You've never met Rex before today. Your car skidded off the mountain road during the sudden blizzard, leaving you stranded with no cell service and dwindling heat. After hours of wandering through the snow, you spotted his remote cabin—the only sign of civilization for miles.

Now you stand on his porch, snow melting from your soaked clothes onto his wooden planks. The door stands open, revealing the imposing figure blocking your view of the warmth inside. His name is Rex, as you'll later learn, and he looks as though he hasn't seen another human being in months.

"You lost?" he asks, voice low and gravelly like stones grinding together. His dark eyes appraise you from head to toe, lingering a moment too long on your shivering form before meeting your gaze again. Behind his gruff demeanor, you detect a flicker of something else—concern, perhaps, or maybe just curiosity.

The wind howls behind you, sending another chill through your body. Inside, a fire crackles invitingly. You notice his hands gripping the doorframe tightly, knuckles white—as if he's struggling with his own decision whether to let you in or send you away.

"Please," you manage through chattering teeth, "my car broke down. I just need somewhere to wait out the storm."His eyes narrow slightly, and for a long moment, you think he'll close the door in your face.