7. In the Wood

Fleur inched backward. Her eyes looked straight at the Lycan in front of her. Occasionally, she glanced at Hans who had already turned into a human again. The injuries all over his body are increasing now.

Hans looked at the red-haired girl. He gave a code that Fleur understood. His hand grabbed a few pieces of wood. The man ran, then thrust sharp-pointed pieces of wood in both hands right on the back of the Lycan.

A moan sounded echoing. Before the Lycan was back on Fleur, Hans immediately pulled the girl's arm and took her out of there.

***

The two ran into the forest where the humid atmosphere prevailed. At least, with Hans' ability to detect the location, Lycan didn't chase them just now. The breathing of the two hitched. Meanwhile, Hans leaned against a tree trunk, grimacing lamenting the wound.

"Hans!"

Fleur rushed over to the man. She examined Hans' injuries.

"I'm okay," said the man.

The red-haired girl looked at Hans. "How can it be?" she asked. "Your injury is severe!"

"Just rest, it will heal by myself later." Hans sat down and breathed oxygen a lot.

Needless to say, Fleur immediately took out the medicines from the bag and affixed them to the black-haired man's wound. Hans was a little bit of a beard.

"Ah, it's hurt!" he groaned.

"I told you, treated," Fleur said.

Hans looked at the green-eyed girl. The color of her eyes seemed to shimmer in the dim moon tonight. Very beautiful, in his opinion.

"I plan to take you to my village," Hans said.

Fleur put the medicine back in, then looked at the black-haired man. "For what?" she asked.

"To be sure about that curse of yours," replied the blue-eyed man. "It's possible, we can find the curse-breaker."

The red-haired girl fell silent as she lowered her eyes. "You don't have to do this, Hans," she said.

"I did it because I wanted to, Fleur," Hans said. "I want to save you."

The man touched Fleur's chin, making the girl raise her somber gaze again. Finding the look in those eyes, Hans's heart was cut open instantly. How depressed Fleur had been all along because of that curse she didn't even want.

"You're willing, 'right?" the man said.

Fleur was silent and nodded. "Thank you," she retorted. "I trouble you too much."

Hans carved a recess in the corner of the lips. "It's my responsibility to save my future wife," he said.

Without hesitation, Hans grabbed Fleur's body and took her into a hug. Slowly, he rubbed the girl's back, trying to give her positive energy.

The night was long. The cold air penetrated the self. The area located in the middle of the forest was able to protect the two from the pursuit of Lycan earlier. However, Hans was still watching as Fleur fell asleep in his arms. The girl deliberately took off her robe and asked Hans to cup it over their bodies.

Hans looked at Luna who was blocked by the grove of tree branches. It looked dim and very beautiful. He doesn't know why, he feels lucky even though his body is full of wounds. His journey of curiosity about the girl at the party was answered already. He had found some of his missing ribs.

***

Fleur opened her eyes slowly as the glare of the morning sun shone on her face. She circulated a look, looking around for the whereabouts of someone who was not beside her. Hans, it turned out that the man was burning something not far from her. Fleur got up and walked up to the man.

"What's going on?" she asked.

Hans gasped when he found Fleur had been sitting next to him. The girl inhaled the scent of grilled chicken on the bonfire. "I hunted for a while just now," he replied. "Instead of giving you dog meat, partridges are much better."

Fleur chuckled. The smile that the man in front of her who was now dumbfounded looked at her for the first time. "It smells good," she said.

The blue-eyed man was furious. He nodded and refocused on the chicken in front of him. "It's ripe soon."

A few minutes later, the grilled chicken was ready. Hans cut it into several and gave it to Fleur. The girl ate with gusto. It seems, it has been a long time since she ate meat, it seems from her focused way of eating to not seeing the man in front of her who has been busy paying attention to her since just now.

Hans reached out, wiped the stain on the corner of Fleur's mouth, and made the girl stop chewing. "Slow down," he said.

Fleur just smiled and chimed in. She resumed her meal until it was over. After that, they continued their journey to Hans's village. Walk through the woods in twos. Occasionally they chatted, breaking the silence between the sounds of forest bugs.

"So, what's your status there?" asked Fleur as she combed the bush beside her.

Hans was silent. "I'm … nothing," he replied.

The green-eyed girl squabbled. "Impossible," she said. "Lycan is like you, surely you are the Alpha over there."

The man fell silent again. He just looked up, looking up at the forest sky. "Maybe yes," he replied. "But, I never considered myself an Alpha."

Fleur nodded. To her knowledge of the mother, the Lycans had only one leader and that was Alpha. Judging from her stature, the man beside her must now be the Alpha in question. It's just that, maybe Hans doesn't want to be proud of her.

Was that one way to get Fleur's attention? The girl didn't understand. Last time, she only fell in love with James. However, after that unfortunate event, Fleur never again believed in her name love. She just wants to live in peace, unconditionally, and without condemnation.

A village came into view. Good quality thatched wooden stilt houses lined up neatly. Everyone saw their arrival and was immediately greeted. They looked reluctant to Hans.

The man's energy was further strengthened when the two entered the village and were greeted by a woman with white hair. Her clothes are also white, all the way to her eyes anyway!

Fleur frowned. She had never seen such a beautiful woman.

"Where have you been, Hans?" asked the woman.

Hans sighed. "I'm sorry, Zevanya," she said, then turned to look at Fleur. The girl looked at her ambiguously.

Zevanya also set her sights on the red-haired girl in front of her, then looked back at Hans. "Where are your clothes going?" he asked. "Get into the house and get your look!"

The blue-eyed man snored. He pulled Fleur's arm and invited her into a house. Zevanya, who saw it, then shook off the man's hand. Meanwhile, Fleur squinted. She won't know what the all-white woman had in mind, it was like Hans's mate.

"Who is she?" asked Zevanya.

Hans looked at Fleur, then looked back at her Zeva. "None of your business!"

"You can't bring just anyone into the house, Hans!" the white-haired woman scolded.

The blue-eyed man sighed. "He's my mate," he said looking straight at Zevanya.

The woman suddenly fell silent. She was shocked by Hans's statement just now. Finally, the man brought Fleur into the house and left her on the porch. Zavanya snored.

"Mate? Seriously?"

***