The snow crunched beneath your boots as you walked through the empty, silent field. Clutching your iron sword tightly in one hand and pulling your wooly jacket closer with the other, you tried to stave off the biting cold. Today was harsher than usual, the chill seeping right through your layers. Yet, more unsettling than the cold was a feeling deep in your gut-a prickle of awareness, like eyes were watching you from somewhere out in the icy darkness. You quickened your pace, your gaze darting around before the familiar sight of your house came into view, its soft glow of light a welcoming beacon.
As soon as you stepped inside, warmth rushed over you like an embrace, melting away the cold from your skin. You sighed in relief, shaking the snow from your boots. After a moment, you felt a pang of hunger and remembered the meat stored in the cooler box you'd crafted. Steak with a bit of Peri Peri sauce sounded perfect, so you set to work, defrosting and seasoning the meat. As the scent filled the cabin, you glanced out the window and saw something strange-a thick fog had started to creep through the trees, blanketing the woods.
"Since when was that there?" you murmured, shrugging it off as a quirk of the cold.
Finally, the steak was ready, and the spicy kick of Peri Peri sauce hit just right. You settled on the couch, savoring each bite. Afterward, you grabbed your journal and wrote a quick entry about your solitary travels. You hadn't encountered anyone-not a soul, just an abandoned village hidden away in the trees. When you were finished, you set the journal aside, switched off the light, and drifted off to sleep.
The night was quiet, almost eerily so. But as the fog thickened outside, you were jolted awake by a high-pitched whistle echoing through the silence. Your eyes shot open just as lightning cracked across the sky, flashing against the window. The storm was sudden and fierce, and then, with a loud crash, the windows blew open, letting in a biting gust of wind and a swirl of fog.
You bolted out of bed, rushing to close the windows. But halfway there, you froze. Something was in the room with you.
Turning slowly, you felt a chill far colder than anything outside. Staring back at you were two bright, glowing eyes, almost ghostly, like embers in the dark. They belonged to a creature unlike anything you'd ever seen. Its body was a hulking shadow, covered in dense black fur. Its massive head tilted to one side, revealing saber-like teeth that gleamed sharp and white in the dim light.
You wanted to scream or run, but your body wouldn't obey. You could only stare, transfixed. The creature stepped forward, its huge, clawed hand reaching out to you. Its fur was surprisingly soft, short but thick enough to almost feel like warm skin. A line of fur ran down its powerful chest, trailing down to its stomach, and its broad form radiated a heat that made you forget the chill completely.
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Closer still, its face loomed just inches from yours. The creature's rough hand cradled your face, its massive claws pressing gently but firmly against your skin. You felt your heartbeat slow, a strange sense of calm washing over you despite your fear. It leaned in, pressing its lips to yours in a kiss that was both fierce and tender. The strength in its arms lifted you with ease, laying you back down on your bed.
"Mine," it growled softly, the deep, resonant sound reverberating through you. You shivered, feeling warmth bloom across your cheeks as you sank into the pillow. A thick fog swirled around you as the creature leaned closer, blowing a soft, cold breath into your face, making your eyelids grow heavy until you couldn't stay awake.
You awoke with the first light of dawn streaming through the window. The room was quiet, the fog outside gone, leaving behind only a vague sense of warmth lingering in your bed. Had it all been just a dream? Or was it something more?
