Chapitre 14

I was lying in bed.

What else was there for me to do?

My hair was scattered over the pillow. My eyes burned from tiredness because my thoughts just wouldn't stop. They raced back and forth in my head as if trying to process what had happened.

Since the evening, this room has been my new home. That evening was burned into my memory. It had started so beautifully, only to knock the rug out from under my feet.

Zelos had done it.

He had stolen my footing and then he was gone. He called in the favor so he could tear me away from my home. I crossed my arms and stared at the ceiling above me. I did not want to go. I wanted to stay here.

Zelos had other plans.

Every night I dreamed of the white lycan walking straight towards me and every time I woke up drenched in sweat.

I could hardly sleep.

I could hardly eat.

I feel sick.

I rolled onto my side in the soft duvet and stared out the window. The weak winter sun made the snow sparkle like broken glass. Last night's storm had passed and the morning calm had returned.

The last time I saw her was in wolf form. They had set off in their hundreds towards the Silver Crown. Now we weren't the ones attacked, it was the invaders.

Led by Zelos.

And with the help of the prisoners from the old pack.

Could they repel Silverblood?

They were days gone. Everything stayed calm here, but how did it look in the mountains? I got up and pushed the curls out of my face. A yawn escaped from my throat. I shuffled out of bed and pushed the door open.

Kerberos lifted his heads.

I glared at him. Zelos must have ordered him to guard my door because every time I opened it he was lying there. For the first few days I'd passed the time waiting for him to do his business.

No chance.

"Are you eating at all?" I asked.

The hellhound jumped to his feet and lunged toward me. I slammed the door before he could get too close. A disappointed yelp came through the door. Did he understand my words?

Very carefully, I pushed the door open a crack. Three pairs of desert yellow eyes looked at me. Kerberos sat patiently in front of the room. The night-black ears were pricked. My heart pounded faster in my chest.

Maybe I could get past him after all.

Zelos had promised me that this beast would not harm me. A pang in my stomach followed. He had taken advantage of my trust and now he was using his dog to keep me here.

I took a cautious step toward Kerberos.

It was so big that I had to squeeze past the wall of the hallway.

"Nice dog," I said, taking another step. He sprang back at me. The three muzzles let out a bark that reverberated through my bone marrow. I darted around and back into the room, my heart pounding Breast.

I always thought werewolves were the worst creatures, but Zelos had found a way to surpass that. I leaned against the door protecting me from the monster on the other side.

The snow-covered forest beyond the window glittered in the sun. When would they come back? I pushed the handle up and a cold wall blew at me. Small puffs of water escaped my mouth as I stepped onto the wooden balcony.

The view was breathtaking and at the same time confining. The mountains closed us in, vulnerable to outside attack.

I had to get out of this house.

My fingers clenched in the wooden balustrade and I looked down. I was only on the first floor and still my head was buzzing looking down. I swallowed.

I didn't want to get past Kerberos. This was my only chance. The snow looked fluffy soft like a pillow. I heaved myself onto the parapet, cold as metal under my hands. I swung a leg over. It was a few meters down.

The snow looked inviting like a blanket.

Appearances could be deceiving. If there were rocks underneath, I would break all my bones. My head was screaming at me to get back down and get back to the warm room. My heart was pounding in my chest with fear, but something made me wait.

Actually, I never broke rules, no matter how small they were. I didn't have to be afraid of the consequences either with Zelos as Lycan. I sat on the parapet as if on a horse, undecided which way to go.

Back to safety or the leap into the unknown.

Lia would have chosen the latter directly...

A victorious howl whirred through the clear air.

My chest tightened.

wolves.

They trotted under the bare trees towards the pack house, straight in my direction. Her fur shone brown, black, and sand in the morning sun. My shoulders sagged a bit.

Zelos didn't seem to be among them.

A second howl echoed over the mountains and reached my soul.

He had to be.

My eyes searched the snowy landscape while the first wolves stormed past the house. Their tracks littered the forest floor. he appeared on the horizon. The rays made the fur shine like diamonds. The red eyes locked with mine and a pinch of relief mixed into my heart.

Was I worried?

He was a majestic wolf, or Lycan . Zelo's gaze darkened and he growled. I stared at the parapet beneath my hands.

Oh.

The lycan dropped wildly on its four paws and sprinted towards the house at lightning speed. My breath caught in my throat. Zelos started just before the house and jumped up the house facade. I leaned back in shock.

"Ah!"

My hands struggled for balance, but my back hit the floor of the balcony with a hard thump. There was a crack of wood beneath me, along with a growl. Not a second later, the lycan's head was peeping over the parapet, staring down at my pitiful form.

"Good morning," I said, trying to ignore the pain pressing against my chest. I pushed myself up on my elbows, but Zelos was faster. With a jerk, he heaved me off the ice-cold floor. I gasped in surprise and supported myself my hands on his shoulders.

A strange transformation took place right before my eyes. The snout had given way to a mouth, the ears disappeared and I felt warm, firm muscles under my fingers.

"What the hell..." I whispered. Only the fiery red eyes hadn't changed much during the transformation. "Ah!"

I landed on the bed and the mattress caught me.

"I've only been gone for a few days and what do I need to see when I come back?" he asked, his form looming over me, naked.

"Ah!" I exclaimed, burying my head in the pillows. Still, the heat was shooting into my cheeks. I hadn't seen anything, just barely the upper body...

"What's going on?" Zelos asked, completely out of character.

"You're naked!" I shouted, but my voice was muffled by the pillows.

"Yes, that's the way wolves transform when they transform," he said, and footsteps sounded across the floor. "What's the problem?"

In his years in the dungeon he hadn't had much to do with humans.

"You're naked," I said.

"Did you just hit your head?" Zelos asked worried and I narrowed my eyes. I felt his hand feeling my skull. A tingling ran down my neck and I shook myself.

“For humans, nudity is… uncomfortable. Something intimate...", I said. Zelos pulled his hand back and silence filled the room. He sighed and his steps receded. The closet door creaked open and I breathed a sigh of relief.

"We'll see each other naked someday," he said, and I jumped out of my bed.

"Zelos!" I shouted, but he just laughed. He wore black and brushed his strands of hair out of his face. He wasn't even here five minutes and I had already forgotten everything that had accumulated over the last few days.

As if reading my mind, he came towards me. His eyes shimmered as he looked down at me. He pushed an unruly curl out of my face.

It was time we spoke up.

****

"Why are you doing this to me?" I asked. A part of me thought he liked me, but I guess I was wrong. Zelos eyed me intently. Silence enveloped us before he answered.

"You promised me a favor and now I'm going to collect it."

It was strange to see him so serious. He followed my every move.

"You can't ask that of me. I asked for your name. You want me to give up my whole life," I replied, crossing my arms. A regretful smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

"In war and in love everything is fair," he said.

"And is this about war or love?" I asked before my head could stop me. The air between us crackled with pent-up tension.

"Both," Zelos whispered and the red in his eyes melted like magma. "You're right. It wouldn't be fair to demand something like that from you."

I dropped my arms in bewilderment.

"Does that mean I can stay here?" I asked and breathed a sigh of relief. Zelos didn't look happy, but he nodded.

"This is your homeland and if that is your decision then I will respect that," he said, turning to the door. "I will leave with the warriors today."

My relief faded as quickly as it came. I stumbled the step towards him and grabbed his elbow. Zelos paused as sparks spread from the touch.

"You want to go today?" I asked.

Why did I sound so disappointed?

"Yes, we have no time to lose if we want to get back to Silvercrown tomorrow," he said, turning to face me. His notes of pine and rain floated between us and I had to refrain from getting closer. Zelos sought mine eyes off.

"When are you coming back?"

Zelos grinned his signature grin that twisted my stomach like a pretzel.

"If Alpha Udyr is underground," he said. "That might take a little time."

A little time?

days?

weeks?

Years?!

Maybe Zelos would never return. Maybe he liked the white palace once he was there. The marble is said to rise to the sky with beautiful decorations.

"I see the curiosity in your eyes. you are so young Haven't you ever dreamed of the wide world?" he asked, taking my hand in his.

"Dreams are for people who don't have responsibilities," I grumbled.

Zelos laughed.

"Oh, always so serious. Maybe you could smile more again when Alpha Udyr is defeated," he replied. I lifted my chin.

"I know I'm the perpetual spoilsport. I always have been. Go ahead, judge me for always trying to be on the safe side."

"I don't think you always want to be on the safe side. You went to prison for your brother. When Silverblood attacked, you tried to save the pack. You don't know how scared I was when you left the dungeons," he said, pulling me closer to his warmth. "But you're still a spoilsport."

I laughed and his eyes lit up. My heart somersaulted at the flames licking between us. I frowned.

"You also risked your life for a pack that locked you away for ages. You didn't show an ounce of bitterness, just kindness," I replied, searching his eyes. "I trust you, Zelos. I want to go with you."

His whole face lit up like fireworks.

"Really?" he asked, and suddenly I lost my feet.

"Ah!"

Zelos spun me around in the air and intuitively I rested my hands on his strong shoulders. A laugh gushed from my lips. Sparks flew in my chest.

"Zelos, put me down!" I shouted.

"As you wish, spoilsport," he said, smiling, and let me slide down his body. We were so close I could feel his muscles through my dress. I gasped with the pleasure that gripped my whole body.

"Did I really agree to go with you just now?" I asked.

"Don't worry, you won't regret it... I will protect you."

My gaze fell to his lips and back to his blood red eyes. In them lay bright speckles, as of a ruby.

Zelos leaned down.

Lust flickered through his eyes and mirrored in mine. I stood on tiptoe. His hands went to my back and squeezed me tighter against him. I closed my lids.

"Lycan Zelos?"

The moment broke and a growl broke through Zelo's throat and vibrated through my entire body. I put a hand on his chest as if that would calm him down.

"Excuse me, Lycan Zelos. I couldn't reach you any other way and there's still a lot to talk about," said the wolf behind the door.

"Calm down, he's just doing his job," I whispered, smiling, stroking his arms.

"Not for long if he interrupts me again," Zelos growled and broke away from me. The distance made me cold and brought me back to reality.

Zelos opened the door in front of which Kerberos was sitting. The frightened wolf behind kept a safe distance from the giant dog. I liked him straight away.

"Forgive me, Lycan Zelos," he said, bowing. "The warriors await your orders."

"I'll be downstairs," he replied, and the wolf nodded.

"As you wish."

The warrior stumbled down the aisle, only to glance every now and then for Kerberos.

"That was mean," I said, staring at the three-headed dog. "No one's ever seen this beast and it pretends it owns the pack house."

Kerberos turned to me and gave me a dirty look.

"Stop that," Zelos hissed at him and the dog whimpered and looked away from me in all directions. "I told you, he would never harm you, just as he would never harm anyone from our pack."

"I trust you, but not him," I said, crossing my arms. "He was the reason I was in this room all along..."

Zelos laughed dazzlingly and a tingle ran down my neck.

"You were what? Just because you didn't dare pass him?" he asked and grinned.

"That's not funny. He never went away... And he's probably called the Lycan's Deathbringer just for fun," I muttered.

Zelos came towards me and my anger died away as quickly as it had come. His paw-sized hands wrapped around my body.

"Do you want to say goodbye?" he asked and my stomach sank.

"Tommy," I whispered.

Zelos nodded.

His eyes glazed over for a few seconds before refocusing on me. He stroked my cheek and my eyelids fluttered shut.

"You are so beautiful," he whispered. "You can still stay."

I shook my head and opened my eyes.

"I want to come with you," I said, and his thumb brushed my lips. A hot path of sparks slid through my jaw.

How would the kiss have felt?

Suddenly Zelos sat up.

"I'll leave you alone. Don't worry, Kerberos will come with me."

He opened the door and my brother was waiting behind it.

"Tommy," I whispered, tears streaming down my cheeks. As Zelos promised, he clicked his tongue once and left with Kerberos. Tommy sprinted towards me and I wrapped him in a hug. "I missed you."

"Me too," he sobbed, looking at me with his brown eyes. "You're leaving? Where? When? Can I come with you?"

A chill went through my heart.

"We're about to leave and you have to stay here. Do you remember your promise? That you'll always be good?"

"I don't want to be nice anymore when you have to go away," he said, fresh tears glistening in his eyes. I held him against me and let my own tears fall.

"I'll come back, I promise. We'll see each other again soon and you don't have to worry."

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"We have to go to Silverblood."

****

I took a deep breath as I walked down the last step. The hum of voices buzzed in confusion. Everyone who saw me bowed their heads slightly before continuing to scurry around.

"Ah, Elizabeth!", Zelos called and his deep voice sent a tingling feeling in my stomach. He just came out of the big hall. "We're leaving now. I hope you're ready. It's going to be a long journey."

"I need a few more things," I said.

"What's wrong with you? I'll have it taken care of", Zelos answered and stopped directly in front of me.

"No need. I just have to stop by the house."

His eyes began to glow.

"No way. What do you need for the journey?" Zelos asked and took my hands in his. I almost trembled at the warmth they radiated.

"Gloves would be good, and maybe a hat..."

Zelos stared at the intertwined fingers between us and his brow furrowed. He took a paw and placed it gently on my cheek.

"I almost forgot how sensitive people are to cold," he murmured, his eyes glazed over. Not a minute later, a she-wolf cleared her throat with cloth in her hands.

"Here, Lycan Zelos."

He pulled away from me and thanked the woman. He came back to me and wrapped a raven black scarf around my neck that matched my royal blue coat. He was cuddly soft. A fur hat and gloves followed.

I was half a mummy the way Zelos had wrapped me. Satisfied, he looked at his work while I was already starting to sweat. He took my hand and we started our way out.

A frigid front of air blew at me, but my scarf and gloves fended most of it off. The trampled snow stuck to the streets and the city roofs.

"How long will the trip take?" I asked.

"If we're quick, we'll get there tomorrow."

The large square was full of people and wolves eagerly awaiting us. Fenrir stood on the stage, bidding farewell to his warriors. Kerberos also sat on the snowy boards while his heads squirmed in all directions.

Zelos helped me up the frozen steps of the stage before we looked down at hundreds of faces. To my relief, I wasn't within reach of the giant dog.

"The moment has come to say goodbye!", Zelos called and his voice made the frosty air rattle. "We will defeat Silverblood and the warriors will return home!"

Applause surged through the crowd, but Zelos wasn't finished yet. I stood frozen next to him, listening to his words rising above the howling wind. Then I saw a familiar face in the crowd.

Theo.

His forehead wrinkled as if he felt sorry for my position.

“Fenrir will resume his role as Alpha so long as he proves worthy. Every pack will have that opportunity," he said and Fenrir nodded at him. "Now we will set out for defense and victory!"

The crowd burned with applause and some wolves howled. Zelos stepped away from me and to Alpha Fenrir. They shared a firm handshake before parting.

"Come on Elizabeth. The warriors are waiting for us," he said, taking my gloved fingers in his. Kerberos trotted behind us. I kept turning to see the hellhound, who was sniffing everything his snout could reach.

Zelos laughed.

"What does it take for you to trust him?" he asked, looking sideways down at me.

"Two heads less," I grumbled, which only amused Zelos even more.

"So I'm assuming you don't want to ride him?" he asked, and my eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

"Before I do that, I'd rather go to Silverblood myself," I said and the hellhound's sullen growl followed. I pressed closer to Zelos, who was grinning maliciously.

"If so, then I guess I'm your first choice for the trip to Silvercrown."

Heat shot into my cheeks.

"I beg your pardon?"

"You don't want to walk through the snowy mountains. You have the choice between Kerberos and me", said Zelos and grinned. My stomach turned once with excitement.

A small force of soldiers was waiting for us at the edge of the forest. The warriors were talking, some already in their wolf form, their clothes tied around one leg.

"Betty, how nice to see you!" a voice called and Davin stepped out of the crowd. Shock hit my bones at the sight. The right side of his face was completely burned from the bars. I put a hand over my mouth. "Now don't stare at me like that. I know I look like I had my face pressed into a waffle iron."

A relieved smile spread across my lips.

"I'm so glad you're alive," I said.

"All thanks to Lycan Zelos and you," Davin answered and bowed. "You really saved us, Betty. It's good that you didn't listen to me."

"Then we're even now," I replied. "You got me out of the dungeons and protected me from Beta Leo."

Zelos pulled me closer to his side.

"We should go," he said, and Davin bowed. He rejoined the other wolves.

"Come," Zelos said and led me a bit into the forest. Kerberos was close on our heels. The voices of the warriors died away in the distance. The snow-covered trees surrounded us and an icy cloud escaped my lips.

"What are you up to?" I asked while my heart was beating a bit faster. Zelos started to button his shirt. "Ah!"

I whipped around just to hear his roar of laughter. Instead, I came face to face with the hellhound, who didn't even bother to look at me.

"I have to transform, and I want my clothes to stay intact."

This is not how I imagined my life to be.

My cheeks must be bright red from the heat burning inside them. A crack sounded behind me and I suppressed the urge to turn around. Then paws sounded on the snow. Kerberos in front of me started wagging its tail and the middle head barked.

I turned and almost stumbled back at the sight of the huge wolf right in front of me. His fur was as white as the snow below us. The red eyes looked down at me. I swallowed the fear.

Zelos came to a halt next to me and tried to kneel at my height.

"I can't believe this is actually happening," I whispered. Zelos snorted, his fangs glistening in the sun's light. I dug my fingers into his fur and he heaved me onto his back. Then the forest floor receded further than he got up.

"Don't let me fall," I said, clinging on tight. Kerberos trotted past us. Zelos started to move, slowly at first, then faster and faster. The muscles moved under my body and I was secretly glad for his warmth.

The wind whipped against me and cooled my cheeks again. Zelos wolf sprinted through the forest so agile, as if he knew every tree and every slope. He soon overtook Kerberos and the other wolves that accompanied us. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the sound of the air.

Nature whirred past us and the snow crumpled under Zelo's paws. I tightened my fingers in his fur as the ground sloped. Once at the top, I took one last look at the city I grew up in.

I've never been so far from home, from Tommy...

Zelos kept sprinting until my homeland disappeared behind the snowy treetops. Before us lay an icy desert of mountains and valleys. We almost flew down the slope towards the valley. My whole body was cramped. The forest was dense and confusing when we dived into it. Only a few rays of sunshine made it through the huge fir dresses above us.

A shiver ran down my spine.

We were alone in enemy territory. An uneasy feeling crept up on my stomach and I leaned closer to Zelos.

"Let's wait for the others," I whispered, but he just snorted and made no move to slow down. "Zelos..."

His gaze wandered between the trees. I could hardly see anything in the darkness. It was as if the forest had plunged us into a night. A growl roared through Zelo's throat and into my bone marrow.

He braked so suddenly that I lost my grip and the force threw me forward. I screamed as I flew over him and skidded through the snow. A hot pain ran down my leg. I came to rest in front of a tree.

I pushed the snow away from me and looked at my leg. The dress was torn and blood oozed from the wound. A stone had grazed my skin like a knife. I bit my lips together.

Zelos stood right in front of me. Its growl was like thunder in the night. His eyes scanned everything around us.

A rumble followed, like hell. It came from the direction we had come from. I sat up against the tree and pressed my hand to the wound to stop the blood flow. Was someone following us?

Something was here.