With a grim expression on his face, Jacob let his gaze wander through the boxes of supplies.

He had stored some food in this hideout a while ago, a gas cooker, bottles of freshwater and clean clothing.

Some camping mattresses would do the trick for the night and if it got cold there were enough blankets.

It seemed everything was prepared and sufficiently secured for an overnight stay.

But as he was done checking everything, Jacob found his legs not wanting to get up. A tense expression crossed his face. A soft curse escaped his lips, he had to bite them to restrain the feelings that were boiling up inside of him.

In his heart, he didn't want to get up because he was afraid of what would happen. With every minute that passed, every movement he made, ultimately led to the same thing. Time was running out. And he tried to prevent it with all his might.

"Shit.", he cursed. "When did you become so ridiculous?"

With a heavy hit, he threw one of the boxes through the cave. The sturdy wood shattered against the stone walls as if it were glass.

The sound echoed through the cave, bounced off the walls and chased away the silence.

Anger was already beginning to grow within him, when his attention was suddenly caught by sounds.

Surprised, he raised his head to glance over his shoulder. He could hear your voice, but couldn't understand exactly what you were saying.

"Pup?", slowly, he walked towards the entrance, pushed the wall of leaves aside and took a look out into the forest.

For some reason, he was afraid that there was someone with you that he didn't want to meet. Or worse, someone who could be dangerous to the both of you.

His eyes wandered around the area, catching a quick glimpse of you. Then his gaze wandered further.

Surprised, his eyebrows rose.

"Judge.", with a whistle he called the wolf to his side. "What are you doing here, boy?"

He scratched the wolf's head briefly before noticing the letter tied around his neck with a string.

Jacob looked at you questioningly.

You shrugged.

"He was here all of a sudden.", you said. "I didn't check it yet. Looks like a message through."

"Hm.", understanding, he nodded and grabbed the letter. "There's nothing on it. No wait... that's a number. But for what?"

Confused, he frowned.

At that moment, he suddenly noticed a communicator that the wolf had also brought with him. Again he took a look at it.

This time you stepped to his side, also curious.

"What is this?", you asked, trying to take the device out of his hand. "A walkie-talkie?"

He pulled his hand away and gifted you a grim look.

"Don't touch it.", he growled. "This is what the Seed family uses to communicate."

You rolled your eyes.

"Don't be so friendly, mister. You seem rather polite today. But why would he bring it to you?"

"My brothers probably want to talk to me. I'll take care of it. You can go on into the cave and make yourself comfortable. I'll be back soon."

He rose and ordered the wolf to follow him with a click of his tongue.

You hesitated for a moment before jumping up and grabbing his hand.

"Jacob!", you forced him to wait for a moment.

Wordlessly, he glanced over his shoulder and raised his eyebrows to tell you to speak.

A soft expression crossed your face before you had to smile. With both hands you covered his and began to stroke the back of his hand with your thumb.

"Be careful. For me. Please?", you pressed a kiss on the back of his hand.

The touch of your lips on his skin made his heart jump.

Still wrapped in silence, he stared at your hands. They were so small, his seemed giant. He liked this picture, the feeling of being your big, grumpy bodyguard.

But Jacob knew that this would not last forever. And it seemed that the time with you came to an end quicker than he had wished for.

Unsure, he looked at the device in his other hand.

Then he closed his eyes, took a deep breath and freed himself. One last time he looked at you. Then he disappeared between the trees, followed by his wolf.

Holding your breath, you followed his figure with your eyes, watching as he turned smaller and smaller until he was hit a mere silhouette that darkness swallowed in one bite.

A deep, heavy sigh escaped you as he finally vanished, leaving you with a beating heart and weak legs.

Dropping to the ground, you closed your eyes. A shiver crawled down your spine. Somehow, your body seemed like it was on fire. But not in a good way.

You felt tense, maybe even afraid.

It wasn't the first time that Jacob had a change of heart this quickly. But after you had given him a piece of your body, it made you feel terrible.

"Stupid...", you mumbled, mocking yourself with a laugh. "Could have expected that. Who falls for a stranger? And one that is the way he is... that's just... stupid."

But as the words crossed your lips, a painful sensation chased through your chest. It felt like thousands of knifes stabbed it over and over again.

It wasn't right to hate him now. He was the way he was and for the most part it wasn't his fault. He was damaged, you knew that. He needed help, help that you couldn't give him.

But still.

Somehow, deep down inside, you had hoped you could give him the support he needed. And even if it was just a teeny tiny bit of sanctuary in which he could find comfort from time to time. You had expected to make a difference.

But maybe you were just thinking with the hopeful mind of somebody who was slowly falling in love.

Love.

No, you did not want to call it this.

But you knew that it was no use denying it. Because in the end it was exactly that.

Love.