Elena flinched from that guttural sound the man created. She hastily stepped back, her eyes never leaving the visage of the man who picked her up. She should be thankful, but never in her life would she feel grateful toward this stranger.
Never.
Her eyes blazing with anger narrowed, "Who are you?! Why did you bring me here!"
Hunter stared at the woman with disbelief. He casually walked to the kitchen counter and slipped the knife back on the wooden knife block.
At the same time, as soon as Hunter turned his back to Elena, Elena grabbed the wooden coat stand and was about to hit Hunter again, but Hunter's threatening voice reverberated in that small house.
"Don't even try, woman. You won't like the consequences if you make me lose my patience."
Elena fumed, but her body quivered shortly from that warning. Still, she did not back down. "What? What will you do? Throw me in the bed and ravish me?!"
Hunter's jaw fell. He stared at the woman with incredulity. He thought she was joking, but after seeing that earnest accusation, his left eye twitched. Then, he hadn't even regained his composure when the coat stand was hurled at him.
He caught it just in time before the pointed middle stabbed his eye. He threw the coat stand, his eyes no longer kind.
"W—what are you—" Elena stepped back again, sensing the atmosphere changed.
Hunter charged forward. He grabbed the woman's arm and dragged him out of his house. "No. Throw you out of the house and let the wild beasts ravish you," he spat. Then, he turned and walked away. But then he stopped under the door canopy and glared at her. "And for your information, you're pretty, but you are not my type."
He slammed the door in her face after that.
Hunter inhaled deeply and let out a loud sigh, repeatedly. The woman got on his nerves, something that never happened to him before. He was always composed and gentle toward delicate creatures.
But upon thinking further, those furious emerald eyes, sharp and smart mouth, and that pretty face contorted with anger and fearlessness do not belong to a delicate person.
She's a fierce one, Hunter thought.
He stood behind the door, observing if the woman stayed or left. The sounds of footsteps gradually faded until they eventually disappeared.
The forest of Middiem is dangerous. There was no guarantee what creatures lurked in the shadows, and Hunter knew he was not the only nonhuman settling in that place.
What if the woman encounters something sinister, like vampires? Hunter's face darkened.
The Middiem is a place shrouded in darkness because of the tall trees, wide branches, and thick leaves. Vampires are safe to stroll here even in the morning.
But even if she does not encounter those nocturnal creatures, she will likely bump into wild beasts like bears or wolves.
Hunter ran his hands over his face and rubbed his forehead out of frustration and worry. He wondered why the woman could evoke such emotions from him when he barely even knew her.
He took a few more breaths and said to himself, I should follow her and secretly guide her to the exit.
He opened the door but then his body stiffened after seeing the woman before her eyes. How could he not sense her presence? Was his mind so preoccupied that he did not even hear her coming back?
Nevertheless, he showed an impassive reaction. "Why did you come back?"
Elena bit her lower lip. She realized it was foolish to argue with someone who could only provide her with what she needed at that time.
She hugged her tummy and looked up at the man with teary eyes. Then, with much difficulty, she said, "I…I…a—am hungry."
Hunter raised his brow. He crossed his arm and leaned his shoulder on the door jamb. "And? What do you want me to do? Ravish you?"
Elena's lips pressed tightly against each other. The corner of her mouth twitched out of suppressing her annoyance. She swallowed the lump in her throat and opened her lips to reply. But it took her time to form the words as though speaking with the stranger brought her severe hardship.
Witnessing the woman stop her already downturned lips to crook even deeper, Hunter could not help but be amused. He averted his eyes to hide the small crinkle in them, then once he felt he was good again, he turned and gazed at the woman still fighting for the right words to say.
"N—No," Elena finally muttered. She let out a loud sigh as if achieving a great feat. Then, "Give me something to eat."
Hunter's raised eyebrow raised even higher. The woman did not only thank him for saving her life from possible monsters lurking around that wreckage; but did not also apologize for trying to kill her; and now, ordering him around like she owned him.
Elena waited, staring at the man trying to gouge her attention for suddenly coming back.
Hunter's eyes narrowed. "Sure. If you promise one thing."
Elena gulped. She knew it! There was no way this man would help her without asking for something in return. Stoning herself, she prepared to hear what the stranger would ask her for. She would be willing to give him whatever he wanted if that meant she could stay with the man.
"Stop trying to kill me," Hunter said. He straightened up and opened the door wider. "I'm not dangerous. I brought you here because I was worried that wild beasts were lurking in the place where you fainted. If I left you alone there, you would become their food."
Elean remained silent. She looked away from the man and focused on the large chunk of meat hanging at the corner of the roof. She pretended like she did not hear anything. But at the bottom of her heart, she was a bit relieved that all he wanted was a baseless promise.
A sigh came out from Hunter's lips. He tapped his fingers on his elbow, his arms still crossed on his chest.
"Promise me," he repeated, this time his tone was serious and unkind.
Elena gulped. She was forced to look at the man again. She moved her hands behind her back and raised her chest higher, showing her willingness to comply. "I promise."
Hunter nodded in satisfaction. He moved out of the way and motioned Elena to come in. Elena forced a smile and faked a grateful look. Before she entered, she untangled her crossed fingers behind her back.