Athindrya

Chapter 1

Blood ran from her nose. She wiped it away with the back of her hand. A small smile tugged at her lips, replacing the surprise. Seff had gotten a good jab in, but now it was her turn. She faked left, crouched down and swiped the legs right out from underneath him.

“Alright, alright, I concede.” He said in mock defeat.

Handing him her arm, she helped him up. They both smiled. They’d been sparing together since they were kids and as long as she could remember. They’d forged a deep friendship. She would never intentionally truly harm him.

Seff was tall, a good head and shoulders taller than her. She wasn’t short but it wasn’t hard to be taller than her. Seff was a Shifter too, but his other half was a bear, which meant he was naturally bulky and broad. He had short chocolate hair that complimented his caramel skin perfectly. His muscles were defined and visible even with a shirt on. He was good looking. In another life she might even have been attracted to him if he weren’t like a brother to her.

Putting his arm around her shoulders, Seff led them towards the back wall where they’d left their bags.

“Nicely done there Ivy, I’m almost kicking myself that I didn’t see that coming.”

Ivy laughed. She did like to use that move, but she had to try and restrain herself from using it so as not to become predictable.

“Not so bad yourself Seff. You got me good. If it weren’t for my superior abilities, I might even say it hurt.” She replied as she bent down and picked up her bag.

They walked together towards the exit. Locking the door behind her Ivy turned round and started walking, Seff at her side. They’d been given permission to use the gym late at night, and she wasn’t going to repeat the mistake of not locking it. She’d had to sleep in those uncomfortable infirmary beds, and she did not want to do that again. 

They walked in comfortable silence, until Seff chose to break it.

“So…?” He said, drawing out the word.

“So, what?” Ivy looked up at him sceptically.

“So, what are we doing for your birthday?” He said with barely contained glee.

Ivy was twenty, soon to be twenty-one. But she didn’t know if it was a good thing. Seff had turned twenty-one seven months ago and had chosen to stay at Athindrya as a coach for the younger recruits. He was good with kids, loved them.

Ivy on the other hand had no clue as to what she wanted. When you turned thirteen the Athindryan Council informed you that when you turned twenty-one there was a choice to be made; stay and become part of the cogs of Athindrya or venture off on your own. At eighteen, you were dubbed an Athindryan Bounty Hunter. This meant that you now had to work three years for the Council to repay them for their benevolent teachings. After that you were free to make your own choice.

Ivy knew that a lot of people stayed. It had been their home since they were children, and though she hated to admit it, Athindrya was a place that took care of its residents. Staying was the obvious and safe choice. Ivy had heard stories of freed Shifters that had gone feral from the isolation. If that was ever relayed back to the Council, you better hope they never found you, because from what she had gathered on the subject, it was not a pain free death.

She’d also heard of some success stories of some panthers actually finding a mate, of wolves finding their mate and settling down in a pack. Bears tended to handle the isolation better, nature she supposed. But she longed to be free. She longed to be her own boss. Her wolf howled in agreement. 

In Athindrya she could do what she loved: hunting. It would even be paid work; she could even maybe settle down have a pup of her own and train them to follow in her footsteps. But, if she were free then she wouldn’t have to bow down in respect to the Council, she could do as she pleased, she could visit the human parts of the world.

“Hmm?” Ivy said, lost in thought. She had completely forgotten what Seff had said.

He shook his head. “You never listen to a word I say.”

“Not true. I just chose to ignore your annoying voice.” For that she obtained a light-ish punch to the arm.  

“Pay attention to your wise friend.” He spoke extra slowly just to annoy her. “Mei, Lorelai and I are organising a little something to celebrate. You’re not allowed to back out or find an excuse to leave.”

She hated how well he knew her. She would have totally snuck out to avoid being part of their ridiculous party. She never liked parties much, found them a bit over the top. She knew it would make her friends happy though, so she nodded in agreement.

“I need verbal confirmation Ivy.” Seff pushed her to her limits sometimes.

“Fine. I Ivy Slane solemnly swear to be present for your childish gathering.” She huffed out.

Seff smiled broadly. “Great. Could’ve done without the sarcasm but thanks.”

Thankfully, they’d arrived at her dorm now, so she wouldn’t have to endure more of him until tomorrow morning. She gave him a quick hug goodnight and walked inside the building.

She waved to a few others in the common room before making it up the stairs. She fumbled for her keys and opened the door to her room. Flipping on the light she moved towards her bed, quickly got into her pyjamas and snuggled under the covers. Getting her phone out she wrote to her best friend.

Hey Lor. What you up to? I’m bored

Nothing much just came back from seeing Mei. How am I supposed to help un-bore you?

I dunno. You usually have some juicy goss to dish

Oh yeah, speaking of, I forgot to tell you! Fay and Aaron are a thing now. Let’s see how long that lasts :D

Lol I give them 3 weeks

I dunno maybe 3 is pushing it a bit

Care to bet on it?

Duh! A fiver?

Sure. Sounds good to me. I’ll have that fiver in no time

We’ll see, anyway Draven’s just got back so talk soon. Night hon

Night

Ivy sighed as she put her phone down. Draven was Lorelai’s boyfriend. They’d been together for three years now. Ivy smiled as she thought of them, they were cute together. She wondered what they would do when one of them found their mate. She didn’t want a mate. They made you weak, it was why she was here.

Her wolf, Lilka, snorted. She on the other hand was expecting to find her mate, and wished Ivy would see them for what they are; an extension of yourself.

Her parents had found each other but had been so enveloped between them that they didn’t see the hunters coming. Being in your other half’s form so close to humans was dangerous, but they hadn’t cared. They hadn’t cared when it got them both killed to be mantle pieces, leaving Ivy on her own. They hadn't cared about her. That’s when Athindrya had taken her in.

It was true that she would have died if not for them. But in some way, she couldn’t help but feel lucky. Seff and so many others had been abandoned by their own parents, and she knew what that could do to a person.

A single tear fell down her cheek as she thought about how she would never meet her real parents. She felt Lilka's comfort seeping into her just as sleep overtook her.