SONG OF THE WOLF

I Want You

"Crazy!" Julia's eyes widened after hearing Elena's story about Hamish sleeping without clothes last night. "Maybe he's teasing you on purpose, Elena. You're in danger. I suggest you be careful."

"I can take care of myself. Let's get to work before Mr. Colman gets angry." Elena smiled. Unconsciously, her cheeks flushed as she recalled the events of last night. Hamish's body sculpture was perfect. His muscles looked hard. Anyone who ended up in that man's arms must have felt comfortable.

Elena shook her head. She then got to work.

People were still asking what happened a few days ago. All the villagers had yet to find an answer as to how Mr. Colman's restaurant was messed up and there was a body lying there. The suspicion that a wolf had attacked was the only reason they could come up with, although there was still something odd about it.

A week later, the incident was forgotten by people. They went back to their respective activities. Rumors of wolves entering the village area were no longer heard. According to the news Elena had heard, the wolves had moved to the other side of the forest.

"Good night, Julia!" Elena waved goodbye. They parted ways at the fork.

"Good night, Elena. Remember, stay careful. Don't let him take advantage of you."

Every time they parted, Julia always reminded Elena to be careful with Hamish. In Julia's eyes, Hamish was a very dangerous figure. But, not in Elena's eyes. A few days living with Hamish, Elena realized Hamish was quite nice. Apart from his handsome face, Hamish was also diligent. Every day, when Elena came home, Hamish would have cleaned the house.

Elena arrived in the yard. Her heart dropped into her stomach when she saw smoke coming from the kitchen. She ran inside to see what was happening.

Elena froze in the kitchen doorway. She stared at Hamish who was burning something on the furnace. Hamish kept the flames from getting too big.

"What is it?" asked Elena.

"Oh. I'm grilling fish. Do you like grilled fish?"

“Where did you get the fish?”

"I caught it earlier at the river?"

"You caught it in the river? Really?"

"Yes. Where else would I get fish? There's no way I could get fish from the garden behind the house." Hamish laughed. "Let's sit down. The fish will be done soon."

Elena sat on a chair. She watched as Hamish kept the embers steady. Not too big, not too small.

"Can I ask you something? I hope you won't take offense."

"Just ask."

"How long are you going to stay here? I didn't mean to kick you out. I'm just asking."

"I don't know how long yet. I'm still waiting for it to be safe."

"Safe situation?"

Hamish turned to Elena. He smiled. "I promise I won't harm you," he said, rubbing the seasoning on the almost-cooked fish.

"What are you rubbing that on?" Elena stood up from the chair. She walked over to Hamish.

"Seasoning."

"It smells good." Elena took a breath. She smelled chili peppers, garlic, shallots, and some other spice mixes from the seasoning Hamish had made. She smiled widely. For the first time, she smelled such a delicious aroma.

"Where did you learn to make such delicious spices? Mr. Colman, who has been running restaurants for many years, can't even make something this good."

"I learned from someone who has a lot of experience. She has traveled to many cities. She has tasted all kinds of dishes. From every dish she tasted, she created one of these condiments."

Elena nodded. "I want to meet that person. I also want to learn how to make a spice as good as this."

"I hope you have the chance to meet her. Because right now, I don't know where she is either." Hamish sighed. There was longing in his eyes. Elena became curious about the kind of person who taught Hamish to cook.

"Is your girlfriend?" The question came out of Elena's mouth even though she had tried to hold it in. She was afraid it would cause a misunderstanding between them.

"Why, are you jealous?"

Elena gasped. This was what she had been worried about. She then shook her head. "I'm not jealous. There's no reason for me to be jealous of that person. I'm just curious. From your eyes, I feel like you miss her a lot. That's why I asked."

"I already think of her as my mother."

"Oh. Mom."

"Yes."

Hamish picked up a plate. He transferred the cooked grilled fish to the plate.

"Let's eat. This fish is better when it's warm."

Elena followed Hamish to her seat. She took a deep breath, smelling the aroma of the fish that really made her appetite increase.

"Thank you for the food." Elena began to eat Hamish's grilled fish. The moment the fish meat touched her tongue, her heart felt overgrown with flowers. The aroma of the grilled fish was not deceiving. It smelled and tasted equally good. Without speaking, Elena finished the grilled fish on her plate until only thorns remained.

"Did you like it?" asked Hamish.

Elena lifted her face. For a moment, she forgot there was another man with her at the table. The man who cooked the most delicious grilled fish she had ever eaten.

"I really like this dish of yours. You're a great cook." Elena gave him a thumbs up.

"If you like it, you can have this." Hamish transferred the fish on his plate to Elena's plate.

"You're not eating?"

"I've had my fill of watching you eat so well." Hamish stood up. "I'm kidding. I'll just eat bread tonight. Tomorrow, I'll catch more fish. I thought you wouldn't like it, so I only caught two."

Seeing Hamish take the bread out of the cupboard, Elena couldn't bear it. She picked up her plate and held it out to Hamish.

"You eat this, Hamish. I'm not that hungry."

Hamish didn't take the plate from Elena's hand. Suddenly Hamish moved his head forward. He kissed Elena's lips gently.

Elena was startled, and she immediately recoiled. "What are you doing?"

"Oh, sorry." Hamish closed his eyes. "I couldn't help myself anymore. I like you, Elena. I'm in love with you. Your kindness has touched my heart ever since you took care of me that night."

Elena swallowed. This was the warning Julia had told her every time they parted on the way home. Hamish was a dangerous man.

Unfortunately, Elena had been unable to avoid him. Hamish Donovan Schmidt's charm had trapped her. She wanted to feel Hamish's lips again.

"Sorry," Hamish said, put the bread on the table, and left.

Elena put the plate on the table. She pulled Hamish's arm. She kissed him as she put her arms around his neck.

"I want you," Elena whispered.

Hamish smiled widely. "I love you," he replied, hugging Elena.

The grilled fish was no longer interesting. Hamish's lips had become an opiate for Elena in an instant. She kissed Hamish's lips as if there was no tomorrow.