The Wolf King's den was bigger than Kanah expected.
Wide stone arches.
Smooth floors covered in furs.
Lantern roots glowing faint gold.
A warm fire pit in the center.
Nesting alcoves lined with thick pelts.
Owain pushed the door open for her, leaning his weight casually against the frame.
"Welcome home," he murmured.
Kanah stopped breathing for a moment.
Home.
The word hit somewhere deep in her chest.
"Owain," she whispered, "it's beautiful."
Owain stepped behind her, rested his chin on her shoulder, and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"You haven't seen the best part."
He nuzzled her gently, voice soft.
"You're in it."
Kanah flushed hard.
"Owain…"
He kissed her cheek slowly.
"You're mine. And this is your den."
She leaned into him, soaking in the warmth of his presence.
Her den.
Their den.
Their home.
THE NESTING ALCOVE
Owain tugged her toward a raised platform lined with furs—white, gray, and dark brown.
"This is our nest," he said.
"Our what?"
"Our nest," he repeated, very seriously.
"Where we sleep. Where we mate. Where we—"
"Owain!"
He laughed, kissing her temple.
"Just saying. It's important."
He stepped onto the platform and patted the space beside him.
"Come look."
Kanah climbed up, sinking into the softest pile of furs she'd ever felt.
"This is… comfortable," she whispered.
Owain smirked.
"It has to be. You toss and turn."
"I do not!"
"You kicked me twice last night."
Kanah covered her face.
"I was asleep!"
"I know," he said proudly.
"I still liked it."
"Owain! Why—"
"Means you're comfortable with me."
Her heart melted a little.
Then Owain leaned back against the wall of furs, spreading his arms lazily.
"Kana. Come here."
She crawled into his lap automatically.
He inhaled deeply.
"Mmm."
"…What?"
"You smell like home."
Her cheeks went scarlet.
"Owain!"
"It's true."
His thumb stroked her hip.
"You smell like me. Like our bond. Like our nest. I like it."
Kanah buried her face in his chest.
"Stop talking."
"Make me."
She sat up, glaring at him.
He smirked.
"Oh, feisty."
"Owain!"
He laughed and kissed her forehead.
"Fine. I'll behave."
"…For now."
THE SUB-MATES VISIT
The den door swung open without knocking.
Helion sauntered in.
"Ohhhh the new nest—"
Owain growled instantly.
"Get out."
Helion blinked, tail flicking.
"Calm down, wolf. I brought fruit."
He offered a basket.
Owain stared at it.
"…Where did you get dragon pomegranates?"
Helion winked.
"Where do you think?"
Yllas arrived a second later, wings brushing the doorway.
"Helion. Bring back my fruit."
"Absolutely not."
"You stole it."
"Yes."
Helion grinned.
"And now I am gifting it to the queen."
Owain froze.
"…Queen?"
He looked at Kanah.
Kanah blinked.
"Helion…"
Helion shrugged dramatically.
"It's canon now."
Kanah blushed.
Owain's chest swelled.
"My queen," he murmured.
Kanah gently shoved his shoulder.
"Stop making it a title."
Yllas cleared his throat.
"Kanah. This is for you."
He held out a small crystalline bowl filled with glowing petals.
"For calming the den. Wolves have been restless since the war. Your presence… stabilizes."
Kanah touched the bowl delicately.
"I don't know if I can do that purposefully."
"You do it naturally," Yllas said softly.
"Just by being here."
Kanah's heart squeezed.
Helion placed his chin on her shoulder from behind.
"So. When do I get a room in this den?"
Owain growled so loud he nearly shook the furs.
"Never."
Helion sighed dramatically.
"Rude."
Gerrin walked in last, holding a small woven cloth.
"Kanah," he said gently.
"You left your tea cup at the council."
She took it gratefully.
"Thank you, Gerrin."
He smiled.
"Your new home suits you."
Owain glared.
"Why is everyone in our den?"
Yllas smirked.
"Because you didn't close the door."
Owain stared at the wide-open entrance.
"…Kanah. They're doing this on purpose."
Helion winked and held up a mango.
"We brought housewarming gifts."
Owain snarled.
Gerrin placed a hand on his arm.
"Owain. It's natural for a new queen's den to be visited."
Owain huffed.
"They're too close."
Kanah placed a hand on his chest.
"Hey. I'm not going anywhere."
He softened immediately.
Helion whispered loudly:
"He's so easy."
Owain lunged at him.
Helion laughed and dove out the door before Owain could grab him.
Yllas sighed, muttering something about "children," and followed them out.
Gerrin bowed calmly and slipped away.
Leaving Kanah and Owain alone again.
Owain stared at the door.
"It's staying locked from now on."
Kanah laughed and pressed a kiss to his jaw.
QUIET IN THE DEN
As evening settled, the firelight warmed their den.
Owain lay back in the furs, tugging Kanah gently into his lap again.
She curled into him easily.
The bond hummed between them—
warm, steady, comforting.
Kanah looked up.
"Owain?"
"Hm?"
"Is it always like this… after mating?"
He brushed a hand through her hair.
"Like what?"
"Warm," she whispered.
"Soft. Easy. Safe."
Owain kissed her forehead.
"Yes," he murmured.
"With you."
Her breath caught.
"Owain…"
He smiled, brushing his thumb along her jaw.
"We have peace," he whispered.
"We have time.
We have a life to build."
Kanah rested her head against his chest.
"Good," she whispered.
"I want this."
Owain kissed the top of her head.
"Then this is ours."
And as Kanah drifted against him—warm and safe in their shared nest—
Owain held her like she was his entire world.
Because she was.