Wrapped in silence, Jacob continued to walk through the forest while you hung on his back and rested your chin on his shoulder. Since he told you about the Hope county border, you two had not exchanged a single word.

It was strange, on the one hand there was suddenly again this desire in you to jump up and run away. But every time your thoughts wandered off, his face appeared in front of your inner eye.

You thought he would never miss you, at least not the way one would miss someone after a breakup. He would certainly be angry for a while, feel betrayed. But you found it hard to believe that he cared enough about you to seriously be hurt.

On the other hand, he had changed in the last few days. He had become softer, more empathetic.

Even Jacob himself couldn't deny that. When he had noticed the changes in himself, he had tried to resist at first. But now, after what had happened between the two of you, he knew that the lies were only pointless.

And if he was completely honest with himself, it didn't bother him either. Secretly he found pleasure in being weak, forgetting himself and surrendering to the feeling that someone loved him without being useful.

Even now, his heart beat faster at the thought of your loving touch in his burned and scarred skin. He longed for the warmth, the softness and curiosity with which you greeted him. It had been long ago since somebody had looked at him without pity or fear.

And at the same time, he wished he wouldn't sink too deep. Deep in him, hidden in the deepest corner of himself was something else.

Regret.

No matter how hard he would try, no matter what he would allow and protect you, if your heart was still attached to the world out there, you would never be happy with him.

Jacob was no fool. He knew it would only lead to misery and suffering.

Even if you denied it, tried to fit in, he knew you were far too different to ever have a real place in Hope county.

Just the thought was enough to make something in his chest tighten and ache. And yet he knew what he had to do. Even if he didn't wish to do it.

"Jacob.", with a gentle tap on his shoulder you pull him out of his thoughts.

Surprised, he lifted his eyes again, blinked and noticed that he was standing in the middle of nowhere.

"Shit.", he growled, and let you slide off his back. "I wasn't paying attention to where we were going."

A giggle escaped you. It sounded a little like you were a kid who was happy about something.

Confused, he looked at you. A slight blush covered his cheeks.

"What? Are you making fun of me?", he gave you a gentle nudge against your shoulder. "Rude little pup."

Laughing, you stumbled to the side, lost your footing and fell into the soft moss of the forest.

"Perhaps.", teasingly, you stuck your tongue out at him. "You were so lost in thought, you didn't even hear my voice. What were you thinking about?"

He cleared his throat uncomfortably, blinked a few times and pretended to look around.

"I think I know where we are.", he said, offering you a hand. "Come on, it's not far."

With a questioning look you grabbed his hand and pulled yourself up, but refused to climb back onto his back.

"Let me walk.", you asked him and wiggled your toes. "That feels good."

For a moment he just stared at your bare feet. His gaze was so blank again, as if his mind was far, far away. It even seemed as if he wasn't in his body at all.

Concerned, you slid a hand under his chin to get him to look at you.

"Jacob?", your thumb stroked the rough skin on his cheek. "What is it? You look worried."

His eyes twitched, he blinked. Then he had to laugh.

"I fucked you once and now you think you know me like no one else?", his voice sounded joking, but the words still hurt.

You pulled your hand back again.

"I'm just worried.", you defended yourself.

He shrugged, looking like he couldn't care any less.

"Then stop it. I'm just thinking. Don't worry your pretty head."

This statement made you frown. So there it was again, his mood swings. Came out of nothing and disappeared without warning again.

When he turned his back on you and started walking again, you stayed a few steps behind him. It scared you, as if he was a wolf who tried to be a pet.

Why did he have to be like that again?

So unpredictable and hard to judge.

Above all, what had made him change again?

You hadn't done anything that could have upset him. At least that's what you thought. A moment ago everything had been fine and now the short moment of recovery was over.

It was as if you had woken up from a dream, only to find yourself in a nightmare.

Swallowing thickly, you let out a low sigh.

"Jacob...", you whispered, staring at the back of his head. "What's on your mind?"

It didn't take long until you two reached the hideout.

It was a small cave, well hidden underneath hanging plants and bushes. A few wild flowers grew before the entrance, spreading the smell of herbs and nectar.

The sound insects buzzing filled the air. A few birds chirped.

"Wait outside for a bit.", Jacob said, not even looking at you. "I'll check the supplies. Shouldn't take long."

Agreeing, you nodded and dropped down on a stone. Pulling your legs up to your chest, you let your chin rest on your knees.

The damaged knee still hurt a bit when touching it. The skin was darker than the rest and it felt a bit as if it was made of jelly.

With a deep sigh, you let your eyes wander through the forest when suddenly, you spotted a shadow. Curious, you stretched your neck only to realise that it was a wolf.

"Judge!", you gasped and smiled at the white wolf. "What are you doing here, boy?"