I Was The Only Omega In The Beast World-Chapter 42: CP: Do You Want Me To Show You Something?

Storm cleared his throat. "One hour. I’ll be over there—" he pointed twenty feet away "—giving what privacy pack law allows. I can still see and hear you. Don’t try anything stupid."

He moved to his spot, facing away but alert.

Alex turned to his mates in the morning light.

Naga’s eyes were bloodshot, scales patchy from stress. Leo’s fur was matted with frost and dirt, golden eyes ringed with exhaustion.

"You two look like disasters," Alex said, aiming for stern but landing fond.

"We missed you," they said together.

"It’s been twelve hours."

"Longest twelve hours ever," Naga muttered.

He loosened his grip slightly, hands cupping Alex’s face, thumbs tracing cheekbones like memorizing them. "Did they hurt you? Threaten you? Make you uncomfortable?"

"No. They’ve been... accommodating. Good food, warm lodge. Healer Moss checked the babies—they’re fine, just stressed from separation."

Alex covered Naga’s hands. "She said physical contact during visits helps. Can we just sit? All of us?"

They settled in the bridge’s center. Naga coiled protectively around them; Leo pressed warm against Alex’s back. Alex finally relaxed, tension bleeding away only possible with both mates present.

The babies responded instantly—frantic jabs easing into gentle rolls.

"They feel you," Alex whispered. "They recognize your scents, voices. They’ve been agitated without you."

Leo made a pained sound, pressing closer. "I’m sorry we can’t be there."

"Not your fault. We knew the terms." Alex leaned into Leo’s fur, Naga’s cool scales balancing the heat. "Six more days. We can do it."

"Tell us everything from yesterday," Naga said, voice steadier. "Don’t leave anything out."

Alex recounted it all: heart-lodge, ancestors, Lucas’s counter-proposal, guest lodge, talks with Ash, Storm, Moss. Food, check-up, sleeping furs, visit terms.

Naga and Leo listened with fierce focus, building mental maps.

"Lucas plays careful," Naga observed. "Treats you well enough to avoid mistreatment claims, keeps you isolated enough to stay vulnerable."

"Agreed," Leo said. "Visits are strategic—enough contact to prevent breakdown, not enough for real bond maintenance. Separation will wear you down over time. Make pack feel safer than mates."

"I know his game," Alex admitted. "But I don’t think it’s malicious. He wants proof before risking their sacred artifact."

"Still manipulative," Naga countered.

"Understandable, though." Alex looked between them. "They’re dying slowly. Three generations of watching their people fade. Desperation makes people do terrible things. I might do the same in his place."

"You’d never separate someone from their mates," Leo said firmly.

"Wouldn’t I? If it saved everyone I was responsible for?" Alex shook his head. "This world keeps forcing impossible choices. Only less terrible ones."

Quiet settled, heavy with truth.

Naga spoke softly but intensely. "Then we give you real options." He produced a small pouch.

"Emergency supplies from my territory: healing herbs, signal stone that glows in immediate danger, and—" he pressed a smooth, iridescent scale into Alex’s palm "—one of mine. Burn it if you’re truly in trouble. I’ll know instantly."

Leo offered a thumb-sized carved lion figure.

"Protection charm. My mother made it for me when I was young. Not magical, but... something of mine. To keep close."

Alex clutched both, throat tight. "You’re going to make me cry."

"Then cry," Naga said. "You’re allowed. Pregnant, separated, facing impossible things. Crying isn’t weakness."

Alex let the tears come—hot, brief, soaking Leo’s fur. His mates held him through it, soothing sounds and gentle touches until it passed.

[System: Achievement: "Emotional Vulnerability With Mates"

+20 SP

Current: 448

This is very sweet and I’m not crying, you’re crying.]

"How long left?" Alex asked.

"Twenty minutes," Storm called, not turning.

They used every second. Naga taught breathing exercises for stress. Leo shared a simple lion-warrior meditation. They talked nonsense—weather, food, Leo’s fish threat—to reclaim normalcy.

When Storm stood, signaling time, Alex felt steadier.

"Tonight," Naga promised, forehead to Alex’s. "Same time, same place."

"Same promises," Leo added, nuzzling his temple.

"We love you. We trust you. You’ve got this."

"I love you both too. Take care of yourselves. Eat. Sleep warm. Don’t destroy yourselves waiting."

"We’ll try," they said—promise thin.

Storm approached. "Time."

Alex tucked scale and charm safely away, memorized his mates’ faces, scents, gazes.

He followed Storm back toward pack lands.

Behind him, Naga and Leo watched until he vanished, then resumed their vigil.

Six more days.

[System: Day 2 Progress:

Morning visit: +25 SP

Emotional bonding: +15 SP

Gifts exchanged: +10 SP

Current: 498

Over halfway! Keep going!]

Alex returned to the guest lodge, one hand on the scale, the other on his calmer stomach.

Six more days.

They could do this.

The morning after passed in restless routine.

Copper brought warm water and round starchy fruits tasting of sweet potatoes—"for baby energy." Alex ate them; refusing felt risky.

Ash arrived at midday for an escorted walk.

"Healer’s orders," he explained. "Movement keeps blood flowing, prevents stiffness, helps positioning."

Alex welcomed it—sitting all day made him antsy, and post-visit the babies rolled energetically.

They walked through safe zones. The healer’s grove: ancient pines surrounding tended herb beds thriving despite winter. Moss directed young wolves harvesting pale purple mushrooms.

She looked up. "How do you feel after the visit?"

"Better. Babies settled. Less like crawling out of my skin."

"Good to hear that." Moss replied softly.

Alex gestured around.

He pointed to a plant with shimmering silver leaves.

"That one?"

"Moonleaf. Labor pain relief. Tea keeps bearer conscious and aware during long births."

"How long?"

"First-time bearer? Eight to twenty hours. With six serpent hatchlings... twelve to fifteen. Possibly longer since you’re male."

Alex paled. "Twelve to fifteen hours?"

"Don’t worry. Moonleaf tea, warm water, clean furs, experienced hands. Your mates will want to be present?"

"If they’re not, I’m not giving birth," Alex said flatly. "They’re the fathers. They’ll be there."

Moss’s lips quirked—approval. "I’ll tell Lucas. Guest rights should extend to birthing support."

[System: Achievement: "Planning Ahead For Terrifying Birth Scenario"

+15 SP

Current: 513

Proud of your forward thinking. Concerned about 12–15 hours. Want to see pain management options in shop?]

"Can we not talk labor right now?" Alex felt queasy.

"Two months to prepare for that nightmare."

"Of course." Moss returned to harvesting. "Ash, show him boundaries. No wandering into disputed territory."

They continued. Ash pointed landmarks:

"That ridge—Eastern Packs border. Tense peace. Don’t cross."

"River south—unclaimed wilderness. Dangerous even for warriors."

"West—Bear Clan. Standing conflict. See bears? Run. Scream. They won’t honor guest rights. You’re prey."

Alex mapped it mentally: narrow safe corridor, dangers on three sides, heart-lodge and Lucas on the fourth.

It indeed was a comfortable prison.

Ash hesitated. "Can I ask about your spirit guide? About the currency system? Magic shop? I’ve been curious. Our magic is ritual, ancestor-based. Yours sounds... different."

It was a fair question. And honestly, demonstrating the system’s capabilities was exactly what Alex needed to do to earn Lucas’s trust and the SP required for the Essence.

"It’s a bit complicated," Alex said. "l complete tasks, earn points. Spend on items or abilities from the shop—healing potions, tools, information. Even the Essence of Renewal."

Alex asked. "Do you want me to show you something small? As proof?"

Ash nodded. "Yes. Please."