The valley had already woken long before Kanah did.
Wolves trained in the clearing.
Elves prepared mana wards.
Leopards ran perimeter paths.
Dragons soared overhead, their shadows sweeping across the grass.
But the moment Kanah stepped out of the shelter beside Owain—
everything stopped.
For a heartbeat, the entire valley held its breath.
Kanah blinked at the sudden silence.
"Owain… why did they all—?"
Owain stepped slightly in front of her, chin lifted, posture proud.
"They sense the bond," he murmured low.
"They know their queen stands before them."
Kanah swallowed.
"I'm… really their queen now."
Owain turned, brushing a thumb softly along her cheek.
"You've always been."
THE PACK'S BOW
The wolves bowed first.
A ripple of bodies bending one knee and lowering their heads to her.
Not Owain.
Her.
Kanah gasped softly.
"Owain… I'm not used to this."
His voice softened.
"You don't have to be used to it. Just receive it."
He guided her forward with a warm hand on her back.
The pack's Beta approached, carrying a ceremonial strip of wolf-hide decorated with silver moons.
He extended it to Kanah.
"For our queen," he said.
"To honor the bond you forged."
Kanah accepted it carefully.
"It's beautiful," she whispered.
Owain's hand squeezed her waist.
"You deserve every honor they give you."
THE DRAGON GREETING
Yllas descended from above, landing with a gust of wind that scattered petals across the clearing.
He bowed—not deeply like the wolves, but with a dignified tilt of his wings.
"Kanah, mate of the Wolf King," he said, voice calm and resonant.
"You carry his scent, his mana, and his trust."
Kanah flushed.
"I… hope I carry them well."
Yllas gave a small smile.
"You do. You will."
He extended a hand and placed something cool and metallic into her palm.
A dragon-scale bracelet, shimmering with blue firelight.
"For protection," he said.
"And as a sign that the skies watch over you."
Owain growled softly.
"Yllas. That scale came from your chest."
Yllas shrugged.
"A queen deserves the strongest shield."
Owain muttered, "Show-off."
Kanah smiled warmly.
"Thank you, Yllas."
He bowed his head and stepped back.
THE LEOPARD TRIBUTE
A blur of spotted fur dropped down from a tree branch.
Helion landed with a flourish, tail flicking, eyes bright.
He bowed unnecessarily low, grinning up at her.
"Your Majesty."
Owain snarled immediately.
Helion winked.
"I'm just practicing."
Kanah crossed her arms, trying to look stern but failing.
"What are you up to?"
"Me?" Helion placed a hand over his heart.
"Innocence incarnate."
Owain growled.
Kanah sighed.
"Helion."
"Fine, fine."
He snapped his fingers and the leopard clan materialized behind him—silent, sleek, eyes gleaming with respect.
One of them stepped forward and placed a necklace in Kanah's hands—
A string of small, polished stones, each engraved with claw marks.
"The Hunter's Circle," Helion said.
"A symbol that no beast will hunt you.
And that we hunt for you."
Kanah's heart warmed.
"I'll wear it proudly."
Owain muttered, "Too proudly," but didn't complain when she put it on immediately.
THE ELF'S GIFT
Gerrin approached last.
He carried a folded cloth, shimmering with mana threads.
A cloak.
Soft as wind. Light as healing magic.
"It is woven," he said, "from moon-thread and mana bindings."
Kanah lifted it delicately.
"It's beautiful…"
"It is made for you," Gerrin said.
"For the queen who stood against hunger, darkness, and grief—and still chose love."
Kanah blinked back emotion.
"Gerrin… thank you."
He bowed his head.
"It is an honor to serve you."
Owain rested a hand protectively on her hip.
"You have our king," Gerrin continued.
"And you have all of us."
Kanah felt the truth of it.
She had support.
Family.
A tribe.
A court.
A future.
THE QUEEN'S FIRST DUTY
Owain stepped behind her suddenly, placing both hands on her shoulders.
"Kanah," he murmured near her ear, "your first duty as queen begins now."
She froze.
"My… first duty?"
Owain nodded solemnly.
"Yes. One of the most important."
The tribes watched silently.
Kanah swallowed.
"Owain, what do I have to do?"
Owain turned her gently to face him.
His golden eyes softened—then warmed—then lit with something like pride.
"You walk beside me," he said.
"And greet the tribes as my equal."
Kanah blinked.
"…That's it?"
Owain leaned down and kissed her forehead.
"That is everything."
He took her hand.
Not guiding her.
Not pulling her.
Walking beside her.
As a king walks with his queen.
Kanah inhaled slowly, letting the weight of the role settle into her bones, her heart, her chest.
Every tribe bowed again as she began walking the path.
Gerrin at her left.
Yllas behind her.
Helion lounging along the branches above her.
And Owain—her mate, her king—solid at her side.
Kanah whispered as they walked:
"Is this really my first duty?"
Owain squeezed her hand.
"Yes."
Her voice softened.
"And what is my second duty?"
Owain leaned close, murmuring in her ear:
"Being loved."
Kanah smiled.
"I think I can do that."
Owain kissed her cheek softly.
"I know you can," he murmured.
And the queen of Beastworld took her first step into her role—
hand-in-hand
with her king.