Ivy
Ivy allowed Catori to have control and she stayed in75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBRG0rm8T4
her wolf form for a few days. This was mainly so that Ivy could ensure they75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4oVC2l3wH
kept warm and made it easier to hunt. They had been training non-stop and75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8cIF8t52A
Catori shared her wisdom with Ivy. She advised Ivy that she needed to be ready75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoe9fo6TKv
for anything that came their way. Ivy was totally confused with her advice but75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelJcj2HdTM
figured she knew what she was talking about. Ivy thought it had something to do75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdwTBDFsSJ
with the fact they were in the middle of the forest, female, and un-mated.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeL4Xbwywg
Catori taught her to use all her senses when scouting and looking for food. She75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmL0Xy78RH
taught Ivy what poison smelt like, when she foraged for food such as berries75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kfSoProBP
and plants. The worst part of training had been the shifting. Catori said that75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcQC2apLnq
it was imperative that they train to shift like a flash of lightening for the75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6yyK85ExO
best defence. That part had been agonisingly painful for both. Completing a75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyOT8F0Ed7
shift between Ivy and Catori all the time, made Ivy feel heavy, tired, and75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OMLoP5AWe
weak. It had the opposite effect on Catori, so she took the lead for the75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZxs9Lg9zx
following days.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjuZPmiKYv
Ivy hadn’t heard any more of Harold’s men and she hoped that James took them on75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonYyaMCrr1
a wild goose chase. It still bugged her that James helped her, mainly because75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtY5JIUbiM7
she had no idea why he decided to help her in the first place, especially when75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyFA26sw5W
he could have been banished, killed or worse; stripped of his Beta title.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS10NOnzxUD
Still, Ivy was grateful. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYSbR2aRcC
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpvstpzg4J
Catori and Ivy have become so close it was almost as if they were one. Ivy75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhu7X84ZXdK
found it easier to feel how Catori is feeling even before she speaks and vice75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2USwV7mx9
versa. Catori had been following the river down-stream towards the North-West75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4AAAPkfBG
side for a few days. It was getting colder and colder the further up they down.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH12S9N0Y7k
Ivy’s gown was ripped to shreds on the night of their first shift, so she75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECQkVXhZ6y
didn’t even have that to cover herself. Catori and Ivy both agreed that it was75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1MNxzEtGM
best that Catori kept their wolf form. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvQNmNI8ge
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“We are coming close to town Ivy.” 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf182gb4S1L
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjhgkyqLTl
“Really? You said that we weren’t due to hit a territory for at least another75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbLJMwKxCG
couple of days,” Ivy answered.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeu5SbmqY34
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhcJu0bM4l
“I smell smoke and a stench that I cannot describe. I have never smelt this75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusPNY3PeHI
before. The river heads in that direction past the forest tree line.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgFjfp0yae
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkFdvAu5Nq
Ivy used Catori’s vision to view their surroundings. Ivy knew they were75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3Sjj2vDd1
approaching a clearing because the trees started to separate. The spaces75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfKHhbJ3JE
between them were larger and there was more sunshine peeping through the75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAun60wfnsA
canopy. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwLmLzFwCB
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“There is no fire though, Catori.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2av9Ca6t7
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“Mmm, perhaps there is a campfire close by, we need to be alert.”
Catori kept to the edge of the forest but still75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KNfpl3oWP
maintained closeness to the river. Her ears were constantly pricked to hear75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBlS9QpTkV
anything out of the ordinary around them. She used all of her strength to focus75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1I65uUA0YA
her hearing and welcomed the slight sounds around them. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFnCMTBizo
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvuxdFuoNa
“Children, children laughing?”
“We will wait until sunset and then we will check it75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zxxr23KoP
out and continue. For now, lets just stay hidden in the forest,” Ivy ordered.
Catori found a patch of dirt and positioned herself75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡco9L117Gcc
between two large rocks so that it was hard to been seen. With her soft, white75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVRVJ90Y6K
coat, it was hard to camouflage against the browns and greens of the forest75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoKrJ34dC2
floor. Ivy became impatient. The wait was horrendous as she was eager to get to75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWCEJhoC8a
the next territory, to plead with someone to take her in for a few nights.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBid6kIBc7
Catori decided that heading North was likely to be safer. The North hate the75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66AwWzdKvG
South, but they might also hate them too as they would come from that75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCycDojLSDM
direction. Ivy feared being sold back to her father the most. Even when she75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRx1pvg1pr
thought about him and what he did, and what he caused her, the anger built75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7Kx9sKPzL
rapidly. Catori shook her fur at the thought, feeling the same emotions.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DQ4leTCoP
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Sunset was almost upon the white wolf, and she proceeded to make her way back75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYvcTI4aLS
to the edge of the forest. Ivy warned Catori to be careful in the clearing and75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiY6jaNKn8
kept a constant look-out through the wolf’s eyes. Ivy looked through the last75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFrIN0rlLz
few trees and she saw houses, upon houses and fences holding livestock.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPeqZnDgiV
Furthermore, there were lights everywhere and nowhere safe to cross down the75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ302IUwtlpw
river safely without being seen. The river ran under a bridge further into the75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bUysWDBtV
town, and Ivy noticed people carrying vegetables, eggs and hay, right across75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzJ0r4WhcT
it. Most of the people further in the town and down the lane were retreating75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6P3LFZfs8i
into their homes for the night as dusk began to turn. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbjZAO4jwN
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“Easy meals,” stated Catori, as she licked her lips. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdPhASjrIu
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzJ3nVNY76
Ivy was mortified and told her that this must be the human village that her75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrT2PRDhFP
father used to go on about, especially the dangers. To humans, wolves were75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9PHLxdF3Y
nothing, but folklore and Ivy had no idea if they were aware they existed. The75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfu3eJxEwjA
human species would probably never find out because they are too dumb to75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhqAcH8V62
understand and accept it. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8WbfKYwxb
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“You’re up,” said Catori.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrvaU5CuqY
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“What do you mean?”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SHSgLK45m
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“Well I can’t just walk in there and the rivers runs through the middle of75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiG54kH3qRW
town. You are the human form Ivy.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSZl57TTVQ
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJWUK6Hs2m
“I don’t have clothes,” Ivy stammered. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfnu07PtwQ
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76HL3KgF1U
“Well hopefully we get seen by a woman first and she might give us some.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSRFMw1dyX
Look for a barn for us to rest in.” 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3549q4y5R
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2v6FBZFF2e
Ivy sighed heavily, knowing that Catori was right. Ivy commanded control75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxF1aIYBrQe
back and allowed Catori to shift. Ivy would never get used to that75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6f3FYETsT
feeling. The quick shift made a sound or at the very least someone heard a bone75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFF6dMcmofS
crack. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbfZFBWrNI
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnUXUAsdpK
“Hello? Is there anyone there?” a man asked. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZ2sltQQxC
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAX1fZmYS1
He was too close for comfort and neither Catori or Ivy saw him hunched over his75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk85xf1NINR
garden before. Catori tried using her mind to nudge Ivy forwards, but Ivy was75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbXX9Ort8Y
too embarrassed with no clothes. She groaned, "Why did it have to be a man?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NcKme7V4a
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbLVs1VPcJ
“Hello?” he called again. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCy8UlsIMhq
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJk2hvWOMW
“Angus! Who are you talking to? Are you talking to yourself again?”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoeIji2FfO
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKZnCeRv3t
A short, stout woman came from the back of the house that the garden was75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnK4HVgv3fx
connected to. Her arms were crossed, and her feet tapped on the stone path, as75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTXU4zlCNA
if her dinner was getting cold inside. Ivy smelt the food from different houses75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIsacTv5HV
and her mouth watered straight away.
Ivy gulped and took one step into the clearing, and75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRsQBVjq5r
then another whilst she tried to cover herself the best she could. She heard75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLodI9DEjn
the woman gasp and the man turned to see what the commotion was.
"My Lord,” Ivy heard.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8HwEtZqxk
“Go inside Angus and get me some clothes.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAybSMKTq0
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEsfJLHoQP
The woman quickened her pace towards Ivy, and she tried to use her body as a75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AqCuyLYxL
shield so that any onlookers couldn’t see Ivy’s naked body. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEa0zSCqTr
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbleoxntAD
“Come now dear, look at the state of you,” she said, walking closer. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrb6xPPKTj
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMMRWeh67i
Ivy flinched at her warm, soothing tone and looked past her at the man75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBy8q6blO0h
named Angus, running out of the door with some clothing draped over his arms.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObl47E6jD8
The woman tried running her hands through Ivy’s hair, with no luck due to not75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtGbC4ALPW
being brushed in days. Ivy allowed the woman to do so, even though Catori75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRsxT5B6h6
growled in her mind. She was too focused on trying to cover her body with her75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvJJEjhjnj
hands. Angus approached, with his head bent back behind his shoulders, trying75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARklwfKcip
not to look at Ivy as he handed over the clothes and a blanket. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88t7a1QuDT
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR18DJhfSJv
“Come on dear, put these on,” the woman said, whilst handing one piece of75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpXkR6SOnF
clothing to Ivy at a time. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvBkufGEgo
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4vv2PuiMS
“They might not fit your tiny little waist, but we definitely need to get you75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iL3tf0fw6
washed up and you can tell us where you came from…and in such a state. I have75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmbrjSYqhY
some hot soup on the fire now.” 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbo5iJHpw5
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzF7ql3ijkW
The woman turned away after she fussed over Ivy, expecting her to follow. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjeHvzZF9Q
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“Be cautious Ivy,” Catori warned. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcP2W9Lh57N
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The woman didn’t seem that bad to Ivy, so she followed without speaking a word.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrEyh1riKB
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Walking into the couple’s home, Ivy was instantly warmed by the fire. The small75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7vv0AaW1j
living area was lit by the light of the fire and the woman stirred through soup75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStHvMFeqj3
before she placed it in bowls. The aroma of the vegetables hit Ivy’s nose and75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcmnyJaHW6
her mouth watered. Angus, stared at Ivy with the weirdest expression and she75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahRBoV5bWs
knew that if she spoke, he’d have jumped out of his skin. The woman returned to75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLlzDNxuXe
the living area and handed Ivy a bowl, then immediately started asking75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQr8A6NpTk
questions. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXn3Ggt6uLL
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjbosh8se3
“So, where are you from dear? The next village is about one hundred miles in75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAat3etehU
the other direction, and by the state of you, you haven’t had a bath in a75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLteZZ6Nhod
while.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZg4PQm6bRL
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziVtnDg0ZO
She was right, Ivy was covered head to toe in dirt and grime and her hair was a75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrMVOJmqRh
tangled mess. Before Ivy could answer, Angus spoke. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRH6spkQH9C
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“Leave her alone for a moment, let her eat Fi.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfoIxKuNnt
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGVR07uNav
His eyes urged Ivy to continue eating. Fi grunted and they sat in silence. The75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4I9kFBIFkk
sounds of slurping irritated Ivy, so she decided to make conversation.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3QyUCJOlH
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzfoWsI5aF
“I have been in the forest for a few days now, I have lost count. I am being75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPhiLL8Ihw
hunted.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPdlSqfnKD
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJbWsMxLgp
Fi snorted into her soup, “What ever do you mean, hunted?”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1DY5iLqPr
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeuJzRinBq
“I was made to marry a man that I did not want to, and decided to leave, he has75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBCRGk9kbf
sent soldiers after me,” Ivy replied. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9l857TpcmC
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnn2zSSjuC
The couple looked dumfounded and confused, but also looked wary of her, as they75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWn2qUNfUJ
let a fugitive into their home. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABeSvEGJPb
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“Okay, well at least we know where you came from, you can rest here a few days75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FqPyCRcjt
and be on your way. I will go and get a bath ready for you,” Fi announced.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8m3PjnSq0
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngKN7BLjDd
She took the bowls off the table, placed them on the bench next to a wash tub75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vRrOCD0gj
and disappeared into another room. Ivy’s gaze shifted to Angus, who stared at her. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTwrbkb3bL
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“Have you been trained?” he asked. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGYjfTTVh1
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“Trained enough to hold my own,” Ivy retorted. The question confused her. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHTCuOlmSX
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gPG8tFmS3
“No, you’re not. Your arms are skinny and weak. There is no muscle to them.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhE7ORuPMPC
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19S6Nq6MUO
“I started training with a solder before I ran, I know the basics.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJc2NQtOqoQ
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“We train in the morning, first thing,” he commanded. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhRRiuL1cP
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1VqPROQXJ
Ivy’s mouth opened to respond. She was furious and was not about to be bossed75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjg1ij1lZKr
around by any male. She felt the heat throughout her body and her cheeks turned75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQD4cmrPNDI
a shade of red. Angus cut her off almost immediately in a lowered tone. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gBSriZfYq
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“I am not stupid girl; I know what you are and where you have come from. There75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWutChRKmU
are no soldiers for miles, and I know what borders the village. Fi may be75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zelXnxUT5
oblivious as are all the rest in this town, but I know.” 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgOFIAgTrv
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWHVUyEFtV
Angus finished his speech and left Ivy stupefied. Fi came back from the75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbI37TjMfB
bathroom with a towel over her shoulder. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6F6EXlUpNn
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“All done, take your time in there, you will need as much time as you can get,”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfC5Gqa5TXv
she announced, looking at Ivy up and down. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3bYGBJix8
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdENZCe3DW
Ivy thanked Fi and accepted the towel that was held out to her. She rose from75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeovhh2gajm
the chair, feeling shaky about what Angus said to her and headed towards the75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxnWuXcwp3
door Fi came out of. Ivy looked over her shoulder before entering, to see where75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy12O2Ijcdu
the couple had gone. Fi had disappeared into another room and Angus was still75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtppmey0wVm
seated at the table, watching her. This time he had a smile spread across his75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTuWstzqkw
face. Angus checked over his shoulder to make sure that Fi was not around and75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7bwpWeTga
decided to put Ivy out of her misery. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPRaYclTWE
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“I can smell you; I can smell another wolf for miles. See you in the morning,”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13YbJPFeRy
he chuckled, and proceeded to hold his nose as he left the room, teasing Ivy75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeslnjoVodD
about her stench. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgK9lJJguz
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOu8ISTZQkp
Ivy had to pick her mouth up off the floor as she watched his hunched over75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXOkmpmUoi
silhouette walk into what must be their bedroom. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYBdgUogYf
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR65zWPx2gE
Ensuring that Ivy locked the door behind her, she took off the over-sized75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDKXPw4zYz
clothes that Fi generously gave. There was no aroma to this bath to help relax75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37Hl0khyQu
her, but Ivy didn’t think much of it. She dipped her toe into the steaming75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjtTD1OX4o
water, just to make sure that she wouldn’t be boiled to death. She let out a75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHHF992hLa
sigh of relief that the water was the perfect temperature, and she sank her75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRwudrylU3
entire body into the warmth, and allowed the water to consume her. Fi had75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROSw8kKBEi
left a scrubbing brush on the ledge of the bath, which made Ivy giggle, that Fi75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuMymXQJvp
thought she needed it. The steam from the bath alone was enough to allow75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqu6HVP2wFn
whatever was stuck to her skin, slide off. Ivy used it anyway for the bits that75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnyWYM7J5r
wouldn’t budge. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIn0EOwq5O
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBs66BWPjp
Catori purred softly in Ivy’s mind, which put her at ease. Knowing that her75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Rg6IAfvTa
wolf felt safe, made her feel safe. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVcpVCzXGh
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0d4lSo0QB
Ivy spent what felt like hours in the bath. The skin on her toes and fingers75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoImbrT1ljW
were wrinkled. She reluctantly got out of and noticed that Fi also75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtpBoWKRPe
left a brush and some new clothes. The clean ones were a better fit. Ivy75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwFTBhcVHE
wrapped her hair in a towel and retreated to the lounge to sit by the fire. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPrp85DziD
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuwAT1i9ki
Fi sat on one end of the couch with a stack of blankets and a pillow that75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqbGTTJy8Z
rested beside her. When she noticed Ivy, she stood and apologised that they75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4VkEHS4zM
didn’t have another bed in the house, but the couch was the best they had. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqD8GhKsrRA
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncL4WQkRGo
“Thank-you for your hospitality,” said Ivy as she sat on the floor in front of75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsDHgEEtD7
the fire.
Fi sat back down again and gestured Ivy to hand over75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsfPLNfxmS
the brush. Then she clapped her hands on her legs, ushering Ivy to shuffle back75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RiIswuCu6
into her. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQdbdOOnbS
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWPWZp7dJN
Ivy obliged because the woman reminded her so much of her mother and she75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPlm3HV7w1
wondered why Fi had no children. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgWiOkzrFR
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxdUH7mkJ8
Fi began to brush Ivy’s hair, starting at the bottom and working her way up to75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCS3sKFogtQ
Ivy’s scalp. Even though Ivy washed her hair, Fi still managed to pull out75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVq1KwZFCJx
small twigs that were tangled in there. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGe0FMMByb
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAJxnGJCgn
“I’m sorry you have been through, what you’ve been through,” Fi said. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zyrwwWIdq
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXf7UeIzLP
“I am a strong woman, and I want to choose my own love to spend the rest of my75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2odoNhtl5o
life with, not an old man,” replied Ivy, still staring at the fire in front of75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQHfioYLXr
her.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1A1H7P3Wpn
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnqQYSUw9g
“They all grow old and grumpy love, and sometimes we do too,” Fi laughed. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8EsyDcLN6
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnN6WXR0ty
“Where did you meet Angus?” 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcjShCPhaN
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6A7lX3fs0
“I used to go to the forest to collect berries and other plants that my family75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XtSmVWs7h
used for herbal teas. I saw Angus in the river bathing one afternoon,” she75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsssVvyUfNg
sighed remembering the moment. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHALkDB01gk
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOETIj4bTU1
“He was toned, and muscular and I had never seen a man naked before. I just75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTjTonwGLw
knew that I was going to marry that man. He looked at me, like he could sense I75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2egFrNg6t
was staring and walked over to ask me who I was and where I come from,” she75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSm0OT3zDtD
continued, “the rest is history and here we are today.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIAMyBdAm0
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19cgWolaIb
“I hope I find someone like that.” Ivy confessed.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfc6kyCjJW6
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2lx791PQA
“Some one that can sweep me off my feet and I just know.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwKgQ35ZoQ
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NQ82vAbJD
“Now, a pretty girl like you? Can’t find a man?” Fi asked, leaning over Ivy’s75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFNOV1SlBj
shoulders to look at her face.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3OteRTwQb
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq88wbhktwm
“That’s absurd,” she added. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0k6iwhiWF
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENT7buTnux
Fi put the brush down by her side and clapped her legs a second time,75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcnRCW9QY0
signaling that she was finished, and she hauled herself out of the couch. Ivy75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAn6YBcWlx
quickly moved out of her way and thanked her. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7D3NXTqiJ
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKVReq5cua
“Please rest now, don’t stay awake too late. Angus said he has chores for you75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWO6p2vmU4A
in the morning.” 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWrK5eT0Ut
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOupUCUgtk
Ivy decided that the woman was right and spread the blankets over the couch to75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVLtWt7qVf
lay down. The pillow was soft, the blankets were made from wool which felt like75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnQlvABRWp
a cloud that hugged her. Ivy’s eyes became heavy and realised how exhausted75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNLDhJ09Ic
she’d become, she closed her eyes and willed for sleep to take over.
Morning came quickly, the sun shone through the75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5WXFf1mLl
curtains that were slightly opened. The light shone straight into Ivy’s face. She75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyg2r7AwZd
slept deeply and had to wipe off the drool that ran down her chin as she woke.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lB3xNfDit
She stirred for a moment, and wished to go back to sleep, when Angus spoke.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFcU4q7waX
“Good morning, sunshine,” he said, and held out a cup. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJhKJrXmaa
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4izvyJoRxd
The scent of coffee hit Ivy’s nose and she instantly grabbed the mug from him75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxP5vehWmD
and gulped loudly. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg962lCqhUM
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQziK4p8N9
“Steady on soldier,” he laughed. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZcVm3Enn0
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwz4XMwwJXB
“Sorry, I haven’t had a coffee in who knows how long,” Ivy apologised. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sSOUxnPfv
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVD6kNaCFP4
Angus sat on the opposite couch, “Don’t say sorry to me, it’s the gift from the75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1U6OG7LIyP
Moon Goddess.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNd1qRSrIl
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBUTzpqmqA
“How long have you lived here?” Ivy asked, looking around to see if Fi was in ear shot.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRK8GUZdKg
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVmupcZme1
“It’ okay, Fi goes to the markets early on Thursday mornings. She ordered me75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifc5CPh6P7
not to wake you yet. I’ve lived here ten years,” Angus said proudly.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVE5RGNcqUC
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YmCcYwXgt
“How do you… you know do it?” Ivy asked with caution.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8ftj4v0vk
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPh43NDI5R
“Humans are a stupid species, but I’m here because my mate is human. Weird I75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRx8PASv2O
know,” he stated with raised hands. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIR9X6CZlCs
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OoqNGdcZs
“Fi?”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEci9Aa2PT
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleNI97DSd2
“Yep, she seen me in the river, and I could feel I was being watched. I saw her75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpOmQaSBUT
trying to pathetically hide in the bushes. Then I knew, she was the one. It75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIo9z6hO4zU
washed over me and it’s a feeling that I cannot describe,” Angus explained. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0NURKZf0s
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyY8W9AHTaR
“The village works much the same as a pack, they are a community. If I feel75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5OhlXhzwU
like I need to shift, then I go to the forest to chop wood for a while and no75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6j9vo5IVU
one bats an eyelid,” he continued. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQ8tqhA4b8
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxtxdllYEo
“What pack are you affiliated with?” Ivy pressed. She suddenly felt a feeling75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKj4tJyPgko
of dread in her gut. The closet territory to the human village was Harold’s.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchRPBxmVrK
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 having75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI46BXl6gcw
their conversation. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKvzLhrxCx
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt32kvQfeix
“No one’s anymore. I was banished by the East and decided to come this way, closer75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsTQd3k1NJ
to the South, and well the rest is history; I never made it to the South,” he75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ql3PXkGmA
smiled. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtUDXXaiQt
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDoq60OSXM
“What about you? What is your story?” pressed Angus. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWm4O5ADo3
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIPCRyn6Ir
“I am on the way to the North and although I wasn’t banished from the South, I75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJD2quDI4I
certainly escaped. Now I’m just looking for my mate and wanting to move on from75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZshsGGzya
what I left behind.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxP7orisfew
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXKvUE9Znz
Angus nodded whilst listening to Ivy’s vague story. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3851JiGm1n
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlY2JOKi64i
“Right, well we have some training to do. I would be killed if it was found out75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2vO3J0ye0
that I left a royal leave my home, knowing that they were unfit to do so.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAiSQLhgBh
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGEomkCjM8
“I am no royal Angus, just an Alpha’s daughter,” corrected Ivy.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jMD8MQ6s7
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhz56HWNwXN
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 that75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66zaVmHlgd
and skin your colour, any wolf would spot you a mile away.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0yVwRMs0C
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlKyOtHIpP
The statement left Ivy confused, but quickly came to the conclusions that Angus75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHJ2FVCvBp
had no clue what he was talking about. She quickly folded the blankets and75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQI2eCGnI06
placed them on the end of the couch as Angus held the front door open for her75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9nH5d3LNG
to go outside. He led Ivy through a large pasture, toward the forest edge,75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJ9hH1JOUG
close to where Angus and Fi found her. Ivy could see the outline of a barn,75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobDUoOxhUG
amongst the first few trees at the back of the property. When they reached it,75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxMh3fAFmA
Angus unlocked and opened the doors which revealed all types of weapons that75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbu9wttXACI
hung on the walls. Ivy’s eyes grew wide as she marveled at his collection.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YC6AOnlBe
Angus noticed her peaked interest, which quickly faded to fear.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBuASD29ol
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYESFF3ijRB
“We are not training with any of these m’lady. We are training just as people,75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVpsjY8kPT
in human form. Sparring if you like.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacZuf9WXMz
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡys2LsJynLP
“Why the barn?”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDRGwZw4Tk
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANsmKt0Z1y
“Because I know how hard its going to be to stay in human form during battle,75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1fpzM5BaY
and not let your inner wolf take over. Also, the growling is not going to help.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitCYaLq9fP
If we did this out in the open, then we would both be running.” 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRC1wDfKQBj
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ztGGcEApu
Angus had a point, and a smile grew across Ivy’s face. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1GURFkuVO
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBKZukhr4X
“Okay, show me what you got,” he challenged.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKo7ljp4Bi
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgyaabtPai
Ivy initiated the spar by posing her body in a defensive stance and waited for75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmmpb9aAGN
Angus to deliver the first blow. He made the first connection to her arms as75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQkhcvvRJO
Ivy continued to defend herself. She retaliated and delivered a quick kick to75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZGiSOZ2BN
his shin and Angus doubled back, cursing. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJy5HICR71
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lqpJpzyPX
Hours went by with Angus showing Ivy what to do, and what not to do. They added75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheEmaWUwTh
weapons such as sticks. Angus taught her new blocking poses and how to keep her75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡva22Er4HlY
feet firmly planted on the ground by shifting her weight with each blow. Angus75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vGiFX2DAH
taught her what cues to look for in battle to pre-empt an attack and when to75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOzjDqvJSK
strike. Ivy felt exhilarated and wished that she had been destined to become a75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cxWdvRYdH
Warrior instead of an Alpha’s daughter. Ivy knew that if she had to fight for75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlHnN6jkD1
her life, it would be a lot harder to control Catori and harder to notice the75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWu47JgXDN
cues that Angus taught her. Angus seemed to have confidence in Ivy’s basics and75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpq4GU1OG2P
continued to add more advanced skills into the session. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSocGCX4d9
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDF2S2ZxjC
By the end of the day, Ivy was able to pin Angus to the ground and keep him75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCU8UJLQ4z
there. She felt strong and like she could hold her own, but nothing like a75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmIay9ALrz
Warrior in a pack. Warriors was required to train all day, every day. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3vRoGLddG
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPyU6qzfHe
“Wow, I’m really impressed with your progress,” Angus said, panting. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxocXhFBP8
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ym0m5Dlsf
“Thank-you,” Ivy replied, flopping to the ground with her arms outstretched. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSFW0EtRf5
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOiYJeqtKh
“I’m done. Toast.” 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOozZiAaCS
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiM9tknNLb
Angus took some time to gain his breath back and looked outside through the75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VPjXOBWgB
barn doors. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ764acSpxmp
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyFiPWhPEZ
“I’ve worked you all day, you must be sore, time to go back. Fi will have75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UKJqOYMAa
dinner prepared.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdvWMIvB1C
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHelGoLE0Lq
Angus was eager to get back at the thought of food and bounced on the heels of75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLQ1xMpKuc
his feet, as he waited for Ivy to accept his outstretched hand. Ivy groaned and75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡev1SkcCcB6
accepted his offer to help her up, using his strength to pull her tired body75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0emTmNEoX
off the ground. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuC2HIh7EI3
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvU8Zxn1NPl
“I want to use proper weapons tomorrow,” she stated. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIbPqXmstg
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdk6COlJlM
“Whoa, tomorrow? I thought you’d want to get going?” he asked whilst he locked75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeelM4livMX
the doors behind them. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7X9EOtrhR
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrDYWWAsiB
“Oh, yeah right, I suppose I should.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsexUD1jJiP
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3uTGme94v
They made their way back to the house and Angus didn’t say anything else. They75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0VcnCzLXo
covered so much today and were too tired for conversation. Ivy hoped Fi would75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC204yLRdxw
see her sweaty, dusty clothes and offer Ivy another bath. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlAj75k2Eq
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKpgYZYCsM
It wasn’t long before Ivy and Angus reached the house. Ivy entered through the75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5hIZu73pR
door panting, from trying to keep up with Angus’ long strides. Ivy looked75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYEQNjqx2A
around the room and the table were set for dinner. The smells that came from75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgon1xdG3Um
the kitchen made her salivate. Fi had really gone out of her way and Ivy could75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznPJ1Hpvgo
hear her humming in the bathroom to herself, as she clunked around. Angus75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAb0J2Vzxt
closed the door behind him, louder than usual so that Fi could hear that he was75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xQgFnFPIr
home. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw24yeO9uyM
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8IYdpEeSY
“Oh, hi honey, I’m just in the bathroom washing up for dinner. I won’t be too75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBNDPuuZ6n
long, get changed,” she said. Angus excused himself to their bedroom and Ivy75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAFH2xESVu
took a place at the table. Moments later, Fi emerged from the bathroom and saw75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29OtE9hcCF
her. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehgnzO9jrc
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTQNCEE7e3
“Oh my, he worked you hard today, you look exhausted. Go and wash up and I will75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCar8AECPh
get dinner plated,” she said, looking at Ivy’s grubby hands and face. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHeYtGHWcy
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckiOxDRHgJ
Ivy was relieved that she was excused to go and wash up. The fresh water felt75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxW3bwI1M7g
great on her face, and she scooped some in her hands to drink. I won’t have75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYeDhG6yfv
time to stop for a drink, Ivy remembered Angus’ words. As true as his words75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVxYaeD0l3
were, Ivy wasn’t prepared for Angus to be so gruelling. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2MAoJMQCq
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVt6ftjU6Q
Ivy finished in the bathroom and headed out, back to the table. Angus was75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVMq9lif8y
seated at the head of the table and narrated their day to Fi while she prepared75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBnzo8fGMd
the remainder of dinner. Angus and Fi interacted with each other and amused Ivy as75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3op9MfXoVo
she watched them communicate. They were so doting and respectful toward one75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFe4NCBZ3c
another. She sensed that if anything happened to either of them, they would be75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlE2MgTk4X
heartbroken. That’s what mate ship was and that is what Ivy wanted. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpL7iUfWGK
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccl1M3fAXr
Dinner was delightful. Fi bought a turkey and fresh vegetables at the market.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKRqTrj2bh
Angus and Ivy devoured their meals like their lives depended on it.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGuaxzGelo
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsn7bkc3Ahq
“Jeez, you two must be hungry,” Fi said amused. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YGtSpkv8N
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHiyTiCIoY
Ivy nodded her head with her mouth full. Angus stretched over the back of the75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLMpfMBAEe
chair and belched. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkkuiMWKQz
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUoJeQePIA
“Beautiful meal my love. I love Thursdays. Let me clear the table for you and75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiu9KaxnNM
you go put your feet up.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7Yt85Pt2B
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpiXnphSmz
He kissed Fi’s forehead gently whilst grabbing her plate. Angus turned to Ivy75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xAGoEieVO
and told her to join Fi. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMC18lv2zzC
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIOcI9yrD5
“You have done enough for today,” he nodded toward the couch. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMCwjZLCx7
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42Iua9cvTU
Before Ivy took a seat, she excused herself to go outside. She hadn’t seen the75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjx7TUsrUx0
village since she’d been there and thought Angus was trying to hide her away,75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3pqOZB3B1
just in case. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BReaVhX7c
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvbCQTIhVT
Ivy leant against the front of the house and took in the sights around her. The75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATVFLQ8fZD
whole village seemed to be paved out with stone. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRrz0Bwhyv
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Kcav1rqbw
“I can see the appeal.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2oDY4y3r3
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1T9LBkhDrk
“Me too, it seems nice here.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQrQjr6eOa
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiIa3tWJ56
“We can’t stay here Ivy,” Catori stated, picking up on Ivy’s thoughts.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojXuoHkLWl
Ivy hated that she could do that. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7yFVODJr8
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjIWRZ0YKx
“I know, but it seems nice that I could just walk down the street and maybe75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2yiVSymLa
meet my mate.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡip649WhNhB
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISxTpFKrHa
“We are destined for something larger.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pAgMz5Oxs
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOt1hjsQQSE
“I wonder what territory Angus comes from?” Ivy mind-linked, kicking herself75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobhuuNKz44
that she didn’t probe him further that morning. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41Kc7Iyjcx
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSiOGM6MgW
“They are nice people; his wolf is so far hidden, or he is really good at75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuM2w7Wwdre
blocking me out. All of my questions were left unanswered.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZbRbDRz7x
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobdUCkCjg9
The trees around her were so tall and untouched, they were magnificent in75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3ekPVu9yU
size. Kate entered Ivy’s thoughts, and she wished that Kate was with her, or75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfvws6Q2gD
that she was still alive. She hoped that her dad had ordered a retaliation and75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VOAGmcIpr
he would find her soon.
The sun continued to set, and everyone bustled to75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbysHZvDriU
reach their homes so they could retreat inside to the warmth of their75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcl6UFH71EP
fireplaces. When Ivy stood upright, she could see the riverbed, just below the75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOOXJKMAfZ
bridge and wandered where it led. As the village became less busy, Ivy could75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnjgk9PHEU
hear the trickle of the water flowing through -75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrEWoixxMr
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkC3lq4lG23
Snap!75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZTYznFFZk
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHRcBkhJLJ
Ivy’s eyes darted straight to where the source of the noise came from. She75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCkq71DVrF
sniffed the air and smelt damp, grungy dander. She focused her vision down the75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5he6FRgKmf
paved path that led into the forest and could make out five shadows through the75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JSat3zZEf
trees. Ivy strained her eyes for a few seconds longer, to see if she could75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgXfGxTSUI
catch a glimpse of anything else. Two pairs of glowing eyes stared back at her,75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xQuDsmnSm
and her heart fell out her ass. Ivy mentally kicked herself for becoming too75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXis1ymEgYh
complacent and stretched her limbs to go inside. She tried to act as though she75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2eONO5ipP
hadn’t seen them and that she belonged in the village and trudged to the door. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIhljH0Ju6
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLN4jc8npI3
Once inside, Angus and Fi were cuddled up on the couch reading poetry. Ivy made75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnvHqnvieG
her bed opposite to them and listened as they repeated lines together. Her eyes75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3Y1AyC0UC
became heavy, and she tried to keep them open. Ivy needed to tell Angus what75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIp9jGumFP1
she’d seen. Angus was probably used to seeing and smelling Rogues in the forest75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKOPr8pI5x
and tell her not to worry. Comfort overcame Ivy and she quickly gave in to her75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQFEUUCX7T
tired mind.
Ivy stirred on the couch, and she thought she heard75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckXREX2g3N
the couple finally retreat to their room. She lifted her eyes to confirm but75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0NOfAyvDb
noticed through heavy eyes that Angus was putting out the fire. He spotted her75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9FkGSnP3o
waking and stilled. Ivy quickly sat upright to ask what he was doing but he75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pCI20JkNv
silently lifted his forefinger to his mouth to quieten her. Ivy’s body started75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlymClpRtLU
to adjust to being awake and her instincts took over, and she smelt it. The75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cuclR1HYT
disgusting wet dog smell that she smelt earlier. She silently hoped that she75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvsSPYKZrZ
didn’t smell that bad when Angus and Fi saw her on her first night here. Ivy75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecQQzY5ra8
tried to mind-link Angus and to her surprise, made a connection. He opened75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVtF1U0bLm
himself up to her. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgMCogkwKa
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutLp90y6pN
“What do we do? Who are they?”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZHE6KQZZI
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgec1QEQWa
“I DON’T KNOW, BUT I HAVE A SAFE WAY OUT!”, he replied. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuP4JGg6PIT
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAYUEca8T2
Ivy winced at his response; it was so loud that she nearly jumped out of her75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUfe0c9zbL
skin. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxU8TCbvJY5
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQu1vWfNco
“Sorry, I haven’t used that in a long time,” he grimaced, almost whispering. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXH9Aakn0ru
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OaQcUQFiA
Angus ushered her towards the bathroom and Ivy willingly obliged, knowing that75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNv9aqy5Cvz
she put her trust in someone she just met. Every instinct in her body, told her75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PeYFOW4Ds
to run like hell. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6t9j2JF4G3
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13knM986TM
Angus tried heaving the bath to the other side of the bathroom. After he tried75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMmvfjey09
multiple times, Ivy jumped in to help. They managed to move the bath which75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAz4ShM2Kqx
revealed a trap door. Angus slowly opened the door, and rush of cold air came75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZygNLAngNS
through the top. The coolness gave Ivy goosebumps. She rubbed her arms quietly,75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KZ83jhrgf
to generate some warmth and linked Angus again. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVrwUgptG3
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnHraNaXlA
“Where is Fi? Is she safe?”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSLKRH09hb
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJsGUtc3SL
“Fi is fine she's asleep after drinking her tea, nothing will wake her. I left a75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5Awc6L0IQ
note to say I left early to start my errands.” 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFc06oFQsh
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3R02cVrZrb
“Angus, but there are wolves out there, what if they come in the house looking75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9wVc18NYR
for me?”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuTV8BC7jB
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOu8Xk2fX5p
“They won’t be so stupid. Then they’d have a human army on their hands and75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHjjXFoXDR
trust me they wouldn’t risk it. If Fi was a wolf, they’d smell her out and75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qO1QqMODt
might be a different story, now hurry up.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxKaSo8c3c
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDnC4ZMN5t
Ivy responded to Angus’ urgency and without thinking, she started to descend75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxJhO0nBFy
the ladder. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5X3LQtvGP3
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6nC8MYkUq
“Follow the tunnel right to the end, it takes you to the forest on the other75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoRKDbLtaT
side of town. I will meet you there shortly,” Angus linked to Ivy.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKripyYusQN
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNdPvau5oU
He sensed her distrust and added, “I made this for when I escaped.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE02y3d8lRq
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSB0K3au8oA
“You told me you were banished,” Ivy argued. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJq1MGzcZcJ
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfTzm2Lmru
“Can’t trust new people,” Angus shrugged and closed the door. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgQgzzXCzD
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyA9TJUuWRk
Ivy had no other option than to trust him. She either got to the other side of75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGsMjUnHjO
the tunnel with an awaiting ambush or when she got to the end, Angus would be75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAsqpAtsBi
there. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rSgK0fwVA
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGpMd9wcNP
“What choice do we have? Sit in the dark?”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynDj2eVqNe
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYcaKIKTIh
Ivy wasn’t in the mood to argue with Catori, so she gave her eyes a few moments75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWAfMsjzf5
to adjust to the darkness. She saw the opening of the tunnel which gave her a75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWFao6G2c9
glimmer of hope that Angus told the truth. The tunnel was tiny. Ivy squeezed75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDBC5A6RkY
through the small opening and realised she had to crawl along on her stomach to75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7h2wgeiwjx
reach the other side.
Ivy finally reached the end of the narrow tunnel. The75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzDdojOFzT
narrow opening, much like the entrance, opened into a basement like cut out.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnbNTgfbfH
She pulled herself out, one limb at a time and fell into a heap on the dirt75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuBPq8NqvM
floor. Ivy stared at the ladder that connected with the trapdoor above. She had75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rE2vQXqmg
a fleeting thought that if she happened to crawl in a full circle, she’d allow75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0zTOX0yhJ
Catori to shift and rip Angus’ head off. Ivy climbed to the top of the ladder75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SCDa5u5vZ
and gently pushed on the door. She cringed when is creaked loudly and paused to75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDJTcTe5fs
listen for any movement above. Instead, the door was ripped from her hands and75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqiyxp3hgb
Ivy gasped loudly and tried to keep her balance on the ladder. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kaIYfxzBQ
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrEsVm3fyK
“Scared ya,” Angus laughed. His face beamed down at her. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3x6hc9hnWR
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJubcHu47X8
“Took you long enough,” he complained. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWBPrQibcQ
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXLSN9STQs
“Well, you failed to mention how tight it was,” Ivy snapped back. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZG5kGvtZh
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pnlczE3gA
“Not my problem that you didn’t shift and let your wolf scrape through. Would75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXQBXINJl7
have been a lot quicker.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWzskFxWgr
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJE3cUwbdF
“Well you-,” Ivy tried to quickly answer. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzibjxwFun
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP84qKj6sMr
“AND you didn’t use your instincts before you opened that door. If you had75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumR9mzbFhV
taken a moment to focus on your surroundings, you would have known it was safe75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfR9EpitCw7
to come out.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fEpqZncVZ
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfnWtxkcMw
Ivy couldn’t argue because he was right. She climbed out from the trapdoor and75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYav0vYmP4
brushed herself off, straightening her back to stretch. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIqW61zeie
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQbQobrnnu
“Well thank you for everything Angus. The training, the food and water and75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJgt6OIax6
getting me out of here safely. I can’t put you or your mate in danger, I have75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXN8i8z1Eb
to go.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJGiwtQ5pj
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNz25XG8G4
“To hell you are!”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbkaRdN7Qr
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIfFOuad1R
“Why not?” Ivy looked puzzled. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCMk77IHjR
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhI5XVMjuR
“Use your damn instincts girl. We are surrounded and there is no way I’m going75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQnUDLb9mF
to let a young, little princess such as yourself, go wondering off in the75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTNlG9hRmO
forest. They will have my head.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68VCi5NW0c
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsASKdVH2F3
“First of all, I am not some member of the royal family. Secondly, I’m75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrk4uXWbbBI
following the river to wherever that may lead me and thirdly, I can take care75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YepH92TuN
of myself,” Ivy argued. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVxzPjARJL
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9bKk1UJpK
“I’m coming whether or not you like it. Those wolves are in the forest75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPNjwTVgv7
surrounding this village and if we don’t move now, we will be dog food.” 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AZtfavnbw
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvDk5EACvJ
Ivy rolled her eyes at Angus and gave in a steely look. He didn’t budge and Ivy75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZrK1jPLfK
knew that she had to keep moving. Angus had told her that it was at least a75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglq2yamWi1
day’s walk, without stopping, to the next territory. Angus extended his arm out75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEWPRFlyZb
to his side, pointing to the forest. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡji2UHmc19q
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMWS5zlKIV
“Ladies first,” he jeered. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfRnkiDicv
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEEDcegPuf
“Just because you are with me, doesn’t mean you can boss me around.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvNy1e7ZS5
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ465HU7E6Z1
With a huff, Ivy started toward the forest. Angus kept up with her easily and75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6V3FQ6ILQ
she wondered how big his wolf was. His human stride made Ivy jog to keep up,75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbMcd6kDQT
his wolf stride would force her to run. They walked in silence for a moment,75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzm3VIxovf
each ensuring that their ears were pricked to notice any sudden movements from75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbPPxc9sIg
around them. Ivy noticed that Angus kept looking down at her as if he wanted to75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7EBcJNS9j
say something.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4kiXWUOmb
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“Yes?” she asked, giving him permission to speak.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dLnfO7YaM
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“Oh, I just wanted to know if your anger had subsided enough to realise, we are75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMtzr8PMvG
being herded in a northerly direction.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gndUDeQGJ
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Fear ran through Ivy and her face turned whiter than normal.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhFQus29NZ
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“Calm down lass. It’s not a southern army, otherwise they would have changed75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7468BWUyQK
our direction, or have killed us both by now.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVw27E7XojN
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Ivy directed her attention to left and the right of them. They were far enough75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAD7fDmwQ3
away to not startle, but close enough to show them that they were there. Ivy75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEguaE9M5G
could see their shadows moving through the trees. There were three travelling75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Zox5Hclvk
on the left, three on the right and three travelling behind. Angus encouraged75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2I7BporehZ
Ivy to keep walking and talking like normal with no sudden movements. Angus’75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrwWe76wJg
knowledge about battle, instincts and tactics made Ivy wonder if he was ever75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ccdyQlK7E
involved in an army or at the very least a ranking Warrior in the East. Ivy had75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5UFuclS3f
never heard of any wolf clans that housed royalty, but Angus constantly75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JosMXm9JI
compared Ivy to whatever clan he's met . Ivy continued to wonder if where he came from there75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IX91T91sB
were royal wolves that had similar features. The only royal communities that were75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqb0TgBUDdS
still around on their mainland were the Lycan’s.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbB6TJGCea
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The sun had risen and was encroaching into the middle75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyMK636obA
of the day. Angus and Ivy had been on the move the whole time. Ivy’s mouth was dry,75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagotlTDrKX
and she was desperate for a drink. Angus kept encouraging her to move on because75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi53mxu4qSB
they didn’t know what these other wolves were doing. Ivy eventually whined that75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQTOfIwMaQ
she needed to rest, and her stomach grumbled loudly. Angus reluctantly let her75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaZSfkQh42
sit by the trunk of a large tree, while he scouted the area to make camp and a75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTHhmwfwuh
fire. Ivy watched him disappear behind some trees, trying to look for small75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbLvCFRKe4
morsels of food and understood why Fi fell in love with him. Angus adored Fi,75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiboGobKck
and always talked about her, but avoided his past. Regardless, Ivy learnt that75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjdpn2moGy
Angus was a blacksmith within the village, which explained the large range of75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrq872AB8c0
weapons in the barn. He confirmed that each weapon that hung on the wall, he75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiWGExhOkT
created. Angus explained that hiding his wolf form from Fi and the village was75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZCxGW2wjV
initially the hardest thing he’s ever done but it all worked out through75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8oi9B4hzw
determination. Angus feared that if Fi found out, she would reject him, and he75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipyqAGyBuw
would be right back where he started; alone. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4GUuLx1Os
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“Here looks just fine,” Ivy called out, as Angus came back with two small75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcWrqgKaHW
rabbits.
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Ivy chose the spot where she was already sitting,75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWHMD1hHYf
because her legs felt like they no longer had the strength to hold her weight.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvl3zSyO16X
There was a boulder that Angus could rest his back on, that sat under the75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcObQ9Yc9ck
umbrella of a tree and offered some protection. They were almost on the border75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIXAthEt4q
of the next territory. Angus mentioned that they should arrive by nightfall. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofc5RtfbPr
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“Perfect spot,” Angus agreed, “Now, can you make a fire?”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBOpO8tjzI
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Ivy nodded. That was one thing that she could do. Angus trotted off to gather75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKkZ0SpYCC
some kindling and some larger pieces of wood close by. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82mqDoFqiN
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The constant feeling of being watched, started to frustrate Ivy. It seemed75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0K60ZM942
pointless to her that if they weren’t going to kill them, then they could have75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTqhrzMeJ2
at least come forward. She thought that whoever commanded them was useless. No75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmuweIVQsY
wonder the North were labelled as weak.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLaGw2auvi
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Angus returned with his arm piled with wood. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeW64PpplFB
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“We aren’t going to need that much,” Ivy said. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzc5h8h56UW
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“Well, we might, we need to cook, and you need to rest, so I need to stand75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnO8Ycb3Ln
guard.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrl1y0UKXaa
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“No you don’t. You said yourself, they don’t want to hurt us.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxthRa78E5
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“Can’t be too careful, right?” he grimaced. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1L9FCYs0U
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Angus took smaller pieces of wood and twigs. He pulled the grass from around75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKN1lgKJXq
Ivy and created a small, heaped pile near where Ivy sat. Ivy found small pieces75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0A8EvajFKu
of flint from around the rocks and cracked them together to create a spark. She75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSOzlmnyA0
noticed the smoldering grass and gently blew through cupped hands to force a75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZNStcVU0J
flame. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tSqJRp61i
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“I’m glad you can do that, it’s starting to get chilly,” Angus said, watching75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OL2Wk6UMM
intently. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa79WN5Ty7W
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“Well, it’s the one thing I know how to do.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwsSjEAEY3
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“Good, because I can’t.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVE2peQ6NOb
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Angus’ response shocked Ivy into laughter. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGd6qkx8YAa
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“What about the fireplace in your home?”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRF0GlH9lg
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“Fi does it, and she would be super mad that I put it out.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8iNXi5zAk
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The thought made Ivy giggle. A weapon-smith that cannot make fire, certainly75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoZiWLSDuI
eased the mood. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQSzrEjHRj
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As they enjoyed more laughter together, the unknown wolves were getting closer,75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvETmtfWftG
and made the circle tighter. Ivy shot a look at Angus and responded with a nod75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqc1wBDDszs
to confirm her thoughts.
