Elation’s seventh dawn

After years of Rauth trying to break the walls around my heart—walls built against rejection, being unloved, losing myself, betrayal, being forsaken—

I step out of my apartment.

And oh—did I mention the outlaw grows stronger, building a whole pack of green pastures, filled with sturdy shelters?

And yes, I storm out of my own shelter.

After a thoughtful conclusion to finally say yes to the man who has melted the iron around my heart, I make my way to his door.

Sentinel at the gate: Greetings, my lady.

Me: Greetings, as I walk past him and enter Rauth’s room.

Sentinel: My lady, he’s not in.

I step back. This early? I ask.

Sentinel: Yes, my lady—he’s out with little Elarion on a hunt.

Me: What? Elarion can’t hunt yet.

Sentinel: He wished for his birthday to begin with a hunt. The alpha honored his wish.

Me (lost in awe): Today is Elarion’s seventh birthday—I wasn’t asking the sentinel, but then he said yes.

I can’t believe my little light is seven already.

Me: Which way did they hunt toward?

Sentinel: West.

I bolt—if they go too deep west, that’s where the clan of Varyn is.

When I reach them, a pleasant sight welcomes me: Rauth tossing Elarion high in the air, celebrating their successful hunt.

Me (smiling): What did the antelope do to deserve this?

They turn and behold me.

“Mom!” Elarion screams happily.

I squat to meet his height and press a kiss to his forehead.

Me: Happy birthday, my light.

Elarion: You always call me light!

Just then Rauth leans in and ruffles Elarion’s hair with both palms.

Rauth: And that’s because you’re so special to Mom.

Elarion: Mom, what did you prepare for my birthday?

Silly me—I hadn’t even remembered his birthday. I’d been busy calculating my love life with Rauth.

I give a sheepish smile.

Me: Look here, babe.

Elarion: Uncle Rauth said I’m not a babe anymore.

Rauth (chuckling).

Me: And that’s true, but you will always be Mommy’s babe.

I had them prepare the best birthday gift for you.

Elarion: Thank you, mummy. I love you.

He plants a loud peck on my lips and runs ahead. I look at Rauth; he averts his face for a moment, then offers me his arm to rise.

Rauth: You can’t keep doing that—he’s growing. One day he will catch up.

I tease his nose.

Me: And that day, you will be there to fill in for me.

Elarion’s birthday celebration is rolling like a fun train—kids laughing, running, and having the time of their lives, while the adults sit around, watching with full smiles and satisfied hearts.

Evening comes, the fine moon bathing our gathering in silver light. One by one, the children retire to bed, leaving the adults to linger a little longer.

And then there’s Mia, Elarion’s godmother—the young she-wolf who stayed by my side during labor.

What happened that day stays with me: when Elarion joined the world, he only cried in my arms. But the moment I handed him to Mia, he smiled. She named him Asheriel—“my warrior of smiles.”

Over time, their bond grew unshakable. Elarion only falls asleep in her arms. They play together, eat together, sleep together—and right now, they should be asleep.

The last couple finally stands, leaving Rauth and me alone. What began as a smooth, free evening now tightens into a tension of emotions.

My hands feel heavy, almost too heavy to lift. I sense Rauth’s hand reaching for mine. Stammering from my own flustered reaction, I bolt:

Me: I’ll go check on Elarion.

Rauth: Yeah… yeah, you should do that.

His voice is strained, betraying his own struggle.

I hurry, my steps clumsy with nerves.

Inside the room, I find Mia and Elarion utterly spent from the day’s excitement, scattered across the bed. I gently place godmother and godson properly, then drag myself back toward Rauth, my feet unwilling, as though being pulled into him.

When I reach our spot, he is gone.

I know I shouldn’t, yet I find myself moving toward his room. No sentinel greets me at the door—another trap, perhaps, but I knock once and push it open.

Even in the dim light, I see him: shirtless, strong, every line of his body defined. As he turns to me, I step back instinctively.

Each step he takes toward me sends heat from the crown of my head down to my legs. My breath catches.

As he finally closes in on me, his scent is like fine wine to my nose—only that I soon become drunk from it, as if I can no longer feel my legs. With willingness in each other’s eyes to commit to this feeling, he reaches out for my lips, and I, not withholding, lock mine to his.

And boom—kissing him leaves my body feeling lost. I have never felt anything like this before. We keep going, from the friction between our lips to the tension between them. Our saliva becomes a glue binding us together.

He reaches for my breast just minutes after my fingers find his chest. He doesn’t stop there; he unveils one of my breasts. Before I can even make a request, he bends his head, lips reaching mine with a fiery satisfaction.

As he pulls back and reaches for my lips again, I unveil the second breast, offering it to him. He fondles it while attending to the first, and I feel his other hand around my waist, like seeking permission. I slide my legs aside, making way for his hand to explore me. He places a finger around me, and I can’t stand the tingling sensation, pressing closer to him, urging him inside. He continues, drawing the loneliness from me, all while his mouth worships me and one hand undresses me.

At this point, I feel I am participating, yet he doesn’t care—everything that matters is worshipping my body. I reach for him too, freeing him as I pull off his pants. To create a more efficient position, I push him onto the bed.

Displaying my confidence and familiarity, I help him remove the rest of his pants. Once freed, he turns me over, teasing me, building tension until he finally connects with me. For the first time, I feel the difference between physical intimacy and true lovemaking. I could swear in every sense that Rauth isn’t just having sex—he’s making love to me.

When the Alpha in him finally gives way to total satisfaction, and the Luna in me surrenders to the same, we lie spent, battered by ecstasy. It’s different—nothing like what I experienced with Varyn.

Now lying side by side, his first words break the silence. “What do you say about my proposal?”

I answer confidently: “Yes.”

Rauth stirs, moving over me, and gently presses his fangs to my chest, marking me. As I glance down, I see it—his mark glowing faintly on my chest.

The following morning the Outlaws gather to honor a new beginning. I sit slightly apart, glowing with pride as Rauth’s marked Luna, while the pack hums with excitement over the customary celebration.

The hall—the largest shelter in our outlaw community—is decorated with torches, furs, and forest bounty. The scent of roasted meats and freshly baked bread fills the air, blending with the crisp night outside.

Young Elarion is at the center, bouncing with excitement. But I notice his curious, slightly puzzled look when he glances between Rauth and me.

Rauth shifts, clearly nervous. I squeeze his hand briefly, and we both take a deep breath. Neither of us knows exactly how to explain this to him—our new family dynamic is as new to us as it is to him.

Me (softly): “Elarion… you know Uncle Rauth has always cared for you, right?”

Elarion nods, eyes wide, still unsure.

Rauth (grinning nervously): “And… I’ll always be here to protect you. Always.”

The words feel awkward, shy, and halting, but Elarion’s face slowly lights up. He leans against Rauth, accepting him without fully understanding, and it makes my heart swell.

The pack erupts in jubilation, celebrating yet another new chapter in our clan. Elders raise their goblets, younger wolves cheer, and laughter echoes beneath the moonlight.

Rauth: “To long life, to generational strength, and to multiplication!”

Pack: “To the Alpha! To the Luna! To life!”

Glasses clink, furs brush, and the hall is alive with warmth, pride, and joy. Elarion giggles, proudly nestled between us.

The celebration carries deep into the night, a perfect beginning for the life we are building together.

Days later, our little community is still cloaked in after-celebration happiness.

Mia and Elarion are locked in their godmother and godson bond beneath the beautiful sun.

Elarion pauses, tugging at the grass web snaring his ankle. I watch, lost in the sight of my little sea growing each day, learning to be responsible for himself.

He drags himself slightly away—

and an arrow strikes him.

My heart stops.

Rauth bolts, chasing the direction the arrow came from, instinct driving him faster than thought.

Mia turns, her eyes widening in horror.

Elarion falls to the ground.