Fallen General's Omega (BL)
Chapter 95: Strings pulled

Chapter 95: Strings pulled

Ten years ago, in a little village hidden among the hills, a small boy, no older than ten, sprinted along the dusty road, each nimble step kicking up clouds of earth that sparkled in the sunlight.

"Noelle!" the villagers called, their voices fading into the distance as the little one dashed away, a blur of energy and laughter, as if born to dance with the wind itself.

Noelle ran toward a modest house perched at the village’s edge, its weathered exterior telling tales of years gone by. Yet, its neatness hinted at the tender care bestowed upon it. Bursting through the door, Noelle called out, "Mum!" The echo of his voice met only the soft hum of the wind threading through the open windows.

With an eager heart, he hurried to the back of the house, where a woman knelt in a small but flourishing garden. Her black hair glimmered like silk in the sunlight, cascading gently over her shoulders as she tended to the vibrant blooms. The woman looked up at the sound of approaching footsteps, her green eyes—so reminiscent of her child’s—lighting up with joy.

"My little prince," she greeted, her voice warm and inviting, as she stood to embrace Noelle, her radiant smile deepening the dimples on her cheeks. The boy leaped into her arms, and her laughter was like music, a sweet melody that filled the air with warmth.

"Happy birthday, Mum!" Noelle beamed, nuzzling into her chest, his heart swelling with love.

The woman’s laughter softened as she held Noelle close, savoring the moment as if time itself might pause.

"Aren’t you too sweet?" she teased, squeezing him in a playful embrace.

"Mom, let me go!" Noelle squirmed, but the giggles that escaped his lips betrayed his delight.

Kneeling down, the woman brushed the hair from Noelle’s forehead, her voice thick with affection.

"You’ve made my day just by being here," she said, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

"I have a present for you!" Noelle exclaimed, pulling out a small, handwoven bracelet from his pocket, the simple threads twisted together with love and effort.

The woman gasped softly, her eyes widening with surprise as she cupped Noelle’s face in her hands.

"Is this why you’ve been taking all those odd jobs around the village?" she asked, her voice thick with emotion. Tears sparkled in her eyes, and she enveloped Noelle in kisses, the kind that wrapped the child in warmth.

"What would I ever do without you, my precious baby?" she murmured, her heart swelling with a love that transcended words.

Together, they laughed, their happiness mingling with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, filling the garden with joy. "Come," the mother said, standing and offering her hand. "Let’s go play, just like we used to."

With lightness in their hearts, they climbed the hill overlooking their little village, where a field of blue and purple flowers swayed gently in the breeze. The sky stretched above them, an expanse of brilliant blue dotted with fluffy clouds.

"Race you!" the woman shouted, laughter bubbling from her lips as she rolled down the hill, her spirit infectious. Noelle followed, giggling as they tumbled through the sea of flowers, their joyful sounds mingling with the rustle of petals. When they reached the bottom, they lay side by side, gazing up at the sky, pointing out shapes in the clouds that drifted lazily above.

The sun bathed them in its golden glow, and for a fleeting moment, the world seemed to pause, cocooning the mother and her child in a perfect embrace of joy and love.

"I love you, my baby," the woman whispered suddenly, her voice soft as the wind caressing the flowers around them.

"I love you too, Mum," Noelle replied, eyes fluttering closed, the warmth of the moment enveloping him.

As her child dozed beside her, the mother turned to watch the peaceful rise and fall of Noelle’s small chest. Yet, a quiet sorrow tugged at her heart, an ache that accompanied the understanding that such bliss is often ephemeral.

"Happy 28th birthday to me," she murmured, her hand gently brushing the petals from Noelle’s hair.

"Ten years ago, you came into my life, and you’ve been my greatest gift. I’m so sorry I won’t be here to see you grow. I won’t witness your wedding day or threaten any alpha who dares to take your hand. I won’t be there to dote on your children, to become the grandmother I always dreamed of. But that’s okay... I’ll always be in here," she placed her palm on Noelle’s small chest, "and the goddess owes me for cutting me out of so much of your life. I’ll make sure she sends you someone who will love you as much as I do. Elaris owes me that much, don’t you think?"

She paused, her fingers trembling slightly as they stroked Noelle’s hair. "But I wouldn’t trade this time for anything in the world. You’ve given me more joy than I could have ever imagined, and I’m so grateful for every moment we’ve shared."

Tears welled in her eyes, yet she blinked them away, choosing to smile through the bittersweet sadness. Leaning down, she pressed a tender kiss to Noelle’s forehead. "Thank you for being my greatest gift. I love you."

What she didn’t know was that Noelle wasn’t asleep, not really. The boy had heard every word, and though small, quiet tears slipped down his cheeks, he remained still, holding tight to the fleeting warmth of that perfect moment with his mother.

As the sun continued its slow descent, casting a golden glow over the hills, the mother’s words hung in the air—a soft prayer carried on the breeze, forever etched in the heart of that quiet, beautiful day. The laughter of a child and the love of a mother intertwined, creating a memory that would linger long after the light faded, a bittersweet reminder of love’s enduring power even in the face of loss.

***

A shadow loomed over Noelle, pulling him from his thoughts. Slowly, he raised his gaze, meeting a pair of concerned blue eyes. Thorne stood there, his expression soft but filled with unspoken worry. For a moment, Noelle simply stared up at him, his mind wandering. How many times had he thought that his mother, might have done something — pulled some strings with the goddesses themselves — to send him someone like Thorne? It had to be some divine intervention.

Without a word, Noelle lifted his arms toward him, and Thorne, ever the steady protector, scooped him up with ease. The warmth of Thorne’s body enveloped him, and as Noelle nuzzled into the familiar crook of his neck, a sense of calm washed over him. Thorne’s scent was soothing, grounding him in the present moment.

The thought flickered through his mind again, more insistently this time. She must have. His mother must have done something in the afterlife to ensure he wasn’t left alone, that he had someone like Thorne at his side.

As Thorne carried him away, the world around them seemed to blur and fade into the background. All that mattered was the steady heartbeat beneath his ear and the strong arms wrapped around him. Noelle leaned into the warmth and let himself relax,trusting Thorne to take him wherever they were meant to go.