"Say yes, Kyda," Ibhan said. He held my hand tightly in his and I looked down at how well they fit. He had never voluntarily held on to me this way. An ache in my body felt alleviated as I looked back at him. He was nervous, but watching my intently, waiting.

"Yes," I whispered and he stepped closer.

"Come on, wolf, say it like you mean it," he said, a small smile playing on his lips. I laughed as my mind was finally soothed that he was serious.

"Yes, Ibhan, yes," I said with more force, "I'll go with you."

"I'm glad," he said, his expression was soft and I realised that this was probably the happiest I had seen him since I found him.

"I have to go home first," I said and he hesitated, but nodded. I turned and saw that the wolves I had been with were slowly retreating. They were whispering amongst themselves, low enough that even I couldn't hear them, none of them meeting my eyes. I shook off the unsettling feeling that gave me and started walking back home. I didn't let go of Ibhan's hand, and he also didn't complain, and I accepted the small victory. If he was willing to show me his life, maybe this working out would be more than a wish or a dream. I finally let go of him as we reached home and I walked up to my room. He trailed behind and leant against the door frame as I flung open my wardrobe.

"How long are we going for?" I asked as I eyed my various duffle bags.

"Oh, I have no idea," Ibhan said, scratching at the back of his neck.

"Okay," I said with a small smile. I didn't want to freak him out and make him change his mind, so I got a mid sized bag that could hold about 3 outfits in it.

"Kyda!" Kalina called as the front door slammed open.

"Bedroom!" I called back. Ibhan stepped in and out of the way as my sister came barrelling up the stairs, 3 pups in her arms that she promptly dumped onto the bed.

"I came as soon as I heard, you're going to Ravenvein?" She asked, looking between Ibhan and I.

"Yeah, I am," I said, grabbing her shoulders and forcing her to slow down. "Ibhan wants to show me around." She gave me a loaded look. Confusion, panic, and relief all passed between us, her feelings speaking volumes as she studied me.

"Our parents are gonna freak out," she said and I froze.

"Oh, shit."

"Oh, shit, indeed," said another voice. I turned to see my father had silently appeared at door to my room; and I could sense my mother not far behind his large frame. I looked over to Ibhan who had inched closer to the bed, seemingly concerned with how close the pups were to the edge. At the sound of my father's voice he turned and stood up straighter.

"Dad, I want to go to Ravenvein with Ibhan," I said, letting go of Kalina and walking towards him.

"Ravenvein is uncharted territory," he said in a measured tone.

"I know, dad, but--"

"I wouldn't let her wander off on her own," Ibhan said, suddenly, "I know what she's like."

"Look, warlock, I know her better than you," he said and my jaw almost dropped. Never had my father spoke to someone that way.

"Dad, I can take care of myself," I argued and he turned to me.

"Kyda, you saw what his magic can do. You saw what he did to Matthew, you saw the way the whole world went dark," he said.

"He was defending himself," I said incredulously.

"That's my point!" He said loudly and I stepped back. "Kyda, you have no idea what warlocks are capable of and I am not letting you go there."

"This is ridiculous, he's my mate for a reason dad, you can't stop me," I said, "Where is all of this coming from?" but he ignored me and clenched his jaw tightly, turning to Ibhan.

"Gather your things and leave, now, I'm sending a patrol out in 30 minutes for your ass if you're not off the pack lands."

"Dad!"

"Enough! You are my child and I say you cannot go with him!" He yelled.

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Ibhan looked to me, his face blank and unreadable. My chest ached as my head swam with too many thoughts for me to make sense of.

"Kyda," Ibhan said flatly, "are you coming with me?"

"Kyda," my dad butted in. I looked back to him, and he held out a hand for me. Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes, and his voice wavered. My dad was a soft man, yelling was not something he did often. "Love, please, I can't let you go there, it's not safe."

"I am getting tired of you wolves assuming I won't be able to look after her," Ibhan said through gritted teeth.

"Ibhan, please, he didn't mean that he's just worried," I said and he scoffed.

"Don't worry about it, stay here and hold your father's hand, Kyda, I'm going home."

"Wait!" I said as he left my room. I followed him down the stairs where outside more wolves had gathered.

"What is going on?" Kalina asked as she came out behind me.

"We were worried," one wolf said, "about Kyda. She shouldn't go to Ravenvein, it's too dangerous."

"So this is where the concern came from. What, you're all here to stop me?" I asked, meeting each wolfs gaze.

"Just perfect," Ibhan muttered, reaching into his sleeve.

"Hey! Watch it, warlock," another wolf yelled. I stepped in front of Ibhan and eyed the crowd.

"No one touches him," I said slowly, "or I will intervene."

"Kyda, we can't let you go with him, you're family and he's just a stranger," the first wolf said. I vaguely recognised him from training.

"Have you all forgotten the concepts of mates?" Kalina asked, and in that moment I loved my sister more than anything.

"We're not letting you go, love, its too dangerous. We will bring you back," my dad said. I turned to Ibhan, his grip tight on his wand. He met my eyes and nodded slowly, stepping away from me.

"Kyda, don't do it," Kalina said, frantic as she watched, "dad you can't do this you know what effect it will have on her!"

"It's for the best," my dad said firmly.

"That's right" another wolf yelled and I growled lowly. My mind was racing with thoughts and ideas. I could run, but it was me against a dozen wolves at least. I let my eyes wander to Ibhan and I felt my heart break a little more.

"Let him go," I said quietly, "just let him get home."

"He really ought to be punished first," someone said, "he hurt Matthew." I snapped, pushing through the crowd and grabbing the wolf by his shirt.

"Don't get involved in problems that are not yours," I said and he smirked.

"Get him!" He yelled and the wolves lunged at Ibhan.

"Run!" I screamed and Ibhan took off at dead sprint. I took off after him, pushing aside the wolves who were hot on his tail.

"Remus, Robin, I need you," I called my brothers over the pack bond and they responded instantly. I looked to my right to see Kalina drag a wolf back by his collar and I shifted mid run. I got ahead of the crowd, and for a moment I ran beside Ibhan, urging him along.

I whipped around and snarled loudly, the wolves slowing. Some tried to push past me but I snapped my jaws viciously in their direction. Remus and Robin were close behind, Remus taking up position beside me as Robin shifted to catch up with Ibhan, guiding him through the forest.

"Don't make me fight you, please," I called out over the pack bond.

"How could you forget Matthew so quickly?" The wolf who had provoked the attack. "Matthew is my cousin, my blood!"

"Ibhan is my mate!" I told him but he just rolled his eyes.

"He doesn't want you, or he wouldn't be running right now," he said and I lunged forward. He staggered backwards and bared his teeth. I snapped at him once more and he leapt forward, shifting as he did. One of the other wolves took the opportunity to push me aside and he leapt over me.

"Kyda!" Remus yelled as Matthews cousin got away. He held back the other wolves and gave me a firm nod. He was good here.

I took a deep breath and headed after him. My paws thundered against the dirt as I chased him down, trying not to let my mind focus on what could happen if he got to Ibhan first. I leapt off of a small boulder, using the leverage to scratch at his hind legs.

He snapped his jaws at me, slowing as the cuts smarted. He turned to swipe at me and I noticed Ibhan and Robin just a few feet ahead. I pounced on the wolf and growled, hoping he would take his last chance to submit. He swiped at my snout with his paw, claws extended. I hissed as I jerked back, narrowly saving my eye. He took that chance to push up against my chest with full force, toppling me over. He was up in am instant, hot on Ibhan's heels.

I hit my head heavily on the ground and shakily got to my legs. I shook off the dizziness, and started running, almost blind in Ibhan's direction. I heard the familiar growl of my little brother and followed it as my vision cleared. He stood between Ibhan and Matthews cousin, teeth bared and stance firm. I couldn't help but feel pride swell in chest as I watched him hold his own.

But I saw how the offended wolf paced. He was getting ready to pounce. I crept closer, lowering myself and getting ready for just the right moment. As soon as he lunged forward, I sprung up from the bushes, slamming into his body with all my force. He smashed into a nearby tree with a sickening crunch, and he lay there whimpering.

"Robin, go home, tell the medics he's here," I said to my little brother and he dipped his head in acknowledgement and left.

"Oh, wolf," Ibhan said wearily, leaning against a tree. "What did we get ourselves into?"

I was too pumped with adrenaline to shift back, so I butted my head gently against his side, pushing him on his way.

"I know, I know," he said, running a hand over my head, "I'm going," he said quietly. He took my about in his hands, making me meet his eyes. Sweat ran over his face, his features hardened and strict.

"I am going home," he said, "and you have to stay. Don't argue with me, wolf," he said sternly, "I know you like to be funny." He scratched under my chin and I huffed a gentle breath in his face. My wars perked up as I heard wolves getting closer to us once again. Noticing the change in my attention, Ibhan stood up.

"You weren't so bad, wolf," he said with a little smirk, "just a tad too needy." And with that, he turned and sprinted off into the woods. I felt my connection to him then, stretch thinly between us as we separated, and I lay down on the ground, wishing I was anywhere else.