The Pact

Celeste stared at the enormous wolf before her, the weight of the moment pressing heavily on her chest. A pact had been made—a binding contract between them, sealed by blood and an ancient power beyond her comprehension. The mark on her left shoulder still burned faintly, a permanent reminder that she was no longer alone.

"Are you sure you will keep—" She hesitated, her voice softer than she intended. "—your word?"

The obsidian-furred wolf lowered his head slightly, crimson eyes glowing like molten embers in the dim cave. "I have no reason to betray you," he murmured. "You are my master now. My strength is yours, and so long as you live, I am bound to you."

Celeste swallowed hard, unsure whether to feel relieved or even more terrified. This creature—this thing—had slaughtered her entire unit within moments. And now, he called her his master? It was absurd. Impossible.

Yet here she was.

"Then… what do I call you?" she asked hesitantly.

The wolf chuckled—an eerie, rumbling sound that sent shivers down her spine. "I have had many names, but you may call me Raikhan."

"Raikhan…" She repeated it under her breath, testing the name on her tongue. It sounded ancient, powerful—just like the creature before her.

"Come," Raikhan said, turning away. "We must move before others come looking for the scent of blood."

Celeste hesitated before pushing herself to her feet, exhaustion dragging at her limbs. She had no choice but to follow him.

Nightfall & Unspoken Tension

They traveled for hours, moving through the ruined underground city in tense silence. The eerie glow of broken streetlamps barely lit their path, their reflections glinting off shattered glass and abandoned vehicles. Celeste stayed close but not too close, always keeping a cautious eye on Raikhan.

Eventually, the cold of the night began creeping in. The underground air was damp and biting, sending chills through Celeste's already battered body. She pulled her tattered cloak tighter around herself, but it was barely enough to keep her warm.

Raikhan seemed unbothered by the cold, his massive form radiating warmth as he padded ahead effortlessly. Celeste, however, could barely feel her fingers.

"We'll rest here," Raikhan announced, stopping at an old abandoned station. The structure was mostly intact, its roof shielding them from the winds.

Celeste sighed in relief and collapsed against the cold stone wall, shivering as exhaustion settled deep in her bones.

She didn't trust him. She couldn't. But she was too tired to care right now.

Raikhan watched her closely. "You'll freeze like that," he stated matter-of-factly.

Celeste shot him a glare, hugging herself tighter. "I'll be fine," she muttered stubbornly.

Raikhan exhaled through his nose, his ruby eyes narrowing slightly. Without another word, he moved beside her, lying down so that his thick fur barely brushed her skin.

Celeste stiffened. "W-What are you—"

"Be silent," he rumbled. "You're shivering."

She opened her mouth to protest, but the heat radiating from him was undeniable. The warmth seeped into her frozen limbs, melting away the cold that had settled deep in her bones.

Against her better judgment, her body gave in.

She hesitantly leaned closer, her cheek resting against his side. His fur was softer than she expected, a stark contrast to his terrifying presence.

A deep, steady rhythm vibrated through his chest—his breathing slow and controlled. It was oddly soothing. For the first time in a long time, Celeste felt… safe.

Her eyelids grew heavy. Sleep pulled at her, and before she could stop herself, she drifted off.

Morning Shock

A strange warmth enveloped Celeste as she stirred from her sleep. Her body felt unusually comfortable, shielded from the biting cold of the underground ruins. She let out a soft sigh, snuggling into the warmth instinctively.

Something shifted beneath her.

Her brow furrowed. That was… odd.

Slowly, awareness began creeping back into her mind.

Her pillow was breathing.

Her heart nearly stopped.

Her eyes snapped open, and she found herself staring at smooth, bare skin.

A man's bare skin.

She stiffened, her breath catching in her throat. Her gaze trailed upward, taking in the sharp lines of a jaw, the chiseled collarbone, and finally—those crimson eyes.

Raikhan.

But not as a wolf.

No, lying beside her, barely an inch away, was a devastatingly handsome man with sleek black hair and piercing red eyes. His expression was unreadable, his face mere inches from hers.

Celeste's mind shut down.

Her first thought was irrational. I slept with him?!

Her second thought was Oh my gods, he's naked—!

A choked gasp escaped her lips as she scrambled backward, her back hitting the cold stone wall behind her. Her heart pounded wildly, heat rushing to her face as her brain struggled to process what she was seeing.

Raikhan smirked, clearly amused by her reaction. "Good morning, little warrior."

Celeste pointed a trembling finger at him. "Y-You—! Why—?! When—?!"

He stretched lazily, his muscles flexing under the dim light, completely unbothered by the situation. "Do you not remember? We made a pact. I am bound to you now… in every form."

Celeste's face burned hotter. "That doesn't mean you can just—just turn human and sleep next to me!"

Raikhan's smirk deepened. "Would you have preferred I stayed in my wolf form?"

Her mouth opened. Then closed.

She hated that he had a point.

Her mind was an absolute mess of conflicting thoughts. She had spent the night curled up against a monster—a man—who could rip her apart in an instant. And yet, she couldn't ignore the way her body still tingled from his warmth.

Raikhan watched her carefully, something unreadable flickering in his crimson gaze. "You have much to learn about me, little warrior," he murmured, his voice lower than before. "And I have much to learn about you."

Celeste swallowed, her pulse still erratic.

One thing was clear.

This pact was going to be much more complicated than she ever imagined.