Morning sunlight washed over the valley, gentle and warm, touching the new camp with a soft golden glow.
For the first time since she had arrived in Beastworld…
Kanah woke without pain.
Without fear.
Without urgency.
Just…
quiet.
She stretched inside Owain's makeshift shelter, warmth from his cloak still lingering around her shoulders. He had left early to organize the morning patrols, but not without layering three blankets over her.
Kanah shook her head fondly.
"This wolf…"
She stepped outside, blinking in the soft light.
Wolves trotted through the grass.
Elves tended to small mana gardens.
Dragons soaked up sunlight on the rocks.
Leopards napped on branches.
Devourer-born practiced simple tasks with timid curiosity.
Kanah breathed in the clean air.
Fresh.
Warm.
Real.
Peace.
OWAIN'S SOFTER SIDE
Owain spotted her instantly.
He was giving orders to a group of wolves when his head snapped toward her, ears perked, instincts fired.
He jogged to her in a heartbeat.
"You're up," he said, breath softening. "Good."
Kanah smiled.
"Good morning."
Owain looked her up and down.
"You ate?"
"I literally just woke up."
He frowned deeply.
"You should have woken me."
"I can get breakfast on my own."
"No," he said.
Then realized how it sounded.
Then coughed.
"I mean—tell me next time. So I can… help."
Kanah raised a brow.
"Owain, you don't have to do everything."
He leaned down, lowering his forehead to hers.
"Yes. I do."
Her cheeks warmed.
She touched his jaw gently.
"Then maybe I'll let you help me get breakfast."
Owain's ears perked instantly like an excited wolf.
"Let?"
"Yes."
His tail would've wagged if he had one.
THE DRAGON'S WARMTH
On the way toward the fire pit, a shadow passed overhead.
Yllas descended in a slow, graceful arc, landing beside them.
"Kana," he greeted softly.
"You slept well?"
"Yes," she smiled.
Owain made a noise of mild disapproval.
Yllas ignored it.
"I wove a cloak for you," the dragon lord said, handing her a folded garment made of scaled wool and draconic thread.
Kanah blinked.
"…For me?"
"Yes."
He held her gaze.
"You shivered last night."
Owain's eyes widened.
"She did?"
Kanah sputtered.
"It was cold!"
Owain muttered something about getting more furs tonight.
Yllas' lips curved slightly.
"You may use this as well. It adjusts to your body temperature."
Kanah ran her fingers over the cloak's soft texture.
"It's beautiful."
Yllas bowed his head.
"Wear it. It suits you."
Owain growled softly.
"Of course it suits her. Everything suits her."
Kanah elbowed him gently.
"Be nice."
"I AM nice," Owain argued.
Yllas coughed politely.
"That remains debatable."
Owain bristled.
Kanah laughed.
THE ELF'S GUIDANCE
Gerrin appeared next, carrying a bowl of fruits, nuts, and small, dried flower petals.
"All safe to eat," he said warmly.
"Mana-nourishing. Good for recovery."
Kanah accepted it gratefully.
"You take such good care of everyone," she said.
Gerrin flushed.
"It's natural to care for what matters."
Owain blinked.
"…what matters?"
Gerrin smiled.
"Kana matters."
Owain's jaw clenched tightly, but he didn't fight it.
Kanah felt her cheeks heat.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Gerrin sat beside her on the grass, close but respectful.
"If you want," he said calmly, "I can teach you basic mana control today."
Kanah blinked.
"I… can do that?"
"You can do anything," Gerrin said softly.
Owain cleared his throat loudly.
"Anything within reason."
Gerrin hid a smile.
THE LEOPARD'S CHAOS
A loud yawn sounded from above.
Helion dropped from a tree branch, landing perfectly on all fours before stretching like a cat.
"Ahh… morning, little human," he purred.
Kanah smiled.
"Morning, Helion."
Helion swished his tail around her waist before Owain grabbed it midair.
"Stop touching her," Owain snapped.
Helion smirked.
"What? My tail was saying hello."
"Say hello with words."
"Where's the fun in that?"
Owain growled threateningly.
Kanah pressed a hand to her forehead.
"You two are impossible."
Helion winked at her.
"Correct."
Owain tightened his arm around her waist.
"I'm watching you."
Helion grinned smugly.
"I hope you enjoy the view."
Kanah snorted.
KANAH'S FIRST TASK: HELPING
She spotted the Devourer-born children struggling to stack wooden bowls.
Every time they put three down, the pile wobbled and crashed.
A small one whimpered softly.
Kanah immediately moved toward them.
"Hey," she said gently, kneeling.
"It's okay. Let's try together."
Their golden eyes lit up with relief.
Owain crouched beside her, watching her with a tenderness he didn't bother hiding.
Yllas approached from the other side, quietly stabilizing the bowls with frost.
Gerrin used mana threads to bind the stack.
Helion stood behind them, arms crossed, tail flicking proudly.
"You're really good with them," he said.
Kanah raised a brow.
"You sound surprised."
"I'm impressed," Helion corrected.
"There's a difference."
Owain added softly:
"You're natural."
Kanah's chest warmed.
"They just need patience."
"Like we do?" Helion teased.
Kanah flushed.
Owain snarled softly.
Gerrin smiled knowingly.
Yllas lifted a brow.
"Kana shows patience to those who deserve it."
Helion pointed at Owain.
"So… not him."
Owain lunged.
Helion darted away laughing.
Kanah covered her face.
"They're going to kill each other."
Gerrin shook his head.
"No. They won't.
This is how they show affection."
Kanah blinked.
"…affection?"
"Yes," Yllas confirmed.
"Dragons flare wings. Wolves growl. Leopards tease. Elves… talk too much."
Gerrin glared at him.
Kanah laughed softly.
Happiness bubbled up inside her—
warm
light
real.
For the first time since entering Beastworld…
Kanah wasn't surviving.
She was living.
A QUIET FEAR
As the day continued, she found herself alone near the river for a moment, watching the water ripple over smooth stones.
Then—
A flash of memory.
Her father's voice.
His final breath.
The pressure of the First Tongue clawing at her mind.
Kanah stiffened.
Her hand trembled.
Owain appeared instantly—
not running
not panicked
just quietly there.
He brushed her hair behind her ear gently.
"You okay?"
Kanah swallowed.
"I… thought I was."
Owain took her hand.
"Fear doesn't disappear in a day," he murmured.
"But neither do we."
She met his gaze.
Warm.
Steady.
Unshakable.
"You're allowed to feel everything," Owain whispered.
"And you're allowed to heal slowly."
Kanah exhaled shakily, leaning into him.
Owain held her close, chin resting on her head.
"We've got time," he murmured.
"All the time you want."
Kanah closed her eyes, letting the river's quiet murmur calm her.
For the first time—
she believed him.