Cayro Zaraki

October 30, 2025

20:17 EST

Norton Creek Resort

Gatlinburg, TN

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The reception spread out before me, the warm glow of lanterns flickering across the towering trees like scattered stars. Deep amethyst and silver fabric twisted around wooden beams, fluttering as the cool night air wound its way through the clearing. The scent of roasted meat, fresh bread, and aged wine wrapped around me, mixing with the faint bite of pine and damp earth.

Laughter and howls wove together, creating a strange, almost surreal harmony. I caught sight of a group of werewolves near the bonfire, their hulking forms silhouetted against the flames, exchanging stories in low, rumbling tones. At the same time, a handful of other guests hovered near the indoor reception hall, drinks in hand, clearly unsure whether to embrace the chaos or just observe from a safe distance.

And then… the music started.

It hit me first as a deep pulse in my chest—something primal, something alive. A slow, deliberate rhythm from war drums grounded the song, each beat reverberating through the floor. But then, unexpectedly, modern electric chords slid into the mix, threading through the melody with an almost ethereal sharpness. A violin joined in, weaving a hypnotic harmony between the old and the new, each note blending seamlessly into the next.

I turned, my gaze landing on the figures dressed in all-black uniforms near the stage. They stood in quiet formation, instruments in hand, every movement calculated, efficient, and precise.

I didn’t recognize them.

“They’re good,” Star murmured beside me, watching the musicians with keen interest.

“Yeah,” I admitted. “Better than I expected.”

The music built on itself, shifting seamlessly between hauntingly traditional and strikingly modern, as if bridging the gap between both halves of the reception. There was something… different about them. Their presence carried an unnatural stillness, like they weren’t just here to perform, but to watch. To listen.

As I turned back to the guests, I caught a hushed conversation nearby.

“...The Guardians never disappoint,” someone murmured.

Guardians?

The name stuck in my head, but I couldn’t place it. Had Zak mentioned them before? Probably. If it was important, I figured he’d fill me in later.

The music blended into the background as I turned from the musicians, still mulling over the name Guardians. Before I could think much more on it, movement near the reception hall caught my attention.

My grandmother approached, her usual composed expression softened just slightly. She carried herself with the same quiet authority as always, scanning the reception before focusing on me and Star.

I straightened without thinking.

"You two look like you’re enjoying yourselves," she said as she stopped in front of us.

Star stepped closer, her voice carrying genuine warmth. "We are. And we can’t thank you enough for everything you did to help make this happen. It wouldn’t have come together so perfectly without you."

A small but knowing smile flickered across her lips. "It was my pleasure. You both deserve this."

I exhaled, feeling a knot I hadn’t realized was there start to ease.

"The cake arrived without incident," she continued, her tone shifting to something lighter. "Red velvet with cream cheese icing, just like you wanted."

I chuckled. "Finally, something went according to plan."

Her eyes twinkled slightly. "Enjoy it while you can, Cayro. With this crowd, I doubt the rest of the evening will stay that way."

I wasn’t sure if she meant the werewolves, or a certain unwelcome presence lurking in the background.

She lingered for a moment before reaching out, squeezing my arm. "I am proud of you," she said softly.

The words settled deep, warming something inside me that had been braced for impact.

Star reached for her hand, giving it a grateful squeeze. "Thank you. For everything."

My grandmother gave a small nod, then stepped back, disappearing into the crowd.

I let out a slow breath, rolling my shoulders.

Star looked up at me. "You good?"

I nodded, still feeling the warmth of the moment. "Yeah. That actually went easier than I expected."

Star’s lips curled into a teasing smile. "Well, the night’s still young. Plenty of time for things to go wrong."

I huffed a quiet laugh, shaking my head. "Thanks for the reassurance."

She nudged me lightly, turning back toward the dance floor.

The reception was in full swing by the time I turned away from my grandmother, the hum of conversation mixing with the deep rhythm of the music. The Guardians were still playing, blending haunting war drums with electric strings, and despite the odd mix of guests, everything seemed… comfortable.

That was, until I spotted two familiar figures weaving their way toward us.

Rick and Eric.

Rick moved with his usual confidence, his broad frame and well-worn leather jacket making him stand out even in a crowd filled with wolves. Eric, on the other hand, was looking around with wide, slightly panicked eyes, muttering something under his breath.

“Ah, hell,” I muttered to Star as they reached us.

“Hey, kid,” Rick greeted with a firm handshake before turning to Star. “And the lovely bride. You look stunning, sweetheart.”

Star smiled warmly. “Thanks, Rick. You two clean up well yourselves.”

Rick let out a gruff chuckle. “Don’t let the suit fool you, I’d rather be in grease-stained denim.”

“Agreed,” Eric muttered, still glancing over his shoulder like he expected something to leap out of the shadows.

I turned back to Rick. “How’s the transition going? Any word from the NAWC about the loan?”

Rick exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Paperwork’s all signed. Just waiting on the deed to come in now. It’s been a pain in the ass, but I’ll finally be running the shop outright.”

“That’s great news,” I said, meaning it.

Rick nodded. “Couldn’t have done it without Zak, though. He pulled some serious strings.”

Star smiled. “He’s good at that.”

Before I could respond, Eric elbowed Rick in the side and hissed, “Dude. Am I seeing things, or are there actual werewolves dancing around that bonfire?”

Rick groaned. “Eric—”

“No, seriously! Look!” Eric pointed toward the bonfire, where several wolves had gathered in their wolf forms, their movements fluid, their laughter carrying through the night air.

I crossed my arms. “You’ve met Zak, haven’t you?”

“Yeah, but—” Eric gestured wildly, voice rising. “That’s different. I met Zak as Zak. I didn’t meet him as a guy casually howling at the sky while throwing back whiskey like it’s beer!”

Rick shook his head, muttering, “I told you to stop staring, man.”

But Eric was still caught somewhere between fascination and alarm. “There are actual werewolves! Dancing! Around a fire! What the hell?”

I sighed, barely holding back a smirk. “There’s a lot more to this world than meets the eye.”

Eric turned to me, waiting for an explanation, but before I could go on, I caught movement out of the corner of my eye—Star shifting her weight slightly, her expression unreadable except for the sharp glint of mischief in her eyes.

I knew that look.

I turned to her slowly. “Star… don’t you dare.”

Her smirk widened.

“You’ll scare the shit out of them,” I warned.

She raised an eyebrow, her amusement practically radiating off her.

I could already see it. The slow, deliberate flex of muscle, the shimmer of energy just beneath her skin as she prepared to shift, just enough to send Eric into a full-blown panic.

Eric frowned, looking between the two of us. “Wait. What? What is she—”

Rick, who knew better, took a step back.

Star grinned, sharp and knowing.

Eric took a breath. “Okay, I really don’t like how this—”

I groaned, rubbing my temples. “Star, I swear—”

She leaned in, whispering just loud enough for Eric to hear, “Boo.”

Eric nearly jumped out of his skin. “NOPE. Nope, I’m done.”

Rick sighed. “Eric, for god’s sake—”

“No, man, I just accepted that werewolves exist! Now you’re telling me there’s more weird shit? How much more are we talking?”

I smirked. “You really don’t want the answer to that.”

Eric groaned, rubbing his face. “I need a drink.”

Rick clapped him on the shoulder. “Smartest thing you’ve said all night.”

As they turned toward the bar, I shot Star a look.

She beamed. “I behaved.”

I narrowed my eyes. “You almost shifted.”

“But I didn’t,” she countered.

I exhaled. “This is going to be a long night.”

Her laughter was the only response I got.

The laughter from Eric’s near-meltdown still lingered, but it didn’t last long. A sharp clinking of glass rang through the reception, drawing all eyes toward Zak as he stood near the head of the table, his signature smirk firmly in place.

“Alright, everyone, settle down,” he called out, his voice carrying easily over the murmuring crowd. “As King of the Wolves and best damn best man this wedding has ever seen, it’s my duty to say a few words before Cayro can make a run for it.”

A round of laughter rippled through the guests, and I sighed, already regretting giving him this platform.

Zak lifted his glass, his smirk widening. “Now, I’ve known Cayro for a long time. I’ve watched him crash skyboards, break his board than I can count, and, somehow, still get back up like nothing happened. I’ve seen him throw himself headfirst into trouble, usually without thinking it through, and honestly, I never thought anyone would be able to keep up with him.”

I shook my head, rubbing a hand down my face as Star chuckled beside me.

“But then,” Zak continued, shifting his attention to her, “I met Star. And, well, I realized Cayro finally met his match.”

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

The crowd murmured in agreement, a few wolves letting out amused huffs of laughter.

Zak grinned. “Now, Star is—how do I put this delicately?—terrifying. And I mean that in the best possible way.”

Star arched an eyebrow. “I’m listening.”

“See, I’ve watched her command attention with nothing but a look. I’ve seen her push through injuries that would’ve put most people down for weeks, and I’ve witnessed firsthand what happens when someone underestimates her. Spoiler alert: it never ends well for them.”

More laughter. Star smirked, clearly enjoying herself.

“But the thing is, Star doesn’t just carry strength—she wields it with precision. She’s sharp, she’s unshakable, and when she decides something, there’s no force in this world that can make her change her mind. So when I saw the way she looked at Cayro, I knew he was doomed.”

I groaned, while Star just nodded in agreement.

Zak’s voice softened slightly, shifting from humor to something more genuine. “Cayro, I’ve watched you take risks for people who didn’t always deserve it. I’ve seen you put others first, even when you had every reason not to. But Star? She sees you. She matches you step for step. And knowing her? She’s not going to let you get away with anything less than being your best self.”

Star’s fingers curled around mine, grounding me.

Zak lifted his glass. “So here’s to Cayro and Star—to a bond that’s unshakable, a future that’s going to be one hell of a ride, and to a love that can stand against anything.”

A resounding cheer erupted through the reception, glasses clinking together as the toast was shared.

I let out a slow breath, shaking my head as I lifted my own drink. “You really couldn’t resist, could you?”

Zak grinned. “Absolutely not.”

Star turned to me, her expression softer now. “You okay?”

I nodded, though my throat felt tighter than I expected. “Yeah. Just… wasn’t expecting that to hit so hard.”

She squeezed my hand. “You deserved to hear it.”

I huffed a quiet laugh. “I still think he’s a menace.”

Zak leaned in. “Oh, absolutely.”

The clinking of another glass silenced the murmuring crowd once more.

This time, it was Dr. Zaraki who stood, his expression steady, but the weight of emotion flickering behind his eyes.

A hush settled over the guests. Even the werewolves, who weren’t easily impressed, quieted in response to the shift in energy.

Dr. Zaraki exhaled slowly, his gaze drifting briefly to Star before settling on me.

“When my daughter told me she was getting married,” he began, his voice carrying an unmistakable warmth, “I had no doubts.”

I blinked. That… was unexpected.

His lips twitched slightly, almost amused at my reaction. “Some of you may find that surprising, considering my reputation. But those who know me best understand this—I do not waste my words. And I do not give my approval lightly.”

The weight of his words pressed into my chest, but not in a bad way.

“I have spent two decades protecting Star from a world that never deserved her,” he continued. “And for years, I told myself that no one ever would. But then… Cayro proved me wrong.”

A murmur rippled through the crowd.

Dr. Zaraki’s gaze didn’t waver. “He didn’t prove it with words. He didn’t prove it by asking. He proved it with actions, with his choices, with the way he has fought—not just for Star, but beside her. And that, more than anything, is why I stand here tonight, proud to call him family.”

A lump formed in my throat.

Dr. Zaraki lifted his glass slightly. “To Star and Cayro. May your bond be as unbreakable as the trust you’ve built, and may your future be as strong as your spirits.”

The guests lifted their glasses, the air vibrating with the energy of the moment.

I swallowed, nodding once in silent gratitude as Dr. Zaraki took his seat.

Star squeezed my hand. “You okay?”

I let out a slow breath. “Yeah. Just… trying to process that.”

She smirked. “See he isn’t that scary.”

I huffed a soft laugh. “Still kind of terrifying, though.”

“Nah.”

The air was still settling from Dr. Zaraki’s words when another clink of a glass sounded.

My grandfather stood next, his expression filled with warmth. Unlike Dr. Zaraki’s steady and reserved presence, my grandfather carried an effortless kindness that had always been there, unwavering and constant.

A soft smile played at his lips as he looked at me.

“I won’t keep you all too long,” he began, his voice carrying the kind of gentle authority that only comes with age and experience. “I just want to take a moment to talk about the young man standing here beside his wife.”

His words hit something deep in my chest.

“I have had the privilege of watching and raising Cayro grow into the man he is today,” he continued, his eyes filled with something unshakable—pride, love, and certainty. “And while I have always believed in his strength, his resilience, and his heart, I know that today, he stands here not just as my grandson, but as a man who has fought for his own place in this world.”

My grip tightened slightly on Star’s hand.

My grandfather exhaled lightly, looking between the two of us. “Cayro, you have never taken the easy road. And yet, even through the struggles, even through the pain, you have remained steadfast in your convictions. That is a rare thing in this world.”

The murmur of agreement from the guests barely registered over the pounding in my chest.

“And Star,” he turned his gaze to her, and I saw something in his eyes that made me feel lighter. Like she had always been family. “I have watched you grow over the years, but it did not take long for me to see that you are a force to be reckoned with. A woman of power, of strength, and of undeniable loyalty.”

Star swallowed, but held his gaze, a flicker of emotion crossing her face.

Mr. Bracton smiled. “It is not often that we get to witness two souls who truly balance each other, who challenge each other, and who, at the end of the day, will always stand side by side.”

A deep breath filled my lungs, steadying me against the weight of his words.

“I am proud of you, Cayro. More than I will ever have the right words to express,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “And Star, I am just as proud to welcome you into our family.”

A lump lodged itself in my throat.

He lifted his glass. “To Cayro and Star—may your love be as fierce as your spirit, and your future as bright as the fire that brought you here.”

The room erupted into a final cheer, glasses clinking together in agreement.

I let out a slow breath, shaking my head as I lifted my own drink.

Star turned to me, eyes glistening. “You okay?”

I swallowed past the tightness in my throat, managing a small smirk. “Starting to feel a little too loved, honestly.”

She laughed softly. “Get used to it.”

My grandfather smiled knowingly as he sat back down, his gaze lingering on me for just a moment longer before turning back to his drink.

The reception quieted as the last of the toasts faded into the night. The glow of lanterns flickered overhead, casting a soft golden hue over the polished wood of the dance floor. The hum of conversation and laughter softened, giving way to the steady strum of a melody carried by the band.

I exhaled slowly, glancing around as guests instinctively stepped back, leaving space in the center.

It was time.

I turned to Star, who was already watching me with a knowing smirk.

“You’re nervous,” she murmured, amusement threading through her voice.

I huffed. “I don’t dance.”

She arched an eyebrow. “Not well, you mean.”

I sighed. “Not at all.”

Her grin widened. “Good thing I do.”

She took my hand, her fingers warm and steady, grounding me in the moment as she led me onto the floor. The music swelled around us, a blend of deep traditional notes mixed with a slow, modern rhythm, something both timeless and new.

I followed her lead at first, trying to not step on her dress, not make a fool of myself, not look as stiff as I felt.

But then… something shifted.

The laughter and whispers faded into the background. The music, the glow of the lanterns, the crisp night air—all of it blurred, leaving only her.

Star, in my arms, her gaze locked onto mine, steady, unshaken, fierce in a way that made my heart stutter in my chest.

She was my anchor. She always had been.

And just like that, the tension bled out of my shoulders. I let her guide me, adjusting to her movements, finding the rhythm between us. It wasn’t perfect, but it didn’t have to be.

It was ours.

Her fingers curled slightly against my shoulder, and she leaned in just enough to whisper, “See? You’re not completely hopeless.”

I smirked. “Give me a few minutes.”

She chuckled softly, tilting her head slightly as she watched me. “You’re really in this now, aren’t you?”

I swallowed. “Yeah.”

Her expression softened, something flickering behind her amethyst eyes that sent warmth curling through my chest.

I didn’t know what I had done in this life to deserve her, but I wasn’t going to question it.

The song shifted, and from the edges of the dance floor, other couples began stepping in. Zak and Aura joined first, followed by Rick and some of the others from the shop. Even my grandmother had taken my grandfather’s hand, moving in a slow, easy rhythm.

I exhaled through my nose. “At least now I won’t be the main focus.”

Star hummed. “Coward.”

I rolled my eyes, dipping her slightly just to make her laugh.

And laugh she did.

The dance had started to feel natural, the rhythm of the music blending into the night air, when I felt it.

That shift.

That presence.

The hairs on the back of my neck rose before I even saw them.

It wasn’t an accident.

A moment later, my father and Luna Catherine brushed past us, their movements too precise, too calculated to be anything but intentional. The air around us grew thicker, charged with something that made my muscles tense involuntarily.

Star’s grip on my shoulder tightened, and I knew immediately she felt it too.

My father gave an almost pleasant smile, his eyes sharp and gleaming in the soft lantern light. “Well, isn’t this quite the evening?”

My jaw clenched.

Star didn’t hesitate. “We told you not to come.”

Her voice was low and cold, cutting through the music like a blade.

My father exhaled lightly, as if amused. “You did.”

He said nothing else, just let the words sit there, like a challenge.

I forced a breath through my nose. “Then why are you here?”

Luna Catherine tilted her head slightly, watching us both like a cat studying cornered prey. “Because,” she said smoothly, “you know as well as we do that boundaries are only as strong as the people enforcing them.”

I stiffened.

My father’s smirk deepened just slightly. “It’s so easy to… maneuver people, don’t you think? A suggestion here, a shift in perspective there. Suddenly, all those firm decisions become a little more flexible.”

Star’s fingers dug into my arm.

She knew where he was going with this.

I knew where he was going with this.

My stomach dropped, heat creeping into my veins.

He leaned in just slightly, lowering his voice like he was sharing some great secret. “You’d be surprised how easy it is to reprogram old tools when you know exactly where to look.”

My breathing faltered for just a fraction of a second.

Star’s entire body went rigid.

My father didn’t say Scuzball’s name. He didn’t have to.

My mind raced, pieces snapping together too fast to process fully. Scuzball had been acting strange. Different. It had been subtle, but the signs were there.

And now, here Bracton was, planting the idea like a poison in my mind.

“You son of a bitch,” I said, my voice quiet but burning with something raw.

My father merely smiled.

Luna Catherine gave a small shrug. “Did you really think a simple request would keep us away?”

Star’s breathing was steady, but I could feel the storm brewing beneath her skin.

“This is our wedding,” she said, her voice like a dangerous whisper. “This was supposed to be about us. And you—you came here just to remind us that you still have your hands in everything, didn’t you?”

My father tilted his head slightly, as if considering the thought. Then, with a small, satisfied smile, he said, “Of course.”

Something inside me twisted into a tight, unrelenting knot.

I wanted to hit him.

I wanted to wipe that smug look off his face, to throw him out myself, to do something—anything—to take back control of this moment.

But that’s exactly what he wanted.

He wanted me to react.

He wanted to shake me.

And the worst part?

It was working.

The air between us felt thick, suffocating. My father’s smirk remained in place, but there was something deeper behind his eyes—something calculated, satisfied.

He had gotten to me.

I knew it.

And that pissed me off even more.

Before I could react further, a low whirring noise buzzed near my ear.

Scuzball’s drone.

It had moved in closer, hovering just over my shoulder, its small red recording light blinking as it captured everything.

My father didn’t even look at it.

Luna Catherine, however, sighed as if she were utterly bored. With a single, effortless motion, she swatted the drone out of the air.

The impact sent it spiraling wildly, its stabilizers failing to recover.

I turned just in time to see it plummet directly into the side wedding cake.

It struck dead center, the frame burying itself like a goddamn lawn dart, its propellers slicing deep into the thick layers of red velvet and cream cheese frosting.

Thank whatever god that was out there the cake did not topple. My grandmother would have been furious.

It stood perfectly upright, save for the two drone rotors still spinning at the surface, twitching like an insect caught in sap.

For a long, stunned moment, no one moved.

A collective gasp rippled through the reception hall.

Then—

“SYSTEM ERROR—! I’M TRAPPED—! WHY AM I TRAPPED?! WHO ATTACKED ME?!”

Scuzball’s shriek rang out from inside the cake, his voice muffled by the thick layers of frosting.

Star sucked in a sharp breath, her entire body trembling—not from fear, but from sheer, unfiltered rage.

I felt it too.

We had told him not to come.

We had made it very, very clear that he had no place here tonight.

And now, here he was, standing in front of us like he owned the damn room, having successfully ruined any peace we might’ve had left.

I turned back to him, anger twisting like a live wire beneath my skin.

Star’s voice was low, controlled, but shaking with fury.

“We told you,” she said slowly, dangerously, “that you weren’t welcome.”

My father tilted his head slightly, his smirk unfazed. “And yet, here I am.”

Luna Catherine gave a deliberate blink, then, with a perfectly neutral expression, said, “Oops.”

That was it.

That was the breaking point.

Both Star and I moved at the same time, stepping forward—

And Zak was suddenly between us.

I hadn’t even seen him move.

One moment he was watching from the side, the next he was there, placing himself directly between us and my father, his stance wide, his presence suffocating.

His golden-amber eyes flared like wildfire, burning with something undeniable, unshakable, final.

“Enough,” he said.

One word.

But the weight of it dropped like a hammer.

Everything stilled.

The wolves closest to us tensed, sensing the shift in power, the unspoken command beneath Zak’s voice. The humans, less aware of the dynamics at play, simply watched, uneasy but enthralled.

My father didn’t react immediately.

Instead, he exhaled lightly, his smirk never fading, but his gaze sharpening just slightly.

“Ah,” he said smoothly, tilting his head. “And here comes the King.”

Zak didn’t blink.

“You’re leaving,” he said simply.

My father raised an eyebrow. “And if I don’t?”

The temperature in the room seemed to drop.

Zak stepped forward, his voice quieter now, but somehow heavier, like the weight of the entire pack sat behind it.

“That wasn’t a request,” he said. “That was an order.”

Luna Catherine hummed, her eyes flicking between the three of us, as if weighing the options.

My father’s smirk remained, but something in his stance shifted.

Then, after a long pause, he let out a mockingly slow sigh.

“Well,” he mused, glancing briefly at the ruined cake, “I suppose we’ve made enough of an impression for one night.”

He took a step back, brushing imaginary dust from his sleeve.

Luna Catherine followed suit, though not before offering a single, lingering glance at Star.

It wasn’t a threat.

It was something worse.

A promise.

Then, just like that, they turned and left.

The doors shut behind them with a quiet click.

The silence they left behind was deafening.

I exhaled slowly, my hands still clenched into fists, my pulse pounding in my ears.

Zak stayed where he was, unmoving, his shoulders only relaxing when he was certain they were gone.

“Are you—” he started, turning toward me—

“OH MY GOD, SOMEONE HELP ME. I AM DROWNING IN FROSTING. THIS IS NOT A DRILL. REPEAT, NOT A DRILL.”

The cake trembled.

A single chunk of icing peeled away as the rotors spun wildly again, jerking uselessly against the thick layers of cream cheese.

Zak sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“… What the hell is going on?”

I exhaled through my nose.

“Long story short?” I muttered. “Scuzball’s trapped in the cake.”

Zak blinked.

Then, slowly, he looked over at the dessert table.

The cake stood tall, pristine except for the drone embedded deep inside it, twitching violently like a wounded animal trying to escape.

Another garbled shriek came from inside.

“SYSTEM FAILURE—MAYDAY—HOW DID THIS HAPPEN—SENDING DISTRESS SIGNAL TO ALL AVAILABLE UNITS—”

Zak dragged a hand down his face.

“… I hate everything about this.”

“YOU AND ME BOTH. GET ME OUT OF HERE!”

Star let out a choked laugh, shaking her head.

I sighed. “I’ll get him out.”

“No need,” she said sweetly.

I barely had time to register the gleam in her eye before she reached forward—and yanked the drone free.

A wet squelch followed as it popped out, a thick layer of red velvet and cream cheese dripping from its frame.

Scuzball’s voice glitched violently before screeching, “THIS IS A CRIME AGAINST A.I. KIND! I DEMAND IMMEDIATE REPARATIONS!”

Star smirked.

I saw it coming a second too late.

“Star, don’t—”

She grabbed a handful of cake and smashed it straight into my face.

The reception erupted.

I wiped a slow hand down my face, exhaling heavily as frosting dripped from my beard.

Star was grinning.

I gave her a long, slow look.

“You know,” I muttered, “I’m really starting to rethink this marriage thing.”

She beamed. “Too late. No refunds.”

I grabbed my own piece of cake.

She ran.

And just like that, the tension shattered.