the Omega's choice

19

The next morning started out like any other, with the sun gently rising over the horizon and casting a soft glow throughout the apartment. Zee awoke first, his arm still wrapped protectively around Nunew. The events of the past few days had made Zee more attuned to any changes in Nunew’s condition, and he carefully observed his mate as he continued to sleep, noting the peaceful rise and fall of Nunew’s chest.

Satisfied that Nunew was resting well, Zee carefully slipped out of bed, determined to let Nunew sleep a bit longer. He quietly made his way to the kitchen to prepare breakfast, hoping to start the day on a positive note. However, as he worked, he couldn’t shake the sense of unease that had lingered since Nunew’s mysterious fever.

In the bedroom, Nunew stirred in his sleep, his brows knitting together as if in discomfort. His dreams, which had been peaceful moments ago, began to take on a more restless tone. Within him, his inner wolf, Kuea, was on edge. Nunew could feel the agitation rippling through his subconscious, Kuea’s unease blending with his own.

As Zee was finishing up breakfast, he heard a low, almost imperceptible growl coming from the bedroom. His heart skipped a beat as he immediately put down the spatula and rushed back to Nunew’s side.

When Zee reached the bedroom, he found Nunew tossing and turning in the bed, a fine sheen of sweat forming on his forehead. His body was tense, and soft growls escaped his lips—sounds that weren’t fully human. It was clear that Kuea was trying to surface, struggling with something unseen.

“Nuh?” Zee called softly as he approached the bed, careful not to startle him. “Are you okay?”

Nunew didn’t respond right away. He was lost in the haze of his dreams, where Kuea was wrestling with a growing sense of unease. Something was off, and Kuea could feel it deeply, though the cause remained elusive. The more Kuea tried to pinpoint the source of his anxiety, the more agitated he became, and this turmoil was spilling over into Nunew’s conscious mind.

Zee sat down on the edge of the bed, his concern mounting. “Nuh, wake up. I’m here.”

At the sound of Zee’s voice, Nunew’s eyes fluttered open, though his gaze was distant, as if he was still partially caught in the throes of his dream. His breath came in short, uneven bursts, and his hands clutched the sheets tightly.

“Hia?” Nunew’s voice was shaky as he tried to focus on Zee. “I… I don’t know what’s happening. Kuea is… he’s upset, but I don’t know why.”

Zee’s heart ached at the sight of Nunew’s distress. He reached out to cup Nunew’s face in his hands, his touch firm but gentle. “It’s okay, Nuh. I’m here. We’ll figure this out together.”

Nunew leaned into Zee’s touch, trying to steady his racing heart. He could feel Kuea’s restlessness within him, the wolf pacing and growling, searching for a threat that Nunew couldn’t see. It was as if Kuea was sensing something that was just out of reach, something that kept him on high alert.

Zee moved closer, wrapping his arms around Nunew and pulling him into a comforting embrace. “Focus on me, Nuh,” Zee murmured. “Breathe with me. We’ll get through this.”

Nunew closed his eyes, trying to synchronize his breathing with Zee’s. Slowly, the warmth of Zee’s body and the steady rhythm of his heart began to calm Nunew’s nerves. The physical connection to Zee helped ground him, and bit by bit, the tension in his body started to ease.

But even as Nunew relaxed, Kuea remained unsettled, his instincts on edge. Nunew could sense his inner wolf’s frustration at not being able to identify the source of his agitation. It was unusual for Kuea to be this worked up without a clear reason, and that only added to Nunew’s concern.

“I don’t know what’s wrong, Hia,” Nunew admitted, his voice laced with worry. “Kuea feels… threatened, but I can’t figure out by what.”

Zee’s brows furrowed in thought as he continued to hold Nunew close. “Maybe it’s just residual from the fever you had. Sometimes, our inner wolves can be more sensitive to changes in our bodies, especially when we’re not feeling well.”

Nunew nodded, though he wasn’t entirely convinced. “Maybe… but it feels different. Like Kuea is sensing something beyond just my physical state.”

Zee frowned, not liking the sound of that. He had always trusted Kuea’s instincts, and if Nunew’s inner wolf was reacting this strongly, there was a chance something was amiss. But for now, there was nothing they could do but wait and see if the feeling passed.

“Let’s keep an eye on it,” Zee suggested, his tone gentle yet firm. “If Kuea continues to feel this way, we can try to dig deeper and figure out what’s going on. But for now, let’s focus on keeping you calm and comfortable.”

Nunew nodded, grateful for Zee’s steady presence. “Okay, Hia. I’ll try.”

Throughout the day, the sense of unease lingered, though it ebbed and flowed like a distant tide. Zee stayed close to Nunew, offering constant reassurance and comfort. They spent the day in quiet companionship, trying to distract themselves with light activities, but the tension in the air was hard to ignore.

By evening, Nunew felt emotionally and physically drained. Kuea’s agitation had not completely subsided, though it had lessened somewhat. Zee could see the exhaustion in Nunew’s eyes and insisted that they retire to bed early.

As they lay in bed that night, Zee held Nunew close, his protective instincts kicking into high gear. Lian, Zee’s inner wolf, was also on alert, though he remained calm, ready to respond if needed.

Nunew buried his face in Zee’s chest, seeking the comfort of his mate’s scent and the steady beat of his heart. “Thank you for being here with me, Hia,” Nunew whispered, his voice filled with emotion.

“Always,” Zee replied softly, kissing the top of Nunew’s head. “You’re my mate, Nuh. Nothing will change that.”

As they drifted off to sleep, the sense of unease lingered in the background, a shadow that neither of them could fully escape. But with Zee’s arms wrapped protectively around him, Nunew found the strength to face whatever was coming, knowing that together, they could overcome anything.