Koda had been drifting in and out of sleep for most of the day. The steady beep of the heart monitor and the warm hum of sunlight from the windows had created a strange, peaceful haze. But beneath the surface, his body was in revolt. It started with small things—sharp cramps in his limbs, random bursts of fever, and now… something more.
Tristian sat nearby, tense, alert. He hadn't left Koda's side except for a quick shower and food run. The room had emptied for a bit—Zara and the others had gone home reluctantly, giving Koda space to rest—but something had changed in the air since then.
Koda groaned softly and rolled over, clutching his side. Pain shot through him like fire.
Tristian was immediately by the bed. "Koda?"
Koda's skin was slick with sweat. His breathing had become shallow, ragged.
"I—it hurts," he gasped. "My bones. It feels like... like they're breaking from the inside."
Tristian's breath caught.
"Koda, look at me."
Koda tried but doubled over as his spine arched unnaturally. A loud crack echoed through the room.
His scream pierced the silence.
"No, no, no," Tristian murmured, panic rising. "This can't be—"
Koda's fingers curled, nails digging into his palms. His legs twisted, his jaw clenched as another wave of pain surged. Then, his shoulder cracked audibly, followed by his ribs.
His eyes turned glassy with terror.
"I don't know what's happening," he sobbed.
Tristian was frozen in place, watching the boy he was falling for writhe in agony. And yet, a horrible truth flickered in his mind: this wasn't sickness. This was a *shift*.
He grabbed his phone and called one person.
"Mom," he said the moment she picked up, voice trembling. "I think Koda's... I think he's one of us."
"What?" came Luna Mireya's startled response. "You said he was human."
"I know. But he's shifting—his body is trying to. He's in *so much* pain. It started just now."
"Stay with him. Don't let anyone else see. I'm coming."
Tristian hung up and knelt beside the bed.
"I'm here," he whispered, gripping Koda's hand. "You're going to get through this. I promise."
Koda was too far gone to respond. The pain faded eventually, and he passed out, sweat-drenched and trembling.
---
The next day, Koda woke slowly. His body felt raw, used, but the fire was gone. When he turned his head, Tristian was still there, head bowed in sleep beside the bed.
He blinked at the sight. Something had changed between them. He *felt* it now—an unspoken thread tugging them together. A quiet yearning.
Before he could think more about it, the door creaked open.
Koda's father.
"Finally," the man muttered. "Get your things. We're leaving."
Koda's body stiffened.
"I can't—I need more time to recover."
"You're fine. I signed the papers. You're not staying."
Tristian stirred, instantly alert.
"He's not ready," he said flatly.
The man glared. "And who the hell are you to decide that?"
"I'm someone who gives a damn."
His father grabbed Koda's arm, hard. "You think you can talk back now, huh?"
Koda winced in pain, struggling to free himself. "Stop!"
That was all it took.
Tristian was on his feet in seconds, pulling the man off with inhuman strength. His eyes flashed gold.
"You touch him again, and I'll end you," he growled, voice dangerously calm.
The man backed up, suddenly unsure.
"I'll report this—"
"Go ahead," Tristian snapped. "He's done here."
---
Later that evening, Koda lay in a guest room inside the Raven Blood packhouse, tucked into the massive estate where Tristian and his family lived. The walls were warm earth tones, the sheets soft and clean. It was unlike anything he'd ever known.
Tristian sat by the door, watching over him.
"Why are you doing this?" Koda whispered.
"Because you deserve to be safe."
Koda looked away, eyes brimming. "No one's ever said that to me before."
Tristian moved closer, reaching out. "Then let me be the first."
Their eyes met. Slowly, cautiously, Koda leaned forward.
Their lips brushed.
It was soft. Gentle. But the moment it happened, something deep inside Koda *snapped*. A flood of warmth surged through him, and the bond between them roared to life.
Koda gasped, eyes wide. "What... was that?"
Tristian looked just as stunned. "I don't know. But I think… we're connected."
Koda exhaled, head spinning. "I think I'm starting to believe it too."
And for the first time in a long, long while—he felt hope.