I Was The Only Omega In The Beast World-Chapter 39: CP: We Compromise

Alex started running halfway down the forest path, not from pursuing wolves—though several shadowed him to ensure his return—but because the minutes were slipping away and he could already imagine Naga’s and Leo’s faces when he delivered Lucas’s counter-proposal.

The bridge appeared through the trees, along with his mates.

Naga was fully serpent: twenty feet of coiled menace, emerald eyes manic, pupils blown, three seconds from crossing the river in fury.

Leo paced in lion form, mane flared massive, claws gouging frozen earth, golden eyes locking onto Alex with desperate relief that nearly shattered him.

"I’m okay," Alex called, raising a placating hand. "I’m fine. No one hurt me."

Naga reached him first, coils wrapping gently but firmly around him before he fully crossed the bridge. Hands cupped Alex’s face, thumbs trembling over cheekbones as if confirming reality.

"Sixteen minutes," Naga rasped. "Sixteen minutes of silence, smelling only wolves, not knowing if—"

"I’m fine," Alex repeated, covering those hands. "Look at me."

Leo pressed in from the other side, a rumbling purr-growl of relief and terror vibrating through them all.

"What happened?" Leo demanded. "Did Lucas agree to the trade?"

"Not exactly." Alex felt them stiffen. "He countered. Wants proof first. I stay one week—as guest, not prisoner—to demonstrate the system and Essence before he trades the Silver Fang."

Dead silence.

"Absolutely not," Naga said, voice ice.

"You’re five weeks pregnant, stones destabilizing, surrounded by wolves who want to claim you. No."

"I agree," Leo said—rare instant unity.

"Lucas is stalling. Time to sway you or force your hand under hospitality rules."

"I know his game," Alex said softly. "But he’s not wrong to demand proof before handing over a sacred artifact. Would you give the Black Crystal to a stranger on promises?"

"That’s different," Naga growled.

"How?"

"Mine to decide. Not an entire pack’s survival." Coils tightened slightly. "His caution becomes a cage fast when you’re the one locked in."

"What if we all stayed?" Alex tried.

"No," Storm cut in from behind.

The gray wolf stood at the bridge’s edge, flanked by guards, expression controlled hostility.

"Lord’s offer is for the bearer only," Storm said. "Serpent and lion stay on neutral ground. No entry to pack territory. Not as guests, guards—nothing."

Leo’s growl shook the planks. "You expect us to let him go alone for a week?"

"Respect pack law," Storm replied. "You’re not pack. Rights exist only as Lord grants. He grants the bearer guest rights. Not you. Final."

Naga hissed venomously.

"Wait," Alex interrupted. "What about contact? Visits? Messages? Complete isolation or supervised?"

Storm’s ears flicked—unanticipated. "I... will ask Lord. He didn’t specify."

"Then ask," Alex said firmly. "I won’t agree until terms are clear."

Storm loped off toward the heart-lodge.

"Eighteen minutes left," Naga murmured, still coiled around him. "Decide fast."

"Honestly," Alex asked both. "What should I do?"

They shared a wordless look.

Naga spoke carefully. "Lucas plays long.

Day three: ’You’re stressed—rest more.’

Day five: ’You smell better relaxed in pack.’

Day seven: leaving feels wrong, staying inevitable."

"Subtle manipulation," Leo agreed grimly.

"Dependency. Isolation. Doubt."

"But," Alex pressed.

"But," Naga continued, coils easing, "you’re right—he needs proof. A week could earn SP through smaller achievements, build real trust instead of blind faith."

"Might work," Leo finished, "if safety is ironclad—not just his word."

The babies shifted restlessly inside Alex, sensing his turmoil.

[System: Decision Point!

Option A: Decline. Leave. Alternative path to Silver Fang (12% success, likely violence).

Option B: Accept with modifications—visits, boundaries, escape clause (67% success, high stress).

Option C: Accept as-is (34% success, very risky).

SP: 338 | Needed: 800 | Week potential: 400-600+ | Time: 17 min

Choose wisely.]

"I want to try," Alex said. "But our terms."

"Meaning?" Naga asked.

"True guest rights. Supervised daily visits—minimum one hour, non-negotiable. Any coercion, claim attempt, violation—I leave immediately, no penalty. Pack healers check me and babies daily."

"Lucas won’t accept dictating terms in his land," Leo warned.

"Then we walk," Alex said simply. "I won’t stay without exit and contact. Non-negotiable lines."

Storm returned, breathless. "Lord allows supervised visits. One hour midday, bridge, guards present. No private talk. No escape plans. His compromise."

"Not enough," Alex countered before mates spoke. "Two hours—morning and evening. One each. Bridge and guards fine, but isolation stresses pregnancy. Tell him."

Storm’s ears flattened. "You dare demand—"

"I negotiate," Alex cut in. "Guests make reasonable requests. This is reasonable."

Storm hesitated, glanced at rippling coils and extended claws, then ran back.

"Fifteen minutes," Naga whispered against Alex’s hair.

"I know. But it has to be right—for us."

Leo nuzzled him, purring anxiously. "Bravest person alive. Insane. But brave."

"Can’t it be both?" Alex managed a shaky laugh.

"Definitely both," Naga agreed.

They waited, tangled together on the bridge—three souls caught between retreat and risk.

Storm returned quickly, expression sour but resigned.

"Lord agrees. Two hours—morning and evening, one each. Bridge, guards. Guest lodge near heart-lodge. Daily healer checks."

"Freedom in designated safe areas. No claim, coercion, harm if you honor guest laws—no escape, no sabotage."

"Reluctant addition: "Warm clothing, pregnancy nutrition, anything needed for comfort and young. Lord’s word."

Frighteningly fair.

Either good faith—or supreme confidence a week would sway Alex.

[System: OFFER ANALYSIS:

Pros: Guest rights, mate contact, health monitoring, SP time

Cons: Wolf territory, vulnerability, possible long game

Mates Stress: CRITICAL but manageable

Your Stress: HIGH but stable

Babies: Agitated, not distressed

Recommendation: Best deal likely. Accept with dignity.]

Alex met Naga’s eyes, then Leo’s.

"Your votes? Equal, remember?"

Naga’s face twisted in anguish, then steadied. "Accept. But hold him to every word. Violation—we come for you. Wolf honor or not."

"Agreed," Leo growled. "One week. For the stone without war. But if they hurt you—if they even think claim—there’ll be no Northern Wolf Pack left."

Relief loosened Alex’s chest.

"Okay." To Storm: "I accept. One week to prove the system and Essence. If successful, we trade. If not, or anything wrong, I leave—no penalty, neutral parting. Agreed?"

Storm’s tail flicked acknowledgment.

"Agreed. Lord will be pleased you saw reason." He gestured uphill. "Come. Ancestors wait."

Alex pressed foreheads to Naga’s, then Leo’s.

"One week," he whispered. "We’ll be fine."

"You’d better," Naga’s voice cracked. "I don’t know a world without you."

"Same," Leo murmured, nuzzling his temple. "One week. Then we’ll be together again."

"I promise."

With thirteen minutes left, Alex stepped away and followed Storm up the path—back into wolf territory, toward the heart-lodge, Lucas’s pale eyes, and sharp smile.

Behind him, Naga and Leo stood rigid on the bridge—grief, fury, and profound trust carved into stillness.

One week.

They would survive it.

They had to.

The forest closed around Alex, swallowing him whole as his mates began their longest wait.