For The Love of An Alpha

Hermit Crab

The sound of her feet against the firm ground beat in rhythm with her heart. Thump for thump she moved herself forward, following the signs she'd known for years. The pink sky rose in the distance over the far off mountains. She slowed to a stop to look over large rock formations that loomed in the distance. It was almost ominous to see them rising high above the forest, the quiet threat of their activity should have been enough to deter the packs from settling the area. Yet, they almost seemed drawn to the quiet chaos.

Her auburn fur shook as the morning frost melted in the warmth of the sun. She shifted slowly, allowing her muscles to stretch and her joints to contract. She'd been running for two days at a grueling pace. She was tired and wanting rest, though it would not come for some time. Dressing herself in the overalls she brought with her and a long sleeved shirt, she began to walk the forest. Stopping only to adjust the hiking shoes she pulled from her pack. They were heavy and seemed to weigh her feet down, yet they worked well to protect her toes from rocks and branches.

Her hand gripped the hilt of the cobalt blade, her eyes looking it over once more before she moved from the forest to the well traveled path. The ragged stone wall that marked the edge of the property was just in the distance. Moss had grown over the rocks, hidden beneath patches of snow that still waited to melt in the afternoon warmth.

Her mind recalled the last time she felt this cool blade against her skin. The light pressure of it against her throat as she waited for death to come, and yet she still breathed. Her empty hand absently moved across her collar bone, as she searched for the missing necklace. Her heart sank, as she once again remembered leaving it behind. She'd grown fond of having that weight about her neck, a reminder of prophecy and missions ahead. Gray eyes scanned the property, taking in the calm and quiet that it displayed eagerly. Tense brows furrowed and a gulp was pulled down her throat, something was off.

Vera was a hermit and enjoyed solitude, but she wasn't quiet. Often times Jhera would stop for a visit to exchange goods and would hear her humming in her garden.

"You're the first human I like." Jhera recalled the sound of the woman's voice as she stepped through the old iron gate, the stone walls still holding steady after all these years.

"Probably because I'm not human." Jhera had teased the woman, in that moment, and the laughter she released sounded like the church bells in the distance on a Sunday morning. It was strange how sweet she was, even though it was unheard of for fairies to trust others.

"Vera?" Jhera's voice broke the silence, a rabbit scurried from it's hiding place and took off into the woods. A thudding could be heard in the distance, "Vera? Where are you?" Her feet carried her along the front of a small stone cottage. The enchantment on this place would carry others to the stone wall and then port them about 2 miles beyond the wall onto the same path. They would think they didn't stop walking and the cottage was never seen.

Jhera chuckled lightly to herself as she recalled the moment it happened to her and she turned back, finding the point where the spell enchantment was weakest. Her eyes looked down to the dagger once more, "That is when I met you, old friend." Her eyes on the dagger.

A loud thud was heard once more, beating several times against a hollow space. Jhera's eyes furrowed and she walked the outer perimeter of the cottage. Wisteria climbed high on the stone walls and moss had made itself a home within its crevices. The thud came once more, louder and closer than before. Jhera's eyes moved about the open space, her fist gripping the blade tightly.

"Vera?!" Her voice was firm and she spoke loudly, the question leaving from her tone. The thud responded, bushes bouncing to the rhythm it made. Jhera moved to investigate the shrubs, only to find them an illusion cast to disguise the doors hidden below. Jhera sighed and moved the latch that locked the wood doors shut.