I Was The Only Omega In The Beast World-Chapter 84: CP: Would You Consider Me... Proposing You?!

Chapter 84: CP:84 Would You Consider Me... Proposing You?!

Alex woke to the sensation of cool water being dripped gently onto his forehead.

He blinked groggily, disoriented for a moment—then remembered.

Mer-people. Healers. Zale. Safety.

"Easy," a soft voice said. "You’ve been asleep for three hours. I’m just cooling you down—your temperature rose slightly."

Alex focused on the speaker—a young mer-man with pale green scales and kind eyes, his hair bound back with shells.

"I’m Kai," he said with a gentle smile. "One of Healer Mira’s apprentices. I’m part of your attendant rotation."

"Attendant rotation," Alex repeated, still half-asleep.

"Mmhmm. Three of us at all times, remember? I’m on monitoring duty. There’s also Reef—" He gestured to a massive mer-man lurking near the entrance, his scales dark blue and his expression intimidatingly serious. "—on protection duty. And Zale is... well, Zale’s handling everything else."

As if summoned by his name, Zale surfaced in one of the pools, carrying what looked like a woven basket.

"You’re awake!" he said, clearly pleased. "Good. I brought lunch. Mira says you need to eat every three hours minimum."

"I just ate—"

"Three hours ago," Zale interrupted. "When you arrived. It’s midday now. Eat."

The basket contained an impressive array of food—more fish (prepared six different ways), fruits, something that looked like sea vegetable salad, and a drink that sparkled like it had been carbonated.

"What’s this?" Alex asked, pointing at the sparkling drink.

"Mineral water from the deep vents," Zale explained.

"Naturally carbonated, full of nutrients. Good for pregnancy."

Alex sipped it cautiously—it tasted like slightly salty sparkling water with a hint of minerals. Actually quite refreshing.

He ate slowly, and Zale settled near the pool’s edge, maintaining his usual position where his tail could stay wet while his upper body remained accessible for conversation.

"Your mates," Zale said carefully. "You said they’re coming. Do you know how far away they are?"

Alex focused on the mate bond—and frowned.

The connection was still strong, still present, but... the directional sense was confusing. Instead of one clear pull, he was getting two distinct signals.

"They’ve split up," he said slowly. "I can feel... Naga’s moving fast through water. Coming from the northwest. But Leo and someone else—Granite, probably—are taking a different route. Moving slower."

"They split their approach," Zale said thoughtfully.

"Smart. The river is a maze—one takes the risky fast route, the others take the safe slow route. Ensures at least some of them arrive."

"How long?" Alex asked. "Until they get here?"

Zale’s expression turned apologetic.

"The fast route through the delta... if your mate knows what he’s doing and doesn’t get lost, maybe a day. The marsh route the others are taking... Three to four days. Possibly more if they have to navigate carefully."

"Three To Four Days?!" Alex felt panic rising. "But I—I need them—"

"You have us," Kai said gently, placing a cool hand on his arm. "I know it’s not the same. But you’re not alone."

The babies chose that moment to kick—all six of them, as if disagreeing with the suggestion that mer-people were an acceptable substitute for their actual fathers.

Alex winced, pressing a hand to his belly.

"They’re active," he said.

"Very active," Kai agreed, having clearly noticed.

"That’s good—means they’re healthy and strong. But it also means they’re running out of room. Six cubs at this stage..." He shook his head in wonder.

"I’ve never seen a pregnancy like this. It’s extraordinary."

"It’s exhausting," Alex corrected.

Kai chuckled.

Zale was watching Alex with an expression that was hard to read—concern, definitely, but also something deeper. Something that made Alex’s instincts prickle with awareness.

"What?" Alex asked.

"Nothing," Zale said quickly. Then, more honestly: "I’m just... thinking about how incredible it is. What you’re doing. Carrying six lives while traveling through dangerous territories, collecting divine artifacts, surviving falls off cliffs—"

"Barely surviving," Alex interrupted.

"Surviving nonetheless," Zale continued. "And doing it with grace and strength and—" He cut himself off, scales flushing darker. "Sorry. I’m being inappropriate. Mira warned me not to overwhelm you with attention."

"You’re being honest," Alex said. "I appreciate honesty."

"Then honestly," Zale said, meeting his eyes, "I think you’re remarkable. And I think your mates are incredibly fortunate. And I think—"

He paused, clearly weighing his words.

"I think if circumstances were different, would you consider me... proposing you. "

[OH HE’S GOING THERE. He’s ACTUALLY admitting romantic interest!]

"But circumstances aren’t different," Alex said gently but firmly.

"I know," Zale agreed. "Which is why I’m offering support instead of courtship. Why I’m respecting your bonds and waiting for your mates to arrive.

Why I’m—" He smiled slightly, self-deprecating.

"Why I’m trying very hard not to fall completely in love with you despite my better judgment."

The honesty was almost painful in its vulnerability.

Alex didn’t know what to say.

Kai coughed delicately. "Prince Zale, perhaps we should let the bearer rest instead of confessing feelings?"

Zale’s scales flushed even darker—definitely embarrassed now.

"You’re right. I’m sorry. I’ll—I’ll go check on the other preparations. Make sure your mates can find the settlement easily when they arrive."

He slipped back into the pool and vanished beneath the surface with barely a ripple.

Kai watched him go, then turned to Alex with a knowing expression.

"He’s smitten," He said matter-of-factly. "Completely smitten. I’ve never seen our prince like this."

"I’m not trying to—" Alex started.

"I know," Kai interrupted gently. "You’re not doing anything except existing and being remarkable. That’s enough."

He adjusted Alex’s blankets, checked his temperature again, then settled nearby with some kind of fiber work—weaving something from kelp strands.

"Rest," he said. "Your snake mate will arrive in about nine to ten hours if the tides favor him. Until then, just... rest. Let us take care of you."

Alex wanted to argue.

But he was so tired.

And the babies were finally settling into calmer movement.

And despite everything—the strangeness of the situation, the distance from his mates, the complicated feelings around Zale’s confession—he did feel safe here.

He closed his eyes.

Through the mate bond, he could feel Naga pushing himself through the delta maze, determination blazing bright.

And further away, Leo and Granite trudging through marsh, steady and unstoppable.

[Current Status:

Alex: Resting, stable, attended

Twins: Active but healthy

Naga: 9-10 hours away (delta route)

Leo & Granite: 3-4 days away (marsh route)

Zale: Hopelessly smitten but respectful 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Romantic Tension: HIGH

Survival Probability: Good, assuming no complications]

[Just hold on, Host. Your mates are coming. Everything’s going to be fine.]

[Probably.]

[Maybe.]

[...Okay I have no idea but let’s stay positive!]

Despite himself, Alex smiled while he close his eyes softly.