Ivy
Ivy allowed Catori to have control and she stayed in70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4fVgy5yUF
her wolf form for a few days. This was mainly so that Ivy could ensure they70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLzH0VSZue
kept warm and made it easier to hunt. They had been training non-stop and70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPamPeqYm5Q
Catori shared her wisdom with Ivy. She advised Ivy that she needed to be ready70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88vyHbL5MY
for anything that came their way. Ivy was totally confused with her advice but70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1UBT8yPF2
figured she knew what she was talking about. Ivy thought it had something to do70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbHNn4ADE8
with the fact they were in the middle of the forest, female, and un-mated.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxPzKCP7QZ
Catori taught her to use all her senses when scouting and looking for food. She70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQojlfsrR8N
taught Ivy what poison smelt like, when she foraged for food such as berries70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4BEeNOS8N
and plants. The worst part of training had been the shifting. Catori said that70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdx0aNNpVj
it was imperative that they train to shift like a flash of lightening for the70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiUNIM0i0l
best defence. That part had been agonisingly painful for both. Completing a70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9js0Nmph4Z
shift between Ivy and Catori all the time, made Ivy feel heavy, tired, and70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQH6AEPo5g
weak. It had the opposite effect on Catori, so she took the lead for the70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhb92u7TJR
following days.
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFOdvvdY3d
Ivy hadn’t heard any more of Harold’s men and she hoped that James took them on70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuuA00buzA
a wild goose chase. It still bugged her that James helped her, mainly because70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXKtFPNdvJ
she had no idea why he decided to help her in the first place, especially when70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQC0rSMl3vG
he could have been banished, killed or worse; stripped of his Beta title.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ01tRWLFKk
Still, Ivy was grateful. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWXKysQaiP
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAlAWZvr2Z
Catori and Ivy have become so close it was almost as if they were one. Ivy70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcV491LJO8
found it easier to feel how Catori is feeling even before she speaks and vice70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLVzktng6x
versa. Catori had been following the river down-stream towards the North-West70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynfH8PZJOU
side for a few days. It was getting colder and colder the further up they down.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ31wm2RzUQ
Ivy’s gown was ripped to shreds on the night of their first shift, so she70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VKIUMWifG
didn’t even have that to cover herself. Catori and Ivy both agreed that it was70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUesyqvYCy
best that Catori kept their wolf form. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7ZyEKHhCG
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhb2m6oIztj
“We are coming close to town Ivy.” 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBwHDuPGcn
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQc3r9bt0e
“Really? You said that we weren’t due to hit a territory for at least another70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxQkFLvika
couple of days,” Ivy answered.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYxT0LWWVl
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOU1PHRCJRh
“I smell smoke and a stench that I cannot describe. I have never smelt this70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINe3s3t3mS
before. The river heads in that direction past the forest tree line.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVHrbECuhq
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IQspmyVRM
Ivy used Catori’s vision to view their surroundings. Ivy knew they were70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7xhl76r5m
approaching a clearing because the trees started to separate. The spaces70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBvQiZDAPu
between them were larger and there was more sunshine peeping through the70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHqlNSqwRh
canopy. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcOtLh9zMk
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5z7Ld5iTx
“There is no fire though, Catori.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrI30Z8tFUn
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWy6WLgbpKi
“Mmm, perhaps there is a campfire close by, we need to be alert.”
Catori kept to the edge of the forest but still70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQQVav8juw
maintained closeness to the river. Her ears were constantly pricked to hear70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhniXQjRMi
anything out of the ordinary around them. She used all of her strength to focus70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJjGownsrn
her hearing and welcomed the slight sounds around them. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmmgqFuesi
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8uTZPv5ya
“Children, children laughing?”
“We will wait until sunset and then we will check it70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCHTOKEJso
out and continue. For now, lets just stay hidden in the forest,” Ivy ordered.
Catori found a patch of dirt and positioned herself70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhV6fLKzxP
between two large rocks so that it was hard to been seen. With her soft, white70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXR1b5Ms1k
coat, it was hard to camouflage against the browns and greens of the forest70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEIW0UgjnP
floor. Ivy became impatient. The wait was horrendous as she was eager to get to70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eJE2cqz9z
the next territory, to plead with someone to take her in for a few nights.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpPRgIbn56
Catori decided that heading North was likely to be safer. The North hate the70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡty5IdSUQeW
South, but they might also hate them too as they would come from that70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIWw8hQfx5
direction. Ivy feared being sold back to her father the most. Even when she70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfG9PQwijo
thought about him and what he did, and what he caused her, the anger built70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelIwvKKMcm
rapidly. Catori shook her fur at the thought, feeling the same emotions.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqivOP8WaU
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhS7JRycSg
Sunset was almost upon the white wolf, and she proceeded to make her way back70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiMqYEKNSp
to the edge of the forest. Ivy warned Catori to be careful in the clearing and70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9KQFKskCR
kept a constant look-out through the wolf’s eyes. Ivy looked through the last70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fzK71Yj5u
few trees and she saw houses, upon houses and fences holding livestock.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSJTvV8QMv
Furthermore, there were lights everywhere and nowhere safe to cross down the70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoIsnhP6NP
river safely without being seen. The river ran under a bridge further into the70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YnVGZqarw
town, and Ivy noticed people carrying vegetables, eggs and hay, right across70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewPyMV8USh
it. Most of the people further in the town and down the lane were retreating70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoL66y1bojR
into their homes for the night as dusk began to turn. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaj6syT3G4
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwEXvYvVzO
“Easy meals,” stated Catori, as she licked her lips. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1B5lEekDF
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyNS2mtpHQ
Ivy was mortified and told her that this must be the human village that her70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJHD7O1hEA
father used to go on about, especially the dangers. To humans, wolves were70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm38QeUeCF9
nothing, but folklore and Ivy had no idea if they were aware they existed. The70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eEZqpQCeg
human species would probably never find out because they are too dumb to70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4f4p6aNy5O
understand and accept it. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStiBeJ20Kg
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXd5zjPWBdw
“You’re up,” said Catori.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhSiGWeU8t
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCS213t4hJ
“What do you mean?”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFc2YCHO8qw
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnLfkfweyW
“Well I can’t just walk in there and the rivers runs through the middle of70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRfReJhbTT
town. You are the human form Ivy.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgHW8DKBFD
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMlFxSnnQB
“I don’t have clothes,” Ivy stammered. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVuFbVI8iW
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0lxT3GIQl
“Well hopefully we get seen by a woman first and she might give us some.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDMWL8DikK
Look for a barn for us to rest in.” 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82nLYSlpt9
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIc5LNRPCTI
Ivy sighed heavily, knowing that Catori was right. Ivy commanded control70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdTsNiI4ZI
back and allowed Catori to shift. Ivy would never get used to that70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOe9IY8Gbbx
feeling. The quick shift made a sound or at the very least someone heard a bone70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNR9ShoW4Z
crack. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KHnbGskSM
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxjLsvcyjR
“Hello? Is there anyone there?” a man asked. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPQmXyVoAi
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrB1QFXJvr
He was too close for comfort and neither Catori or Ivy saw him hunched over his70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNiVm65UTu
garden before. Catori tried using her mind to nudge Ivy forwards, but Ivy was70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxclzHcV0K
too embarrassed with no clothes. She groaned, "Why did it have to be a man?"70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawonPXj7eb
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvb2SOFln4e
“Hello?” he called again. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1T6T2KNAtW
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmURFEiczs
“Angus! Who are you talking to? Are you talking to yourself again?”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOltTg66EV6
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrGe9JJdIO
A short, stout woman came from the back of the house that the garden was70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUcgPRqTzb
connected to. Her arms were crossed, and her feet tapped on the stone path, as70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmVsaU8eO1
if her dinner was getting cold inside. Ivy smelt the food from different houses70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAtYP51jAW
and her mouth watered straight away.
Ivy gulped and took one step into the clearing, and70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWXe6HjzlB
then another whilst she tried to cover herself the best she could. She heard70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBaMsHdh27
the woman gasp and the man turned to see what the commotion was.
"My Lord,” Ivy heard.
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTw8J2lYCt
“Go inside Angus and get me some clothes.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcq62IIt1BE
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ328acg7kzF
The woman quickened her pace towards Ivy, and she tried to use her body as a70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gC9yKdHwe
shield so that any onlookers couldn’t see Ivy’s naked body. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmDM9fDS2v
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgLAnXuX5M
“Come now dear, look at the state of you,” she said, walking closer. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1RcXrZzHq
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3StFAMyhOK
Ivy flinched at her warm, soothing tone and looked past her at the man70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiwN8d71za
named Angus, running out of the door with some clothing draped over his arms.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzcNydpsRs
The woman tried running her hands through Ivy’s hair, with no luck due to not70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7f83V4yz5
being brushed in days. Ivy allowed the woman to do so, even though Catori70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYJ6t15QIA
growled in her mind. She was too focused on trying to cover her body with her70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8O85w6P0Z
hands. Angus approached, with his head bent back behind his shoulders, trying70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTS8KPG8fN
not to look at Ivy as he handed over the clothes and a blanket. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MzyfYZ54h
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrf5lXd8xOK
“Come on dear, put these on,” the woman said, whilst handing one piece of70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexcUImuOUv
clothing to Ivy at a time. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrXL4nWSQl
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSAbB68CfP
“They might not fit your tiny little waist, but we definitely need to get you70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuSBobqpzA
washed up and you can tell us where you came from…and in such a state. I have70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkLHRne0kc
some hot soup on the fire now.” 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoH5c0QnySD
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1V4SJgWfR
The woman turned away after she fussed over Ivy, expecting her to follow. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkJyi36qay
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkCNrsrEkG
“Be cautious Ivy,” Catori warned. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAHyZlRRJb
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEThy4Hl6n
The woman didn’t seem that bad to Ivy, so she followed without speaking a word.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo829qTbauZ
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlpEsxUnVF
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmusFnyxke
Walking into the couple’s home, Ivy was instantly warmed by the fire. The small70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawm44urmLO
living area was lit by the light of the fire and the woman stirred through soup70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNydDTgCki
before she placed it in bowls. The aroma of the vegetables hit Ivy’s nose and70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntXTndaNQj
her mouth watered. Angus, stared at Ivy with the weirdest expression and she70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUR0rAr7oh6
knew that if she spoke, he’d have jumped out of his skin. The woman returned to70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEklVzOlLx
the living area and handed Ivy a bowl, then immediately started asking70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwR75MpMskE
questions. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73RXzctybR
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqF56ziAkI
“So, where are you from dear? The next village is about one hundred miles in70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEWK0VuATE
the other direction, and by the state of you, you haven’t had a bath in a70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUN2vYSnG5
while.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wW7lQRtDw
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAKKZuj5pJ
She was right, Ivy was covered head to toe in dirt and grime and her hair was a70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSADNNN9QFl
tangled mess. Before Ivy could answer, Angus spoke. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzrqSL83Rz
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIVqW5TC9s
“Leave her alone for a moment, let her eat Fi.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08yW2aKACz
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhA2aSbCxlM
His eyes urged Ivy to continue eating. Fi grunted and they sat in silence. The70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxLHqzvi4l
sounds of slurping irritated Ivy, so she decided to make conversation.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJVrNJ6NQp
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIOM3aeSbf
“I have been in the forest for a few days now, I have lost count. I am being70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsw1UjqacQ
hunted.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhsqV7Iqo6
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUAEAa60BF
Fi snorted into her soup, “What ever do you mean, hunted?”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7Jhy8ikro
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04gGigkgvl
“I was made to marry a man that I did not want to, and decided to leave, he has70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oxTETATMr
sent soldiers after me,” Ivy replied. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXOhbeO7dl
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCq6UeuSWD7
The couple looked dumfounded and confused, but also looked wary of her, as they70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUGY12OQtr
let a fugitive into their home. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhApBkZuf9a
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUbQoNRyDT
“Okay, well at least we know where you came from, you can rest here a few days70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUsfphDtUF
and be on your way. I will go and get a bath ready for you,” Fi announced.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9Vq5c7lL1
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHiDUHKAxm
She took the bowls off the table, placed them on the bench next to a wash tub70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKr3L83ZFfm
and disappeared into another room. Ivy’s gaze shifted to Angus, who stared at her. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWooQ2Gymq
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoc4t7dWj1N
“Have you been trained?” he asked. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO62lsMEn5e
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCyFrMGYWA
“Trained enough to hold my own,” Ivy retorted. The question confused her. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5g36qRr8W
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcnvciMCHY
“No, you’re not. Your arms are skinny and weak. There is no muscle to them.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBJQl4HUzq
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOr5cJCHdD
“I started training with a solder before I ran, I know the basics.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIBTsLEnVI
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrv34eDyUYx
“We train in the morning, first thing,” he commanded. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyumCey2XK
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9punYCblYH
Ivy’s mouth opened to respond. She was furious and was not about to be bossed70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCQ3IKP9GO
around by any male. She felt the heat throughout her body and her cheeks turned70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOduarEVJMT
a shade of red. Angus cut her off almost immediately in a lowered tone. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1h2H0ZgB4b
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP99RHdWbco
“I am not stupid girl; I know what you are and where you have come from. There70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4r1wkGzg2U
are no soldiers for miles, and I know what borders the village. Fi may be70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWWp6uLxbj
oblivious as are all the rest in this town, but I know.” 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvGK64005e
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCTbJ9agiN
Angus finished his speech and left Ivy stupefied. Fi came back from the70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtQDAxV6mN
bathroom with a towel over her shoulder. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTSfV64iGh
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9SltDYl1X
“All done, take your time in there, you will need as much time as you can get,”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeL32SMv49j
she announced, looking at Ivy up and down. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZqTijkF2a
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uuRy7IW1l
Ivy thanked Fi and accepted the towel that was held out to her. She rose from70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBbV4HHcJW
the chair, feeling shaky about what Angus said to her and headed towards the70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoajR61pUHw
door Fi came out of. Ivy looked over her shoulder before entering, to see where70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOnDLnMOYG
the couple had gone. Fi had disappeared into another room and Angus was still70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1l4LdHAWBd
seated at the table, watching her. This time he had a smile spread across his70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeDhVEUKx0
face. Angus checked over his shoulder to make sure that Fi was not around and70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gDlhVfuxE
decided to put Ivy out of her misery. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4YJPVftAX
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdCwJZRO6T
“I can smell you; I can smell another wolf for miles. See you in the morning,”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalFfN04rmA
he chuckled, and proceeded to hold his nose as he left the room, teasing Ivy70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosFITqpusi
about her stench. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATwd90JCJ5
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYxZXNdWea
Ivy had to pick her mouth up off the floor as she watched his hunched over70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bQgpVgTIw
silhouette walk into what must be their bedroom. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDN6qA7RQzw
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk08csP0bSi
Ensuring that Ivy locked the door behind her, she took off the over-sized70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17YosssGrg
clothes that Fi generously gave. There was no aroma to this bath to help relax70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzQVkl3Kq7
her, but Ivy didn’t think much of it. She dipped her toe into the steaming70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdozH7jSqm5
water, just to make sure that she wouldn’t be boiled to death. She let out a70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYaPsJP6WU
sigh of relief that the water was the perfect temperature, and she sank her70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIYZIFFtka
entire body into the warmth, and allowed the water to consume her. Fi had70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKklbYIi0B
left a scrubbing brush on the ledge of the bath, which made Ivy giggle, that Fi70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3tzDk80YH
thought she needed it. The steam from the bath alone was enough to allow70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBcrNL09lS
whatever was stuck to her skin, slide off. Ivy used it anyway for the bits that70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhaE7CX9U9
wouldn’t budge. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZNrhjtVJE
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1IXF1Qr7H
Catori purred softly in Ivy’s mind, which put her at ease. Knowing that her70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gJ0uTOsHZ
wolf felt safe, made her feel safe. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyUWPLePwn
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEtBGWFwvE
Ivy spent what felt like hours in the bath. The skin on her toes and fingers70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nYfLX6DKA
were wrinkled. She reluctantly got out of and noticed that Fi also70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA40PVqnHOd
left a brush and some new clothes. The clean ones were a better fit. Ivy70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbu3CN5fEU
wrapped her hair in a towel and retreated to the lounge to sit by the fire. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHhdxW73Iy
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeV7HswHc4T
Fi sat on one end of the couch with a stack of blankets and a pillow that70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumpdHLKRQ7
rested beside her. When she noticed Ivy, she stood and apologised that they70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNe2Gu3NtPf
didn’t have another bed in the house, but the couch was the best they had. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvdyYXDsAx
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YL1LmMjLx
“Thank-you for your hospitality,” said Ivy as she sat on the floor in front of70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7t8bP00YAz
the fire.
Fi sat back down again and gestured Ivy to hand over70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHqYOAGXJa
the brush. Then she clapped her hands on her legs, ushering Ivy to shuffle back70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxBWDVzNDN
into her. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5Vxk6Qu03
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7jMSGt6il
Ivy obliged because the woman reminded her so much of her mother and she70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EJGUG9MKf
wondered why Fi had no children. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrCib0SFqc
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UFRFQweJI
Fi began to brush Ivy’s hair, starting at the bottom and working her way up to70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQ3cuYVQLv
Ivy’s scalp. Even though Ivy washed her hair, Fi still managed to pull out70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUodUVDkgUc
small twigs that were tangled in there. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaHgyQ3ToT
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtYJBNoW5E
“I’m sorry you have been through, what you’ve been through,” Fi said. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULpjLnN6tA
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cRAp73Dlz
“I am a strong woman, and I want to choose my own love to spend the rest of my70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhEE4ENdkt
life with, not an old man,” replied Ivy, still staring at the fire in front of70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODV7FeQYtX
her.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNZbbF4SB2
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcqeOFU8fl
“They all grow old and grumpy love, and sometimes we do too,” Fi laughed. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaJdMfedBZ
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIYCWEXSz8
“Where did you meet Angus?” 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Tyn46XaDn
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvz3ZcmYERa
“I used to go to the forest to collect berries and other plants that my family70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNRlrObZS7
used for herbal teas. I saw Angus in the river bathing one afternoon,” she70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AjVInuQMo
sighed remembering the moment. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcUN1j05CA
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQIl2qaW9R
“He was toned, and muscular and I had never seen a man naked before. I just70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdcGWVHNBT
knew that I was going to marry that man. He looked at me, like he could sense I70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfek68zC3C
was staring and walked over to ask me who I was and where I come from,” she70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXJUYWHjg6
continued, “the rest is history and here we are today.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUnT0y0vHG
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxMf02uV0q
“I hope I find someone like that.” Ivy confessed.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcY3Byi0T2
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49Yg5o3qbI
“Some one that can sweep me off my feet and I just know.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJF9krTAy3F
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYUMftzDww
“Now, a pretty girl like you? Can’t find a man?” Fi asked, leaning over Ivy’s70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeBBIpAD5z
shoulders to look at her face.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRbk7nl8I4
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gAdSi6Tw8
“That’s absurd,” she added. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZL1qqc0iv
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6gnhTGObf
Fi put the brush down by her side and clapped her legs a second time,70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWdsbqQL9R
signaling that she was finished, and she hauled herself out of the couch. Ivy70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqMkkMCShG
quickly moved out of her way and thanked her. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw70eI4LFHe
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKda035I5X
“Please rest now, don’t stay awake too late. Angus said he has chores for you70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNEoyPrDbK
in the morning.” 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpQatVZRGz
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡed7U0Mo9HQ
Ivy decided that the woman was right and spread the blankets over the couch to70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jNz6Ozh6h
lay down. The pillow was soft, the blankets were made from wool which felt like70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAAZuzX3IS
a cloud that hugged her. Ivy’s eyes became heavy and realised how exhausted70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0IkVBYejw
she’d become, she closed her eyes and willed for sleep to take over.
Morning came quickly, the sun shone through the70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuQiIUZk6f
curtains that were slightly opened. The light shone straight into Ivy’s face. She70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTecLrdKLu
slept deeply and had to wipe off the drool that ran down her chin as she woke.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcK0XfBkNZ
She stirred for a moment, and wished to go back to sleep, when Angus spoke.
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡur883z8r3v
“Good morning, sunshine,” he said, and held out a cup. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kwM2hRkqD
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkXKW2dNPr
The scent of coffee hit Ivy’s nose and she instantly grabbed the mug from him70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHdgt0fAdN
and gulped loudly. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEAa0sVbzv
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEI25BqDKK
“Steady on soldier,” he laughed. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WHdSeRGpu
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaODGTj1qPt
“Sorry, I haven’t had a coffee in who knows how long,” Ivy apologised. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVb5BUB0lx
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2orBGo6ei
Angus sat on the opposite couch, “Don’t say sorry to me, it’s the gift from the70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmFgnNEje3
Moon Goddess.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZw9NZX7cK
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTocUoohSnn
“How long have you lived here?” Ivy asked, looking around to see if Fi was in ear shot.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrlsgra4WI
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuIx3wZsIq
“It’ okay, Fi goes to the markets early on Thursday mornings. She ordered me70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlwAPzBaaQ
not to wake you yet. I’ve lived here ten years,” Angus said proudly.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡES65fnuquF
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwwcLEOwYF
“How do you… you know do it?” Ivy asked with caution.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DNjAi8SAK
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwus5wKWy8
“Humans are a stupid species, but I’m here because my mate is human. Weird I70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YQUGtdViK
know,” he stated with raised hands. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiirP5zkKg
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCuVqVqDJa
“Fi?”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncNYp0MfXk
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPoH8yEMv5
“Yep, she seen me in the river, and I could feel I was being watched. I saw her70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyv83bzU22E
trying to pathetically hide in the bushes. Then I knew, she was the one. It70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUYTs1fSWA
washed over me and it’s a feeling that I cannot describe,” Angus explained. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRkvs9WVjB
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xPvb5f9kc
“The village works much the same as a pack, they are a community. If I feel70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY92yTlKQKU
like I need to shift, then I go to the forest to chop wood for a while and no70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WVOYaF5ZM
one bats an eyelid,” he continued. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpPztow9c3
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzUKOL8vYX
“What pack are you affiliated with?” Ivy pressed. She suddenly felt a feeling70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWsI3vMVC9
of dread in her gut. The closet territory to the human village was Harold’s.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2WpoVVxV5
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 having70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRI2SQ1ZutP
their conversation. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSK9a0BZ3oj
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKuHn86VXE
“No one’s anymore. I was banished by the East and decided to come this way, closer70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVObbQEokMa
to the South, and well the rest is history; I never made it to the South,” he70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBgpBDY0gR
smiled. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh004VTU7vp
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTh9fgzHVK
“What about you? What is your story?” pressed Angus. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYNkiWwT8e
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUHfFY0SQz
“I am on the way to the North and although I wasn’t banished from the South, I70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLn4wXeNOD
certainly escaped. Now I’m just looking for my mate and wanting to move on from70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3tpAsDxvi
what I left behind.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1K2MLqGYnJ
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETiHGecUx1
Angus nodded whilst listening to Ivy’s vague story. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AoSoUkvKx
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXH5dEpgS1
“Right, well we have some training to do. I would be killed if it was found out70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnSn8ju8Xj
that I left a royal leave my home, knowing that they were unfit to do so.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwIyaTXHWO
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5Y2gZj9c0
“I am no royal Angus, just an Alpha’s daughter,” corrected Ivy.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVw70SmNE50
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXkF6Dc5ho
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 that70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4D4dVxYMOo
and skin your colour, any wolf would spot you a mile away.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSF6E2jagnf
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynVpxg8mm7
The statement left Ivy confused, but quickly came to the conclusions that Angus70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Js0niDcFs
had no clue what he was talking about. She quickly folded the blankets and70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaL0RdfPo37
placed them on the end of the couch as Angus held the front door open for her70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNp8IeatFp
to go outside. He led Ivy through a large pasture, toward the forest edge,70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0j4lvn6eG4
close to where Angus and Fi found her. Ivy could see the outline of a barn,70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuN7FVt8OS
amongst the first few trees at the back of the property. When they reached it,70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWMKiMoSEQ
Angus unlocked and opened the doors which revealed all types of weapons that70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRp1NUPxyB
hung on the walls. Ivy’s eyes grew wide as she marveled at his collection.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8mSmTrSdu
Angus noticed her peaked interest, which quickly faded to fear.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuN7Z6Llsn
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwmbfGBQoS
“We are not training with any of these m’lady. We are training just as people,70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziHS6qmAbq
in human form. Sparring if you like.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78SUcf9mzO
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTldUgZjDd
“Why the barn?”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIYVXvMvzx
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60sSLCcTvV
“Because I know how hard its going to be to stay in human form during battle,70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8QefHSrfk
and not let your inner wolf take over. Also, the growling is not going to help.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyC0oBTiSil
If we did this out in the open, then we would both be running.” 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQDDDj4eOb
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3ZCnivSBn
Angus had a point, and a smile grew across Ivy’s face. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23NIq5eYMd
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerHQASdO5P
“Okay, show me what you got,” he challenged.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhRxp2wyfi
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4lv96Og3t
Ivy initiated the spar by posing her body in a defensive stance and waited for70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjN59ByTrYX
Angus to deliver the first blow. He made the first connection to her arms as70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDa0hKm88JO
Ivy continued to defend herself. She retaliated and delivered a quick kick to70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUfAcERWcR
his shin and Angus doubled back, cursing. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiQ1BEVNyS
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUm1OrjjWr
Hours went by with Angus showing Ivy what to do, and what not to do. They added70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBknqO9PCDA
weapons such as sticks. Angus taught her new blocking poses and how to keep her70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2S9lYVhRR
feet firmly planted on the ground by shifting her weight with each blow. Angus70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9shdbraeR
taught her what cues to look for in battle to pre-empt an attack and when to70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADhmXR4YMm
strike. Ivy felt exhilarated and wished that she had been destined to become a70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBoeKr42Vf
Warrior instead of an Alpha’s daughter. Ivy knew that if she had to fight for70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADajfLhkQz
her life, it would be a lot harder to control Catori and harder to notice the70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsWRVVByEo
cues that Angus taught her. Angus seemed to have confidence in Ivy’s basics and70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75auJ9ZQIi
continued to add more advanced skills into the session. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoE41ej9UY
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ythKOLLOE
By the end of the day, Ivy was able to pin Angus to the ground and keep him70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSeuyFIEXC
there. She felt strong and like she could hold her own, but nothing like a70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYRcRCATp5
Warrior in a pack. Warriors was required to train all day, every day. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vF8iQQmnp
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimjOJPCfet
“Wow, I’m really impressed with your progress,” Angus said, panting. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4k68TxMwvO
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0BFtDPEYc
“Thank-you,” Ivy replied, flopping to the ground with her arms outstretched. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkrvWGnlkf
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkFD9MB0ll
“I’m done. Toast.” 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMCKsQMca6
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxWyAMOYPj
Angus took some time to gain his breath back and looked outside through the70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOBjXxB42h
barn doors. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXQIdrIqRV
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4G7SXHBpk
“I’ve worked you all day, you must be sore, time to go back. Fi will have70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXewNwDonY
dinner prepared.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NmEWiJeyr
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88egU80PdJ
Angus was eager to get back at the thought of food and bounced on the heels of70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuAYzbWcxE
his feet, as he waited for Ivy to accept his outstretched hand. Ivy groaned and70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIwq2yDO6j
accepted his offer to help her up, using his strength to pull her tired body70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLEXHEE06f
off the ground. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQprt5wEsZq
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtam3a4Otv4
“I want to use proper weapons tomorrow,” she stated. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn50wVHY6EU
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Uwejagn3c
“Whoa, tomorrow? I thought you’d want to get going?” he asked whilst he locked70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJpud4sI5w
the doors behind them. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gLzlp2O8o
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHjrXYhlOQ
“Oh, yeah right, I suppose I should.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktyEbZHtIp
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIaQuI6W9n
They made their way back to the house and Angus didn’t say anything else. They70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYd0lNEgd9
covered so much today and were too tired for conversation. Ivy hoped Fi would70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcjfqw8DXa
see her sweaty, dusty clothes and offer Ivy another bath. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvqCIi1wbH
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3il3q6gZp9
It wasn’t long before Ivy and Angus reached the house. Ivy entered through the70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hTaoJL57x
door panting, from trying to keep up with Angus’ long strides. Ivy looked70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0eewQHB37
around the room and the table were set for dinner. The smells that came from70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbUizxWBgs
the kitchen made her salivate. Fi had really gone out of her way and Ivy could70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVkt3eA6OA
hear her humming in the bathroom to herself, as she clunked around. Angus70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspLU4mfrHz
closed the door behind him, louder than usual so that Fi could hear that he was70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKVemDZEYC
home. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rcGZehq5i
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvRVEl8wcX
“Oh, hi honey, I’m just in the bathroom washing up for dinner. I won’t be too70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoJLMY656i
long, get changed,” she said. Angus excused himself to their bedroom and Ivy70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Bnf5Uan1q
took a place at the table. Moments later, Fi emerged from the bathroom and saw70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrXksfiBSn
her. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dn8QGO8pL
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeutufy1Ztq
“Oh my, he worked you hard today, you look exhausted. Go and wash up and I will70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGglKs73mI
get dinner plated,” she said, looking at Ivy’s grubby hands and face. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KSlkB0MsJ
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjmhTQ5r9W
Ivy was relieved that she was excused to go and wash up. The fresh water felt70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnVtyysx8H
great on her face, and she scooped some in her hands to drink. I won’t have70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDs6VatlsUY
time to stop for a drink, Ivy remembered Angus’ words. As true as his words70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqSnjUEHHr
were, Ivy wasn’t prepared for Angus to be so gruelling. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeeUmHLHE2
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8opfEZQW08
Ivy finished in the bathroom and headed out, back to the table. Angus was70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5v9p2WvMz
seated at the head of the table and narrated their day to Fi while she prepared70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzWYwFAr0f
the remainder of dinner. Angus and Fi interacted with each other and amused Ivy as70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8oMevhPqG
she watched them communicate. They were so doting and respectful toward one70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSH9VfsBjB
another. She sensed that if anything happened to either of them, they would be70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Xy5GJvrVK
heartbroken. That’s what mate ship was and that is what Ivy wanted. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYe5k55cIOY
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcTNkYB7Mp
Dinner was delightful. Fi bought a turkey and fresh vegetables at the market.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3WLvtJhMf
Angus and Ivy devoured their meals like their lives depended on it.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrb0hTz54gk
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhOd433CB9
“Jeez, you two must be hungry,” Fi said amused. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxD2NoSpJ1b
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmMXJds2LS
Ivy nodded her head with her mouth full. Angus stretched over the back of the70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oVQE96pOx
chair and belched. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1woAnBIuR
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoimO2F3k02
“Beautiful meal my love. I love Thursdays. Let me clear the table for you and70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DZahJgaym
you go put your feet up.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfVbXKihXf
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGWFvuamrp
He kissed Fi’s forehead gently whilst grabbing her plate. Angus turned to Ivy70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFzEmjL8nH
and told her to join Fi. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi64ghmM5kx
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrULlkTiGAj
“You have done enough for today,” he nodded toward the couch. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBshxvDaxZ6
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBv6fLVgZD
Before Ivy took a seat, she excused herself to go outside. She hadn’t seen the70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuFsIC2YVj
village since she’d been there and thought Angus was trying to hide her away,70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUe57UjePu
just in case. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2uGPxtvHE
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkM6cu8CJF
Ivy leant against the front of the house and took in the sights around her. The70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXzDnuXonj
whole village seemed to be paved out with stone. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUIPKCXUGn
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg51mBqUGqN
“I can see the appeal.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQKsWbJhqO
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvs2q42ATi6
“Me too, it seems nice here.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2A9ZDTxvNp
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjioeBcbIa
“We can’t stay here Ivy,” Catori stated, picking up on Ivy’s thoughts.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqFa4FiuqL
Ivy hated that she could do that. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdXQKwpsT4
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClyXfqRkZv
“I know, but it seems nice that I could just walk down the street and maybe70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhdUeCIiaA
meet my mate.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPm5AuSQ0Te
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjPxgKlatZ
“We are destined for something larger.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcOh7EhSqM
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEW1f2VvEJT
“I wonder what territory Angus comes from?” Ivy mind-linked, kicking herself70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAaBUsoe7H
that she didn’t probe him further that morning. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrweR0DdnA
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpVlrYtqGX
“They are nice people; his wolf is so far hidden, or he is really good at70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfBO5gdZd4
blocking me out. All of my questions were left unanswered.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmWlQ2ylSO
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tRcnSoUqm
The trees around her were so tall and untouched, they were magnificent in70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIqBTu17X4
size. Kate entered Ivy’s thoughts, and she wished that Kate was with her, or70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0V9qxjla26
that she was still alive. She hoped that her dad had ordered a retaliation and70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO98KERLPHB
he would find her soon.
The sun continued to set, and everyone bustled to70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zxaMKuazW
reach their homes so they could retreat inside to the warmth of their70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TTAwmsj71
fireplaces. When Ivy stood upright, she could see the riverbed, just below the70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQDQolSGRP
bridge and wandered where it led. As the village became less busy, Ivy could70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaR1smH2Ugv
hear the trickle of the water flowing through -70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0H3DCCk5Se
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfCdiyBqzX
Snap!70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPall1EuXJB
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08W5tub8Bw
Ivy’s eyes darted straight to where the source of the noise came from. She70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOTmIktUzm
sniffed the air and smelt damp, grungy dander. She focused her vision down the70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenFI4mwdOs
paved path that led into the forest and could make out five shadows through the70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8mltLcYiK
trees. Ivy strained her eyes for a few seconds longer, to see if she could70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡca6nonkH1M
catch a glimpse of anything else. Two pairs of glowing eyes stared back at her,70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyT0vf8pKf
and her heart fell out her ass. Ivy mentally kicked herself for becoming too70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNiN170WSX
complacent and stretched her limbs to go inside. She tried to act as though she70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVv6GaN2ewm
hadn’t seen them and that she belonged in the village and trudged to the door. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3TXYiW9sA
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9nBbLQ9Cc
Once inside, Angus and Fi were cuddled up on the couch reading poetry. Ivy made70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQU131s6rZ
her bed opposite to them and listened as they repeated lines together. Her eyes70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJWjdviAig
became heavy, and she tried to keep them open. Ivy needed to tell Angus what70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7qxRZqj2f
she’d seen. Angus was probably used to seeing and smelling Rogues in the forest70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTs9AvVPwRs
and tell her not to worry. Comfort overcame Ivy and she quickly gave in to her70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwoy7Ykh2y
tired mind.
Ivy stirred on the couch, and she thought she heard70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FKzQHKMiV
the couple finally retreat to their room. She lifted her eyes to confirm but70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNTkH8RUY2
noticed through heavy eyes that Angus was putting out the fire. He spotted her70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1qPfdilKN
waking and stilled. Ivy quickly sat upright to ask what he was doing but he70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV82SgKpruN
silently lifted his forefinger to his mouth to quieten her. Ivy’s body started70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRw75BCiqpw
to adjust to being awake and her instincts took over, and she smelt it. The70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bkhuYDMNq
disgusting wet dog smell that she smelt earlier. She silently hoped that she70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjq6G0hiOqs
didn’t smell that bad when Angus and Fi saw her on her first night here. Ivy70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUwGPnpTFh
tried to mind-link Angus and to her surprise, made a connection. He opened70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtMFX5O27F
himself up to her. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOGwo7ZmSj
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWgTSHmLSV
“What do we do? Who are they?”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEgX4DjP1i
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVOOmZnTqf
“I DON’T KNOW, BUT I HAVE A SAFE WAY OUT!”, he replied. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NsTdmDC8o
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCvukRfiTE
Ivy winced at his response; it was so loud that she nearly jumped out of her70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GVjCRSPoc
skin. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiq5QNCntw
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Yv8Did5xh
“Sorry, I haven’t used that in a long time,” he grimaced, almost whispering. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsElYnK1Hsc
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNgXJ5680l
Angus ushered her towards the bathroom and Ivy willingly obliged, knowing that70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqMGT0r7vP
she put her trust in someone she just met. Every instinct in her body, told her70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAx76HMFyum
to run like hell. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3gyVay0zu
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTccurkyhsi
Angus tried heaving the bath to the other side of the bathroom. After he tried70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhl6Ex1EXZm
multiple times, Ivy jumped in to help. They managed to move the bath which70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcU8RL4vwmS
revealed a trap door. Angus slowly opened the door, and rush of cold air came70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgf0mnV5b2
through the top. The coolness gave Ivy goosebumps. She rubbed her arms quietly,70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopf4HXnYwQ
to generate some warmth and linked Angus again. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbc6udR1x19
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCJl4RY7eM
“Where is Fi? Is she safe?”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxp8qYlbe4C
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zCxZjIuU3
“Fi is fine she's asleep after drinking her tea, nothing will wake her. I left a70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHf9PFnXTwh
note to say I left early to start my errands.” 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbdrpq4mCE
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFK2L9opahn
“Angus, but there are wolves out there, what if they come in the house looking70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxP4DI00Fsk
for me?”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRA72DzSY1
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVm0loAB4U
“They won’t be so stupid. Then they’d have a human army on their hands and70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSTm7GSfkd
trust me they wouldn’t risk it. If Fi was a wolf, they’d smell her out and70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJaEfVpHqb
might be a different story, now hurry up.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8YlD8Hvrs
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqL6p77SkjE
Ivy responded to Angus’ urgency and without thinking, she started to descend70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CRwbPFTk9
the ladder. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxHSfJ5Bnx
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCL5GKOAwk
“Follow the tunnel right to the end, it takes you to the forest on the other70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRA7WXiH74r
side of town. I will meet you there shortly,” Angus linked to Ivy.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KEJllxnr9
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRk2wDtyuAz
He sensed her distrust and added, “I made this for when I escaped.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdqhiGMosd
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQDQgdIjn5
“You told me you were banished,” Ivy argued. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMQ4W8ixsW
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSGKybNCI2
“Can’t trust new people,” Angus shrugged and closed the door. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMn7YHgFCuD
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFUk9PVmUW
Ivy had no other option than to trust him. She either got to the other side of70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7bhiJl6IJ
the tunnel with an awaiting ambush or when she got to the end, Angus would be70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDASrCaV126
there. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZ9VvSjy8k
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJv8JVPJjHn
“What choice do we have? Sit in the dark?”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKlD34RH16
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrHsJVfAY6
Ivy wasn’t in the mood to argue with Catori, so she gave her eyes a few moments70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALIyNpxrPk
to adjust to the darkness. She saw the opening of the tunnel which gave her a70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9p43BMXqR
glimmer of hope that Angus told the truth. The tunnel was tiny. Ivy squeezed70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2frwPSFe8
through the small opening and realised she had to crawl along on her stomach to70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILFS278jqg
reach the other side.
Ivy finally reached the end of the narrow tunnel. The70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DxmcadIFa
narrow opening, much like the entrance, opened into a basement like cut out.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBV3oBK8cc
She pulled herself out, one limb at a time and fell into a heap on the dirt70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJKnvzr5If
floor. Ivy stared at the ladder that connected with the trapdoor above. She had70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEb2bTcbKhE
a fleeting thought that if she happened to crawl in a full circle, she’d allow70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlZF2u5qNy
Catori to shift and rip Angus’ head off. Ivy climbed to the top of the ladder70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoofgyqMpQU
and gently pushed on the door. She cringed when is creaked loudly and paused to70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdwXO4JpN3
listen for any movement above. Instead, the door was ripped from her hands and70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoqF8xaXc4
Ivy gasped loudly and tried to keep her balance on the ladder. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAk2XWSBoP
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIDXBEsvvG
“Scared ya,” Angus laughed. His face beamed down at her. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hASGgLDRG
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU67E2tRiHy
“Took you long enough,” he complained. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhpBvJBrNw
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMbwlblYNk
“Well, you failed to mention how tight it was,” Ivy snapped back. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3grhcUEi4
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzyzv9V9R6
“Not my problem that you didn’t shift and let your wolf scrape through. Would70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7d83l1GkB
have been a lot quicker.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4DNzclxuQ
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MuYjj9b7x
“Well you-,” Ivy tried to quickly answer. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPjOIFqSBE
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2fv7OE1AE
“AND you didn’t use your instincts before you opened that door. If you had70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanDUM5g5p7
taken a moment to focus on your surroundings, you would have known it was safe70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9n5435nsS
to come out.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWuQMbYBjx
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxJgHZVi02
Ivy couldn’t argue because he was right. She climbed out from the trapdoor and70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQwau3fvVU
brushed herself off, straightening her back to stretch. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaVTnRG2ce
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3RWZ8bsD6
“Well thank you for everything Angus. The training, the food and water and70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITIFmhVrXB
getting me out of here safely. I can’t put you or your mate in danger, I have70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KyEsnmtAC
to go.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMTFN7yuPm
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UCRH3k1dP
“To hell you are!”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1577erN5c
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9P9v7s3lrC
“Why not?” Ivy looked puzzled. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONG993u0E0
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4RAs3qi2q
“Use your damn instincts girl. We are surrounded and there is no way I’m going70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPhejtOq1w
to let a young, little princess such as yourself, go wondering off in the70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYo4bpMpOxq
forest. They will have my head.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MlWCiGVdx
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsCDgHrXOp
“First of all, I am not some member of the royal family. Secondly, I’m70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKamQalbVta
following the river to wherever that may lead me and thirdly, I can take care70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ825tZg2TWm
of myself,” Ivy argued. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjmEHgH71m
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0Op8zpqbc
“I’m coming whether or not you like it. Those wolves are in the forest70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLk6ZYszGS9
surrounding this village and if we don’t move now, we will be dog food.” 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyS9BNhBeZH
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVL4ILS3vy4
Ivy rolled her eyes at Angus and gave in a steely look. He didn’t budge and Ivy70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnm7xZoy7L6
knew that she had to keep moving. Angus had told her that it was at least a70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJ8nGXVbZ9
day’s walk, without stopping, to the next territory. Angus extended his arm out70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpj6PFj7yiE
to his side, pointing to the forest. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzUrwf4aXD
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2b4j2b6K9
“Ladies first,” he jeered. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7MHjzWOSe
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyCu8Sm4p2
“Just because you are with me, doesn’t mean you can boss me around.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tulpdoj62
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGf0VGBy06h
With a huff, Ivy started toward the forest. Angus kept up with her easily and70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjT3AFvECik
she wondered how big his wolf was. His human stride made Ivy jog to keep up,70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDcWwlpsjP
his wolf stride would force her to run. They walked in silence for a moment,70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP51EVQ1iF5
each ensuring that their ears were pricked to notice any sudden movements from70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvMiuelUyV
around them. Ivy noticed that Angus kept looking down at her as if he wanted to70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNChdvyzMiW
say something.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAAWLBMDuB
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“Yes?” she asked, giving him permission to speak.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hUVXyOI5L
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“Oh, I just wanted to know if your anger had subsided enough to realise, we are70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepcDoX9lCL
being herded in a northerly direction.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JYS1eDOgZ
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Fear ran through Ivy and her face turned whiter than normal.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qqqYD2wzw
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“Calm down lass. It’s not a southern army, otherwise they would have changed70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqPosHokDF
our direction, or have killed us both by now.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuE1GjMdjLc
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Ivy directed her attention to left and the right of them. They were far enough70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7Gm2yjUPk
away to not startle, but close enough to show them that they were there. Ivy70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMVSRGHH80
could see their shadows moving through the trees. There were three travelling70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPsZLbrmh7
on the left, three on the right and three travelling behind. Angus encouraged70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzy1os2BRT6
Ivy to keep walking and talking like normal with no sudden movements. Angus’70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uPnLX2xo8
knowledge about battle, instincts and tactics made Ivy wonder if he was ever70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zbaozLWKM
involved in an army or at the very least a ranking Warrior in the East. Ivy had70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hidnLczhf
never heard of any wolf clans that housed royalty, but Angus constantly70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53UhJDkiyX
compared Ivy to whatever clan he's met . Ivy continued to wonder if where he came from there70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYBCRjceEB
were royal wolves that had similar features. The only royal communities that were70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYThJ477EBU
still around on their mainland were the Lycan’s.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GiIxgSMep
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The sun had risen and was encroaching into the middle70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qA02vEgAs
of the day. Angus and Ivy had been on the move the whole time. Ivy’s mouth was dry,70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCyjea1uOR
and she was desperate for a drink. Angus kept encouraging her to move on because70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHce08gJhVM
they didn’t know what these other wolves were doing. Ivy eventually whined that70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5isFC8GYSP
she needed to rest, and her stomach grumbled loudly. Angus reluctantly let her70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5TxN8ibqS
sit by the trunk of a large tree, while he scouted the area to make camp and a70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIXJ3GazGr
fire. Ivy watched him disappear behind some trees, trying to look for small70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6kuxbPi4I
morsels of food and understood why Fi fell in love with him. Angus adored Fi,70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSKo3ws0yk
and always talked about her, but avoided his past. Regardless, Ivy learnt that70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMLY0KRDYW
Angus was a blacksmith within the village, which explained the large range of70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUjUydmLoo
weapons in the barn. He confirmed that each weapon that hung on the wall, he70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMTwryLggj
created. Angus explained that hiding his wolf form from Fi and the village was70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfTHqS45Sg
initially the hardest thing he’s ever done but it all worked out through70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37AzoGYaxX
determination. Angus feared that if Fi found out, she would reject him, and he70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJhi9XuICk
would be right back where he started; alone. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQrQnTso34
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“Here looks just fine,” Ivy called out, as Angus came back with two small70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaWzySFTue
rabbits.
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Ivy chose the spot where she was already sitting,70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAh9B7nuzg
because her legs felt like they no longer had the strength to hold her weight.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsEamZi82k
There was a boulder that Angus could rest his back on, that sat under the70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOObTtPWdcO
umbrella of a tree and offered some protection. They were almost on the border70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4Q2BK8u66
of the next territory. Angus mentioned that they should arrive by nightfall. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6MNBMRQ69
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“Perfect spot,” Angus agreed, “Now, can you make a fire?”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7X07Jkwopr
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Ivy nodded. That was one thing that she could do. Angus trotted off to gather70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNobQAkI8P9
some kindling and some larger pieces of wood close by. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZoDykgpGS
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The constant feeling of being watched, started to frustrate Ivy. It seemed70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFrfCYElgu
pointless to her that if they weren’t going to kill them, then they could have70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgUWegOzT8
at least come forward. She thought that whoever commanded them was useless. No70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HAr2rgW1B
wonder the North were labelled as weak.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86SLfeVCAa
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Angus returned with his arm piled with wood. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEJWDbIBUS
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“We aren’t going to need that much,” Ivy said. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ260uC7pVI2
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“Well, we might, we need to cook, and you need to rest, so I need to stand70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOGNBK5VNM
guard.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSS0i4vARUs
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“No you don’t. You said yourself, they don’t want to hurt us.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOBiLwgAlE
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“Can’t be too careful, right?” he grimaced. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8c9tt8x6B2
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Angus took smaller pieces of wood and twigs. He pulled the grass from around70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8Nns5yFr2
Ivy and created a small, heaped pile near where Ivy sat. Ivy found small pieces70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQY3l7uB8l2
of flint from around the rocks and cracked them together to create a spark. She70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJeZjwROmt
noticed the smoldering grass and gently blew through cupped hands to force a70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTLbnj9NRP
flame. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUY6ZfJXcE
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“I’m glad you can do that, it’s starting to get chilly,” Angus said, watching70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7qsSseWh0
intently. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuI5uYGsxkx
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“Well, it’s the one thing I know how to do.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxSqVSuykv
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“Good, because I can’t.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGv9DhUAcL8
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Angus’ response shocked Ivy into laughter. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBpuuQTRQo
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“What about the fireplace in your home?”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47A3VzUwW3
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“Fi does it, and she would be super mad that I put it out.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwuHwrFQfd
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The thought made Ivy giggle. A weapon-smith that cannot make fire, certainly70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lILr96bDq
eased the mood. 70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeq5HSknxsw
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As they enjoyed more laughter together, the unknown wolves were getting closer,70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5G997dMsGR
and made the circle tighter. Ivy shot a look at Angus and responded with a nod70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5YLRCk3xJ
to confirm her thoughts.
