Ivy
Ivy allowed Catori to have control and she stayed in79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwV3T0yRgh
her wolf form for a few days. This was mainly so that Ivy could ensure they79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzNyYyoT8J
kept warm and made it easier to hunt. They had been training non-stop and79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkmkxRnhif
Catori shared her wisdom with Ivy. She advised Ivy that she needed to be ready79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJw59bK3KS
for anything that came their way. Ivy was totally confused with her advice but79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTArvtkTYOn
figured she knew what she was talking about. Ivy thought it had something to do79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPLdRg449r
with the fact they were in the middle of the forest, female, and un-mated.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmo40N5uvo3
Catori taught her to use all her senses when scouting and looking for food. She79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EN2O79ly9
taught Ivy what poison smelt like, when she foraged for food such as berries79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvm550BgMpX
and plants. The worst part of training had been the shifting. Catori said that79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmJlIUcV02
it was imperative that they train to shift like a flash of lightening for the79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzecY6AHlNo
best defence. That part had been agonisingly painful for both. Completing a79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWaKNm5xVL
shift between Ivy and Catori all the time, made Ivy feel heavy, tired, and79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvTdGtNrFf
weak. It had the opposite effect on Catori, so she took the lead for the79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHQD8WDOsO
following days.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddJf6Hnnmq
Ivy hadn’t heard any more of Harold’s men and she hoped that James took them on79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUYUkkVhse
a wild goose chase. It still bugged her that James helped her, mainly because79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XcJKEDbTh
she had no idea why he decided to help her in the first place, especially when79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUh4FNhvvV6
he could have been banished, killed or worse; stripped of his Beta title.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCd024O7mP7
Still, Ivy was grateful. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6TUtjYehG
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMP33r43Y4
Catori and Ivy have become so close it was almost as if they were one. Ivy79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qNuahwDw4
found it easier to feel how Catori is feeling even before she speaks and vice79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIErkgNb8Q9
versa. Catori had been following the river down-stream towards the North-West79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NCqHMZNev
side for a few days. It was getting colder and colder the further up they down.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tSfCdH8nG
Ivy’s gown was ripped to shreds on the night of their first shift, so she79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhD5OaHvy9K
didn’t even have that to cover herself. Catori and Ivy both agreed that it was79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKCJd5Q0qc
best that Catori kept their wolf form. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj77spOVHok
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMr175DCRav
“We are coming close to town Ivy.” 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡob3FwoBzik
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77iRCfMY0l
“Really? You said that we weren’t due to hit a territory for at least another79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iWRgw2jAC
couple of days,” Ivy answered.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYQtLg8TWH
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6cg2mIHmS
“I smell smoke and a stench that I cannot describe. I have never smelt this79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMN6nP8NWBq
before. The river heads in that direction past the forest tree line.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSu3Aml9Fnq
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciv3jqI2EU
Ivy used Catori’s vision to view their surroundings. Ivy knew they were79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gJ7W0OItx
approaching a clearing because the trees started to separate. The spaces79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscjQ5O87as
between them were larger and there was more sunshine peeping through the79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWMlrnsYon
canopy. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrEybD38Ox
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81Ywuh8gUv
“There is no fire though, Catori.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4xTzZX48K
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3Hwa61uMp
“Mmm, perhaps there is a campfire close by, we need to be alert.”
Catori kept to the edge of the forest but still79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnG6xOdOeKR
maintained closeness to the river. Her ears were constantly pricked to hear79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqY7Ap6uFy
anything out of the ordinary around them. She used all of her strength to focus79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡef55P9q482
her hearing and welcomed the slight sounds around them. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wxnPkNl0B
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUGut4gXq3
“Children, children laughing?”
“We will wait until sunset and then we will check it79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7ZAyCAXfY
out and continue. For now, lets just stay hidden in the forest,” Ivy ordered.
Catori found a patch of dirt and positioned herself79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqWMQnyrA2
between two large rocks so that it was hard to been seen. With her soft, white79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbno4ZDs7gA
coat, it was hard to camouflage against the browns and greens of the forest79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3WGUD6L1c
floor. Ivy became impatient. The wait was horrendous as she was eager to get to79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEZslB6Q6D
the next territory, to plead with someone to take her in for a few nights.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvODwzzlA9h
Catori decided that heading North was likely to be safer. The North hate the79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuNnDMg11z
South, but they might also hate them too as they would come from that79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7bxsDUuR3
direction. Ivy feared being sold back to her father the most. Even when she79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbv59J2RiGr
thought about him and what he did, and what he caused her, the anger built79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUqRgtmDmN
rapidly. Catori shook her fur at the thought, feeling the same emotions.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD69wcVXQOa
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGdE1cygoV
Sunset was almost upon the white wolf, and she proceeded to make her way back79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7U89Dk8yl
to the edge of the forest. Ivy warned Catori to be careful in the clearing and79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Uu91XQVTR
kept a constant look-out through the wolf’s eyes. Ivy looked through the last79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNZZea53Y1
few trees and she saw houses, upon houses and fences holding livestock.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoy3t6ro1C
Furthermore, there were lights everywhere and nowhere safe to cross down the79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hPBaNfNxi
river safely without being seen. The river ran under a bridge further into the79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGWNJolofT
town, and Ivy noticed people carrying vegetables, eggs and hay, right across79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtICxL8Fb8n
it. Most of the people further in the town and down the lane were retreating79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1c0Jdd2od8
into their homes for the night as dusk began to turn. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIrwzQsFit
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNLRGDD8nC
“Easy meals,” stated Catori, as she licked her lips. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7DduK3QUQ
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABE0C0iW7V
Ivy was mortified and told her that this must be the human village that her79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqQ1wxJOMs
father used to go on about, especially the dangers. To humans, wolves were79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFIOyyWxyg
nothing, but folklore and Ivy had no idea if they were aware they existed. The79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyqqQxhses
human species would probably never find out because they are too dumb to79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaoSr8SEWk
understand and accept it. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWkafBLIzI
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kiHeC39ba
“You’re up,” said Catori.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXnnotJxqS
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5Hx6NwPXU
“What do you mean?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyBsBBge7a
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfj9ZlsvEJk
“Well I can’t just walk in there and the rivers runs through the middle of79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVqZ74o3jb
town. You are the human form Ivy.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrJldOD0KC
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSNqVgjVdp
“I don’t have clothes,” Ivy stammered. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KdMZotkQd
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8n8zsYWw7
“Well hopefully we get seen by a woman first and she might give us some.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2SfLPtYm2
Look for a barn for us to rest in.” 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jOLv2980Q
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTxodMrVPf
Ivy sighed heavily, knowing that Catori was right. Ivy commanded control79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6Fa3bCgwq
back and allowed Catori to shift. Ivy would never get used to that79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVU8E9S3uwy
feeling. The quick shift made a sound or at the very least someone heard a bone79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6BkxWxObF
crack. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIH3pj42C4
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YeINtqzUH
“Hello? Is there anyone there?” a man asked. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2Y8KUCq3g
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpozZOE6Sv
He was too close for comfort and neither Catori or Ivy saw him hunched over his79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlt3CHIZk3
garden before. Catori tried using her mind to nudge Ivy forwards, but Ivy was79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcZbm9qFd8
too embarrassed with no clothes. She groaned, "Why did it have to be a man?"79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqnGafBNvx
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrC0w0ipAlQ
“Hello?” he called again. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wtl6Jp2G7
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVLp2dAhIn
“Angus! Who are you talking to? Are you talking to yourself again?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dpAqui1ah
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbowJlEwMhk
A short, stout woman came from the back of the house that the garden was79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9Ktm4sR7z
connected to. Her arms were crossed, and her feet tapped on the stone path, as79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Sz9kTP2Jh
if her dinner was getting cold inside. Ivy smelt the food from different houses79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhfuqwQiVQ
and her mouth watered straight away.
Ivy gulped and took one step into the clearing, and79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblfFuDoYp7
then another whilst she tried to cover herself the best she could. She heard79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBbiwrWC0p
the woman gasp and the man turned to see what the commotion was.
"My Lord,” Ivy heard.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9sIUiT3ZM
“Go inside Angus and get me some clothes.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0AW4qZxut
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0tTOgShgJ
The woman quickened her pace towards Ivy, and she tried to use her body as a79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6HZUDbxvV
shield so that any onlookers couldn’t see Ivy’s naked body. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqv40Nqg9k
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfsmeOW1Ah
“Come now dear, look at the state of you,” she said, walking closer. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9whNrXdD0
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZFZTzFNpt
Ivy flinched at her warm, soothing tone and looked past her at the man79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHb4G4A4Xz
named Angus, running out of the door with some clothing draped over his arms.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQMGnmhJp0
The woman tried running her hands through Ivy’s hair, with no luck due to not79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIQRYdd744
being brushed in days. Ivy allowed the woman to do so, even though Catori79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEKIyF4mIt
growled in her mind. She was too focused on trying to cover her body with her79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡol2znBk0sK
hands. Angus approached, with his head bent back behind his shoulders, trying79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZ5aP6Sp2j
not to look at Ivy as he handed over the clothes and a blanket. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAVGqgVWlX
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZkAy7ppUp
“Come on dear, put these on,” the woman said, whilst handing one piece of79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ862w5SqWVv
clothing to Ivy at a time. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KrarBA8Pj
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCnKtxH3Xv
“They might not fit your tiny little waist, but we definitely need to get you79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbmRgY1FE3
washed up and you can tell us where you came from…and in such a state. I have79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ213u2uan1h
some hot soup on the fire now.” 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oHJKSFzMu
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡML5qfHo9je
The woman turned away after she fussed over Ivy, expecting her to follow. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmEryU9YV5
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdZVLncJeG
“Be cautious Ivy,” Catori warned. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMM2G6KbSeT
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRoouoGdkf
The woman didn’t seem that bad to Ivy, so she followed without speaking a word.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eED6Klyeb
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyysK0Iomt
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EvlztuY5T
Walking into the couple’s home, Ivy was instantly warmed by the fire. The small79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoNXNatnlX
living area was lit by the light of the fire and the woman stirred through soup79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUxWwREKRE
before she placed it in bowls. The aroma of the vegetables hit Ivy’s nose and79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLivg49IugD
her mouth watered. Angus, stared at Ivy with the weirdest expression and she79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDtuHed3wr
knew that if she spoke, he’d have jumped out of his skin. The woman returned to79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1iZNF3xAi
the living area and handed Ivy a bowl, then immediately started asking79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwgEMDTxsT
questions. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvK7JiJbDbT
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0PDzEaqqq
“So, where are you from dear? The next village is about one hundred miles in79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4puabbpEG
the other direction, and by the state of you, you haven’t had a bath in a79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rSZd4xLZy
while.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Sni83kz5E
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2iN468z3y
She was right, Ivy was covered head to toe in dirt and grime and her hair was a79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNL9oY2Zv2
tangled mess. Before Ivy could answer, Angus spoke. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tu6AvBQyo
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgDEYngzl5
“Leave her alone for a moment, let her eat Fi.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuJ1r0TPZy
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KP2T4TF90
His eyes urged Ivy to continue eating. Fi grunted and they sat in silence. The79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGSDhSY5JJ
sounds of slurping irritated Ivy, so she decided to make conversation.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9pzBlGJjo
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFaFYZmknJ
“I have been in the forest for a few days now, I have lost count. I am being79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7owMaPZxRR
hunted.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYj5uAgJVv9
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2q4JqdZko
Fi snorted into her soup, “What ever do you mean, hunted?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8AQcC53oE
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYa8tgV6Kp
“I was made to marry a man that I did not want to, and decided to leave, he has79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyy3Y9pqUas
sent soldiers after me,” Ivy replied. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7SHwSyGq4
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9ozmZgtTA
The couple looked dumfounded and confused, but also looked wary of her, as they79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlo4nmqvJ8L
let a fugitive into their home. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYzEvPlbtr
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9Th2PyHvO
“Okay, well at least we know where you came from, you can rest here a few days79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGI3xk1ge96
and be on your way. I will go and get a bath ready for you,” Fi announced.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYn4LEU8p0
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eOqChiI1L
She took the bowls off the table, placed them on the bench next to a wash tub79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqtBuSoqGx
and disappeared into another room. Ivy’s gaze shifted to Angus, who stared at her. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEZviLL4u5
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZfcw92ilq
“Have you been trained?” he asked. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dnAqNckt1
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6Tk7iWE5x
“Trained enough to hold my own,” Ivy retorted. The question confused her. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XM7lGQGHT
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ501oR1BWcr
“No, you’re not. Your arms are skinny and weak. There is no muscle to them.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhxTwthSX1
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4ZtPUXTn6
“I started training with a solder before I ran, I know the basics.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2wvR68Izy
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKkBR65cWN
“We train in the morning, first thing,” he commanded. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgAugAcbp7
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPA2AxJzug
Ivy’s mouth opened to respond. She was furious and was not about to be bossed79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNK4RUlwoC
around by any male. She felt the heat throughout her body and her cheeks turned79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoy9lm3XUNU
a shade of red. Angus cut her off almost immediately in a lowered tone. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Sprdo4ayP
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1iB9xgmXL
“I am not stupid girl; I know what you are and where you have come from. There79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkazaJQRw18
are no soldiers for miles, and I know what borders the village. Fi may be79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWth7QnDmgC
oblivious as are all the rest in this town, but I know.” 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qLJts7h9A
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoP7hVmdMZC
Angus finished his speech and left Ivy stupefied. Fi came back from the79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0DS0rVZll
bathroom with a towel over her shoulder. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Y8BdQU1Fz
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQg8f9H5tZo
“All done, take your time in there, you will need as much time as you can get,”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdem5PKj1J
she announced, looking at Ivy up and down. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKH1pIAXvD
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj18PlcOxak
Ivy thanked Fi and accepted the towel that was held out to her. She rose from79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡww4E4scvAm
the chair, feeling shaky about what Angus said to her and headed towards the79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAX3Zr234V
door Fi came out of. Ivy looked over her shoulder before entering, to see where79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNGS99JVTY
the couple had gone. Fi had disappeared into another room and Angus was still79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGn7ipPgBR
seated at the table, watching her. This time he had a smile spread across his79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwjfcd0fcY
face. Angus checked over his shoulder to make sure that Fi was not around and79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8fsXrUDo7
decided to put Ivy out of her misery. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdJUTbwYUx
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKeXwygTyR
“I can smell you; I can smell another wolf for miles. See you in the morning,”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zLZJY8g9O
he chuckled, and proceeded to hold his nose as he left the room, teasing Ivy79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jaKTq9ddp
about her stench. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgorOb3oilB
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMp90W8xJ3R
Ivy had to pick her mouth up off the floor as she watched his hunched over79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjNnQjpMpE
silhouette walk into what must be their bedroom. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4kvqhA5cx
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuzWyIHfgD
Ensuring that Ivy locked the door behind her, she took off the over-sized79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7h0KsH89ou
clothes that Fi generously gave. There was no aroma to this bath to help relax79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QTRIBHZFm
her, but Ivy didn’t think much of it. She dipped her toe into the steaming79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusVa87VVpZ
water, just to make sure that she wouldn’t be boiled to death. She let out a79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWe0mEYFyK
sigh of relief that the water was the perfect temperature, and she sank her79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcAyD8M9ZT
entire body into the warmth, and allowed the water to consume her. Fi had79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3F42yr9KL
left a scrubbing brush on the ledge of the bath, which made Ivy giggle, that Fi79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZFqAwa5CY
thought she needed it. The steam from the bath alone was enough to allow79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLCb2f7LYv
whatever was stuck to her skin, slide off. Ivy used it anyway for the bits that79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83ZQH4trTM
wouldn’t budge. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOns4HUuA9q
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYx6RQuUkn
Catori purred softly in Ivy’s mind, which put her at ease. Knowing that her79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5tpgmF2m7
wolf felt safe, made her feel safe. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwh0f1PNtVi
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBtjw9KPGp
Ivy spent what felt like hours in the bath. The skin on her toes and fingers79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerAA5vCfIh
were wrinkled. She reluctantly got out of and noticed that Fi also79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPMr8E1fJh
left a brush and some new clothes. The clean ones were a better fit. Ivy79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZ3ohth6f8
wrapped her hair in a towel and retreated to the lounge to sit by the fire. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCO8MaMVMcN
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYibtYzVr0
Fi sat on one end of the couch with a stack of blankets and a pillow that79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOruDL2vfpx
rested beside her. When she noticed Ivy, she stood and apologised that they79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZZBp0qYuY
didn’t have another bed in the house, but the couch was the best they had. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJQcpCalIW
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovh2Pu69yX
“Thank-you for your hospitality,” said Ivy as she sat on the floor in front of79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8SO9lHu0A
the fire.
Fi sat back down again and gestured Ivy to hand over79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPOZDU2zUY
the brush. Then she clapped her hands on her legs, ushering Ivy to shuffle back79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMUZPqL4pB
into her. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMT2q2awXkM
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2VYI57U2I
Ivy obliged because the woman reminded her so much of her mother and she79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3STk4ifaq2
wondered why Fi had no children. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnd36o0ZkWW
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4roTtDQi5
Fi began to brush Ivy’s hair, starting at the bottom and working her way up to79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgHYdJI6K6
Ivy’s scalp. Even though Ivy washed her hair, Fi still managed to pull out79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjOXfElYqp
small twigs that were tangled in there. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXg4IOImfk5
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAIZkx7eX7
“I’m sorry you have been through, what you’ve been through,” Fi said. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJ8nF9agtj
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpiWbssgNk
“I am a strong woman, and I want to choose my own love to spend the rest of my79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1cUpYP3N1
life with, not an old man,” replied Ivy, still staring at the fire in front of79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLRiQOJKEb
her.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4csjnzlZS8
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡux9hKoKqJC
“They all grow old and grumpy love, and sometimes we do too,” Fi laughed. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fT2PhKAJd
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3rkanVSk9
“Where did you meet Angus?” 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCxRKIQJjw
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNFyySd35f
“I used to go to the forest to collect berries and other plants that my family79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRETkWRe1Ci
used for herbal teas. I saw Angus in the river bathing one afternoon,” she79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaLygcDy26
sighed remembering the moment. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmvRfu8Suj
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrq44R8aJA
“He was toned, and muscular and I had never seen a man naked before. I just79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBaWEbv7Wi
knew that I was going to marry that man. He looked at me, like he could sense I79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBrZFhoko9
was staring and walked over to ask me who I was and where I come from,” she79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29u31QiKGn
continued, “the rest is history and here we are today.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOACJrzdYMI
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0WW2piJcS
“I hope I find someone like that.” Ivy confessed.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydr204ZFuI
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81Cr7WvuxT
“Some one that can sweep me off my feet and I just know.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ05JFbdva2
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnhfIUwrlc
“Now, a pretty girl like you? Can’t find a man?” Fi asked, leaning over Ivy’s79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtrEIieysx
shoulders to look at her face.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTMnm59apx
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwk1PJVgHX
“That’s absurd,” she added. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSwYdXOTD6
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEXvDgtLEa
Fi put the brush down by her side and clapped her legs a second time,79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3LKhdYMrD
signaling that she was finished, and she hauled herself out of the couch. Ivy79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7cPHvArQd
quickly moved out of her way and thanked her. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TpZ470Cwt
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡih47o0kZpa
“Please rest now, don’t stay awake too late. Angus said he has chores for you79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuemsNbwge
in the morning.” 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLBhoAOulg
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLICLUWrzic
Ivy decided that the woman was right and spread the blankets over the couch to79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xIqviU7iF
lay down. The pillow was soft, the blankets were made from wool which felt like79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKiG2QjBoW
a cloud that hugged her. Ivy’s eyes became heavy and realised how exhausted79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHC6pMwOUT
she’d become, she closed her eyes and willed for sleep to take over.
Morning came quickly, the sun shone through the79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDy77piYaR6
curtains that were slightly opened. The light shone straight into Ivy’s face. She79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtytxEa60LF
slept deeply and had to wipe off the drool that ran down her chin as she woke.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRPLd8ozeM
She stirred for a moment, and wished to go back to sleep, when Angus spoke.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwD4uobB1jA
“Good morning, sunshine,” he said, and held out a cup. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhdQHTDYPz
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVL77I53UIt
The scent of coffee hit Ivy’s nose and she instantly grabbed the mug from him79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiNwwwQP3f
and gulped loudly. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARgP1nL6zV
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj945j85pjV
“Steady on soldier,” he laughed. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCaetepyhk
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVypFxbx79
“Sorry, I haven’t had a coffee in who knows how long,” Ivy apologised. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUQp3JWwEW
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijzJfLpvhz
Angus sat on the opposite couch, “Don’t say sorry to me, it’s the gift from the79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjQkBakdWR
Moon Goddess.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5BkyKlWXc
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7a9AP5ps7
“How long have you lived here?” Ivy asked, looking around to see if Fi was in ear shot.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HMBovrsj2
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lv0awTUxs
“It’ okay, Fi goes to the markets early on Thursday mornings. She ordered me79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77o1LdBVJM
not to wake you yet. I’ve lived here ten years,” Angus said proudly.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePDqdpADhn
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBQ6ERxNTe
“How do you… you know do it?” Ivy asked with caution.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUb9pVALvql
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuyuGXoBv9
“Humans are a stupid species, but I’m here because my mate is human. Weird I79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVa8krFsWT
know,” he stated with raised hands. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbzPcA8Hj0
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFRuA6LZJG
“Fi?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhB6ooNDdyh
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWiPISrS7w
“Yep, she seen me in the river, and I could feel I was being watched. I saw her79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3weESIH35E
trying to pathetically hide in the bushes. Then I knew, she was the one. It79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYhsFHr1aN
washed over me and it’s a feeling that I cannot describe,” Angus explained. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdmJwKT4dn
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYp9QnUAt9
“The village works much the same as a pack, they are a community. If I feel79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6j4JYIJaA
like I need to shift, then I go to the forest to chop wood for a while and no79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIAg7mB4Ot
one bats an eyelid,” he continued. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjOfJP6Lf1
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQX7LTfNGUL
“What pack are you affiliated with?” Ivy pressed. She suddenly felt a feeling79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NcUpvVkxW
of dread in her gut. The closet territory to the human village was Harold’s.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡle1Ox8JFDZ
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 having79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvv2uxqfi0P
their conversation. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0eW2zfjWd
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcze0kaSsr8
“No one’s anymore. I was banished by the East and decided to come this way, closer79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nyXnr2Q4e
to the South, and well the rest is history; I never made it to the South,” he79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGm8iIPS9Qc
smiled. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9vIuuY682
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAcMIAIHkH
“What about you? What is your story?” pressed Angus. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJG7fVXlIPS
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtR37pUOd1N
“I am on the way to the North and although I wasn’t banished from the South, I79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfEWIYgWMX
certainly escaped. Now I’m just looking for my mate and wanting to move on from79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqMBNgs8zN
what I left behind.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvjvZai7z1
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTa7VH2sdi
Angus nodded whilst listening to Ivy’s vague story. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3XODyrsOL
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWnDmoh6Tm
“Right, well we have some training to do. I would be killed if it was found out79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzDusype4N
that I left a royal leave my home, knowing that they were unfit to do so.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbwjkIYPgB
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSS5UngDSgI
“I am no royal Angus, just an Alpha’s daughter,” corrected Ivy.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5LL8TFG8T
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMasD3InvlO
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 that79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvD8R2zdQ1H
and skin your colour, any wolf would spot you a mile away.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeAJsx91pJ
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdvePPbXY5
The statement left Ivy confused, but quickly came to the conclusions that Angus79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyVyRiBGH2
had no clue what he was talking about. She quickly folded the blankets and79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TCIt42n76
placed them on the end of the couch as Angus held the front door open for her79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaq6Y30aSu
to go outside. He led Ivy through a large pasture, toward the forest edge,79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oYw3sEsaG
close to where Angus and Fi found her. Ivy could see the outline of a barn,79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpwiSUbAcV
amongst the first few trees at the back of the property. When they reached it,79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdEi9dCSMr
Angus unlocked and opened the doors which revealed all types of weapons that79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4rZgt7S6P
hung on the walls. Ivy’s eyes grew wide as she marveled at his collection.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNNn3uRrL3
Angus noticed her peaked interest, which quickly faded to fear.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1atAor5TJ
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFPms55Ybq
“We are not training with any of these m’lady. We are training just as people,79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiIZDofCRn
in human form. Sparring if you like.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6EEQuYoBO
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTW8yB6FG9p
“Why the barn?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNOYz7bLtq
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCNbrECgUj
“Because I know how hard its going to be to stay in human form during battle,79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zuQAiDK9n
and not let your inner wolf take over. Also, the growling is not going to help.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGZo1rJgA3
If we did this out in the open, then we would both be running.” 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2g2yaU1Q4
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1UUAwP8nu
Angus had a point, and a smile grew across Ivy’s face. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUryWLGLVqw
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCOLefOUqk
“Okay, show me what you got,” he challenged.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2U8lGCtFxw
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQTFHqjEQ3
Ivy initiated the spar by posing her body in a defensive stance and waited for79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEVpKDCa12
Angus to deliver the first blow. He made the first connection to her arms as79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KIRpM95Yg
Ivy continued to defend herself. She retaliated and delivered a quick kick to79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wgn44qQL1
his shin and Angus doubled back, cursing. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIO284F1Qy5
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNNijwQOfA
Hours went by with Angus showing Ivy what to do, and what not to do. They added79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSDTscUWJ5
weapons such as sticks. Angus taught her new blocking poses and how to keep her79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5f6S7mhrp
feet firmly planted on the ground by shifting her weight with each blow. Angus79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqBR9me68G
taught her what cues to look for in battle to pre-empt an attack and when to79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3dMhhmQ4l
strike. Ivy felt exhilarated and wished that she had been destined to become a79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnibgDGDRR
Warrior instead of an Alpha’s daughter. Ivy knew that if she had to fight for79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJCfYveTbH
her life, it would be a lot harder to control Catori and harder to notice the79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiL6xo6J5Kt
cues that Angus taught her. Angus seemed to have confidence in Ivy’s basics and79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0MgWaN0oY
continued to add more advanced skills into the session. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawFINRZBY7
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0HSKyzdwQ
By the end of the day, Ivy was able to pin Angus to the ground and keep him79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyTY4l5vMK
there. She felt strong and like she could hold her own, but nothing like a79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4WmyveOu7
Warrior in a pack. Warriors was required to train all day, every day. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTr3r82W6N
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIMJOQcKyH
“Wow, I’m really impressed with your progress,” Angus said, panting. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvR9EtTzbg
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgrMnqxhMu
“Thank-you,” Ivy replied, flopping to the ground with her arms outstretched. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWKvfeiimb
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavZkFmvA7m
“I’m done. Toast.” 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkJ8RVXjFG
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUT1TFGjMiw
Angus took some time to gain his breath back and looked outside through the79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYIhXGq6kf
barn doors. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKw1RSafI3
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemTfgLJaZ5
“I’ve worked you all day, you must be sore, time to go back. Fi will have79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4H033hVN6L
dinner prepared.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4U3FLjoCe4
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJqkhmPRjk
Angus was eager to get back at the thought of food and bounced on the heels of79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PuGU8ReyB
his feet, as he waited for Ivy to accept his outstretched hand. Ivy groaned and79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkR1V93fUdr
accepted his offer to help her up, using his strength to pull her tired body79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr06F1wRg7Q
off the ground. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QrGHyDlNw
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNSGSIKY7S
“I want to use proper weapons tomorrow,” she stated. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDQlCs2ECk
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHH8P5ghCv
“Whoa, tomorrow? I thought you’d want to get going?” he asked whilst he locked79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDU7P75rg1
the doors behind them. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AakMUWEEe
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrX3qJaSbiI
“Oh, yeah right, I suppose I should.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8SMJkowlh
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmhESZIp7h
They made their way back to the house and Angus didn’t say anything else. They79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPxN7B9Wyc
covered so much today and were too tired for conversation. Ivy hoped Fi would79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡab7GqfZWSr
see her sweaty, dusty clothes and offer Ivy another bath. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqfXcnQ4zq
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHHMIAn6g4
It wasn’t long before Ivy and Angus reached the house. Ivy entered through the79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HMTdSg3RU
door panting, from trying to keep up with Angus’ long strides. Ivy looked79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lnWY64uAB
around the room and the table were set for dinner. The smells that came from79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBPR3vMERH
the kitchen made her salivate. Fi had really gone out of her way and Ivy could79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshkC1QJLYb
hear her humming in the bathroom to herself, as she clunked around. Angus79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSOtQMrREb
closed the door behind him, louder than usual so that Fi could hear that he was79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXmnasSSQh
home. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mM6NvCjLg
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZO3b2V2w4m
“Oh, hi honey, I’m just in the bathroom washing up for dinner. I won’t be too79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4g8ROS7Xa
long, get changed,” she said. Angus excused himself to their bedroom and Ivy79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Q2ZGbZg4t
took a place at the table. Moments later, Fi emerged from the bathroom and saw79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgFws6znDA
her. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqypxR8DEVn
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3c7LHoigT
“Oh my, he worked you hard today, you look exhausted. Go and wash up and I will79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxaHIaFabl
get dinner plated,” she said, looking at Ivy’s grubby hands and face. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPUzPdHVlL
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEu7gTPcx6
Ivy was relieved that she was excused to go and wash up. The fresh water felt79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFESa9IFXLf
great on her face, and she scooped some in her hands to drink. I won’t have79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TVm9jlh6p
time to stop for a drink, Ivy remembered Angus’ words. As true as his words79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lvqHjKjhT
were, Ivy wasn’t prepared for Angus to be so gruelling. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TtXyD6Lai
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDkc9NNEwC
Ivy finished in the bathroom and headed out, back to the table. Angus was79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7x2pmCyyd6
seated at the head of the table and narrated their day to Fi while she prepared79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhg1WMNKy1g
the remainder of dinner. Angus and Fi interacted with each other and amused Ivy as79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIVKGnNOK5
she watched them communicate. They were so doting and respectful toward one79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pdJ5qxtVC
another. She sensed that if anything happened to either of them, they would be79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcP4AiTr89
heartbroken. That’s what mate ship was and that is what Ivy wanted. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7BZpE6AWa
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmrRJNhkaj
Dinner was delightful. Fi bought a turkey and fresh vegetables at the market.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Z04xI6hFs
Angus and Ivy devoured their meals like their lives depended on it.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdvrkEbYv4
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9U8TVmZ1GS
“Jeez, you two must be hungry,” Fi said amused. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oSjhTbHOT
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPr1CiAojJz
Ivy nodded her head with her mouth full. Angus stretched over the back of the79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOVIHyveTt
chair and belched. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmEGS0ZIbF
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTn1Ehqwre2
“Beautiful meal my love. I love Thursdays. Let me clear the table for you and79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4uCBCut3z
you go put your feet up.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75KoOxhbAO
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysNjEBcgVX
He kissed Fi’s forehead gently whilst grabbing her plate. Angus turned to Ivy79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zAp21B13j
and told her to join Fi. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBb3iyja4Xy
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡea3jmAxsUz
“You have done enough for today,” he nodded toward the couch. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fZ6gLTyXj
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhLjvTlFML
Before Ivy took a seat, she excused herself to go outside. She hadn’t seen the79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qZGZjp64D
village since she’d been there and thought Angus was trying to hide her away,79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFQDygeWJo
just in case. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKK7FWbuEZ0
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEKvb5Mpkj
Ivy leant against the front of the house and took in the sights around her. The79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4XuSj8RZO
whole village seemed to be paved out with stone. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoK7MLR7U2b
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22tIvXvh1o
“I can see the appeal.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3oDcZpzag
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdfhlVnGX1
“Me too, it seems nice here.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOfBOctV4u
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgR1D8Nj6vi
“We can’t stay here Ivy,” Catori stated, picking up on Ivy’s thoughts.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHDCm4pwLa
Ivy hated that she could do that. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wKuOxVvWn
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4GkpHp3M1
“I know, but it seems nice that I could just walk down the street and maybe79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAXv1vWtgW
meet my mate.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡer5lCFz6Ci
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvX1nolbIdC
“We are destined for something larger.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdUkuiA3vL
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHgIOS9SWi
“I wonder what territory Angus comes from?” Ivy mind-linked, kicking herself79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCZZPpW88P
that she didn’t probe him further that morning. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHi1gRXebpl
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrztS3gHY3s
“They are nice people; his wolf is so far hidden, or he is really good at79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7ZZDrzwNQ
blocking me out. All of my questions were left unanswered.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1p9ZTgzCc
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZTpOq4ezv
The trees around her were so tall and untouched, they were magnificent in79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTo7M7yRZC6
size. Kate entered Ivy’s thoughts, and she wished that Kate was with her, or79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsWcj28YlB
that she was still alive. She hoped that her dad had ordered a retaliation and79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuc7P9lu9e
he would find her soon.
The sun continued to set, and everyone bustled to79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQUc6yGmYl
reach their homes so they could retreat inside to the warmth of their79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiq8cHhxHNP
fireplaces. When Ivy stood upright, she could see the riverbed, just below the79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57WX4zu6AB
bridge and wandered where it led. As the village became less busy, Ivy could79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7bcn5G2ft
hear the trickle of the water flowing through -79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE75VewsRx8
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTk2CIW2R5y
Snap!79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyscvWT0C4A
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZESWbCokCl
Ivy’s eyes darted straight to where the source of the noise came from. She79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghPwYNdP2H
sniffed the air and smelt damp, grungy dander. She focused her vision down the79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1pBSfJHfC
paved path that led into the forest and could make out five shadows through the79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpNdABgTr3
trees. Ivy strained her eyes for a few seconds longer, to see if she could79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFny7p4gvxX
catch a glimpse of anything else. Two pairs of glowing eyes stared back at her,79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGsC3xxGJW
and her heart fell out her ass. Ivy mentally kicked herself for becoming too79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5ldqQA16o
complacent and stretched her limbs to go inside. She tried to act as though she79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6j6uAvAhQ
hadn’t seen them and that she belonged in the village and trudged to the door. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDvM50cPaa
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIWQ8dilIV
Once inside, Angus and Fi were cuddled up on the couch reading poetry. Ivy made79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2U7ahDFKCn
her bed opposite to them and listened as they repeated lines together. Her eyes79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxJQ8gEo2f
became heavy, and she tried to keep them open. Ivy needed to tell Angus what79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3dRUrzkyO
she’d seen. Angus was probably used to seeing and smelling Rogues in the forest79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pp0rsNHPK
and tell her not to worry. Comfort overcame Ivy and she quickly gave in to her79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsxVa9CMbb
tired mind.
Ivy stirred on the couch, and she thought she heard79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuwK2STgsU
the couple finally retreat to their room. She lifted her eyes to confirm but79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudm2m7nJsu
noticed through heavy eyes that Angus was putting out the fire. He spotted her79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZj94IIUkY
waking and stilled. Ivy quickly sat upright to ask what he was doing but he79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaucRcZWbb
silently lifted his forefinger to his mouth to quieten her. Ivy’s body started79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBfqqpkbrZ
to adjust to being awake and her instincts took over, and she smelt it. The79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilM8B1gwr1
disgusting wet dog smell that she smelt earlier. She silently hoped that she79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyx7wxALky9
didn’t smell that bad when Angus and Fi saw her on her first night here. Ivy79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR99Dy7HUi8
tried to mind-link Angus and to her surprise, made a connection. He opened79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡze3fpStd7N
himself up to her. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6RTU5LErW
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXqstuETYE
“What do we do? Who are they?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrU64emE9lB
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaq2RqRLty
“I DON’T KNOW, BUT I HAVE A SAFE WAY OUT!”, he replied. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtAAoJG7j7
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6iEsGSxhK
Ivy winced at his response; it was so loud that she nearly jumped out of her79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfcXRYRE7I
skin. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9SxNLa0fj
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzIbjBVVzh
“Sorry, I haven’t used that in a long time,” he grimaced, almost whispering. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKl4yjjRQ6
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueLhbTnFk8
Angus ushered her towards the bathroom and Ivy willingly obliged, knowing that79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjPYoJ170Z
she put her trust in someone she just met. Every instinct in her body, told her79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWn9yGkm0wg
to run like hell. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwJ6B0idsb
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBegJJtzkFH
Angus tried heaving the bath to the other side of the bathroom. After he tried79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqrXqspwn7
multiple times, Ivy jumped in to help. They managed to move the bath which79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUuVj3EEIB
revealed a trap door. Angus slowly opened the door, and rush of cold air came79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIatjwAW1uI
through the top. The coolness gave Ivy goosebumps. She rubbed her arms quietly,79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXcHJ8mj4A
to generate some warmth and linked Angus again. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPj5P33M6G
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgI209742C
“Where is Fi? Is she safe?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdW0qNOZ5qt
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMfpK0AEC7
“Fi is fine she's asleep after drinking her tea, nothing will wake her. I left a79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtm0TpdaYK
note to say I left early to start my errands.” 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVwr5A3EWd
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVe4YPga4mg
“Angus, but there are wolves out there, what if they come in the house looking79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvl8S85zKRJ
for me?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHHLWuypjJ
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnppCGrI6OS
“They won’t be so stupid. Then they’d have a human army on their hands and79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLH6BfEj7S4
trust me they wouldn’t risk it. If Fi was a wolf, they’d smell her out and79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXGaz6E2wt
might be a different story, now hurry up.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Cwg5TAduX
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOceuahiGf
Ivy responded to Angus’ urgency and without thinking, she started to descend79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjetiIZ8vk
the ladder. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMbJaY1sYN
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPST04jUGc
“Follow the tunnel right to the end, it takes you to the forest on the other79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOZKDjMyne
side of town. I will meet you there shortly,” Angus linked to Ivy.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2fBchEOLi
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdRiZAhTUA
He sensed her distrust and added, “I made this for when I escaped.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PpdgBP9kp
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3ojeKCYHS
“You told me you were banished,” Ivy argued. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDICnDPfueU
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKY7qCoRAt9
“Can’t trust new people,” Angus shrugged and closed the door. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJAvLzljYO
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfP2XxiNcXl
Ivy had no other option than to trust him. She either got to the other side of79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBzBQC79EP
the tunnel with an awaiting ambush or when she got to the end, Angus would be79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3KrEtqR0U
there. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCkeWS85KY
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzpUCxaC2o
“What choice do we have? Sit in the dark?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbnsSi8hMT
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DxQAeQRHO
Ivy wasn’t in the mood to argue with Catori, so she gave her eyes a few moments79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphYmn2c6Mh
to adjust to the darkness. She saw the opening of the tunnel which gave her a79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVNqVobFfp
glimmer of hope that Angus told the truth. The tunnel was tiny. Ivy squeezed79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwGVahvuR3
through the small opening and realised she had to crawl along on her stomach to79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUKP6EAePE
reach the other side.
Ivy finally reached the end of the narrow tunnel. The79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwS2FeQ51vs
narrow opening, much like the entrance, opened into a basement like cut out.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6a3eV6pi5
She pulled herself out, one limb at a time and fell into a heap on the dirt79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlal0XLCSSA
floor. Ivy stared at the ladder that connected with the trapdoor above. She had79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UIbGrmB79
a fleeting thought that if she happened to crawl in a full circle, she’d allow79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yUhn5MlbW
Catori to shift and rip Angus’ head off. Ivy climbed to the top of the ladder79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynr741H59Z
and gently pushed on the door. She cringed when is creaked loudly and paused to79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyBz3qaXWE
listen for any movement above. Instead, the door was ripped from her hands and79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDatjoetBRp
Ivy gasped loudly and tried to keep her balance on the ladder. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSS8T93szH
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PXjAc68ux
“Scared ya,” Angus laughed. His face beamed down at her. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTE6rTGCszI
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwajWr88it
“Took you long enough,” he complained. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYs6U3h852B
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6jJNaomV0
“Well, you failed to mention how tight it was,” Ivy snapped back. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfH6q1dckq2
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCYUtxR9L5
“Not my problem that you didn’t shift and let your wolf scrape through. Would79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBQJGLmufu
have been a lot quicker.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGodaGYbt74
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvgWlCPgxE
“Well you-,” Ivy tried to quickly answer. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLCgeEJZ6z
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoyO1AZbU6
“AND you didn’t use your instincts before you opened that door. If you had79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJkBzEkkOr
taken a moment to focus on your surroundings, you would have known it was safe79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbftynWgrT
to come out.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IJMv7bmWR
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKFaujzsqX
Ivy couldn’t argue because he was right. She climbed out from the trapdoor and79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIpEqTD2yp
brushed herself off, straightening her back to stretch. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKp7FIV3s4
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xriENpOHk
“Well thank you for everything Angus. The training, the food and water and79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4T0tGinFB8
getting me out of here safely. I can’t put you or your mate in danger, I have79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvh2gycMAU
to go.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYwx5Hg6bx
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6TBT6Hutr
“To hell you are!”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCQ1a8wIfK
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1H4jgHnLLQ
“Why not?” Ivy looked puzzled. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJPO76vUVs
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADHxX4M4Tj
“Use your damn instincts girl. We are surrounded and there is no way I’m going79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl671aMeiqH
to let a young, little princess such as yourself, go wondering off in the79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqviPyuELGp
forest. They will have my head.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8pO6BsAJL
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdC0lVzTPW
“First of all, I am not some member of the royal family. Secondly, I’m79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPusEgtStf
following the river to wherever that may lead me and thirdly, I can take care79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mjEXtIhHm
of myself,” Ivy argued. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDKPi9QKe2
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCAlIaQnBv
“I’m coming whether or not you like it. Those wolves are in the forest79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvL5XRH0j1d
surrounding this village and if we don’t move now, we will be dog food.” 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0SZKANoZl
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RKfoWA5fP
Ivy rolled her eyes at Angus and gave in a steely look. He didn’t budge and Ivy79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8V6k5ING3S
knew that she had to keep moving. Angus had told her that it was at least a79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfa39bg8Dfk
day’s walk, without stopping, to the next territory. Angus extended his arm out79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWYsvQdfGP
to his side, pointing to the forest. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1faBoviCi
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdv8hAZxY10
“Ladies first,” he jeered. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUugMkYklXD
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nHMNgSSLU
“Just because you are with me, doesn’t mean you can boss me around.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBsKOgbyne
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHoejNJi96
With a huff, Ivy started toward the forest. Angus kept up with her easily and79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTvoRqfV6p
she wondered how big his wolf was. His human stride made Ivy jog to keep up,79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfoidkz4MU
his wolf stride would force her to run. They walked in silence for a moment,79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjsmjBzoV6
each ensuring that their ears were pricked to notice any sudden movements from79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQ9niqByQu
around them. Ivy noticed that Angus kept looking down at her as if he wanted to79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanTDfkFreC
say something.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38czSVDUlC
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yvrtJxkky
“Yes?” she asked, giving him permission to speak.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxaSqirs91
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIctKrqzWS
“Oh, I just wanted to know if your anger had subsided enough to realise, we are79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9QaoOXq0i
being herded in a northerly direction.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaJUwqxa2k
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHWpi271Jx
Fear ran through Ivy and her face turned whiter than normal.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4noiyTfch
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekpjIx0hWN
“Calm down lass. It’s not a southern army, otherwise they would have changed79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOe0Ghb3AH8
our direction, or have killed us both by now.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgLDw1H3VX
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvATqyeHQOy
Ivy directed her attention to left and the right of them. They were far enough79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOx7GOwj37
away to not startle, but close enough to show them that they were there. Ivy79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuxywalu2w
could see their shadows moving through the trees. There were three travelling79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25S26q4WNo
on the left, three on the right and three travelling behind. Angus encouraged79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJglpyP4hQr
Ivy to keep walking and talking like normal with no sudden movements. Angus’79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhFW9GUyeE
knowledge about battle, instincts and tactics made Ivy wonder if he was ever79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zdh5Smp3g
involved in an army or at the very least a ranking Warrior in the East. Ivy had79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJ3Oip0bV3
never heard of any wolf clans that housed royalty, but Angus constantly79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ43Dkv1Y4k
compared Ivy to whatever clan he's met . Ivy continued to wonder if where he came from there79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVjXRwwTWJ
were royal wolves that had similar features. The only royal communities that were79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JRSrhdQT6
still around on their mainland were the Lycan’s.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrnA7BhlIO
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEwR9G58IX
The sun had risen and was encroaching into the middle79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEgHY5f7SS
of the day. Angus and Ivy had been on the move the whole time. Ivy’s mouth was dry,79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqV50sPjrgx
and she was desperate for a drink. Angus kept encouraging her to move on because79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKXNhIt8zX
they didn’t know what these other wolves were doing. Ivy eventually whined that79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEW7voC9JnD
she needed to rest, and her stomach grumbled loudly. Angus reluctantly let her79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TJa117Ucg
sit by the trunk of a large tree, while he scouted the area to make camp and a79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBYCiPeE15
fire. Ivy watched him disappear behind some trees, trying to look for small79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibHAkqquk2
morsels of food and understood why Fi fell in love with him. Angus adored Fi,79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRBtyf0e4I
and always talked about her, but avoided his past. Regardless, Ivy learnt that79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuWG8xvX24
Angus was a blacksmith within the village, which explained the large range of79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixKpLNE75s
weapons in the barn. He confirmed that each weapon that hung on the wall, he79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpPD0QjJZT
created. Angus explained that hiding his wolf form from Fi and the village was79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwn8ajys6u1
initially the hardest thing he’s ever done but it all worked out through79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmx6GEa1NFd
determination. Angus feared that if Fi found out, she would reject him, and he79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsz3ZdWMZg
would be right back where he started; alone. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihBgELKhta
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1b7Pdzz8a
“Here looks just fine,” Ivy called out, as Angus came back with two small79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpb2uGWMNb
rabbits.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NRQYrGM5k
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPlKam33Xy
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZQP8zz4fD
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibMz8OzKjt
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtV9acdQ6ld
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbU442SWoP
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66d44pcCff
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2KYB16pR2
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBN1gaDlLC
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2Fx2C0Ylb
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLrpNcz2XJ
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdhnhXUNHJ
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXteEs19CJ
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3cwA9KIMC
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9BKfrRn5k
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2AL0Pm1Av
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYmTFwByQR
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXlA4x0Bfy
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0M9FxtlWi
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡds0UmjAhTp
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCd3FNk2hHH
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFefhKEcJGI
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8EceQ39yg
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7imwMKFJrx
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpx49JzXD54
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvB62Pdrkkg
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVi2NMtD2Q
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyMKrl5Sv7
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHP0ARl74E3
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraqUavxJJl
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RyYpLEtlG
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZV16ytZJf
Ivy chose the spot where she was already sitting,79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSv4pLxlV7
because her legs felt like they no longer had the strength to hold her weight.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN07vDzyYBT
There was a boulder that Angus could rest his back on, that sat under the79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31kTdUP6cb
umbrella of a tree and offered some protection. They were almost on the border79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJNhkAhjjA
of the next territory. Angus mentioned that they should arrive by nightfall. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrINwPJDgch
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxo8gqKY269
“Perfect spot,” Angus agreed, “Now, can you make a fire?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzR2NxIdCH
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfXRSBhO34
Ivy nodded. That was one thing that she could do. Angus trotted off to gather79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFqOrCXEuy
some kindling and some larger pieces of wood close by. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPD8M6mEcHE
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RrUQLhj6m
The constant feeling of being watched, started to frustrate Ivy. It seemed79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuZcTWNvXV
pointless to her that if they weren’t going to kill them, then they could have79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2eAwb64hi
at least come forward. She thought that whoever commanded them was useless. No79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchV9vfmXmo
wonder the North were labelled as weak.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8XUKylFS5
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1pXLhvu7d
Angus returned with his arm piled with wood. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNg7z2i6bJD
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQShMJsMnBA
“We aren’t going to need that much,” Ivy said. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAc5vUA18Z
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNSAzxSRGy
“Well, we might, we need to cook, and you need to rest, so I need to stand79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziELlIMAct
guard.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxA3NdfoiRW
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYSMuu9vtU
“No you don’t. You said yourself, they don’t want to hurt us.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQOz59yujI
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuO75f0ZDb3
“Can’t be too careful, right?” he grimaced. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqBKLisTgj
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvSbpgeCw4
Angus took smaller pieces of wood and twigs. He pulled the grass from around79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMLJPQDxAq
Ivy and created a small, heaped pile near where Ivy sat. Ivy found small pieces79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5msSV5jUlt
of flint from around the rocks and cracked them together to create a spark. She79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIqZgh8O3p
noticed the smoldering grass and gently blew through cupped hands to force a79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrtlKRbqAM
flame. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dINfWmTXg
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzFM8EL8us
“I’m glad you can do that, it’s starting to get chilly,” Angus said, watching79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzGpJY7Zhy
intently. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdm4uZOxGxH
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6dbfpxj8V
“Well, it’s the one thing I know how to do.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcoYznMw1m
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvO5c1h8S4m
“Good, because I can’t.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQeYFx0rXi
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Q4rrL8Mll
Angus’ response shocked Ivy into laughter. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbu9phqIWmJ
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUpj9YPwM8
“What about the fireplace in your home?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIQg5uocn5
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSe9nNZ9hNs
“Fi does it, and she would be super mad that I put it out.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0VJVJ4V7M
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCFPHVMYko
The thought made Ivy giggle. A weapon-smith that cannot make fire, certainly79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hElF6bMCl
eased the mood. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepzG3wq32X
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIofBOL29aO
As they enjoyed more laughter together, the unknown wolves were getting closer,79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8BOMiF12u
and made the circle tighter. Ivy shot a look at Angus and responded with a nod79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9oQw2xv6V
to confirm her thoughts.
