Emilia pov
I couldn't shake off the feeling of guilt that had been weighing me down for days. Mike's disappearance had left me with so many unanswered questions. I had tried to convince myself it was just a dream, but deep down, I knew it wasn't. I had to find out what happened to him.
I decided to go to the lake, hoping to find some answers. Maybe I could find a body, or some clue as to what had happened. As I walked around the lake, I wandered too far off campus. The trees seemed to close in around me, casting long, ominous shadows on the ground. Before I knew it, I was lost.
Panic started to set in as I realized I was alone and vulnerable. I had no phone signal, and the sun was starting to set. I was completely at the mercy of the wilderness. And then, I heard the growling noises. At first, I thought it was just a stray animal, but then I heard it again - a low, menacing growl that sent shivers down my spine.
I followed the sound and came upon a clearing. A group of wolves had gathered around a man, who was fighting them off. One of the wolves spotted me and started to run towards me, its eyes fixed on me with a hungry gleam.
I tried to run, but my legs felt like lead. I tripped and fell, scratching my leg on a rock. The wolf was almost upon me, its jaws open wide, ready to strike. I closed my eyes, waiting for the inevitable. But just as all hope seemed lost, a body pushed the wolf away and killed it.
I opened my eyes to see a figure standing over me, his chest heaving with exertion. He was tall, with broad shoulders and piercing eyes that seemed to bore into my soul. His hair was dark and messy, and his jawline was strong and chiseled.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice deep and husky.
I nodded, still trying to process what had just happened. Who was this man? And how did he just save my life? I tried to stand up, but my leg was throbbing in pain. He stretched out a hand and pulled me up, his grip strong and firm.
As I stood up, I felt a wave of dizziness wash over me. He caught me by the elbow and steadied me. "Easy," he said. "You're safe now."
As I looked up at my rescuer, I realized it was the same man who had been fighting the pack of wolves. He was even more handsome up close, with piercing blue eyes that seemed to see right through me. I felt a flutter in my chest as he gazed at me with a cold expression.
"What are you doing out here so late?" he asked, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine.
I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. I didn't want to tell him about Mike's disappearance, or the fact that I was searching for answers. Something about this man made me feel like I could trust him, but I couldn't shake off the feeling that I needed to keep my secrets to myself.
"I...I was just out for a walk," I stammered, trying to sound nonchalant.
He raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "A walk? Alone? In the middle of nowhere?"
I nodded, feeling a blush rise to my cheeks. "I like to clear my head sometimes."
He studied me for a moment, as if trying to read my mind. Then, he nodded unconvinced and said, "Well, you're safe now. But you should be careful. This isn't a safe place to be alone at night."
I nodded, feeling a surge of gratitude towards him. "Thank you," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you for saving me." He simply nodded.
As we stood there, he gestured to my knee, which was still bleeding from the scratch. "You're hurt," he said,"May I take you to my house so I can attend to that?"
I hesitated, unsure of what to do. I didn't know this man, after all. But something about him put me at ease. Maybe it was the way he had saved me from the wolves, or the way he looked at me with his piercing gaze. Whatever it was, I found myself nodding in agreement.
"Yes, okay," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
He smiled and offered me his arm. "Lean on me," he said. "We'll get you fixed up."
I took his arm, feeling a surge of relief as he supported me. My knee was throbbing now, and I couldn't put much weight on it. He helped me walk, his arm strong and steady around me.
As we walked, I couldn't help but notice that his expression was cold and unreadable. He didn't look concerned or sympathetic, despite the fact that I was injured and relying on him for support.
I felt a shiver run down my spine as I realized that I didn't know this man at all. He had saved me from the wolves, but what did I really know about him? His name, his motivations, his intentions - everything was a mystery.
After a long time of walking, i couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration. My knee was throbbing in pain, and every step felt like a struggle. He seemed to sense my discomfort and turned to me with an unreadable expression.
"You're slowing down," he stated, his voice firm but not unkind.
I nodded, feeling a sense of embarrassment. "I'm sorry," I said. "My knee is just really hurting."
He nodded and then surprised me by scooping me up in his arms, bridal style. I gasped in shock, my heart racing as I found myself cradled against his chest.
"I thought you would carry me on your back," I stammered, feeling a sense of vulnerability.
He didn't respond, just kept walking with a steady pace. I felt a sense of unease at being so close to him, but at the same time, I couldn't deny the sense of safety and security I felt in his arms.
As we walked, I couldn't help but notice the way he held me, his arms strong and gentle at the same time. I felt like I was floating, my pain and worry slowly fading away.
But then I looked up at his face, and my heart skipped a beat. His expression was still cold and unreadable, but his eyes seemed to bore into mine, as if searching for something. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I wondered what he was thinking, what he wanted from me.