Chapter 49: What Is Home?

Hugo caught up to me in no time, which wasn't surprising. He said that there was a path in these vast woods that would lead to the border of the Ronmin Empire. It only made sense since he said werewolves enjoyed running and hunting. So, the empire was surrounded by thick and vast forests.

After an hour or so of running and jogging in between, Hugo finally offered to carry me on his back. I didn't refuse this time as my chest tightened whilst catching up to my breathing. We traveled like that until night fell. We didn't see the rest of the pack throughout, but he reassured me they were fine.

I peeked over his shoulder, seeing the large border from the distance. Torches from above the towers and some knights guarding it stood above and in front. One could tell it was heavily guarded, and it wasn't easy to sneak inside. As I lowered my head to hide on his back, Hugo glanced back at me.

"Scared?" he asked, and I nodded. The side of his lips curled up into a smirk as he tilted his head against mine lightly.

"You'll be fine. You're with me, remember?"

"I'm also nervous," came out a weak voice as I clutched on his shoulders. The run was fun, but now that I could see Ronmin, the breeding grounds of werewolves, it made me obviously nervous. 

"This place will be my new home, after all," I murmured and Hugo suddenly halted. He looked back at me while my brows rose in confusion. 

"Yes?" I asked, tilting my head to the side. 

He looked at me in silence for a while. "What you said just now..."

"About Ronmin being my new home?" he nodded at my question. "Well, this is your home. Since I am with you, it's also my home now, right?"

Or was I wrong? Hugo basically adopted me, or that was how I see this entire situation. To me, although Hugo was kind, he was like my... owner and I am his person. I didn't dwell on these things so much, but at the back of my head, I had always thought that way. I was just glad that he wasn't abusive or planned to sell me. That was why I wanted him to be happy — not because he was my owner, but because he was a good person. 

"Get down," he said as he bent down. I instinctively hopped away from him and waited for him to face me. I looked up at him, blinking while tilting my head. He didn't look angry or anything of the sort, but the way he looked at me was something I couldn't comprehend. 

"That's weird," he said as the space between his brows wrinkled. "When you say Ronmin is now your home because it's mine, it sounds weird."

"How was it strange?"

"Because I never think it's my home. If it was, I would want to stay here forever — but I don't."

"Just because you want to go outside doesn't mean this is not your home," I argued with a soft voice. "I'm confused, Hugo. Do you hate being in Ronmin?"

"Hate is a strong word, but I don't."

"Are you capable of leaving Ronmin and settling down in another place?"

"I am."

I tilted my head to the other side, blinking twice. "Then, why are you returning to Ronmin or why did you stay here?" 

This time, Hugo went silent as he looked at me intensely. His lips pressed together as if he didn't need to answer. Or perhaps he didn't have an answer to that. 

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"For me, the castle I grew up in is my home. Even when I wished of going outside, I will still return to that place. That is home," I explained, just in case he didn't understand what home was. I doubt he didn't know, though. That was why I was a bit appalled by his reaction. 

His lips parted after a few seconds. "Rinnie, the reason I stayed in Ronmin is that it's convenient. The reason we returned here is for you."

"Pardon?"

Hugo bat his eyes and didn't explain further when Ivo and the rest appeared one after another. He looked around, and I also did the same, seeing everyone's tops missing in this cold climate. 

"Alpha, how can you reach here before us?" asked Ivo, while massaging his nape. "Ah... I'm so tired."

"You can go ahead if you're honoring our bets," Hugo replied flatly.

Ivo winced as he gazed at Tito and the twins with a conflicted look. His reaction made me gaze at them once again and furrowed my brows. It seemed they just didn't stop to meet us here. 

"What?" Hugo inquired, slightly annoyed with the suspense. "Why did you all come back here with your tails in between your legs?"

"Err... thing is...." Reks scratched the back of his head, hesitant to relay the news. "Winter and that bitch Mitch... were caught."

Huh? 

I glanced at Hugo and witnessed how his lips curved down. I shifted my eyes on them again and noticed that Winter, Mitch, and Edge were missing. What did they mean they got caught? By who?

"Alpha Hugo." Ivo fidgeted with his fingers nervously. "Should we change our route and go straight to Belcoot? Winter and Mitch were caught by the royal knights as soon as they reached the border. I checked and they're being hanged upside down."

"I also saw two royal pack guardians over the border." Kieran chimed in, making me feel the gravity of this situation. It sounded like we were in trouble by the tone of their voices and solemn expression. 

I walked closer to Hugo and clipped the hem of his clothes. He glanced down at me and raised his brows briefly. 

"So, they caught Mitch and Winter? How about Edge?" 

Just as Hugo asked, I turned my head when I heard a nearby bush rustling. After a second, I jumped when someone leaped and collapsed on the ground.

"I'm dying..." Edge panted, reaching his hand out for help. It seemed he suffered the way he catch up to his breathing and his pale complexion. 

"That. He is the last one to arrive, but he's safe." Ivo glanced at the pitiful Edge without the slightest pity in his eyes. He then set his focus on Hugo. 

"Alpha, we should head straight to Belcoot," he suggested solemnly and didn't even propose saving Mitch and Winter. Hugo ran his fingers through his hair before gazing down at me once again.

"There's no need," he said without looking away from me.. "We're already surrounded."

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