Chapter 9 The Men Thing

"We need to hurry!" Lorien urged her. They were running back home with Torib and Illia behind them and so were all the others. As soon as they stepped inside the men fetched swords and bows.

"Close the inner shutters. Stay inside." having said that Torib with Illia left.

Lorien was closing shutters that were placed inside the building. That was strange.

"What's going on?" Melody asked when Lorien finished securing the house. And than there was a loud single howl and than few more answered.

Melody felt like her blood was drenched out of her face.

"What is it?"

Loren was visibly nervous.

"Probably a pack of werewolves, not a small one. It happens sometimes. Don't worry we are safe here the men will protect us."

And than there was silence, she could hear some shouting and sounds of fighting. Something was growling loudly and few more growls joined. Than there were some loud shouts and than a thud later something was sniffling around the house. Silence again and suddenly a loud bang on the door and sound of claws scratching the door. Melody was petrified. Through the walls and closed shutters they couldn't hear that much but men were already at their house. They were chasing this sniffling beast. The women could hear snarls and barks clang of metal random words they couldn't fully comprehend. Something hitting the house wall and gurgling. Later stomps and something was being dragged on the ground.

It took a long time till Melody heard knocking on the door and than Torib's voice.

"You can open the door Lorien."

Lorien hastily opened the solid door and let her husband with Illia in. Torib's arm was bleeding.

Melody fetched water and Lorien brought clean cloth to wrap her husbands arm. The wound wasn't deep but there was a lot of blood. Melody helped Lorien as much as she could. Her hands were a bit shaking. She couldn't stop thinking about what happened. She stood there with pale face, she could briefly see the scratched marks on the door.

"Illia, your woman is in shock. You will keep her company tonight. Sleep on the floor." Clear order, nothing to discuss abut, but Melody was actually thankful. She didn't want to stay alone in the room. She could still hear all those scary sounds.

"Yes Father." he went to his room and brought some thick animal skin and laid it on the floor.

"Time to sleep in the morning the olders' council will have a meeting with the headman."

Melody went straight to her room and took off her dress. In her night gown she was on her bed when Ilia knocked.

"Come in." She allowed him to enter.

Illia laid down on the skin, he looked at her and smirked

"Do you feel ..…. safe with me?"

Melody knew he was provoking her.

"Why? Will you jump me and make another hickey?" She decided not to hold back.

"Jump you? Back than you were willing and kissed me back. I could sense your excitement. You wanted me." The proud look on his face pissed Melody.

"You could sense nothing, don't be so full of yourself."

"That's were you are wrong. I can sense everything, just like any other man there in the great hall. Our senses are way sharper than yours."

A wave of shame flooded Melody. All the men could sense she was horny, especially this jerk Illia.

"You are an ass." She said turning her back to him.

He said nothing but she heard him chuckle quietly. She couldn't sleep she was still anxious. It would be nice to have someone to hold to her like her little sister or one of her brothers or mom. She heard some paws and quiet callings outside. Something was running outside. She sat on the bed.

"It's OK. The guards and dogs check the village for any leftovers." Illias voice was very composed, she looked down on him laying on the floor.

"Illia what was that you were fighting with?"

"Just a bunch of werewolves."

"Does it happen often?"

"Not really. Last time it happened I was a child."

Melody saw his eyes glowing a little bit in the dark.

"How do they look like?" She gripped her blanket and laid her head close to the bed edge.

"They are big about two meters standing, and one and a half while on their fours. Nasty teeth and sharp claws. They are hairy and pretty dumb. But you need silver to get them down." Illia turned himself towards her .

"Were you afraid?"

Illia smiled, typical question asked by women.

"No, not really. It wasn't my first time and I wasn't alone. You just need to be careful. Garth ended with a scratch on his face and chest. He's not going to look pretty anymore." He chuckled again.

"That's not funny. Someone could die." Her voice was shaky.

"Would you miss me?" Illia was being playful and Melody wanted to have a revenge on him for what he has done back in he hall.

"I don't know. I think Jin would be a fine replacement too." She decided to tease him but than it was silence. Illia didn't respond to her provocation and Melody didn't know what to say. After a while she finally felt asleep. In the morning Illia was gone.

Lorien was making some tea in the kitchen and a smell of fresh bread filled the whole room. Melody closed her eyes and for a brief moment she felt like back home till Lorien broke the silence.

"Some tea Melody?"

"Yes please."

Lorien placed a mug smelling of herbs with faint steam coming from it and fresh bun with melting butter inside.

"Men are gone to the meeting." She sat down too with a deep sight. "Soon they will go on a patrol at the border. It will take them a week or so. "She sipped the hot beverage and Melody tried the bun.

"We will prepare the travelers cake for them, after breakfast we will collect some fruits."

Melody nodded in agreement.

The whole house was smelling of fresh cake as Illia and Torib came back. Lorien cut come fresh pieces and Melody served them on the table. Illia wasn't looking at her. Melody could swear he was pouting. Was he still angry about Jin? Melody wanted to laugh loud at his behavior. Suits him fine.

"We are leaving tomorrow morning, get the food ready." Torib announced. "We'll be out for about a week."

"I thought so." Lorien stood up and went to the pantry to check all the supplies, Melody cleaned the table and brought all the dishes to wash them. Illia was behind her.

"Are you happy that I'll be gone for a week?" He asked

"Is Jin also going?" She asked back looking straight at his face. Illia didn't answer, he just turned round and left.