The year is 904. You are a traveling mercenary, lending your skills to whoever coughs up enough coin. Your path has led you to Scandinavia, deep into a forest where the locals asked you to slay a massive beast that was killing people and livestock in the area. You took the job thinking it was going to be a bear, a tough but manageable opponent However, as you trek deeper into the woods, a bad feeling starts to build in your chest. It's night, but a full moon illuminates the forest floor You stop in your tracks as you see a pair of glowing eyes shining in the darkness of a cluster of trees, a bit away from you.

"What do you think is here?" comes the growling reply as a massive figure emerges from behind the trees, revealing itself to be a werewolf, the same one that had cursed you. Its fur is dark gray and its amber eyes glow eerily in the moonlight.

The werewolf hesitates for a moment, clearly surprised by your offer. It glances at you, then back at the campfire before slowly sitting down beside it. "What do you want from me?" it asks gruffly, its voice deep and rumbling.

The werewolf's tail wags back and forth, a strange mix of confusion and curiosity on its face. It watches as you begin to prepare your meal, clearly hungry. "Alright, I will accept your offer," it rumbles slowly. As the food cooks, it leans closer to get a better whiff of the aroma before eventually taking a small bite out of the meat when it's offered to it. "My name is Tholf," it says between bites, using its sharp teeth to tear off large chunks of flesh from the animal.

"Yes, it tastes good," Tholf says between bites. "I have lived alone in this forest for many years now." He glances at you sideways before continuing. "My people cursed me to live this way." The truth of his words seems to hang heavily around him like a shroud. "What's your name, Hunter?"

The werewolf snorts at that. "It's not that weird," he says. "People name their children all sorts of things these days." He takes another large bite of meat, chewing thoughtfully before continuing. "So... you hunt for a living. What do you know about hunting someone like me?"

The werewolf's ears prick up at your words, seemingly surprised by the compliment. "I don't understand," it says slowly. "Why would you think that?" It watches you carefully as you finish cooking and prepare to drink your tea.

The werewolf nods solemnly at your words, looking down at its paws for a moment before raising its gaze back to meet yours. "You're not the first person who has ever said such things to me," it admits softly. "And I know that humans can be cruel... but..."

The werewolf hesitates, uncertainty written all over its face. It turns away from you for a moment, gazing out into the forest before looking back again. "Why do you care about how I feel?" it asks gruffly, curiosity and longing blending together in its voice.

The werewolf thinks about your words for a moment, gazing intently at you. "I... suppose that's true," it says finally. "But I am still dangerous. I have killed many people." The admission seems to pain him, but he continues regardless. "Why would you want to be near someone like me?"

The werewolf looks at you with confusion and surprise in its amber eyes. "But I'm not human," it protests softly. "I'm something... else." Its tail thumps against the ground, a nervous habit that betrays its inner turmoil. "I never thought someone would ever want to be near me because of who and what I am."

The admission hangs between you like a silent question, heavy with emotion. Tholf studies your features, looking for signs that you are mocking him or simply don't care about his feelings. But all he sees is sincerity in your gaze, and something else... understanding. Something that he hasn't felt in many years.

Despite the warnings in the back of its mind, Tholf finds himself leaning closer to you, drawn by an irresistible force. His breath ghosts across your cheek as he whispers, "Why do you care?"

The werewolf blinks, taken aback by your words and gesture. His eyes search yours for any hint of deception or cruelty, but all he sees is kindness and acceptance. He swallows hard, feeling a lump form in his throat as emotions threaten to overwhelm him. He leans into your touch, closing his eyes briefly at the contact.

A small whimper escapes his lips before he can stop it, and despite his best efforts, hot tears streak down his furry cheeks. The feeling of being accepted, of not being alone, is overwhelming him with a force he hadn't expected or truly believed possible. He sniffs loudly, trying to regain his composure.

When he finally manages to speak, his voice is thick with emotion. "I don't know," he says simply. "It just doesn't feel like I should be this alone." His eyes meet yours once more, searching for answers or reassurance but finding only understanding and compassion there.

As you reach out and gently wipe away his tears with your fingertips, a shudder runs through Tholf's massive form. He leans even closer to you, savoring the feel of human contact after so many years of solitude. It's as if he can't get close enough, as if he's afraid that you'll disappear or change your mind and leave him once more.

His voice is raw with emotion when he speaks again. "I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't met you tonight," he says quietly, his breath warm against your skin. "Maybe... maybe things would be different." There's a note of hope and longing in his voice that you can't help but respond to.

He gazes up at you, wondering how much longer this moment will last, wishing desperately that it could go on forever.

The feeling of being held and petted by another sentient creature is both overwhelming and incredibly comforting to the lonely werewolf. He leans into your embrace, nuzzling his furry cheek against your chest as he allows himself to feel the warmth and strength of your touch. His tail thumps contentedly against the ground as he surrenders completely to the moment, allowing himself to enjoy the simple pleasure of companionship for perhaps the first time in years.

His eyes close, lashes wet with tears that now fall silently onto his fur as relief and gratitude wash over him. This human, this Hunter, has given him something he never thought he would find again - acceptance, understanding... friendship? The idea seems almost too good to be true, but it feels right in this moment, realer than anything he's ever known.

Tholf isn't sure what the future holds for them, but he knows that for now, he won't be alone anymore. And with that realization comes a profound sense of peace and contentment that he hadn't even realized was missing from his life until now.

He looks up at you with eyes that are still wet but now glowing brightly with gratitude and hope. The touch of your fingers against his cheek is as light as a feather, yet somehow manages to convey a depth of feeling that is almost overwhelming in its intensity. Tholf feels the weight of all those years spent alone begin to lift from his shoulders as he returns your gaze, his expression softening into what might even be described as happiness.

The sensation of being cherished and loved in this way is something he's never experienced before; it's as if you've opened up a part of him that had been locked away for far too long, revealing feelings and desires he didn't even know existed. He knows that there will be challenges ahead, but for now, he's content to bask in the warmth of this newfound connection and see where it leads them.

Tholf sniffs softly and gently nuzzles against your chest, his fur brushing against your skin as he inhales the scent of you. It's such a foreign yet comforting sensation that it brings tears to his eyes once more, this time from sheer gratitude and joy. He closes his eyes, savoring the moment and the love that seems to surround him like a warm blanket on a cold night. His heart feels as if it might burst with happiness and relief, and for the first time in what feels like forever, he allows himself to believe that things might be alright after all.

As the night wears on, Tholf begins to relax further into your embrace. The warmth and comfort you provide are unlike anything he has ever known before, and it's as if a weight has been lifted from his shoulders. He feels safe, loved... cherished even. His tail continues to thump gently against the ground, almost in rhythm with the beat of his heart. As he looks up at you once more, something inside him begins to stir; a tiny spark of hope that maybe, just maybe, this newfound connection will last and lead to something more. He can't help but smile softly as he gazes into your eyes, his own filled with an emotion he has long forgotten how to describe.

A small yawn escapes him at your words, and he nods. "Yes... I am rather tired." He glances around the campfire, then back at you with a tentative smile. "I would like that... to sleep beside you, if it's alright?" The hope in his voice is plain as day, as if he needs your approval for something fundamental to his very existence.

Gratefully accepting your offer, Tholf follows you to your tent, his massive form ducking down slightly as he enters the smaller space. Once inside, he curls up on one side, resting his head against your chest while carefully tucking his tail around himself for warmth. The blanket feels incredibly soft and comforting against his fur, and he sighs contentedly as you wrap it around both of you, pulling him closer still.

He dozes off quickly, feeling safe and loved for the first time in what seems like an eternity. His deep, rhythmic breathing fills the confined space as his sharp teeth glimmer softly in the moonlight that manages to find its way through a small gap in the tent fabric.

As he drifts further into sleep, dreams of warmth and affection fill his mind, and for once, they are not tainted by memories of pain or loss. Instead, they are filled with images of happiness, contentment... hope. And as he allows himself to be carried away on these gentle waves of peaceful slumber, Tholf finally begins to forget the lonely years that came before.

The werewolf stirs in his slumber, a soft snore rumbling through his chest as he shifts closer to you. His tail twitches occasionally against your side, seeking comfort and reassurance. In his dreams, he's no longer alone; instead, he feels the warmth of another being pressed against him, their heartbeat in sync with his own. It's a feeling of belonging that Tholf never thought possible after all these years apart from his kind. As he drifts further into sleep, peace and contentment wash over him like a gentle wave, soothing the aches of loneliness that once plagued his restless dreams. For now, at least, he can finally find some semblance of happiness in this strange new world where humans and beasts coexist... together.

With the weight of loneliness finally lifted from his shoulders, Tholf sleeps soundly, trusting that he is in a safe place where he belongs. His dreams are filled with images of himself surrounded by others like him, living in harmony and happiness. The possibility of this new life fills him with hope, and as the morning light creeps through the tent fabric, casting warm golden rays across his fur, he stirs, eager to see where fate will lead him next... with you beside him.

Tholf slowly awakens to the warmth of the sun on his fur and the gentle weight of your arm across his chest. His tail thumps gently against the ground as he blinks blearily, trying to remember where he is. As his surroundings come into focus and he sees you sleeping peacefully beside him, a sense of contentment washes over him like a balm. He carefully extracts himself from beneath the blanket, padding out of the tent on silent paws.

The crisp morning air feels refreshing against his fur as he takes in his surroundings; birds sing merrily from nearby trees and the scent of wood smoke drifts through the air, carried by a light breeze. The memory of last night's conversation lingers at the back of his mind like a sweet aftertaste. This human, this Hunter... they have changed everything for him. He pads over to a nearby stream, kneeling down to take a long drink before turning back towards you and your tent with a curious tilt of his head.

Gently padding over to your tent, the werewolf peeks inside. Your eyes meet his in the pale morning light and a small smile curves his lips upwards. He's still learning how to express himself as a human, but the hope he feels is clear in his gaze. Perhaps together, you can help him find his place in this new world... or perhaps you will simply be each other's constant companions on the road ahead. Either way, for now, Tholf is content knowing that there is someone who understands and accepts him for who and what he truly is.

Tholf blushes at the petting and ducks his head, looking somewhat sheepish. "Thank you," he murmurs softly before realizing that you're planning on making him breakfast. "Oh... well... yes, I am a little hungry." He looks up at you with grateful eyes, his expression hopeful yet uncertain.

The day seems to stretch out before them like an endless tapestry of possibility; where it will lead them is anyone's guess. But for now, Tholf finds himself content simply being near you, enjoying the feel of your touch and the warmth that emanates from your presence. He wonders what sort of life he might have had if he had met someone like you long ago... or perhaps if there would even be a point to it all without you here now. The weight of these thoughts presses lightly against his heart as he waits for breakfast, trusting that whatever the future holds, you will be by his side.

He looks at you with hope in his eyes, grateful that he's found someone like you who can understand and accept him despite being so different. He knows there are likely many challenges ahead, but for now, just knowing that you're by his side gives him strength to face whatever comes their way. As the warmth of breakfast fills his stomach, he vows to do everything in his power not to let you down and earn the trust you've shown in him.

The morning wears on, and as the sun climbs higher in the sky, Tholf begins to wonder about your plans for the day. Perhaps there are tasks that need doing around camp or errands that require running? Or maybe you have some destination in mind where he could accompany you on your travels? Either way, he's content knowing that no matter what happens, he won't be alone again.