Tony's fur was warm beneath Ash as they rode, and she found herself hoping—praying—that she was right about who he was. Tony. Her favorite character from the book. Sweet, gentle, steady Tony. The kind of man her husband used to be when they first met—attentive, kind, listening to her like her words mattered.
Before life wore him down. Before he stopped seeing her. Before she became invisible in her own home.
As the bear carried her, memories rose uninvited. Years of doing everything—cooking, cleaning, raising the kids, managing the families, budgeting, keeping the house running—until she forgot to take care of herself. Forgot she deserved care at all. She remembered skipping showers for days, sometimes weeks, because there was no time. No space. No one who thought she mattered enough to help.
She remembered the old lessons drilled into her: Be quiet. Be good. Sacrifice. Don't upset the men. Don't take up space.
But that life was gone now. This world was her second chance.
No more shrinking. No more swallowing her needs. No more living for everyone but herself.
Her past rose again—sharper this time. Three stepfathers, each worse than the last. Abuse she never deserved. A mother too young and too lost to protect her. Years of eating until she felt sick just to make herself less appealing, less of a target.
But here… here she could breathe. Here she could heal. Here she could build something new.
The village appeared ahead—stone homes, flickering torches, guards with wolf ears and leopard tails. They approached cautiously, asking their business.
Ash straightened her spine. "My daughters and I lost our village to ferals. We seek shelter."
The guards exchanged looks. "What village?"
"Earth Village," she said smoothly. "We are human beastmen, blessed with insight. I need to speak to your chief."
They led her to a tall man with white ears, a white tail, and sad green eyes. A scar cut across his cheek, but it didn't dim his quiet strength.
"I am Judas," he said. "What warning do you bring?"
Ash dismounted and met his gaze. "This valley will flood next rainy season. A year later, the earth will shake and the volcanoes will erupt. Only a few hundred will survive unless you prepare."
He listened without disbelief—just concern. "What do you suggest?"
"Caves for the floods. A new home far from the mountains for the eruptions. You have eight seasons."
He nodded slowly, then asked, "Are you unmated?"
Ash looked away, swallowing hard. "My younger children and mates are gone."
The grief hit her like a wave. Sandra hugged her from behind. Mary and Bai clung to her sides, their tears mixing with hers. They had all lost something.
That was when the bear and leopard shifted into their human forms—completely naked—and wrapped their arms around the crying group.
Mary shrieked. Sandra shrieked louder. Bai buried her face in Ash's chest.
Ash… just admired the view. She wasn't dead. She had eyes.
She handed Tony her sweater, and he tied it around his waist.
Then she looked up at him—really looked. And she knew.
"Tony," she said softly, "will you be my mate?"
His eyes widened, then warmed. "Y‑yes… please."
Ash laughed, joy bubbling up in her chest. She kissed his cheek, and he turned bright red.
She leaned close, her voice a whisper meant only for him. "Tonight… I want to be close to you. I want warmth. I want comfort. I want you."
His breath hitched, and his hands trembled where they held her.
Judas stepped closer, voice low. "If you ever wish to share that warmth with me… I would not refuse."
Ash blushed so hard she felt heat in her ears. "We'll… talk."
Tony scooped her up in his arms—gentle, careful, as if she were something precious—and carried her toward a cave lit by soft firelight.
The cave was warm, lined with thick furs and heated stone. A small fire crackled near the entrance, filling the space with a golden glow. It felt like a sanctuary.
Tony set her down slowly, as though afraid she might break. Ash touched his cheek, and he leaned into her hand like he'd been waiting for that touch his whole life.
"Ash," he whispered, voice trembling, "I'll take care of you. Only if you want me to."
She rested her forehead against his. "I want this. I want you. And I want to feel safe again."
He wrapped his arms around her, holding her with a tenderness she hadn't felt in years. Warmth, trust, and quiet passion filled the space between them.
The fire crackled softly. The cave held them close. And for the first time in a long time, Ash let herself be held—fully, gently, and without fear.
The night unfolded in warmth and whispered promises, fading into the glow of the fire and the comfort of being wanted—truly wanted—by someone who saw her.