Chapter Three: The Hatred of Creatures

Lily and the creature stood in the clearing, staring at each other. It had been years since she'd last seen it, but the sight of it still sent a shiver down her spine.

She remembered how her parents had forbidden her from seeing it, how they'd told her that it was dangerous and that it would hurt her. She'd never understood their fear, but now, standing face to face with the creature, she could see why people might be afraid of it.

The creature was massive, towering over her with long, sharp claws and teeth that glinted in the moonlight. Its fur was matted and dirty, and there was a wild look in its eyes that made Lily feel uneasy.

"What are you?" she whispered.

The creature tilted its head, as if considering her question. Then, to her surprise, it spoke.

"I am a werewolf," it said, its voice low and growling.

Lily took a step back, suddenly realizing the truth of what her parents had always told her. Werewolves were creatures of legend, said to be monsters that could change shape at will. They were feared and hunted by humans, who believed them to be a threat to their way of life.

But as she looked at the creature before her, Lily couldn't help but feel a sense of sympathy. The creature was alone, shunned by society because of what it was.

"Why do people hate creatures like you?" she asked.

The werewolf snorted, as if the answer was obvious. "Humans fear what they don't understand," it said. "They see us as a threat, something that needs to be eliminated. But we are not monsters. We are just like them, with our own families and communities."

Lily thought about her own experience, how her parents had been so quick to judge the creature without even trying to understand it. She knew that there must be others out there who felt the same way, who were judged and persecuted for being different.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I'm sorry for what humans have done to your kind."

The werewolf gave a low growl, but it didn't attack her. Instead, it seemed to be considering her words.

"You are different," it said finally. "You don't fear me."

Lily shook her head. "No," she said. "I don't. I want to understand you, to learn more about your kind."

The werewolf eyed her warily, but then it seemed to relax slightly.

"Perhaps we can make a deal," it said. "I will teach you about my kind, and in return, you will help me."

Lily felt a surge of excitement. This was what she'd been looking for her entire life, someone who could teach her about the world beyond the human realm.

"What do you need help with?" she asked.

The werewolf hesitated, as if unsure of whether to trust her. Then, it spoke.

"There are others like me, other creatures who are hunted and persecuted by humans," it said. "I need your help to find them, to bring them together so that we can protect ourselves from those who would do us harm."

Lily nodded, understanding the werewolf's plight. She knew that there were others out there who were just like her, who longed for a place where they could be accepted for who they were.

"I'll help you," she said. "Whatever it takes."

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