The first light of dawn slipped through the cracks in the stone, painting the den in pale gold.
Outside, the world lay blanketed in a white so pure it seemed to glow. The silence that followed was not empty—it was gentle, full, like the deep breath the mountain took after a long night of roaring winds.
Inside, warmth lingered. The fire from last night had burned low into a bed of glowing embers, but the air still held the scent of roasted meat and herbs. Steam curled lazily from the pot Silas had left simmering overnight.
Evan stirred first. For a moment, he didn't move—his cheek pressed against the smooth scales of Silas's arm, his body cocooned between the serpent's warmth and the soft furs. Beside him, the cubs breathed softly, two small bundles tucked safely beneath their father's tail.
He smiled faintly. It was peaceful. After all the chaos—the fear, the blood—it felt unreal to wake to such quiet.
Slowly, he gets up and walked towards the hall for preparing the breakfast.
---
A soft groan from the other side of the den broke the silence.
Kael shifted beneath his blanket, blinking up at the unfamiliar ceiling. For a moment, confusion flickered through his golden eyes. The fur beneath him was too soft, the air too warm. And that smell…
He sat up, dark hair falling into his face. The scent of herbs, wood smoke, and meat broth filled his lungs—strange yet comforting. His fingers brushed over the fur blanket, tracing the smooth, soft texture. It was warm, like sunlight captured in cloth.
His chest ached faintly. He had slept deeply—perhaps for the first time in years.
When his gaze lifted, he saw Evan crouched near the hearth, stirring something in a pot. The smaller female wore (her ohh no no Silas told me Evan was different from other females and to use he/his for addressing...so...) his simple winter robe, hair loosely tied, cheeks flushed from the heat of the fire. He hummed softly under his breath—a tune Kael didn't recognize, but it filled the den with warmth all the same.
For a long moment, Kael simply watched.
He hadn't seen a scene like this in years—perhaps ever. In his tribe, mornings meant training, hunting, fighting. Peace had no place there. But here… there was gentleness. A quiet domesticity that felt strangely sacred.
Then Evan's voice broke through his thoughts. "You're awake," he said softly, glancing back with a small smile. "How do you feel?"
Kael blinked, clearing his throat. "Strange," he admitted, voice still rough from sleep. "Warm."
Evan chuckled. "That's not strange. That's what being alive feels like."
Kael tilted his head, uncertain if he was being teased. But when he met Evan's amused gaze, something in him eased.
Behind them, Silas stirred. His tail tightened instinctively around the cubs before loosening. The serpent's emerald eyes opened slowly, pupils narrowing against the light. For a heartbeat, he looked almost startled to find Evan's absence. Then he rose and padded toward the hearth—where Kael sat awake and smiling.
"Morning," Evan said, noticing him. "You should rest a bit longer. The stew's almost done."
Silas grunted softly in acknowledgment, but his eyes didn't leave Kael.
Kael caught the look, half amused, half warning, and smirked faintly. "Don't worry, snake," he drawled. "I'm not planning to eat your mate."
Silas's eyes narrowed. "See that you don't."
Evan sighed quietly but the corner of his lips curved up. Some things, he supposed, never changed.
---
[System Notification: "Daily Family Task — Prepare a Recovery Soup for an Injured Beastman. Reward: +10 Family Points."]
Evan blinked at the faint shimmer of blue text before his eyes.
"Oh… so you're back online," he murmured.
He stirred the pot thoughtfully. "A recovery soup, huh? Guess that means I should make it special."
[System Hint: Use available mountain herbs, ginger roots, and taro powder for optimal results.]
"Ginger? Right—I almost forgot about that."
He opened a small wooden jar, releasing a sharp, spicy scent that cut through the warmth of the den. Carefully, he sliced the roots and dropped them into the broth, adding crushed mountain herbs and a spoonful of taro powder for thickness. The aroma deepened at once—rich, hearty, and full of comfort.
Silas leaned closer, curious. "New recipe?"
Evan nodded. "Something for recovery."
(.... .... ....)
When the stew was done, Evan ladled it into three bowls and handed one to Kael. "Eat slowly," he said. "It'll help with the pain."
Kael accepted the bowl, curiosity flickering in his golden eyes. He took a careful sip—and froze.
Warmth spread instantly from his chest to his limbs, like sunlight melting through frost. His muscles relaxed, the ache fading from his body. Even his heartbeat steadied.
"This…" He looked down at the bowl, then up at Evan. "What is this? It's different from what we ate yesterday."
Evan smiled, a little embarrassed. "It's a recovery soup. It'll help your body heal faster."
Kael stared for a long moment before saying softly, "You know healing too. You're dangerous, little one."
Evan blinked. "What?"
Kael's lips quirked. "Orcs would fight over a female like you. No one wants to lose such a potential mate."
Evan's cheeks flushed crimson.
Silas's head snapped up from across the fire, his tail giving a sharp thump against the ground. Kael didn't flinch, only smirked faintly into his stew. Evan coughed and looked away.
"Eat before it gets cold," he muttered.
Silas leaned back slightly but didn't look away from the panther. His emerald gaze carried a silent warning. The air between the two beastmen cooled, quiet but charged.
Evan sighed inwardly. Honestly, these two…
---
The rest of the morning unfolded in a peaceful rhythm.
The cubs woke, rubbing their sleepy eyes and tumbling over each other as they helped Evan arrange the breakfast bowls. Kael sat cross-legged near the fire, watching the domestic scene with quiet wonder.
He found himself smiling again.
It was strange—he wasn't used to laughter that wasn't cruel or mocking, or food that didn't taste of smoke and blood. Every small thing—the cubs' giggles, Evan's soft hum as he wiped the bowls clean, Silas's low voice—felt unfamiliar yet comforting.
His gaze lingered on Evan a little too long.
Silas noticed.
From where he sat polishing his blade, his eyes followed Kael's every glance. His tail gave a faint twitch, the air cooling just slightly around him.
Evan, blissfully unaware, ladled another helping into Kael's bowl. "It turned out better than I expected," he said cheerfully.
Kael smirked. "You mean the magic stew?"
Evan laughed softly. "You'll spoil the cubs if you keep saying that."
"Then let them be spoiled," Kael replied. "They deserve it."
For a heartbeat, even Silas's expression softened.
---
After breakfast, Evan gathered the empty bowls and sat quietly by the fire, lost in thought.
The System shimmered to life again.
[System Notification: New Family Member Added — Kael (Guest). Objective: Store More Food for the Winter.]
Evan frowned. "Store food? In this much snow?" he whispered.
[System Response: As compensation for recent danger, guidance will be provided. Three types of winter vegetables detected nearby: snow cabbage, frost leek, and mountain yam.]
His eyes brightened. "They can grow in snow?"
[Affirmative.They are resilient species, adapted for subzero survival.
Location: along the same path as the rogue camp.]
Evan's smile faded a little. That path again…
He sighed softly. "I'll tell Silas tomorrow. Today's for rest."
The blue shimmer faded, leaving the den quiet again.
---
Later, Kael stretched near the cave entrance, his wounds nearly gone. Evan's eyes widened.
"Your cuts—they've almost closed completely!"
Kael chuckled lowly. "Orcs heal fast. The stronger the beast blood, the quicker the recovery. Mine's… more than most."
"More than most?" Evan echoed.
Kael's lips curved faintly. "Black Panthers don't stay broken for long."
Silas snorted from behind them. "Good. Then you can hunt your own meat tomorrow."
Kael smirked. "Afraid I'll steal your prey?"
Silas's gaze flicked briefly to Evan. "Just making sure you don't steal anything else."
Evan groaned, rubbing his temples. "Both of you—please."
The cubs giggled. "Papa and Uncle Kael are fighting again!"
That earned a laugh from Evan despite himself. The sharp edge in the air melted away, replaced by easy warmth and teasing.
---
As the day wore on, soft laughter and the crackle of the fire filled the den.
Kael sat near the entrance, gazing out at the snow-drenched forest. The sunlight glittered off the white world, dazzling his eyes.
Behind him, Evan's gentle voice carried as he told the cubs a story. Silas listened quietly, pretending indifference but clearly smiling.
Something twisted in Kael's chest again—that same nameless feeling. He pressed a hand to his sternum, frowning.
He had known hunger, rage, the thrill of battle—but never this quiet ache. It wasn't weakness. It was… longing.
He turned slightly, watching the small family by the fire. Evan's soft smile, Silas's calm gaze, the cubs' laughter—it all felt like something fragile and impossibly far from the world he knew.
Maybe, he thought, I could stay a little longer.
Outside, the snow glimmered like scattered stars.
Inside, warmth bloomed quietly in the heart of the cold mountain.
For the first time in days , there were no shadows—only light.
Soft, golden, and human.