Throughout the ceremony, Canary was introduced to all the lycans in the village as Vahem’s moon, his official companion.

Even though she was nervous being in that position, Canary didn’t let it shake her.

"You’re doing well, don’t worry. They’re just… silly rules," Merydia whispered in her ear.

Canary smiled at Merydia and nodded, feeling a little tense.

When she was finally presented to the entire lycan society, she felt exhausted. Vahem walked over to her, and the way he looked at her was… intense.

"We need to go upstairs now," he said in her ear.

She stared at him.

"So sudden?"

He laughed.

"They need to see us go up together, so they know we will…"

He stopped abruptly and swallowed. Canary felt her body freeze.

"Alright… let’s go," she said fearlessly, for some reason. Vahem smiled at her again.

Merydia stayed behind to say goodbye to the guests while Canary and Vahem headed to the manor.

Canary was right beside him when Vahem pulled her close and lifted her into his arms with surprising strength.

A little breathless and startled, she looked at him.

"Conveniences," he murmured in her ear. Feeling her heart race, she nodded.

Everyone was watching them, which made Canary blush.

Soon, the two entered the manor and went upstairs.

But Vahem walked past Canary’s room and went a little further, stopping in front of a beautifully carved door.

He opened it gently while still holding her.

The room was huge, lit with candles, and had a massive bed ready.

"They’re not here anymore, you can put me down now," she said as he carried her toward the bed, but Vahem didn’t stop.

He gently placed her at the edge of the bed, keeping his gaze on her.

"It’s… a tradition. They’re not here, but I didn’t want to miss the opportunity."

She swallowed hard as he walked toward the door.

Slowly, she stood up.

"I… I need to sleep here with… you?" she asked, staring at the bed.

Even with his back turned, she noticed he was smiling.

He stopped in front of the door and turned to her, running his fingers through his red hair. Canary felt something strange at that moment.

"They need to know we sleep together, even the staff in the house. Otherwise… they’ll think our union hasn’t been… formalized," he said, looking into her eyes. Canary slowly looked away.

"Alright."

"Don’t worry, I won’t touch a single finger of yours! If… you don’t want me to," he added.

She looked at him quickly.

"Of course… and why would I want something like that? This union isn’t real!" she said nervously.

Her lips curved slightly upward as he moved closer to her. Startled, Canary was pressed against the wall again. Vahem slowly smoothed her hair, bringing a strand to his nose and inhaling its scent, making her swallow hard.

"A union doesn’t need to be real to feel pleasure, Canary."

Her cheeks burned.

"If you wanted and asked me… I would do things, countless things! I would show you a whole new world, Canary," he whispered, now just inches from her lips. She only needed to lift her head slightly to feel him again.

But he stepped back.

"Of course, I won’t do anything! Not without your consent."

Then he walked to the other side of the room, leaving Canary frozen, leaning against the wall.

                                —---

Later that night, she took off the dress and put on a comfortable nightgown.

The idea of sleeping in the same bed as him was frightening. And strange.

When she returned to the bed, he was already lying down.

He was shirtless, wearing only a pair of… loose pants.

The sight left her unsettled, but she went to the other side of the bed. Slowly, she lay on her back, unsure if she was even breathing.

She felt him shifting in the bed, but he didn’t turn over.

"Good night, Canary," he said, very close.

"Good night," she managed to reply, though she didn’t know how.

Some time passed, and he seemed to have fallen asleep.

Slowly, she turned to look at him. He was lying on his back, close by.

She couldn’t help but stare at his chest—it was so… enticing.

The way he breathed… and the many marks on his skin, she couldn’t ignore them either.

Fighting against herself, she lifted a hand and gently touched his chest, careful not to wake him. He was so warm, almost feverish.

For some reason, Canary felt her moon burn. Like a pull. Her head felt dizzy, and her body trembled. Suddenly, a flood of confusing thoughts invaded her mind. It was as if… it were Vahem’s mind.

He was pulling her by the waist, making her mount him, and then…

She pulled away abruptly, feeling her face burn.

He rolled over onto his stomach, and Canary could barely breathe.

                                —---

Having barely slept the night before, Canary got up early and decided to go downstairs. As she opened the door, she caught sight of Vahem, still asleep.

Something inside her felt… strange. But she quickly looked away and left.

When she reached the lower floor, the breakfast table wasn’t ready yet. She decided not to let it bother her.

Ahead, she heard Merydia’s laughter. She followed the sound and found her talking with an older woman.

Merydia immediately noticed her.

"Ah, Carmelie, I love our chats! But now I need to take care of something. Come back later, alright?" The older lady nodded and left soon after.

"Up so early?"

"I didn’t sleep very well." Merydia looked at her with a goofy smile. Canary felt her cheeks heat up.

"No… It’s not because of that." She laughed, tossing her head back. Then she stepped closer to Canary and whispered,

"I know, but your expression was funny." Canary shrank back, embarrassed. Merydia pulled her into a hug.

"You don’t always need to be so nervous and wary, Canary. I’d like to be your… friend, if you want."

Startled, Canary stayed silent.

"I don’t want to force anything, just… if you want to talk, I’m here." She nodded quickly.

"Is it normal that I… feel something strange when… I look at Vahem?" Merydia crossed her arms.

"Depends. What kind of thing do you feel?" Canary felt her face burn.

"Yesterday, when he was sleeping, I touched him. And for a moment, it was as if I… was in his mind. And I…" She swallowed hard. "I saw us in a… embarrassing situation." Merydia stayed impassive. Then she pulled Canary aside.

"This is part of the moon union. But… it’s extremely rare, Canary! Very rare. Seeing or sensing the mind of your moon this way… hasn’t happened in… a thousand years!" Canary leaned back against the wall.

"And what does that mean?"

"Well, it usually happens when the union is very strong, something… inexplicable! You, Canary, have something powerful inside you. I’m not your moon, so I advise you to talk to Vahem—he might be able to discover it." She immediately shook her head.

"I can’t talk to him about something like that." She laughed.

"Why not?"

"Because…"

"Good morning, you two." She heard his deep, still-hoarse voice behind her.

She turned immediately to face him.

"What were you talking about?" Canary stayed quiet.

"Canary was saying she’s ready to start training, Vahem," Merydia said promptly.

Vahem looked at her. Canary didn’t lower her gaze; she couldn’t forget her goals. After all, the union had been done for a reason.

"So you want to begin the training?" he asked seriously.

"Yes, I think we can start now." He stared at her for a few moments.

"Great, we’ll start today."

She nodded without breaking eye contact. For a moment, her heart raced faster.