I Was The Only Omega In The Beast World Chapter 76: CP :76 Welcome To The Journey, Companion

The clearing went absolutely silent.

Alex stared at him, mouth opening and closing without sound.

[HE WANTS TO JOIN YOUR PARTY. LIKE AN RPG. THIS IS—THIS IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING. HOST, YOUR DREAM OF BECOMING A POWERHOUSE WITH POWERFUL COMPANIONS IS COMING TRUE. ]

" Shut Up. " Alex cursed inside his head.

"I—" Alex started. "You—what?"

"I know it’s unconventional," Granite continued. "A forr chief following a pregnant bearer and his mates on a divine artifact hunt. But..."

He smiled slightly, the expression transforming his weathered face. "I’ve spent hundred years being responsible for hundreds of lives. I’ve never had the freedom to just... travel. To pursue sothing for reasons other than duty."

He gestured to the Leadership Trial Stone.

"You gave us this. You gave us Pebble. You gave us a future we didn’t have before. Let help you complete your quest. Let contribute to sothing beyond this mountain."

"Chief, you can’t be serious," Stone protested from the crowd. "You’re going to abandon the tribe to chase after—"

"I’m not abandoning anyone," Granite interrupted, steel in his voice.

"I have already fulfill my obligations. For Years. Ensuring stability. Prosperity. I never had ti for myself. But now the heir is chosen. The tribe will be in capable hands. A huge burden has lifted off my shoulders. And I am free to make my own choices."

He looked back at Alex, and there was sothing raw and hopeful in his expression that made Alex’s chest ache.

"I’m asking permission," Granite said quietly.

"Not demanding. Not expecting. Just... asking. Would you accept my companionship on your journey? My strength, my experience, my... my desire to be part of sothing aningful before I’m too old to matter?"

[HOST. THIS IS ACTUALLY... THIS IS A REALLY GOOD OFFER.]

[Think about it:

He’s INCREDIBLY strong (centuries-old bear chief)

Diplomatic experience (could help with future negotiations)

Strategic mind (led a tribe for 100 years)

Genuinely grateful to you (won’t backstab)

AND he’s offering to help WITHOUT demanding mate status!]

[This is not the romantic disaster I was expecting though! ]

Alex’s mind raced.

Naga and Leo stood tense beside him—not hostile, but clearly waiting for his decision.

"Can I... can I have a mont?" Alex asked.

"To discuss with my mates?"

"Of course," Granite said, stepping back respectfully.

Alex turned to Naga and Leo, pulling them slightly away from the crowd.

"Thoughts?" he whispered urgently.

"He’s powerful," Naga said imdiately. "And skilled. Having him with us would make the remaining territories much safer."

"But?" Alex prompted, because there was clearly a ’but’ coming.

"But he’s also clearly interested in you," Naga continued bluntly. "He’s not pushing it now, which I respect. But traveling together for months? That interest isn’t going to disappear."

"I can handle that," Alex said. "I handled Lucas. I handled Amber’s nonsense. I can handle making boundaries clear."

Leo was quiet for a mont, then: "Do you WANT him to co?"

That was the real question, wasn’t it?

Alex looked back at Granite—standing there in his ceremonial regalia, this ancient powerful being who’d just publicly announced he was stepping down from leadership to potentially follow a pregnant human on an impossible quest.

"I think..." Alex said slowly. "I think he’s lonely. Like Lucas was lonely. Like a lot of people in this world are lonely. And I think he sees us—sees our family—and wants to be part of sothing that feels alive instead of just... enduring."

"That’s not your responsibility to fix," Naga pointed out gently.

"No," Alex agreed. "But if he genuinely wants to help, if he’s offering his strength and experience without strings attached... we could use that. The next three territories won’t be easier than the last four."

He touched his belly, where the twins were doing their morning stretches.

"And honestly? Having soone with centuries of survival experience watching our backs while I’m getting more pregnant and less mobile? That’s I think is a good idea."

Leo sighed. "You’ve already decided, haven’t you?"

"Not entirely," Alex said. "I want your honest opinions. If either of you says no, we say no. This is our family. Our journey. I won’t add soone if you’re not comfortable."

Naga was quiet for a long mont, his serpent eyes distant and calculating.

"I say yes," he finally said. "With clear boundaries. He cos as a companion, not a mate. He helps with protection and negotiation. And if he crosses lines, he leaves. No argunts, no second chances."

"Agreed," Leo said. "I’m not thrilled about another male clearly interested in my mate, but..." He glanced at Granite. "He’s been respectful so far. And we ARE going to need help. Especially with you getting closer to delivery."

Alex felt relief wash over him.

"Okay," he said. "Let’s set the terms clearly. Right now. In front of everyone."

They turned back to face Granite and the assembled tribe.

Alex stepped forward, keeping his voice loud and clear.

"Chief Granite," he said formally. "I accept your offer of companionship on our journey. Your strength and experience would be invaluable."

Hopeful murmurs rippled through the crowd.

Granite’s expression brightened—genuine joy breaking through his usual stoic mask.

"However," Alex continued firmly, and the murmurs died. "I need to establish clear terms before we proceed."

He gestured to Naga and Leo.

" Non-negotiable ones."

Granite inclined his head imdiately. No hesitation. No wounded pride. Just respect.

"Na them."

"First," Alex said, counting on his fingers for emphasis, "you travel as an equal companion and ally. Not a servant. Not a bodyguard-for-hire. You eat with us, rest with us, share decisions with us. If there’s danger, we face it together—not you shielding while I hide."

Granite’s mouth twitched in what might have been a smile. "Agreed. I would not follow soone I considered lesser."

"Good," Alex said. "Second term: if boundaries are crossed—if the relationship becos uncomfortable for any of us—you leave. No argunts, no negotiations. We part ways respectfully."

"Agreed," Granite said without hesitation.

"Third term," Naga added, his voice carrying across the clearing. "You follow Alex’s lead on the quest. This is his mission. His goal. You’re here to support, not to take over or redirect."

"I wouldn’t dream of it," Granite said sincerely. "I’ve led for a hundred years. I’m looking forward to following soone else for once."

"And fourth," Leo said, golden eyes sharp. "No undermining our mate bonds. No subtle comnts about how you’d do things differently. No playing politics with our family dynamic."

Granite t Leo’s gaze steadily.

"You have my word as forr chief," he said. "I respect your bonds. I respect your family. I’m here to help, not to interfere."

[WOW, he’s being VERY reasonable about this! Color impressed!]

Alex looked at his mates—Naga’s slight nod, Leo’s careful assessnt.

Then he looked back at Granite.

"Then welco to our journey," he said.

"COMPANION."

The clearing erupted in cheers—relief, excitent, pride that their chief would be part of such a legendary quest.

" Everything’s settle now. We’ll travel from tomorrow morning before sunrise. " Naga said looking at the evening sun.