I Was The Only Omega In The Beast World-Chapter 64: CP: Entry Of Saintess pt. 2

"You... you really have three already,"

Boulder breathed. "The legends are true."

"The legends?" Alex asked.

"The Seven Divine Artifacts," Granite said quietly.

"Ancient stories say that whoever gathers all seven can reshape the world. Heal what’s broken. Restore what’s lost." He looked at Alex with new intensity.

"That’s your goal? You seek to collect all seven?"

"I do," Alex said. "I wish to save this world. That is my mission. That is what I’m assigned to. And that is my way to home. "

"How convenient," Amber said, recovering her composure. "A stranger appears, claims noble purpose, offers shiny gifts, and expects us to just hand over our most sacred treasure. Forgive me if I’m skeptical."

"Your skepticism is understandable," Naga said, speaking for the first time. His voice was silk over steel.

"But question this: why would we travel through dangerous territory, negotiate with bears and wolves, risk everything while Alex is pregnant—if the goal wasn’t genuine?"

"Perhaps you’re collectors," Amber suggested sweetly. "Perhaps you sell these artifacts to the highest bidder. Perhaps—"

"Perhaps you should focus on the tribe’s needs instead of your own status," Leo interrupted bluntly.

The clearing went dead silent.

Amber’s face flushed—anger breaking through her careful composure.

"How dare you—I am the SAINTESS of this tribe, I have devoted my LIFE—"

"You have ten mates and all of them are weaklings," Leo continued, completely unbothered by her outrage. "You collected them like trophies. Don’t lecture us about devotion when your mate marks tell the whole story."

[OH SNAP. LEO WENT THERE.]

Several bears shifted uncomfortably.

A few younger ones whispered to each other—clearly they’d noticed the low star ratings too but had been too polite to mention it.

Amber’s hands clenched into fists.

"My mate marks are NONE of your concern, lion. I chose my mates to strengthen alliances, to forge connections, to serve the TRIBE—"

"To serve your ambition," Naga corrected softly.

"There’s a difference."

Granite raised one massive hand.

Silence fell instantly.

The chief looked... tired. So, so tired.

"Enough," he said quietly. "Saintess Amber, your concerns are noted. But the decision is mine to make, not yours."

Amber turned to him—and for a moment, the sweet facade cracked completely.

"Chief Granite," she said, and there was real desperation underneath the anger now. "Please. Don’t let this stranger sway you with pretty gifts and promises. The Bronze Stone is ours. It belongs to this tribe. To—to you."

She stepped closer to him—too close for casual conversation, into the space usually reserved for mates or close family.

"You announced you’re looking for a mate," she continued, voice dropping to something meant to be intimate but still audible to everyone.

"I could be that mate. I’m strong. Proven fertile—three healthy cubs already. I know the tribe, know the rituals, know how to lead. Together we could—"

"No," Granite said.

The word was gentle but absolutely final.

Amber froze. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"You are the Saintess," Granite continued.

"You serve the tribe in that capacity, and you do it well. But you and I..." He shook his head slowly. "We would not be compatible. You know this."

"But—"

"I have carried this tribe through too many challenges to settle for a political alliance disguised as a mating bond." Granite said quietly, holding up a single finger.

He turned back to Alex.

"You offered demonstrations," he said. "I accept. We will test the preservation salt, plant the seeds, study the honeycomb kit. If they work as promised—if you prove your word is good—then we will negotiate terms for the Bronze Stone."

"Chief, you can’t—" Amber started.

"I can," Granite interrupted, still gentle but immovable. "And I am. This is my decision. As chief."

Amber stood there—visibly shaking, her carefully constructed composure completely shattered.

Then she turned on her heel and stalked away, her mates following her nervously, disappearing into one of the carved dens.

The tribe exhaled collectively.

"Well," Boulder said into the awkward silence. "That was... uncomfortable."

"Understatement," one of the younger bears muttered.

Granite rubbed his temples like he had a headache.

"Forgive the Saintess," he said to Alex.

"She... means well. Usually. But she’s been pushing for a mating bond for ever since she came of age and became our tribe’s Saintess, and my announcement this morning probably didn’t help."

"She wants to be chief’s mate for the status," Alex observed quietly.

"Yes." Granite didn’t deny it. "And I can’t fault her ambition—she’s worked hard to achieve her position. But ambition isn’t the same as compatibility. And I’m too old to pretend otherwise."

He looked at Alex with something like respect.

"You stood your ground against her," he said. "That takes courage. Saintess Amber can be... intimidating when she wants to be."

"I’ve dealt with worse," Alex said honestly.

Granite’s mouth twitched—almost a smile.

"I believe you." He gestured to Boulder.

"Show our guests to the visitor’s den. Make them comfortable. Tomorrow we test their offerings. If they pass..." He met Alex’s eyes directly. "Then we talk terms."

"Thank you, Chief," Alex said sincerely.

"Don’t thank me yet," Granite said. "We haven’t agreed to anything. But... you’ve given me hope. Real hope. That’s worth at least a conversation."

[QUEST UPDATE: "Prove Your Worth to the Bears"

Status: IN PROGRESS

Next Steps: Demonstrate gift effectiveness

Complications: Jealous Saintess (HIGH)

Romantic Interest from Chief: PROBABLE (sorry Host)

Success Probability: 65% and climbing]

Boulder led them away from the main gathering—toward a carved den on the second level, away from the central fire but still close enough to be considered honored guests.

As they climbed the stone stairs, Alex glanced back.

Granite stood alone on the platform, the three demonstration items cradled carefully in his massive hands, staring at them like they held answers he’d been searching for his entire life.

And from one of the higher dens, Amber watched—her cognac eyes burning with fury and something that looked dangerously close to obsession.

"This is going to get complicated," Naga predicted quietly.

"When is it not?" Leo muttered.

[Oh, it’s already complicated! But hey—at least you made a good first impression!]

[Except for the part where the Saintess now HATES you and the Chief is probably already half in love and you’ve accidentally created a tribal political crisis!]

[But other than that—GREAT JOB!(≧∇≦)b ]

"I hate you sometimes," Alex whispered to the system.

[No you don’t! You love me! Now let’s go see this visitor den and pray it has a comfortable nest because those six hatchlings are doing somersaults and you NEED to rest.]

Despite everything, Alex had to agree with that.

It had been a very, very long day.

And something told him tomorrow was going to be even longer.