Chapter 104

*Ariya*

I heard an alarm go off in my head and I groaned. I woke up slowly unsure of why I was hearing an alarm and then it dawned on me.

*Ivan? Why is an alarm going off?* I mumbled, sleepily.

*Sorry, princess. Time for me to get up so I can get ready and get over to you.* Ivan laughed.

*What time is it?* I asked.

*4:15am.*

I groaned, *You hate sleep. Why in the world would you be up that early?*

Ivan laughed, *We can cut the mind link so you can sleep a little more, Ari. It's ok. But I'm up so I can make breakfast for you and get ready for work. I also usually make it a point to see Boss before I run in to see you. Just so I can make sure that I know if there's anything he wants from me or if he seems like he's going to run in and see you. He's at the office by 5:30am.*

*When do you usually come in to see me?*

*I try to resist until 7am. Get anything done that needs to be done. I do check to see if the light is on and usually pop in earlier if it is.*

*I think you just hate sleep.* I laughed.

*Not at all. But I have hated it a bit more since it keeps me from you. But I guess now it won't keep me from you completely. But I don't hate sleep.*

*Uh huh. Sure. I guess when we get out of here and away from this place we'll know for sure.* I told him.

I could feel Ivan thinking about being able to lay next to each other in bed. He thought about wrapping his arms around me and snuggling in close. The thought made me sleepier and I nuzzled into the blanket that smelt like him.

*Sleep, princess. You have about 3 hours until I get to see you.* Ivan said, softly.

*Don't leave. Just keep the thought of us being able to sleep next to each other.* I said, worried.

*Shhhh, it's ok Ari. I'm not going anywhere. I'm curious if we can still be connected while the other is asleep. I'm right here.*

I began to drift off to sleep. I was aware of everything that Ivan was doing though. I wasn't sure if it was because he had told me and that was what I was dreaming about or if it was that I was asleep but a part of me was awake in his mind. I made a note of it to mention it to him when I saw him. As he began making breakfast my own mind triggered a memory.

*Mom was making breakfast in the kitchen while Keothi and I sat at the island seating, looking to our left outside the slider. Derek was with Caleb and Ivan trying to teach them how to fight while using their ability to shift in and out of wolf form easier. I was staring at Ivan when Keo nudged me.

"Something caught your eye?" Keo giggled quietly.

I blushed, "Shhhh."

"Keep at it and someone's gonna notice, Ari." Keo whispered.

The boys all had their shirts and shoes off as they practiced in the backyard. Derek was showing them how to punch, block or dodge, roll away, shift, lunge, and bite. It was quite the spectacle and the boys ended up on their butt quite a bit. Ivan and Caleb were trying and you could tell that they were starting to get frustrated.

"Slow it down, guys. It doesn't need to be a fluid movement like it is for me yet. Just practice. Take it slow and start to increase the speed. The more you do it, the easier it will be to shift and remember what you're doing as you shift." Derek instructed them.

"Maybe it will help to show them, Derek." Drake said walking over.

Ivan and Caleb backed up giving them space.

"Fast or slow?" Derek asked Drake.

"Fast first then do it again slowly so they can see. Then we'll have you do it full speed again." Drake said.

"Watch closely." Derek told Ivan and Caleb.

Keo and I got to the edge of our seats watching curiously. Derek threw a punch at Drake. Drake caught the punch and went to land one of his own. Derek pulled his hand away and blocked the hit that Drake threw at him. Derek then dove in the direction that Drake threw his punch and rolled past Drake. As Derek rolled past Drake his body shivered and he shifted into his wolf, spinning back and launching himself at Drake, Derek clamped his jaw on Drake's arm. Drake growled in pain. All of our eyes were wide as we watched.

It seemed so natural for Derek to make those movements but when we watched Caleb and Ivan do it, they stumbled a lot.*

I woke up to Ivan laughing in my head.

*Sorry, princess. I didn't mean to wake you.* Ivan said, trying to contain his laughter.

*Did I miss something? What's so funny?* I asked him, confused.

*Your memory of when Caleb and I were trying to learn how to fight, shift, and continue fighting. I didn't realize how ridiculous we looked. It was funny.*

*Wait, you saw my memory?*

*Sure did. At first I was wondering if you actually were asleep at one point. It felt like you were basically in miniature form just sitting on my shoulder riding shotgun while I got ready and then when I started making food I practically had a video play in my head of your memory.*

*I wonder if you can see my memories if we're both sleeping.*

*It would be interesting for sure. I wonder if we can share memories together. Like if I could remember something and you would go through it like you were there.* Ivan said.

*We could try. It might have to be a powerful memory though. One that would override everything else.* I said.

I got a flash of Ivan holding his Mom, crying on her as she was taking her last breath. My heart broke at the image. As quickly as it came, it was shoved away.

*I'm sorry. It's the most recent memory I got back outside of the smaller ones that my parents gave us back. You said powerful and that was the first thing that came to mind since it is so fresh. Please don't be sad, Ari.*

*Are you ok? I don't know anything about what happened on your side. I just knew it was bad from the first time I saw you.* I said, thinking about how I felt when I saw him covered in blood.

*I didn't realize that was how you felt when you first saw me. Do you realize that you knew you were bonded to me without knowing you were bonded? You felt the same pull that I feel towards you just at a lower level.* Ivan said, amazed.

*I didn't realize. I know it's painful, but I feel like we might learn more if we share all of our memories with each other.* I said.

*I agree. I think maybe we should do that slower though. The painful ones. I don't mind sharing but I don't want us to be emotionally broken at the same time. We don't know what's coming each day. Ari, I'm getting close to the office so we're gonna get cut off soon. We can talk more about it when I get back to you.*

*Be careful. I'll see you soon.*