Rowan thought that because he couldn't bear children and, most importantly, couldn't transform, being an incomplete anomaly, he had successfully driven them away.
But as soon as he turned around, he saw Asa's eyes brimming with tears, which uncontrollably overflowed.
"Say no more, I understand everything. It's okay, child, life must go on. As long as you are safe, it's good. Don't be sad; everything will be fine," Asa choked out.
Overwhelmed with empathy, Asa couldn't help but hug Rowan tightly, sobbing loudly.
Rowan was stunned, completely unable to understand why Asa, who was fine just a moment ago, was crying like this. Was this matter that serious?
He had to constantly comfort Asa, telling him to stop crying. But Rowan had never encountered this situation and was completely at a loss.
Finally seeing a savior arrive, but it left him speechless.
On the way here, Leo met the departing Beastmen whispering among themselves, full of pity for the new Omegina. Feeling something was wrong, he stopped a Beastman to ask about the situation clearly.
"Leo, go see quickly; that Omegina is truly too pitiful. Not only can he not reproduce, but just now he rejected all our pursuits. He even declared he wouldn't accept any Beastman anymore; how much grievance must he have suffered to become like this." The Beastman patted Leo's shoulder and left.
Leo stood frozen on the spot, his heart feeling squeezed by someone, then hurriedly sped up his steps forward.
No wonder Rowan's personality was resilient and closed off, colder than ordinary Omeginas, completely unlike a pampered appearance. It must have been due to a huge trauma.
Seeing his Papa crying like rain, Leo also couldn't help his eyes heating up. He tried to compose himself to comfort his Papa.
Rowan hurriedly handed Asa over to Leo; he really didn't know how to coax people, only able to stand silently by the side.
Seeing his son arrive, Asa gripped his hand tightly: "That damned Silver-Winged Snake clansman, absolutely must not spare him."
"Yes, yes, Papa don't be too sad. Rowan still needs Papa to take care of him; I'll invite Liam over to take a look later."
Under Leo's coaxing, Asa's mood gradually stabilized.
Rowan finally breathed a sigh of relief; he didn't understand why things suddenly turned out like this. To Rowan, this matter wasn't a big deal. He wasn't an Omegina anyway, nor did he belong here.
"I'm fine, you don't need to be like this. Just can't transform, it's no big deal." Rowan couldn't stand the pitiful looks from Leo and everyone else.
"What do you mean can't transform? Omeginas inherently can't transform; only Alphas transform. About reproduction, don't be too heartbroken; Liam will come over to check you thoroughly later." Asa urged Leo to quickly invite the Shaman.
"I won't let that Silver-Winged Snake clansman come to harm you again, rest assured," Leo said, then turned and left.
Rowan didn't know how to explain properly for a moment; it turned out Omeginas here were also like humans.
Their attention wasn't on this point, but they seemed to have misunderstood Owen. Rowan really didn't know how to justify it, so he had to let Owen temporarily bear this injustice.
Otherwise, he had no way to explain why he couldn't reproduce. Rowan didn't want to be bothered by Beastmen here, so he decisively settled it once and for all.
Not long after, Liam was invited by Leo. An Omegina unable to reproduce was a major issue that couldn't be delayed.
After carefully checking Rowan's pulse, he only felt his pulse was weak, perhaps having suffered a serious illness. With this constitution, it was indeed difficult to have children; perhaps what Rowan said was true. Liam shook his head, his eyes revealing clear sympathy and deep concern.
"It's okay, I will prescribe a few herbal medicines for you to nourish your body first; don't worry too much." Hearing this indirect comfort, Asa and Leo understood immediately.
Rowan acted as if nothing happened. He was only afraid of being checked and found to have something abnormal; hearing Liam say this, he didn't worry about being considered an anomaly.
The news that Rowan couldn't reproduce and wouldn't seek a mate anymore spread throughout the tribe. All Beastmen felt sorry for such a good Omegina being harmed by the Silver-Winged Snake Clan. The Omeginas in the tribe empathized deeply, and the prejudice against the Silver-Winged Snake Clan deepened.
Rowan tried to probe Leo about Owen's situation that day, but Leo evaded it, fearing Rowan would recall painful memories.
No news was actually good news. Rowan guessed that Owen had probably escaped; he had a hunch they would meet again soon. With Owen's attitude towards him, he wouldn't easily give up finding him.
These past few days, Rowan lived very comfortably; no more Beastmen came to bother him. But Leo still frequently came over to bring hunted meat for Rowan, all received by Asa.
Actually, Leo didn't need to bring hunted meat; as long as Rowan lived with the Chief and his wife, a certain portion of meat would be allocated to the Chief's family every day.
But Leo still persisted in coming often, wanting to see how Rowan was doing; sometimes speaking a few sentences with him was enough to be happy all day.
The person who understood him best was his Papa; he knew his son's intentions inside out but just silently pretended not to see. Asa wasn't an old-fashioned Omegina; whatever Leo chose, he would support.
Asa saw clearly that Rowan had absolutely no interest in Leo, so he had to leave it to his son's fate. Anyway, he quite liked an Omegina with Rowan's personality; although he didn't talk much, he helped him with quite a few tasks.
Therefore, when Rowan proposed moving out to live alone, Asa firmly disagreed. An Omegina living alone without a Beastman's protection, how could that be allowed?
Rowan felt that since Owen hadn't come to find him this Snow Season, he would definitely have to stay here for a while. Disturbing Asa and his husband every day wouldn't do; it was better to find a cave to move out.
During this time, he had walked a few rounds in the tribe, discovering some caves were still uninhabited by Beastmen; he could ask the Chief for usage rights.
Beastmen needed to hunt a few Iron-Horned Beasts to submit to the tribe to have residency rights. Omeginas naturally didn't have these requirements; they only hoped for a few more Omeginas to come and settle in the tribe.
This time Rowan was very determined to move out. After asking Raison for permission several times and being dissuaded by Asa a few times without changing his mind, they had to agree.
The day Rowan moved, Leo came to help pack up things. This time Rowan didn't refuse the things Asa prepared for him; otherwise, he definitely wouldn't let him go.
"Leo, remember to look after Rowan a bit. This child is really stubborn; suddenly demanding to move out." Asa couldn't help adding a few sentences.
Leo hurriedly replied: "Papa, stop talking; he's just moving to the cave opposite, not far away. Papa, rest assured."
Although Rowan insisted on his decision, he was very grateful for Asa's concern. It was the warmth from an elder he had never felt before.
He comforted Asa: "That's right, Uncle, I will still come over often; if there's anything, just call me."
Hearing this, Asa felt relieved, following to Rowan's cave to see if anything was missing; if not, urging Leo to supplement it immediately.
When everything was settled properly, Leo took his Papa, who was still reluctant to part, back home.
Rowan looked at the neat and tidy cave; this was the first time in many days he returned to living alone. It seemed a bit unaccustomed, as if there was something empty.