Jade had watched the scene unfold, his small mind struggling to make sense of the tension and the strange terms being thrown around. As a reincarnated earth man, he was utterly bewildered by the dynamics at play - what did being an alpha, beta, or omega even mean in this world? The way Niamh's demeanor shifted from confident to cautious, the way the men eyed her and him with a mixture of curiosity and hostility...it was all so foreign.
As Niamh handed over the scraps and backed away, Jade's gaze locked onto hers, his expression a silent question. What just happened? Why did those men want to hurt us? And what did they mean by those strange labels? His curiosity was piqued, and he leaned forward, trying to get Niamh's attention, as if asking without words: tell me what's going on.
Niamh's expression softened as she met Jade's curious gaze, her eyes crinkling at the corners as she smiled reassuringly. She adjusted her hold on him, shifting him slightly to make sure he was comfortable, she started to hum a gentle tune, one that usually calmed Jade when he was fussy. But this time, it seemed to be more for herself, a way to process the encounter and push aside the lingering unease. She'd explain things to him, but for now, she just focused on keeping him away from the dangers that lurked in the junkyard. She gently stroked Jade's hair, her touch soothing, and whispered, "It's okay, little one. We're safe now."
Jade couldn't understand but men's gazes on him had felt...off. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but the way they'd looked at him, like he was some sort of object or curiosity, had sent a shiver down his tiny spine. As a reincarnated soul, he was still getting used to his new baby body and the world around him, but something about their leering eyes had triggered a deep-seated discomfort. He'd felt Niamh's tension, too, the way her body had stiffened and her grip on him had tightened, like she was trying to shield him from something.
Jade didn't fully understand what was happening, but he knew he'd felt safe with Niamh's protection, and grateful for her swift thinking in diffusing the situation. But he decided to be patient and wait until he could do something about it.
Until then he would silently and steadily become stronger.
Now, snuggled up against her, he felt his eyelids growing heavy, his mind still processing the strange encounter, but his body relaxing into the warmth and security of her presence.
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Five Years passed in the blink of an eye.
Jade had grown into a striking little boy with fine and exquisite features that seemed almost otherworldly. His thick, wavy silvery-blue hair cascaded down his back like a river of moonlight, and his silvery grey eyes sparkled with an unearthly intensity. His skin was as white as the fairest jade, smooth and unblemished, giving him an ethereal beauty that was hard to ignore. Despite his delicate appearance, there was a sense of quiet strength and curiosity in his eyes, a sense that this child was already observing and absorbing the world around him with great intensity. Niamh couldn't help but feel a surge of pride and protectiveness whenever she looked at him, her heart swelling with love for this beautiful, unique child.
Raising Jade in the slums was a perilous balancing act, especially given his vulnerable status as an omega. The harsh environment, rife with exploitation and danger, made every day a struggle to keep him safe.
Niamh's anxiety spiked with every encounter with rough men like the ones in the junkyard, who might see Jade's omega nature as an invitation to take advantage. The city's underbelly was full of predators who preyed on the weak, and Niamh knew she had to be constantly on guard to protect her child from those who would seek to harm him. The weight of this responsibility hung over her like a shadow, a constant reminder of the risks she took every day to give Jade a life in this unforgiving world.
Niamh's eyes narrowed as she carefully selected the simplest, most practical clothing for Jade, her mind focused on one overriding goal: to blend him in with the crowd. She'd long since decided to downplay his exquisite features, dressing him in dull, muted tones and keeping his hair messy and unkempt, all in an effort to mask the striking beauty that might draw unwanted attention.
In this harsh world, being perceived as a beta could be a protective shield, and Niamh was determined to keep Jade safe until he manifested as an omega, when she'd have to face whatever challenges came next. For now, she'd do everything in her power to let him grow up under the radar, free from the prying eyes and grasping hands that might seek to exploit his vulnerabilities.
Niamh held up a plain, worn-out t-shirt and a pair of faded pants, her eyes scrutinizing Jade as he stood before her. "Alright, kiddo, put these on. We don't want to draw any attention to ourselves out there," she said, her voice firm but gentle. Jade nodded silently, already knowing the drill. He'd been out scavenging with Niamh for years, and he understood the importance of keeping a low profile.
Without complaint, he changed into the dull clothes, his silvery-blue hair getting tied back in a messy knot. Niamh's hands moved efficiently rubbing a handful of dirt on his face to hide his beautiful appearance, her eyes checking him over to make sure he was properly covered.
"Stay sharp, Jade. Keep your eyes open and stay close. We don't know what we'll run into out there," she warned, her voice low and serious.
Jade nodded, his silvery grey eyes locking onto hers, a look of understanding and cooperation passing between them. "Got it, Niamh," he replied softly, already knowing what to expect. With a nod, Niamh handed him a small bag with some essentials, and together they headed out into the junkyard, moving cautiously through the familiar terrain.
Jade's small feet moved swiftly alongside Niamh's, his eyes scanning the terrain with a practiced air. Despite the years spent navigating the junkyard, the overwhelming stench still hit him like a punch to the gut every time they ventured out.
He wrinkled his nose, his silvery grey eyes squinting slightly as they wove through the maze of discarded machinery and twisted metal. Yet, he'd learned to tune out the smell, focusing instead on the task at hand. With Niamh's guidance, he'd developed a keen sense of spatial awareness, expertly avoiding rusty pipes and jagged edges.
Together, they moved with a fluidity that belied the danger lurking around every corner.
Jade's gaze darted between Niamh and the surroundings, his small hands clutching the bag of essentials as he kept pace with her steady stride. Despite the discomfort, he'd grown accustomed to this world, and Niamh's presence made him feel relatively safe. As they turned a corner, Jade's eyes locked onto a potential find, and he tugged on Niamh's hand, his voice barely above a whisper. "Niamh, look!"
Niamh swiftly gathered the salvaged parts, her movements economical and precise. "Stay close, Jade," she whispered,
her eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of the approaching engines.
Jade nodded, his silvery grey eyes wide with alertness as he clung to Niamh's hand. She remembered the first time she'd seen him display unnatural strength - he was just three years old, and he'd lifted a massive pipe off her when she'd been trapped. And then there was the incident with the rat... She'd been about to be ambushed, but Jade had created a miniature snowstorm, freezing the rat in its tracks. She'd been shocked, but she'd quickly realized that Jade's abilities were a valuable asset in this harsh world.
As they melted into the shadows of a nearby stack of crates, holding their breath as the engines grew louder, Niamh's grip on Jade's hand tightened. She knew that Jade's unique abilities made him a potential target, which was why she'd been so careful to keep them hidden.
The sound of revving motors and clanking treads echoed through the junkyard, Niamh's eyes met Jade's, and she gave him a reassuring nod. She'd protect him, no matter what. As the engines drew closer, Jade's heart pounded in his chest, but Niamh's calm demeanor was a steady anchor. She knew that if push came to shove, Jade's abilities might be their only hope for survival. As he gazed forward, he silently called up his status window in his mind: