Wadegan Wilds, Orlin.
Orlin is a world where tropical forests cover the majority of the land. Orlin Kingdom, Orlin Castlewoods is located in the center.
Wadegan Wilds is a dense forest in the northern part of Orlin that connects the human and werewolf worlds via the Rhone valley, Chalais.
Wadegan Wilds has the lowest temperature in Orlin. Even during the day, high temperatures can reach five degrees. It was a third of the temperature in Vercorin, Gretta's hometown. It wasn't snowy, but it was cold enough to pierce normal human skin without a thick coat.
The tall trees made the air even colder; their leaves shaded the Wadegan Wilds' moist soil from the sun, while their large, slender trunks let air in.
Leon walked slowly with Shan's assistance, with limp steps. Gretta looked around; the environment did not appear foreign to her.
"Do you guys come from here?"
Shan concurs with Gretta's inquiry.
They had previously walked as far as the deepest forest in the Rhone valley. Before the cliffs that blocked the access at the valley's end, there was a dense forest of dew and cold. Gretta had no idea such a place existed in her town.
Gretta followed Leon and Shan until they arrived at this location.
The temperature was so low that it pierced Gretta's skin, and the clothes she was wearing couldn't keep her body warm from the Orlin cold.
Gretta followed Leon and Shan from behind, continuing to walk while hugging her own body. They appeared normal, and their fur could protect them from the cold.
Gretta's nose was itchy and runny after only five minutes. He couldn't stand the chill in there.
Shan took a moment to observe Gretta; seeing the girl shake made him uneasy.
"Are you okay?" Shan asks Gretta to walk on Leon's back.
"Please help me hold him," he begged. At the very least, it would keep Gretta warm until they got closer to the border.
Gretta endured the cold for thirty minutes despite the fact that her body was already weak.
Shan positioned Leon next to the protruding tree roots. The majority of the forest land is actually covered with tree roots that protrude and spread out like mats.
The height of the tree there was chosen to be twice that of the Vercorin tree. Its roots protruded from the soil, stretching along the path they took.
"We'll rest here, Leon will be fine tomorrow."
"Here? Why not just leave the forest? It's bitterly cold here."
Not that he don't want to, but the Wadegan Wilds are vast. If this continues, it will take a long time. Gretta would freeze before fleeing.
They sat opposite each other, opposite the fire that was already burning between them. Leon curled up next to the fire, his head on Shan and his feet on Gretta.
Shan looked at Leon's face, which appeared to be at peace; it was unusual for his friend to be so limp due to a spear wound.
Nobody knew whether it was because the wound was so deep or because of the effects of the leaves Gretta had given them. Previously, the girl was picking carelessly.
Hopefully, none of the plants Gretta chooses are poisonous.
The fire in their midst warmed their bodies slightly. While it did not completely eliminate the cold, Gretta may now be warmer than before.
Not only that, but Shan, who previously seemed to dislike Gretta, gave Gretta her jacket.
The night is approaching, and the air is becoming colder. Shan was fast asleep, while Gretta was deep in thought. She truly felt alone in such a lonely state. She yearned for her father and mother.
Gretta's thoughts were interrupted by the air hitting her face, and she returned to her current life.
"Hey."
Leon had come to his senses and was now looking at Gretta, diverting her attention away from the fire in front of her.
Gretta smiled faintly; she had previously assumed the man was dead. Fortunately, Leon was awake now, and Gretta was relieved to see him.
Leon realized they weren't in the Rhone Valley anymore. He cast a glance at Shan, who was already fast asleep beside him.
"Why don't you sleep?" he inquired of Gretta.
Leon was already talking to Gretta again before she could respond.
"Come on in," Leon said. "I understand how freezing this forest can be for you." Leon extended his hand.
Gretta remained seated; she was cold, but being so close to Leon wasn't a good idea. She couldn't be sure the man didn't mean anything bad to him, especially since Leon was still in werewolf form.
"I won't eat you, Gretta."
Gretta eventually agreed and approached. She sat down next to Leon, who was still lying down.
"I won't do anything, so sleep here." Leon pointed to the spot right beside his body.
Leon shifted his weight slightly to accommodate Gretta and turned his body to make her feel more at ease.
"You're not alone, Gretta; we'll help you," Leon said to Gretta, who was lying behind him.
Leon knew everything Gretta said in her heart, from Gretta being afraid to return alone that afternoon to the incident with Gretta's parents, which Leon had known before Gretta told him, and Gretta's thoughts a few minutes ago.
"How do you know what I'm thinking all the time?" Gretta took a look behind Leon's back.
"Because you thought about it."
Gretta was still staring at the man's back; what did he mean when he said "because you thought it?" Was he able to read people's thoughts?
"Yes, I can read all your thoughts," Leon said as he turned around and looked at Gretta.
"All?" Leon's statement surprised Gretta. If everything, that includes Gretta's cursing and all of her evil thoughts.
"Yes, including your filthy thoughts and cursing." Leon patted Gretta's brow gently.
Gretta was stunned. So, Gret, keep an eye on your heart and mind.
Gretta looked at Leon, puzzled. She turned to look at Shan, who was still sleeping across from them, with her mouth open and tears in her eyes.
She cursed herself in her mind. If that's the case, Shan must also be aware of Gretta's thoughts. What should she do when she has dirty thoughts about Shan?
"Not for him; only for me."
Gretta felt a little better now that she was safe from Shan, and Leon was the only one left.
"How did you-"
"Lie down." Leon had pulled Gretta back to lie down before Gretta could finish her sentence.
Gretta lay quietly beside Leon, who had already turned to face her. Gretta cursed again in her heart when she noticed the man's eyes were tightly closed.
She thought to herself, 'You perverted wolf.'
Leon's eyes reopened, looking at Gretta. "Who exactly is a pervert? Which of us is it? Your mind is filthy, isn't it? "Leon explained.
Gretta lay quietly next to Leon, who was already looking at her. Gretta cursed again in her heart when she noticed the man's eyes were tightly shut.
'You perverted wolf,' she thought.
Leon's eyes reopened, looking at Gretta. "Who, after all, is a pervert? Which of us is it? Your mind is filthy, isn't it? "Leon explained.
"Yes!" groaned Gretta.
Gretta, who had been annoyed from the beginning, was becoming increasingly irritated by Leon's words. Gretta almost hit the man when she turned around, but she couldn't. In annoyance, she also turned her back on Leon.
Meanwhile, Leon concealed his smile.
*
The night has passed, and the weather is brighter this morning, dispelling some of the cold in the forest. Wadegan Wilds' leaves and moist soil emit a distinct aroma that wafts through the air.
Shan had been awake for fifteen minutes and was now huddled in front of Leon and Gretta, who were sleeping side by side.
Gretta was lying peacefully on Leon's arm, facing each other. Don't forget Leon tightly hugged Gretta. Gretta's head was nearly hidden beneath Leon's chest due to her large stature. They appear to be at ease.
Shan is hesitant to wake them up because of their calm expressions, but he also can't continue to let them. Perhaps Rhys was aware that they were in Orlin and that they needed to act quickly.
Leon had awoken before Shan could. When he saw Shan's face, he frowned in surprise. Though it should be Shan who is surprised to see the two of them.
"Is there a reason for your two sleeping positions?"