Cold night air swallowed them as they burst out of Veylor Fortress.
Owain hit the ground running—
Kanah secured in his arms, her breath warm against his collarbone.
Behind them, the fortress groaned like a dying beast, the walls folding inward as stone and dust collapsed in waves.
Yllas flew low alongside them, wings slicing the air.
Gerrin moved in the middle to maintain shields around the group.
Helion darted ahead, clearing the path with sharp, lethal grace.
The guardian beast thundered behind them, the earth trembling under its weight.
Ilai clung to Yllas's tail, coughing through the dust.
Owain leaped a fallen archway, landing hard but sure.
"You with me, Kana?"
Kanah's fingers tightened in his shirt.
"Yes."
Her voice was thin, but steady.
Alive.
Owain took a breath—deep, relieved, trembling—because minutes ago he wasn't sure he'd ever hear her answer again.
"Good," he whispered, kissing the top of her head.
"You stay awake. Stay with me."
She nodded into his chest.
"I'm here."
THE HUNT BEGINS
The fortress finally collapsed behind them in a roar of thunder.
Kanah twisted weakly in Owain's arms to look over his shoulder.
Dust swallowed the remains.
No silhouettes emerged.
No Devourers pursued.
Not yet.
Her father's voice echoed in her memory:
"She will be brought back."
Her pulse spiked with fear.
"Owain—"
"I know."
His grip tightened.
"We keep moving."
The group reached the ridge that overlooked the black woods surrounding the fortress.
Helion landed beside them, panting lightly.
"The forest path is narrow," he said, flicking his tail. "Good for losing enemies, bad for dragons."
Yllas eyed the trees disdainfully.
"I can fold my wings."
"Can you fold your attitude?" Helion shot back.
"Helion," Gerrin warned gently.
Helion smirked but did quiet down.
Owain didn't stop running.
Kanah spoke softly against him,
"Owain… I can run on my own."
"No," he murmured, brushing her hair back.
"Not yet."
"But you're hurt."
"I'm breathing. That's enough."
She cupped his cheek, thumb brushing the bruise under his eye.
"You almost died for me. Again."
Owain didn't pretend otherwise.
Without slowing, he said simply:
"I'd do it again."
Kanah's breath trembled.
"Owain…"
His voice softened in a way that struck deeper than any hunger or power ever could.
"You're safe now. That's all that matters."
She swallowed hard.
"Not for long. My father—my… brother—"
Owain growled quietly.
"Don't call him that if you don't want to."
She blinked.
"You… don't think I should… acknowledge him?"
Owain's gaze stayed forward, scanning the trees.
"I think you are not obligated to claim blood that threatens you."
Kanah breathed out slowly, leaning her forehead against his collarbone.
"That's… good to hear."
THE DESCENT INTO THE DARK WOODS
Helion hissed softly.
"Footsteps. Three sets. Fast."
Owain growled.
"Hollows?"
"No. Too rhythmic."
Gerrin lifted his hand, silver magic spiraling.
"They are Devourer scouts. Not full-bodied. Spectral remnants."
Kanah flinched.
"Sentries?"
"Yes," Gerrin whispered. "Your father released them to track you."
Owain's arms tensed around her.
"Then we go deeper. Harder for them to follow in thick scent."
Yllas shifted into his humanoid form, folding his wings tight.
"I will take the rear guard."
Ilai coughed, still clinging to his arm.
"Are—are we almost safe?"
"No," Helion said bluntly.
"But we're farther than we were five minutes ago."
Owain slowed just enough to lower Kanah onto her feet, though he kept his hands on her shoulders.
"Can you walk?"
Kanah inhaled deeply.
Her hunger was quiet… but not gone.
"I can."
Owain didn't look convinced.
Helion stepped closer, sniffing her lightly.
"You're scent-heavy," he murmured. "Instinct running high."
Gerrin added gently:
"Your aura flickers. You need grounding."
Yllas's blue fire flickered faintly at the edge of his lips.
"Who did this?" he asked quietly.
"Who hurt you inside that fortress?"
Kanah's hands tightened at her sides.
"My father. He used my blood to force the awakening."
Owain snarled low.
Gerrin flinched.
Helion's eyes went sharp.
Yllas looked like he wanted to burn the world down.
Ilai held onto Kanah's sleeve.
"She fought it. She tried so hard."
Kanah touched her friend's arm.
"Thank you."
Owain exhaled.
"We move until dawn. Then we find shelter."
Everyone nodded.
Before they stepped forward—
Kanah suddenly swayed.
Owain caught her instantly.
"Kana—!"
She clutched her chest.
Her heartbeat thrashed.
Her eye burned.
Her hunger twitched like a waking animal.
Gerrin reached her side, touching her forehead.
"Her resonance is straining. She's between stages."
"Meaning?" Yllas demanded.
Gerrin's eyes softened with sympathy.
"Meaning she needs stability… or she breaks."
Owain clenched his jaw.
"How do we stabilize her?"
Gerrin hesitated.
"There are only two ways."
"Tell me both."
"One: Full Devourer submission ritual."
Owain growled, "Not happening."
Gerrin nodded.
"I didn't think so."
"Two?"
Gerrin looked at Owain… then at Kanah.
Then back at Owain.
And he lowered his voice.
"She must complete the wolf-bite bond."
Owain froze.
Kanah froze.
The forest froze.
Helion blinked.
"Well. That escalated."
Yllas's jaw tightened.
Gerrin continued gently,
"The incomplete bite is destabilizing her hunger. If she chooses Owain again—truly chooses—it will ground her. Anchor the Devourer resonance to a living mate."
Kanah's breath shook.
"I— I thought the bite was just instinct."
"It is," Gerrin said softly. "But instinct chooses truth."
Helion shrugged.
"And she clearly wants the wolf. Even I can scent that."
Owain swallowed hard.
"Kana…"
She looked at him.
Really looked.
His eyes—
dark, aching, devoted—
held no fear of her.
Only need.
Only love.
Kanah whispered,
"Owain… if I bite you again… it binds us. Permanently. Beastworld permanent."
"Good," he said instantly.
She blinked.
"Owain—"
"Kana. You bit me to survive. Now bite me to stay."
Her heart flipped.
Yllas looked away, jaw clenched.
Helion softened, tail lowering.
Gerrin smiled sadly.
Ilai wiped tears from her eyes.
The guardian settled behind them like an enormous shadow.
Kanah stepped closer, fingers trembling as they touched Owain's jaw.
"Owain… you're sure?"
He took her hand, placing it over his heart.
"I've never been more sure of anything."
Her breath shook.
Her hunger stirred.
Her humanity ached.
Her choice solidified.
She whispered:
"Then tell me you want this."
He leaned down, breath brushing her ear.
"I want you," he growled.
"As my mate.
My equal.
My anchor.
My everything."
Kanah exhaled sharply.
"Owain…"
He tilted his head, exposing his neck—
Trusting her completely.
"Bite me, Kanah."
Her heart thundered.
Her hunger woke.
Her instincts aligned.
She leaned in—
Her lips brushed his skin—
Owain shuddered—
And Kanah opened her mouth—
When—
A deep, dark pulse rippled through the forest.
Gerrin's eyes widened.
"No… not now…"
Kanah stepped back in shock.
"W-what—"
Owain grabbed her waist.
The pulse came again—
A shockwave of Devourer energy—
Hot.
Violent.
Massive.
Ilai screamed.
The guardian growled loudly.
Helion hissed.
Yllas ignited flames in his hands.
Gerrin whispered:
"Your father reached the second stage."
Owain's voice dropped into a feral growl.
"What stage?"
Gerrin's face turned pale.
"He's awakening…
your brother."
Kanah gasped.
"Oh god—"
Owain pulled her close.
"No gods," he whispered fiercely.
"Just us. Just you."
Kanah clung to him.
The forest trembled again.
Kanah's father wasn't waiting anymore.
He was coming.
And Kanah knew—
They had seconds before the hunt truly began.