Athindrya

Chapter 6

Everyone had gathered at the edge of Lacklun Forest. They’d all assembled to say goodbye to Ivy before she headed off to the Coastal Crescent Pack.

Marcus had even showed up to wish her luck. She’d smiled at him, and he’d enveloped her in a hug; something he had not done in years. Just as he pulled away, Mei, Seff, Lorelai, Cyran and Mason (Lorelai’s mate) arrived.

It was early morning, the air was still crisp. Ivy would need time to get herself to the Coastal Crescent Pack. She would travel most of the way in wolf form as it was quicker and then shift back to her human form when close enough to the pack.

She said her goodbyes, not allowing the tears to fall. They all looked on at her as she made her way into the thick of the trees. Mei and Lorelai were in the arms of their mates, while Seff just kept smiling at her.

Ivy changed out of her clothes, packed them in her small satchel thing she would carry in her mouth and shifted. Once shifted she made her way to edge of the forest line for one last look at her makeshift family, then she sped off into the depths.

With her satchel between her jaws she zigzagged through the trees, her heightened senses directing her. Once she knew the others couldn’t sense her anymore, she made a detour to where she’d stashed her extra bag.

Shifting back into her human form, she checked everything was still in place. She lifted the rock, under which she had dug a hole and stashed her belongings. Relief flooded through her as she saw everything was where she had left it. She picked the bag up and shifted back into her midnight wolf.

                                                                                   ***

She’d been running for over two hours now and was starting to get a bit thirsty. She stopped at the edge of a river, put her stuff down, and wandered into the water. She gulped it down greedily as the refreshing liquid slid down her throat.

She had about another hour of running to get to the Coastal Crescent Pack. But what harm would a little break do?

Wading in further into the water she could feel her muscles tense a bit at the cold. Once deep enough she dunked her head under the surface. She lifted her head out of the water, her wet fur sticking to her. She splashed about in joy. It wasn’t often she could be so carefree. Lilka whined.

My turn. She said, pressing for control.

Ivy gladly gave it to her. Lilka only needed to stretch her legs for a bit and enjoy the nature around them. They jumped in and out the water, letting themselves be carried by the current and swimming to and from each bank. They’d been in the water about half an hour and if they’d been in their human form, they would be all wrinkly.

Finally stepping out of the river, Lilka shook herself dry. Water droplets went flying in all directions. Satisfied with her little moment of self-indulgence Lilka trotted back to where the bags had been left. Picking them up in her mouth, she continued on her journey.

Do you think they’ll recognise us? Ivy asked through their link.

I don’t know, but I guess their going to have to eventually, otherwise the Council could have just sent anyone. Lilka had slowed her pace down as they chatted.

True. Either way, they deserve what is coming to them. Ivy gritted out.

Suddenly Lilka stopped. She sniffed the air.

You smell that?

Yup. Ivy replied, already readying herself for an ambush.

You want to swap? Came Lilka’s voice.

Nah it’s time you have some fun too. Ivy was usually the one in control but this time she thought Lilka could do with the exercise, but mainly the entertainment.

Lilka chirped in excitement. She carefully set the bags she held on the floor and widened her stance. She could sense about two rogues. This would be a piece of cake.

She barked in the general direction of the rogue wolves, warning them to show themselves. It took no time for her to be face to face with two male wolves. If they hadn’t been rogues, they probably would’ve been a lot bigger. They seemed crazed by hunger.

One was a light grey mixed with some patches of darker grey. The other was quite similar in colour, but his eyes were an orangy-yellow while his partner’s were simply brown. Their fur was greasy and matted. Lilka could tell it would feel like hay instead of her soft, flexible coat.

The two males were so skinny, she could see their bones almost pocking through their skin. Their eyes were sunken and cold. 

Lilka shook her head to the side signalling that they could go free if they chose to. Unsurprisingly they remained in front of her. Ivy smiled internally. She knew these two stood no chance against her, let alone against Lilka.

One of the rogues made the first move, lunging towards her throat, but she easily sidestepped him. His attack was clumsy and fuelled by hunger. Lilka turned around and slashed her claws into the side of his face, sending him flying into a nearby tree.

The other rogue stepped forward. Both wolves circled each other not letting their eyes divert from their target. This wolf was smarter than his companion. He waited to see if Lilka would make a mistake. Unluckily for him she didn’t. Instead she threw herself at him taking him by surprise.

She latched onto his neck with her teeth as he tried to claw her off of him. But her grip was strong. She could’ve bitten down further and ended their interaction there, but where was the fun in that?

She released him. He looked at her confused, blood trickling down his muddied fur. He took this as an opportunity to attack. His claw barely scrapped her side, as she twisted and landed on his back, digging her claws in. By this time, the other wolf had come to. Thinking he had the element of surprise he charged towards Lilka.

She had heard him coming. At the last second, she twisted herself and the wolf she held, landing on her back with the other wolf baring his stomach. The charging wolf didn’t have time to register as his teeth sank into his friend’s flesh. The wolf howled in pain.

Lilka finally released her deadly grip on him and moved her attention to the remaining wolf. His eyes were wide and scared. He crouched on the ground baring his neck to her in submission.

Should’ve thought of that before you attacked. Lilka thought, as she brought down her paw on his neck. The wolf’s head hung, half detached from his body.

She wiped her paws on the mossy ground in an attempt to remove the extra blood. Titling her head she examined her scratched side, deciding that it wasn’t even worth her licking it to try and heal it quicker.

Nicely done. Ivy complimented. She’d observed the whole thing but had stayed quiet letting Lilka take the lead, knowing how pissy her wolf could become is she got ‘tips’ in the midst of a fight. Usually she would enjoy winding her wolf up, but she knew there would be enough of that to come, when they neared the pack. They needed to be on the same side and not arguing with each other.

The smug wolf jogged towards their bags and left the two bodies behind.

After some time, the number of trees was thinning. Ivy could see the start of a beach. Smelling the air she could tell the pack borders were close. She shifted back into her human form and pulled on her clothes. She made sure all her gaggers were still in place.

Retracing her steps she found a large fallen tree under which she dug another hole. Back in Athindrya she would’ve done it as her wolf, but this way the mud under her nails and the dirt would better sell her as a rogue.

The hole was small but still managed to fit her bag. She pushed the tree trunk over it. If she didn’t know it was there, she wouldn’t have guessed.

Now to sell her character a bit better. She rolled herself in the mud, collecting branches, leaves and other stuff in her hair and on her clothes. Looking down at herself, she knew there was just one more thing to do. The Alpha of the Coastal Crescent Pack was notorious for despising rogues. She would have to prove to be no threat to him.

Taking out one of her daggers, she bent down and sliced a deep cut in her leg. She hissed in pain while Lilka grunted out, the worst was yet to come. Knowing the cut was too clean, she dug her finger into the opening, stretching the skin. She bit down on a nearby stick as she did so. She pulled and muddied the wound.

Standing up she had to steady herself in order not to fall. She sniffed the surrounding scents. The pack was to her west. Limping she made her way towards the borders. Taking in a deep breath, she forced herself to shed tears. The weaker she appeared the easier it would be to infiltrate the pack.

Lilka grumbled in disapproval, she was not one for displaying weakness.

As Ivy approached the border, she could smell wolves which meant they could smell her too. At this she ran forwards as fast as her limp would let her. She soon arrived at the pack boundary. She crossed it.

Within seconds she was tackled to the ground. It took everything in her to not push her assailants off her. She whimpered.

“Please, I am just seeking refuge to heal.” She put on a scared voice. She bared her neck in a sign of submission.

The warriors who had tackled her, gently removed themselves, keeping a close eye on her. She could tell they were communicating through the mind link to decide what to do with her.

“Please.” She repeated. “All I want is to feel safe for a while.” That got one of the guard’s attention.

Bingo! Lilka said triumphantly.

“We will take you to the pack doctor, but you will obey us until the Alpha arrives. Understood?” One of the guards spoke.

Ivy just nodded. Her eyes widened a little as she saw one of the warriors take out some silver handcuffs and secure them to her wrists.

Ivy could barely contain Lilka’s rage.

Those fuckers! Silver cuffs! She fumed.

Calm down. If we resist it’ll just make them suspicious. Ivy reasoned as they were led into a clearing in the forest.