I can hear the voices of the pack discussing something in a low voice.
Lion's arms are around me as I can feel myself being cradled by him.
Now I have no idea where we are since I can't open my eyes yet.
The voice was right.
Good thing that my mind is awake as I am curious about the well-being of the pack.
Relief flooded inside me as I heard everyone's voices.
I'm glad that they are safe.
My body felt heavy and there's a throbbing sensation on my hand.
What the...
I can still feel the blasted magic stone embedded in my hand.
I want to get rid of it!
But I don't feel being aroused anymore, which is a good thing, though I'm not sure whether Lion thinks it's a good thing as well.
Speaking of Lion, he sounded distressed as he kept touching my hand, having an intense discussion with the pack about me knowing how to use the magic stone when I'm not a magic user, causing severe harm towards my body.
Orm sounded amazed yet upset as he said something about how I constantly try to save them with recklessness, without any thoughts about my own safety, that he soon began to sob.
I can feel Sly nuzzling my forehead in which he told Lion how he saw everything that happened and how it happened too fast for him to stop me.
The pack started to discuss something in which I heard Ghost's voice asking Lion if he knows when will I wake up.
Now I understand why the voice told me not to tell everyone that I was mentally awake all along when I'm back to normal.
I don't mind my current situation as I can listen on what they are talking about as they talked as if I'm not currently with them.
It's like I'm spying on them unintentionally.
I chuckled inside my mind as I continued to listen to them, talking about something in another language much to my disappointment.
It's a shame that it's difficult for me to learn more about their other languages. Back in my previous world, I know quite a lot of other languages though only basic conversation.
But here in this world, it's so difficult to learn as it comprises of several sounds that it seems like I'm listening to a chatter of several animals at once.
Alpha's voice interrupted my thoughts in which he asked Lion about the plan.
What plan?
Wait.
I'm hoping that he's not out to get revenge against the Chieftain Monarch as I seemed to recall his unexpected confession back then.
To my relief, they are talking about Maelsa in which the pack gave a huge sigh, making Lion groan as he told the rest of the pack that he's not confident about his current abilities based on what happened in the battle earlier.
The rest of the pack agreed in which they promised themselves that they will train even harder as they don't want me to do impulsive actions in trying to save them.
Sly chuckled as he reminded the pack about the impulsive actions that I did in the past in trying to save them.
Laughing sadly, Ghost told the pack on how he doesn't know what to do if I made another impulsive action in the future that may result in losing my life.
The pack made all sorts of heartbreaking noises in which I can feel Lion embracing me tightly as his tears fell down on my face.
Why are they sad about it?
It's the least I can do to show them how much they mean to me.
If they are already depressed with these thoughts, then I should not remind them that a human's life is like a candle to them.
I know that Lion performed some kind of spell prolonging my life but until when?
My current age is already considered abnormal in Earth's standards as I'm already more than 140 years old.
I stopped counting after being back here in this world so being 140 years old is just a rough estimation as I don't care how old I am.
Time is insignificant here.
But if I'm going to die naturally because of old age then there's a chance it may happen anytime.
Lion, please forgive me of my impulsive actions as I'm trying to live my life without any regrets.
Like I promised Ahuizotl and Lavender, I will enjoy my life to the fullest, doing everything what I can to show my loved ones how much they mean to me and having no regrets, definitely no regrets at all.
Like what I did earlier.
I know that I'm not some kind of a super overpowered human that can protect them, I have my limits after all but what I do have is courage despite having extreme fear in facing danger, hope in trying the impossible without thinking rationally, my ability to adapt despite being constantly surrounded by craziness and love towards the pack, especially Lion.
Yes, I love them.
But not in the same way though.
Though I do love each of them enough that I'm willing to sacrifice myself for them.
Ah.
I feel like I'm getting more emotional now.
I can feel my tears starting to fall down my cheeks in which the conversation around me stopped as Lion wiped away my tears, whispering words of comfort into my ear.
Sly nuzzled my head and cheeks, making a soft sound that sounded like a deep rumble as he tried to comfort me.
Oh!
As soon as I'm back to normal, I should tell the pack that I want to caress them in their ultimate form.
It's so funny to remember the memory I had with them back in the past when I used to be terrified looking at them in their monster selves.
Now, I'm curious to know how they feel like if I'm caressing them or talking to them.
Do they talk or make some sort of another sound?
Mostly, I hear all sorts of beastly, monster like sounds from them in their ultimate form but I'm curious whether they know how to speak but didn't do it as there was no need.
Ooohh...
I wonder if Lion will allow me to sit on his back while he is on his ultimate form?
As for Sly, I should ask him why he doesn't like to transform into his ultimate form.
I'm hugely tempted to ride Alpha on his back like he's some sort of a horse though I have a feeling that he won't mind if I ask him. I will definitely do that soon.
I wonder how Orm feels on my hand in his ultimate form as his current ultimate form has icicles all throughout his body, which is a funny thing as he doesn't like the cold and usually one of the serpent's weaknesses is the cold. How did he manage that? I should ask him though I hope he answers directly my question without any teasing.
Funny, I don't feel hungry at all in my current situation that reminded me that I have a new recipe for Ghost to try. He loves learning new recipes and has a surprising talent in improving it. Despite me telling him many times that he should open a restaurant or a food shop, he firmly told me no and it's only me he's cooking for, though the pack can have a taste as well too, that is, if I'm eating. But other than that, no way he's making an effort in cooking for others and definitely would not feed them as they can manage eating food without cooking, especially meat.
Speaking of meat, it seems that the predators in the pack doesn't like to eat uncooked meat anymore.
Especially Sly as he tried different techniques in cooking the meat that one time, he forgot that he haven't cooked yet the meat, making him sick as he kept on vomiting.
He admitted that he can't imagine eating the meat raw like before.
Orm and Ghost became more adventurous in experimenting ways on how to cook fruits and leaves in which I taught them several times on how to make kimchi that somehow they can't get it right.
As for Lion and Alpha, both turned out to be huge fans of desserts that they promised me that they will find all sorts of ingredients as soon as we get back to the territory.
The territory.
Oh.
I didn't tell Lion on how much I hated going back.
I wished we could just travel around the world.
Just like what he shared to me before.
If it's not for the fact that this world is in danger, the cuff around my neck, Lion and Alpha's contracts and the demons, I would definitely leave the territory and travel without any particular destination in which the pack would instantly follow me without a moment's hesitation.
It's fun to imagine me and the pack just traveling wherever we want with no worries.
They don't fight with each other anymore like they used to do a long time ago.
Now they acted like they are one based on how they fight in harmony against monsters.
....
Now they are singing some songs together, comforting me somehow.
Though Lion is holding me, the rest of the pack gave me some nuzzles on my head and face, coaxing me to wake up in which I can hear their muffled sobs.
I don't know how much time had passed by but I get the feeling that we are on our way back to the territory.
Lion kept on holding and cradling me, not once was I separated from him. He took care of me though Sly assisted him all the time.
Even though the others want to help as much as they want to, they can't as Sly is like a magnet towards me, never leaving my side though Lion doesn't seem to mind as both of them took care of me.
Alpha, Orm and Ghost helped too though Lion left them in charge in traveling back to the territory.
Lion and Sly both embraced me when they are sleeping, even when taking a bath as they kept on persuading me to open my eyes, tenderly nuzzling me all over my neck and face.
Each of the pack told me their plans for me when we go back to the territory, making me excited as I also have several plans to spend time with them, along with a few surprises in store.
Whether our travel back towards the territory is fast or slow, I cannot tell as it seems like I'm in some sort of a dream though I'm very much awake, mentally to be exact.
Since there's nothing much for me to do, I began recalling the suspicion I had back when I was having a conversation with the voice.
This isn't funny anymore.
It's very suspicious.
This is the third time we've been sent out on a mission to get a magic stone.
The first magic stone was from the snowy mountains that absorbs magic power. The second magic stone was destroyed though because of Rahab. But it was quite powerful as it made me return to my previous world.
Maelsa told us the name of the third magic stone, which is the control stone that I was fortunate to have a bit of knowledge as I had read about it.
Magic stone of Absorption.
Magic stone of Dimension.
Magic stone of Control.
Someone is planning something big as these are all powerful magic stones that even I, who is not a magic user, can use it though with heavy consequences.
I hope it's not connected to the current danger this world would soon have or we are doomed.
Still, I will think about this as soon as I'm well rested and my mind at ease. I should not think too much or else I might make a mistake or worse, do an impulsive action again.
But yes, this realization I have now is a big deal.
....
I can hear several voices around me in a heated conversation.
Lion tightened his hold around me as he began to growl, in which the rest of the pack started to growl as well.
We must have arrived at the territory.
Specifically, at the palace as I can feel Lion starting to emit some sort of aura around his body.
Several snarls and sounds of magic sounded around me, making me realize that the pack, especially Lion are losing their self control.
I can't blame them as they have not yet gotten over all the misfortunes I had during our mission in getting the magic stone.
But if they are planning to fight them, now is not the right time to do that as they needed more power in fighting back Maelsa.
Soon, I can hear Maelsa laughing wickedly in which Lion snarled ferociously that I began to feel that my neck is starting to hurt.
I don't know what will happen next if the Chieftain Monarch didn't step in.
He murmured something in which everyone became silent immediately, including Maelsa.
After a few moments, I can feel the magic stone being removed from my hand.
Lion held my hand as he licked it tenderly, speaking words of comfort in my ear, while I hear the Chieftain Monarch speaking words towards me that I can't understand though I felt somewhat lighter.
Then I opened my eyes.