Chapter 12: Chapter Twelve – Awakening

The morning crept in slowly, golden light filtering through the canopy above them. The fire had long since died down to a bed of glowing embers, and the air was crisp with the kind of silence that only followed storm-like nights.

Eira stirred first.

Her head rested against his bare chest, his arm heavy across her waist. The rise and fall of his breathing was steady, peaceful—so unlike the man she’d met yesterday. Her body, warm and sore, felt as though it had molded to his in sleep.

She froze.

And carefully, slowly, began to untangle herself.

One arm slipped free.

Then a leg.

Her heart pounded louder with each inch of distance. She could see her robe lying nearby, could already feel the cold that would bite her once she stepped away from the warmth of him.

She reached for it.

A hand closed around her wrist.

Her breath caught.

She looked back.

Caius’s eyes were open—clearer in the daylight, startlingly blue. He didn’t speak, didn’t pull her back. Just held her wrist gently, as if anchoring her to the moment.

“Don’t,” he said, voice rough from sleep. “Not yet.”

It was then she realized—he was still completely naked.

And not just naked.

Her eyes dropped before she could stop them, catching the outline of his arousal resting against his thigh, heavy and unapologetic. Heat rushed to her face. She looked away so fast it almost gave her whiplash.

Caius caught the blush, and the corner of his mouth curved.

"It’s okay to look," he murmured. "It’s yours."

Her head snapped back around, glare sharp. "I don’t know you. This is not okay."

The smile slipped from his face. His brow furrowed, jaw tightening—but he didn’t argue. He just watched her, the amusement fading into something quieter, heavier.

And the space between them felt suddenly smaller than it had all night.

He sat up straighter, his voice low and certain. "You are my mate, whether you agree or not. I am yours. And you are mine. You will never leave my side."

Eira’s eyes narrowed. Her entire body tensed, but instead of pushing back with more anger, she took a breath and shifted the moment.

“Who are you?” she asked, quietly but firmly. “What’s your name? Where are you from?”

Caius blinked, caught off guard by the question.

“I’m Caius,” he said slowly, voice still laced with gravel and tension. “From the northern borderlands. I’ve been a rogue for years.”

Eira sat back on her heels, arms crossed protectively over her chest.

“I don’t even know you,” she whispered. "And you don’t know me."

His gaze met hers.

“Then tell me,” he said.

Eira shook her head, a bitter laugh escaping before she could stop it. “This—us—it can’t happen. It’s not real. I need to leave. I need to get away from all of this.”

Caius didn’t even blink. “Then I’ll come with you.”

Her head snapped up. “No. That’s not what I meant.”

“I don’t care,” he said, voice firm. “You’re not going anywhere alone.”

“You can’t just decide that,” she snapped. “You don’t even know me.”

“I’ll learn. I’ll earn it. But I’m not letting you vanish into the world again.”

She stared at him, lips parted, breath caught somewhere between fight and something softer.

“My name,” she said finally, voice quiet, “is Eira.”

A pause.

“Caius, how do you expect to go anywhere when you’re literally naked?"

He threw his head back and laughed—loud and genuine, the sound echoing through the trees. His eyes sparkled with something boyish as he wiggled his eyebrows at her. "I don’t think you mind too much."

Eira opened her mouth to protest, but the words never came.

Caius’s expression shifted.

His head turned slightly, nostrils flaring. A low growl rumbled from deep in his chest.

Someone was near.

Before Eira could ask what was wrong, Cass emerged from the trees, her hands up in wary peace.

“Easy, big guy,” she said, eyeing Caius’s naked form with a raised brow and the trace of a smirk. “I come in peace. Mostly clothed, unlike some of us.”

Caius’s growl eased, but he didn’t lower his guard.

Eira scrambled to her feet, pulling her robe tighter. “Cass?” she breathed, unsure whether to feel relief or alarm.

Cass’s eyes flicked from one to the other, assessing the situation. “You’re okay?” she asked Eira gently. “He didn’t hurt you?”

“No,” Eira said quickly, then added, “Not… physically.”

Cass arched a brow at Caius. “You gonna stay human, or are you about to shift again and traumatize her all over?”

He crossed his arms unapologetically, clearly not concerned with his lack of clothing. “She’s mine.”

Cass rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I got that part loud and clear.”

She turned to Eira, voice softening again. “You alright?”

Eira nodded, then glanced at Caius, her voice quieter. “Still figuring that out.”

Cass gave a short nod, then turned and walked a few steps back toward the tree line. She returned with a bundle of clothes folded neatly in her arms. Without ceremony, she tossed them at Caius’s feet.

“Here. Figured you’d eventually stop being dramatic.”

Caius caught the shirt mid-air and smirked. “What gave it away?”

Cass snorted. “The full frontal confidence or the growling territorial display? Hard to say.”

As Caius began dressing—thankfully without shame but with a bit more urgency—Cass turned her attention fully to Eira.

“I didn’t know where you went,” she said. “Only that there was blood and a broken man, and a wolf running into the trees like a beast possessed.”

Eira lowered her eyes. “It got complicated.”

Cass’s tone softened. “Yeah. I see that now.”

She glanced between them again, her gaze assessing. “You really don’t know what to do with this, do you?”

Eira shook her head slowly. “Not even a little.”

“Well,” Cass said, “then I guess it’s a good thing you’re not figuring it out alone anymore.”

Caius, now dressed, pulled his shirt over his head and stretched like the whole situation hadn’t just been an emotional hurricane. "There’s nothing to figure out," he said, matter-of-fact. "She is my mate. Where she goes, I go. And when she’s ready, she’ll have my pups."

There was a beat of silence.

Cass and Eira both stared at him, then said in unison, “Pups??”

Caius blinked. "What? That’s how it works."

Cass held up a hand. "Nope. Too early for that. Let’s start with names and pants before we jump to offspring."

Eira groaned softly into her hands. "I need more sleep or a stronger drink. Possibly both."

Cass chuckled and nudged her shoulder. "You’ll live. Probably."