Feral Bonds

Chapter 48: Purrs and Pampering

Over the next week, Cernunnos settled into a quiet routine of caring for Akecheta, watching as the omega slowly began to heal, both physically and mentally. It wasn't easy—Akecheta was like a wounded animal, still skittish and mistrusting despite Cernunnos's best efforts to create a safe environment. But the Wendigo was patient, determined to show the wolf that he didn't have to fight anymore, that he could let his guard down, if only for a moment.

On the first morning after Akecheta had regained consciousness, Cernunnos brought him breakfast—a simple meal of eggs, toast, and fruit. He set the tray on the bed and waited as Akecheta blinked up at him, his eyes still clouded with confusion. The omega hesitated for a long moment, his instincts warring with his hunger. Eventually, the need to eat won out, and he began to pick at the food, his movements slow and deliberate, like he didn't quite know how to handle the attention.

Cernunnos watched him with a quiet intensity, noting every small shift in Akecheta's behavior. The wolf still flinched at sudden sounds, still tensed whenever Cernunnos moved too close, but there were moments—brief and fragile—where Akecheta allowed himself to relax, to trust. It was in those moments that Cernunnos worked hardest, using gentle touches and soft words to reinforce the sense of safety he was trying to build.

As the days passed, Cernunnos began to introduce Akecheta to the modern amenities of his cabin. It was a far cry from the primitive living conditions the omega had endured in his pack, and at first, Akecheta didn't seem to understand why any of it mattered. The hot showers, the comfortable bed, the clean clothes—these were luxuries he had never known, and he seemed hesitant to accept them, as though they were too good to be real.

On the second day, Cernunnos brought Akecheta a set of fresh clothes—a soft cotton T-shirt and sweatpants—and laid them on the bed. Akecheta stared at them for a long time, his fingers twitching as though he didn't quite know what to do. His old clothes were tattered, barely hanging on after everything he had been through, but he clung to them as though they were a part of him.

"You don't have to wear them," Cernunnos said gently, watching as Akecheta's eyes flickered between him and the clothes. "But they're here if you want them."

Akecheta didn't respond, but later, when Cernunnos left the room and returned, he found the omega curled up on the bed, wearing the new clothes. The sight brought a small smile to his face.

One evening, Cernunnos led Akecheta to the large bath in the cabin—a wide, luxurious tub that was more than enough to fit the both of them, though Cernunnos kept his distance, not wanting to invade the omega's space. Akecheta hesitated at first, clearly unfamiliar with the idea of a bath that didn't involve freezing cold water and a quick dip in a pond. But when Cernunnos filled the tub with warm water and added soothing herbs to the mix, Akecheta slowly began to relax, sinking into the warmth with a soft sigh.

Cernunnos didn't leave him alone in the bath, but he didn't intrude either. He sat nearby, humming a quiet tune as Akecheta soaked, watching with quiet satisfaction as the tension in the omega's shoulders began to melt away. At one point, Akecheta even let out a soft purring sound, the same sound he had made in the shower when Cernunnos had first washed the blood from his skin. It was a small victory, but it meant the world to Cernunnos.

In the evenings, Cernunnos tried to pamper the omega in small, careful ways. He would bring Akecheta blankets, building up a cozy little nest on the couch where the omega could curl up and feel safe. He would sit nearby, never too close, but always present, humming soft songs or simply watching the fire crackle in the hearth.

Whenever Akecheta allowed it, Cernunnos would brush his fingers through the omega's hair, using the touch of kin that seemed to calm Akecheta, even if he didn't fully understand why. He would gently comb through the thick, unruly locks, working out the knots and tangles with patient care. Sometimes, Akecheta would lean into the touch, his eyes fluttering shut as he let out soft, contented sighs. Other times, he would pull away, his instincts telling him not to get too comfortable.

But Cernunnos never pushed. He let Akecheta come to him at his own pace.

One afternoon, Cernunnos found Akecheta standing by the window, staring out into the forest with a distant look in his eyes. The omega was still wearing the sweatpants and T-shirt Cernunnos had given him, though they hung loosely on his thin frame. He looked so small, so fragile, but there was a quiet strength in him as well—a determination that hadn't been completely crushed by everything he had endured.

Cernunnos approached slowly, careful not to startle him. "You can go outside if you want," he said gently, his voice low. "The forest is safe here. You don't have to stay inside."

Akecheta didn't respond, but later that day, Cernunnos found him sitting on the porch, watching the trees sway in the wind. It wasn't much, but it was a sign that the omega was beginning to trust the space, to trust him.

The hardest part was feeding Akecheta. The omega was still wary of accepting help, still unsure of the kindness Cernunnos was offering. He ate slowly, his eyes always watching Cernunnos as though waiting for the other shoe to drop. But Cernunnos was patient. He brought meals to Akecheta's bedside, offering simple, nourishing food that would help him regain his strength. And while Akecheta never said thank you, there were moments—small, fleeting moments—where he would meet Cernunnos's gaze with something other than fear.

By the end of the week, there was a change in the air. Akecheta still struggled, still flinched at sudden movements, still carried the weight of his past on his shoulders. But there was a softness now, a quiet acceptance that had begun to grow between them. The omega was starting to trust, even if he didn't fully understand it yet.

One night, as Cernunnos sat by the fire, he glanced over at Akecheta, who was curled up in the nest of blankets he had built on the couch. The omega's eyes were half-lidded, his body relaxed in a way that Cernunnos hadn't seen before. There was still a long way to go, but for the first time, Cernunnos felt like they were moving in the right direction.

"You're doing well," Cernunnos said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "You're stronger than you know."

Akecheta didn't respond, but his eyes flickered toward Cernunnos, and for a brief moment, there was something like trust in his gaze. It wasn't much, but it was enough.

And Cernunnos knew that, in time, the omega would come to trust him fully. He just had to be patient.