To The End

Protector

It was starting to be a long break before they could see each other again. When the days started flying by without another visit from Jade, Victoria started to worry. Did she regret it? Did something happen to her? But she didn't want to risk going over to Jade's house. She didn't want to push her if it was just a break that Jade needed. Especially after the progress they made.

Jade didn't go back to visit Victoria again because she refused to think that the human had her hooked already. She had gone this far without her. She didn't need to see her every day. But her thoughts proved differently. Although Jade built up enough resilience to refrain from attacking the human, she was still tempted. Even when she wasn't around her, Jade swore she could still smell her scent on the wind. She kept her distance and maintained a meticulous routine that kept her occupied. She spent less time cooped up at home and enjoyed the oncoming winter. The air was steadily getting cooler and then snow would soon be on them.

Jade always liked the winter. The cold air was refreshing, and silence descended on the woods. Wildlife went from abundant to scarce though, and that didn't bode well for anyone. Which was why she was out further than she dared to go in years. The city stood tall several miles out. If she could just get close enough, she could pick off unwary hunters who were out in the woods for sport. That part of the woods was a hunting ground that she could make use of. Both big game and foolish humans. It would at least keep her from whittling down the already small town.

Jade's sigh was visible in the cold air. The first layer of snow blanketed the ground a day ago when she had started her journey and it wasn't letting up. Her stomach complained and she scowled, scanning for movement. It had been hard going once she traveled further into the dense trees. Every animal that crossed her path was mercilessly taken down to fuel her constant hunger. Five squirrels, three rabbits, and a fox later she was still on the lookout. She wished she could find a bear's cave, or at the very least a pack of wolves.

Just as the thought crossed her mind a howl echoed through the trees. Jade paused, listening in on the following calls communicating trapped prey. They sounded excited and were quickly moving in for the kill. Jade followed the sounds as well as the kicked-up snow of multiple paws. Human blood filled her senses and she snarled. They caught a human. Her stride lengthened, turning into bounds. She sprinted through the woods and launched herself over a boulder, landing in a deep pile of snow beyond. She struggled her way out and looked to the right at a flurry of movement. It disappeared from view and Jade followed.

She came to a cart and tracked a line of blood to a group of trees hiding an injured horse. Its flank was torn, and it stumbled. When Jade approached, the animal instantly let out a frantic sound of alarm. She rushed it before it could bolt and ended its misery, her claws cutting cleanly through the neck. It slid and then collapsed on its side. Jade would have taken the time to make a meal of the poor thing, but the injured human nearby was for more tempting. Finally. A proper meal.

She turned away from the horse and carried on through the trees to a clearing. The snow was greatly disturbed, and the trail of fresh blood was accompanied by a larger splash of red. Jade slowed to a stop and crouched down, running a finger through the puddle. She brought it to her nose and scented it. She inhaled sharply, gasping at the sudden familiarity.

"Victoria," she whispered. She was so caught up in the idea of an easy kill being within her reach that she hadn't noticed until now who the prey was. She pushed herself to her feet and let her instincts guide her. She tracked the pursuit until she came upon the wolves she was looking for. They were gathered around a half-fallen tree. Victoria sat perched as high off the ground as she could manage. She held one hand to her bleeding leg while the other clung to the slanted trunk.

The four wolves below each took a turn leaping at her. One even tried to scale the tree but slipped and fell before it could reach her. The biggest one paced back and forth then leapt for the human's dangling cloak. It was successful in its endeavor. The resulting yank dislodged the young woman and sent her to the ground on her back. She was quick to get up and found a branch to swing at the circling predators.