[Note: Raw! ]
—
Vincent took Alice all the way to the dining room. Their footsteps stopped just before the entrance.
Vincent—unwillingly have to—let go of Alice's hand.
There will be a lot of eyes in the dining room. Vincent's mind was still clear enough to think that his partner had recently disappeared. How could he possibly appear holding Alice's hand? The situation would definitely be chaotic if he forced it.
"I'll go in first. You can come in after a little longer."
[ Eh, why should that be? ]
Vincent actually left Alice and entered the dining room first.
[ Huh… If he's really afraid of making people misunderstand, why just not let me in first? ]
Alice gripped the hem of her dress. For some reason she felt annoyed by his attitude. Vincent reached out for her and escorted her from the bedroom to the dining room. She had thought that Vincent was some kind of nobleman. Didn't the teen-wolf call him with such great respect?
[ Tch, what use of it! Let's just say I never heard such a title. ]
After finishing the series of curses that Alice was chanting in her heart, she stepped inside. The people in the dining room secretly glanced at her.
[ Are they waiting for me? ]
Their gazes still made Alice nervous. Of everyone in the dining room, Alice only wished she would see Jacob. Too bad the man's seat was empty. Where is he going?
Alice hurried over to her seat. As he sat down he realized that it wasn't only Jacob's chair that was empty. Bella's seat was empty tonight too. Alice didn't think that Bella's absence would have anything to do with Jacob. Others would think so too because it was a bit hard to imagine the reason they had to disappear together.
That was when Old Yu brought it up…
"I heard you let Bella see Argus?"
Everyone knows who Argus is and his relationship with Bella. Vincent's decision this time is it real?
"Don't worry, Bella is going with Jacob," Vincent said calmly.
"They both?" Margareth represents everyone's distrust.
"Yeah, he offered himself, so I let him go with Bella."
The fact that Jacob left with Bella didn't solve the problem the flock was worried about. But considering Jacob offering himself was out of the ordinary.
When else will Jacob do a job?
"Okay. I hope Jacob knows what he has to do."
Even so, Alice could see the doubt on the faces of the pack, as if Jacob was unreliable.
[ Was Jacob bad at his job? ]
Come to think of it, Alice had no idea what Jacob's job was. The man accompanies her in the library all day. Jacob would give Alice a few explanations if she asked, reading a book or quietly falling asleep behind a shelf.
[Oh… I can see it. ]
Alice's mischievous thoughts pinched Vincent's heart. He immediately knew that Alice was thinking about Jacob. Alice could think of anything she wanted. But when it comes to another man then it activates Vincent's radar. The stronger Alice's thoughts, the stronger the signal sent to Vincent.
That was the blessing that came with the imprint on Vincent's hand—which from now on would be a special responsibility for Vincent. He had to start getting used to being hurt.
…
Bella appeared at breakfast the next day but Jacob was still nowhere to be seen. For others it was common and surprising when Alice asked where Jacob was. They just thought, maybe because Jacob was the only person on Alice's side.
Fortunately Watson generously gave Alice a hint, saying:
"He's probably brooding in his cabin. He's behind the castle, just follow the stream and keep going south. Jacob's hut is right before the falls."
Remembering her first failed attempt, Alice had yet to try to get out of the castle. He was quite comfortable staying inside and studying all day long. Maybe it was because he had Jacob with him.
Alice slipped behind the castle. He didn't mean to run away, and besides, Watson knew he was going to find Jacob and he didn't seem to mind. Alice counted that as an exit permit.
It was easy enough to find the stream and after walking for a while Alice soon found Jacob's hut. The only building among the lush trees.
The hut was built with a mix of logs and river rocks. There were vines on some sides and moss everywhere. He said Jacob built this hut with his own hands. It was obvious he wasn't trying much.
Alice stepped forward and knocked on the door made of four dried white oak slabs. "Jacob… are you in?"
There was no answer, only the roar of the river could be heard.
The door of the cottage had no hole for the key. Alice tried to push the door and it did open. Jacob maybe
forgot to lower the barrier or he just didn't need it.
The hut had no other separate room in it or so Alice could see. A bit dark inside. Alice opened the window and to let the light in. Only then could he see the condition of the hut.
There is a fireplace on the left side with logs piled up next to it. A table in the middle that seems versatile. There was a cup of water, a plate of pears accompanied by a piece of bread that was starting to get moldy, a book from the library and stationery. While on the right side there is a wooden cot, wardrobe and wardrobe. Everything is really simple and sober.
Alice saw no sign of Jacob. He was about to leave when he realized what was sticking out from under the couch was a tail.
[ What is a wolf's tail? ]
Alice stepped closer to peek under the couch. There is something that fills under the cot. Alice could faintly hear the steady sound of her breathing.
The werewolf is not a big cat. How can a big wolf fit down there?
"Jacob… is that you?" Alice stretched her hand under the couch.
Before Alice's hand could reach the creature under the couch, there was a groan and it stopped Alice's movement. He immediately understood the meaning which was more or less like this:
[ How did you get here? ]
Then Alice immediately replied, "Watson told me you were here."
There was silence again after Alice answered. Jacob was a bit surprised that Alice could understand the language.
"I was waiting for you yesterday but you didn't come back to the library. Aren't you planning on going to the castle today?"
To which a short groan answered,
[ Not. ]
Alice didn't know why, she was disappointed to hear Jacob's answer and she wasn't sure to ask why. "Then… may I accompany you here today?"
There was another long silence before Jacob answered.
[ Do as you wish. ]
"Alright." Alice muttered under her breath in delight. She lifted her dress, folded her legs and sat down on the couch. Alice sat quietly for a while until she finally got bored and started asking again, "How long have you been sitting down there?"
This time Jacob didn't answer at all. Alice could only guess at the answer herself. I don't know if it was last night or maybe this morning.
"Are you planning to stay down there all day? Aren't you hungry?"