The journey north… never happened.
Hours after council, the scouts returned with surprising news:
The Devourer remnants had dispersed on their own.
No uprising.
No violence.
No danger.
Just quiet… departure.
Kanah exhaled in relief when she heard.
Owain wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"No more war," he murmured.
"No more hunger.
No more blood."
Kanah leaned into him.
"Just peace."
Owain kissed her hair softly.
"Just us."
She smiled, heart full.
The northern issue dissolved.
The world held no new threats.
It left Kanah with something she had never truly tasted since arriving in Beastworld—
Quiet.
And she didn't know what to do with it.
The tribes still trained.
Scouts still patrolled.
But the air carried a different weight now.
Not fear.
Not tension.
A future.
Owain saw the shift in her expression as they walked back toward their shared den.
"Kana," he murmured, "what is it?"
She shook her head softly.
"Nothing. I'm just… not used to having nothing to fight."
Owain's voice dipped warm and slow.
"Then fight me."
Kanah blinked.
"Owain—"
He smirked.
"With kisses."
Her cheeks heated instantly.
"Owain!"
He leaned closer, nudging her nose with his.
"Kiss duel," he whispered.
"Come on. I'll win."
She shoved his chest lightly.
He only grinned wider.
"Fine," she muttered.
"But I'm starting."
Owain froze.
"…Wait, you are?"
"Yes."
"How?"
"Like this."
Kanah grabbed his collar and kissed him.
Owain growled softly—
a sensual, pleased sound—
and lifted her off her feet entirely.
Kanah squeaked into his mouth.
The wolves nearby pretended not to stare.
Helion made a choking sound behind a tree.
Gerrin smiled warmly.
Yllas sighed at the dramatics.
Owain kissed her deeply before setting her down.
"Mate," he whispered against her lips, "you win."
She tapped his chest.
"I know."
Owain's heart soared.
THE QUEEN'S DAYS BEGIN
The next days flowed gently, filled with peace and warmth.
Kanah's mornings
Owain waking her with slow kisses on her shoulder
Tea with Gerrin
Wolves offering breakfast and soft greetings
Helion insisting she needs "queenly stretching exercises" (he means lounging)
Her afternoons
Learning pack hierarchy with the Beta
Observing dragon patrols with Yllas
Helping elves weave new mana wards
Petting every wolf pup that exists (Owain pretends he's not jealous)
Her evenings
Always end with Owain.
Talking.
Cuddling.
Kissing.
Holding each other.
Breath mixing.
Resonance humming.
Warm, sensual, safe.
Sometimes sleeping.
Sometimes not sleeping.
Fade-to-black.
A SMALL BUT BEAUTIFUL MOMENT
One late afternoon, Kanah wandered near the river to breathe in the quiet.
Owain followed silently, as he always did.
"Kana," he murmured, sitting beside her.
"If peace feels strange… I understand."
She looked at him.
"It's not bad strange. Just… new."
Owain brushed a hand through her hair.
"Then let's learn it together."
She leaned into him.
"Okay."
Owain kissed her temple softly, and the world felt gentle.
"I love you," she whispered.
Owain melted instantly.
"I love you more."
"Impossible."
"We'll see."
He kissed her again—
slow, deep, warm—
and the river shimmered with evening light.
The war was over.
The world was safe.
And Kanah had days she could finally fill with whatever she wanted—
Especially loving Owain.