Chapter Seventy Three

*Ariya*


Ivan begging me to feed from him sent me over the edge. I gave up control and my fangs slid into his neck. Blood filled my mouth and I drank greedily. I had only ever fed from Caleb like this before but for some reason, feeding from Ivan was so much better. He tasted so much better. It was harder to stay in control and I wanted to just keep going but I remembered what Drake told me. To only take a quarter of it.
I pulled away, releasing Ivan’s neck. The blood still pumped out and I panicked. I licked the blood preventing it from hitting his shirt and started focusing on closing the wound. I imagined the blood staying in his body. The 2 puncture wounds are getting smaller and then closing up. I imagined everything closed up. I took my mouth away from his neck and looked hoping the wound was closed. Much to my surprise it was.
*It worked! Thank you, Drake!* I said, sending the link to him.
*Not how I would have done it, but that works too.* Drake laughed.
*What do you mean?* I asked, concerned.
*Nothing. It’s ok because you did that with Ivan. We’ll work on you healing with your hands next time. I don’t think you want to lick everyone. It might be a little too intimate.* Drake laughed.
The feeling of dread came over me as I took in what Drake said.
*Don’t stress about it, Ariya. You did good. We can work on it moving forward. But now you know you can do it.* Drake told me.
He locked the memories and severed the link. I looked Ivan up and down to make sure I didn’t miss any of the blood anywhere. When I pulled away and looked back at him, his face was full of shock.
Panic filled me, “I didn’t hurt you did I?”
Ivan shook his head, getting a grip on reality again, “No. Sorry. I just. Um…I wasn’t expecting you to heal me that way.”
My face turned beet red, “I’m sorry. I kinda panicked.”
Ivan’s smile stretched across his face, “Always panic when you heal me then.”
I laughed, “For you, always when I feed from you. But I do need your help learning how to heal with my hands. I can’t go licking everyone.”
“Yeah, no. That’s reserved for me.” Ivan laughed.
Ivan leaned down and kissed me softly.
“How are you feeling now?” He asked.
“Still hungry but Drake said to only take a quarter for now. Just to do that more often until the hunger subsides more. But I don’t want to do that if you aren’t comfortable with it.” I told him.
“I’m completely comfortable with it. I actually wish it was tomorrow so you could again.” Ivan said, flashing his wolf eyes at me.
I blushed, “I don’t get it. Why? Isn’t it scary?”
Ivan growled, “No it’s not. Because I trust you. Also I know you can’t kill me. I know we’re not bonded yet but I know you can’t kill me by feeding from me. It’s not scary, Ari. It’s hot. As an Original Navi Wolf, we actually NEED you guys to feed from us. Not sure why, but for us, we need you to. That’s why our 2 groups worked together and lived together.”
“Need us to feed from you? Have you been fed on before?” I asked.
“I don’t remember. But I don’t think so.” Ivan told me.
“Wouldn’t that break the rule then? You were a wolf for 2 years before the attack. I know you wouldn’t have in the last 14 years but you also didn’t remember being a wolf at that time.”
“It probably would. But I think if I was able to avoid it, it was probably because of my age or because I was mated to you.” Ivan explained.
“I really wish we could remember everything already.” I grumbled.
“Give it time, Ari. We will. I get it though. I want to know more about the mate bond if I’m being honest.”
“You really want to be bonded that bad?” I asked.
“With you, yes. Only if you want it though. I love you, Ari. But yes, my wolf is itching to be bonded with you. And to be let out now that I think about it.” Ivan said.
“I love you too, Ivan.” I said, kissing him, “Wait, can you shift here?”
“Maybe. I don’t know for sure. Sometimes I end up howling. We don’t need the whole building coming over.”
“Like an involuntary howl?”
“Pretty much.” Ivan laughed.
“Did that always happen?” I asked.
“Not sure. I don’t think so. I don’t think Caleb does it. I’d have to ask. I think it is only temporary though. It takes a bit to shift back too.” Ivan said, his body shivered and his wolf eyes flashed.
“You really need to shift. Just like I needed to feed.” I told him.
Ivan nodded, his body began to shake more and he cursed, “I don’t think I can hold it back, anymore. I’m sorry, Ari.”
“Don’t be. I want to see your wolf again. Let me try to put up a barrier. Just focus on not howling.” I told him.
Ivan cursed and I could tell he was fighting hard not to shift. His body shook aggressively as he clenched his jaw. I saw his wolf eyes flashing in and out. He got up quickly, took his shirt off and kicked off his shoes. I couldn’t pull my eyes away but knew that I needed to. I closed my eyes and focused on putting a dome around us. A growl came from Ivan and I opened my eyes back up, looking at him.
“Ari…” He growled, desperately at me.
I knew he couldn’t hold it back much longer. His body swelled and the dome formed around us.
“You’re good, Ivan. Let go.” I told him.
Ivan’s jaw unclenched and his breathing picked up. His body shook even more aggressively. His eyes went to his wolf's blue and he growled. He shook his head as his body shivered, starting to shift. It seemed to happen in one movement that his body moved violently and his wolf exploded out of him. Ivan stood in front of me growling for a second. I began to wonder if shifting hurt. I didn’t think it did since Caleb never mentioned it hurting. But I think for Ivan it was aggressive since it had been so long.
Ivan stood in front of me in his wolf form. I gazed in wonder at his wolf. His wolf’s fur was much like his normal hair color. Black with white tips. His wolf eyes glowed blue. His wolf was massive though. Caleb was about the size of a very large dog. But Ivan on the other hand, I was staring face to face with his wolf. There were so many questions I would need to ask Caleb later. I reached my hand out touching the top of Ivan’s head. Ivan’s eyes closed and he pushed his head into my hand more. I giggled, scratching the top of his head. I pulled my hand away and Ivan looked at me and whined. I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.
“I’ve missed you!” I said, nestling my head into his chest.