For The Love of An Alpha

Pass Down

The fiery glow of the morning sun, grew over the horizon. The crisp breeze that had once been a torrent of snow and sleet, now settled into a comforting wave. The ice that covered the path they had taken to the cave, was now laden with fresh snow. Sparse trees and openings that would lead them further down the hillside, bore a blanket of white that glistened and sparkled like a million stars. Small animal tracks disrupted the perfection of the fresh covering.

Jhera stood at the entrance to the cave, her wolf form bringing a warmth in this weather that her clothes could not. A small dusting of snow had blown atop her shoulders from her nights watch. Standing slowly, she shook her coat and allowed her fur to fluff out. White flakes fell to the ground like dust. The red of her fur seemed to ignite in the glow of the morning, making her gray saddle appear coal black. Looking into the cave, she caught the eyes of those that watched her. Scanning about the walls of the cave, she saw her traveling companions. Stretching her back legs, her right haunch feeling tight from the sparring the day before. She was thankful in this moment for her quick healing. With slow and calculated motions, she met their gaze one by one.

Erick's eyes were the first she met, while her back legs stretched far behind her. His blue eyes hazy and showing that he was barely awake from his sleep. As she dipped her front end and stretched her front paws forward, her gaze fell to Eli. His arms folded across his chest, Ashleigh's head leaned against his right shoulder. Jhera didn't miss the relationship between the two, and how much they smelled of each other. Then, as she righted herself, her eyes turned to Henri. The latest addition to their crew. There was something in his cold blue eyes that Jhera felt warming. She wasn't sure what it was about the raven haired man, but something seemed almost familiar.

With a deep inhale she took in the scent of the morning, smiling to herself. Somewhere in the distance was a maple tree, it's sap must be oozing slightly as the scent wafted to her. She turned to the entrance of the cave and the scent faded. Her brow furrowed and she turned back to her companions, the smell returning to her senses and the warmth to her soul. Her eyes were back on Henri, the only new person in the group. It was then that she wondered if the new smell was coming from her new companion.

How could he smell like something so comforting? Her thoughts were generalized, but she felt Scarlet's emotions and the comfort she took in the smell as well. Both found a comfort that wasn't there before. Strange.

With the morning's rise, the team gathered their things and moved out swiftly. Their meal was eaten on the go, a haphazard selection of protein bars and dried berries.

"So," Ashleigh had come alongside Jhera at the front of the pack, "what trail are we following exactly?" The sound of snow crunching beneath their feet filled their ears and sent many small creatures scattering.

"Well, the Eboch that I burned back at the house freed the scent it was masking." Jhera moved a low hanging branch from their path, her hand holding it until the next person grasped it. "So there are two options to trace. Either the Eboch and the procurement of said plant or the faint scent of the one who used it." Her pale eyes looked to the blue eyed woman, "Currently, both paths lead the same way."

"But when they split?" She asked, stepped cautiously over a fallen log.

"Then we have a decision to make. Which to follow or to split and follow both." Jhera's face was expressionless and her eyes looked about the wooded area.

"How soon do you think we'll need to make the decision?"

"Good question. The scents are both equally strong," Jhera glanced about her space, "I would say that the one who left that cabin probably took some with them." Jhera's steps slowed as she checked the footing of the pass ahead.