They stepped into the shop—
—and immediately, it hit.
Noise.
Warmth.
Life.
The place was packed.
Not uncomfortably so, but in that way where every table was taken, every seat filled, every corner occupied by people talking, eating, existing like this was just another normal day for them.
Voices overlapped—
Laughter.
Arguments.
Stories being told a little too loudly.
The crackle of fire from a large hearth in the back mixed with the constant sizzle of meat cooking somewhere out of sight.
And the smell—
God.
The smell.
James' senses spiked.
Hard.
It was like walking into a wall made of scent.
Roasted meat.
Fresh blood.
Spices.
Smoke.
Fat dripping onto flame.
Rich.
Heavy.
Overwhelming in the best—and worst—way possible.
His mouth watered instantly.
Actually—
No.
It was worse than that.
A thin line of drool slipped past his lips before he could stop it, his canines subtly pushing down, sharper than they had any right to be.
Hungry.
His body made that very clear.
Caius noticed.
Of course he did.
Amber eyes flicking once—
Noting the drool.
The teeth.
The reaction.
Filed away for later.
He didn't comment.
Didn't react.
Just… observed.
Like always.
Caius walked forward without hesitation, weaving through the crowd with ease, like he had done this a thousand times before.
He reached a table near the side—nothing special, just a sturdy wooden setup worn smooth from years of use—and sat down.
James followed.
Because what else was he gonna do?
Stand there drooling like a feral dog?
He dropped into the seat across from him, trying—trying—to get a grip on himself.
His nose twitched.
Again.
And again.
Every inhale brought in something new.
Something better.
Something worse.
"This shit smells divine…" he muttered under his breath, barely containing himself.
He wanted some.
Badly.
Like, really badly.
But—
He held it together.
Barely.
He could do that.
Right?
…Right.
His gaze shifted around the room instead, forcing his brain to latch onto anything that wasn't food.
People.
There were a lot of them.
More than he expected.
Way more.
Not just passing through—
Living.
Talking like they belonged here.
Because they did.
And the way they dressed—
Yeah.
That stood out.
Some wore simple, practical clothing—leather, thick fabrics, things built for movement and durability.
Others—
Different.
Traditional.
Patterns he didn't recognize.
Cloth wraps.
Layered garments.
Some had markings along their arms, their faces—painted symbols, lines, shapes that clearly meant something.
There was even a small setup off to the side—
A stall.
Low-lit.
Decorated with beads, carved wood, hanging charms that clinked softly when the air shifted.
A hoodoo space.
James couldn't smell anything from it.
Nothing.
Like his senses just… slid off.
Wards.
Had to be.
Which, honestly?
Made it ten times more interesting.
Caius didn't interrupt him.
Didn't redirect him.
He simply watched.
Quiet.
Observing how James' head turned at every new detail, how his eyes lingered on movement, how they lit up—subtly, but noticeably—whenever something caught his attention.
The birds perched along the beams overhead.
The way people moved.
The rhythm of it all.
James was taking it in like someone who had just discovered a new world.
Which—
He kinda had.
Then—
Something else hit his senses.
Different.
Not meat.
Not smoke.
Not blood.
Earthy.
Warm.
Grounded.
His head turned instinctively—
—and that's when he saw her.
The waitress.
She was already moving toward them, having just finished serving another table, a plate of freshly cooked meat still steaming behind her as she stepped away.
The soft lift of the light—firelight, moonlight filtering in through the windows—caught along the edges of her form, outlining her in a faint glow that made her stand out without trying.
Her skin was a deep, rich brown.
Smooth.
Radiant.
It didn't just reflect the light—
It held it.
Gave it weight.
Presence.
There was something steady about her.
Grounded.
Like the earth itself.
James couldn't quite explain it—
But he felt it.
Her hair sat in a crown of thick, natural curls.
Full.
Untamed—
But not messy.
Alive.
There was intention in it.
A quiet kind of pride.
A green headwrap held it back, matching her dress, wrapped snugly with practiced ease, the fabric sitting perfectly like it had been done a thousand times before.
Effortless.
Golden hoops rested against her ears, catching stray bits of light and reflecting it back in small flashes every time she moved.
And yeah—
Moonlight.
Sunlight.
Same difference.
James wasn't about to argue physics right now.
Around her neck, a delicate chain rested against her collarbone, a small pendant rising and falling gently with each breath.
Subtle.
But noticeable.
Her dress—
Simple.
But not plain.
A deep, earthy green, cinched at the waist with a soft tie, the fabric flowing naturally along her frame, moving with her instead of against her.
It didn't try to stand out.
Didn't need to.
She already did.
Her posture was straight—
But relaxed.
She walked up to their table with a lightness in her step, like she enjoyed being here.
There was a small pep in her stride, her presence cutting through the noise of the room without trying.
"Caius," she greeted, voice warm, a hint of amusement already laced in it.
"You're back early. Did Mira eat all the food again?"
Caius didn't even blink.
"No. It's not about that this time."
The way he said it—
Flat.
Calm.
Like this was a recurring issue.
Nneka raised a brow slightly, clearly entertained.
"Oh? Then what—Kaela wanted another feast?" she asked, tilting her head just a bit.
"Because it's usually one or the other with you."
"I am just here for him."
Simple.
Direct.
Her gaze followed his.
And landed—
Right on James.
Who was currently mid-drool, canines slightly out, looking like he was two seconds away from violating several social norms.
…
James froze.
Noticing her eyes on him.
"…Oh."
He straightened up slightly, wiping at his mouth way too late.
"Hey!" he said, trying to sound normal.
Which—
Would've worked.
If he didn't currently have eight sharp canines on display and visible drool evidence still present on his chin.
Yeah.
Not his best moment.
Nneka studied him for a second.
Not judgmental.
Just… observing.
Taking him in.
"Oh," she said lightly, a small smile forming. "So you're the new one."
"My name is Nneka."
James nodded quickly.
"I'm James Smith—" he paused, then added, "—and no, my father was not a smith, nor am I."
…
She raised an eyebrow at that.
Just a little.
Yeah.
He learned fast.
"Isn't that just adorable," she said, a faint tease in her tone. "Though, when greeting someone for the first time, do try to not drool, yeah?"
James went red instantly.
"…Right—yeah—my bad—"
He wiped his mouth again, this time aggressively, like he was trying to erase evidence of a crime scene.
Caius, across from him—
Noted it.
Mentally.
Filed it.
Nneka turned smoothly back into her role, posture shifting just enough to signal she was working now.
"So," she said, tone professional but still warm, "what would you two like for today?"
She handed James a menu.
Caius didn't even look.
Man already had that thing memorized.
"I'll take the regular."
Of course he would.
Nneka nodded immediately.
"So—smoked sheep leg, honey-dipped," she listed smoothly, already in rhythm.
"With thick mixed berry pudding. Would you prefer chokecherries, blueberries, strawberries, or juneberries?"
She paused.
Waiting.
"Strawberries," Caius replied calmly.
"Mm." She nodded. "And would you like it dipped in maple syrup, with cornbread on the side?"
Caius gave a small nod.
'This guy has a serious sweet tooth,' James thought, glancing at him.
Caius' eyes flicked to him.
Sharp.
Instant.
James froze.
'…Shit.'
'Can he read my mind?'
A flash of memory—
Luna.
Yeah.
That whole situation.
"…Sorry," James muttered.
Caius blinked.
"About what?"
"…About what I thought about you."
Now Caius frowned slightly.
"What did you think about?"
"…Wait—I thought you knew?"
Nneka laughed.
Actually laughed.
"He can't read your mind, dumbass."
James turned to her, confused.
"…But his brow moved when I thought it."
She waved it off.
"Caius just has terrible emotional expression," she said casually. "He's got what we call a resting bitch face. But he's actually a sweetheart."
A pause.
Then a grin.
"With a sweet tooth to match. Did you know he's basically addicted to—"
Caius cleared his throat.
Sharp.
"Enough. He does not need to know that."
…
James blinked.
Wait.
Was that—
He leaned forward slightly.
"…Are you blushing?"
Caius' cheeks had the faintest hint of red.
…
Nneka snorted.
"This is amazing."
Caius looked away slightly.
Yeah.
He was done with this conversation.
"Anyway," Nneka said, recovering, turning back to James. "What would you like?"
James finally looked down at the menu.
—
Split-Antler Restaurant
MEAT AND SWEET
Food for strong tribe.
—
He read.
Slowly.
.
—
BIG MEAT (Main)
Kill with spear. Cook with fire.
Wood-Smoked Elk — Meat sit on red wood. Taste like forest. Salt and blueberry crunch on top.
Bison Back and Bone — Big cow from flat land. Cook in fat. Eat soft butter inside bone.
Sheep Pot — Wild sheep in water. Long time on fire. Good leaves and roots inside.
—
FAST MEAT (Snack)
Take on long walk. Do not spoil.
Pemmican — Dried meat pounded small. Mix with fat and sour berry. Good for cold sun.
Sweet Fry-Bread — Bread bubbles in fat. Put bee-spit and brown dust on top.
—
THE SWEET STUFF
Find in trees. Find in bush.
Purple Berry Mush — Smash many berries. Boil until thick. Dip bread in.
Tree Sugar — Water from maple tree. Boil until it turn to stone. Taste like sky.
Snow Cream — Cold snow and animal fat. Mix with tundra berries. Very cold, very good.
Honey Nut Crunch — Bee-spit and hard nuts. Make teeth work. Taste like summer.
Cornbread
—
DRINK
Put in belly.
Bean Water — Brown bean from far away. Mix with honey and hot pepper. Make heart fast.
Hot chocolateCoffee
Cactus Juice — Red fruit from dry place. Mix with sweet cactus water. Cold.
—
James stared at it for a second.
Then looked up.
"…It's, uh…"
He paused.
Trying to find the word.
"Simplistic," Nneka supplied casually, shrugging.
"It gets the job done. Why use fancy words when this tells you exactly what you're eating?"
…
She wasn't wrong.
At all.
James nodded slowly.
"Yeah… fair."
He looked back at the menu.
Then at her.
"Any recommendations?"
Nneka didn't hesitate.
"Smoked elk with honey," she said immediately. "Cornbread on the side. And hot chocolate."
A small nod.
"That's a good start."
James smiled slightly.
"Yeah," he said. "I'll take that."
Good choice.
"On it."
Nneka turned smoothly, already moving before the sentence fully left her lips, weaving through tables and bodies like she'd done it a thousand times.
And just like that—
She was gone into the kitchen.
…
It took exactly two seconds for something to click in James' head.
"…Wait."
He blinked.
Then looked at Caius.
"How do we even pay?"
Yeah.
That felt important.
He was not about to dine and dash in a place full of superhuman wolves.
That sounded like a very fast way to get jumped.
Caius glanced at him, immediately catching the slight tension in his posture, the way his shoulders had stiffened just a bit.
He sighed.
Calm.
Unbothered.
"Don't worry. I will pay."
Just like that.
Like it wasn't even worth stressing over.
He reached into his coat and pulled something out—
Gold coins.
Three of them.
They landed in his palm with a soft clink.
James' eyes locked onto them instantly.
They were about the size of a quarter—maybe a bit bigger, like fifteen percent more—but thicker.
Heavier-looking. The kind of weight that didn't need to be tested to know it mattered.
Real gold.
Not plated.
Not fake.
Actual gold.
Caius paused for a second.
Thinking.
Then reached back in and pulled out two more.
"…Your order will be about two gold coins," he said casually. "Mine is three. So—five."
James stared.
Actually stared.
"…You guys use gold?"
Because what?
Who just casually carries gold like that?
Caius looked at him like the answer was obvious.
"It is a currency we use," he replied. "We have an abundance of it."
James frowned slightly.
That didn't make sense.
At all.
"You are wondering how we have so much," Caius added, eyes flicking up at him, "when outsiders came here for it."
James blinked.
Then nodded slowly.
"…Yeah."
Caius' expression didn't change.
"Well," he said simply, "they attempted to take what was ours."
A pause.
"We killed them. And took it back."
…
James leaned back slightly.
"…Yeah."
That would do it.
That would definitely do it.
No further questions.
—
They sat there for a moment, the noise of the restaurant filling the space between them—plates clinking, people laughing, meat sizzling somewhere in the back.
Caius used the time.
Of course he did.
"You need to understand how things work here," he said, tone shifting slightly. Still calm—but more instructive now.
James nodded.
Listening.
"You see, once you are inside this territory, you have a role."
Simple.
Direct.
"No one is idle."
Makes sense.
"You can choose to be a hunter," Caius continued. "They go out, track, kill, and bring back food. They are paid based on what they catch."
James leaned forward slightly.
Interested.
"One gold coin for something small. A rabbit, for example," Caius said. "Around five for a deer. Fifty for a bear."
A pause.
"Twenty-five for a wolf."
James blinked.
"…Damn."
Caius nodded slightly.
"The value depends on several factors. Danger. Size. Use."
He gestured slightly with his pen.
"Bears and wolves are valuable because of their fur. It is essential during winter. Their teeth can be used for weapons—arrow tips, blades. And their meat is… desirable."
James nodded slowly, taking it all in.
"Then we have gatherers," Caius continued. "They collect berries, mushrooms, herbs."
James raised a brow.
"…What if they pick something poisonous?"
Caius looked at him.
Flat.
Unamused.
"We do not die from minor poisons," he said plainly. "Wolfsbane is the only natural substance that affects us significantly."
A pause.
"We can consume most other things without issue. Our bodies resist it."
James nodded.
Slowly.
'Natural,' he noted mentally.
Which meant—
Yeah.
Magical stuff?
Probably a different story.
"Gatherers are paid based on yield," Caius went on. "Anywhere from ten to one hundred gold coins a day."
James blinked.
"…That's not bad."
"No."
"It is not."
Caius continued.
"There are guards. They patrol the perimeter. Maintain security. Ensure nothing enters that should not."
His pen tapped lightly against the table.
"They are paid between thirty to one hundred forty gold coins per day."
James let out a low whistle.
"Damn."
Caius ignored it.
"Enforcers operate within the territory," he added. "They maintain order. Ensure individuals follow the rules."
Yeah.
That sounded less fun.
"Then there are shamans. Healers," Caius said, gesturing faintly toward the center of the settlement, even though they were indoors.
"They typically reside closer to the center. Their dwellings are distinct—easily identifiable."
James nodded again.
Tracking everything.
"Finally," Caius said, voice steady, "the pack leader."
Not clan.
Pack.
"The leader and their family reside at the center. Near the main structure."
A pause.
Caius glanced down—
And wrote something in his notebook again.
Scratch.
Scratch.
Like he was documenting James as much as he was explaining things.
James noticed.
Didn't say anything.
But yeah—
That was definitely weird.
Caius continued explaining how everything worked, his tone as calm and steady as ever—like he wasn't casually rewriting James' entire understanding of reality in the span of a single conversation.
"Shamans and herbalists are important," he said, barely looking up from his notebook.
"The shamans are in charge of spiritual matters."
Oh.
That was new.
"Rituals. Blessings before battle. Cleansing curses. Speaking with spirits… things of that nature."
James' brow furrowed, interest spiking instantly.
"So spirits do exist?" he asked, voice carrying a mix of disbelief and excitement.
This whole thing? Yeah, it was hitting something deep in his DNA.
"Yes," Caius replied simply. "As a matter of fact—you have already encountered one."
James blinked.
"I have?!"
Caius finished jotting something down before finally lifting his gaze.
"The rabbit Kaela had you chase," he said, tone matter-of-fact. "It was blessed by a wind spirit."
That—
Actually made sense.
"…Oh." It wasn't just an oh. It was an oh shit, that explains everything kind of realization.
Caius noted that reaction down immediately.
"To simplify things for you," he continued, "every myth you have heard regarding the supernatural contains a fragment of truth. Vampires, werewolves, sirens, dragons… they all exist."
He said it so casually.
Like he wasn't casually detonating James' worldview.
James, however, was not done.
"Wait—you said everything?"
Caius raised a brow slightly.
"Spill it."
He already knew James had something queued up.
"…What about gods?"
Caius tilted his head.
"…Yes," he said dryly.
James froze.
That answer came way too fast.
Caius watched him for half a second longer, then added—without being asked:
"Yes, they behave roughly as depicted. And yes, Zeus is… unpleasant."
A pause.
"And no—he did not create us when he cursed Lycaon. Those variants are weaker. More animalistic."
James stared at him.
"…Are you sure you can't read my mind?"
Caius shrugged lightly.
"You are very easy to read."
Damn.
Man out here getting treated like an open
book with large font and pictures.
Then—James had an idea.
A terrible one.
"Wait… if every book about supernatural stuff has some truth in it, then does that mean those werewolf romance sto—"
He didn't even finish.
Caius' head snapped toward him.
"Do not finish that sentence."
Immediate.
Cold.
Personal.
"…Got it, boss…" James backed off instantly, hands slightly raised.
Caius exhaled through his nose, clearly restraining something.
"I was just curious," James added,
completely honest.
"They are slander," Caius said flatly.
"Fabricated by those bloodsuckers. We do not behave like that with our mates."
A beat.
"And we do not imprint on infants."
Yeah.
That one?
That sounded very personal.
James paused.
Thinking.
Processing.
Then—
His eyes lit up.
"…Oh—you mean Midnight."(....)
Caius' expression darkened.
"We do not speak of that abomination here."
James blinked.
So vampires really out here running smear campaigns?
Wild.
"Anyway—" James cleared his throat quickly, pivoting before Caius decided violence was an acceptable response. "You were talking about the town. Anything else I should know?"
Caius let it go.
Thankfully.
"If you are injured, you will be treated quickly," he said. "Most recover within hours."
James immediately zeroed in on the real issue.
"…How much does that cost?"
Because insurance was a scam.
"Free."
Caius didn't even hesitate.
James leaned forward slightly.
"Deadass?"
"Yes."
"…What?"
"It is provided by the pack," Caius explained. "Healers and shamans are granted additional privileges in exchange."
"They are among the highest valued roles," he added. "Without them, casualties increase. Efficiency drops."
James sat back, processing that.
Healthcare?
Free?
And actually functional?
…What kind of alternate reality—
"Public facilities are distributed evenly throughout the territory," Caius continued.
"…Public facilities?"
"Bathhouses. Wash areas. Latrines."
Oh.
"Oh," James said. "So like… public bathrooms?"
"Yes."
Caius looked at him.
"Did you expect us to relieve ourselves on the ground?"
James immediately flushed.
"I—well—I mean—kinda—"
Caius gave a small sigh.
"Relax. You are not the first to assume that," he said.
"Because we live closer to nature, we are often labeled as savages."
There was no anger in his tone.
Just… tired familiarity.
Then he pointed down the street.
Far.
But not too far for James' enhanced vision.
"Water is redirected through carved channels," Caius explained. "Natural flow is adjusted—not forced."
"…You built canals?"
"Yes."
"We use gravity to distribute water across different sections of the territory. Waste is separated. Clean water is filtered through layered stone and sand."
James blinked slowly.
"…Okay."
"I'm assuming there's some kind of magic layer too?"
"Yes."
Of course there was.
Why wouldn't there be?
"We source water from rivers, lakes, and rainfall," Caius continued. "On occasion, we also draw from the spirit realm—though that serves a different purpose."
He said that way too casually.
Way. Too. Casually.
"Food distribution is partially centralized. Hunters contribute. Gatherers contribute. Supplies are stored and redistributed when necessary."
"So like… no one starves?"
"No one should starve," Caius corrected.
Ah.
There it was.
Reality check.
James nodded slowly.
"…Okay."
Caius paused briefly.
Then added—
"Healers ensure recovery. The pack ensures stability."
And then—
It hit James.
"If healers are free… and people are making like—what—up to a hundred gold coins a day…"
He gestured vaguely.
"…How is everything not expensive as hell?"
A pause.
"…Wouldn't that cause inflation?"
Caius blinked once.
Not confusion.
Just… mild acknowledgment.
That was a very human question.
"…No," he said simply.
James frowned.
"…No?"
"No."
"…You gonna elaborate, or—?"
Caius tapped his pen lightly against the notebook.
"We are not dependent on the system."
James tilted his head.
"…Dumb it down."
"We are apex predators," Caius said. "If resources become too expensive—"
A beat.
"We do not purchase them."
Another beat.
"We hunt."
James blinked.
"…Oh."
Yeah.
That made way too much sense.
"Raw meat does not harm us," Caius continued. "We do not require preparation to survive."
"So if prices go up…"
"We ignore them."
"…And go kill something."
"Yes."
"…Yeah, okay."
That checks out.
"Currency exists for convenience," Caius added. "Trade. Specialized goods. Items requiring skill beyond survival."
"Like what?"
"Weapons," Caius said. "Alchemy materials. Potions."
James perked up slightly.
"…Potions?"
Caius paused.
"That topic is beyond your current level."
…
"Damn," James muttered, leaning back slightly. "I didn't think it went this deep."
Honestly?
He felt like his brain was getting jumped right now.
Too much information.
Not enough processing power.
A/N Next chapter next week either wednesday or friday