One night, as they sat by the fire, Lucas reached out and took Eliza's hand. "Thank you," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "You've given me hope when I had none left."
Eliza smiled, her heart swelling with love. "We'll break this curse, Lucas. I promise you."
But as the full moon approached, the villagers' fear and suspicion grew. Rumours spread of a werewolf attack in the neighbouring village, and tensions were high. Eliza and Lucas knew they had to act quickly. They deciphered the ancient ritual, realizing it required immense courage and a selfless heart.
As the night of the full moon drew closer, Eliza couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible was about to happen. She had no idea just how right she was.
In the days following Lucas's arrival, his presence in the cottage became a familiar comfort to Eliza. They spent their mornings in the kitchen, preparing meals and talking about their lives. Lucas had a way of listening that made Eliza feel truly heard, and his stories of distant lands filled her with a sense of wonder and adventure.
As Lucas healed, Eliza began to notice the subtle ways he seemed different. His senses were sharper—he could hear the faintest rustle of leaves outside and see in the dark with uncanny clarity. One evening, as they sat by the fire, Lucas caught her studying him.
"Is something on your mind?" he asked, a small smile playing on his lips.
Eliza hesitated, then shook her head. "I'm just... curious about you, I suppose. You're unlike anyone I've ever met."
Lucas's smile faded, and he looked into the fire, the flames reflecting in his eyes. "I suppose that's true," he said softly. "I haven't been entirely honest with you, Eliza."
Her heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?"
He took a deep breath, his hands tightening around his knees. "There's something you need to know about me. Something that could change everything."
Eliza leaned forward, her eyes locked on his. "You can tell me, Lucas. Whatever it is, we'll face it together."
Lucas met her gaze, his eyes filled with a mixture of hope and fear. "I'm a werewolf," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I was cursed many years ago, and I've been searching for a way to break it ever since."
Eliza's mind raced as she processed his words. "A werewolf... the attacks in the village..."
Lucas nodded. "I've tried to stay away, to keep people safe. But sometimes... I can't control it."
Eliza's heart ached for him. She reached out and took his hand, squeezing it gently. "We'll find a way to break the curse, Lucas. I promise."
Lucas looked at her with gratitude and something deeper—something that made Eliza's pulse quicken. "Thank you," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "You don't know what this means to me."
As they continued their research, Eliza and Lucas's bond grew stronger. They spent hours poring over the ancient book, deciphering its cryptic texts and preparing for the ritual. The villagers, however, were growing increasingly suspicious of Eliza's behaviour. Her frequent absences and secretive demeanour did not go unnoticed.
One afternoon, as Eliza gathered herbs in the forest, her best friend Sarah approached her. Sarah was a kind-hearted woman with a sharp mind, and she had been Eliza's confidante since childhood.
"Eliza, what's going on with you?" Sarah asked, her brow furrowed with concern. "You've been acting so strange lately. The villagers are starting to talk."
Eliza hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "It's... complicated, Sarah. I'm trying to help someone."
Sarah's eyes narrowed. "Does this have anything to do with the stranger you brought to your cottage?"
Eliza's heart pounded. "Lucas... yes. He's... he's in trouble, and I'm trying to help him."
Sarah's eyes softened, but there was a flicker of worry. "Eliza, you know I trust you. But the villagers are scared. They're saying that he might be connected to the werewolf attacks."
Eliza took a deep breath. She had to protect Lucas, but she also couldn't lie to Sarah. "There's more to the story than anyone knows," she said carefully. "Lucas is... he's different, but he's not what they think. Please, trust me."
Sarah nodded slowly. "I trust you, Eliza. Just... be careful. The villagers are planning a hunt for the werewolf. They're scared and desperate."
Eliza's blood ran cold. "When?"
"Tomorrow night," Sarah whispered. "During the full moon."
Eliza felt a surge of panic. She had to act fast. "Thank you, Sarah. I'll be careful. Please, don't tell anyone about this."
Sarah squeezed her hand. "I won't. Just promise me you'll be safe."