The Beta

Felita fell through the sky onto the sandy beach of Paternoster. She flopped and rolled until she landed on her back, facing the never-ending sky. She huffed, pushing her undercut-styled hair out of her face, as stars reflected off her deep sepia skin. Lita's red eyes stare out into the darkness, with black studs cluttering her long pointed nose and around her upturned hooded eyes. She stood up in her platform boots, dusting herself off. She couldn't feel the silver chain that usually rested against her chest, she frantically looked around to find an heirloom in the white sand. 

She sighed in relief and pulled the silver chain from the sand as the pendant came into view. A pendant of the rising sun, which Felita's finger slid over while a tear formed in her eyes. She wiped it off and began her long walk to the lighthouse. She ignored the alluring songs of sirens on shore and the sparkling jewels left by fairies to tempt her. But something lingered in the air. A smell so distant yet so strong made her stop in her tracks. The smell of warm coconut oil, sweet tropical fruit, and some deep spicy wood moved on the wind, capturing her senses. 

*there it is again* Recca growled in the pit of her stomach *just like our dreams* Felita looked out at the horizon *we must find them* her wolf whimpered for warmth. 

Felita shook her head "Just like our dreams" and began to walk again "We learn to ignore it" her wolf growled in warning.

*we have to look for them* she pronounced each word, so deeply it vibrated Felita's chest.

"No" Felita commanded "We are tired, exhausted, the Perpetuum has taken its toll, we need rest, and that scent is evident of that" Her wolf wanted to argue, but she could feel Felita's weary bones and the back of her consciousness. 

She pushed open the heavy door of the lighthouse to find the place empty. Removing each piece of clothing from her leather jacket to her platform boots, she crawled into bed, staring at the ceiling. Waiting for sleep to take over her senses, but as she closed her eyes, her mother faced her in pure terror; tried to reach her daughter. And Felita sat up in her bed, the pendant chilling cold against her skin. She reached for the tiny flask and found it empty, so she pulled her limbs from the sheets. Sat up in her bed, flipping the empty flask between her fingers over and over because she knew tonight she wasn't going to sleep. 

....

Felita stepped out of a local store, fresh and clean, Even though she spent the night watching the darkness turn into a shadow in her room. She wandered into town, getting ready for her journey to Soweto before heading home. But the scent still haunted her senses and her wolf clawed at her inside to be free. Felita had convinced herself that the exhausted mind was conjuring it up. 

She shook off the scent and looked at the farmer's market, which was filled with beings. An essences cart caught Felita's eye, and she moved to it, combing through the different essential oils. When the smell of a steak chip roll grabbed her stomach and turned towards the delicious smell. Poof!! A body slammed into Felita, making her turn towards the stranger who was about to fall over. She grabbed the person's waist, keeping them close as the scent erupted from the person's hair in her nostrils and her body instantly reacted. Her wolf growled at the familiar scent and wanted to break free.

*their scent* she whimpered as Felita pushed down the urge to take the stranger away from her.

"Sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going," she said in a husky yet smooth voice forcing its way through the tension

"Are you ok?" Felita looked down into those hazel eyes, which had a single dot among the green and brown. 

The woman just stared up at Felita with hazed-over irises. "No, please, it was my fault," she expressed in a voice that melted like honey on Felita's tongue.

The stranger stepped away and Felita didn't want to release her, but she did. She shook off the visible goosebumps that moved up her skin, and Felita couldn't help but smirk at the reaction she was giving this woman. She cringed her nose and avoided eye contact, which Felita gave ample time to watch her. From the tight jeans that coated her wide hips where waist beads hang loosely, followed by a wide-brim hat and floral wide peasant top, sat. Her look gave Felita the courage to lean into a boho woman's space. 

"If it is my fault, then I get to repay you for it" Felita's words caressed her ear and an instant blush settled on the stranger's cheeks. 

She shook her head frantically. "No, my fault, I am just really clumsy and not great at walking. Sorry, my bad," the stranger stuttered, moving away from Felita with expressive hands that waved back and forth. 

Felita watches her swiftly move through each stall, desperately trying to get away from the situation. She couldn't help but smile at the stranger's sweet antics and wished she could follow her, but she needed to leave. She didn't have much time. Furthermore, she promised the pack that she would be back in three weeks, but with one more stop, she needed to make, Felita was cutting it close, and her wolf was not having it. 

*you let her go!!* she shouted clawing at her insides "we can't have her yet, you saw her reaction to us. Plus, I would rather not end up on the news for kidnapping" Felita explained in a sneer *how is it kidnapping when she is ours* she shook her head at her wolf's logic "She doesn't know that yet" Felita watched the woman duck into a stall, thinking she couldn't see her anymore "she will know soon enough" Felita flicked her hair out of her face before moving towards the steak chip roll that was calling her name.