The morning light filtered softly through the window of the small cottage where Emily, Aiden, and Sarah had taken refuge after their harrowing battle with the werewolves. The villagers had graciously offered them shelter, grateful for their help in driving off the threat. The cottage, though simple, provided a welcome respite from the dangers outside.
Inside the cottage, Emily was tending to Aiden's wounds. The scent of herbs and the quiet crackle of the fire filled the space, creating an atmosphere of intimacy and peace. Sarah was outside, helping the villagers with their daily tasks and giving Emily and Aiden some privacy.
Aiden winced as Emily applied a poultice to his injured leg, her touch gentle yet firm. The air between them was filled with an awkward silence, each lost in their thoughts.
"Not trying to be weird or anything," Aiden began, breaking the silence, "but if you were to be married, how would you feel?"
Emily looked up, meeting his gaze. Her hands stilled for a moment before she resumed her work. "Well, I think it would be great to have a husband and, of course, a child. I hope that day can come sooner," she said softly, her voice tinged with wistfulness.
"Do you have someone in mind or an already arranged suitor?" Aiden asked, his tone curious but carrying a deeper emotion.
She chuckled, shaking her head. "I don't have anybody in mind, and neither do I have a suitor."
Aiden smiled, a hint of relief and hope in his eyes. The silence settled around them again, the only sound being the occasional crackle of the fire. After a few minutes, Aiden leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a deep, sexy whisper that made Emily's heart skip a beat.
"Why don't you let me be that man?" he whispered, his breath warm against her ear.
Emily's breath caught in her throat. She looked up into his eyes, feeling a spark of electricity between them. She could see the sincerity and longing in his gaze. She gulped, then forced a laugh, trying to mask her nervousness. "Well, we can never know," she said, her voice wavering slightly.
She finished tending to his wound, then quickly left the room, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. Outside, Sarah looked up as Emily emerged, noticing the flush on her friend's cheeks.
"Everything okay?" Sarah asked, concern evident in her voice.
Emily nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah, just need some fresh air."
As they prepared to continue their hunt, Emily couldn't shake the feeling of Aiden's words and the way he had looked at her. The bond between them was growing stronger, but the shadows of the past and the dangers of their mission loomed large.
The morning sun broke through the dense canopy of trees as Emily, Aiden, and Sarah prepared to set out from the village they had recently saved. The events of the previous day lingered in their minds, but they were determined to continue their hunt for werewolves.
As they trekked through the forest, the air was filled with the sounds of nature awakening. Birds chirped, leaves rustled, and the occasional distant howl reminded them of the dangers that lurked nearby. They moved cautiously, weapons at the ready, senses on high alert.
Hours into their journey, they suddenly encountered a group of men blocking their path. The men appeared ordinary enough, but there was an underlying menace in their eyes.
"Are you lost?" one of the men asked, his tone dripping with mockery.
Aiden stepped forward, his voice steady and confident. "We aren't lost. We are werewolf hunters."
The men exchanged amused glances before bursting into laughter. Their leader, a tall, imposing figure with sharp features, stepped forward. "So, you guys are werewolf hunters?" he asked, his voice laced with sarcasm.
"Yes, we are," Emily replied, her tone defiant. "Do you have a problem with that?"
The pack leader sniffed the air, his eyes narrowing as he focused on Aiden. "One of you smells familiar," he said, stepping closer to Aiden. "Do I know you from somewhere?"
Aiden shook his head. "I don't think so."
The pack leader's gaze intensified. "You don't just smell familiar; you also reek of werewolves."
Aiden frowned, confused. "Well, we fought some werewolves last night."
The pack leader, growing impatient, finally revealed the truth. "You smell like a werewolf."
Emily and Sarah quickly turned to Aiden, shock and confusion etched on their faces. The revelation hung in the air, heavy and ominous, leaving them all reeling.
The air was thick with tension as Emily, Sarah, and Aiden stood facing the pack of men who had suddenly become a threatening presence. The pack leader's words echoed in Emily's mind, the weight of the revelation pressing down on her.
"You smell like a werewolf."
Aiden's eyes widened in disbelief. "What do you mean? I can't be a werewolf."