Kyle POV
I gazed into Seth's emerald green eyes.
There was so much swirling in them—worry, relief, and something else… an indescribable tenderness.
When his gaze dropped to my lips, my throat tightened, and my heart hammered so loudly I was sure he could hear it.
I closed my eyes.
Waiting for the kiss.
But instead, I felt only his warm breath against my face, then a soft touch on my forehead.
Not his lips.
A small piece of me quietly crumbled, only to be gently mended by his fingertips brushing my cheek.
"Listen to me," he whispered, "don't come here again, okay?"
I opened my eyes and nodded.
In that moment, I must have looked unbearably pitiful—because suddenly, he smiled. So softly, like a warm breeze that could soothe the coldest night.
"I'll have them clear out the second room for you today," he said, "and ask Benny to heat up some water so you can have a proper bath."
I let out a small laugh and whispered a thank you. My eyes involuntarily dropped—
And froze.
He'd shifted back to human form… without pants.
And I was practically sitting on his lap!
My face instantly burned crimson. I scrambled to look anywhere but at him, mumbling awkwardly as I slid off his legs and practically fled.
He didn't seem to notice—until he glanced down and burst out laughing like a big kid, scratching the back of his head sheepishly.
He scanned around and quickly spotted the robe I'd discarded nearby.
"W-wait—" I began, but he strode over, picked up the robe, and casually wrapped it around his waist.
I was utterly dumbfounded.
"Mind if I borrow this?" he winked at me. "I'll give it back when I'm done."
"O-oh… sure," I stammered.
I didn't have the courage to tell him the robe was probably still stained with this morning's… fluids. Just thinking about it made me want to disappear.
After that, he dragged me back to the village despite my protests and insisted Fiona check my injuries.
I'd only scraped my elbow, but Seth's body bore multiple scratches.
Seeing him so battered, my chest tightened painfully. I took the ointment Fiona handed me and silently applied it on his wounds. When my fingers brushed his skin, he didn't move or protest.
When I finished, he stood, smiling softly.
"Thanks," he said, then—
Pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead.
I froze. Fiona and Samantha exchanged knowing looks—as if silently saying, "We see what's going on, but we won't say a word." I didn't know whether to laugh or die from embarrassment. I felt like my whole body was aflame.
That afternoon, Seth took me to the second room he'd prepared. Inside was a wooden bathtub. He told me that whenever I wanted to bathe, all I had to do was tell Benny, and he'd heat the water for me.
My eyes almost welled with tears. I said thank you over and over.
After he left, Chris appeared out of nowhere, arms crossed and leaning against the doorframe with a mischievous grin.
"So… you two are together now?"
"N-no!" I blurted out reflexively.
She raised an eyebrow knowingly. "Keep telling yourself that. The whole village can see how different he is with you."
I opened my mouth but had nothing to say.
"I've been here a long time. Seth's never cleared a room or heated water for anyone else."
I was speechless.
Then she leaned closer, voice low and sly like a fox's, "By the way, you should prepare yourself—wolves'… equipment… is huge."
"W-what did you say?!" I jumped, face burning hotter than ever.
She laughed and walked away, leaving me standing there questioning my entire existence.
That night, Seth shifted into wolf form and casually walked into my cabin. Before I could say anything, he jumped onto the bed, grunted twice, and buried himself in my arms.
I opened them without hesitation, hugging this warm, giant canine.
His fur tickled my cheek, but I didn't want to let go.
What exactly were we now?
I hadn't figured it out yet, but the steady rhythm of his breathing slowly lulled me to sleep.
A few days later, as Seth promised, the Red Moon pack held a bonfire party to celebrate my official joining.
The sun hadn't fully set when Duncan and Samantha pulled me, one on each side, into Duncan's cabin, grinning like they were in on some secret.
"Put this on. You're the star tonight," Samantha winked, handing me a strange outfit.
It was no ordinary clothes, but ceremonial garb.
A silver-gray metal collar, cold against my neck, connected to a soft patch of brown fur that covered my chest. My back was nearly bare, with only a few chains dangling down, clinking softly as I moved. The patterns were unfamiliar, but a sun-shaped charm in the center, glowing faintly, caught my eye.
The lower half was a long skirt made of dark brown fur, tied around the waist with bone ornaments. When I looked down, my cheeks flamed—the skirt hung loose around my small frame, slipping dangerously low at my hips. I tugged nervously, only to have it slide even more.
Samantha tied a leather band with the same sun emblem around my left arm.
I felt exposed and awkward, my back tingling with cool air.
"Don't move!" Duncan spun me around, clapping his hands. "Perfect! You'll steal the show tonight."
I swallowed hard but was too flustered to reply before they half-pushed me out the door toward the bonfire.
The party was already in full swing. Flames roared, painting the night sky red as wolves gathered in circles singing and dancing.
Seth stood in the center circle—two spots clearly left open beside him.
I hesitated before Duncan gave me a gentle shove, sending me stumbling into Seth's circle.
My right hand found his steady grip, his palm hotter than the firelight.
He smiled down at me, and my heart skipped.
Duncan grabbed my left hand, winking. The music started, and everyone began dancing.
I had no idea how to keep the rhythm but was dragged along anyway, tripping and stumbling.
I accidentally stepped on Seth's foot, panicked to apologize, but he just laughed like it didn't matter.
He seemed to be enjoying this moment—
And so was I.
For the first time, a feeling swelled in my chest I'd never known before—a sense of belonging, of safety, as if the entire world was finally accepting me.
Growing up, only Geralt and Valerion had ever shown me warmth. My mother treated me like a commodity, and my brothers felt like strangers.
But here, everyone looked at me, smiled at me, cared for me. They thanked me for helping with wounds and improving diets, and I found genuine respect and connection.
I was no longer the useless, exploited "Omega."
I was part of the Red Moon pack.
When the dance ended, Samantha approached with a wildflower wreath and placed it gently on my head.
I almost cried.
Seth then declared me officially part of Red Moon.
Cheers erupted as everyone took turns hugging me. Some of the bigger guys—like Burton—held me so tightly I could barely breathe, but I laughed like a child.
That night, the fire, the warmth, and the real embraces told me—
I had finally found a true home.