Ivy
The waves crashed around me as I looked to the moon and howled. The howl of sorrow and loss. A howl that speaks of true heartbreak. There is no one here with me to fight to the bitter end and everything we worked so hard for is gone. Not another soul of our kind, for they have fled, and I have stayed to fight.
The hoard of humans moves towards my location, with pitchforks and fire. Not one single wolf believed who I was and so now we are here, fighting to make sure that my family is safe. My mate, bless him, is safe with the children and that knowledge brings solace in this moment. The tension builds inside of me as I hear the footsteps of the crowd closing in. My family should be in the hills by now and I have wasted enough time. The time has come. One last howl.
I can see the glow through the trees of the fires that burn brightly on the end of their torches. I start to run, feeling the tree branches snap against my sides until I reach the human clan. Using all my strength, I leap forward, taking one down with scratch wounds that will never heal. There is screaming and a few of them run in the opposite direction.
I cry out in pain, and feel fire connect with my fur, singing the skin underneath. I quickly heal and leap and bound, scratching, and biting whoever came close; I must save my community.
What felt like hours, I look around the ground? I have killed many and need rest. Looking over the dead bodies makes me feel sick, and I am covered in human blood. I have never killed a thing in my life because of our beliefs.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbUvT4PQNj
“Argh!” I cry out.
Realising that taking a moment was a mistake as a pitchfork came down on my behind. I retaliate and throw myself around, snapping the pitchfork as I go. Another strike from the opposite side.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZKGzxgeY0
“Argh!” I cry out again.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Dwh1OUTaU
This one hits the side of my snout and I feel my jaw break. The remaining humans are setting a trap, and I knew that it wouldn’t take long for these savages to end me. I am losing a lot of blood and I can see the sand underneath me stain red.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcUD0HUChE
“GET IT!” they yell.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zuZO8xEKh
I receive two more blows to my back and wince in pain. The humans’ faces are masked by the shadows of their lights. I bare my teeth and lash out and who ever comes close, but still trying to draw them closer. I need to find the perfect opportunity to use my gift, the moment to make the ultimate sacrifice for my people. I just hope that my village and my family can be safe, for now.
Deepening my claws into the sand, there is not much more time, My body is struggling to heal itself. I focus my mind on the burning village, the forest and potential harm to my family, humans trying to eradicate us for sport as they hang our heads on the outskirts of the village. The anger and fear is rising from the pit of my belly.
“Come on kitty, you’re going home as a rug,” they cheer.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzuXfOlBSJ
I can feel the heat in my heart.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWClXWpbkK
“ITS EYES!” they shout.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBgh2E1cfs
I know its coming, my visions turn red caused by the anger. I unleash it from the whole of my being and my soul.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0nMazbCca
“Aaaaaargh!” I scream, roar and howl at the same time.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrz6iXiCxF9
It caused a shockwave for miles and a command so strong that each human in it’s wake falls to the ground.
Panting and exhausted from the fight, my healing ability is extinguished. How could I not have completed the job? Something I was supposed to do and ended like this? I take solace is knowing that I used my powers, given by the moon to save my pack, my family and I just hope they got away.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcpvOdFSDf
“She is waking Alpha,” Ivy faintly heard and older woman say.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIklv78NkmX
“Ivy?” “Ivy?” Rowan repeated.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmQ94d7uc7
Ivy wanted nothing more than to open her eyes at the sound of his voice and tell him that she’s okay. To tell him that she just had a nightmare and it’s all a big misunderstanding, but she couldn’t. Ivy felt her eyes flicker under their lids, refusing to open, which left her in the dark.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttnjL8mBJA
“Alpha, give the brew some more time,” Ivy heard again.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ72GyQSvpQ
“It’s been two days Geraldine!” 91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ICUeAU53b
Rowans’ voice was rough and agitated.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouHsMslzzC
“Our Luna will be fine, go attend to your needs and if she stirs again, we will let you know.”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zcgIG464p
Who the hell is Geraldine? Ivy thought. She heard Rowan leave the room and she desperately wanted to cry out that she was here, and she was okay. Her mind wanted to yell but her lips didn't move. The sound from the door closing told Ivy that her pleas were left unheard. There was a warm breath near her ear when the Alpha left and the woman whispered.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkrbbzNex9
“Come on Luna, your Alpha needs you, we need you Saviour.”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifFQdl5BhQ
Ivy’s mind was completely rattled at the woman’s words. Saviour? 91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6BQZqnx8c
“Catori?” she cried out internally. 91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzD7CrnxROg
No answer.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYTd3fr0Tv
Luna yes, Saviour no.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSJMzhMud0
Ivy felt her heartbeat quicken as the panic set in. She was confused and puzzled at what had happened. What are you doing body? What is happening to me?91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyIvyTmW8R
“Geraldine her pulse is through the roof, what should we do?” Ivy heard another voice say.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQ8CkHoprr
Cold hands pressed against her wrist to check her heart rate.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xrtwV8CUw
“Administer more,” Geraldine confirmed.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtRtmYaw0k
Ivy didn’t feel any pain or anything going into her but soon after Geraldine’s words, she felt a soft, velvet feeling wash over her mind and body. Her body relaxed and the panic subsided. She felt warm and safe, but her head felt large and foggy.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIp41W92EqH
Ivy allowed sleep to take over her, yet again.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYBQq1gCwx
The forest behind me is on fire. This war has done so much damage to my people, my village, and my family. The enemy knows who I am, and they know my secret. I force a shift with my wolf and dart off into the clearing in hopes to cross the river in the North. My mind is pounding but I hope that the fire stops at the riverbank and doesn’t cross.
I hear the soldiers behind me, some losing their lives in the disaster that they’ve created, others are yelling and shouting as they bound after me.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0uHl5iYjh
“THROUGH THE CLEARING!” I hear them shout.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SzwsaO4x4
Cursing my white, snow-like coat for making me so visible, I quickly drop and roll to the ground. I have no idea where my companion is and can only wish that he’s still alive. He’s guided me for ten years and helped when things got rough, helped me understand what I must achieve.
The yelling from the soldiers were at a distance now. I stop for a moment to scry for any other wolves that mean to do me harm and may be lurking ahead. This war has got out of hand; father went to far and now they want my head. This is all his fault; I start to think. 91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTnPfBGfmq
Taking a moment to look back as the destruction behind me, I can see the red glow in the sky and pray that rain comes to help grow what has been lost. The rest of them will struggle to rebuild if it does not.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMHCz8qLki
“Hello pretty,” said a voice in front of me.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFHsEGUfAD
“Alpha Almere,” I reply with confusion.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0t6l0Vkmw
“Ah, judging by your face, you couldn’t feel me with your magic, could you?” he sniggered. 91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eKEVcwKh0
“Well pretty, I’ve found your weakness. It seems that mugwort masks my appearance through your scrying magic.”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQVZLHwMoB
I growl at him, teeth bared.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9xCNtFx89
“Oh, now pretty don’t be like that. I also bought wolfsbane because you see, I did some study of my own and have access to your father’s scrolls. Legend has it, that these two ingredients combined can kill you.”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8U9j1fk6o
The glee on the man’s face made me want to kill him, but it was against everything I stood for.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECd3lHFIiX
“I will take your father’s place on the throne, mark my words. What is the point of having an army, someone like you, and not use it?”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NaVCfNA9O
The anger welled up inside of me, out of control. I knew what this monster was capable of. Lycan’s and Wolves ruled together, and this disgusting man of the South will never sit on the throne and wreak havoc on this land. Ever. Again.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixzuLzigsi
He crept closer to me as he was speaking, telling me everything that he has planned when he took his place in the royal court. He spoke of planting my mother and father’s head on a spike as the new flag. He spoke of joining our armies together to take over the other territories and rule under one ruler.
These plans would change our way of life, the others in the community would suffer greatly too. I hadn’t realised that as he crept forward, I was subconsciously retreating, until my rump hit the wall of a cliff face.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgPEX9yo73
“Got nowhere to go now pretty, any last words?”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJcmcObxsl
The fear and the anger came from nowhere, tipping over boiling point with this man. I gnashed and growled as he came forward with his jar of mixture that he would no doubt force feed me until my death.
In my heart, this is the moment I know that my companion was talking about in his vision. The moment that I fill my duty as a Princess, the time to save my people.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJA4lAQPGp
He lunged towards and tried to grab my scruff. My ears flattened to the back of my head, and my tail between my legs.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhT1tYuDWqa
“Aaargggh!” I scream, roar and howl at the same time.
The shockwaves of my command reached for miles around us. I saw the trees move back as if there were gusts of wind with no storm. I watch as the brute from the South collapsed, holding his heart. The life diminishes from his eyes and fell to the floor on his knees, gasping for breath, curled in a ball, lifeless.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnDgUeOwJo
My own head starts to feel foggy, and my vision is blurry. I’m nauseous from the blurriness and sit on the ground. The wind has been knocked out of me. This is how my companion said it would end. I used my power for good and helping people from this wretched wolf. Resting against the cliff face, I succumb to my fate and gently close my eyes. 91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NPNU3zJla
It was if a lifeforce from her nightmares, surged Ivy awake. She sat up and gasped for air, but still unable to open her eyes. Rowan who rested next to Ivy, sprang into action.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHONAZybOh
“GERALDINE!” he yelled.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8mL7XxMRv
Footsteps clunked up the staircase, as the woman scrambled to come to the Alpha’s call. Ivy tried to force her eyes open, but they felt so heavy. She used all her inner strength and managed to pry her heavy lids from her face, and they gently lifted. Rowan rushed to her side and kissed her forehead, like they’d been apart for days. Geraldine ran through the open doorway and looked shocked to see Ivy sitting up.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3o6oFoNBe
“Luna!” she gasped.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDHUgPeAsj
Rowan followed Geraldine’s gaze and stared at Ivy curiously.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5Ell1etyJ
“W-w-what’s wrong?” Ivy managed to say, although her voice was hoarse and throat dry. 91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvY748y7ywW
Rowan ignored Ivy’s question and instead turned to the old woman.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEz1pMELFPh
“What does this mean?”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ub545STno
Geraldine smiled at the Alpha and turned her back to him as she fetched a mirror from the mantle of the fireplace. She returned and handed the mirror to Ivy.
Ivy gasped in horror at her reflection. Her hair looked like a bird’s nest, and it looked dry and tangled. Her body looked darkened by what seemed like dirt and Ivy knew they hadn’t bathed her. However, the colour of her eyes drew the most attention to her face. They were the colour of a deep red.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26x2587G12
“How long have I been here?” Ivy asked Rowan.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bzjYCoIq1
His face looked sunken like he hadn’t eaten, and his eyes had bags. They were slightly grey, meaning that he hadn’t slept.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fgQM8tJE3
“Four days,” he murmured.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkhXkVqoMm
The news shocked Ivy and she shot a bewildered expression at Geraldine, seeking confirmation and the woman confirmed with a slight nod. The old woman promptly left the room to give Rowan and Ivy some privacy.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkC4olrjON2
“Four days…” Ivy repeated.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNAwht4l2n
Rowan searched Ivy’s face for answers, which she didn’t have.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvb44u8T5v
“This is all my fault. I marked you and we made love and then you passed out.”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgNMDBNQIB
His voice trailed off with his head rested on her shoulder.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmvLtbzCrW
“I am so sorry Ivy,” he whimpered.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwewfkbPXd1
Ivy lifted his head from her shoulder so that she could see his face. She ran her thumb over his lips and bent down to kiss him gently and sighed.
“I don’t have any answers for you Rowan, I don’t know what happened. While I was asleep, I had the strangest dreams, but they felt like they’ve happened before, like a vision,” she confessed.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEy0MnPOjg2
“What were they about?”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSPfnU7NiQ
Ivy shrugged because she wasn’t entirely sure what she saw. Her stomach growled in hunger, just as Geraldine returned with a meal. Ivy greedily took it off her and scoffed down the meats and vegetables. Rowan laughed at the sight of her; unkempt and savage looking.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7W9wFAU6ux
“Well good thing you haven’t lost your appetite. I sure am hungry too, so I’ll come and check on you later and maybe we can go for a walk. For now, I need to get to training.”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bttxk7R2R
He kissed her forehead as he stood and gave thanks to Geraldine before walking out the door.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQdArJke6t
“Where am I?” Ivy asked.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35k50RGcac
Geraldine pottered around the room and Ivy watched her intently before the woman answered.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLUXkyZbnc
“You are in the Guardian’s Temple my dear,” she replied.
Ivy looked around the room and noticed that the room was much brighter than hers. It’s filled with pinks and purples. Benches lined the walls with herbs and plants and thick books sat on the shelves above them. The arch shaped window next to the bed, brought in the brightest light, and was lined with vines on the outside.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzCWfhgXu8
“There is a Guardian’s Temple here? I thought that was lost centuries ago?”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpL0dIq9sgp
“When our community was first established in this territory, it was a tradition to have a Guardian Temple, and I guess that the Alpha’s of our pack thought it was a requirement to keep it. It’s such a beautiful and tranquil place,” Geraldine said.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpgHVLwAoU
She moved toward the bed and sat down at Ivy’s feet to continue her story.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexTR3Xwvkb
“I am a part of a family of herbalists and healers. My great, great Grandfather used to serve the King and Queen of the Lycan’s before we were all separated by a great fire. Legend has it, that we had to flee the West because of greed and a crazed wolf wanted power so badly that he was willing to kill for it.”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJqIJg58jZ
Geraldine got up and walked to the window while she spoke. The pain of the event was written all over her face as she remembered the stories she’d been told.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrJPi50o34
“We managed to come here and find solace. There is a beautiful willow tree out the front that is hundreds of years old. It shelters us from view of the pack house. Might be why you haven’t seen the Temple. Now, my abilities are still passed through generations and generations and my daughter will soon take over attending to this pack. We cover sick ailments to herbal remedies and wounds. The work never ends but it gives us an opportunity to give back to the pack.”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8hlPjnFdj
Ivy sat eagerly waiting for Geraldine to continue her story. She enjoyed listening to some of the pack’s history and where they came from. Ivy had never been interested in history and she performed poorly in the subject at school. There were still small things that she knew such as the Lycan’s and Wolves were totally separated now, almost enemies. It happened many years ago through war.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VJ53nVZuN
“How many do you heal?” Ivy asked.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7dpaFYE2S
“Not as many now because we haven’t had a war in so long, but Elder Calvin ensured that our traditions would never die. Now I run workshops and share my knowledge with the young pack members that aren’t built for fighting,” Geraldine smiled.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3mPviuexn
“As Luna now,” she continued, nodding at Ivy’s neck, “It is your duty to understand the history and your history as a wolf. There are also so many other things that you should probably read about.”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrbC6NGWea
Geraldine stopped for a moment and stared at Ivy’s red eyes.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCmQp6FiX9
“First you must bathe,” the woman confirmed.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmhuGZpQ0l
Ivy never thought that being clean felt so good. She walked back into the room that she’s been staying in for the last four days and noticed that Geraldine left a brush on the bed. Ivy also saw a thick, dusty, heavy-looking book on the bedside table. After getting dressed, she walked over to the book, a History of the Lycan Relationship. Ivy rolled her eyes and smiled. Geraldine clearly wanted Ivy to make a head start on learning the origins of her pack. Ivy got comfortable on the bed with the book in her lap. She hoped that Rowan would return soon and take her back to her own room. She skipped through the boring parts, and dove straight into Chapter 10, The Great Divide.
Ivy never felt that she was great at school and the information that she read or studied about had issues cementing in her mind as knowledge. It was almost like she’d study and retain the information until a test or exam and then it vanished. 91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuSqx2Ghga
She continued to read and realised there were certain aspects that felt familiar in her brain, like she had read it somewhere before. Ivy turned the pages, one after the next for hours. She learnt that the Lycan and Wolves used to live together as one and even mated with one another. 91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtNqN782U6
Lycan’s had a mating system just like the wolves and their royalty system worked much the same. Their royalty rules over one land, not territories and there are differences in titles. The thought of ruling over one land made Ivy shiver in angst over the responsibility. Wolves now rule over their own territories, but Lycan colonies still exist in the West and the East and under the same royal family. However, despite their royal titles, Lycan’s still remained within their borders and never crossed into wolf territory. The divide bought despair as families were torn apart. Some chose their own kind, and some chose their loved ones. Those that chose love were generally shunned by the other villages and encouraged their kin to breed into Wolf or Lycan; never both.
There was still a hierarchy system when both species lived harmoniously. Usually the wolves were farmers, healers, and scouts, as they are more one with the land around them. Lycans were generally royalty, soldiers, and warriors. It seemed that, that time was a world away and the only issues they dealt with were wars with humans, not each other.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajhAouEdTG
Ivy didn’t realise how immersed she had become with reading and was startled by the gentle knock on the door. It creaked open and the scent of Rowan filled the room. Ivy eagerly put the book down and greeted him.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdo58t1DBt
“Hello my love,” Rowan said.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorOVVIonnk
“Hello.”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEphmeeYYCm
He reached the bed and embraced Ivy tightly, making her feel safe.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPMYywNBW7
“Mm, you smell better now though,” he teased.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbba8qZajWq
Ivy playfully punched him in the arm, and he fell onto the bed like a child.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKYx5vSoWd
“Oof! Death by Luna,” he cried.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlNgpPYRp2
“You seem happier,” Ivy said.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejOYN3RuKr
“Well of course. My Luna looks her normal self for now, except your eyes. You are breathing, you are awake, and I can kiss you and talk to you. I’ve also eaten.”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcivsX6cRp
“I’m happy to see you Rowan. I’ve been doing my Luna duty and reading all about our history,” Ivy stated confidently.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7i0S9yUZM
Rowan leant over to inspect the book that Geraldine gave Ivy and smiled as he flicked through the pages.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiquCBnMAA
“So, you have, very impressive.”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasE1GjX9QV
“How’s Alex and everyone else?”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uN3mMnEpU
“Never mind about them Ivy, you need to rest and focus on yourself,” Rowan said.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqYjkVNp0x
“Did you still have the Luna festival without me? I’m sorry for ruining that for you.”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfM1g31pk7
Rowan grabbed Ivy’s face between his hands.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbW2Yqo3jmO
“Don’t you ever be sorry. Your health is number one and the pack understand that you hear?”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFZchCyNTH
Ivy nodded her head and struggled to move through the strength of Rowan’s hands. He released her face, satisfied with her response. He quickly got off the bed and extended his hand out to Ivy.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbnysl9Ozr
“Time for a walk.”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAT4TYdp30
Ivy accepted his offer of assistance and slid off the bed, using his strength until the feeling came back in her legs. He immediately saw her struggle and assisted her down the stairs.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCZjGxyPWK
“I’m fine, I can walk,” Ivy insisted.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0qI5E6fVB
“You haven’t walked in days,” Rowan protested.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmg0i9IVP1
“Geraldine let me walk to the bathroom,” she teased.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2v9POtiQsO
Rowan growled and looked over his shoulder to see if he could get a glimpse of the old woman.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpcUMhxE2D
“Relax Rowan, I am still capable and the whole idea of going for a walk, is to walk.”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEfYmJTBUe
Their bond connection relaxed and so did Rowan as he continued to walk through the hall to take Ivy outside. Once they were on the bottom level of the Guardians Temple, Ivy took in her surroundings. It was darker and damper than she’d expected, especially since the room was so bright. There were pots boiling over the fireplace and on the kitchen stovetop. The smell of cinnamon and other spices filled her nose and reminded Ivy of Christmas in her old home. 91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlY49bjgZC
Rowan opened the double doors that led outside and revealed the most exquisite garden. There were roses of all different colours to one side and the other boasted colourful herbs and vegetable plants. Out the front of the Temple, there were green, lush laws and in the centre of the garden stood the biggest willow tree that Ivy had ever seen.
Rowan led her to the willow tree and pulled back its old and fragile leaves. Underneath the umbrella of the tree sat a table and chairs with a coffee pot. Next to the coffee pot, there laid a book as big as the one Geraldine told Ivy to read, but not as dusty though. She skipped to the table as Rowan followed and took a seat.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cBxs9zKta
“Coffee?” she asked.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3Lgr2T9XD
“Yes please, Ma’am.”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoePfrxGv7O
Ivy filled both mugs and picked hers up in two hands. She smelt the coffee aroma through the steam first before taking a sip.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfNZj0E5Az
“What was it like for you? Being unconscious for that long?” Rowan asked.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiV1TAbF8GS
Ivy shied away from the question, mainly because she didn’t have an answer and instead tried to change the subject.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarCPJWzkLe
“Hm? You bought a book? The Lore and Tales of True?”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOvGKisAx9
“You’re avoiding the question,” Rowan growled.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGSuz3KStF
“I don’t want to talk about it now. It’s something that I’d rather forget. But you bought a book for me? What is it about?”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFM4wVTtwTs
“There are a few stories in there that you might like to read for the afternoon. It’s better than the history book you’ve been reading,” Rowan shrugged.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1a3BubxFWJ
“Am I not coming back to the pack house now?”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcHgojDXnd
“Not for a few hours yet my love. The Warriors are in there having a meeting with Alex and I want to make sure the place is quiet so you can come home and rest.”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsxucfqMxj
“I’m well rested, let me assure you. I’ve slept for four days.”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZY5ykpqn8
Rowan looked pained by the comment.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdfT8TF3iC
“I’m sorry, too soon. Come and collect me in the evening. Make sure it’s before dinner so I can enjoy my meal at home,” Ivy said.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9PTXu5c78
Rowan’s face lightened up slightly and agreed to Ivy’s terms. She flicked through the pages of the book whilst Rowan watched her intently.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ld0Dy1nQZ
“What?” she snorted.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8b942cxNJ
“Nothing. I’ll get you in the evening. I’ll make sure of it.”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarKfBa4ouL
His attitude towards Ivy was stiff since she didn’t answer his question. However, Ivy still hadn’t got her head around what happened, let alone the ability to explain it. Rowan said good-bye and Ivy denied his offer of help back to the Temple. She wanted to sit in the canopy and read the story book that Rowan brought her. Ivy flicked through the pages to see if any story grabbed her attention and saw that something was scribbled on a title page. The writing was not Rowan’s.
“The girl will come,” she read aloud.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KH7DKruWO
“LUNA!” Geraldine called.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPVaXFN2TR
“IN THE TREE!” Ivy shouted back.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwos6VAAuq8
The woman emerged through the leaves of the willow tree and offered to refill the coffee pot. Ivy nodded to say yes whilst she scanned the rest of the writing.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFP9SiD9qGp
“What do you have there?”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaaQGkcAyT
“A book Rowan gave me. He said I might want to read something other than a history book before going home.”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqF6w0O9eH5
“You’re starting in the middle?”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7w0pwS4uHn
“Well yes, but only because I noticed scribbles through the pages of this story. What do they mean?” 91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSI1faFNSqR
Ivy raised the book so that Geraldine could see the pages.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmM6HvPvb0
“Hm, maybe read the story and see if anything comes to mind. I’ll top this up,” she said slowly, before picking up the pot and slinking away.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHB1fPhwRBo
Her body language told Ivy that the woman was uneasy about something. She thought it couldn’t be the story, but maybe that Ivy told Rowan that Geraldine allowed her to walk to the bathroom. Either one was preposterous.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJ5Q4VhzvM
“The Royal Scry,” she read.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl45mekrDzS
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7zTH3PWnT
The Royal Scry
Once upon a time in a kingdom that surrounds us all, the Moon Priest had a vision that the world as we know it will need a heroine. The Heroine will be able to see for miles around and warn of any danger lurking. It is sad that she will come from royal Lycan breeding and to whom she encounters will follow her into battle. This is for she is the epitome of loyal, trustworthy, honest, and brave. The Heroine is destined to be sought out by none other than someone born into the position of prophecy; a companion to help guide the heroine in all their journeys and planning. The Heroine, whom the Moon Priest chooses will be forced to make the ultimate sacrifice for her kind. Those that meet her will bow their heads and bare their necks for the blood red eyes will uncover her. She possesses magic like no other and her companion must teach her to use her intuition and magic for good and never for evil. The Heroine is said to always resemble a female, just as the Moon Priest wants, to protect those in the kingdom, using great strength and empathy but never violence. Once the Heroine fulfils her duties of the Priest and protects those that she must, she will in turn lose her life. A life for a life. The Royal Scry can defeat the evil inside successfully with the help of her companion, she may plead for her life. If she is unsuccessful in the rein of the Scry, it is believed that she’ll suffer from insanity. Insane with lust and violence, so much so that the kingdom will remove her from this world and bare their fate to the thing they fear the most…91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKZ0WoUb6T
Ivy turned over the page and saw a detailed illustration of who the folklore described. Lycan royalty were always so dainty, fragile, and beautiful looking. Ivy had never seen one, as they live in the West but from what others have described and what she’d read there is no mistaking it. The small man in the backdrop looked like the Companion and bore what looked to be an orb. The people around her in the picture bowed, but what drew Ivy in the most was the wolf, howling to the moon. For an older book, the wolf was crisp white and looked like it hadn’t faded, but the wolf also had red eyes. Below, there were people drawn and a kingdom in the far distance that sat upon a mountain.
The leaves on the willow tree were pulled back and Ivy jumped in fright.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgVk43cFOT
“You’re still here?” Rowan questioned and looked puzzled.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cUCznnmez
“I started reading the book you gave me, and I guess I just haven’t put it down.”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxpCmo0bu9
Rowan came over and stood behind Ivy.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XQTp0wq8C
“Which one are you reading?” he asked as he peered over her shoulder.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEg8dEp1WiN
“Ah, the Royal Scry, she’s beautiful, isn’t she? It used to be my favourite story.”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrf9qJ7WB0H
“Is it just a story?”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FerHSmVQH
“What do you mean, my love?”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMcsV01LwE
“Just asking,” Ivy squeaked.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cBkqVDS9f
“Are you ready to come home? It’s time we got a decent meal into you, whatever you would like, and get you into your own bed.”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY404LGB2KL
“I am more than ready,” Ivy smiled.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUyXRvbnFB
Geraldine saw them off and they both thanked her for all her hard work. Rowan was truly grateful that she saved his Luna.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcHOnsefSv
“Did you not bring the car?” Ivy asked Rowan.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUycHuMezyV
“No, you said you can walk,” he teased.
Ivy scoffed at him and picked up the pace. 91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA82Ir6wjVm
The pair walked in silence until the pack house came into sight. Ivy felt relieved that she was finally home. They hadn’t passed anyone on the way home in the community which she thought was odd but quickly forgot about it when Rowan started to talk.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7c9Kshzon
“There’s someone I would like you to meet, tonight,” he said abruptly.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWXKR0zQwF
“Sure thing,” Ivy replied. 91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlM3WPTLJgr
She thought it might have something to do with her new title and was more than happy to play along, to make her Alpha look stronger. Although, she couldn’t work out why Rowan was being so cold towards her. 91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡks9UhW2COm
Ivy ran to the steps of the pack house and Audrey opened the door. She was there to greet them both, but Ivy bound past her to her room. 91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWk9MpFLtvC
Ivy stopped abruptly at the door and noticed all her possessions were gone. Fear and anger consumed her instantly.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2ZjESIb4E
“ROWAN!” she called out.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXh2eNTlnN
“WHERE IS MY STUFF?”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyv5WZp27o
No answer.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzTUbIltB0
“ROWAN!” she yelled.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEm6IJgrsQ
Still no answer.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcp1YppMhIb
“Hey, hey what is all the yelling about?” Alex questioned, as he ventured out from his room. 91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrB00BLpZDE
“Oh, Ivy. Are you okay? What’s going on? Are you hurt again? I’ll go find Rowan.”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6qX78ueSp
“I am fine,” she snapped.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPFoPhOgYG
“Where is my stuff?”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfsiLCkrmq
Alex whimpered at her sharp tongue.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3z9sdfJNk
“Sorry Luna, Rowan moved your stuff to his room.”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkX1isjUVHC
Ivy had no idea what she was so angry about and so suddenly. In her head, it was reasonable to move her belongings into her mate’s room. In wolf terms they were married now and that’s where she should be. However, Ivy’s emotions stirred wildly because he touched it without asking.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHVvYMjPRW
“What’s going on?” Rowan asked as he walked up the stairs.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBIuUlNUit
“You moved my stuff?” Ivy sternly asked.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyd3yD6BnXD
“Ivy, I really don’t know what’s gotten into you, but I thought I’d surprise you.”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECHRJ2vyOu
“Well, I am surprised. Surprised that you moved everything without asking!”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyif3NT5bOP
“My love, it’s only one door down,” he tried to reason.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqrfmbI9o0
Ivy could feel his temper rising through their bond. Instead of replying she turned to their room and slammed the door.
