Page 26 of The Sad Omega

“Will you sit with him while I get something to clean him up?” he asked me, pitifully. “I don’t want him to be alone. Just in case... you know...”

I wiped the tears from under Irian’s eyes with my thumb. I could see his heart was breaking for this unloved omega, his nurturing nature unable to understand how someone could do this to his friend.

“I’ll stay with him,” I assured him. “He needs to know he’s safe and cared for. Go get what you need.”

I settled myself in the chair by the bedside, and placed my hand on the omega’s head, gently running my fingers through his soft brown curls. He made the faintest sound and I thought I felt a slight pressure against my hand. It was the first sign of life he’d made since arriving here. I hoped it was a good omen.

Irian returned with a basin of warm water and a washcloth and proceeded to carefully and gently sponge the dried blood from Isca’s skin. There was no fresh blood, confirming that Mugales had at least been successful on that count. I prayed that they had been as effective in healing the internal injuries, but there was no way to judge if that was the case. His smashed wrist was bandaged. Would the bones heal properly? I hoped Mugales had been able to work his magic there too. A wolf shifter with a permanently injured paw would struggle.

I held the unresponsive omega’s uninjured hand while Irian tenderly completed his task, whimpering softly as he cleaned between his legs. When he was done, he pulled the covers back up. Irian took the basin and cloth away, and when he returned, he settled himself on my lap as we watched and waited for some sign that the injured omega would choose to live.

A day passed. And another.

Either Irian or I remained with Isca at all times, holding his hand, stroking his arm, running our hands through the short curls atop his head. I grew accustomed to the continual low murmuring interspersed with the occasional sniffle - Irian telling Isca he was safe now, that he could stay with us, that I would protect him, to please not go.

Still the omega didn’t wake.

With every day that passed, I grew more afraid that he would not live.

Mugales returned and examined him.

“His injuries are almost completely healed,” they assured me. “But if he doesn’t have the will to live… there’s nothing we can do. The poor soul might be happy to pass.”

“Isn’t there something you can give him to wake him?” I demanded.

Mugales shook his head. “Nothing. He’s not asleep. He’s caught somewhere between staying and leaving. He needs to make a decision. Until he does…”. His shoulders rose and fell expressively and he didn't bother to finish his sentence.

Mugales left and we resumed our vigil.

I pushed the hair back from the omega’s forehead, gently caressing him.

“Where are you, little one?” I murmured, a lump in my throat. “Are you lost between here and forever? Come back.”

With each passing day, my own omega’s despair grew stronger. The scent of his distress was overwhelming and pained me as much as it hurt me to see the motionless body of the omega who, betrayed and abused, seemed to have nothing left to live for. And yet, still he hung on.

Irian often sat on my lap, and we comforted each other in our shared sorrow, while Irian always kept one hand touching Isca, keeping us connected.

After three days, I couldn’t stand any more of it. I cursed angrily, frustrated and impotent.

“He has nothing to live for. How do we change that?” I demanded, voice sharp.“What can we do?”

Irian stirred. He looked up at me, wet-eyed and thoughtful. A light came on in his eyes.

“Give him something to live for,” he whispered, as gently as a morning breeze. “Love him.”

I blinked, confused, not understanding.

“What are you saying? I love you,” I told him, frowning. “And I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Love both of us,” Irian’s eyes shone bright now, buoyed with hope. He had so much faith in me, thinking I could handle this, more than I deserved. “Give him something he's never had. No-one’s ever loved him. That’s what he needs. Love us both.”

“Are you sure,” I asked him, softly. “You are my mate, after all. How would it be if we added one?”

Irian looked at the forlorn little omega, and a tender look crossed his handsome features. I realized that perhaps he loved him already.

“We have so much love and he hasn’t had any,” he said quietly, still looking at the frail body lying motionless in the bed. “Surely we have enough for him too. You told me once that hearts expand to fit all the love in. Can't we fit him in too?”

The affection on his face was clear. He wanted this omega to stay with us, wanted him to be protected at least. And… I could never deny my omega anything.

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