the Omega's choice

8

The moon hung high in the night sky, casting a silvery glow over Zee’s apartment. The room was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves outside and the gentle hum of the air conditioning. Zee was already settled on the couch, having decided to let Nunew sleep on his bed while he took the couch. It was a gesture of respect, a way to give Nunew space while still being close by.

Zee had been lying there, flipping through a book, but his attention was soon drawn to Nunew’s form on the bed. The soft rise and fall of Nunew’s chest was mesmerizing, and Zee found himself staring, a deep sense of protectiveness swelling within him. He had always been aware of the connection he felt with Nunew, but tonight, his inner wolf Lian was especially restless.

As Zee’s gaze lingered, he noticed that Nunew was tossing and turning, his brows furrowing in distress. The sight tugged at something deep inside Zee, a fierce urge to comfort and protect. He could see the signs of a nightmare taking hold of Nunew, the way his body tensed and his breathing became irregular.

Lian, Zee’s inner wolf, stirred with an intensity Zee hadn’t felt before. The connection between them seemed to sharpen, and Zee could almost hear Lian’s thoughts, echoing in his mind.

*Mate.*

The word was a primal growl, an instinctive recognition of the bond that was forming between them. Lian’s presence was strong, almost overwhelming, and Zee could feel the urgency of his inner wolf's need to protect his mate.

Zee’s heart raced as he rose from the couch, moving quickly yet quietly to Nunew’s side. He sat on the edge of the bed, reaching out to gently place a hand on Nunew’s shoulder, his touch intended to offer comfort.

“Nuh,” Zee whispered softly, using the nickname he had come to affectionately call Nunew. “It’s just a dream. You’re safe.”

Nunew’s eyes fluttered open, and he looked at Zee with a mixture of confusion and relief. The tension in his body began to ease as he recognized Zee’s presence beside him.

“Zee?” Nunew mumbled, his voice groggy with sleep.

“It’s me,” Zee said gently, his hand still resting on Nunew’s shoulder. “You were having a nightmare. Are you okay?”

Nunew blinked, trying to shake off the remnants of the dream. He glanced around the room, taking in his surroundings before focusing on Zee. There was a softness in Zee’s eyes, a look of concern that made Nunew’s heart flutter.

“Yeah, I’m okay,” Nunew replied, his voice still tinged with the echoes of his nightmare. “It was just a dream. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

Zee’s expression softened, and he shook his head. “You didn’t wake me. I was up, just watching over you. I couldn’t help but feel… anxious when I saw you like that.”

Nunew’s eyes met Zee’s, and he saw the sincerity in his gaze. “Thank you,” he said, his voice filled with gratitude. “I didn’t realize you were so… attuned to me.”

Zee smiled gently, his hand sliding down to take Nunew’s. “It’s not just me. It’s… Lian. My wolf. He feels the bond between us very strongly.”

Nunew’s brow furrowed slightly in confusion. “Lian?”

Zee nodded, his eyes reflecting the inner struggle between his human and wolf instincts. “Lian is my inner wolf. He’s… very protective, especially when it comes to someone he sees as his mate.”

The words seemed to hang in the air between them, filled with a weight of meaning. Nunew’s heart raced as he absorbed the significance of what Zee was saying. The concept of a mate, a bond so deep and primal, was both overwhelming and intriguing.

“So, you think…?” Nunew began, but he couldn’t quite finish the thought.

Zee squeezed Nunew’s hand gently, his gaze steady and reassuring. “Yes. Lian recognizes you as his mate. And I… I feel it too. There’s something incredibly special about what we have.”

Nunew’s mind raced, trying to process the intensity of Zee’s words. He had always believed in the connection they shared, but hearing about Lian’s reaction brought a new level of depth to their relationship.

“I didn’t know wolves had such… strong instincts,” Nunew said softly, his voice filled with awe.

“They do,” Zee replied, his tone tender. “And it’s not just about instincts. It’s about something deeper, something that connects us on a level beyond words.”

Nunew’s heart swelled at Zee’s words, and he found himself leaning closer, drawn by the sincerity in Zee’s eyes. “I can feel it too, Zee. This… connection we have. It’s more than I ever expected.”

Zee’s smile grew, a mixture of relief and happiness evident in his expression. “I’m glad you feel that way. I want us to embrace this bond, to see where it takes us.”

As they sat there, their hands still entwined, the room seemed to envelop them in a cocoon of warmth and intimacy. The night had brought a new layer of understanding to their relationship, a deeper recognition of the bond they shared.

With a gentle tug, Zee guided Nunew to shift closer, his arm slipping around Nunew’s shoulders in a comforting embrace. “Get some rest,” Zee murmured softly. “I’ll stay here with you, if that helps.”

Nunew nodded, feeling a sense of peace wash over him as he settled against Zee. The warmth of Zee’s body, the steady rhythm of his breathing, and the reassuring presence of his touch created a cocoon of safety that Nunew found deeply comforting.

“Thank you, Hia,” Nunew whispered, his voice filled with genuine affection.

Zee pressed a soft kiss to Nunew’s forehead, his heart swelling with a mix of protective love and deep, primal connection. “Anytime, Nunew. I’m always here for you.”

As they settled into a comfortable silence, the world outside faded away, leaving them in a cocoon of shared warmth and understanding. The night continued to unfold, but for Zee and Nunew, the bond between them had deepened in a way that neither had anticipated but both welcomed with open hearts.