Chapter 58

chapter Fifty Eight

*Ariya*

"Someone kill me now." I said, mortified that I had just drooled on Ivan.

"Absolutely not." Ivan growled, "I think it's adorable."

"Droolyou think drool is adorable?"

"With you, yes. Because it means you slept really well."

"How do you remember that?"

"It was one of the memories I had. I just didn't realize it was a memory until it happened. It was one of the fragments that I got when I was Justin." Ivan explained.

"It was the first time you shifted. You came to my room. I think you were scared." I said.

"Oh I was absolutely terrified when I shifted the first time. I knew I was going to shift. I just didn't know when and I wasn't expecting it to happen in the middle of the night. I also wasn't expecting it to hurt so bad." Ivan said.

I looked at him, concerned, "It hurt when you first shifted?"

"Yeah, the first time we shift it hurts because your body is changing all of a sudden. And then there's also a lot of emotions that come too. I was more freaked out than anything."

"I could tell. Even though I was half asleep, I could tell you were scared."

It finally dawned on Ivan, "Wait, you had a memory didn't you? Was that the memory that you had? The night I turned for the first time?"

I laughed, "I was wondering how long that would take you. Yes, that is the memory I got back. Your wolf is absolutely beautiful."

Ivan laughed, "Typically guys would be upset about being called beautiful but it doesn't really bother me that you say my wolf is beautiful or my wolf eyes are."

I blushed, "Sorry. I just don't have a better word for it. Stunning? No, not enough emphasis. Amazing? No, that's not right either. Beautiful fits. There's a beauty in it that you don't see. It's like being at the top of a mountain watching the sun rise and there being lots of clouds and the colors. It's beautiful."

Ivan smiled at me, his eyes telling me how in awe and in love with me he was. I blushed and quickly looked down. He gently put a finger under my chin and lifted my head up so I would meet his gaze. He kissed me in a way that made my body melt.

"So was there anything that you learned that might help us?" Ivan asked me.

"I don't think so. I think it is more just what I said before. I think you need to shift willingly. All that happened is that you came into my room. I fell back to sleep on you and then Mom woke us up cause she was scared when she went to wake us all up and saw your room in pieces. Then I asked her questions about the original Navi wolves. It sounds like there aren't many of you left. And we can't tell if someone is an original Navi wolf until they shift for the first time."

"Sounds about right. It's not technically too far off from you guys. We always assume because Drake is the only Blood Born Navi line that anyone from his line will turn. But you and Keo are the first that turned from dying. It was probably a shock when Keo turned but with you he probably assumed since you both are twins."

"I wonder how much information was actually locked away from us."

Ivan laughed, "Probably a lot. Drake was trying to keep us safe. But right now it is causing a lot of headaches."

"True. How long was I out anyway?"

"Only about an hour. We should probably reach out to them soon so we can put all the plans together."

"How long before you have to leave?" I asked him.

"I should leave soon. It's getting late but I can always stay for a while. No one would probably question me. If you notice, no one has come by here at all. Only Boss and he's only ever come over since he put me in charge of waiting for memories from you."

"I worry about Jess and Adam"

"I don't blame you. They're extremely loyal to Boss and I wouldn't be surprised if Jess takes your spot. Adam was already at a similar spot to you. But Jess will probably snake her way in."

"Just be careful." I whispered.

"Don't worry about me. I can handle it. Time to reach out to them."

*Keo?* I sent the link.

*Hey, Ari. Do you want to do this with everyone?* Keo asked.

*Well it will be everyone but Ivan. He can't communicate that way.*

*What? Why?*

*He said something about how he had to bond first and then he thought he should be able to but that he's never been able to communicate that way that he can remember.*

*Huh. Ok. I'll let Drake know. We'll send a link in a second.* Keo said then severed the link.

I felt a push from Drake and knew that he had created a link for the 4 of us. I would have to fill Ivan in after. I crawled into his lap and he wrapped his arms around me. It was going to be quiet for a while but he would keep an ear out for anyone coming.

*Hey, Kiddo.* Drake said.

*Hey, so we think we came up with a couple good ideas. We wanted to see what you guys came up with and see what we came up with.* I said.

*You start and then we'll add whatever else we thought of.* Drake told me.

I went through as much as I could remember. I started off with all the potential problems that we saw. Drake, Caleb, and Keo came up with most of the same ones but we each had a couple of problems that the other missed. We ran down the plans for each idea and after everything was laid out on the table we all immediately agreed on what the best course of action was.

*I think it makes the most sense to go that route.* Drake said.

*Yeah, especially because we can handle the most amount of problems that could happen that way.* I added.

*It needs to be tonight.* Caleb added.

*Really? Tonight?* I asked, a little worried.

I wasn't ready to be alone if it came down to it. I was just finally reconnecting with Ivan and I was worried that it would be the last time I would see him for a while.

*I know it sucks, Ari. But we need to do it tonight. Caleb even went over how it was when you guys were on your own. He said by the end of a month without shifting made him really antsy. I can only imagine how Ivan is doing. I'm here for you. You're not going to be alone.* Keo told me.

*Ok. Tonight it is. Make sure he's not being followed first. If he is, we'll have to go with the second option.* I told them.

*Will do. Caleb is going to shift and trail just to be safe. But Drake and I will be following as well, just at different checkpoints. It'll be ok, Ari.*

*I know. I'm just worried. He'll be heading your way in about an hour and a half. That should give you plenty of time to get staged.*

*Sounds good.* Drake said. He promptly locked the memories and severed the link.

I ran down the plan with Ivan while I was in his lap. He hugged me tightly as I rested my head in his chest. When an hour and a half was almost up he squeezed me tightly and kissed me in the way that made my body melt.

"Come back to me. Ok?" I told him.

"Always." Ivan promised me.