Kaiah looked away as Farkas put back on his armor. She had her arms wrapped around herself and now she was shaking uncontrollably. She tried to not be so afraid, he was her shield-brother, but he looked so similar to the beast that attacked her that night. She couldn't resist, she had to know.

"Were you-" she tried to say without choking on her words, "were you the one who attacked me that night?"

Farkas looked up in shock as he was strapping on his last steel cuffed boot. "No, of course not!" Kaiah turned around, and fortunately Farkas was now fully dressed. She looked him in the eyes. He was telling the truth, and Kaiah believed him. "Do you know who…" Farkas broke eye contact and looked at the floor in shame. He knew, and she knew it. "Are you the only one?"

Farkas looked at her, "No, everyone in the Circle has the beast blood. Myself, Kodlak, Skjor, Aela and Vilkas." Suddenly Vilkas' behavior made sense to her. His sudden angry outbursts and his habit of storming off. "Farkas," the Nord looked at her curiously, "that night, when I was attacked. Was it one of them?" He wouldn't meet her eyes and looked at the floor in shame. Kaiah knew. "Farkas! You know who did it? Who?"

Farkas knew he was already in deep shit. He transformed in front of her, ultimately revealing their biggest secret. And now she caught on to another secret that they've been so desperately trying to hide. Farkas was never a good liar, most times he felt like he was incapable. He knew he would get in trouble for this later.

"It was Vilkas, Kaiah."

She felt her stomach hit the floor. A million thoughts raced through her head as she tried to collect herself. She felt herself feeling sick, having no idea what to do with the information she just heard. 'Vilkas?' He had been acting so strange and distant with her, trying to play it off with his busy schedule. But now it all made sense. He was avoiding her because of what had happened.

Gods, that night. That horrible night. When she felt the beast claw at her back and its mouth so close to her neck, she thought she was going to die. That night plagued her dreams, made her fearful of the wilderness and the howling of wild wolves. And they all kept it from her. They all lied to her.

"W-when," Kaiah started, her voice trembling with every word, "when we get back. I-I'm leaving."

Farkas' expression went from shameful to shocking. "W-wait Kaiah-"

She held her hand up to stop him, "I will get this fragment with you and bring it back but after that I'm leaving." Farkas tried to approach her, pleading, "Kaiah, it was an accident. A horrible accident. He didn't mean it-"

"I don't care!" she snapped at him, making him flinch, "I will not spend another moment in that hall! Not with…"

Farkas knew what she meant. Of course she would want to leave. Why would he think she would stay, after what happened to her? But now she knows the Circle's secret, and he was afraid of how they would react if they found out she was leaving. "Let's go." Kaiah walked past him and continued down the hall.

The rest of the tomb posed no threat to the two Companions. They had run into more Silver Hand, according to Farkas, but they were not spared by the countless draugr that were still littered inside. Kaiah's leg began to feel sore, and now every time it hurt it reminded her of Vilkas, and what he had done to her. She tried to suppress it, to focus on the task at hand, but it seemed to cloud every inch of her mind.

The two warriors reached the final chamber of the tomb. It was a large room with many sarcophagi, which Kaiah had never seen before until now. They walked up the steps leading to some kind of word wall and table. The table had a pedestal on it which contained a fragment of Wuuthrad. Kaiah approached the table and grabbed the fragment. "All that work, for this?" Farkas nodded his head. Kaiah put the fragment in her pocket and she suddenly heard something fall over on the other side of the room. They both looked over and saw a draugr step out of the sarcophagus, and before they could react, another opened as well, revealing another draugr.

Farkas drew his weapon and Kaiah did the same. And only seconds after, more sarcophagi began to fall open. They were being ambushed, that much was clear. Kaiah charged at one of the draugr, swiftly cutting it down. Farkas did the same, swinging his sword from behind. The two were surprised to see more draugr emerging from their sarcophagi. Kaiah gave Farkas a reassuring nod before charging at the remaining draugr. Farkas had never seen anyone move as fast as her in battle, even in her condition. He joined her in taking out the remainder of the draugr, which to his surprise was much faster than he expected.

"Kaiah." Farkas was trying to get his companion's attention. She looked at him, panting from the battle. "You should stay with us." She sheathed her scimitars and gave him a sad look. "I appreciate all you have done for me. And I'm grateful for the people that I have met. But I can't… I can't look past the secret that you all kept from me. I just can't." Farkas let out a sigh of defeat. He knew he was going to be in deep trouble when they got back.

It was nightfall and the two made their way back to Whiterun. They didn't speak much, even though Farkas tried his best to lighten the mood. But Kaiah had far too much on her mind. How was she going to be able to face the rest of the Circle? What was she going to tell Ria? She still had a million thoughts racing through her head.

As Farkas and Kaiah finally approached the hall of Jorrvaskr, they saw Vilkas was standing at the top of the steps, waiting for them. His arms were crossed and he had a scowl on his face. "Brother!" Farkas called out, "We got the fragment." He looked at his twin and then Kaiah, who wouldn't meet his eyes. Vilkas' nose twitched as he smelled his brother. 'No, he didn't.' He looked at Kaiah. "Everyone is waiting for you around back." She simply nodded her head and walked past him. Farkas was about to follow but Vilkas stopped him.

"What the hell happened?" Vilkas asked through gritted teeth. Farkas looked down at his brother's chest. "I shifted. In front of Kaiah. It was an accident."

Vilkas' stomach just about dropped to the ground. His now stern glare turned into one of fury. "You changed? In front of her? How could you be so stupid?" Farkas threw his hands up in defense. "It was the Silver Hand. Kaiah was trapped. I was outnumbered six to one. I didn't have a choice!"

Vilkas pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to contain his anger. "This is bad. Really, really bad." 'Does she know?' That was his first thought, if she knew it was him who attacked her that night. His anger suddenly shifted to worry and fear. He then let out a long sigh. "Let's meet the others."

Vilkas and Farkas walked around the hall and met the rest of the Circle. Skjor, Aela, and Kodlak stood across from Kaiah. Vilkas stood next to Kodlak and Farkas next to Kaiah. Kodlak gestured to the Companions of the Circle. "Brothers and Sisters of the Circle, today we welcome a new soul into our mortal fold. This woman has endured, has challenged and has shown her valor. Who will speak for her?"

Farkas stepped forward and smiled at Kaiah. "I stand witness to the courage of the soul before us."

"Would you raise your shield in her defense?"

"I would stand at her back, that the world may never overtake us."

Kaiah felt a warmth forming in her heart. Could she truly leave? After everything that they had been through?

"And would you raise your sword in her honor?"

"It stands ready to meet the blood of her foes."

"And would you raise a mug in her name?"

"I would lead the song in triumph as our mead hall reveled in her stories."

"Then this judgment of this Circle is complete. His/her heart beats with fury and courage that have united the Companions since the days of the distant green summers. Let it beat with ours, so the mountains may echo and our enemies may tremble at the call."

Everyone joined in. "It shall be so."

Everyone dispersed as Kaiah waited to speak with Kodlak. The old warrior approached her and gave her a soft smile. "Well girl, you're one of us now. I hope you won't disappoint." Kaiah bit her bottom lip as she tried to muster the courage to ask Kodlak the question she had been dreading to ask since Dustman's Cairn. "Is it true that the Circle are werewolves?"

Kodlak's eyes widened at her question. "I see you were allowed to know our secrets before your appointed time." He then let out a deep sigh. "No matter. It is true."

Kaiah looked at the ground and then a Kodlak, taking a deep breath before exhaling. "Does everyone take the beast blood?" The old man chuckled. "Oh no, only members of the Circle are offered the blood. And it's up to them if they wish to be initiated. Some take to the blood more than others."

"What about you?"

"Well I grow old. My mind turns towards the horizon, to Sovngarde. I worry that Shor won't call an animal warrior as he would a true Nord warrior. Living as beasts draws our souls closer to the Daedric lord, Hircine. Some may prefer eternity in his hunting grounds, but I crave the fellowship of Sovngarde."

Kaiah gave him a reassuring smile. While she may know their darkest secret, it truly didn't change the way she saw them. Kodlak was still her Harbinger, and Farkas was still her friend. But when she suddenly thought of Vilkas, the memories kept flooding back. She wasn't sure if she could ever look him in the eyes again knowing what she knows. And she wasn't sure how she was going to live within the walls of Jorrvaskr feeling this way.

Kodlak interrupted her thoughts with a laugh, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "But enough about me and my worries as an old warrior, we are here to celebrate you, my girl!" The two went inside the mead hall and were met with the entire guild feasting and drinking at the long table. Ria stood up from her chair and greeted Kaiah, congratulating her on her Trial. Torvar poured her a fresh mug of ale and handed it to her. Kaiah took a deep drink and slammed the tankard on the table. She needed a lot of ale if she was going to forget about this night.

The Companions drank, sang, and danced as they celebrated Kaiah judgment. The Redguard had drunk about five mugs of ale at this point, and she was feeling light-headed. She felt as though all her troubles and worries just melted away with every sip. Ria and her danced around drunkenly in circles in the corridor and Torvar and Farkas joined them. Athis played the lute while they danced, enjoying the merriment. Vilkas sat at the table with Kodlak, sipping from his mug of ale. He stared at Kaiah, watching her dance with Ria. Kaiah suddenly lost her footing and fell on her rump, letting out a snort of laughter. Ria laughed as well, trying to bend down and help her up. Vilkas couldn't help but grin himself.

Kaiah got up and Farkas his hands on her shoulders. "Alright, maybe you've had enough, light weight."

Kaiah scoffed, "Light weight? I am no such thing! I-I'm not even that drunk…"

Ria laughed as she tried to guide Kaiah back to her seat, but she brushed her away. "You know, I think I'm a bit tired." Torvar cocked his head. "The party's only just started!" She let out a chuckle. "Well… I-I've had a long day."

Kaiah moved slowly past the others as she made her way back to her living quarters. Vilkas saw her leaving and got up from his chair. Nobody noticed him slipping away, so he followed Kaiah downstairs. As she was about to open the door to her quarters, she saw a large hand close the door shut. She turned around and saw Vilkas towering over her. She nearly yelped as she backed up against the door.

"Y-you scared me, you idiot!"

Vilkas kept his stern gaze, "We need to talk."

Kaiah rolled her eyes, "I'm… a bit tired. Can't this wait-"

"No." Vilkas kept his hand on the door. "Farkas told me about what happened in Dustman's Cairn."

Kaiah felt her face grow hot, "Oh. Well… if you're worried about me spilling your secret… don't worry. I won't tell anyone."

As she was about to turn around and open the door, Vilkas leaned in closer. "That's not why I'm here."

She looked up at him, trying to contain the tears in her eyes. "I know about what you did. I know it was you-"

His face softened, "Gods, Kaiah. I didn't mean to. It was an accident-"

"That's what Farkas said too. And I told him I was going to leave and never come back. I couldn't bear the thought of being anywhere near you, not after…" She swallowed the lump forming in her throat. "But after tonight, I decided to stay."

Vilkas stared into her icey blue eyes, which started to water. He saw a single tear trickle down her cheek. "But I would be lying if I said I wasn't afraid of you." He closed his eyes and looked down in shame. Of course she would be afraid of him, why would he think anything different? "I didn't mean to, Kaiah. I just… I just lost control. I never meant to hurt you."

She believed him, but there was still a feeling deep down inside that told her she couldn't trust him. Maybe it was the alcohol, or seeing Farkas shift in front of her, she wasn't quite sure. She wanted to forgive him, but she wasn't ready for that yet.

She looked up at him, wiping her wet eyes with her sleeve. "I'm going to retire." Vilkas took his hand off the door and Kaiah turned around and opened the door. Vilkas watched as she

went into her quarters and closed the door behind her. He stood outside for a few moments before heading off to his room. Once he arrived in his own quarters he took off his armor until he was in nothing but his trousers. He fell onto his bed and stared into the ceiling, thinking about his conversation with Kaiah.

'But I would be lying if I said I wasn't afraid of you.'

'…afraid of you.'

Fear. That's what she felt for him. Afraid that he's going to attack her. To harm her.

He didn't want to, he would never! But he did. He lost control of the beast and hurt someone he cared about. The guilt was eating him alive, and now that she knew it was him, he felt shame.

'…I told him I was going to leave and never come back. I couldn't bear the thought of being anywhere near you…'

He tossed and turned in his bed, trying to push her words out of his mind. But they covered every inch of his thoughts, and all he could think about were her words replaying in his head.

'But that thing… that monster… it did this to me! It almost tore me apart!'

'...that monster…'

'Monster!'

Vilkas shot up in his bed, rubbing his face with his hands. He saw the residue of his warpaint on his hands, so he got up from his bed and walked over to the wash basin. He threw the water in his and scrubbed the rest of the dirt and war paint off of his face. He leaned against the basin as he looked at his reflection in the water.

'...monster…'

A monster. The word that kept replaying over and over again in his head. Maybe that's what he was, what he truly was.

A monster.