I Was The Only Omega In The Beast World-Chapter 138: CP: Reaching Lion Territory Border

The decision to leave came two days later, after a council that involved every single member of their chaotic family and somehow resulted in a plan everyone could agree on.

Naga would stay with the snakelings.

This was non-negotiable. The cubs needed at least one parent present, and Naga’s protective instincts were at an all-time high after the wolf territory attack. He’d argued—briefly—but even he could see the logic.

Zale would come, but in a reduced capacity. His ocean sphere could be transported by one of Lucas’s wolves, allowing him to conserve energy and remain available for aquatic emergencies. The route to lion territory passed several rivers, which made him valuable as a scout and potential escape route.

Leo would come as patrol guard and backup. His speed and combat experience made him essential if things went wrong.

Lucas would come as diplomatic support. Wolf Lord to Lion Lord—there was protocol for this. Established channels. Even if those channels were tense and formal, they existed.

Drakar would come as the ultimate deterrent.

This had been the most controversial decision. Alex had argued against it—bringing a dragon lord into negotiations felt like bringing a nuclear weapon to a peace talk. But Drakar had been... persistent.

"You need someone they cannot ignore," the dragon had said, molten eyes unblinking. "The lion lord may dismiss a bearer. He may dismiss a wolf lord. He may even dismiss a mer-prince. He cannot dismiss me."

"He might see you as a threat."

"He should see me as a threat. That’s the point." Drakar’s voice had been calm, reasonable, utterly immovable. "I will not speak. I will not intervene. I will simply... exist. In the background. A reminder that harming you has consequences beyond territorial disputes."

"You want to be a weapon."

"I want to be insurance." A pause. "There is a difference."

Alex had looked to his mates for support and found none. Naga had been thoughtful. Leo had been calculating. Zale had simply shrugged, which in mer-body language meant "he’s not wrong."

And Sally—Sally had given Drakar a long, considering look and said: "He’s basically a mob boss showing up to make sure everyone behaves. That’s terrifying and I love it."

So Drakar was coming.

---

The morning of departure arrived too fast and not fast enough.

Alex stood at the edge of camp, going through his pack for the fifth time while the snakelings swarmed around his legs like a scale-covered tide.

"You’re coming back," Jade said. It wasn’t a question.

"Always," Alex confirmed, crouching down to their level. "I always come back."

"But the lion lord might be mean," Ripple added, his small face serious. "Father Leo says lion lords are mean."

" Leo says a lot of things." Alex glanced up at Leo, who had the grace to look slightly abashed. "Some of them are true. But I’ve handled mean before."

"Handle the lion lord like you handled father Lucas?" River asked, with the calm, devastating insight that made Alex occasionally forget he was four.

Alex choked.

Sally, nearby and packing her own supplies, burst into laughter.

"That’s—River, that’s not—it wasn’t—"

"You bonded with father Lucas and now he’s family," River said, utterly unbothered by his father’s distress. "Maybe you can bond with the lion lord too. Then he’ll be family and we can all live together."

"That’s not how it works—"

"It worked with father Lucas."

"Lucas was different—"

"Was he?" River’s calm gaze was relentless. "He tried to kill you too, right? Before? You said wolves were scary when you first met them."

Alex opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"He’s not wrong," Zale offered helpfully from his sphere, which was currently being carried by Ash who’d volunteered for transport duty.

"Whose side are you on?"

"The side of truth."

"Traitor."

River tilted his head, apparently satisfied with the conversation’s outcome, and wrapped himself around Alex’s leg in a farewell hug. The other five followed suit immediately, creating a pile of snakelings that made it impossible for Alex to move.

"We’ll be back in a few days," Alex said, voice muffled by scales. "Naga’s in charge. Listen to him. Don’t climb anything too high. Don’t eat anything that glows. Don’t—"

"We know, Mama," Sterling said, rolling his eyes in a way that was eerily reminiscent of Sally. "You can be so worrisome."

" When its come to you all, even a thousand time reminder reminder would be less. " Alex said extracting himself carefully, pressing kisses to each small head in turn. When he reached River, he held on a moment longer.

"Be good," he whispered.

"I’m always good," River whispered back. "It’s everyone else who’s trouble."

Alex laughed despite himself.

---

The journey to lion territory took two days.

They traveled through wolf lands first—familiar territory now, with pack scouts appearing at intervals to check on them and vanish again. Lucas moved at the head of the group with the easy confidence of a lord in his own domain, occasionally pausing to scent the air or exchange silent signals with unseen watchers.

Sally rode on Granite’s back for most of the time, her eyes wide as she took in everything. The bear had returned from his mission with a new kind of quiet—not the heavy silence, but something lighter, refreshed vibe.

As they approached the border between wolf and lion territory, Granite’s pace slowed. His massive head lifted, nostrils flaring.

"We’re close," he rumbled. "I can smell them."

Alex couldn’t smell anything but pine and earth and the familiar scents of his party. But he trusted Granite’s senses.

Lucas held up a hand, signaling a halt.

"This is where protocol changes," he said, turning to face the group. "From here, we announce ourselves. We don’t cross into lion territory uninvited. That’s how border wars start."

"How do we announce ourselves?" Sally asked.

Lucas looked at Leo.

Leo sighed. "I patrol near the border, circle three times, and wait for a response. It’s the traditional method for formal diplomatic approaches between aerial-capable species."

"You’re okay with that?" Alex asked.

"I’m okay with not starting a war." Leo’s fur unfurled. "Give me ten minutes."

He launched into the air, golden feathers catching the afternoon light, and soared toward the invisible line that separated wolf from lion.

The waiting began.