27

"But your plan isn't really well thought out, is it?" Crossing my arms, I looked at the sand-colored wolf in front of me, who now tilted his head and turned back into a human. "I almost got us out of here, so it's easy to forget you can't turn into a wolf." I rolled my eyes.

We had sneaked along the side of the building. Small cuts were built into the wall at regular intervals, in which we could hide as soon as Niklas heard footsteps approaching. So this old construction was good for something after all.

But then came a part of our escape that turned out to be a bit more complicated. In order to get into the forest, which was our goal at that moment, we had to cross an open area, which could be easily monitored from the windows of the tall building. So we were spotted quickly and after that it would be much more difficult to get out of here safely.

So we crawled back into an alcove and waited for the next person who crossed our path. Completely taken by surprise, the young woman couldn't even cry out before Niklas hit her in the head, which knocked her out. At my disgruntled look, he only reacted with: "Either like this, or not at all."

He gave me the woman's coat. It was way too small for me, so I just draped it over my shoulders, pulled the hood down over my face, and held it in front with one hand. "I don't need a disguise, after all they don't know me", was the only thing Niklas said, before he pulled me across the square by the arm. I expected at any moment that we would be discovered and put in a cell together, but nothing happened.

We walked a little deeper than planned into the forest to be on the safe side. We stopped next to two birch trees and I let the coat slide off my shoulders. Exhausted, I had sunk onto the grass and was rubbing my arm. "Everything okay?" Niklas asked. I just grumbled and answered with a question.

"What's your plan now?" He had turned into his wolf and looked at me invitingly. "I'm a goddess. That doesn't mean I can turn into a wolf." "Are you too good for yourself or what?" I narrowed my eyes slightly.

"So, my hair doesn't get along with the wind." Niklas looked at me as if I didn't have all the cups in the closet anymore. "What?" I sighed annoyed. "It doesn't matter. How far is it from our home?" "I came here in wolf form, and even so it was quite a long way." I wasn't sure I was ready for something like this in my current condition. The effects of the liquid in my circulation was still clearly felt. Niklas seemed to be thinking the same thing, but it was he who voiced both of our thoughts.

"You'll never make it all the way. I'd offer to carry you, but honestly I don't trust myself." "It's okay," I said. Whichever of us I was trying to reassure, I didn't succeed with any. "Damn," cursed Niklas. "Now we've made it this far, only to fail." He pointed an index finger at me. "I don't really care what happens, the most important thing is that you tell Amelia about it somehow." I laughed out loud, clearly confusing him.

"Oh, I beg you. Don't pretend that you don't give a damn about me. Of course, you did all of this mostly because of her, but you wanted to help me. Not because you like me or anything, but because you appreciate me, maybe even understand me ." He snorted, but a small smile curled the corners of his mouth.

"Maybe." A crack made us wheel around. But instead of the enemy werewolves we both expected an amazingly strong and tall deer came towards us with slow steps. He snorted as he approached us and then stopped in front of me.

Confused, Niklas watched as the deer lowered its head and let me scratch its nose carefully. "What the hell is happening here?" Niklas asked quietly. There was a bit of horror in the question, as if he wasn't sure if this was really happening. I got up carefully, and the animal took a few steps backwards, but it didn't look frightened. I walked up to him and slowly traced his antlers with my fingers. Then I traced its back and finally placed both hands on the animal's strong back.

"Apparently our problem is solved." After a moment's thought, Niklas understood what I just hinted at and reacted accordingly: "Are you completely stupid? He'll be totally scared if suddenly a wolf is standing next to him." I looked into the animal's dark eyes and said, "Let's find out" before gently lifting myself onto its back.

There was something truly exciting about dashing through the forest on the back of such an animal. My initial fear that I would hurt the deer vanished at the latest when he started running at breathtaking speed. Niklas' concern was also unfounded. The animal didn't mind at all that a wolf ran alongside it. But that was probably due to my presence. Although I didn't know in which direction we had to go, Niklas and the deer seemed to know their way around very well. Suddenly, the latter stopped gently and walked a few more quiet steps before coming to a complete stop. Niklas also braked abruptly, but had to come back to us because he noticed too late that he was just walking on alone.

"What's going on now?" Niklas brushed off his trousers and frowned in confusion. I didn't answer him. Instead, I dismounted and looked at the deer, which held its head high and regarded me with its eyes. Then he tilted his head slightly, which looked pretty funny. I didn't reveal my amusement, however, because I understood what the deer was trying to tell me. So I bowed my head too and smiled gratefully at him.

"Thanks." Satisfied, the animal waved again to Niklas, and then disappear with several quick jumps. "Great," said Niklas, "he's probably tired of it." To be honest, I didn't know what caused the sudden reversal either. He was just about to add something when Niklas stiffened the next moment and then stood in front of me.

"We are not alone," he whispered to me. "What does this mean?" "That means this animal can hear better than me and a few people are about to show up." He looked around. "It's best if we hide." But I stopped him because a familiar tingling sensation spread up the back of my neck. A pleasant tingle. I smiled and looked in the direction from which four wolves shot in the next moment. The black one who ran in front transformed while running. I stepped out from behind Niklas and ran the last meters towards Damian. I jumped into his arms and wrapped my legs around his waist while Damian buried his head on my neck and took a deep breath.

On the edge, I saw how Ethan, Drokor and Jack turned back and said something to Niklas. But I couldn't pay attention to what it was. I was far too preoccupied with the man who had wrapped his arms around me so tightly I almost feared he would never let me go. But after a long while he did. He carefully lowered me back to the ground, but didn't increase the distance between us. "Hi," I whispered to him, smiling, and his hands tightened on my waist.

"Hi." Damian's voice was strangely hoarse but the smile that now spread across his face didn't make me think about it. "Are you alright?" was his next question. "Well," I shrugged, "it's okay, but it's definitely been better." I could see that he would ask me more about it later. But I didn't care as long as I could be close to him.

Meanwhile, Damian's gaze went to Niklas, who was still standing next to Jack and had crossed his arms as if he had to defend himself somehow. "You have a lot to tell me," Damian stated. Again I let actions speak louder than words and pulled Damian down to me in a long longing kiss that told me all too well that he had missed me too.

"Now I'm ready to tell," I smiled. that was now spreading across his face didn't make me think about it. "Are you alright?" was his next question. "Well," I shrugged, "it's okay, but it's definitely been better." I could see that he would ask me more about it later. But I didn't care as long as I could be close to him. Meanwhile, Damian's gaze went to Niklas, who was still standing next to Jack and had crossed his arms as if he had to defend himself somehow. "You have a lot to tell me," Damian stated.

Again I let actions speak louder than words and pulled Damian down to me in a long longing kiss that told me all too well that he had missed me too. "Now I'm ready to tell," I smiled.

DAMIAN’S VIEW

On our way back I listened to Alina's stories. From time to time she paused to give Niklas the opportunity to tell something as well. However, he only remained calm, so that she alone reported on the Amium Pack and how the two had fled. Just before we headed home, I had mind-linked my people to tell them they could go home.

Because although I had trusted this deer in a way, I didn't want to place all my hope in the animal. So I had sent more wolves to other areas of the forest to cover every part. The deer had led us quickly through the forest.

A few moments before we reached them, it just jumped sideways in a flash, giving me no chance to react. Instead, we continued straight ahead, which fortunately was the right decision. We walked the way back. I wore Alina a few times when she felt faint. She also told me why. These people were really lucky that we were so far away from them, otherwise my reaction would not have been just an angry growl.

Alina then put her hand in mine and then walked on so naturally that my anger evaporated and I just focused on her. We already heard our people when Jack wrapped Alina in a big hug, which she returned with a smile. "Nice to have you back. It's really not the same without you," he had murmured.

Alina's smile widened even more. We stepped out of the forest and entered the square that connected all the houses. Several children immediately ran up to Alina and clutched her legs. As soon as she freed herself from her grip, Alina was knocked over. Namely from Amelia, who didn't give a damn about her speed and strength, but just threw herself on top of her. Lying on the floor, they both laughed before Amelia started to cry softly, which shocked Alina at first. "You stupid cow. If you just run away like that again, I'll come find you on my own and kick your ass hard," she said through sobs.

So she cried with happiness. Alina tightened her hug and replied, "Believe me, I certainly didn't mean to. But next time you find me, let's kick those people's butts together." Amelia laughed out loud and stood up with a groan as she pulled her friend back to her feet. "But if you want to thank someone for saving me, you have to thank Niklas." Amazed the girl turned her gaze to Niklas, who had positioned himself a little to the side, but was watching her closely. "Really? I thought you guys didn't like each other."

"Oh, that was just a misunderstanding. We're basically best friends now." Alina elbowed Niklas, which he acknowledged with an angry look. Amelia then said nothing more. She just stared at Niklas, which is why I said something to him. "I'm too big for you Thanks owed." His eyes widened.

"You saved my mate and she's whole.", I looked at the puncture mark on her arm, "brought it back almost intact. Thank you very much for that." Niklas seemed about to say something, but then changed his mind. Instead he nodded and then said: "I didn't do it for you." Yes, I could well imagine who he had done it for. Amelia was still looking at Niklas and Jack, Drokor and Ethan had already noticed that.

"Let's go then," Ethan murmured, giving me a pointed look. He and Drokor disappeared, leaving only Jack, who had his eyes on something else and let out a short sigh. It was Egbert who noticed us and came stomping up to us. "If I have to talk to him now, I freak out. I can feel it somehow." My beta ignored my casual tone and understood the hidden message in it. "I will take care of it." Jack clapped me on the shoulder and walked towards the alpha. An arm slipped around my waist and I looked at Alina.

“Can we go into the bedroom? Then we'll let them both have their privacy.” She nodded her head at Amelia and Niklas, who were still staring at each other. “If you just want to get out of here to give them some peace and quiet, maybe you should go alone,” I teased her. She pinched my side.

“Dumbass. I go. Come with me or leave it”. Of course, I quickly followed her.

"I'm so tired." Alina's words were followed by a strong yawn. "Don't remind me. The only good thing is that we know this stuff now." She flopped down on the bed and pointed her index finger at me. "You, come here." I laughed softly, but followed her request.

Alina pulled me towards her and, with her eyes closed, said: "Kiss me." "Shall I put you to sleep with kisses? Because that would be quite an insult, after all I always assumed that I kissed quite well." "You kiss perfectly." She promptly opened her eyes. Noticing my smug grin, she simply said, "Don't take it for granted."

"I would never do something like that." I bent down to her and kissed the corners of her mouth softly, which lifted slightly. My hands stroked her waist and then her stomach. A soft giggle escaped her. I had wanted to irritate Alina further, but that sweet sound from her sinful mouth was probably the end of it. I joined our lips in a long kiss and ran my tongue over hers, which she responded with a passionate moan.

I grinned and did it again. She reared up under me and grabbed my hair. She gently tugged at a few strands while we parted our mouths for a respite. I watched Alina, my companion, play with my hair with a wary smile and an idea promptly struck me. "Let's sleep together." Alina untied her hands from my hair and frowned at me.

"What?" "Yes, right now. So I would be ready." "Yes," said Alina, "I can feel that." She grinned as she lifted her pelvis slightly and then rotated it once. With a low growl, I pushed her back to the mattress. "So? I think the idea is great." Alina laughed. "Well, it's not like I'm against it. But," she squinted at me and I tried to keep my expression as innocent as possible, "I can't." I groaned in annoyance and she continued talking.

"You know we have to wait until the next full moon. Otherwise we can't end our connection." "It's usually like that, yes. But we've already established that we're different, haven't we?" Alina continued to look at me doubtfully. "Are you really willing to take the risk?" At my incomprehensible grumbling, she leaned towards me and kissed me softly. "I knew it. We're doing it right. Besides, anticipation is the greatest joy."

"Maybe for you. After all, I'm the person who won't be able to wear sweatpants for the next few days." "Exactly," she replied, looking for a more comfortable position to sleep.