The night was still heavy with the memory of growls, blood, and heartbreak. The forest had seen too much. Caleb's breaths were shallow, his arm bruised, a deep claw mark across the ribs. But his eyes... they never left Eli.
Eli didn't wait. He held Caleb's hand tighter and whispered, ''We're going home.''
It was nearly morning when they arrived. Eli rushed to grab blankets, the first- aid kit, and water Eli had wrapped Caleb in blanket. You should've told me you were hurt bad, Eli scolded softly, dabbing the wound with shaking hands.
The fire cracked in the fireplace. Caleb sat on the couch, shirtless, wounded. His eyes stayed fixed on the flames, not daring to meet Eli's.
''You should rest,'' Eli said softly, kneeling beside him, gently wiping the dried blood from his chest with warm cloth. ''You ok,''
Caleb didn't respond at first.
''I never wanted you to see me like that.''
Eli looked up. ''But I already had. The night you collapsed outside my house. I took care of your wolf form then, remember?''
Caleb's lips tightened. ''This was different. That night, I wasn't a monster fighting for your life.''
''You are not monster,'' Eli whispered. ''You're the only one who's ever made me feel me safe.''
Caleb's gaze finally met his. There was so much emotion --- shame, longing, love.
''You don't understand what it means,'' Caleb said, voice low. ''To be what I am. To have you mean this much to me. It's dangerous. You're in dangerous just by being close to me,''
Eli swallowed the lump in his throat and sat beside him. ''Don't push me away. Let me face with you.''
Caleb turned toward him, searching his face. ''Why do you trust me so much, Eli?''
''Because I see you. Not just the wolf. Not just the man with secrets.'' He placed a hand over Caleb's chest. ''I see this. And it's good. It's real.
The room went quiet again ---so quiet, only their breathing filled the space.
And then Caleb leaned in, almost unsure, almost scared. But Eli didn't move away. Their lips met softly---just a brush, slow and uncertain.
But when Eli pressed back, it deepened -- raw, aching, full of unspoken things.
Caleb's hand slid up to Eli's cheek, thumb brushing his skin. ''If I lose control again... if Riven comes back..''
Eli cut him off. ''Then we'll face it. Together.''
The word--together-settled in Caleb's chest like an anchor.
He pulled Eli into a tight embrace, holding him like the only truth he had left in his world. Outside, the wind howled.
But inside, for the first time, they were truly no longer alone.