I Was The Only Omega In The Beast World-Chapter 41: CP : Bonded Mates Separation Hits hard

The healer arrived at sunset with a soft, respectful knock.

"Come in," Alex called, sitting up and smoothing his borrowed shirt.

An elderly female wolf entered—the same silver-furred elder who had spoken of ancestors in the heart-lodge.

Up close, her glow in the firelight and ancient, compassionate eyes were striking.

"I am Moss," she said, voice like wind through dry leaves. "Senior healer. Here to ensure you and your young thrive despite today’s stress."

She set down a jingling leather bag with graceful efficiency.

"May I?" She gestured to his stomach.

"Yes." Alex fought instinctive defensiveness. "What do I do?"

"Lie back. Relax. I examine by touch and scent—effective, though different."

Moss settled beside him, warm hands pressing carefully along his abdomen, locating each of the six forms with precision.

"Active. Good response to stimuli," she murmured. "But agitated. They miss your mates’ dual scents."

"Is that bad?" Anxiety spiked. "Will it hurt them?"

"Not immediately. Prolonged stress isn’t ideal." She continued, touch sure.

"Morning and evening visits will help. Physical contact—let them scent your mates through you, hear voices, feel presence. It calms them."

She sat back, satisfied.

"You’re healthier than expected. Pregnancy normal—all six growing appropriately, well positioned, strong movement. Remarkable adaptation for a male carrying serpent young."

"That’s good?"

"Very. Though discomfort will increase as they grow."

She produced a clay jar. "Salve—twice daily on abdomen and lower back. Prevents tearing, eases stretching pain."

Then a bundle of dried herbs. "Tonic—one cup before bed. Aids sleep despite separation anxiety. Safe for the babies. Used for generations."

"Thank you," Alex said, accepting both. "I appreciate this."

Moss softened. "Healers care for bearers and young regardless of politics."

She studied him. "You truly believe your Essence can help us?"

"I do. My tribe’s magic is real. I swear on these six lives—it will work."

Quiet stretched.

"Ancestors said your heart is true," she said finally. "Worth something. But Lucas needs results. Prove it. If you restore our future..."

Her voice wavered. "...you’ll earn more than a stone. A debt this pack can never repay."

She gathered her things. "Sunrise check tomorrow. Rest. Eat what Copper brings. Guest rights are sacred—no harm. Lucas’s word is absolute."

She left.

Alex applied the salve—cool relief on tight skin—then brewed the tonic, sipping while watching the fire. Babies gradually settled into gentle rolls.

"See?" he whispered. "We’re okay. One day down. Six to go."

[System: Achievement: "First Health Check Completed"

+15 SP

Current: 363

Daily Progress:

Pregnancy health under stress: 1/7 (+10 SP)

Pack interactions: 2 meaningful (+40 SP)

Total: 413

Only 387 SP to go!]

Outside, distant howls carried ancient songs of a fading people. At the bridge, two mates kept vigil under stars, counting to dawn.

Alex banked the fire, burrowed into soft furs. Moss’s herbs brought easy sleep.

He dreamed not of quests or danger, but home: terrible heating, lumpy couch, a sister teasing his study habits. A life distant yet close.

Dawn light woke him, cheeks wet. Babies calm.

Day two began.

****

Copper was building up the fire when Alex startled awake, hands curling protectively over his stomach.

"Sorry! Sorry!" The young russet wolf’s ears flattened. "Ash said warm the lodge early. Brought breakfast!"

Tray ready: porridge with syrup and berries, baked yams, smoked fish, morning tonic.

"What time?"

"Past dawn. Hour before mate visit."

Copper’s tail gave a small wag. "Time to eat, freshen up."

Thoughtfulness—genuine or calculated? Possibly both.

"Thank you." Alex moved stiffly—back aching, bladder urgent.

"I’ll wait outside," Copper said quickly.

"Privacy for routines. Close if needed. Not listening! Just... present."

He fled.

Alex smiled despite himself. Copper’s nervous enthusiasm was oddly endearing.

[System: Achievement: "Waking Up In Enemy Territory Without Panicking"

+5 SP 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Current: 418

Day 2 Progress:

Survive without mates: +15 SP (Day 1 done)

Breakfast: +10 SP

Total: 428]

Routine: facilities, warm water wash, fresh pine-scented clothes (oversized but clean). Breakfast filled and soothed him; tonic eased lingering anxiety.

Copper knocked softly. "Ready? Storm escorts to bridge."

Of course—hostile Storm supervising the first visit.

Alex took his staff for comfort and stepped into cold morning air.

Pack lands felt lived-in by daylight: scattered lodges, chimney smoke, wolves nodding respectfully as he passed.

Storm waited, gray fur frosted, posture stern but less openly hostile—professional distance.

"This way."

Silent minutes passed before Storm spoke.

"Your mates stayed all night."

Alex stumbled. "What?"

"Serpent coiled on near bank. Lion paced tree line. No sleep. No food. Just waited."

Ears flicked. "Moss checked at midnight. They refused help. Said they were fine."

Guilt slammed Alex. Of course they hadn’t rested. Of course they were destroying themselves with worry.

"They’re idiots," Storm said bluntly.

"Devoted idiots. Self-harm won’t help you or babies."

"I know." He said quietly. "Bonded mates...

separation hits hard. To All of us."

"Babies too, per Moss. Agitated last night. Need physical contact during visits to settle.

"She told you?"

"I’m responsible for your safety—including health. Lucas assigned me because I’m least swayed by emotion. I don’t like or trust you. But I’ll enforce terms fairly."

Honest. Possibly the most honest words yet.

"Thank you," Alex said sincerely.

Storm grunted.

The bridge appeared.

Naga coiled in a massive dull-scaled spiral on the near bank, emerald eyes fixed with manic intensity.

Leo paced obsessively in beast form—white fur matted, dirty, movements mechanical: three steps, turn, three back.

Both looked wrecked.

"Naga! Leo!" Alex broke into an awkward run despite protesting body and Storm’s warning growl.

Heads snapped toward him.

Then movement—Naga’s coils unspooling terrifyingly fast, Leo bounding powerfully—meeting Alex halfway with crushing force.

Storm lunged to keep them from tumbling into the river.

"Careful!" Storm snarled. "You’ll hurt—"

But Alex was already enveloped in cool scales and warm fur, crushed between trembling bodies radiating profound relief.

"You’re okay," Naga rasped, voice broken.

"You’re okay you’re okay—"

Leo made a purr-sob, massive head pressed to Alex’s stomach where babies fluttered excitedly in recognition.

"I’m fine," Alex managed, voice thick. "I promise. You two look terrible. Really stayed here all night?"

"Where else would we be?" Naga asked, as though the question was absurd.

"Somewhere warm? Eating? Sleeping?"

"No." Leo’s voice was muffled against Alex’s shirt.

"Not without knowing you were safe. Not without being as close as we were allowed."