Eirik had always been good at watching.
Not just seeing—
Watching.
The small things.
The things others missed.
The way Aiden's shoulders slumped just slightly when he thought no one noticed. The way his hands never stopped moving—adjusting blankets, checking Kael's temperature, pulling the other two pups closer without even looking.
The way exhaustion clung to him.
Like a second skin.
Eirik stood just outside the den, the cold air biting against his face, but he didn't move.
Inside—
Aiden hadn't slept.
Not properly.
Not in days.
Kael was still sick.
Ryn and Lior stayed unnaturally quiet.
And Theron—
Eirik's gauze darkened slightly.
Theron was failing .
Not as a king.
Not as a god.
But as something far simpler.
A father.
Eirik exhaled slowly.
This is not safe for them.
The thought came uninvited.
Unwanted.
But it didn't leave.
Inside the den, Aiden shifted again, adjusting Kael carefully in his arms. His movements were slower now, more strained. Even from here, Eirik could see the tremor in them.
Too tired.
Too worn down.
Too alone.
Eirik's jaw tightened.
Not safe for him.
The words echoed louder.
And with them—
Another voice.
Soft.
Sharp.
Persistent.
"You're watching another man build a life with the one you love."
Eirik closed his eyes briefly.
Nyx.
He shouldn't be thinking about that.
About him.
About the deal.
But—
He was.
His gauze drifted back to Aiden.
To the way he pressed his forehead gently against Kael's, whispering something soft, something only meant for his child.
A life.
A family.
A place Eirik had never stood.
"You had him first."
His hand clenched.
"That's not true," he muttered under his breath.
But the denial felt weaker now.
Because maybe—
Maybe not first .
But before ...
Before the bond.
Before Theron.
Before fate decided everything.
Eirik's eyes opened again.
And this time—
They didn't look away.
Inside, the healer was preparing more herbs.
Crushing them carefully.
Measured.
Precise.
"…this will help bring the fever down," the healer said quietly.
Aiden nodded, though his focus never left Kael.
"Thank you."
Eirik stepped inside.
Calm.
Controlled.
The same as always.
"I'll take it," he said, reaching for the prepared mixture.
The healer hesitated only a second—then handed it over.
"Make sure he takes it soon," they added.
Erik.
"Of course."
Simple.
Normal.
Nothing strange.
Nothing wrong.
He turned slightly, stepping away from the center of the room.
Just for a moment.
Just long enough.
His gaze flicked toward Aiden again.
Still holding Kael.
Still whispering.
Still breaking himself apart piece by piece for his child.
Eirik's grip tightened slightly around the small bowl.
This is not safe.
The thought came again.
Stronger.
Sharper.
He can't keep doing this.
Another glance.
At Theron this time.
The Alpha King sat nearby.
Still.
Watching.
But there was something different now.
Something cracked.
Something uncertain.
Even gods can't protect everything.
Nyx's voice.
Again.
Eirik exhaled slowly.
Then—
He waited.
Just a moment.
Just a small one.
Long enough that the steam from the medicine cooled slightly.
Long enough that it wasn't immediate.
Not urgent.
Not right now .
A slight delay.
Nothing more.
No one noticed.
Why would they?
It wasn't obvious.
It wasn't cruel.
It wasn't even truly harmful.
Just…
Later instead of now.
Eirik stepped forward again.
Calm.
Composed.
As if nothing had changed.
"Here," he said, kneeling beside Aiden. "The healer prepared this."
Aiden looked up, tired but grateful.
"Thanks."
He carefully adjusted Kael, trying to wake him just enough.
"Hey… Kael, come on. You need to drink this."
Kael stirred weakly.
Eirik watched closely.
Every movement.
Every breath.
Every small sign of struggle.
And something inside him—
Shifted.
Not fully.
Not completely.
But enough.
Why this?
This wasn't the last step.
It was the first.
And the worst part?
Eirik didn't feel like a traitor.
Not yet.
He felt like someone doing what needed to be done.
For Aiden.
For the pups.
For a future that—
In his mind—
It was already breaking.
Outside, the snow began to fall again.
Soft.
Quiet.
Covering everything.
Even the cracks.