Peace settled over the valley the way morning sunlight settles on warm fur—gently, slowly, comfortably.
Kanah woke in Owain's arms again.
His chest rose and fell against her back, steady and warm.
His breath brushed her shoulder in slow, sleepy waves.
His arm was heavy across her waist, keeping her tucked close.
She didn't mind.
Not even a little.
"Owain…" she whispered, stretching slightly.
He growled softly—a sleepy, possessive sound.
"No," he mumbled into her hair.
"Don't move. Stay."
Kanah smiled.
"You're awake."
"No," he said, tightening his arms around her, pressing her deeper into his chest.
"I'm dreaming that my mate isn't trying to escape."
"I'm not escaping."
"You're thinking about it."
Kanah laughed softly.
Owain opened one eye, staring down at her with tousled hair and a half-awake glare that somehow made him even more handsome.
"You're thinking," he repeated, "about leaving our nest. I can feel it."
Kanah poked his chest lightly.
"I was just thinking about breakfast."
Owain groaned dramatically.
"Kana. The den is warm. Your body is warm. You're warm. Why would we leave?"
Her cheeks heated.
"Because we need to eat?"
He buried his face in her neck.
"I'll hunt later. Right now, my mate stays here."
Kanah melted into him.
"Owain," she murmured, "we can't spend all day in bed."
He made a sound that could only be described as a wolf sulking.
"We can definitely spend the morning."
"Owain—"
He kissed her neck.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
Kanah's breath caught.
"Owain," she whispered again, voice unsteady.
He smiled against her skin.
"Mmm. There it is."
"What?"
"That soft voice," he murmured with satisfaction.
"The one you use when you want something."
"Owain!"
He laughed quietly and rolled her onto her back, bracing himself above her—
not heavy, not overwhelming—
just close enough that she felt his warmth everywhere.
Kanah swallowed.
"Owain…"
His hand slid along her waist, slow and warm.
"You're blushing," he whispered.
"No I'm—"
He kissed her.
The world tilted.
Slow, deep, savoring her.
His lips coaxing hers apart.
His breath mingling with hers.
When he finally pulled back, Kanah was breathless.
"Owain," she murmured, "we should—"
He rested his forehead against hers, voice low and warm.
"We'll get up soon," he promised.
"I just want a few more minutes with you like this."
She nodded, cheeks warm.
"Okay."
Owain kissed her again.
Longer this time.
Kanah's fingers curled into his hair without thinking, pulling him closer.
Owain inhaled sharply.
Every muscle in his body tightened.
"Kana," he whispered against her lips, "if you touch me like that—"
She froze.
"What?"
He swallowed hard.
"I won't let you leave this den for a long time."
Kanah squeaked.
"Owain!"
He laughed softly and eased down beside her again, pulling her into his arms like she weighed nothing.
"Kissing you," he murmured into her hair, "is my favorite thing."
Kanah buried her face against his chest.
"…Mine too."
Owain stilled.
Then melted.
"You can't say things like that so early," he whispered hoarsely.
"It does things to me."
Kanah flushed all over again.
THE QUIET MOMENTS
Later—much later—they finally emerged from the den.
Kanah's legs were a little unsteady.
Owain noticed immediately.
He growled proudly.
"That's from kissing. Just kissing. Imagine if—"
She slapped his arm.
"Owain!"
He smirked and interlaced their fingers.
They walked through the quiet camp, receiving bows, smiles, warm greetings.
Kanah greeted everyone back.
Owain stayed glued to her side.
Every. Step.
Gerrin approached with a gentle smile.
"Good morning, Queen Kanah."
Kanah smiled back.
"Morning, Gerrin."
Owain narrowed his eyes.
"Don't smell her, elf."
Gerrin blinked.
"I'm… not smelling her."
"You were thinking about it."
"I was absolutely not—"
Owain huffed and pulled Kanah closer.
Gerrin sighed.
"This is going to be his new personality, isn't it?"
Kanah laughed.
"Probably."
HELION'S INTERFERENCE
Helion dropped from a tree branch directly in front of them, landing in a crouch.
"Oho~ the queen looks very…"
He paused dramatically.
"Glowy."
Kanah blushed.
Owain growled immediately.
"Don't say 'glowy.'"
"Oh, I'm sorry," Helion said innocently.
"Radiant? Warm? Shiny? Thoroughly—"
"Finish that sentence and I'll skin you."
"—well-rested."
Owain blinked.
"…Oh."
Helion snickered and leaned toward Kanah.
"You slept well, didn't you?"
Kanah sputtered.
"O–Helion!"
Owain lunged.
Helion escaped into a tree like lightning.
"Coward!" Owain barked after him.
"You love me!" Helion called back.
Owain looked ready to climb the tree.
Kanah tugged his hand.
"Owain. No."
"But—"
"Owain."
He sighed, defeated.
"…Fine."
A SENSUAL NIGHT
Night fell softly over the valley.
Owain lay beside her in their nest, stroking her hair.
"Kana?"
"Yes?"
"You look tired."
She yawned.
"I'm… just relaxed."
Owain kissed the top of her head.
"Good. I want you relaxed."
His hand traced slow circles on her hip.
Her breath hitched.
"Owain…"
He leaned in, his voice a warm whisper.
"Can I kiss you again?"
She nodded.
He kissed her.
Soft.
Slow.
Lingering.
Their breaths mingled, hearts beating in sync.
Owain moved closer, his hand sliding gently along her waist, then her back.
"Tell me to stop," he whispered.
"I don't want you to."
He inhaled sharply.
The kiss deepened.
Time blurred.
Heat rose.
Bodies shifted closer.
Nothing explicit—
just warmth, breath, lips, hands, soft sounds—
until Kanah leaned into him fully.
Owain broke the kiss first, chest heaving.
"Kana…
If we keep going… I'll want more."
She rested her forehead to his.
"I know."
Owain closed his eyes, trembling with restraint.
"I want you," he whispered.
"Every night.
Every morning.
Every moment."
Kanah cupped his cheek gently.
"Then stay with me."
Owain exhaled shakily.
Always.
Fade to black.