With loving tenderness, Jacob held you warmly in his embrace until the water dried on your skin and your hair slowly returned to its usual color.

He had hung all of the clothes over a branch to dry them. The sound of water drops hitting stone echoed through the silence, bouncing off the waters surface and into the distance.

Like the ticking of a clock, it filled the air as you nestled into his touch with your eyes closed.

"Are you cold?", he asked and pulled you tighter to him. "You are shivering."

A soft laugh escaped you. It was strange how caring and affectionate he was all of a sudden.

And yet.

You liked it. The way he wanted to be with you, his affection and the peace he obviously felt when you were around. All these things made you smile.

"I'm not cold.", you raised your eyes to the sky. "Night's almost here. I can hear the wolfs in the distance, can't you? It is getting dark."

"And cold.", he stood up, jumped into his pants and threw his top to you. "It's still a little damp, but will do for the road."

Surprised, you raised your eyebrows.

"Where are we going?"

"Near here is a cave. Should be enough for the night."

"Won't we go back?"

He rubbed the back of his head, flashing you an apologetic grin.

"When we came here, I didn't pay attention to the way. We are quite far from the camp."

"Where exactly?"

"At the edge of Hope county.", Jacob gave you a warning look. "Don't even think about it, pup. If you cross the border, you're a traitor. No one has ever made it back alive. Even I couldn't protect you then."

You pulled his shirt over your head before looking at him again. An uncertain expression was on your face.

Chewing your lips, you looked up through the leafy cover of the trees, into the sky.

Mountains rose into the night, their peaks embraced by white clouds. The lake must have its source at their edges.

In the distance, the chirping of birds sounded.

Behind those mountains must have been the border of the county, so near and yet so far. It would have taken you several hours by foot, not to mention with your damaged knee.

"Pup.", Jacob put a hand on your cheek to force you to stop looking longingly into the distance. "(Y/N). I beg you. Don't think about it. You must not think about it."

A deep sigh escaped you.

"And if I want to go?", you asked and pressed a kiss into his palm. "Would you let me? If it would be my dearest wish, if I could only be happy this way, would you be able to do this for me?"

For a moment he hesitated. Something shimmered in his eyes, then a shadow appeared and disappeared again.

Pressing his lips together, he shook his head.

"I can't.", he whispered and breathed a kiss on your forehead. "I... you shouldn't think that I'm all-mighty. As one of the Seed family, I have some influence. I am one of a few important chess pieces. But only the king is powerful enough to set you free. If Joseph forbids something, even I can't do anything about it. I'm sorry."

With a disappointed sigh, you crossed your arms in front of your chest. A shiver crept down your spine and made your whole body tremble.

"Not even if you asked him to?", you looked at him pleadingly.

Again Jacob shook his head.

But this time it seemed that he was disappointed too.

No, not disappointed, but hurt.

"Maybe I don't want to let you go.", he mumbled and pulled you onto his back. "I want to be with you, pup. Why do you still want to run away from me?"

His words caused something inside your chest to pull together. A sharp pain tortured you for a moment. Then, everything felt numb.

"I don't want to run away from you, Jacob. I want to run away from the madness here. Don't you want to live in a normal world again, with other people who are allowed to have their own opinions? People, who do not try to make you fit in?"

A growl got stuck in his throat.

"The world out there has never given me anything.", bitterness filled his words. "I don't know if I want to go back there. In any case, I won't be welcome."

You kissed his neck.

"I will welcome you always.", you whispered.

Without answering this, he started walking, slowly creating more distance between you and the border to freedom.

One last time, you threw a long, painful gaze over your shoulder. Your legs were twitching, ready to run away, wanting to return to your old life.

But as his movements pulled you back to reality, you realised that you couldn't.

Jacob was right here.

With you.

He cared for you.

He was pleasing you.

Your imagination was even big enough to think about the possibility that he loved you.

How sweet that thought tasted on your tongue.

But was his love enough to give up all those things?

Was he worth to give up freedom?

Or even your own will?

You did not wish to become a puppet. Nor did you plan on believing in what those people preached. All that held you in hope county was Jacob.

"Pup.", Jacob suddenly stopped. "I know what you are thinking. So, let me ask you something."

"Hm?", you rested your chin on his shoulder.

"Would you... be willing to put me in danger, only to get out of here?"

Surprised, you frowned.

"What?"

For a moment, Jacob thought about it. Then, he took a deep breath and had to smile. It was a sad smile, broken and exhausted.

Thankfully, you couldn't see it. It would have broken your heart.

"You know, if you do something stupid, I'll be punished as well. We are... too close now. Your mistakes are mine and mine are yours. So tell me, would you... put me in danger, only to be able to cross the border?"