For The Love of An Alpha

Alliances

The storm rolled overheard, as shoppers rushed off the streets. Storms weren't uncommon in Reliegh. The open field that gave them the beautiful view of the ocean, also backed them into a corner when the winter and spring storms came. With it's back to a mountain range, the town was pelted with hail and lightning as the storm raged overheard.

The bustling city came to a halt during this season, as tourists only came with the storm chasers and the fisherman would head out of port. The small Harbor village would hold port for many ships, but the men didn't call Reliegh home. This was a place for visitors, people passing through or looking to get away from life.

The bolt of light that carried Jhera to this town crashed just on the edge of the city. The loud clash and blast of light gave plenty of time for her to hide before eyes would investigate. The human ears and eyes would miss her skirting the edge of town and dashing into an alley. The rain quickly turned to hail as she moved from the alley onto the main drag.

Her eyes took in the bustling city. There were no sky scrapers or eye sores, like in Koshen. This was a city of unity and history. She pulled her hood about her neck as she passed a store sporting signs to the myths of werewolves. She chuckled to herself, to them her kind was a myth.

If they knew the truth, do you think tourists would still come?

Probably. Scarlet spoke softly, People are hungry for things they don't understand.

Jhera sighed, the truth in that all too real. The smell of the forest hinted at her senses as she passed another shop. The large wood sculptures out front caught her eye, as the owner moved quickly to cover them with tarps and tie them down.

She gave a polite nod and kept moving. Her senses on high alert. While traveling by storm was fast, it was risky. Humans were keen to watch the storms rage, as if they expected to see magick take place before their eyes. Sadly, that wasn't far from the truth. The hail bounced from the sidewalk as Jhera hurried her way to a small diner she saw at the end of the street.

It was a quiet place, reminding her of the small shops in Jonestown that she loved to visit. The smell of fresh cookies filled her nostrils and she could pick up the hints of cooked chicken in the air. Her stomach grumbled, she'd forgotten to eat the last few days.

Settling herself on a bench in the corner, the booth giving her access to view the entire diner, she picked up the menu. She was hungry enough that everything looked good.

"Oh my, you got stuck in the thick of it?!" A soft female voice caught her attention. The woman stood at the table, her graying hair was pulled back into a loose bun and her apron had the brown stain of coffee on it.

"Ya," Jhera half chuckled, removing her soaked coat, "Storm came out of no where."

"That's the truth," the woman smiled back. "Can I getcha somethin to drink, darlin?"

"Coffee would be great." Jhera smile appreciatively to the woman.

"Cream? Sugar?" The sever put her pad of paper and pen in her apron pocket.

"Cream, please." Jhera's smile would have melted anyone's heart, as she turned her gaze to the woman. She'd mastered this art, being able to be endearing to strangers. That was easy, she didn't have to keep it up. It was a facade that would be gone when she left. They'd forget about her and she them, but it made her time more pleasurable then being cranky.

The waitress smiled in return and moved to retrieve the order. Jhera checked her pack to ensure everything the Luna had given her was there. Sure enough, it was. A small envelope contained several large bills, and a the note was still with them. Just in case. Jhera smiled, maybe the Luna knew she'd have to go off on her own. She could recall stories of the Luna's having foresight. The ability to see the near future of some they come in contact with, maybe Chilam had gotten a glimpse of this moment. Either way, Jhera was very thankful for her kindness and the gesture.