The Amnesiac Omega Awakening

05

Chapter 5

"Mom?"

Alruna, a vision of beauty stirring a pot on the stove, turned. Six months had passed since the twins' birth, and the transformation in Alruna was remarkable. Her body had regained its former grace, her skin and hair even more radiant thanks to her meticulously crafted creams and shampoos. Her beauty was now striking, drawing admiring glances from everyone who saw her. The downside? She was hopelessly, irrevocably smitten with her beta mate, Curtis.

"Corea and Castiel are awake," Raven reported, her voice calm, having been diligently watching the twins.

Alruna frowned, setting down the ladle. With a burst of impulsive energy, she rushed outside, wrapping her arms around Curtis, who looked up in surprise. "I'm jealous! You hugged the twins before me!" she complained playfully, but with a hint of genuine pique. Curtis, caught off guard, quickly handed Corea to Ryull to manage the situation with his increasingly affectionate wife.

"Corea woke up just as I entered the yard, so I took her from Raven," Curtis explained, his voice gentle but slightly exasperated.

Alruna glared, her possessiveness evident. Since the twins' arrival, and her own remarkable physical transformation, she'd become undeniably clingier – a perfectly normal response for bonded mates, though Skoll and Ryull had only witnessed such intense attachment in alpha-omega pairings. Alruna, however, was entirely genuine in her affection.

Alruna clung to Curtis, refusing to release her embrace. Freya, ever practical, squeezed between them. "Mom, stop bothering Dad. Let him rest!" she chided, her voice firm and slightly exasperated. Kara and Raven joined the chorus, reminding Alruna that lunch was long overdue and their stomachs were rumbling.

"Wait! Just let me hug your dad for three more minutes!" Alruna protested, her voice playful but insistent, as her children gently but firmly steered her back towards the kitchen.

"Did anyone come by again to bother Mom?" Curtis asked his daughters, a hint of concern in his voice. Freya looked up, her expression thoughtful.

"Don't worry, Dad. Mom handles them. She's only… overly affectionate around you. I don't know if that's a good thing, though," Freya replied, a slight smile playing on her lips. News of Alruna's beauty had spread far and wide, attracting numerous suitors from neighboring villages.

"Curtis, the food's ready."

Alruna, radiating warmth and happiness, approached with a plate of food.

"If I were an alpha with an omega like that, I'd be worried sick and probably lose sleep," Skoll commented, a teasing grin on his face. Ryull nudged him. "That's not helpful, you're supposed to be comforting Curtis."

Alruna invited Curtis's two friends to join them for lunch outside. They happily accepted, grateful for the invitation.

"Curtis, I want to go to town. I'll take the triplets," Alruna announced, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Curtis looked at her skeptically, his brow furrowed slightly.

"You just redecorated the triplets' room and bought new household items. Do you have enough money?" he asked, his concern for their finances evident. Alruna produced her small pouch, displaying its contents in front of Curtis.

"I sold a lot of cream and shampoo yesterday," she replied, a proud smile touching her lips. Her herbal remedies were proving incredibly popular.

She added more coins to the small amount Curtis already held. "While we're gone, invite Skoll over for drinks. Here, at the house. And no women!" she instructed playfully, wagging a finger. Curtis winced, attempting to return the money.

"No, I don't really drink," he protested, his aversion to alcohol well-known.

Alruna refused to let him off the hook, insisting he needed to relax and enjoy himself. "You don't just take care of us and the kids all the time," she said gently, but firmly.

Curtis held the money tightly. Thanks to his unwavering diligence and Alruna's alchemic skills, their lives were steadily improving.

"What's this, Mom?" Kara asked, noticing Alruna tying the triplets' hands together with a length of sturdy rope.

"I don't want you to get lost. There are a lot of people in town," Alruna explained, securing Freya's hands as well. "Don't untie yourselves, and stay close to Mommy." The triplets, understanding, nodded obediently.

Alruna adjusted her scarf, partially concealing her face, a practical measure to avoid unwanted attention.

The children happily explored the bustling market stalls. "If you want something, just point it out, and Mommy will buy it for you," Alruna promised, her voice filled with indulgent affection.

Their striking beauty and charisma drew many admiring glances. Four stunning omegas walking through the market were a rare sight indeed, but few dared approach them. Why? Most men recognized Curtis and remembered the triplets. They held the beta in high regard and were wary of incurring his wrath. Curtis had a reputation for a formidable temper.

"Sir, I'll take this."

Alruna efficiently purchased new boots, gloves, and a warm coat for Curtis, along with comfortable clothes and winter outfits.

"Mom! I want that dress!"

The triplets excitedly pointed out their chosen outfits. Alruna chuckled, sending them off to try on their new clothes. She bought them an array of new clothes, shoes, and accessories. She also purchased their dinner and a generous supply of meat for their meals.

Many offered to help carry their substantial purchases, but Alruna politely declined. Why? She distributed the bags amongst her three daughters, teaching them teamwork and responsibility.

"Hi miss, are you new in town?"

Alruna stopped, turning to face a richly dressed man, his body adorned with ostentatious gold jewelry, who had blocked her path. He assumed, like so many others, that she'd be easily impressed by wealth.

He smirked, believing her to be like other omegas, easily swayed by material possessions. "If you come with me, you'll have things like this," he offered, gesturing to his gold.

"Oh? Really?" Alruna replied, her voice deceptively sweet.

Freya instinctively tightened her grip on her mother's hand. "Mom."

Alruna approached the man, playing along with his expectations, but instead of falling for his charm, she swiftly and expertly kicked him hard in the thigh. He crumpled to the ground, yelling in pain and surprise.

"Scumbag! You saw I have children with me. How dare you approach and hit on me," Alruna snapped, her voice sharp and devoid of any pretense. The onlookers erupted in laughter, enjoying the spectacle.

"You're ugly. Our dad is way hotter," Kara declared with a mischievous grin, then, with surprising force, kicked the man in the face.

Alruna calmly gathered her children, preventing further escalation. Freya stuck out her tongue; Raven, with a playful smirk, stepped on the man's fingers, eliciting a high-pitched yelp of pain.

The onlookers were utterly amazed. They had never witnessed such aggressive, assertive omegas before.

It was almost dark when they returned home. Alruna found empty alcohol bottles and several dirty plates on the table outside.

"Curtis?"

She opened the gate. The door swung open, revealing Curtis holding one of the twins.

"You're home," Curtis said, his voice tired but relieved.

Alruna approached happily, inquiring about him and the children.

"Castiel woke up hungry. He just finished eating," Curtis replied, his voice soft.

The triplets proudly showed their father their new clothes and shoes.

"Curtis, next week, when I finish my cream orders, buy thick blankets for the kids. Winter's coming," Alruna said, a hint of worry in her voice. Curtis nodded, mentioning he'd receive a substantial payment that week. He would buy new bedsheets and thick blankets for them.

After dinner, Alruna and Curtis were in their room. Curtis, as always, prepared his bed on the floor.

—

Six months had passed since the birth, and while I'd physically recovered, Curtis still slept on the floor.

"Curtis, aren't you going to sleep beside me?" I asked softly, lying on my side, facing him.

"I don't want to dirty your bed," he replied, his voice cold and distant. He was acting out of a misplaced sense of responsibility, but it wasn't the issue.

"Curtis, am I not enough? Am I not beautiful? Do I smell bad?" I asked, my voice laced with hurt and a growing sense of insecurity. Curtis stopped, his gaze meeting mine, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes.

I felt a growing distance between us, a subtle shift in our dynamic that I couldn't quite understand.

When I was pregnant, he'd hold my hand while we slept. Now, I had to initiate every touch, every moment of closeness.

My mind raced. Was he rejecting me because I hadn't given him an alpha heir? The societal pressure was immense.

"Runa."

Curtis rose, his hand gently cupping my cheek. I hadn't realized I was crying. As an omega, my emotions were heightened, my tears easily triggered, especially concerning my mate.

My usual confidence was waning. I was becoming overly sensitive, even experiencing moments of irrational jealousy towards my own children.

"Don't cry, that's not true. I just feel… the more I get to know you, the more I think you deserve better than me," he said, his voice laced with a self-deprecating tone.

Curtis pointed out that he was just a beta, and I was exceptionally beautiful. If I went to the capital, alphas would undoubtedly be lining up for me. I was also incredibly talented for an omega.

"What are you saying? You're doubting yourself now, after everything we've been through?" I asked, my voice firm but laced with concern. Curtis fell silent, shamefaced. I laughed, then sat up.

I climbed out of bed, gently pushing him back down, then nestled close to his chest.

"If you don't want to share the bed, fine. I'll sleep on the floor with you," I said, wrapping my arms around his waist. If I didn't initiate, nothing would change.

"For a beta, Curtis, your skills and talent are outstanding. Don't downplay yourself. I wasn't wrong about you. One day, even alphas will bow before you," I whispered, snuggling closer, already drifting off to sleep. It would happen; he was my mate, and I believed in him implicitly.

I awoke to the morning light. Leaving the room, I found the triplets playing contentedly with the twins in their crib.

"Have you eaten?" I asked, realizing how late I'd slept.

"Yes! Dad made breakfast before he left," Raven replied, pointing to the table laden with food.

As I approached, I noticed Kara standing by the fence, gazing intently at something in the distance. Her expression was serious, almost worried.

"Kara?"

I stepped outside. Kara was staring off, her expression serious, a shadow of anxiety clouding her features.

"Mom, I have a bad feeling," she said, turning to me. A chill ran down my spine. I hugged her, my own unease growing.

I tried to dismiss it as childish imagination, but my intuition was screaming at me. The sky was darkening ominously, the air heavy with a foreboding stillness. I quickly ushered Freya inside, securing all our dried herbs and other outdoor items that could be damaged by the approaching storm.

"Skoll?"

I spotted Skoll running past our fence, his face etched with urgency, followed by several other villagers.

"Skoll! What happened?" I ran to the fence, my heart pounding in my chest.

"A pack of wolves attacked the villagers repairing the bridge! We received a distress signal!" he shouted, his voice strained, before running off. My blood ran cold. I yelled to my children.

"Kara! Watch your siblings! Don't come outside!" I shouted, my voice sharp with urgency. I saw Raven and Kara quickly close the door, securing the hut.

I ran towards the bridge, my heart pounding with dread. The sight that met me was horrific: numerous bodies floated in the river, others lay injured on the banks, the scene a gruesome testament to the brutal attack. My heart lurched; I remembered Curtis had been working near the bridge.

"Curtis!" I screamed, scanning the chaotic scene, my eyes frantically searching for him amidst the injured and the dying. Someone tried to restrain me.

"Sister-in-law! It's too dangerous," Skoll said, his voice filled with concern. I ignored him, demanding to know if Curtis was here.

"I think he was in this area," Skoll replied, his voice uncertain. I couldn't find him anywhere. My knees gave way, and I sank onto a large rock, my body trembling with a mixture of fear and despair.

Bodies littered the ground, the river stained crimson with blood. If Curtis heard me, he would come.

"Curtis!" I shouted, rising to my feet, my voice raw with desperation. I climbed higher, scanning the area again, my eyes searching every corner. I questioned the injured villagers, my voice tight with anxiety.

"He saved us. He drove off the wolves and got us to safety," one villager managed to say, his voice weak but filled with gratitude. The news was both a relief and a terrifying confirmation of Curtis's bravery. Curtis, an ordinary beta, had faced a pack of wolves alone.

"Don't worry about Curtis. You haven't seen him fight," Skoll said, attempting to reassure me. I whirled around, my voice sharp with fear and anger.

"I don't need a hero husband! I need Curtis, the father of my children! How many heads does he have that he think he can chased them all down?!" I cried, my chest tightening with fear and a surge of desperate anxiety.

"As many heads as it takes, you will know for sure" a voice said.

I stopped, turning towards the end of the bridge. I saw Curtis, his clothes torn and stained crimson, standing beside Ryull, both of them battered but alive.

"As long as Curtis is here, we're safe," I whispered, a wave of relief washing over me.

I ran to him. He opened his arms, but before I could reach him, my anger erupted.

I punched him hard in the stomach, sending him to his knees. Ryull, seeing the intensity of my rage, quickly retreated.

"You bastard! You ran away," Curtis gasped, his voice strained, his eyes fixed on Ryull's retreating figure.

"I'd face death with you, but I wouldn't take a hit for your wife, it is scared me," Ryull retorted, his voice laced with a mixture of amusement and understanding, before disappearing into the crowd. I heard Skoll mutter something about Curtis being on his own if he were facing me.

I roughly wiped my cheek, looking down at the kneeling Curtis. He looked up at me, his eyes filled with a mixture of pain and apology. He tried to explain.

"Forgive me. If I hadn't done that, they would have reached the village, and more people would have died," Curtis said, his voice filled with genuine concern. I wanted to be angry at his recklessness, his casual disregard for his own safety.

But then I thought of the people he'd protected – the villagers who had helped us in our time of need. My anger faltered, replaced by a wave of complex emotions.

Years on the battlefield, witnessing countless deaths… parents, children, weeping over names etched onto wooden tablets… Back then, I'd only cared about myself, my own ambitions. I healed for gold, for money, for influence. I didn't care about anyone else's business unless they paid me.

I gripped his arm tightly, my anger fading, replaced by a profound understanding of the man before me. I looked at the people on the bridge's edge, a child crying, clutching her blood-soaked father.

"Help my father," the child whispered, her voice filled with desperation.

I saw other women weeping, tending to their wounded husbands. Was I being selfish, focusing only on my family's well-being? The question hung heavy in the air.