She walked through the quiet streets, which were just beginning to wake up and revive, because it was still early enough.

Catching rare sidelong glances at herself, she tried to radiate kindness and warmth, smiling and greeting those with whom she had to exchange glances.

Yesterday’s advice benefited their stay. Like a tidal wave, the news about the Riliya princess spread through Norland at the speed of light, so many werewolves became more loyal to the presence of her and her friends in the northern lands.

But that didn’t mean everyone was still ready to protect her back in the upcoming war. There were only a few of them. Many were afraid of what the shaman saw in his visions.

During the night, there was so much snow that Thea had to lift her legs high to step over these drifts, leaving behind a trailing trail of loosened snow, which now and then fell inside her boots.

She reached the house where Marcel was staying and knocked softly.

The door was opened by a sleepy woman wrapped in a warm robe. It was the wife of Jake, Marcel’s deputy. She looked very homey.

- Come on in, aren’t you going to Marcel’s? He’s already awake. – she said, stepping aside and letting Thea in.

- Thank you. - she replied. - I was actually looking for Raphael. I do not know where he could have gone.

- I don’t know that either, I don’t follow wandering vampires. - her tone was calm and gentle, but her attitude towards blood–sucking monsters could still be traced.

Marcel went out into the common living room, sipping fragrant coffee to recharge his spirits early in the morning.

- And you’re an early bird, I see.- he smiled.

- I just couldn’t sleep. I’m a little nervous. - She replied, still standing at the front door.

It was uncomfortable to be with unfamiliar people and not know what to talk about, especially since none of her friends were here.

- I have never met elves, but I know from tradition that they are a wise people. I don’t think you should worry about that. – he encouraged her.

- If only my worries were about elves... I’m actually worried about what’s coming. Lately I have been plagued by nightmares, I dream of a war in which I cannot win, as if at the last moment I have no allies left and I am left alone. - her voice was trembling.

No matter how much she thought about everything, she was still scared. She blindly trusted the words of Eugene and the shaman, but her personal doubts did not go away.

Why should she be the one who will lead everyone in this war? Why not someone else? How could she protect anyone, especially if these "someone" will be thousands or even millions of people of different races?

Could there be an even more self-doubting person than Thea?

But these questions still ate up her brain and her every step was subjected to a thorough reassessment.

- I’m afraid to take responsibility for other people’s deaths. Do you understand? Yesterday I asked your werewolves to follow me, but what will I tell their relatives if they can’t come back alive? How am I going to look them in the eye?

- Is that what’s bothering you? – he finally realized. – Drop these thoughts. Each of those who will be your ally makes his own choice, and therefore you do not need to bear responsibility for anyone except yourself. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

- If only everything was so easy. – she was very depressed.

- By the way, Raphael, if you’re looking for him, he left last night. He told you to go without him, he’ll catch up.

- What do you mean he left? Where to? – have their paths diverged again?

The only thing she was praying to God right now was that Raphael wouldn’t freak out again and go kill someone.

- He decided to kill ... - Marcel paused, noticing how alert the princess was. - ... some bliars.

Like a stone from her shoulders, she convulsively exhaled the air she was holding back.

- There were too many of them in these places, so he wanted to secure your path before you go through it. You don’t have to worry, he’s immortal. The maximum that can happen to him is that his leg or arm will be bitten off. Or... head... - said Marcel and immediately burst out laughing at the horror in Thea’s eyes.

- This is a very unfortunate joke. - she grumbled.

- Who said I was joking? Although he is immortal, but his limbs do not grow back, fortunately.

Marcel finished the rest of the coffee that was visible at the bottom of the mug and threw a fur sheepskin coat over his shoulders.

- Stay here, I’ll ask Martisha for some fur coat. It will be better than a blanket on your shoulders.

He returned, holding in his hands a woolly curly fur coat made of sheep’s wool.

Thanking Martisha for her generous gift, she bowed, which surprised the woman very much and she bowed back to her. This was the first time that a person of higher status showed her respect with a bow.

Together with Marcus, they reached the stables, where stroking the shiny coat of a gray horse, he declared that their further journey would be using these wonderful animals.

- Riding horses will be more comfortable and safer than walking. Moreover, it will save you time on the way.

- It really is. - she nodded. – I do not know how to thank you all for your help.

- It’s not worth it. Just do what you have to do. Carrick, Sean, Urum and Cornel will go with you. Jake will stay here, we need to resolve the issue with the rebels. And I assume your stepmother will soon find out about your presence here. Preston escaped from under our noses yesterday. Proceed with caution.

It wasn’t the best news, but it was to be expected. Sooner or later, Lillian would have found out that Thea’s powers had awakened anyway.

After getting to know the horses, they chose the quietest ones, because some of the horses had only recently been tamed and had not yet allowed outsiders to approach them. The gray horse, which turned out to be Irma’s horse, went to Thea.

After meeting with the male werewolves, Adeline, Nicole and Klaus, Marcel gave final instructions to his guys before they could all move out.

Fortunately, Klaus has already fully recovered and Adeline did not even find out about what happened at the meeting.

Thea kept a special thank you for Klaus for not holding a grudge against her for the injuries, although Klaus himself saw the situation in a different light, because he was the one who tried to attack her.

Having fixed their saddlebags and packed their few belongings, the werewolves gathered in a pack to say goodbye. It was completely unclear when they would return home, as well as it was not clear if they would return at all.

When Marcel casually asked Thea about the prophecy and the timing of when the war could begin, she could not answer him, since she did not have an answer to this question. And that’s what scared her the most.

If only she knew the time frame, she would be able to prepare better. But what if it happens tomorrow, the day after tomorrow or in a month?

It was driving her crazy.

Therefore, she did not prevent the men from saying goodbye, patiently waiting for their relatives to reward them with trembling hugs. It was interesting to watch how such harsh fighting men bathed in the rays of love and tenderness from their wives and girlfriends.

Urum, who was not married and did not have a girlfriend, hugged his elderly mother. And even though she was encouraging him, Thea could see that her chin was shaking every time she tried to speak. Is this how all mothers who accompany their children feel?

She was sure that her mother would have reacted the same way, unlike her stepmother, who was happy to push Thea to the Marquis of Stonberg.

Rolling her eyes and taking a deep breath, she thanked God that this period of her life was over. It was scary to imagine just the touch of his thick sweaty hands on her skin. It sent shivers down her spine.

Urum tossed Klaus a bottle of water and turned to the others.

- Time to move.

Klaus helped Thea to saddle the horse, checking the length of the reins so that they fit the princess. It was not a novelty for her to ride a horse, so she could go on her own, especially since she was able to tame even a wild Berkoot.

Klaus himself got on the same horse with Adeline, hugging her to him and throwing his cloak over her. Her face shone with happiness as he carefully nuzzled her neck, inhaling her scent.

Adeline often wore her hair loose, but this time her red mop was braided around her head, which made her neck vulnerable to unexpected touches or kisses from Klaus.

Urum volunteered to help Nicole get on the horse, but she measured him with a look mixed with a bit of disgust and refused him, making numerous attempts unsuccessfully to get on the horse, which caused laughter from others.