Morning light filtered softly through the leaves by the river.
Kanah woke in Owain's arms—
his chest warm beneath her cheek,
his breath steady and deep,
his arms wrapped around her like a protective shield that had waited years to finally close.
He hadn't let go of her since last night.
Not once.
She lifted her head slightly.
Owain was awake.
Watching her.
Gold eyes soft and disbelieving.
"You're still here," he murmured.
Kanah smiled.
"I said I would be."
He pulled her closer, burying his face into her hair with a low, shaky exhale.
"Kana… I thought I lost you a hundred times."
His voice cracked.
"And now you're mine."
Her hand slid up to cup the back of his head.
"I've always been yours," she whispered.
"I just didn't know how to say it."
Owain kissed her shoulder gently.
Then—
A quiet cough sounded outside the shelter.
Both froze.
Owain growled immediately.
Kanah nudged him gently.
"Owain. Be nice."
He grumbled.
"…I'm always nice."
Kanah arched a brow.
Owain sighed dramatically.
"Fine. I will attempt to be nice."
She kissed his jaw.
"Thank you."
Owain preened.
Then glared toward the doorway.
"Come in. If you dare."
Kanah smacked his arm.
"Owain!"
"…sorry."
GERRIN — THE HEALER'S PROMISE
Gerrin entered slowly, hands folded respectfully.
He paused when he saw Kanah tucked in Owain's lap, her fingers resting over his heart.
A soft, knowing smile curved across the elf's lips.
"It seems the moon was kind to you both," he said gently.
Owain grunted.
Kanah flushed.
Gerrin knelt in front of her, offering both hands palm-up.
A gesture of respect.
Not worship.
Not submission.
Acceptance.
Kanah placed her hands in his.
Gerrin squeezed them warmly.
"Your heart chose true," he murmured.
"And I am honored to have witnessed it."
Kanah swallowed thickly.
"Gerrin… I hope you don't feel—"
"Hurt?" he finished softly.
"Kanah… affection is not a wound."
Owain stilled behind her.
Gerrin continued:
"You are my sub-mate. Someone I will guard, guide, and walk beside.
But Owain is your core.
Your anchor.
Your flame."
Kanah's eyes stung.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Gerrin leaned forward and pressed a soft, chaste kiss to her forehead.
"I'm proud of you," he whispered.
"For choosing with your heart, not your fear."
He rose gracefully and left without another word.
Owain exhaled slowly.
"…He's too perfect."
Kanah laughed.
YLLAS — THE DRAGON'S VOW
Next was Yllas.
He didn't step in.
He stood at the entrance, wings partially spread in a protective arc.
His silver-blue eyes were solemn.
"May I speak?" he asked.
Owain exhaled.
"You may."
Kanah sat up straighter.
"Yllas…"
The dragon lord approached—
slow, respectful—
and kneeled in front of her.
Then he bowed his head deeply.
"Your choice honors me," he said.
"Because it was truly yours."
Kanah reached out instinctively.
Her fingers lightly brushed his cheek.
Yllas inhaled sharply—
a dragon's subtle sign of emotion.
"I always felt," he murmured, "that the core of your fire belonged to the wolf.
My place is not to steal it—
only to shield it."
Kanah blinked rapidly, throat tightening.
"I want you in my life, Yllas. As my sub-mate. As my friend. As my family."
Yllas placed his forehead to her palm.
"Then I will guard your skies," he whispered.
Owain nodded in approval—
one male acknowledging another.
Yllas rose, wings lifting behind him in silent blessing.
He left without another word.
Owain muttered against her shoulder:
"…Dragons make everything dramatic."
Kanah laughed again.
HELION — THE LEOPARD'S TRUTH
Helion didn't knock.
He crawled into the shelter on all fours, tail flicking.
"Oho~ the lovers are glowing," he purred.
Owain snarled.
Kanah elbowed him lightly.
"Helion," she breathed, "come here."
The leopard lord's teasing expression softened instantly.
He sat beside her—
close, but not touching—
his tail curling loosely around his legs.
"So," he murmured, "you chose the wolf."
Kanah nodded.
"I did."
Helion stared at her with eyes softer than she'd ever seen.
"And your heart feels… right?"
She nodded again.
Owain's grip tightened proudly around her waist.
Helion exhaled.
Then he leaned in—
brushed his lips to her cheek—
and whispered:
"I wanted to be your first."
Kanah's breath caught.
"But I can live with being your second.
Or third.
Or fourth.
As long as I'm still yours."
Her throat closed.
"Helion…"
"I don't need your whole heart," he murmured, tail flicking softly.
"Just a corner. A small one. Enough for me to curl up in."
Owain choked on air.
Kanah laughed through tears.
Helion kissed her forehead lightly.
"Your king has you," he said.
"But your shadow stays mine."
Owain growled something unintelligible, but Helion only winked and left.
THE WOLF KING'S VOW
Silence filled the shelter.
A quiet, charged silence.
Owain turned her gently to face him.
"Kana," he murmured.
"You chose me.
But I need to say this clearly…"
He cupped her face with both hands.
"You're my mate.
My queen.
My heart.
My forever."
Her breath stuttered.
"And if you choose to share yourself with them—"
his jaw clenched,
"—I will accept it.
Because you chose me first.
Because your heart is mine.
Because I trust you."
Kanah cupped his cheek.
"Owain… thank you."
He lowered his head to hers.
"And if any of them hurt you—"
his voice dropped to a dark rumble,
"—I'll bury them."
Kanah laughed.
"Owain—"
"I said I'd be nice. Not good."
She leaned forward, pressing her lips softly to his jaw.
"You're enough," she whispered.
"You're more than enough.
You're my primary mate.
My husband.
My future."
Owain shuddered.
"Say it again."
"My husband."
He kissed her.
Slow.
Deep.
Anchoring.
The kiss of a king accepting his queen.
When they finally pulled apart, breathless, Owain whispered:
"Let's prepare for our ceremony."
Kanah smiled softly, heart full.
"I'm ready."
Owain's eyes glowed gold.
"And so is Beastworld."