Heartbreak

Of course, Patty didn't want to upset Zeev by showing a little affection to Romulus. He wasn't aware of what transpired in the room, he just heard her being grateful. Romuluse's hopes darted straight up, slowly creating a future problem, even when that wasn't Patty's intention. After Patty laid back down to sleep a little more. Zeev returned to the room watching over her and at the same time shooting Romulus a dirty glare.

The next morning they all took a hike back to the werewolf village. Both men were in their werewolf form, while Patty was riding on Zeeve's back. Romulus was a little jealous about that. In his mind it was logical he would be a better choice for a ride, since he was bigger, which should be also more safe and comfortable for her.

Zeev appeared from the forest which was covered in snow and not so far Romulus followed. At first, everybody cheered for their alpha's return, but then their mood shifted, as soon as they spotted Romulus. They heard about him... They weren't pleased for a traitor to show his disgraceful face in their territory.

The village werewolves expressed their disdain and began to complain. How could Zeev bring such a dangerous individual into their area? Zeev snapped at everybody to shut up. It was his decision and explained the reason he brought him.

He needed to protect his people and the best way was to make Romulus join their pack. They encountered a new danger... mutated werewolves created by the military. That was something never known or heard about.

Roman who was still injured but felt better came forward. "What do you mean?" Zeev continued. "Yesterday three of those individuals attacked us. They are bigger, more dangerous, and controlled by the military. They became just mindless tools to fight and subdue us. Now I understand why they hunted our kind all the time and kidnapped our cubs! To make this..." Zeev pointed at Romulus. "We need to leave to the north...!"

Patty was shocked about the reveal of Romuluse's origin. Romuluse's feelings were now hurt, that everybody knew, where he came from, and feared he would be ostracized by the rest for that. Patty cut Zeev off. "How could you...?!" she turned and her eyes fell on the sad face of Romulus.

The werewolf villagers were stunned for a bit. The judgmental silence filled that meadow covered in snow. The whole area felt like a small room for Romulus, making him feel trapped and claustrophobic. His head began to spin and he became dizzy. That whole thing got unbearable and he was suffocating.

Patty noticed and acted on it. She caught Romulus into her arms, as he fell to his knees. Zeev spun his head after hearing a thud and was met with a disapproving look in Patty's eyes... her arms wrapped around Romuluse's head. Zeev frowned upon that sight.

A murmur of people began to reverberate in his ears. Patty supposedly should be his future mate, but now she was embracing a different werewolf male... Did something happen? Did she change her choice of a werewolf mate? Zeev barked at them out of rage and frustration. "SHE IS MINE!" Patty sighed about Zeeve's possessiveness.

Zeev froze and turned back. He was met with an angry expression on her face. "We shall talk soon..." With that declaration, she helped Romulus up and led him into the house past Zeev not even looking at him. She left him standing in front of the crowd of the other werewolf villagers. Everybody followed the couple with their eyes and then looked back at speechless Zeev.

Did she leave him standing there alone to instead help a stranger? Did she really change her mind? Why? Doubt started to fill up Zeeve's heart slowly breaking it. That was serious in his werewolf case. That could kill him...

Patty made Romulus some lavender tea to calm his nerves. He was lying down on the couch downstair covered with a blanket... well, just half of him. He was too big for that small square of cloth. Zeev didn't enter until it became dark. He sat out and sulked over what conspired. It was slowly eating away at him.

Patty did worry and was waiting for him at the window next to the door. He walked inside without a word... He didn't even look at Patty. Zeev was hurt... inside. Patty reached out to touch him. She didn't even get the chance when she felt how ice-cold his body was. It was emanating coldness. "Please... don't! I want to be alone now...!"

Patty felt guilty and retracted her hand back to her chest watching him walking up the stairs into the bedroom. She returned to the living room and sat down across from a sleeping Romulus. What should she do now?

After fifteen minutes she couldn't hold back anymore. She went up to talk with Zeev. She slowly pushed the door of the bedroom and was shocked. Zeev lay on the floor with a heavy breath and a fever. She jumped towards him and panicked asking what was wrong. Zeev was covered in cold sweat...

Romulus came flying up the stairs because of the commotion he heard. His eyes fell to the ground at Patty holding Zeev in her. He sniffed in the air to pick up what was this situation. His eyes narrowed. He felt a slight guilt because he knew, he was the catalyst.

"Let me help you with him." He took Zeev from her hands placing him on the bed. She followed up with the blanket covering Zeev until his chest. "What is going on with him? Why is he in this state? I don't understand..."

Romulus with a serious face broke the bad news to her. "He genuinely loves you. I think even too much. His heart is breaking..." Confused Patty looked down at Zeev. "What? Why?" Romulus gently patted her back with a small smirk he tried to hide from her. "I guess he thinks you choose me over him." That revelation slowly made him happy...

Patty sighed. "Can you leave us alone, please?" With the sense of victory Romulus obliged. Patty waited till he closed the door behind him and laid her forehead on Zeeve's whispering. "You dummy... you are the only one I love." She placed a gentle kiss on cold blue lips.