The girl's eyes narrowed as she assessed the group, her suspicion palpable. Aiden, Marcus, Emily, and Sarah exchanged confused glances, unsure of how to navigate the precarious situation.
Aiden took a deep breath and addressed the girl. "We only came to look for the wizard who was taken captive by the godfather of werewolves. We found his home's location and came to check for clues."
The girl's expression shifted, a mix of curiosity and wariness. "Why are you looking for my father? Are you part of the werewolves?" She asked angrily, her hand tightening around a dagger, ready to strike.
"No, we aren't," Aiden quickly interjected. "We came to find clues. And please, she's bleeding. Just help her out first, and then we can continue the conversation."
The girl hesitated, her gaze flickering to Emily's wound. She seemed to weigh her options before finally speaking. "Hmm, what clues are you looking for?" She asked, moving to cut the ropes binding them.
Emily winced as the ropes fell away, freeing her arms. "We came to check if werewolves could smell another werewolf even when they aren't in wolf form," she said, trying to hide the fact that it was Aiden they were concerned about.
The girl's eyes darted between them, her suspicion slowly giving way to a guarded interest. She retrieved a small pouch from a nearby shelf, containing medicinal herbs. Kneeling beside Emily, she began to treat the wound with practiced hands.
"My name is Lena," she said after a moment. "If you're truly not werewolves, then maybe we can help each other. My father was taken years ago, and I've been trying to find a way to rescue him ever since."
Marcus, rubbing his wrists where the ropes had cut into his skin, nodded. "We're not your enemies, Lena. We're here to fight against the werewolves and find answers."
Lena finished bandaging Emily's wound and stood up, her eyes searching their faces for any hint of deceit. "Very well. But if I sense any betrayal, you won't live to regret it."
Aiden stepped forward, his voice steady. "We understand. We're on the same side."
With a tentative alliance formed, they gathered around a table cluttered with old maps and scrolls. Lena began to explain what she knew about her father's capture and the werewolf godfather's plans. She detailed the wizard's forced servitude and the dark potions that were being crafted to increase the werewolves' power.
As they listened, the weight of their mission became clearer. They had to find the wizard and stop the godfather of werewolves before his plans could come to fruition. The journey ahead would be fraught with danger, but they knew they had no choice but to press on.
Outside, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the forest. Inside the cottage, a fragile sense of hope began to bloom as they prepared for the battles to come.