Heart is on her way back to her den after seeing her adopted mother, but it seems that the universe have other plans.

I will apologize for the long wait on this chapter. I've been slow in my writing and i don't have the time i use to. That and i've been busy with vacations and stuff. I'm trying though. My updates just might be a little further apart then i had planned.

Ch 8: Serpent's Gaze

The happy hybrid still padded through the forest towards her den. She had enjoyed the time with Ciel, and she couldn't wait to see her again. It was nice to catch up with the wolf again and she enjoyed hearing about the pack. Knowing how things were going and she was glad that tell her how she was doing as well. Plus, it was nice to show off her hunting skills as well.

It made Heart happy to show Ciel that she was able to fly to. She was getting stronger in her flying and it was nice to be able to have her see. Ever since she was a pup she wanted to fly and was glad her adopted mother finally got to see her like that. Was happy that she was so happy to see her fly.

There was a rustle behind her and she stopped to flick her ears a moment. She listened around and lifted her nose to smell but didn't sense anything. She looked around and didn't see anything either. She slit her eyes a moment but continued walking. She had a feeling in the back of her head that something was following her or even watching her.

She tried to push the feeling back and continued, this time picking up her pace. She had to get home to her den. She had a feeling she wasn't safe anymore. This is not how she wanted her day to end. Especially since she was having such a nice day so far with meeting Ciel.

Soon she heard movement again and she stopped and got into an attack position and growled. "Who's there!?"

No one and nothing answered. The area was quiet. She still growled and held her ground. She then started to walk forward again but as soon as she did, she heard something behind her. She jumped around and tried to look but she still saw nothing.

"Show yourself!" Heart yelled.

The hybrid backed up until her hide hit something. She thought it was a tree but froze when she felt it moving. Then she felt breath on the back of her neck. Heart then looked up and what she saw, her eyes went wide. She jumped away and then stood facing the thing that was behind her.

Before her stood a snake, a cobra since he had his hood out. He was black with yellow stripes and red spots down his belly. His hood was yellow with red spots. The red spots looked like eyes and she just growled at the giant snake before her. The snake's forked tongue flicked in and out of its mouth.

Heart let out a louder growl. "Who are you!? What do you want?" She asked.

The snake laughed. "Who I am is of no importance. You will be dead soon enough." He then laughed. "Never had a hybrid before, you should be fun to digest."

"News flash, no one is eating me." Heart snapped at him.

Heart felt the fire building up in her throat, but she had to be careful when using it. She then shot the fire forward at the snake, but he dodged it and slithered to her. He tried to get behind her, but she jumped in the air and he missed biting her. She hovered in the air, flapping her wings.

"Leave this land! You don't belong here." She told him as she continued to keep above him.

"You won't get rid of me that easily Missy." The snake grinned.

Heart then remembered what Alastor had said. To signal him if anyone came across the snake demon. Heart lifted her head and howled. She made sure it was loud and long. Although it then was cut off as she felt something wrap around her neck and then pull her to the ground.

She let out a yelp and then hit the ground. Heart noticed that the snake's tail wrapped around her neck and was squeezing. The snake moved around her, and she glared at him.

"You are a tough one I'll give you that, but you still are weak." The snake said.

While its tail was wrapped around her neck and lifted her up and then threw her against a tree. He let go of her in the process and when she landed, she hit the ground hard. She also tried to land on her paws, but she couldn't get the weight distributed correctly and she landed on her front left paw. There was a small crack and she yowled in pain. She gave a whine as she tried to stand pack up. Heart tried to put her paw down, but it was impossible as it hurt way too much. It must have been broken.

This caused the snake demon to laugh. "Aw the poor dog hurt her paw."

Heart turned to him and growled. "I may be injured but I can still fight you."

The snake laughed. "Even so, you are slower now. Not much you can do." He lunged at her.

The wolf dragon jumped and dodged him, but she had to use her wings to carefully land. Since she had to land slowly that caused her to be vulnerable. The snake lunged at her again and this time bit down into her wing. She screamed in pain because of it, and she started to feel dizzy.

"Be lucky that my bite doesn't kill...fast anyway." He laughed.

Heart tried to shake her head to get rid of the dizziness, but it wouldn't stop. As she did this the snake wrapped his tail around her and she fell to her side. She looked at him and tried to glare. As she did look at him, his red eye looking spots seemed to glow. She then stopped trying to fight and was just looking at him like she was in a trance of some kind now.

"Such a naive girl. I don't know why you think you could stand up to the likes of I." The snake chuckled as he started to wrap her further into his tail. "Your life will end here, hybrid."

As Heart was wrapped up into the snake's tail it was getting tighter and tighter. Her air was starting to get cut off in his tightening grip. His gaze had made her stop, but the mixture of his bite as well started to seem effective. She closed her eyes and just waited for her end.

As the snake had her, she didn't even realize that her howl from earlier was heard as well as her sounds of pain. Alastor ran to the area and managed to jump through some bushes and into the area where Heart was. When he got there his eyes went wide with what he saw. His eyes glowed and he made a deep grunting type noise while also hitting his foot off the ground.

That got the snake's attention as he turned towards the deer. "Ah! We meet yet again, Alastor!"

Alastor titled his head a moment. "Do I know you?"

The snake seemed a little down hearted from that. He hissed in anger and slanted his eyes. "Oh yes you do! And this time I have the upper hand!" He says as he squeezed Heart again in his tail.

"Let her go, Sir Pentious." Alastor growled.

"Oh, so now you remember me!" Pentious hissed. "How rude of you!"

"I said let her go. This is your last warning." The deer snorted again, his nostrils flaring. "Get off my territory and I'll let you live."

Sir Pentious only laughed. "I'd like to see what you can possibly do." He challenged.

"So be it." Alastor said deeply.

The deer's eyes glowed red until they turned into what looked like radio dials. His antlers grew on his head until he had a ten-point rack. The world around him distorted and he had a slight glow to him. A small portal opened beside the snake and a black appendage appeared out of it. It quickly went to the snake's throat and then more appeared and started to wrap up the snake. Sir Pentious didn't know what to do and started to panic. In his panic he loosened his hold on Heart and she fell to the ground. Another appendage appears and grabs her and brings her closer to Alastor.

"I said leave. So now you get to take a trip." The deer grinned, showing off his odd yellow sharp teeth.

The snake's eyes went wide before Alastor's appendages flung the snake into the air until he couldn't be seen anymore. Hopefully landed somewhere far away from them and he wouldn't come back.

Once Sir Pentious was gone Alastor went back to normal. His eyes went back to normal, and his antlers shrunk back to their normal four points. He went next to Heart and examined her. Sniffing and walking around her to see what might be wrong.

As the deer circled her, Heart was gaining some consciousness back. She saw the red fur of the deer walk past her. "A…. Alastor?" She breathed out.

His ears went up at the sound of his name and he quickly put his face down to hers. "Heart? Heart, can you hear me?"

Heart only let out a whine as she tried to lift herself up but only fell back down.

Alastor's ears went back slightly. "Are you hurt dear? Can you tell me where?" He asked softly.

She lifted her left leg and held it out to him. Then lifted up her right wing to show off the bite mark at the end of it. Alastor looked at her injuries and he felt a pain go through him. He didn't know why he felt this, but he had an urge to help. Help her.

"Can you get up sweetheart?" Alastor wondered. "Your den isn't far. I'll take you there."

Heart tried to push herself off the ground again. It was slow but she got on shaky paws eventually, the one she held against her. Alastor put himself against her to keep her steady. Even with just this contact he could feel the heat coming off her pelt. Her body was trying to fight off whatever Pentious's bite had in it. She tried to walk but soon lost her balance and fell. She let out a whine in pain and annoyance.

"You have to lean on me dear." Alastor told her.

"Can't...tired." Heart breathed out and closed her eyes.

"Heart, come on, you have to try."

She didn't respond.

Alastor clenched his jaw and let out a snort. Using one of his black appendages again, he helped lift her up and then put her on his back. He made sure she wouldn't fall off and then quickly took off towards her den. He went through the trees and he wasn't fazed at all by the extra weight on his back. His heart on the other hand felt heavy and he was feeling something he hasn't in a while. Fear. He was slightly scared of what might happen. Especially to the hybrid he has grown fond of.

Soon he got to her den. As he did, he let out a high pitched bellow. Once he did it wasn't long till Chicka appeared. When the bird came and saw the hybrid on the Lord's back she freaked.

"Lord Alastor what happened?! Is Heart ok!? Oh my gosh!" The bird started to zip around while asking all these questions.

"Chickadee please calm down." Alastor said to her calmly. "I'll tell you everything later. Right now, I need you." The bird slowed down and looked at the deer. "You know herbs better than anyone. Think you can get me everything for an anti-venom? Her body is fighting it, but she is only part dragon, I don't think she 'll be able to do it on her own. She needs a little help."

"Of course, Lord Alastor. I'll go and find things right away." She says as she salutes a wing.

Chicka flies off and Alastor has to figure out how to get Heart into her den. He tries to gently put her down from his back and he grabs her by the scruff of her neck and pulls her down into the hole of the den and inside. Alastor brought her off to the soft bedding she had and tried his best to get her comfortable.

He rolled her onto it, and he tucked her left wing in and left the right one out so he could look at the bite wound. It was inflamed a little bit but not too bad. Her dragon blood was trying to fight off the venom. He looked at her paw and saw it was swollen a bit. He wasn't sure if it was broken or just sprained. Either way he would try and splint it.

He looked down at the hybrid as she had passed out at this point. He put his ears back and his smile disappeared slightly. He put his nose into her neck and gently rubbed his face into her fur. "You'll be ok little wolf. Just hold on." He whispered before taking his head away.

The deer went out of the den and looked around the area for some twigs and bark he could use. Soon he found ones big enough and then found a vine to wrap it up. He took the items back to the den and went back to Heart and laid everything out. He took her injured paw and started to lay it on the bark and put the twigs on either side. He couldn't heal a broken bone, once it was fixed a little bit more than he could heal it the rest of the way, but broken bone was something he couldn't accomplish.

Once he was able to wrap the paw up, he went back to her wing and sniffed it. He wanted to make sure she didn't have injuries anywhere else. As far as he could tell there was nothing else he could find on her.

After a few more minutes Chicka flew back into the den with some items in her beak. She flew over to Alastor and landed on the ground beside him. She dropped the items at his hoof. "I found what you needed, Lord Alastor. Hopefully it's enough."

The deer leaned down to look at the berries and other herbs she collected. "Very well done dear. Now I need one more favor from you."

"Of course, Lord Alastor, what do you need?" Chicka chirped.

"Can you go and grab those spiders you know so well? I need some webbing to cover the wound." He told her.

"Angel and Molly?" She made sure.

Alastor nodded. "Yes. One or both will suffice."

"I'll be back in no time, my Lord." The bird said before flying out of the den.

Alastor was silent again and went to work. First, he had to try and get venom out of the wound from what was left in the wound. He laid down by the wing and went to suck at the wound. He managed to get some venom out but whatever was left he needed to help her with whatever her body couldn't fight off. He managed to move her without disturbing her and she was now on her back with her snout in the air.

He went to the berries and herbs and started to chew them in his mouth to make them a pulp and not get any of the juices himself. He opened her jaw and made sure to get some of the juices into her mouth. The rest of the pulp he needed to put on her wing and the other half he had to have her eat. He made her move back to the original position. He put the pulp on her wing and spread it around on the bite and then put the rest on a leaf nearby and tried to wake Heart up enough to get her to eat it.

He began by licking her face. As weird as it was, he was doing it to see if it would get her up but at the same time, deep in his mind, he was just giving her kisses.

"Heart, wake up my dear. I need you to eat this." He says down to her.

Her ears flick a moment at his voice but nothing else.

"Come on now little wolf, you're a strong one. Wake up a little bit for me." Alastor says again as he rubs his nose against her neck.

Eventually Heart's eyes did open just a small amount and she looked straight into her den. Her ears perked up a little more and flicked around on her head.

Alastor smiled. "Darling please keep your eyes open. Can you hear me?"

"A-Al... Alastor?" Heart managed to breathe out.

"I'm here dear." Alastor says and puts his nose against her muzzle.

Even in her weakened state he still saw her tail wag.

He chuckled. "I need you to eat this. Can you do that?" He said to her and nosed the leaf over to her that had the herbs and berry mixture.

She lifted her head up a little and reached down to get the mixture before getting it in her mouth and swallowing. "Ew...that's gross." She said after it was down. "I need water."

"Stay right there. I'll get you some." Alastor said and headed out of the den.

The deer managed to find some moss and went to a stream that he knew was nearby. He was quick about it and soaked the moss in the stream and then went back to the hybrid's den. He set the moss in front of her and the wolf drank a little bit.

She gave a sigh of satisfaction. "Thanks Al." She breathed out.

He nodded and then laid down in front of her, "How are you feeling sweetheart?"

"Sore." She answered quickly.

"You'll be like that for a while, I'm afraid." Alastor told her. "Luckily, you're part dragon so the venom won't affect you badly."

"Why?" Heart asked with a confused look.

"Dragons can usually fight off venomous bites." He explained. "They don't affect them, but since you're part dragon, your body is trying to fight part of it, but the other half is still weak. That's why I had to give you something to help you out a little bit."

"There is still so much about dragons I don't know about." She sighed.

The Lord smiled. He leaned down to lick her the top of her head. "It's my duty to protect those in my territory. I heard your howl and I came running as fast as I could. I should thank you as well, for alerting me to that troubled snake that has been terrorizing everyone. I sent him away so he won't be back anytime soon."

The wolf's tail wagged as she looked at the deer. "Thank you, Al. Thank you for coming to my aid. I don't know what I would have done."

"I'm just glad you're safe. At least you only walked out with a broken paw." He said as he gestured his snout to her paw.

"Yes, that's good at least." She agreed and closed her eyes. Heart ended up falling back asleep for the time being.

Just then Chicka flew back into the den and she carried with her a spider that was on her back. "Lord Alastor, I have brought Angel Dust. As you requested."

Alastor lifted his head and looked back at the two. "Thank you my dear." He then looked to the spider that had crawled off the bird's back. "Thank you as well my fellow for coming to the aid."

"Yea yea whatever. What do ya need?" The spider asked.

"We need some of your web my friend. To patch up Heart's wing from a bite she sustained." Alastor explained to him.

"I'd be happy to help." Angel said right away.

"Wow, I'm surprised he agreed so quickly. Usually you fight with me." Alastor said, chuckling from surprise.

"I'm ok helping her. She is a nice kid. Plus, you have been treatin' her kindly. Also, ya seem in a better mood since she came aroun'. Which is a surprise to all of us. This wolf must be special in some way." Angel explained to him as he went over to Heart's wing.

Alastor stayed silent. He was taking in the spider's words and he honestly didn't realize that his actions had been different. Was there something he didn't realize he was doing? Honestly, it confused him. He looked to Chicka to see if she had an answer but all she did was smile at him.

As the deer was lost in his confused thoughts, Angel was wrapping Heart's wing up in webbing to hold the healing item to her wing better. The spider was secretly smirking to himself since he had gotten Alastor to stop talking and he was so lost in thought. The spider was making quick work of the small bandage, but the room was quiet. Soon enough he was done, and he jumped off the hybrids wing.

"Thank you, Angel Dust. For doing this." Alastor finally said.

"Was my pleasure. I usually don't do favors but this time I was ok with it." Angel answered as he went back over to Chicka. "Come one Feathers, get me back home."

"Of course, Angel. I will also thank you as well for taking care of my friend." The bird said as the spider crawled onto her back again.

"No problem babe. I'm glad I can be helpful for something." He says as he settles himself.

Alastor nodded. "You may take him home, Chickadee. You can return if you wish or go home, whatever you please."

"Thank you Lord Alastor." She chirped with a bow.

"Also, Chicka, I will be spending the night here with Heart." He informed the bird. "I want to keep a watch over her and her wound to make sure she is fighting off the venom."

The bird gave him a look to say that there was more to that but didn't question that. "I know where to find you if need be then sir." She then flew out of the den and took Angel back home.

The deer was now alone and Heart was back asleep. He decided to move her wing back since it was out, he figured she would be more comfortable. He looked down at the hybrid as she slept. He went closer to the den entrance and tucked his hooves under him. The deer never really slept so he didn't need to worry. He kept his ears and eyes open as he looked into the darkening night sky.

"What a day." He said with a sigh. "I'm just glad I got rid of that stupid snake from my land."

Alastor looked over his shoulder and saw Heart was breathing heavily. His ears perked up and he got worried so he stood up and went over to her and she started to whine.

"Heart. Heart calm down sweetheart." The deer whispered as he took his nose and rubbed it into her neck and licked the side of her face. That seemed to calm the hybrid as she stopped her actions and relaxed.

Heart opened her eyes slightly. "Alastor." She whined.

"I'm here, little wolf. I won't go anywhere." Alastor said as he licked her ear a moment.

She opened her wing to him and the deer understood. He went closer to her side so that their fur was touching. He could still feel her radiating heat, but it wasn't as bad as before. Hopefully, she was fighting the venom. He laid down beside her. She then laid her wing over top of him. She then let out a sigh of relief and it seemed she fell back asleep. Alastor looked down at her and just smiled.

"Sleep well, sweetheart. I'll be right here." Alastor whispered as he put his head on top of hers.

When morning finally broke Alastor was already up. He had maybe slept for a few hours last night, but he was awake most of the time. Making sure Heart would be ok. She didn't seem as warm this morning so hopefully her body had fought most of the venom off. He was glad she was still ok and breathing.

Although he was sure she would be hungry today. She hadn't eaten at all since the attack. He needed to get some food for her. He wanted to make it easy on himself so he would get something from his personal stash back at his cave. I wouldn't take him very long to get there and get back. He just had to get up and get there.

The wolf-dragon's wing was still wrapped around him. Heart had moved closer to him and her head was over top of his hooves. Her nose was close to his chest. He smiled down at the sight, he honestly hated to disturb her. Alastor wasn't sure if he would be able to sneak out from under the hybrid.

The deer tried though, slowly taking his hoof out one at a time from under her head and gently moved it to her bedding. That made it easy to slip out from under her wing. The wolf's pelt gave a shake from the loss of warmth and she shifted but did not awaken. Alastor gave a sigh of relief and headed to the entrance of her den.

He poked his head out into the morning light and took in a deep breath. He got out and then scratched himself a moment before looking around. Dew still clung to the grass and it was a fresh morning. The deer gave a shake of his pelt before moving on to head towards his cave. He needed to be quick and get back to Heart before she woke up.

After Alastor had left, Heart was just curled up like she always was in her den. Soon enough, the warm body she felt beside her was starting to affect her and she had a chill run through her fur and it stood on end. She eventually blinked open her eyes as she started to wake up. The wolf yawned and shook her fur.

Heart looked around her den for a moment. "How long have I been asleep?"

The hybrid then started to remember the events of yesterday. She had just got done talking and reconnecting with her adoptive mother and was heading home. Then she remembered that snake. His piercing eyes and glowing red eye-like spots. She whined as she shut her eyes and tried to not think of him. She shook her head.

Heart looked down and saw her paw was all wrapped up and in place. She thought it was odd but then she remembered, Alastor came to save her. She tried to fight the snake, but she wasn't strong enough. She growled in frustration from the thought. She wanted to be able to look after herself. She knew the snake was strong though and Alastor took care of it, but still she was annoyed that she couldn't hold him off longer.

She sighed and looked to her wing as it felt heavy and saw the webbing on it. They really did take care of her. She was surprised but also happy about it all. She smiled. Alastor did care, but at the same time, did he do this to every one of his demons inside his territory. Look after them like this? She wasn't sure.

There was a sound of someone entering her den and when she turned her head, she saw the deer Lord enter and something was clenched in his jaws. Was that...meat? Her stomach growled as she eyes the piece in his mouth.

As Alastor walked in and saw the wolf was awake, he smiled and was happy to see her. Plus, to see that she was fine as well. He walked over to her and dropped the meat in front of her. "Good morning dear. How are you feeling?"

Heart snapped out of her thoughts and smiled up at the Lord. "I feel ok. Just trying to wake up still. A little sore but nothing too bad." She answered.

"I'm glad to hear darling. I brought you some breakfast. Fresh from my storage just for you. I know you're probably hungry." Alastor says as he noses the piece of meat.

Heart's ears went up and she was surprised, "You...you got that...for me?"

Alastor nodded. "In dee dee. I hope you like it. I've been watching over you since yesterday." The deer then laid down in front of her, "I know you won't be able to do much with that broken paw for a day or two, so I want to make sure you're fed."

"You've been...taking care of me?" She asked, still surprised by all this. She shook her head to clear it. "I'm sorry. Everything from yesterday is a blur. I don't remember much."

Alastor gave a small chuckle. "I'd take care of you little wolf. You needed my help. You were injured. I wanted to assist you." He explained.

"I see." She is a tiny bit saddened. He only did it because it was his duty. "Well...thank you Alastor. For helping me." She then looked down at the meat. "And for the food. I appreciate it."

The Lord nodded. "Of course, my dear." His ears then flicked at the sound of wings. "Ah that must be Chicka." The deer then stood. "Be right back." He said and walked out of the den.

Heart looked at the meat and gave a sigh. She didn't want it to go to waste so she started to eat it. It was honestly really good then she felt how hungry she was and really started to dig into it.

Alastor met the bird outside the den and greeted her. "Good morning my little Chickadee. How are you?"

"Fine Lord Alastor. I figured I'd find you here." The bird said with a smug look.

The deer's ears felt hot for a moment. "Well of course. I wanted to make sure she was ok during the night." He quickly tried to defend.

"Uh huh, sure. I'll believe that when pigs fly." Chicka then laughed. "Anyway, were you planning on doing your morning route today sir?"

Alastor took a moment to think and looked to the entrance of the den and then back to the bird. "I might, just a short one. Will you look after her for me while I'm gone?" He asked her.

"If that is what you wish, Lord Alastor."

"It is."

"Then I shall stay here. Besides, I am worried about her myself."

"Thank you Chicka." The deer turned back and stuck his head into the wolf's den. "Heart, I will be back before midday. I must do my rounds." He called inside.

Heart swallowed the bite she had and looked at him sadly. "Ok, well have fun doing your things you have to do."

Alastor laughed. "Be back shortly. Chicka will keep you company." He says before taking his head back out. He nodded to the bird and he headed off on his way.

Chicka flew into the den then. She landed in front of Heart as she took another bite. "Morning Heart."

"Good morning Chicka." They hybrid greeted with her mouth full a little. Then she swallowed. "Good to see you again."

"Good to see you as well. Plus, I heard what happened. I'm glad Lord Alastor got to you in time." The bird said.

"Me too." The wolf answered with a slight sad ton and her ears went back slightly. "Of course, he would have done the same to anyone I'm sure." She sighs and takes another bite of the meat.

The bird smiles at her. "You couldn't be more wrong there my friend. I know Lord Alastor and what he has done for you...is a first."

Heart stopped mid chewing. "What?" She asked surprised.

The bird nodded. "Lord Alastor came to your rescue, sure. He would do that for anyone. After that though, he would have never done all he did for you. He would have left them to take care of themselves. Instead, he took you back to your den. Healed you. Patched you up and then stayed next to you the entire night."

Heart laid there surprised. She wasn't expecting that from the bird about the deer lord. Then to hear he stayed with her the entire night, in her den, next to her? It was honestly hard to believe. It honestly made her heart flutter hearing it. Maybe she was special to him?

"I... didn't even know." Heart said, still surprised.

Chicka chuckled. "I don't blame you for being surprised. I would be as well. He must care for you more than I thought then." She gave a dreamy sigh. "It's nice to see Lord Alastor finally find someone special."

Heart's ears went hot from a blush. "Oh...um...well...I." She honestly couldn't even form a sentence.

"It's ok hun. I know it's all new. Take it slow, that's all. It will be ok." The bird reassured her.

Heart sighed. "I just don't know. We're different. I don't see how he could see something in me though."

"Maybe that is something you have to talk to him about." Chicka suggested.

Heart looked away with her ears down. "I guess so. Probably won't be able to say much though."

"You'll be fine. He won't be back for a little while. So, you have time. Besides, I get to keep you company for now." She reassured the hybrid.

Heart's ears then went to the side in content, "Thank you Chicka. I don't know what I would do without you."

"I'll always be here for you my wolfie friend." The bird said as she hopped onto Heart's good paw.

The wolf put her muzzle against the bird and rubbed her nose against her. The bird gave a chirp in return.

Alastor did a lot for Heart. That was so nice of him. Now what can she think?