Feral Bonds

Chapter 53: The Wilderness Inside

The cabin was quiet, the soft crackling of the fire the only sound in the room. Akecheta sat on the edge of the bed, his hands nervously twisting the fabric of his shirt. His mind was still reeling from everything that had happened—the bonding ritual, the deep connection he now shared with Cernunnos, and the revelations about his past. But there was something else, something more that Cernunnos had hinted at but hadn't fully explained.

Cernunnos stood near the hearth, his broad frame casting a shadow on the walls, his face illuminated by the flickering flames. He had been watching Akecheta carefully, the bond between them allowing him to sense the omega's unease. Now, he stepped forward, his eyes softening as he sat across from Akecheta, his presence calm and steady.

"You're still uneasy," Cernunnos said gently, his deep voice cutting through the silence. "I can feel it. There's something you're not asking."

Akecheta looked up, meeting Cernunnos's gaze for a brief moment before quickly glancing away. He could feel the connection between them—the way their hearts now beat in sync, their souls bound together in a way that was both comforting and overwhelming. But there was something about Cernunnos that still made him nervous. The ancient power that radiated from him, the way he moved with such confidence and control—it wasn't just the presence of a powerful creature. It was something more.

"I've been thinking about what you said," Akecheta murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "About how you can control the wild. The animals, the forest. You've helped me so much, but... what are you, really? You said you were a Wendigo, but... I don't know. I feel like there's more to it than that."

Cernunnos leaned back slightly, a small, knowing smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He had been waiting for this question, waiting for Akecheta to ask. Now that the bond was complete, it was time for the truth.

"You're right," Cernunnos said after a moment, his voice calm and measured. "I'm not actually a Wendigo. That's just the name I've used for centuries. It's a disguise, one I adopted long ago to move through the human world without drawing too much attention. You see, people... they fear the Wendigo. They know it as a creature of the wild, something to be wary of. It gave me a name that people would respect, would stay away from. But it's not who I really am."

Akecheta frowned slightly, his curiosity piqued. "Then... what are you?"

Cernunnos's smile widened, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees as he looked directly into Akecheta's eyes. "I am the God of the Wild," he said simply, his voice carrying the weight of ancient knowledge. "The true spirit of the untamed world. The creatures of the forest, the mountains, the rivers—they are mine to command. The Wendigo is a mask I wear to walk among mortals. But my true nature... it's far older than any of the stories you've heard."

Akecheta's heart skipped a beat, a wave of disbelief washing over him. "The God of the Wild?" he echoed, his voice barely audible. "Like... a real god?"

Cernunnos nodded, his expression serious. "Yes. A god, but not the way you might think. I am not bound to temples or prayers. My power comes from the wild places, the ancient forests, and the creatures that roam within them. I exist beyond the human idea of gods. I am the pulse of nature itself, the force that keeps the balance between predator and prey, life and death."

Akecheta sat in stunned silence, his mind racing. The Wendigo—Cernunnos—wasn't just some powerful creature of the forest. He was something far more ancient, more powerful than Akecheta had ever imagined. And now, their fates were bound together, their hearts beating as one.

"Then why... why did you choose to help me?" Akecheta asked, his voice shaky. "Why would a god—someone as powerful as you—bother with me?"

Cernunnos's expression softened, and he reached out, placing a hand on Akecheta's shoulder, the touch grounding the omega in the moment. "Because you're part of the wild too, Akecheta," Cernunnos said gently. "You may not realize it yet, but the beast inside you—the one you fear, the one the runes twisted—it is a part of nature. It is a part of me. The wild is not just about the beautiful or the serene. It's also about survival, about power, about what you become when you're pushed to the edge. You are a wolf, an omega, yes, but you're more than that. The wild runs in your veins, and I can help you understand it. I can help you control it."