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The next morning Romulus evaluated their possibilities. The werewolf villagers will be okay to stay where they are, but Patty as the only human couldn't stay there without the right shelter or protection. Where should they go?

"Your apartment in the human settlement?" Patty looked confused. The military probably found it and is monitoring it. Romulus grinned. "I am sure, that is the last place they are keeping a watchful eye on. How the saying goes... Under the lamp is the biggest darkness. They won't expect us to return there."

Patty rolled that thought in her mind. Should they dare to intrude back into her home village? "I can give you the keys and you can check it out. Your senses are supernatural after all." She tapped his nose.

Romulus gave her a slight nod and transformed into a werewolf, so she could hop on his back. He didn't want to lose any time. It's winter and she didn't have any proper clothes for this weather. Romulus planned to go full speed so he could reach their destination before it went dark and the temperature dropped even further.

Romulus let her down next to the lake near her apartment building. He sneaked around in the darkness to see if there was anybody suspicious. As he expected... nobody was watching the residence. There were too many citizens around. The military wouldn't be able to hide their presence.

Romulus jumped over two fences and he stood in front of her windows. He took a good sniff around and then crept to the entrance unlocking it with the chip. Even the staircase was clear. The last place was the apartment. He inspected it painstakingly.

He didn't find any trace of other people's presence. Maybe they didn't even come inside after they escaped the premises. It made sense... Too many prying eyes of the villagers. The organization must be kept secret, as it would bring too much attention.

Patty was almost frozen to a popsicle, as she crossed the entrance door. She noticed her mailbox being stacked full of mail. She couldn't touch it. It would mean she is back. That would be bad. She sighed and walked up the stairs. She was finally back home!

Romulus was about to turn on the light but she stopped him. "Don't! Anybody can notice that someone is here inside." Romulus transformed back into his human form in front of her. Patty just closed her eyes on the butt-naked Romulus. Despite the darkness, she could see EVERYTHING!

He casually walked to the bathroom and took a shower. She redied some clothes for him from his bag. After Romulus, Patty took her turn. She melted in the scorching water. How much she missed this. Despite the hot shower and her already lying in bed, she still was cold to the touch.

Romulus nonchalantly laid down next to her wrapping his arms around her body. She was startled into silence. Shocked she slowly turned to a happy Romulus. "What are you doing?!" He pressed his head into her back. "I am just using the probably last opportunity to snuggle up to you. When we free Zeev he for sure will chase me off like always."  That big, bad, manipulative werewolf!

That sentence gave her some courage and hope, that she will get her beloved Zeev back. She sighed with a smile and let it slide this time. After several minutes, she turned to face Romulus and took his giant face in between her hands kneading and caressing it.

Romuluse's expression changed. "I... I am sorry I left... and all that happened... and I couldn't help..." Patty looked him deep into the eyes for about a minute. She pondered, about what he said. It wasn't his fault at all, but he still tried to apologize.

"I told you, the only guilty werewolf, is Natalia. Nobody could know, she would betray her own people and bring the military to the village." Patty brushed the tears welling up in the corners of Romuluse's eyes with her thumbs. He pulled her into a tight embrace and didn't want to let go for the whole night.


The morning welcomed them with a heavy snowfall. Patty stood behind the lacy curtain watching how the snowflakes were slowly falling down to the ground. "You should avoid changing into a werewolf for now. They could find your huge paw prints..."

Romulus stepped closer to the window. "At least not in the village. In the forest it should be fine I think." Patty wrapped in a blanket turned to him. "Where is the military facility you were held hostage?" He ironically chucked. "We already facing the right direction... Not so far from here, there is a cave system inside of an extinguished volcano."

Patty opened her mouth in shock. "You don't mean..." He sat down on the bed placing his arms on the thighs. "Yes, exactly that one." That extinguished volcano belonged to the territory of her human village. "So that is the reason you were living in these woods. Now I understand..."

She turned again to the window looking out to the forest, which Romulus once called home. After a while, she spoke once more. "Do you think, the crazy lady took Zeev to the same facility?" Romulus didn't need to reply.

Patty didn't want to imagine what Zeev was going through right now. She hoped nothing bad was done to him, yet... Romulus pulled her by the blanket and made her sit on one of his knees. She didn't even pay attention to what was happening to her. With her heart, she was far away by Zeev. She feared in what state they would find him.

Suddenly twisted her head towards Romulus, catching them both off guard. Their faces were too close. His heart started to beat loudly and he was gently gazing into her eyes. He raised his hand and cupped her chink between his thumb and index finger and was about to kiss her. She rather pushed her forehead against his and then hugged Romulus to stop him from whatever mistake he was trying to make.