Feral Bonds

Chapter 40: Not a Threat

Akecheta stirred in the early morning light, his body still heavy and sluggish from the sedative, but his instincts awakening slowly. His head pounded with a dull ache, and every muscle in his body felt like it had been torn apart and sewn back together wrong. The scent of pine and earth filled his nose, and for a moment, he was disoriented. This wasn't the alley. This wasn't the hospital. The air was cleaner here, warmer, and there was an energy—something natural, soothing—that made his frazzled nerves calm slightly, though confusion still gnawed at him.

He blinked slowly, his vision clearing, and saw the massive figure of the Wendigo—Cernunnos—moving around the small cabin. The fire crackled in the hearth, filling the room with warmth, and Akecheta could feel that same warmth spreading through his bones, easing the ever-present pain that had plagued him for what felt like a lifetime.

A low whine escaped his throat, and he tried to sit up, his limbs shaky and uncooperative. He felt... different. Bigger. Stronger, even though the ache still lingered in every corner of his body. His skin pulled taut in some places, the runes on his body throbbing faintly beneath the surface. It was as if his body had grown while he slept, the magic within him distorting his form once again.

Cernunnos glanced over, his sharp gaze softening slightly as he saw Akecheta struggle to rise. He moved closer, his massive form casting a protective shadow over the omega. Akecheta could feel it—the pull, the strange sense of safety that radiated from Cernunnos. It was unlike anything he had felt before. There was magic in it, but it wasn't like the magic that had been forced upon him. This was... natural. Strong. Like the forest itself had wrapped around him.

The omega's instincts flared to life, that deep-seated need to be protected, to be sheltered, overwhelming him for a moment. He wanted to curl up under Cernunnos's presence, to bury himself in that alpha energy that soothed the storm inside him. He whimpered again, this time in submission, his body betraying the fragile state of his mind and soul. He couldn't fight anymore. He didn't want to.

"You're safe here," Cernunnos rumbled, his voice low and steady. "But you need to rest, omega."

Akecheta tried to stand, but his body wobbled, his legs too shaky to hold his weight. He was too big now, his muscles swollen and heavy with the unnatural growth. Cernunnos reached out, steadying him with one large hand. Akecheta leaned into the touch instinctively, seeking that grounding force.

"You've been through hell," Cernunnos muttered, almost to himself. "But I'll keep you safe. Just... stay still."

Akecheta blinked up at him, understanding little of the words but feeling the intent behind them. The Wendigo's presence was enough to calm him, to make him feel like he wasn't completely alone in this. But the momentary peace was broken by the sound of Cernunnos's phone vibrating in his pocket. The Wendigo frowned and stepped back, pulling the phone to his ear as he listened to whoever was on the other end.

Akecheta shifted uneasily, the absence of Cernunnos's hand leaving him feeling vulnerable. He tried to follow, his legs trembling beneath him, but Cernunnos quickly placed a firm hand on his shoulder to still him.

"I have to go," Cernunnos said, his voice tight with frustration. His eyes flicked toward the door, then back to Akecheta. "Stay here. I'll be back soon."

The words sounded like a command, but there was an underlying concern in his tone that made Akecheta hesitate. He didn't want to be left alone, not now, not when his mind still felt fractured and raw. But the alpha's energy was strong, and the omega inside him wanted to obey, even if it pained him to stay.

Cernunnos moved to the master bedroom, pulling open the door and guiding Akecheta inside. The room was simple but comfortable—dark wooden beams, a large bed, and thick curtains that kept out the harshness of the outside world. Cernunnos gestured for Akecheta to lie down, and the omega complied, his body slumping onto the bed as if it were the only thing holding him together.

The Wendigo hesitated for a moment, then scribbled something on a small piece of paper. He placed it on the nightstand beside the bed, though Akecheta's dazed eyes barely registered it. He couldn't read. It wouldn't have mattered if he could. His mind was too clouded, too overwhelmed by the need to rest and hide away from the pain.

"I'll be back," Cernunnos said, his voice softer this time. He placed a hand on Akecheta's head, the touch brief but comforting. Then, with a final glance, he left the room, locking the door behind him.

The sound of the lock clicking made Akecheta's stomach tighten, but he was too weak to move, too tired to do anything but curl up under the blanket and let the exhaustion pull him under once more.

At the station, Cernunnos strode in with a dark expression clouding his face. The tension radiating off him was palpable, his steps heavy as he pushed open the door to his office. The fae who had attacked Akecheta were being held for questioning, and he needed to deal with them. But there was something else waiting for him.

The leader of the local coven—Vincent—stood leaning against the far wall, his arms crossed over his chest, his eyes gleaming with a cold, predatory light. The vampire was tall, sleek, his tailored suit perfectly in place as always. He was a friend, or as close to a friend as anyone like Cernunnos could have. But today, there was an edge to him that put Cernunnos immediately on alert.

"You're late," Vincent said, his voice smooth but dangerous. "We need to talk."

Cernunnos scowled, brushing past the vampire to his desk. "I've had bigger problems to deal with. What do you want, Vincent?"

Vincent's eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't move from his place against the wall. "I hear you've taken in a feral omega. One that's caused quite a stir in the town."

Cernunnos's jaw clenched. He didn't need this right now, not from Vincent. "He's not a threat."

"That's not what I've heard," Vincent replied, his voice still infuriatingly calm. "My coven has concerns. If this wolf is unstable—"

"He's not the problem," Cernunnos snapped, his voice sharp enough to cut through the vampire's words. He turned to face Vincent, his eyes blazing with anger. "The fae who attacked him are the problem. They hunted him, tortured him. They're the ones you should be concerned about, not the omega."

Vincent raised an eyebrow, surprised by the sudden outburst. "The fae?"

Cernunnos's hands curled into fists, his mind flashing back to Akecheta lying on the ground, too weak to defend himself as the fae surrounded him. The image of the omega taking the beating, not even fighting back, fueled his rage. The damage done to Akecheta—the scars, the wounds that wouldn't heal—it all came rushing back.

"He's not feral," Cernunnos growled, his voice low and dangerous. "He's broken. There's a difference."

Vincent's gaze flickered with something unreadable, his posture relaxing slightly as he pushed away from the wall. "And the fae? What do you plan to do about them?"

Cernunnos's eyes darkened. "I'm going to deal with them. Personally."

For a moment, silence hung between the two creatures, the tension thick in the air. Then Vincent nodded slowly, his eyes softening just a fraction.

"Fine," Vincent said quietly. "But if the omega becomes a danger to the coven—"

"He won't," Cernunnos interrupted. His voice was firm, unwavering. "I'll take care of him."

Vincent studied him for a long moment, then sighed, shaking his head. "You always were too soft on the broken ones."

Cernunnos didn't respond. His mind was already back on Akecheta, lying alone in the cabin, waiting for him to return.