Kanah woke to warmth.
Not just Owain's warmth.
Several kinds.
Several sources.
She blinked her eyes open slowly—
and froze.
Owain's arm was around her waist.
That was expected.
Helion's tail was curled around her ankle.
That… was less expected.
Yllas's cloak covered her like a blanket.
His sandals were neatly placed beside her.
His scent—cool frost—lingered faintly.
Gerrin was sitting cross-legged just outside the shelter, back turned respectfully, humming a soft elven melody.
Kanah stared up at Owain's chest.
"…Owain?"
He groaned sleepily and pulled her tighter against him.
"Mine," he muttered into her hair.
"Owain—"
"Mine," he repeated, voice half-asleep and fully stubborn.
She sighed softly.
This wolf.
She tried again, whispering:
"We… have guests."
Owain snapped awake instantly.
"What guests?"
His wolf instincts surged—
protective
alert
danger-ready—
Then he looked around.
Helion sprawled over half the doorway like a lazy cat.
Yllas leaning against a tree outside, reading an ancient-looking tablet.
Gerrin brewing something by the fire.
Owain growled.
"Why are they here?"
Kanah smiled tiredly.
"Maybe they were checking on me."
Owain grumbled.
"I checked on you. All night. They didn't need to."
Kanah gave him a look.
"Owain. Be nice."
"I'm always nice."
Helion yawned loudly from the doorway.
"That's the funniest lie I've ever heard before breakfast."
Owain launched up, bristling.
Kanah grabbed his arm.
"Owain—"
Helion smirked, tail flicking lazily.
"So. How was the snuggling, wolf?"
Owain's face went dark.
"Say that again."
Helion purred.
"Snuuuggli—"
Owain lunged.
Helion was gone before his feet touched the ground, cackling from a tree branch overhead.
"Fast reflexes, dog!"
"I'm going to break your neck—"
"Owain!" Kanah snapped, grabbing his face in both hands. "Stop."
He froze—immediately—eyes wide at her sudden firmness.
She softened.
"You're safe. I'm safe. We're all safe. They're just teasing."
Owain slowly deflated.
"Fine," he muttered.
"But only because you asked."
Yllas finally closed his tablet and walked toward them with calm steps.
"Helion is being dramatic," he said.
"We merely came to escort Kanah to breakfast."
Owain's shoulders rose.
"We can escort her."
Gerrin appeared beside them, gentle as ever.
"But she might prefer all of us."
Kanah exhaled softly.
They were… overwhelming.
But also comforting.
And none of them felt threatening anymore.
Owain gently cupped Kanah's jaw.
"You okay?" he murmured.
She nodded.
"I like this," she admitted quietly.
"Them. You. All of it. It's… new. But I like it."
Owain's eyes softened to molten gold.
"I'm glad."
His thumb brushed her cheek.
"But I'm still sitting next to you at breakfast."
Kanah laughed.
"I didn't expect anything else."
BREAKFAST WITH THE BEAST LORDS
The camp was buzzing softly with morning activity.
Dragons sunbathed.
Wolves brought in the early hunt.
Elves prepared herbal teas.
Leopards stretched on high branches.
When Kanah approached, the murmur of the camp shifted.
Not fear.
Respect.
Relief.
Warmth.
She sat down on a blanket, Owain pressing close beside her like a protective wall.
Gerrin passed her a bowl of fruit and dried meats.
"I chose ones easy on the stomach," he murmured.
Kanah smiled.
"Thank you."
Yllas poured warm tea from a carved stone kettle.
"It will help stabilize your mana."
Kanah accepted it.
"Thank you."
Helion plopped down in front of her with a grin.
"And I brought berries because you like sweet things."
Owain growled.
"You don't know that."
Helion tilted his head.
"She ate three handfuls yesterday."
Owain glared.
"Well I made her soup."
"And I made her laugh," Helion shot back.
Gerrin raised a hand calmly.
"And I kept her stable when she collapsed."
Owain snarled.
"I held her while she collapsed!"
Yllas sipped his tea.
"I carried her through half the valley when you almost fainted."
Owain spluttered.
"I did not faint."
Kanah buried her face in her hands.
"…please stop fighting over who did the most."
All four immediately shut up.
Helion shrugged.
"Fine. But it would help if you stopped being so likeable."
Kanah blinked.
"…likeable?"
Gerrin nodded.
"It's not your fault."
Yllas added:
"You pull us."
Owain's hand tightened around hers.
"You always did."
Her breath hitched.
Suddenly, she felt the weight of their attention—
not overwhelming
but warm
steady
gentle.
She was no longer a victim.
No longer running.
No longer alone.
She was a center point.
A choice.
A future.
Kanah swallowed.
"I… don't know where this is going," she admitted quietly.
"With any of you."
Owain nodded.
"We know."
"We're patient," Gerrin said.
"We're persistent," Helion added with a grin.
"We follow your pace," Yllas said simply.
Owain laced his fingers with hers.
"And no one touches you without your permission."
Kanah felt her heart swell.
Warm.
Tender.
Safe.
"…Thank you," she whispered.
The four beast lords shared a look—
affection
acknowledgment
silent agreement
And for the first time—
Kanah didn't feel torn.
She felt… supported.
Desired.
Cherished.
Free.
A NEW DAY AHEAD
As breakfast ended and the tribes began their tasks, Owain rose and offered her his hand.
"Want to walk?"
Kanah took it.
"Yeah."
Yllas closed his book.
"I'll join."
Gerrin smiled gently.
"I'll come as well."
Helion stretched.
"And I'll follow behind to keep the scenery interesting."
Owain snarled.
"Helion—"
Kanah squeezed his hand.
"Owain, it's fine."
He sighed, pulling her closer to his side.
"Fine. But you stay next to me."
Kanah smiled.
"Okay."
Surrounded by her four beast protectors, Kanah stepped forward into her new life.
Not as a prisoner of her past.
Not as a victim of her father.
Not as a lost human in a strange world.
But as something new.
Something powerful.
Something loved.