldn’t argue because he was right. She climbed out from the trapdoor and69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXNWiqH1Py
brushed herself off, straightening her back to stretch. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GHlpYIGrC
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Wt3qXBTAI
“Well thank you for everything Angus. The training, the food and water and69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1sW9hLKtE
getting me out of here safely. I can’t put you or your mate in danger, I have69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY92hg5PwED
to go.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHWwA7jFkv
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8TDtxjc9V
“To hell you are!”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjTKnMMD2A
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIsB0ijtUI
“Why not?” Ivy looked puzzled. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3m53sp3poH
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqDW1esDlJ
“Use your damn instincts girl. We are surrounded and there is no way I’m going69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJWFge336F
to let a young, little princess such as yourself, go wondering off in the69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XBDIW2JxU
forest. They will have my head.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNR8BGwWg8x
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDDhKVqVfD
“First of all, I am not some member of the royal family. Secondly, I’m69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuBE0UT0Oo
following the river to wherever that may lead me and thirdly, I can take care69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHn8VwlVvsl
of myself,” Ivy argued. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCtRmy2mNr
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhPtfNEyWP
“I’m coming whether or not you like it. Those wolves are in the forest69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeJwvPioTy
surrounding this village and if we don’t move now, we will be dog food.” 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6PJL73f9U
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVS3xwB1Ox
Ivy rolled her eyes at Angus and gave in a steely look. He didn’t budge and Ivy69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNjiBv8arn
knew that she had to keep moving. Angus had told her that it was at least a69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYcCa5y7y5
day’s walk, without stopping, to the next territory. Angus extended his arm out69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7iFOn5wPH
to his side, pointing to the forest. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRX4K5Vpm8
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepeikUbHLh
“Ladies first,” he jeered. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7LBL4w0Xe
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4edwTdzl7
“Just because you are with me, doesn’t mean you can boss me around.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZhDyChHS3
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcG131Pcd4
With a huff, Ivy started toward the forest. Angus kept up with her easily and69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGqoayWXuQ
she wondered how big his wolf was. His human stride made Ivy jog to keep up,69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEIrSzD0pN
his wolf stride would force her to run. They walked in silence for a moment,69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYknK0FxvLh
each ensuring that their ears were pricked to notice any sudden movements from69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TNc5qMgWz
around them. Ivy noticed that Angus kept looking down at her as if he wanted to69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrTVJ8Pna4
say something.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwTCNLeFnj
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ580lJbty0n
“Yes?” she asked, giving him permission to speak.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2SPWGnCsx
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxff4LXp6G
“Oh, I just wanted to know if your anger had subsided enough to realise, we are69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTZrDIoRHI
being herded in a northerly direction.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRI1TQJUaw
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4KZVBuID8
Fear ran through Ivy and her face turned whiter than normal.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBhxWCvNnv
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtP3XrNo4oJ
“Calm down lass. It’s not a southern army, otherwise they would have changed69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIA2tdEr1Vb
our direction, or have killed us both by now.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySks39Pb0A
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSgGJqTrpp
Ivy directed her attention to left and the right of them. They were far enough69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kcwzclOw2
away to not startle, but close enough to show them that they were there. Ivy69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGRelcGEhq
could see their shadows moving through the trees. There were three travelling69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuLgU5ZUFS
on the left, three on the right and three travelling behind. Angus encouraged69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLB0yLkqCi
Ivy to keep walking and talking like normal with no sudden movements. Angus’69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuzPq1AAz8
knowledge about battle, instincts and tactics made Ivy wonder if he was ever69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEZ48nViV2
involved in an army or at the very least a ranking Warrior in the East. Ivy had69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYpDFebkyP
never heard of any wolf clans that housed royalty, but Angus constantly69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgB3ysSY9P
compared Ivy to whatever clan he's met . Ivy continued to wonder if where he came from there69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NGnTwebcm
were royal wolves that had similar features. The only royal communities that were69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyB1D1prYyL
still around on their mainland were the Lycan’s.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJWNWnvkwO
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsMAzibOQe
The sun had risen and was encroaching into the middle69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWn2U3frpfR
of the day. Angus and Ivy had been on the move the whole time. Ivy’s mouth was dry,69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhCe7stvJ9
and she was desperate for a drink. Angus kept encouraging her to move on because69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wZ0j9vb1j
they didn’t know what these other wolves were doing. Ivy eventually whined that69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCQczfPiyP
she needed to rest, and her stomach grumbled loudly. Angus reluctantly let her69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cHBQxDGan
sit by the trunk of a large tree, while he scouted the area to make camp and a69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXJTqKmGrP
fire. Ivy watched him disappear behind some trees, trying to look for small69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxTYjADAxX
morsels of food and understood why Fi fell in love with him. Angus adored Fi,69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2UUPbMopf
and always talked about her, but avoided his past. Regardless, Ivy learnt that69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEEwO1OLnd
Angus was a blacksmith within the village, which explained the large range of69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJsC9QvIAB
weapons in the barn. He confirmed that each weapon that hung on the wall, he69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87z6mrWHHZ
created. Angus explained that hiding his wolf form from Fi and the village was69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2me5W7ZDWZ
initially the hardest thing he’s ever done but it all worked out through69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKg9K5ekKr
determination. Angus feared that if Fi found out, she would reject him, and he69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpOXMwqkuj
would be right back where he started; alone. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTqaqaCTki
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjSChGfaiu
“Here looks just fine,” Ivy called out, as Angus came back with two small69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUo1zFmX2h
rabbits.
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDSVTav31v
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69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIns4INMmpD
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgh7Siv0ua2
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6W7XpoWvwE
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH02mJfZoo7
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6kdrBGIAb
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UOE96SuNL
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQmGmVJCiZ
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3767YVAZrd
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQh74aNKma
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqd304NLP8y
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8lqOfIwNv
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNmtTQVTsG
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57Us8fVS4w
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblRrw89QyD
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehK04d7txS
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsAf0Z7xpQ
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69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmvOyWUkOU
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Ivy chose the spot where she was already sitting,69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSLMUwxewf
because her legs felt like they no longer had the strength to hold her weight.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2c0GoV5gNK
There was a boulder that Angus could rest his back on, that sat under the69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHLuB6LMj2
umbrella of a tree and offered some protection. They were almost on the border69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWF8aANRlV
of the next territory. Angus mentioned that they should arrive by nightfall. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Zh1Zn5Z41
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloQ3KpMlvd
“Perfect spot,” Angus agreed, “Now, can you make a fire?”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8muE8EoaK
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLXEdVc7Fw
Ivy nodded. That was one thing that she could do. Angus trotted off to gather69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNX70BhL8tK
some kindling and some larger pieces of wood close by. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaEBg7cfRG
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQYYJKJIjH
The constant feeling of being watched, started to frustrate Ivy. It seemed69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3yrOj4XBH
pointless to her that if they weren’t going to kill them, then they could have69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ380YK53Zb6
at least come forward. She thought that whoever commanded them was useless. No69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnR0h1x2C9
wonder the North were labelled as weak.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9qEO4DEsV
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Angus returned with his arm piled with wood. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDtqR2FBa6
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“We aren’t going to need that much,” Ivy said. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDc7MhX0jX3
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYpFOvrYc6
“Well, we might, we need to cook, and you need to rest, so I need to stand69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aYl5PjxOo
guard.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVrtmIqeIi
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRxPoahH9r
“No you don’t. You said yourself, they don’t want to hurt us.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnshTYG2AL
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQGapyXr3r
“Can’t be too careful, right?” he grimaced. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpSw0MGEGc
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cqFv9dUQz
Angus took smaller pieces of wood and twigs. He pulled the grass from around69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPx6fH2MAW
Ivy and created a small, heaped pile near where Ivy sat. Ivy found small pieces69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYv4dfxTpg
of flint from around the rocks and cracked them together to create a spark. She69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNtGlR1mkG
noticed the smoldering grass and gently blew through cupped hands to force a69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL90LZOW2eE
flame. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8g3urfex4T
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRkvBcRoNi
“I’m glad you can do that, it’s starting to get chilly,” Angus said, watching69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmjlfdWr9u
intently. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoM6sDlaoYK
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAuNwOOG4h
“Well, it’s the one thing I know how to do.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgAIQiNhDF
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgvVD9TGvs
“Good, because I can’t.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWuW5oXlyM
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnlPKOfDDa
Angus’ response shocked Ivy into laughter. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIDOAoCFJU
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QibMiLZ4y
“What about the fireplace in your home?”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ949PyKyy7Y
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4zpLIW3Kr
“Fi does it, and she would be super mad that I put it out.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79M8LZlTlo
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uhwzl6Rtw
The thought made Ivy giggle. A weapon-smith that cannot make fire, certainly69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgV3mKfSisD
eased the mood. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEEChBLUc3
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUfiTgYCxD
As they enjoyed more laughter together, the unknown wolves were getting closer,69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPOBoxAjzh
and made the circle tighter. Ivy shot a look at Angus and responded with a nod69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyErP1z5lsd
to confirm her thoughts.
