Tobias had meticulously prepared for this journey, knowing that there were important missions awaiting him. With a mind focused and resolute, he reviewed his plans and objectives, ensuring that every detail was accounted for. The tasks at hand were of utmost significance, requiring his unwavering dedication and skill.
He made a conscious choice not to bring his henchmen with him on this particular mission. He knew that privacy and secrecy were important, so he decided to look like a simple, unremarkable commoner to fit in with the crowd. He didn't want to draw too much attention to himself, so he dressed modestly and kept a low image.
This was a smart move as it let him move around unnoticed among the crowds and watch and listen without giving away his true identity. He knew that this level of anonymity would give him the freedom to deal with the difficulties he would face in the future and do his jobs well.
The previous night had been a restless one for Tobias, as he found himself sleeping on the hard ground. The biting cold had penetrated through his fur-lined cloak, offering little solace against the harsh weather. His meager meal consisted of hard biscuits, dried meat, and fruit that had seen better days.
Even though it wasn't much of a luxurious feast, it was enough to satisfy his hunger, which was something that many people who had to live under the former king's oppressive regime. Tobias couldn't help but acknowledge the stark contrast between his own hardships and the suffering endured by those under the former king's tyrannical rule.
But as the clouds got darker and the danger of rain grew, Tobias became more and more excited about the idea of a warm meal and a soft bed for the night.
He knew that getting to Eldermont in a state of exhaustion, fever, or hunger would be detrimental to his purpose. Some breads he got from the last town he went through were not nearly enough to keep him going on his journey.
It was a fortunate coincidence that he stumbled upon this small town. It provided him with an opportunity to restock his supplies and savor a much-needed break before embarking on the remaining two-day journey to Eldermont.
The thought of the impending confrontation with Alaric, the leader of rogue lycans, knowing that reasoning might be futile and that it would likely culminate in a life-or-death battle between them, caused a surge of emotions to swirl in his chest, tightening his gut with apprehension.
Tobias looked forward to the task with a mix of determination and fear. He knew that he had to get rid of Alaric as Landlord and put Caleb back in his place. The title should have been given to his cousin, not the leader of rogue lycans, and he was determined to make things right. He was ready to use all of his power and influence to make things right and give Caleb back what was truly his.
"Is there anything I can do for you?"
Tobias was lost in thought when the voice shook him awake with her words. When he looked up, he saw the waitress who had been watching him since he walked in. He tried not to think too much about her large breasts, which were pushing against the tight bodice of her dress.
He couldn't help but find her even more interesting when he got closer to her. Her skin was perfectly smooth and fair, and she had a few freckles on the bridge of her nose that made her look a little bit innocent and good.
However, he detected a flicker of untamed intensity in her eyes that contradicted her seemingly innocent appearance. There was a wildness to her spirit that intrigued him, but Tobias swiftly dismissed such thoughts from his mind. Entertaining such notions was not only inappropriate but also a distraction from his mission.
"Would you like a drink or something to eat?" she asked insistently.
"What is being prepared in the kitchen?"
"We have roasted chicken, boiled potatoes, roasted root vegetables, and freshly baked breads from the oven," she suggested.
"I'll have that," he replied, "And if you have sweetened wine, a cup of it as well."
"Coming right up."
He observed her graceful stride as she moved away, appreciating the way her dress accentuated her curves. Despite his efforts to leave his old behaviors behind, Tobias recognized that he was still a man with natural inclinations. It was difficult for him to suppress his admiration when he encountered an attractive woman.
As Scarlett approached him, carrying his cup of sweetened wine, she couldn't help but pause for a fleeting moment, her eyes locked onto his figure. In that momentary pause, a wave of uncertainty washed over her as she pondered whether the man before her was truly Tobias or someone entirely different.
The man, whom she recognized as Tobias, was seemingly oblivious to Scarlett's true identity and did not recognize her in her altered appearance. It had been several months since their initial encounter. The passage of time had wrought significant changes upon Scarlett, transforming her into a woman unrecognizable to Tobias.
Her once-fair skin was now tanned from working long hours in the scorching sun. The strenuous work she had done had shaped her voluptuous body, making it less bulky and more toned. The hard times she'd been through had made her thinner and stronger, bringing out her strong, determined features.
As for her clothes, she wore a form-fitting dress that showed off her curves, which was what the old Finley had asked for to make her look more attractive. A touch of makeup made her look more alluring and gave her an air of enticement. Her hair, which had grown long, fell down her back in a wild, dark mane.
The pain she had been through made the fire in her eyes burn with a new sense of determination. She stood in front of Tobias as a different woman, carrying the weight of her past and the certainty of her future, yet he remained oblivious to the profound metamorphosis she had undergone.
These transformations had effectively masked her true identity from Tobias's awareness.
Scarlett took a deep breath and summoned all her courage to ask him the question that had been gnawing at her mind. She needed to dispel her doubts and confirm her suspicions once and for all.
With a steady voice, she spoke up. "You seem familiar," Scarlett remarked, her curiosity evident in her voice. "Have you been here before?"
Tobias shook his head. "No, I’m not from around here. This is my first time in this town."
"Where do you come from, then?"
Her voice had a sharp, edgy quality to it, and Tobias couldn't quite grasp the reason behind it. Despite her smile and seemingly harmless demeanor, there was an underlying intensity in her gaze that unsettled him. It was as if she knew him and harbored a deep-rooted animosity, although Tobias was certain they had never crossed paths before.
This ambiguity made him cautious, causing him to hesitate in responding to her questions, which felt more like an interrogation than casual conversation.