For the Taking ✅

42 • Blame

"I'm surprised he lasted as long as he did." Ivy chirped with a slight smirk.

"So am I. He shouldn't have been out here as long as he was. Maybe I should check on him first." I dropped my staff to catch up to him but I didn't get far before I was tripped up and making contact with the ground.

"Oomph." I groaned with confusion. I haven't been this clumsy in weeks the fact that I actually tripped took the breath right out of me. Rolling over onto my back I watched as Ivy stepped over me with a less than impressed expression.

Now what did I do?

"Leave him be." Ivy urged watching as Andy continued his way to the cabin in a shaky manner. "He'll be okay. We have a lot to work on still."

I rolled my eyes unable to hold back the urge. "Work on what exactly? I'm not going to be staying much longer."

It was true. We may be in the peak of winter now but it was only time until the snow melted and the grass turned green again. It would only be a matter of a couple months before I'd leave this hell hole I willing put myself in.

"And you want to be out in this harsh world with out a way to defend yourself? Talk about a damsel in distress." She scoffed helping me up. With a calming intake of air she sighed. "I know you want to leave, Osiris shared that with us."

I shook my head. The last thing I wanted to listen to was someone try and convince me to stay. I had made up my mind already.

"Don't, Ivy."

"Don't what?" She questioned, defensiveness clear in her voice.

"Don't beg and pled me to stay. I'm dead set on leaving."

She shrugged. "Okay."

I blinked. That was it? She wasn't going to put up a fight like she regularly did?

That wasn't like Ivy.

Swallowing a nervous gulp I licked my lips in apprehension. "Okay. That's it?" She shrugged again. "No, screams to keep me from leaving? No, sarcastic comments about how I won't make it on my own?"

"Why would I do that? Everyone has a reason for everything they do. I left my pack with my little brother when I was only a teen I know what it's like to leave a pack that doesn't feel right to you."

Guilt welled up in my stomach knotting it into a nauseous lump. How could I have been so ignorant? As if my problems were worse than they were. I should have known better, Ivy had shared with me early on that she'd run from her pack, rather escaped her pack. It was heartbreaking hearing about her little brother not making it either, though I'm relieved that Aspen, Osiris, and Desmond stumbled upon them when they did. Who knows if Ivy would have still been alive.

"I'm sorry." I apologized.

She let out a heavy sigh as she scanned the other cabins of wolves.

There were a few wolves wandering around most with a purpose others, like a few pups, ran about throwing snowballs and rolling snowmen together. The simple free-spirited attitude put a smile on my face. If only like remained as simple as it was when we were children how things would be so much more enjoyable. The world would be empty of hate and death and filled with only laughter and curiosity.

"Don't be. It wasn't your fault." She assured me gathering up our equipment and heading toward the training cabin.

I cocked my head to the side as I contemplated what may have caused Ivy, a strong independent she-wolf, to leave her pack behind. Unable to refrain, I asked. " You never explained why you left your pack. Do you mind if I ask why?"