Elestria Climbed the Mountain

Scarlett thought she couldn't wait for the time to run first. Her front legs were already preparing. She was aiming to bite the man's neck so that he would lose blood and fall.

The leader had different ideas. While worrying about the young wolf, he targeted attacking that person's leg to release Lusi.

Other warriors joined in. They circled Lusi. The pack of raiders also accompanied their comrade in the center. They stared at each other.

The robbers had no intention of fighting for Lusi's luxurious carriage. They had been tempted for a while and now thought it would not be wise to fight the palace soldiers. They stared at each other and sent telepathy. Then, Lusi was pushed aside while the other wolves attacked the soldiers. 

The robbers simply ran away.

They were too surprised. The leader was busy catching Lusi from falling. The soldiers gawked at the wolves going west.

***

They prepared to return home. The carriage was guarded by four soldiers. Elestria sat inside and looked out the window. She was both amazed by the soldiers' patience and annoyed that they didn't pursue the robbers.

"Els?"

Elestria turned her head. Lusi was unharmed, but her dress was dirty. She was wiping off the dust with a pale yellow handkerchief.

"You look relaxed," Elestria said.

"The capital is where everyone gathers. That robber was nothing." Lusi laughed lightly.

"I think since I came, a lot has happened." It was a sad tone. She thought she was bringing bad luck like Roxi often said.

"I told you, the capital has everything. Now I don't know what to tell Dante."

"He'll be very worried."

Lusi nodded.

"I'm glad you have someone to worry about you."

Lusi gave a faint smile. Clearly, she understood how Elestria felt. Being alone since birth was no fun. Lusi wished she could drop Elestria's mate from the sky.

***

Dante waited inside the boutique. His eyes crinkled in anxiety. His feet tapped the floor impatiently. When he spotted Lusi's carriage from the second floor, he ran downstairs.

Lusi had just got off. She was immediately snatched into Dante's arms. The staff were smiling because it wasn't the first time they had seen that and they were always amused.

Elestria brought the goods into the boutique. Her chest ached to know how nice it was to have someone warm and worried about you. Elestria found herself wishing her mate was a man as warm as tea in winter.

Scarlett chirped, "Don't get your hopes up. Our mate is a strong man who will take care of the oppressors."

"I can handle bullies."

"Roxi is level one."

Elestria pouted. She hurriedly put her luggage into the room. In an instant, loneliness washed over her who had just sat on the bed. 

"I might go crazy," she complained while scratching her head. She sighed loudly.

"How about we join the hunt?"

"Lusi told me not to."

"The prize is interesting. Many people signed up. Maybe we can meet... our mate?" Scarlett couldn't help but smile widely.

"If Lusi finds out, she'll be furious."

"Don't let her know."

Elestria blinked rapidly. She realized she was being tempted. That big gift could help her live a better life. She nodded.

"We must prepare," Scarlett said.

"Yes."

***

For some time, Elestria worked well with Lusi. According to Lusi, she was responsive and dexterous. It would be good to make her a permanent employee.

On that cold morning, Lusi didn't come to the boutique. She had a bad cold and Dante insisted on keeping her at home. She slept all day without knowing that her friend didn't work at the boutique.

Elestria stuffed her digging tools into her backpack. She put on her boots after wearing long socks, gloves, and a hood. She was excited to leave the boutique through the back door.

Elestria did not sign up for the hunt. Scarlett said they didn't have to because they didn't know where to register. Scarlett suggested digging up some herbs and then selling them to a local merchant.

Elestria visited the mountain near the gate when she arrived at the capital. The wind blew cool and slowly chilled. She tightened the handle of her backpack and then began to climb.

Yellowing grass, skinny trees, and cold ground. Elestria looked in all directions. Other than the grass, there was nothing. So she climbed further.

Scarlett sniffed around them. She remembered that the hunting grounds were on this mountain. However, there were no people. She became afraid that she had misinformed Elestria.

The sky was cloudy again. The sun was completely shy. Dry leaves flew past Elestria's hood and removed the hood. Her nose felt frozen.

She hurried down the mountain. At that time, it was raining. At first, it was light, but it turned heavy. She ran under a big tree. In the corner of her eye found a cave. Just before entering there, she found a very, very brief foreign scent,

Scarlett gasped and asked loudly, "Who is it?!"

Elestria turned her head in all directions. It was empty. The scent had also disappeared.

She then entered the cave.

***

For an uncountable amount of time, Elestria sat by the cave door. Her seat was her cloak. She picked up a piece of bread to take a small bite.

"It's raining heavily, can't go anywhere."

"You forgot to bring an umbrella," Scarlett retorted.

"We don't even have one."

Elestria yawned. She was tired of watching the waterfall to the ground and be absorbed. She wanted something interesting to come up to replace the boredom.

"We're not going to die because we haven't met a mate, are we?" Elestria asked suddenly.

"You'd be a fool to believe that."

A moving bush startled the silence.

Elestria stood up instantly. She had the wrong stance. Her eyebrows dipped as she prepared herself for what was to come.

A man in black leather robes stepped out of the bushes. His shoulders bumped into the raindrops until they ran away. His hood covered his face except for his thick lips. 

Elestria knew him. She called out loudly, "Keir!"

The man looked up. His green eyes looked dim in the rain. When he walked to Elestria, Scarlett clucked loudly.

"What are you doing here?" Keir lowered his head while removing his hood. He still had a surprised look after finding Elestria here.

"I... I'm sheltering from the rain."

Keir's eyes narrowed. "You didn't go up the mountain to join the herb hunt, did you?"

Elestria bit her lower lip in surprise that Keir knew her purpose.

"I usually go up the mountain. So, I came here and... it suddenly started raining. What about you?" Elestria felt a slight pain in her knee. Somehow this man had grown as tall as a bell tower.

"I was working. Rumour has it that some spies are here."

Elestria nodded. Her body trembled from the cold. She kept smiling.

"I'll look for firewood," Keir said.