Primal Bonds 2 (Tales of Beastkin)

11. Shiro

11

Shiro

I had been feeling under the weather for what felt like weeks now, my body teetering between bouts of fatigue and fleeting moments of energy. The days seemed to blur into one another, the walls of my bedroom closing in around me as I was confined to my bed, the sun’s rays that filtered through the curtains my only connection to the outside world.

During those long days, meals would be brought up to me by the gentle hands of either Aka, Lan, or Madison, each offering their company as a salve against the loneliness of my recuperation. They would sit by my side, their presence a comforting warmth that filled the room. Aka’s vibrant red hair would catch the light as he read aloud from the pile of beastkin history books we had collected from the mansion’s vast library, his voice weaving tales of our kind’s past with a captivating cadence. I found myself utterly engrossed in the stories, each page revealing more about the rich history of our heritage, the triumphs and tragedies that had shaped the beastkin into who we were today. It was a stark reminder that we were more than just the marginalized race that humanity saw us as—we were a force to be reckoned with, our history etched with resilience and power.

My body had become a puzzle to me, its signals contradictory and confusing. Some mornings, I would wake with a sense of vigor, only to find myself drained of energy by midday. Other days, the mere thought of rising from my bed was enough to leave me exhausted. But every night, without fail, Adam would be there. He would wrap his strong arms around me, his chest a solid pillow for my head as we slept, his presence soothing away the uncertainties of the day and filling me with a sense of security and belonging that I had never known before.

Chase, too, would visit, his keen eyes scanning over me with professional concern. He would listen to my heart, check my temperature, take my blood for testing, and ask me a myriad of questions, yet he always left with a furrowed brow, unable to pinpoint the cause of my malaise. “You’re just tired,” he would say, a note of frustration creeping into his voice. “Your body needs rest to recover.”

I had grown weary of the confines of my room, the walls seeming to close in around me with each passing day. I longed for the feeling of the sun on my skin and the scent of fresh air in my lungs. So when the opportunity presented itself, I seized it with a fervor that surprised even me. I slipped from the bed, my legs shaky but determined as Aka and I made our way outside.

The garden was a haven of tranquility, a verdant oasis amid the grandeur of the Sullivan estate. Madison was already there, waiting with a spread of tea and pastries that looked almost too beautiful to eat.

As we sat there, the warmth of the afternoon sun caressing our faces, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. It was in this moment of quiet contentment that I noticed a tall, slender figure approaching us from the direction of the mansion.

I knew, even before Madison whispered his name, that this was Einar, the alpha moth beastkin. His long, silver-white hair was intricately braided, reminiscent of delicate moth antennae, and his eyes, an almost colorless shade that seemed to hold the mysteries of the universe, were fixed directly on us. There was an otherworldly quality to his presence, as if he existed partially in our world and partially in some unseen realm.

Madi had told me of Einar’s arrival at the Sullivan Clan’s doorstep many years ago. He had offered his services as a Soulreader, a rare talent that allowed him to sense and interpret the life forces of alphas and betas alike.

As he moved toward us, I couldn’t help but notice the grace in his steps, silent and fluid, like a moth’s gentle flight. The afternoon sunlight caught the intricate, swirling tattoos on his arms and neck, making them seem to shimmer and dance, their patterns resembling the complex designs found on moth wings. Despite the brightness of the day, Einar seemed to carry an aura of twilight around him, as if perpetually existing in that liminal space between light and dark. There was something both captivating and slightly unnerving about Einar, as if he could see right through to the core of one’s being with those pale, iridescent eyes.

During my days in bed, Lan and Madi had regaled me with tales of the colorful characters that populated the Sullivan estate. Apart from Vanessa who served as Adam’s third-in-command, there was Magnus, the bullkin alpha commander of the Ironcrest Clan, and Lyria, the lynxkin alpha who moved through the world with a quiet intensity, her keen senses and sharp intellect making her an invaluable ally to Adam and the clan. There was also Elias, the pantherkin alpha, the leader of the Blackthorn Clan, his covert operations ensuring the continued safety and prosperity of the Sullivan territory. It was Elias and his men who were searching for Kuro now, which I was grateful for. Lastly, there was Selvana, the commander of the Nightshade Clan, their expertise in poisons and the clandestine dealings of the black market adding another layer of complexity to the power that was the Sullivan Clan.

I watched Einar as he moved closer. Madison followed my gaze and her face lit up with a warm smile. “Ah, Shiro,” she said, “You haven’t met Einar yet, have you?”

I shook my head. “No.”

Einar came to stand beside our little gathering, his presence commanding yet somehow comforting. “Good afternoon, Madi, Aka,” Einar greeted, his voice as soothing as the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze. “And what delightful blend have you conjured up today?”

Madison’s smile widened as she held up a delicate porcelain teapot. “A mix of chamomile and lavender with a hint of jasmine and honey,” she replied, her eyes sparkling with pride. “Would you care to join us?”

Einar nodded and took a seat on the vacant wrought-iron chair beside me. His gaze turned to me, and I felt a shiver run down my spine as his eyes seemed to peer into my very soul.

“You must be Shiro,” he said, his voice carrying an undertone of genuine warmth. “I’ve been longing to meet you, but unfortunately, I’ve been away on business. A small clan, an alliance, needed my help.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Einar,” I replied, offering him a shy smile.

“The pleasure is mine, Shiro,” Einar said. “I hear you’ve been unwell. Are you feeling any better?”

I nodded, though the truth was more complicated. “A little, yes. But it’s strange; it comes and goes, and it’s lasted for weeks now. It’s never been like this before, not even when Aka and I were at The Institute.”

Aka interjected, his voice tinged with concern. “It’s not like Shiro to be this sick. We’ve been through worse—beatings and starvation—and Shiro was always fine. But this… it’s just so weird.”

Einar’s expression softened with empathy. “I’m sorry to hear about your time at The Institute. No one should have to endure such treatment, especially not innocent children like yourselves.”

As Einar sipped the tea, his face showed an appreciation for Madison’s blend. But then, his eyes drifted down to my midsection, and I couldn’t help but follow his gaze. I felt a flush of self-consciousness, unsure of what had caught his attention.

“Shiro,” Einar began, his voice taking on a more serious tone, “I see something quite unusual on your belly. It’s a small orb of light, faint but definitely present. It’s unlike anything I’ve seen before.”

Madison leaned in, her expression one of mild concern. “Einar can see the life force of beastkin,” she explained to me. “But a light on your belly?”

Einar chuckled softly, brushing off the gravity of his words with a wave of his hand. “It’s just a peculiarity of my vision. I see strands of light—the life force of our kind. But what I see on Shiro’s belly is more like an orb. It’s quite fascinating.”

Before I could respond, the air around us shifted, and I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I turned to see Adam striding toward us, his powerful presence commanding the attention of everyone in the garden. Close, he leaned down to press a tender kiss to my lips that made my heart flutter and my body tingle with warmth. I felt a surge of energy coursing through my veins. It was as if his touch had the power to rejuvenate me, to chase away the lingering shadows of my illness, and I felt stronger, more alive.

When he finally released my lips, I let out a contented sigh, my eyes fluttering open to meet his intense gaze. Adam turned to Einar, his tone carrying an undertone of authority. “Einar, how are things with the Holloway Clan?”

Einar’s gaze flickered between Adam and me, an odd expression crossing his features as he glanced once more at my belly. “They’re fine, Adam,” he replied, his voice steady. “Everything is working out as we hoped.”

“That’s good to hear,” he said, the relief evident in his voice. His attention returned to me, and he reached out to gently brush a stray lock of hair from my face, his eyes scanning over me with a tenderness that made my cheeks flush with warmth. “You must be feeling better to be out here.”

I smiled brightly at him, the warmth of his touch igniting a spark of joy within me. “Yes, I do feel a lot better,” I replied, my voice carrying the truth of my words.

Before I could bask any further in Adam’s tender gaze, Aka, ever eager to share interesting tidbits, interjected with an excitement that was hard to contain. “Einar says he sees something peculiar on Shiro’s belly!” He pointed at my midsection, his eyes wide with curiosity.

My cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and confusion. An orb of light in my belly? That was certainly not something I had ever heard of, and it made me feel even more peculiar than I already did among the beastkin. I couldn’t help but wonder if I was some sort of anomaly, a rare specimen in a world where I had always felt out of place.

Adam’s interest was piqued, and he turned to Einar with a questioning look. “Is that true?”

Einar nodded, his gaze once again focused on the faint pulsating light that only he could see. “Yes, it’s true,” he confirmed. “It’s just a tiny orb, faint but definitely there, pulsating.” He pointed to a spot just below my navel, his fingers hovering an inch above my shirt.

I felt a shiver run down my spine as Einar tapped his fingers on the tabletop, mimicking the rhythm of the pulsating orb. We all listened carefully, the soft tapping echoing in the stillness of the garden.

Aka said, “It sounds like a heartbeat, but it’s faster compared to the normal one,” he said, his voice filled with confusion.

I was even more confused. A heartbeat in my belly? That didn’t make any sense.

Adam’s expression turned serious, his eyes narrowing slightly as he processed the information. “Einar, you need to tell Chase and Nolan everything,” he said, his voice carrying an undertone of urgency. “This might help with our research.”

He then turned to me, his gaze filled with concern. “Shiro, are you strong enough to do a few tests now?”

I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. Despite the strange revelation about the orb of light in my belly, I did feel quite good and strong at that moment. At least, I felt strong enough to undergo a few tests if it meant helping Adam and the Sullivan Clan in their research.

“Yes, I can do it,” I said.

I found myself in the sterile, white corridors of the west wing, a part of the Sullivan Mansion I had yet to explore. The air here was different, tinged with the faint scent of antiseptic and the subtle hum of machinery. This was the research division, where the clan conducted their studies, where secrets were unraveled, and mysteries were solved. Today, it seemed, those mysteries involved me.

As I walked into the main research room, my gaze fell on the gathered group of Adam, Chase, Nolan, Lyria, and Vanessa, along with Einar. The atmosphere around them seemed to be charged with a mix of anticipation and excitement. They were deep in conversation, their expressions a blend of curiosity and focus. I couldn’t help but feel that I had missed out on something significant during my recovery, something that revolved around my newly discovered status as an omega.

Aka and Lan flanked me, their presence a comforting buffer against the intensity of the situation. Lan, ever the inquisitive one, leaned in and asked, “Is it true, Shiro? Do you really have an orb of light in your belly?”

Aka nodded furiously. “It’s true, Lan. Einar saw it. It pulsates like a heartbeat.”

I glanced down at my belly, my fingers ghosting over the fabric of my shirt. An orb of light? I tried to envision what it might look like, this peculiar phenomenon that had everyone so intrigued. Was it a part of me? A sign of my omega nature? My mind swirled with possibilities, each more fantastic than the last. The thought of carrying life within me seemed impossible—I was male, after all. But then again, as an omega, perhaps the impossible wasn’t so far-fetched.

Before I could dwell further on the mystery, a wolfkin woman entered the room. Her dark hair was pulled back into a neat bun, and her lab coat was buttoned up to the neck. She carried an air of professionalism and competence that immediately put me at ease. Her name tag read “Brielle.”

“Are you ready, Shiro?” Brielle asked, her voice gentle yet firm.

I nodded, meeting her gaze with a mixture of apprehension and determination. She explained the procedures to me, detailing the ultrasound and MRI scans and that they won’t be doing any CT scan due to the ionizing radiation that might affect the fetus, if I was really pregnant.

As I lay flat on the bed, the massive MRI scan machine looming over me, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of apprehension. The room was cold, the hum of the machine a constant reminder of the importance of this moment. Through the glass, I could see the silhouettes of Adam and the others.

I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing, allowing the steady inhale and exhale to calm my racing heart. I was determined to get through this, to face whatever revelations these scans might bring.

Time seemed to stretch on as the machine whirred and clicked around me, and I tried my best to remain still, to not let my anxiety get the better of me. After the MRI scan, the ultrasound was next, and when it was finally over, I was led to the sitting area of the lab, where everyone awaited the results. Adam’s gaze met mine, and in his eyes, I saw a mixture of concern and pride that warmed me to my core. As I sat beside him, I felt the weight of uncertainty lift slightly from my shoulders. His hand found mine, his fingers intertwining with my own.

“How did it feel?” Lan asked, his eyes wide with curiosity. “The scans can be so boring. I almost fell asleep during mine.”

Aka chuckled, his eyes sparkling with mirth. “Same here. It’s like meditation, but with a really loud soundtrack.”

Both Lan and Aka were subjects of the studies as well, and they had already been through the tests and scans a week ago.

I offered them a small smile as I said, “It was fine. Just… a bit cold.”

On the other side of the room, Nolan and Einar were deep in conversation, their heads bent together as Einar gestured animatedly with his hands. Nolan’s brow was furrowed in concentration, his pen scribbling furiously across the pages of his notebook as he took down Einar’s observations. Einar seemed to be explaining something of great importance. Every so often, his gaze would drift to my belly.

Lyria, too, seemed engrossed in the discussion, her eyes following Einar’s every movement. I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of unease at being the center of such intense scrutiny. It was as if I was a puzzle that everyone was eager to solve, my very existence a mystery that needed to be unraveled.

Vanessa, however, seemed more interested in staring at my belly than participating in the conversation. Her gaze was fixed on me, her eyes flickering with a strange mix of fascination and longing.

“Quit it with the stares, Vanessa,” Lan said, his tone carrying a hint of exasperation. “You’re making Shiro uncomfortable.”

Vanessa cooed, her eyes never leaving my belly. “But how can I ignore it, Lan? Shiro has a light in his belly. It’s the most enchanting thing in the world. Who knows? He might be carrying a little Shiro in there.”

Her words sent a jolt through me. A little Shiro? The idea was simultaneously thrilling and terrifying. Yes, omegas were different, but the possibility of me bearing life was beyond anything I had imagined. It challenged everything I thought I knew about myself and my body.

Before I could dwell on Vanessa’s comment further, Chase walked in. Everyone turned to him, anticipation hanging heavy in the air. Chase rubbed the back of his neck, a look of mild disappointment crossing his features as he began to speak. “Well, the MRI and ultrasound scans have confirmed that Shiro does not have a womb.”

A collective stunned silence filled the room, and I felt Adam’s hand find mine, giving it a reassuring squeeze. The revelation brought a mix of emotions—relief, certainly, but also a surprising twinge of disappointment. It was as if a door I hadn’t even known existed had suddenly been opened and then just as quickly shut.

Chase continued, his gaze meeting mine with a mixture of curiosity and determination. “However, we’ve discovered something unusual in Shiro’s blood work, compared to Aka’s and Lan’s. The pregnancy hormones we typically look for in beastkin—beastkin chorionic gonadotropin (bCG), progesterin, and beastkin placental lactogen—are all absent from his blood, confirming he’s not pregnant. But here’s where it gets interesting: there’s a new type of hormone present, similar to estrin, the female hormone in beastkin. It’s unlike anything we’ve seen before in beastkin physiology. With your permission, Shiro, I’d like to conduct further tests to understand this hormone better.”

I nodded and said, “Of course, Chase. I want to help however I can.”

Vanessa’s voice cut through the room like a whip, her eyes wide with incredulity. “So, he’s not pregnant?!” Her demand echoed off the walls, punctuating the silence that had fallen upon the room.

Chase sighed, rubbing his temple as if warding off an impending headache. “Yes, Vanessa. Shiro is not pregnant.” His tone carried a hint of impatience, and I couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for him. It seemed Vanessa’s relentless curiosity was a force to be reckoned with.

Nolan leaned back in his seat, his arms crossed over his chest as he pondered Chase’s words. “Are you certain, Chase? No womb?” he asked, his voice laced with disappointment.

“I triple-checked the scans and the blood work,” Chase confirmed, his gaze shifting between Nolan and Vanessa. “There’s no mistake. Shiro does not possess the anatomy required for pregnancy. There’s no womb present.”

Nolan’s face fell, and he let out a long sigh. “That’s disappointing. Here I thought we were on the brink of a breakthrough.”

Einar, who had been silent up until this point, chimed in, his eyes fixed on my belly. “But that doesn’t explain the orb of light. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen.”

Chase nodded, acknowledging Einar’s observation. “It’s true. Shiro’s physiology is unique, even for an omega. The new hormone we found in his blood… It’s similar to estrin, but we’ve never seen anything like it in beastkin physiology. It might just be that Shiro is different yet again as an omega. We’re treading into uncharted territory here.”

Nolan straightened, his eyes gleaming with renewed interest. “We’ll have to dig deep into ancient texts to figure this out. There must be more record of omegas and their unique physiology in there somewhere.”

Chase turned his attention back to me, his eyes softening. “Shiro, would you be alright talking to me about the physiological changes you’ve experienced recently? Understanding how this new hormone affects you could be key to unlocking the mysteries of your nature as an omega, it could help us make sense of all this.”

I nodded again. “Yes, Chase. I’ll do my best to help.”