Anira Part 2

"Hello, is anyone there?" — I call out, shivering from the cold as I walk toward the living room fireplace. "Mr. Auror, I’m sorry to intrude."
The moment I speak, the door slams shut behind me, sending a chill down my spine.
"It’s impressive how you seem to ignore orders, Miss Montecião." — The rough, slightly feral voice, though seemingly distant, makes me look around without truly seeing anything.
"You know my name?" — My voice trembles, surprising me. I’m usually so full of courage.
"I know everything that happens in my town." — My hairs stand on end.
What on earth made me come here?
"I’m sorry, but I was driving around and the rain is so heavy I ended up here," — I explain. "I know I’m not supposed to approach your house, but I was really scared of having an accident."
"What makes you think that really matters to me?" — The voice sounds rougher and a bit irritated. My body shivers, but my curiosity is even stronger; it feels like I’m in a nightmare.
"I’m sorry, sir, I’m leaving." — I take two steps back, moving away from the warmth of the fireplace.
A growl escapes, putting me on high alert, as a man, no, a beast, walks toward me. He’s certainly over two meters tall, resembling a wolf but with the stature of a standing bear. My heart feels like it’s about to stop at any moment. His eyes are a yellow unlike anything I’ve ever seen, almost golden. His feet are paw-like, and his body is covered in fur, as if he had a trim, but from the waist up, the fur grows denser. He has a brownish hue, with pointed ears and a face that’s a mix of human and feral. He doesn’t have a wolf’s snout but doesn’t quite have a human nose either.
"What are you staring at?" — He’s too close.
As he speaks, I notice his teeth are sharp, like fangs—wolf-like teeth, of course. I mentally slap myself. Auror is wearing a loincloth or something similar, fitting perfectly with what I see. He’s strong, his arms are muscular, and his hands are large.
"What are you?" — I tremble with the question, but my curiosity outweighs my fear.
"I am a férnus," — he says, sniffing the air as if recognizing a scent.
"What’s a férnus?" — I ask as his hand hits the wall, turning on the light and confirming everything I had already seen. He’s intriguing. I’m surprised but not afraid.
"I’m a férnus. We are an ancient shape-shifting species. In this form, I look like this, but we can be anyone who walks the city, whether man or woman." — He seems to shrink in size, crouching a bit so I could easily touch his face.
"This must be a dream," — I say quietly, pinching my arm.
"Believe me, it’s not."
"I think I need to go."
"No, you’ll wait for the rain to stop. That’s why you came here, isn’t it?" — I feel him walking around me, my body tensing.
"Yes," — I reply softly.
"Then let’s get you some dry clothes."
His large hand touches my back, guiding me. A million things run through my mind; if I weren’t wet and cold, I’d definitely say I’m dreaming.
"Again, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come."
Auror doesn’t say anything, just continues guiding me through the now fully lit house.
We reach a room upstairs. I didn’t even notice when we went up the stairs; I’m numb from the situation.
"Here you’ll find some women’s clothes." — I turn to face him. I must be really crazy, no, drugged, because finding out there are women’s clothes here makes me feel a surge of anger.
"Why are there women’s clothes here?" — I see his expression change, and why on earth does this bother me?
“And why would that be any of your business?” — He walks to the other side, grabbing a towel. — “Dry yourself!” — he commands, tossing the towel at me, which I catch in surprise.
His gaze is fixed on me, searching for something, as if trying to understand me, while his large hands touch my wet hair.
“...I didn’t mean to intrude, maybe, perhaps it wasn’t your woman’s clothes.”
“It must be a bad joke,” — he grumbles disdainfully.
“What?”
“I don’t have a woman. Those are clothes from staff who leave them here in case they need them.”
“Why would that be a bad joke?”
“Enough with the questions!” — At this point, I tremble with fear and decide to keep my mouth shut.
I watch him leave without looking back.
I dry myself, changing into a white sweatshirt, putting on socks, and grabbing some slippers. I don’t want to question anything further, so I stay here, looking out the window at the rain that has shown no sign of letting up; in fact, it seems to have gotten even worse.
From where I am, I can see the city lights below us. Auror must have a view of everything. I take a deep breath, trying to sort out my thoughts, and his words come back to me.
“But we can be anyone who walks the city, whether man or woman.”
This explains a lot, including the looks I’ve been getting since I arrived. The height of the men here also can’t go unnoticed.
Oh my God! Arow and his silver eyes, Jacob’s size, and how everyone here seems like carved wooden statues.
“I brought something to keep you warm.” — The door opens roughly, startling me.
Auror walks in with a thermos and a cup.
“Drink,” — he commands as he fills the cup.
I decide not to question him. At this moment, he seems irritated and leaves just as abruptly as he entered.