Feral Bonds

Chapter 57: Omegan Instincts

Akecheta felt lighter these days, more at peace, though there was still something unfamiliar simmering beneath the surface. He had begun to explore new parts of himself-pieces he had long ignored or hadn't even known were there.

The bond with Cernunnos had opened a door, not only to the power and strength of the wild but to the deeper instincts tied to his nature as an omega. It was a concept he had never fully understood before. In his old life, the pack had been brutal. There was no space for softness, no room for nurturing. The idea of being cared for, or even allowing himself to take on a role where he could be vulnerable, was foreign to him.

But with Cernunnos, it was different. The god's presence was steady and unyielding in its quiet strength, and that stability gave Akecheta the courage to explore parts of himself he had never dared to touch.

As Akecheta stretched, his body warm beneath the blankets, he felt the tug of something soft, something instinctual. A strange but comforting thought drifted through his mind-nesting. He had heard about it, about omegas who would create safe, soft spaces for themselves. At first, the idea seemed odd, but now it felt... natural. The need to create a space, to be surrounded by warmth and safety, tugged at his chest.

He wasn't entirely sure how to begin, but Cernunnos had been patient with him, guiding him as he explored these new aspects of his life. Perhaps the god would understand.

The sound of the cabin door opening caught Akecheta's attention, and he turned to see Cernunnos stepping inside, his presence immediately filling the space with calm. The god looked over at him, his lips curving into a soft smile as he approached.

"Good morning," Cernunnos said, his voice like the rustle of leaves in a breeze.

"Morning," Akecheta replied, sitting up in bed. He hesitated for a moment before speaking again, his fingers nervously twisting the edge of the blanket. "I've... been thinking."

Cernunnos raised an eyebrow, his expression encouraging. "About?"

Akecheta took a breath, unsure of how to voice what he was feeling. "About what it means to be an omega. I never really... I never really understood it before. Not in the way I think I should."

Cernunnos nodded thoughtfully, moving closer until he sat beside Akecheta on the edge of the bed. "It's a part of you," he said gently. "A deep part, tied to your instincts, to your nature. And it's something you should explore-without fear."

Akecheta glanced down at his hands, his heart racing slightly. "I don't even know where to begin."

Cernunnos reached out, his hand resting softly on Akecheta's shoulder. "Start by listening to your instincts. What do they tell you?"

Akecheta closed his eyes, letting the steady beat of Cernunnos's presence wash over him. He let himself sink into the bond, into the quiet space within himself where the instincts of his omega nature lay dormant. He could feel it now, the urge to create, to build something soft and safe. A nest.

"I feel like I need... a space," Akecheta murmured, his voice quiet. "A place that's mine. Somewhere safe and warm."

Cernunnos smiled gently. "Then we'll start there. You can create a nest, a space where you feel protected and comforted. It's an important part of being an omega, to have a sanctuary of your own."

Akecheta felt a strange warmth bloom in his chest at the thought. The idea of building a nest, of having a place that was purely his own, filled him with a quiet sense of joy. It was something soft, something nurturing-something he had been denied for so long.

Cernunnos stood, offering his hand to Akecheta. "Come, let's gather what you need. I'll help you."

Together, they moved through the cabin, gathering soft blankets and pillows, anything that would add comfort to the small corner of the room where Akecheta wanted to create his nest. Cernunnos guided him, but he never took control. Instead, he let Akecheta's instincts lead the way, offering gentle suggestions as they went.

It felt odd at first-this act of creating something so soft, so vulnerable-but as Akecheta worked, something inside him settled. With each blanket carefully folded, with each pillow placed just right, a deeper sense of peace took root.

When the nest was finally complete, Akecheta stepped back, gazing at the small, cozy space he had made for himself. It wasn't much, just a pile of blankets and pillows tucked into the corner of the cabin, but it felt like home. It felt safe.

Cernunnos stood beside him, watching with quiet approval. "How do you feel?"

Akecheta let out a slow breath, his shoulders relaxing. "I feel... good. Better than I thought I would."

Cernunnos smiled and placed a hand on Akecheta's back, guiding him toward the nest. "Then rest. Let yourself enjoy it. There's no need to rush."

Akecheta hesitated for only a moment before stepping into the nest, sinking down into the soft blankets. It was warm and comforting, and for the first time in his life, he felt truly protected, as if nothing could reach him here.

Cernunnos knelt beside him, his hand brushing through Akecheta's hair in a gesture that sent a soft shiver through him. "This is your space," Cernunnos said softly. "A place where you can just be yourself, where you can let go of the weight of everything else."

Akecheta closed his eyes, letting the warmth of the nest and the quiet, protective presence of Cernunnos wash over him. He had never felt this level of comfort, this kind of safety. And for the first time, he allowed himself to sink into it, to let the omega instincts that had been buried for so long rise to the surface.

"You're safe here," Cernunnos murmured, his voice low and soothing. "And if you ever need anything, I'll be right here."

Akecheta opened his eyes and looked up at Cernunnos, his heart swelling with a strange new warmth. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice filled with gratitude. "For everything."

Cernunnos smiled gently, his hand resting on Akecheta's shoulder. "You're welcome, Akecheta. You deserve this."

As the day passed, Akecheta grew more comfortable in his nest, and with the idea of what it meant to be an omega. He allowed himself to rest, to be cared for, and, in turn, found himself wanting to care for Cernunnos.

Later, as the afternoon light began to fade, Akecheta found himself watching Cernunnos with a new sense of purpose. The god had done so much for him, had guided him, protected him, and now Akecheta wanted to return that care in some small way.

Standing from his nest, Akecheta moved toward Cernunnos, who sat by the fire, his eyes distant in thought. Without hesitation, Akecheta knelt beside him, his hands gently brushing over Cernunnos's shoulders, offering a silent gesture of comfort and care.

Cernunnos looked down at him, surprised at first, but his expression quickly softened. "What are you doing?"

Akecheta smiled faintly, his heart full. "Taking care of you," he said simply.

Cernunnos's eyes softened, and he leaned into Akecheta's touch, allowing himself to be cared for in return. And in that moment, Akecheta understood that being an omega wasn't just about being vulnerable or needing comfort. It was about balance-about nurturing those around you, about finding strength in caring for others, just as much as in being cared for.

Together, they sat by the fire, the bond between them deepening with every shared moment. Akecheta's journey into understanding himself as an omega was just beginning, but with Cernunnos by his side, he knew he wasn't walking that path alone.

For the first time, Akecheta allowed himself to embrace both sides of his nature-the omega who needed care and comfort and the one who wanted to offer that same care in return. And in that balance, he found a new kind of strength.