Chapter Text
He was walking for a long time. Only god knows how many days were spent under the grueling heat of the sun and for how many nights he will have to endure the mocking smile of the sickle moon. He was wrung out. The hope he once had in abundance now diminished to a mere glimmer. A flicker of what once was an inferno.
Yet it still existed, no matter how dim.
When Derek first heard the prophecy, he huffed in disbelief for it was so beyond the realm of ever happening to him, it was almost laughable. After so many years of loneliness, cold nights and dark thoughts he figured he would always be alone. People feared him, cowered underneath his heavy glares, hunching their shoulders and lowering eyes. Derek was fiercely protective of what he deemed his, maybe even too much. His family loved him despite his constant frowns, friends shook their heads, telling him he better lose that sour look if he wanted to find someone.
Derek knew something was lacking from his life. He often wondered, looking at his parents and mated friends what it would be like to always have someone near; to have that undying support in the darkest of times; knowing that you could share your joy and grief without a back thought. But Derek doubted someone would ever accept and see him for who he was.
Alphas cared deeply for their mates; it was the only thing they craved more than anything. The pull of a mate was the strongest thing, for it was the unmovable anchor, the encompassing feeling of love, belonging and safety. And the gratifying knowledge, that you will never be alone, that there was someone, who would do anything for you.
One day, the news reached the Hale family: a powerful prophet whose predictions were said to be truthful if not a little cryptic, was travelling through his hometown. His sisters were exhilarated to go and somehow Derek wound up going with them. ‘To scare away the queue’, they giggled. Little did he know his life would change that fateful day.
’You,’ the prophet rattled. It was a red-haired woman with unseeing eyes, clouded with disturbing grey fog; she pointed her sapless finger at Derek, ‘You come here all but an unyielding support to your curious sisters, yet it is your fate I was granted to get a look at through the Moon’s veil. It will provide the answer you so desperately seek. There, somewhere, a flower grows. Its curious petals reach in curiosity, but get burned in return. It craves a soothing touch, a lover’s kiss. It is the sweetest nectar, the brightest moonlight, the most alluring starry night. It is the rarest of gems. It is your mate, alpha Hale. But beware and haste, for the flower grows among the most vicious thorns, who can’t wait to tear it apart. This love of yours will either be written in fables or perish in excruciating flames of envy.’
Derek was thrilled at first. Every alpha would howl in delight at a prospect of a mate. The joy was fueled by a newborn hope. It was a happy occasion both for the alpha and his family.
After many discussions it was decided that the rest of them will stay together on their territory, while Derek searched for his mate. The land wouldn’t be vulnerable in the absence of its head alpha, because the alpha in question was Derek, son of Hales — one of the strongest and most respected influential families. They fiercely protected their own, but never lacked compassion and willingness to help. It was an honor and the absolute dream of anyone to join a Hale family.
However, it has been almost a year since his search had begun. Derek travelled far, had seen so many people their faces had blurred together in his memories. Nobody had ever come even close to resembling a flower that the prophet has promised him. Worry filled his heart; what if he missed them, has walked past his fate and will never see them again? He had visited hundreds of towns, travelled to every village he knew of to no avail. Even if the prophecy was true — which he doubted more each day — what about the thorns? Was his darling mate in danger? Was it grave? What if Derek was late and his mate was gone already? He didn’t dare to think about that, sending those thoughts away for his own sanity.