The small village, nestled amid rolling hills and meandering streams, glowed softly in the warm afternoon light. Among its humble cottages and narrow streets stood a young boy, Noelle, whose striking beauty seemed almost out of place in such a setting. His green eyes, fox-shaped and mesmerizing, held a depth of emotion that belied his years. His black hair, though unkempt and faded, framed his face with an ethereal allure. His feminine charm was undeniable, adding an almost siren-like quality to his presence.
An old woman, Aunt Nancy, stood before him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Noelle, please don't do this," she begged, her voice cracking under the weight of her emotions. Her wrinkled hands trembled as she grasped the boy's delicate fingers.
"No, Village Head," Noelle insisted, his voice barely more than a whisper, heavy with his own tears. "When my mother died, you all took care of me as if I were your own. I need to repay you for everything you've done for us." He gently placed a bulging bag of coins into her hands, his eyes pleading.
"Trust me, Aunt Nancy. Nancy just had a baby, and old man Ben's knees are giving out. We've been hit hard by the drought. Please, accept this," he urged, his voice firm despite the tears streaming down his cheeks.
With a reluctant sigh, Aunt Nancy accepted the coins, her heart aching as she looked at the boy she had come to see as family. Tears welled up in her eyes as she pulled him into a tight embrace. The other villagers, their faces a mix of sorrow and gratitude, gathered around. The small community, each person a familiar face, joined in the farewell, their hugs warm and heartfelt.
Reluctantly, Noelle stepped away, his heart heavy with the bittersweet pain of departure. The donkey cart, weathered but sturdy, awaited him at the edge of the village. As he climbed onto the cart, he cast a final, lingering glance at the village that had been his sanctuary. The gentle creak of the cart's wheels echoed his sadness as it began its slow journey down the winding path.
As the village receded into the distance, Noelle's gaze remained fixed on the fading figures of those he loved. Despite the beauty that shone so brightly in his features, it was his tender heart and the strength of his resolve that shone through the most. With a deep, steadying breath, he turned his attention to the road ahead, ready to face whatever challenges lay beyond, carrying with him the love and memories of the village that had shaped him.
After traveling for nearly forty minutes, Noelle arrived at a nearby town, his heart a turbulent mix of apprehension and excitement. The town, with its bustling market and stone-paved streets, was a far cry from the tranquil simplicity of his village. As he stepped off the donkey cart, he took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing heart. Leaving behind the only life he had ever known was painful, yet the prospect of a new beginning sparked a flicker of hope within him.
Noelle reflected on his life in the village. As the sole omega with no alphas around, he had often feared he might spend his life alone. His mother, a beautiful omega who had passed away, had spun tales of tall, handsome alphas who were both protectors and cunning adversaries. Her stories painted a complex picture of alphas, contrasting with the less-than-stellar example of his own father.
In the town, as Noelle sold herbs he had foraged, he overheard whispers about an opportunity that seemed almost too good to be true: a need for an omega bride for a lonely, crippled alpha. The pay was substantial, a tempting offer for someone from a rural village like him. The chance to be with an alpha, despite his condition, felt like a dream. Noelle was determined to seize this opportunity, driven by the desire to change his fate.
A man who had given him the initial coin and facilitated the transaction now led Noelle to a small, nondescript government office. Inside, Noelle signed the necessary documents with a steady hand, officially becoming Noelle Alden. The name, he mused, carried a sense of connection to his new life and, more importantly, to his future alpha.
Once the paperwork was complete, Noelle climbed into a dilapidated carriage. His possessions were modest: a couple of changes of clothes, seeds and herb saplings, an old book, ink, and a feather. He had managed to keep 20 gold coins for himself after giving 80 gold coins to the village head—a sum he hoped would support his village for the next two years.
As the carriage rattled away from the town, Noelle glanced back one last time, his heart aching for the life he was leaving behind. Yet, with each mile, he also felt a surge of determination. He was not like the delicate omegas from the capital; he was strong, resilient, and ready to embrace the role he had chosen. Noelle was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, with hope and courage guiding him towards his new life as Noelle Alden, and the future that awaited him with his alpha.
*
As night fell, the carriage rolled away, leaving Noelle at the base of a gentle hill. The darkness enveloped him, casting long shadows over the landscape. From where he stood, he could just make out the silhouette of a small house perched at the top of the hill. The house, though modest, seemed to promise some semblance of comfort in the stillness of the night.
Noelle turned to the departing carriage, but it was already disappearing into the distance, its lamps fading into the darkness. With a deep breath, he hefted his meager belongings and began the climb up the hill. The weight of the journey felt lighter in the crisp night air, and his years of foraging in nearby mountains had prepared him well for this trek.
As he trudged upward, the house gradually came into clearer view. It was more rustic than he had hoped but had a certain charm. Constructed of stone with a small chimney, it seemed capable of withstanding the harshest of winters. The presence of a well nearby was a welcome surprise, ensuring a steady supply of water. To Noelle, this was a significant improvement over the simpler homes he had known in his village.
When he finally reached the top, the house, though worn and weathered, felt more inviting than he had anticipated. The stone walls, though rough, would offer protection against the elements. The chimney hinted at the promise of warmth during the colder months. As Noelle stood before the house, he took in the sight of his new home with a mix of relief and determination.
It was far from perfect, but it was his new beginning. The house might be humble, but it was functional and, in many ways, better equipped than the dwellings he was used to. The small well was a particularly reassuring feature, and the house's stone structure seemed solid and reliable.
With a deep breath, Noelle squared his shoulders and approached the small, stone house. Each step up to the door felt like a step into a new chapter of his life. As he reached the entrance, he paused for a moment, mentally bracing himself for the unknown that lay beyond.
With a firm yet trembling hand, he pushed open the creaking door.