Athindrya

Chapter 15

It hadn’t taken Ivy long to reach the centre of the pack. She had taken her time in the woods, enjoying her freedom and not having to limp, but once back in the range of sight, the charade was back.

People passed by her not paying her the slightest attention. It was much nicer than the excruciating looks when she was in Azai’s company. She felt invisible; and it soothed her. It must be what it would be like once she got her real liberty, and was living amongst humans. No one could care less about her actions and so no one would be telling her what to do.

She sighed. Even though she might feel invisible, she knew not to let her guard down. This pack may seem quiet and calm on the surface, but Ivy had already spotted the guards around the perimeter. Not to mention the two ‘inconspicuous’ guards that had started trailing her as soon as she entered the town.

If she didn’t have to be on her best behaviour, she would’ve easily evaded them already. She wondered if her sentinels were Azai’s idea or that grumpy Gamma’s idea. She wouldn’t put it past either of them.

Ivy made her way towards the pack house, keeping a close eye on the two that were following her. Once inside, she made her way to her room. Looking outside her window, the two guards were leaning against a shop’s wall, chatting to each other. It was clear they had chosen that spot as a way to keep tabs on her comings and goings.

Unfortunately for them, she could and would easily slip past them. They’d get an arse whooping. Shame she would have to miss that, she though as a knowing smile slid its way onto her face.

Ivy changed into some new clothes. First rule of evading a tail was to change your appearance. Next thing was her hair, which she tied up in a bun. Finally, Ivy applied some scented moisturiser she had seen in the bathroom. The orangey smell would help cover her scent. She slid on her boots, the leather sheaths pressing against her ankles.

Checking out the window one last time, she made sure she would be leaving unseen. Thankfully, she had made a note of which steps creaked the most. She quietly slipped through the halls of the pack house, changing her course whenever she got too close to others. Eventually, after a lot of zig zagging, the simple wooden door leading to the outside was in front of her.

The door led to a small dirt path that seemed to briefly go around the town before disappearing into the surrounding forest. Perfect, Ivy thought. This way she could observe the town a little, then go on with her investigation.

With that thought in mind, her feet made contact with the path. Ivy walked for a few minutes, still hidden by the packhouse, making sure she hadn’t been followed. When she was sure she was alone, she left the comfort of cover. By this point her two goons weren’t able to see her.

Everyone in the town seemed to know each other, nodding and greeting as they walked. Good thing she was doing the same or a bent head would have been spotted in a second.

Ivy stopped at a little café shop. She had no intention in buying anything but she needed a place to sit and watch, to map out the town in her mind. She had only been seated a few minutes when a sweet looking boy wearing an apron approached her. He couldn’t have been older than fourteen or fifteen. His face still held the innocence of childhood. He was like a cute little pup.

Yeah, cute little pup my arse. Lilka snorted.

Looking up Ivy noticed the boy’s eyes trailing down her body hungrily.

Wonderful. A pup who thinks he’s all grown up.

Ivy let out a low warning growl, snapping the boy’s attention back to her face. His cheeks were stained a dark red as he tripped over several different excuses and apologies. He also bared his neck a little, which would be much more exposed if Lilka had had her way. Well he should’ve thought of that before ogling someone, especially her.

His eyes were focused on the floor, clearly sensing her disgruntled wolf. He mumbled a few words amounting to what her order would be. Ivy ordered a simple glass of water, dismissing the child.

Now she had to concentrate. She was at the edge of the shopping or retail part of the centre of town. Women and younger wolves were the majority. Moving her attention to the left, the crowd thinned a little. Ivy could imagine that was where places like the library were placed. Speaking of which there was a steady line of males and a few females coming and going in that direction.

Bingo!

That was where the gym would be. A quieter part of town where they wouldn’t be disturbed by pups. Downing her glass of water, Ivy set off towards the more secluded buildings.

She kept a steady pace so as not to attract attention to herself. It didn’t take long for her to find the gym building. Mainly due to the fact it had ‘GYM’ written in bold on the front of the building.

Ivy stepped inside the glass doors. High ceilings and a large reception desk greeted her. The receptionist was a girl, maybe a couple years younger than her. Plastering on a timid smile, Ivy limped up to the desk.

“Hi. My name is Ivy.” She kept her arms close to her body and hunched her back slightly.

The receptionist looked up from whatever she was doing. She c****d her head, clearly not recognising Ivy’s scent and growing suspicious.

Maybe you underestimated her. Lilka quipped, which Ivy just ignored.

“Um. I’m not sure if you’ve heard of the rogue that was taken in, but that’s me. I was told I may be able to do some recovery training here for my leg?” Ivy forced her eyes to dart around, avoiding the other girl’s. “I just want to have a look around if that’s ok?”

Ivy looked up, and she guess her ruse had worked since the girl was now looking on at her with pity and a gentle smile.

“Yeah. No problem. I’ll just buzz you in. I would give you the grand tour, but I sorta need to stay at my desk.” Again the girl smiled as the sound of the buzzer unlocking the barriers spread through the room. Ivy threw her one last smile, sealing the deal, before stepping through the gates.

Underestimated her my arse! Ivy laughed.

Whatever. But it wasn’t as easy as you had anticipated and that’s all I’m saying. Lilka quipped.

As Ivy walked through the endless halls and observation decks, it soon dawned on her that there was nothing here other than a few empty rooms, some sparring rooms, and the normal gym stuff. All that, not including some unmated males who took it upon themselves to check her out.

Honestly, if we didn’t HAVE to be here, those guys would be begging me to release them. Ivy fumed as she walked out of the gym building.

No arguments here. It was no surprise that Lilka was just as angry. She was even worse when it came to controlling herself than Ivy.

She practically stormed back into the centre of town. She did not have to deal with these things back in Athindrya or in life for that matter. Under normal circumstances she would’ve kicked them into next week. This undercover job was really starting to piss her off.

Maybe we should go let off some steam. Lilka suggested through gritted teeth.

Ivy silently agreed as she veered right towards the tree line. Even under the influence of her immense anger, she took the time to double check she wasn’t being followed. Soon enough, she was crossing the tree line into the hidden depths of the forest.

With one last quick look behind her, Ivy shed her clothes letting her wolf overtake her. Lilka sped off, her paws thumping on the mossy floor. How the f**k dare those guys make comments at her like that? She wasn’t some piece of meat they could have their way with.

The worst part was she let it happen.

UN-f*****g-BELIEVABLE.

She was a damm huntress she-wolf. She wasn’t some damsel in distress. She should’ve ripped them a new one. Should’ve slashed their chests up as a warning.

Suddenly the smell of multiple wolves smacked her right in the face. Lilka stopped, her claws digging into the ground. Her ears perked up, straining to hear anything. Nothing.

Ivy! Lilka shouted into the depths of her mind. Ivy! Pay attention!

Ivy’s grumpy voice sounded. What do you want?

For you to pay attention!

Doing as she was told, Ivy moved to the forefront of her mind. It took barely a few seconds to pick up the wolves’ smell. Carefully Ivy paced forward, avoiding sticks and anything that would make a sound. Soon enough, she came to a tiny clearing. Gathered in a small group were about six to eight kids and one adult. Good thing the wind was in her favour because she definitely intended to spy.

Ivy positioned herself behind a huddle of bushes, her ears perked and at the ready. The children were sat in a semi-circle at the man’s feet. The man crouched down at level height with the kids. His mouth was moving, but all Ivy could hear was a muffled mumble. She was too far away, even with her wolf hearing.

Ivy manoeuvred herself around the shrub keeping close to the ground. She kept crawling until the mumble became distinctive words and phrases. Thankfully, she was in a forest so there was no lack of hiding place. Settling down, she listened to what was going on before her.

“…that’s why you are still in human form right now.” The male had a kind voice, clearly used to dealing with children. He sort of reminded Ivy of Seff. The children nodded their heads obediently. They couldn’t have been older than eight or nine?

Now why were these young pups out, in the middle of the forest with a single adult, talking to them as if this were a classroom?

“Ok so guys, who wants to go first?” The man stood up, looking down at the little wolves.

One brave pup stood up with his hand in the air. The mentor teacher guy smiled and stepped aside, giving the kid space. He watched intensely, but with a kind smile as the child, closed his eyes, clearly concentrating very hard.

Ivy c****d her head as she kept an eye on the scene folding out in front of her. What in the hell was happening?

The kid was turning red from focussing so hard. The teacher couldn’t have hidden the worry even if he had tried. Ivy suspected he was about to put an end to it all, when all of a sudden, the ground rose and fell, but only under the child. The teacher’s face lit up in pride as he congratulated the young pup.

Ivy’s eyes widened as she processed what she had just seen.

You saw that right? Ivy questioned in utter disbelief.

Yeah. What in the world was that? Lilka replied, just as shocked as Ivy was.

No clue, but what are we gonna tell the council?

Dunno Ivy. But I think it’s time we get out of here the wind is starting to change. Lilka was right, they needed to get back to the pack house, Ivy thought as she retraced her steps.