Athindrya

Chapter 3

Mei sauntered into the training room, bag slung over her shoulder. Ivy was already setting up the crash mats, anticipating this to be another hard session.

“You ready to start then?” Mei got herself into position, one foot on, one foot off the mat, just like they always did.

“Ready when you are.” Ivy was in desperate need to release some pent up energy after her meeting with Marcus. Lilka was desperate to get out for a run, but that would have to wait Ivy reminded her.

Mei lurched forward going to jab Ivy in the chest. Ivy ducked just in time. She lifted her leg to deliver a powerful blow to Mei’s side. Unfortunately, it did not have the intended effect. Mei came back in full force as she was blocked by Ivy. Strikes were being thrown left, right and centre.

Ivy heard her left forearm break as Mei struck it. The pain didn’t even register. Ivy took the opportunity of the close proximity to deliver a violent right hook to Mei’s face. Mei staggered back in shock. The girls had never had any qualms about beating each other, but as Mei looked up, she saw Ivy’s eyes begin to darken.

Ivy was struggling to keep Lilka at bay. The frustration of everything she had just learnt clearly got the better of her. As if in a trance, Ivy spun round and finalised a roundhouse kick before Mei could jump out of the way. Leaning into the spinning movement she stepped forward jutting her arm out.

“Stop.” Mei’s voice rang through Ivy’s head, dissipating the mist that had formed around Ivy.

Ivy had clearly not held back from attacking Mei. Her nose was bleeding and Ivy could already see the bump forming on her temple.

“You need to chill. What’s got you to irritated?”

“Nothing.” Came Ivy’s curt reply. Mei could tell she was hiding something, but Ivy was relieved when she didn’t insist.

“Why don’t we go back, shower and get ready for tonight?”

“No. I think I’ll go for a run first.” Ivy was not in the mood for all the girly things that night would entail. She would be much more ready for it once Lilka had let off some steam. Leaving the training room, the girls went their separate ways.

Ivy’s mind was still reeling when she arrived at the edge of the forest, Lilka itching to get out. She stepped into the woods and putting her gym bag behind a rock, Ivy undressed and added her clothes to the pile.

Soon she could feel her bones breaking and reforming back in place. The feeling was oddly satisfying, it felt like she was having a chiropractic massage. Lilka was large for a female wolf. She was a deep, rich black. Her fur was soft and silky. She shook, what could be described as a bit of a mane around her neck and face, letting the chill breeze filter through.

Her paws hit the ground. She revelled in the feel of the dirt between her claws. It had that nice cold feeling, that she loved, to it. The air was crisper. Her ears perked up at the sounds of the forest. Taking in a big breath of air, Ivy surrendered control to Lilka.

Lilka’s paws thumped on the ground as she ran through the trees. This was definitely what she needed to let loose. A hint of a rabbit’s scent wafted past her snout and she zoomed off in the opposite direction, intent on finding this rabbit that eluded her.

She impishly chased the rabbit, enjoying every last moment of it. The conversation with Marcus was running through her head again. Urgh. Why couldn’t she get a moment of peace?

The anger she felt towards her old pack flared up. Play time was over.

She sped up catching up to the, what must be now, terrified rabbit. Bounding forward, she slammed her paw down, stunning the rabbit. It wasn’t long before her sharp canines were sinking into the raw meat. Ivy was fighting to gain back control, but Lilka wasn’t ready to give up just yet.

She took her time in devouring the rabbit before finally relinquishing control back to Ivy. She trotted back to where she had left her belongings. Shifting back into Ivy, she pulled her clothes back on, grabbed her bag and sauntered back towards her flat, feeling a lot better.

                                                                                        ***

Stepping out of the shower, Ivy heard her phoner buzz. Knowing exactly who it was, she chose to leave it a few minutes before she had to reply.

She put her hair up into a messy bun, threw on a pair of joggers and a t-shirt, then went over to check her phone.

Be there in a minute.

She’d barely registered the text when two fists pounded against her door. Sighing, she went to open it, revealing Seff, Mei and Cyran. Ivy’s eyes fell to where Cyran had his arm around Mei’s waist. Lilka made a little whining sound in envy, while Ivy just mentally rolled her eyes.

A big wall of muscle and flesh barrelled past Ivy.

“Make yourself at home why don’t you.” She said, though she couldn’t hide the smile creeping onto her face.

“Grab your things, we’re getting ready at Lor’s.” Seff explained, jumping on the bed like a child.

Packing up her things Ivy left with the rest of the group and made their way to Lorelai’s flat. Once they were all piled in the fun began and Ivy started to relax again. The aimless chit chat and the alcohol they were consuming probably had something to do with it.

Hmph, came Lilka's disapproving grunt.

The three boys just sat in a corner of room playing video games, while the girls did their make up on the floor. Lorelai’s room was a perfect reflection of her personality. Every vibrant colour imaginable had somehow been incorporated into her room. Pillows were everywhere and she had miles of fairy lights illuminating the room in a soft glow.

Ivy had chosen to wear tight black jeans with an off the shoulder red flowy top. She wasn’t a huge fan of dresses, always felt as if she was too restricted. She’d paired her outfit with black ankle boots, golden hoop earrings and a subtle golden eyeshadow.

On the other hand, Mei and Lorelai were wearing dresses which complemented their long legs and beautiful curves. Ivy had wanted to put her hair up in a ponytail, but Lorelai had insisted on having her hair down, showing off her so called “gorgeous curls”, because she was now the only single girl in the group.

Once they were all ready, they headed towards one of the three clubs near Athindrya. They were all bought by the Athindryan Council years ago and now only let certain humans who could bribe their way in, but mostly it was attended by Shifters.

Tonight, the small group of friends were headed to Hysteria. Thankfully for Ivy it was the one she preferred out of the three. The floors weren’t as sticky, and it didn’t have humans.

Pilling into the club, a surge of music, alcohol and sweat hit them straight in the face. With each beat Ivy’s hips swayed. She threw her head back and laughed, she hadn’t expected to enjoy the night, yet here she was dancing around with her best friends singing along to old songs.

As midnight approached, the six friends came together to enter Lorelai’s twenty first birthday in style. Even though they were the only ones counting down, it felt like no one else was there. They were in their own little bubble, and Ivy hoped this moment wouldn’t end.

Midnight on the dot. Everyone cheered. Lorelai was engulfed in hugs from everyone and they danced the night away. As the night progressed, couples started pairing off. Mei and Cyran left the club around two in the morning. Lorelai and Draven didn’t last long after that and soon it was just Ivy and Seff left.

In next to no time, he found some girl to take back to his place and just Ivy was left. She didn’t want to return to normality. She wanted the ease of tonight to last forever. Slowly but surely the club emptied, and she had no choice but to leave as well.

Ivy decided to take the scenic route back to her flat in order for the fresh air to try to sober her up a bit. Turns out she’d drank more than she thought. Lilka, annoyed at Ivy for being so careless had turned off the mind link and had most likely gone to sleep.

As Ivy wandered back, she couldn’t help but wonder what her birthday would bring. She knew Lorelai was going to stay; it had always been part of her plan. Lor would settle down and become one of the cogs of Athindrya.

Ivy found herself unlocking her door and stumbled into her room. Putting aside a glass of water for herself  the next morning, she flopped onto her bed falling into a coma-like state.