As Jeremy set foot on the bridge, he felt a cool breeze brushing against his skin. The bustling noise of a gathering up ahead filled the air, as people chattered and laughed amidst the vibrant hubbub.
The air was thick with a complex blend of scents that made it hard to distinguish one from the other. But Jeremy's keen sense of smell allowed him to pick up on the unique scent that stood out from the rest. It was the distinct smell of a werewolf, mixed with the delicate scent of rosewater. He couldn't help but wonder which fashionable werewolf was shopping at the gathering today.
As he made his way toward the source of the scent, his eyes caught sight of the many vendors lining the bridge, displaying a stunning array of goods. There were colorful textiles draped over stalls, shimmering jewelry glinting in the sunlight, and rows of delectable snacks laid out for sampling.
A sudden gust of wind blew onto Jeremy's face, causing him to close his eyes momentarily. When he opened them again, he realized that he was standing in a prime position. He knew that the scent he was following was still fresh in the air, and that he was downwind of the werewolf he was tracking. Jeremy let out a small smile. This was a perfect chance.
Jeremy settled on a plan. He would follow the rogue to Celeste.
He cautiously followed the scent, keeping a safe distance from the target to avoid being detected, yet close enough not to lose sight of the rogue. From afar, Jeremy's sharp eyes locked onto the werewolf, a figure with a slender frame and flowing locks that cascaded down her back, making her stand out from the bustling crowd.
As he crept closer, Jeremy's brows furrowed in confusion. He couldn't recall ever seeing this particular she-wolf during the rogue attack. Was she in charge of the housekeeping? The thought puzzled him as he continued to shadow her every move.
The rogue's shopping escapade seemed to stretch on for an eternity. As time dragged on, Jeremy's impatience grew. He couldn't let her continue to wander aimlessly and risk himself being exposed. With a sudden change of heart, he decided to abandon his original plan and kidnap the wolf instead.
He knew he had to act fast, but the marketplace was bustling with activity, making it difficult to find an opportunity to strike. He would wait until the wolf was in a quieter spot before pouncing.
With this new plan in mind, Jeremy scanned the area for a perfect spot to surprise the wolf. He finally found a quiet corner, concealed by the shadows of the towering buildings that surrounded it. He was not too far away from the wolf, but ages had passed, and the wolf was still not approaching.
Jeremy couldn't help but look back at his target. She was taking forever! She seemed to be checking out almost every stall! Jeremy waited for another while, and finally, the wolf was getting closer to him.
But just before the wolf approached the corner, she was distracted by another small vendor. Jeremy rolled his eyes. This was why he couldn't go shopping with women.
He peeked out of the alley again. The wolf was carefully examining a product she held in her hand and talking to the owner, probably bargaining. Jeremy almost rolled his eyes again.
Finally, the wolf made her purchase and began to walk toward Jeremy's hiding spot, completely unaware of the danger that awaited her. Jeremy's heart raced as he pressed himself against the wall, waiting for the wolf to approach.
The wolf was clearly pleased with her shopping, humming as she stepped into the alleyway.
When she locked her eyes with Jeremy, she froze for a moment before she turned around to scream and run away. But before she could do so, Jeremy lunged forward and covered her mouth, pulling her into the darkness of the alley.
The wolf thrashed about wildly, revealing the muscular and toned body under her clothes. Its Adam's apple bobbed as the wolf struggled against Jeremy's grip.
"Let go of me, you perv–" The wolf growled in a muffled voice.
A guy?!
Jeremy was momentarily surprised. The wolf took advantage of his distraction and tried to break free, but Jeremy quickly caught him again and knocked him unconscious, dragging him back to his hiding place.
Once there, Jeremy tied his captive to a chair and looked him up and down, his expression complicated. He had always thought the wolf was a woman, given the perfume and her – his petite body.
What man wears rose perfume, anyway?!
He began to doubt if he had made a mistake in capturing the wrong person. However, the unmistakable scent of a wolf, and the glint of wolf eyes under the light, convinced him that he had indeed captured the right one.
But was he actually a rogue? Shouldn't rogues all be vicious and blood-thirsty instead of interested in daily shopping?
Just as Jeremy was considering whether to wake the man up or not, he noticed the faint trembling of his eyelashes. The man had been pretending to be asleep this whole time!
"Stop pretending. I know you're awake," Jeremy said, frowning and crossing his arms.
But the wolf remained still and silent, even its quivering eyelashes coming to a stop after Jeremy's words. "Fine, if you're not going to talk, then I'll just throw away everything you bought," Jeremy threatened.
"Wait!" The man suddenly snapped open his eyes and spoke up. He almost managed to jump out of the chair he was tied to. "Do you have any idea how hard I had to work to convince the shopkeepers to give me a discount?"