They sat around a large wooden table, children squeezed between adults, food piled high on every available surface.

Kaya found herself wedged between Veer and Mira, directly across from Kite, who kept watching her with that unnerving, knowing smile.

"So," Raven said, cutting into a piece of roasted meat. "Father sent word that you’ve been training the young warriors."

"I have," Kaya confirmed.

"And they haven’t quit?" Talon asked, grinning.

"A few tried," Kaya said. "I didn’t let them."

Talon laughed, slapping the table. "I like her already. Veer, you did good."

Veer’s hand found Kaya’s under the table, squeezing gently. She didn’t pull away.

"How’s Father handling it?" Raven asked, more serious now. "The marriage. The changes."

"About as well as you’d expect," Veer said carefully. "He showed up at the wedding. Didn’t object. Even gave Kaya Mother’s bracelet."

All three brothers went silent.

"He what?" Raven said slowly.

"Mother’s jade bracelet," Veer repeated. "The gold one."

Talon whistled low. "That’s... that’s big."

"That’s acceptance," Mira said softly. "He wouldn’t have given that otherwise."

Kite tilted his head, still watching Kaya. "Or he knows something we don’t."

"What’s that supposed to mean?" Veer asked, voice edging toward defensive.

"Just that Father always has reasons," Kite said smoothly. "Multiple reasons. Layered reasons." His eyes stayed on Kaya. "Tell me, sister-in-law, have you noticed anything... unusual lately?"

Kaya’s heart skipped, but her expression stayed perfectly neutral. "Like what?"

"Your scent," Kite said casually. "It’s not quite right. Close to Normal, but there’s something else underneath. Something I can’t identify."

Kaya picked up her cup and took a slow sip, buying herself time. "Maybe it’s the training. Spending time around beastmen changes how you smell, doesn’t it?"

"Does it?" Kite’s smile widened.

"Kite," Raven warned.

"I’m just curious," Kite said. "After all, it’s not every day someone survives what she’s survived. The assassins. The tribe’s hostility. Even that jinx boy you’ve got locked up." He leaned forward slightly. "Makes a person wonder what makes her so... resilient."

Kaya met his gaze steadily. "Good genetics."

Talon barked a laugh. "She’s not going to give you anything, Kite. Stop fishing."

"I’m not fishing," Kite protested. "Just getting to know our new family member."

"By interrogating her?" Veer said, voice tight.

Kite raised his hands in surrender. "Fair enough. I’ll stop." But his eyes still gleamed with curiosity, and Kaya knew he wasn’t satisfied.

Mira, sensing the tension, stood up. "Children, who wants to help me check the gifts outside?"

The children scrambled up immediately, following her out. The other mates exchanged glances and quietly excused themselves, taking younger children with them, leaving just the brothers and Kaya at the table.

Once they were alone, Raven’s expression grew more serious. "Kite’s not entirely wrong. There’s something different about you." His tone wasn’t accusatory, just factual. "We won’t push. But if you ever need help—"

"I’ll ask," Kaya said firmly. "But right now, I’m fine." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"Are you?" Kite asked softly.

Kaya’s jaw tightened. That damn reluctance rose in her chest again—the same feeling that stopped her from telling Cutie, from telling Veer. Her body physically resisting the words.

"Yes," she said.

Veer looked at her, searching her face. She could see the question in his eyes, the concern. But he didn’t push.

"Alright," Raven said finally. "But the offer stands. For all of us." He glanced at his brothers. "If people are coming after you—and they will, given Father’s enemies—you’re family now. That means something."

"It means we fight for you," Talon added. "Even if you’re keeping secrets."

Kaya’s throat tightened unexpectedly. "Thank you."

"Don’t thank us yet," Kite said, still smiling that knowing smile. "You haven’t seen us in a real fight. We’re terrifying."

"I believe it," Kaya said dryly.

The tension eased slightly as conversation shifted to safer topics—tribe politics, hunting territories, stories about Veer as a child that made him groan and Kaya almost smile.

But throughout it all, Kaya could feel Kite watching her. And she knew—absolutely knew—that he suspected more than he was saying.

That all three brothers suspected.

But they were letting her keep her secrets.

For now.

And Kaya was grateful for that, even as the heat in her chest pulsed steadily, reminding her that time was running out.

After the brothers and their families finally left—after the children were corralled, the gifts packed away, and the last goodbyes shouted across the gathering area—Veer and Kaya walked back to their house in silence.

The sun was setting, painting the mountains in shades of orange and pink. Normally, Kaya would’ve found it beautiful. Right now, she was too exhausted to care.

They stepped inside. Cutie and Sparrow had already cleaned up, the house restored to its usual order. Kaya dropped onto the nearest chair with a heavy sigh.

Veer stood near the doorway, hands shoved in his pockets, looking uncharacteristically uncertain.

"I’m sorry," he said finally.

Kaya looked up at him. "For what?"

"My brothers. Especially Kite." Veer rubbed the back of his neck. "He can be... a lot. Pushy. Too curious for his own good."

"He was doing what older brothers do," Kaya said. "Making sure you didn’t marry someone dangerous."

"Still." Veer walked over and sat down across from her. "He shouldn’t have asked you those questions. About your scent. About being different. That was out of line."

Kaya leaned back, studying him. "You think he’s wrong?"

Veer hesitated. "I think... he’s not wrong. But it’s not his business. It’s yours."

"And yours?" Kaya asked.

"Only if you want it to be," Veer said quietly. "I meant what I said before. I don’t need to know everything. I just need to know you’re okay."

Kaya’s chest tightened—not from the heat this time, but from something else. Something uncomfortable and warm at the same time.

"I’m okay," she said.

"Are you?" Veer’s eyes searched her face. "Because if something’s wrong—if you’re sick, or hurt, or scared—you can tell me. You know that, right?"

That reluctance surged again, choking the words before they could form. Kaya swallowed hard.

"I know," she managed.

Veer didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t push. Instead, he reached across the table and took her hand. "My brothers liked you, by the way. Even Kite. Especially Kite, actually. He only interrogates people he finds interesting."

"Lucky me," Kaya said dryly.

Veer grinned. "Talon wants you to train his kids. And Raven’s mate, Mira, asked if you’d visit their territory sometime. She said you looked like you needed more female friends."

"She’s not wrong," Kaya admitted.

"And Kite..." Veer paused. "Kite told me privately that if anyone tries to hurt you, he’ll help me bury the bodies."

Kaya blinked. "That’s... weirdly sweet."

"That’s Kite," Veer said. "Terrifying and loyal in equal measure." He squeezed her hand gently. "My family can be overwhelming. I know that. But they’re yours now too. And they’ll protect you. No matter what."

Kaya looked down at their joined hands, feeling the weight of those words settle over her.

Family.

She’d had one once. Lost it. Built a new one with her battalion. Lost that too.

And now, somehow, she had this—a chaotic, nosy, fiercely protective group of vulture beastmen who’d decided she belonged.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

"For what?"

"For not pushing. For letting me keep my secrets."