The wind outside howled like a wounded beast.
Evan's breath came in shallow bursts as he stared toward the cave entrance, where a shadow was cutting through the snow — large, gliding, familiar.
A glint of silver broke through the storm. Then came the low hiss — deep, resonant, alive.
Evan's hands flew to his mouth.
"...Silas…"
A massive figure emerged through the mist — his tall form half-shifted, silver scales glinting faintly , emerald eyes glowing with raw fury. His tail dragged through the snow behind him, heavy and alive. Blood streaked across his forearms and jaw, steam rising from his body in the cold air.
For a heartbeat, Evan couldn't move. He'd dreamed of this moment so many times — his mate appearing like a storm to shatter the nightmare — but now that it was real, he couldn't breathe.
Then the shadow of his tail swept closer, brushing the ground — and Evan ran.
"Silas!"
He crashed into him with all the force his trembling legs could manage. Silas caught him instantly, arms wrapping tight around his waist. The impact made him grunt softly, but his hands didn't loosen. They held on like they'd break if they let go.
"Evan…" Silas's voice trembled — rough and low, but alive with too many emotions to name. He buried his face in Evan's hair, inhaling deeply. "You're safe. You're—"
Evan's sob broke through him, muffled against Silas's chest. "I thought—I thought I'd never see you again."
Silas's arms tightened. He trembled, just barely — from exhaustion, from relief, from the sound of Evan's voice cracking like glass.
His fingers traced over Evan's shoulders, down to his hands — and froze.
The skin was bruised, frostbitten, blistered where rope had rubbed too tight. Silas's pupils narrowed to slits.
"Those rogues did this?" he whispered. His voice dropped to something cold, deadly quiet.
Evan shook his head quickly, tears spilling again. "They're gone, Silas. All gone."
But the trembling in his voice only fed the beast inside Silas. He cupped Evan's cheek, thumb brushing the dirt-streaked skin. "No one touches what's mine," he hissed under his breath.
His tail coiled protectively around Evan, pulling him closer as if to shield him from the entire world.
Only then did he notice the other scent in the cave — faint, blood-soaked, unfamiliar.
His head snapped toward the far wall.
Lying slumped against the stone was a tall figure, dark hair falling over sharp features. His chest rose weakly with shallow breaths.
Silas's entire body went tense. "Who is that?"
Evan caught his arm before he could move. "Wait—he saved me."
Silas's eyes narrowed. "Saved you?"
"He killed the rogues," Evan said, voice trembling but firm. "He fought them alone. If not for him, I…"
Silas looked from Evan to the panther, and back. Slowly, the sharpness in his eyes dulled — just slightly. The anger didn't fade, but it bent beneath the weight of Evan's words.
He exhaled hard through his nose, his tail flicking once. "Then he lives. For now."
Evan nodded, relief softening his features.
Silas guided him toward the fire, pulling him to sit. His coat came off in one swift motion, and he wrapped it around Evan's shoulders. "You're freezing."
"I'm fine—"
"You're not." His tone left no room for argument.
The tension in the air slowly eased, replaced by the faint crackle of fire and the rhythm of two heartbeats finally close again. Evan leaned against him, exhaustion settling in now that the fear was gone.
"Rest," Silas murmured. "You're safe now."
But his eyes kept flicking toward the unconscious panther, the protective instinct coiling low in his chest.
---
It wasn't until evening that the panther stirred.
A low groan, then a rustle of movement.
Silas immediately shifted, his hand sliding to his weapon. Evan caught his wrist again, whispering, "Please—"
The panther blinked slowly, disoriented. Then his golden eyes found them — the snake's silver scales glinting in the firelight, and the small figure curled against him.
"…So this is the snake I heard about," he rasped.
"Careful with your words," Silas said, his voice edged with warning.
The panther gave a faint, amused smile. "Name's Kael."
Silas didn't answer. His gaze stayed cold, unreadable.
Evan swallowed. "He's injured, Silas. We can't just leave him here."
A heavy silence followed. The air between both beasts crackled faintly, wild instincts circling one another.
Finally, Silas spoke. "Fine. Talk."
Kael shifted painfully, leaning back against the wall. "I was tracking prey north of the ridges when I saw something strange — a body. Female, badly beaten. I recognized her scent — tiger tribe. She went missing months ago." His voice hardened. "I followed the tracks. Led me here… to this filth. Found six hyena rogues and… another captive."
Evan flinched.
Kael's eyes softened slightly when he looked at him. "I didn't plan to fight. But I saw what they were about to do." His jaw clenched. "I couldn't walk away."
Silas's gaze stayed steady on him, unreadable. The firelight threw sharp angles across his face — part fury, part respect.
After a long moment, Silas exhaled. "You have my thanks."
Kael's brow arched faintly. "Didn't do it for you."
Silas's lips curved — just slightly. "I know."
The silence that followed was strange — not comfortable, but not hostile either.
Kael's gaze drifted between them, the corner of his mouth twitching in quiet amusement. "Interesting," he murmured. "A beautiful female choosing to follow a snake willingly. That's something you don't see every day."
Silas's tail flicked once in warning. "Careful."
Evan flushed crimson, half from embarrassment, half from the ridiculousness of the comment. "Kael…"
Kael chuckled softly, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Just an observation."
Silas's expression didn't change, but the air around him cooled. "You'll rest tonight. At dawn, we move. You can follow — if you can walk."
Kael inclined his head. "Fair."
As the fire burned lower, Evan leaned closer to Silas, his exhaustion finally pulling him under. Silas held him quietly, his scales catching the dim light like frost.
Outside, snow fell again — soft, slow, erasing the traces of battle.
But beneath the calm, three lives now tangled by blood and fate waited for the next storm to come.
---
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION for readers]
"Hidden Notification: New Potential Mate Detected — Kael."
To be continued.....