I Was The Only Omega In The Beast World-Chapter 90: CP: Before Examination

Zale pulled himself further onto the platform, his powerful tail still trailing in the water but his upper body now fully present. This close, Alex could see the fine scales that dusted his shoulders, the way his gills fluttered with each breath.

He was quiet for a long moment, his aqua eyes searching Alex’s face.

"It doesn’t matter to me either," he said simply. "I told you I was attracted to your strength. Your intelligence. The way you prioritize the lives you’re carrying over everything else. None of that changes because of what you’ve just told me."

He reached out slowly, giving Alex plenty of time to pull back, and placed his hand over Alex’s where it rested on his belly.

"If anything," Zale continued softly, "it makes you more remarkable. You’re carrying six lives in a body that shouldn’t be able to. You’re surviving things that would kill most people. And you’re doing it with grace."

Alex felt something loosen in his chest—relief he hadn’t realized he was holding.

"Thank you," he said quietly. "For not... making it weird."

"How could I make it weird?" Zale asked, his smile turning slightly rueful. "I’m a mer-person. Half my body is covered in scales and I breathe through gills. We’re all weird here."

Despite everything, Alex laughed.

The babies kicked—whether in agreement or protest, it was hard to tell.

Zale’s expression softened further, his hand still resting gently over Alex’s.

"They’re so active," he murmured. "I can feel them moving."

"They’re always active," Alex said. "Especially when they sense someone new nearby. I think they’re curious."

"Or protective of their parent," Zale suggested. "Making sure I know they’re there. That you’re not alone."

He looked up, meeting Alex’s eyes.

"That’s what you need, isn’t it?" he said. "Not romance. Not grand gestures. Just... not being alone through this."

"I have Naga," Alex said. "And Leo will be here soon. I’m not alone."

"But you are," Zale said gently. "Right now, in this moment, carrying six lives that are demanding more than your two mates can provide—you are alone in a way that’s dangerous. And I’m offering to change that."

"Why?" Alex asked. "Why you? You could have just brought me here, handed me off to your healers, walked away. Why are you still here?"

Zale took a breath—his gills fluttering with the motion.

"Because when I pulled your raft to shore this morning," he said quietly, "and I saw you—exhausted, pregnant, determined—something in me just... decided. This one. This one matters. This person is worth protecting."

He paused, then continued more carefully.

"I’m not asking you to love me. I’m not even asking you to want me romantically. I’m asking if you can accept me as someone who wants to help keep you and those six lives safe. Who wants to be part of the solution instead of just watching from the outside."

"That’s a lot to ask," Alex said.

"I know."

"And if I say yes, it’s permanent. Mira made that clear. You’d be bound to me—to us—forever."

"I know," Zale repeated. "And I’m asking anyway."

Alex looked at him—really looked. Past the royal bearing, past the beautiful scales and glowing eyes, to the person underneath who had confessed feelings he probably shouldn’t have, who had respected boundaries even when it clearly cost him, who was now offering permanent commitment for what might be purely medical necessity.

"I need to talk to Naga," Alex said finally. "And Leo, when he gets here. This affects all of us, not just me."

"Of course," Zale said immediately. "I wouldn’t expect anything less."

"And I need to think about it. Not just react to medical pressure."

"Take all the time you need," Zale said. "Well—" He smiled slightly. "All the time you have before active labor starts. Which is... limited. But still. This is your choice, Alex. Yours and your mates’. I’ll respect whatever you decide."

He started to pull his hand away, but Alex caught it.

"Thank you," Alex said. "For being honest. For being patient. For... for caring."

Zale’s scales flushed darker again—that telltale sign of emotion.

"It’s not hard to care about you," he said softly.

"That’s the problem."

They sat like that for a moment—hands touching, babies moving between them, the weight of impossible decisions hanging in the water-scented air.

Then the door curtain shifted and Naga slid back in, his expression carefully neutral but his eyes immediately tracking to where Alex and Zale were still touching.

"The hour’s up," he said. "Mira’s demanding her examination."

Alex nodded, pulling his hand back slowly.

Zale slipped back into the water, giving them space.

"Well?" Naga asked quietly, approaching Alex’s side.

"Did you... decide anything?"

"I decided I need to talk to you," Alex said. "Properly. About all of this."

"Then let’s talk," Naga said. "After the examination. After you’ve rested. But soon, because—"

"Because we’re running out of time," Alex finished. "I know."

The babies kicked again—stronger this time, all six of them moving in a synchronized wave that made Alex gasp slightly.

"They’re restless," Naga observed, immediately concerned.

"They’re fine," Alex assured him. "Just... aware that things are changing. That decisions are being made."

He looked at Zale, then back at Naga.

"Let’s get through the examination first," he said. "Then we’ll figure out what comes next."

"Together," Naga said firmly.

"Together," Alex agreed.

And as Mira surfaced with her examining tools and professional briskness, as Zale retreated to give them privacy, as Naga coiled protectively beside the platform—Alex felt the magnitude of what they were facing settle over him like a weight.

[QUEST UNLOCKED: "The Third Bond Decision"

Objective: Decide whether to accept Zale as a third mate

Reward: 100 SP

Time Limit: 4-5 days before critical energy deficit

Factors to consider: Medical necessity, emotional readiness, existing mate bonds, long-term implications

Stakes: Survival of six cubs + Alex’s own life

Complexity: MAXIMUM]

But as the examination began and the reality of his situation became clearer with every passing hour, he knew the decision couldn’t be delayed much longer.