Chapter 172

Chapter 172
Ivan

I’m not sure. It’s been a while. They were initially but I don’t know that we can completely trust that they’re still on our side. I don’t want to hurt them, but I also don’t know if we can trust them at this point. There’s been so much that’s happened. Ari told me. 
Better to be safe than sorry, I guess. When the time comes, we’ll make that decision. It’s probably better that they don’t come with us no matter what. But ultimately we can always meet up with them. I can smell if others are around. You’ll be able to soon and so will Caleb. I’m not sure if Caleb is going to be able to do everything I can but I’ll try to teach him everything that I can. 
What makes you think that? Ariya asked. 
If I’m not mistaken, only 1 of Caleb’s parents were an Original Navi Wolf. That’s why his wolf is so much smaller than mine. He’s still larger than a regular Navi Wolf, but he’s not as big as mine. I think that’s because both of my parents were Original Navi Wolves. I’m not sure though. Everyone’s abilities vary from person to person. I will do everything I can to teach him, I’m just not completely sure how I do everything. I explained. 
Well, good news is that you have 3 Blood Borns to try to help out and when we see your parents again we can ask. Ariya grinned. 
I grinned back at her. We weren’t face to face but we were starting to be able to feel each other’s reactions. I was still working on keeping my facial expressions to a minimum when it came to Ariya and I talking. For the most part she would remain absolutely silent when I had to talk to someone which helped. I think we were both worried about anyone finding out that we could talk. I made my way back to my place and got ready to call it a night. Ariya and I stayed connected the entire time. I felt at ease when I knew she was there. I laid down in bed and felt her pull at my mind. I let my mind go to her. We were back in the room in our mind. 
“You know, there’s no bed here.” I grinned at her, scooping her up in my arms. 
“Yeah, I’m not sure how to make anything in here if I’m being honest. I can try but it’s probably not going to be comfortable.” She giggled. 
“All I need is you. We can lay on the floor.” I laughed. 
“Do you think we can actually sleep like this?” Ariya asked. 
“I’m not exactly sure. We can try, I just worry that I won’t wake up like I’m supposed to.” I answered. 
“We could ask Drake to check on us at the time you need to be up just in case.” Ariya suggested. 
“He’s gonna hate us for waking him up super early.” I laughed. 
“I think he’ll be willing to. He feels really bad for what he did 14 years ago.” Ariya mentioned. 
“I know. I don’t hate him for it. At the moment I did, which is probably why he keeps getting attacked by me. I know that’s not helping him. But now, I understand. It’s been so long, I’m just happy I have you now.” I told her. 
“We should talk to him.” Ariya said. 
I nodded and Ariya pulled at Drake’s mind. Within a matter of seconds he was standing in front of us. 
“Is everything ok?” He asked. 
“We just wanted to talk to you. But also ask for a favor.” I told him. 
Drake smirked, “What’s up?” 
“We wanted to try to sleep here. But Ivan is crazy and wakes up at a ridiculous hour of 4am. We weren’t sure if it was possible to sleep here but we also didn’t want him to not wake up in time.” Ariya explained. 
“Why would you get up at 4am?” Drake laughed. 
“I gotta get ready for work, make food for Ariya, and get there before Boss shows up. Oh and I have to get my own paperwork done every morning since I spend the entire day in the room with Ariya.” I shrugged. 
“I can make sure you guys are up.” Drake laughed. 
“That’s not everything, Drake.” I told him. 
Drake nodded, his expression growing serious. He waited for me to continue. 
“I don't hate you for taking Ariya away from me. Not now. I did about 14 years ago. But I don’t now.” I told him. 
Drake sighed, “You may not hate me Ivan, but I hate myself for it. I shouldn’t have done that to you. I’m not even completely sure why I did it. I was trying to keep you all safe but I think I did more harm than good.” 
“If you hadn’t I don’t know that I would have successfully infiltrated. My memories of Ariya are tied to my wolf. I don’t know how I don’t have access to my wolf when others outside of us are around, but how I feel about her. It would have given me away. Ryker would have seen it. He would have figured out I was an Original Navi Wolf if I still remembered Ariya. Then I’d likely be dead right now.” I told him.