Beyond the Shadows of Tomorrow

Chapter 1

At nine thirty, the television at Ashwood Manor switched to the local news channel.
“Good evening, everyone…” The female anchor's makeup was impeccably done, and Edmund Ashwood found himself staring at her pale pink lipstick, a sudden wave of nausea sweeping over him.
His mother loved this news program, and since returning home, Edmund had spent most of his time with his family. Other than work, he’d mostly been glued to the television.
The flickering screen only intensified his fatigue. He had been exhausted lately, most likely from the project that kept everyone on edge, each person tense and fearful of making the slightest mistake.
“Are you okay, brother?” His younger sister, Cecilia Ashwood, worriedly handed him a cup of honey water. “Are you feeling sick?”
“I’m fine,” Edmund forced a smile, but under his sister's concerned gaze, his exhaustion weighed him down, and his heart raced in a way that felt overwhelming, like he might pass out any moment.
What if...
Edmund shook his head, trying to erase the image of that always-sardonic smirk from his mind.
The Ashwood family had a long history in commerce, and under his father, Cornelius Ashwood, they had seized the opportunity to become one of the leading figures in the domestic metalworking industry. However, Edmund had little interest in following in his family's footsteps. He was a diligent student who earned his place at a top university and even studied abroad. When he returned home, the Royal Army’s research facility was looking for someone with his expertise. Thanks to a mentor’s recommendation, he settled into a comfortable routine, dividing his time between the lab and home.
Yet there was always one thing that troubled him—no matter how accomplished he became, he would forever be an omega.
“Today, we’re accompanying the City Watch as they conduct sobriety checkpoints throughout Briarville,” the news reporter stated, the city’s vibrant neon lights flickering in the night. The camera shook slightly as it followed the officers.
A car was pulled over. The driver protested, but eventually, the breathalyzer test confirmed he was driving under the influence. Lydia Fairchild, Edmund's mother, let her yarn ball drop as she sighed, “What a shame.”
Edmund merely murmured an acknowledgment. “It’s reckless… they check all the time now,” Cecilia added.
“Be careful, then,” Lydia cautioned.
“Of course,” Cecilia replied. “I usually don’t drink much at gatherings.”
Unlike his brother, Cecilia was a pure alpha, just like their father. Edmund nodded. “Mother's right,” he said, giving Cecilia’s hand a reassuring pat. “I can’t help out with family business matters, so it’s all on you. Take care of yourself.”
“I will,” Cecilia smiled, “But you look like you’ve lost even more weight.”
“It’s just too hot. I’ve lost my appetite.”
Cecilia hesitated before asking, “So... about Tobias Fletcher…”
“He’s fine,” Edmund interrupted, his expression icy. “He’s been really busy lately.”
They were casually chatting when the camera shifted to another car being stopped.
City Watch signaled to the driver, and the window slowly rolled down to reveal a stunning woman. The reporter followed closely, catching her lively eyes as she cooperatively submitted to the sobriety test.
In the passenger seat, a man slumped, deeply asleep. Even inebriated, his strong features could only be described as handsome. The broad shoulders and commanding presence emanated a distinct alpha aura that seemed almost palpable through the screen.
“Brother…” Cecilia gasped in shock.
The yarn ball fell from Lydia's hands as their cat, Bran the Squire, pounced on it joyfully as if it were a new toy. Cornelius Ashwood entered the room, noticing his wife’s astonished expression. “What’s going on?” he asked.
On the television, the beautiful woman was speaking with the City Watch, explaining that she had forgotten her driver’s license.
“This is his. He just forgot it,” she said, pouting slightly, her gestures remarkably flirtatious. “He’s drunk, and I was just taking him home…”
Cornelius couldn’t believe it. “Tobias Fletcher?” he shouted, turning to the pale-faced Edmund. “Didn’t you say he was out of town?”
“He is out of town,” Edmund stood abruptly, then sat back down, lost in turmoil. “He told me last month he had an urgent assignment…”
The reporter prattled on about traffic laws, but Edmund lost focus, the world around him buzzing—a mix of his father’s inquiries, his sister’s comforting words, and his mother’s confusion. In this haze, one thought broke through—
As an omega, his alpha was likely cheating. Claiming he was away on military duty, but he was instead in a stranger’s car. But if this meant he could escape the mire of his marriage…
Staring blankly at the surroundings, his lips quivered.
I’m fine, Edmund thought he could tell his family. But his heart raced… and he couldn’t utter a single word.

Chapter 2

Tobias Fletcher was jolted awake by the sound of the doorbell.
Rubbing his forehead, he mustered the strength to get out of bed and open the door. Standing there was a delivery guy in a red vest, holding a large envelope. "Are you Tobias Fletcher?" The young man glanced at Tobias’s wrinkled shirt. "Package for you."
Who on earth would send him a package this early in the morning? Tobias sighed as he hastily signed for it, took the envelope, and watched the delivery guy disappear quickly down the hall. He shut the door and peeled off his shirt, flopping back onto his bed. He was plagued by a headache, nausea, and muscle pain—classic signs of a hangover. He had to drink; it was part of the job. Glancing at his phone, he realized it was already two-thirty in the afternoon. So, it wasn’t morning after all… It dawned on him that he had just slept a solid twelve hours—nearly the total sleep he'd gotten all week during his business trip.
His phone buzzed with a new text message. Probably from Gideon Blackwood, inviting him out for another round of drinks. He tossed the phone aside, feeling apathetic, and ripped open the large envelope. Due to the clumsiness of his hangover, it took him a couple of tries to tear it open. He shook it, and a stack of lightweight documents fell out, landing on his bare chest still warm from the printer.
"Who the hell…?" Tobias muttered, annoyed that he'd only just returned from a trip and was already being bombarded with paperwork. This was getting ridiculous—was his boss trying to squeeze every last drop out of him? He picked up the papers and got a glimpse of the contents: a stark white page with bold black lettering stating—
**Separation Covenant.**
Tobias froze. He had just returned to Briarville yesterday and was whisked off to discuss business—or rather, to drink—right after stepping off the plane. Gideon had been pushing drinks on him all night, and he couldn’t recall how he managed to get home. The house felt emptier than usual; Edmund Ashwood had returned to his own place while Tobias was gone, a detail he vaguely remembered. But why, overnight, was there a **Separation Covenant** waiting for him?
He pinched his arm hard. It hurt—it was definitely not a hangover hallucination.
The document itemized their shared assets. Honestly, it wasn’t like there was much to list. The house was military housing provided by the Royal Army, and the car had been a wedding gift from Cecilia’s family. They had split the cost of furniture and appliances right down the middle. After two years of marriage, they didn’t have any kids, so custody wasn’t even an issue. He read the succinctly worded agreement again, and it hit him—the calligraphy was unmistakable.
—His “wife,” the eternally frosty Edmund Ashwood.
Tobias picked up his phone from where he had tossed it earlier. He scrolled through and opened the unread text from “A”—a code name for Cecilia Ashwood. The length of the message was unusual for her, and its contents struck him like a bolt of lightning, turning his world upside down.
“Tobias Fletcher: Hi. I know what’s going on. Our marriage has always been loveless, so I understand. The Separation Covenant has been sent; please sign it and return it to me. If you are unsatisfied with the terms, we can negotiate. I wish you happiness. Edmund Ashwood.”
“What…?” Tobias read the message over and over, trying to make sense of Edmund’s cold dismissal. What did she mean by "loveless"? He pressed and held the "1" key on his phone, waiting for a connection, but only received the cold, mechanical voice of a recording.
“Hello, the number you have dialed is out of service…”
Dejected, he let his head hang.
Tobias was a soldier. He was three years younger than Edmund, and while the marriage had been arranged by the organization, he had fought hard for it himself.
Three years ago, on a bustling evening, Tobias had finally managed to sneak away from a long day to grab some dinner at the mess hall.
The military was full of alphas.
At the entrance of the hall, Tobias bumped into another alpha, Gideon. “What’s that smell?” he wrinkled his nose.
Gideon grinned, “Pot calling the kettle black, huh?”
The two shared a few laughs before Tobias dragged Gideon to have a bite of stir-fried meat. As they passed **The Local Tavern**, Tobias suddenly froze. “Who’s that?”
Gideon followed his gaze, chuckling. “Old Tobias, you've got quite the nose. There’s only one omega around here; don’t go stirring the pot.”
Tobias huffed. “He’s taken.”
“Not anymore,” Gideon replied. “He’s just here for the Scholar’s Guild experiment. Seriously, don’t make a move. He’s an omega, sure, but…”
“But what?”
“His attitude isn’t great.” Gideon sighed dramatically. “He’s good-looking, but they say he’s really hard to deal with. That's probably why he’s still single.”
“Quit with the excuses.” Tobias was intrigued, eager for the challenge.
Meanwhile, Edmund had spent the entire day dealing with the overwhelming presence of alphas, feeling drained. He stepped outside for a breather while grabbing water, blissfully unaware that two alphas were watching him from a distance. Much later, as Tobias pushed him against a wall, casually revealing everything, Edmund would come to realize that day marked the beginning of his tragic saga—as an omega, he was already set up to fail.
Wasn’t he? Edmund closed his eyes, tormented by the thought.

Chapter 3

Tobias Fletcher lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling for half an hour, unable to reach Edmund Ashwood on his phone. Finally, in frustration, he dialed the number for Ashwood Manor.
The call was picked up almost instantly by an unfamiliar male voice. After the man introduced himself, it was clear he had been instructed on how to respond. “Mr. Ashwood says it’s best to talk to the Hall of Barristers about any issues you may have.”
“Please direct your inquiry to the Hall of Barristers. Their number is…”
“I need to talk to Edmund Ashwood.”
“Please speak with the Hall of Barristers…”
“I’m looking for Edmund Ashwood!” Tobias shouted, but the voice on the other end remained unfazed, sticking to the scripted response. “Mr. Ashwood asks that you talk to the Hall of Barristers. He’s not available.”
With a cold laugh, Tobias abruptly hung up on the utterly frustrating conversation.
Ever since catching a glimpse of that pale, slender figure at The Local Tavern, he couldn’t shake the image from his mind.
With a bit of digging, Tobias had learned a few things about Edmund Ashwood. After all, he was a rarity—an omega who had survived in the Royal Army, and he was notably striking; his family background was nothing short of magnificent. Most importantly, he was closing in on thirty, single, and had never been linked to any rumors or scandals.
“Plenty of people must be after him,” Gideon Blackwood remarked. “But he’s reclusive and doesn’t chat much… often leaving others feeling discouraged.”
“Obviously, they just don’t know the right way to approach him.” Tobias shoved the last bit of rice into his mouth, cheeks bulging. Gideon chuckled, “Seems like you do.”
“I’ve read every battle tactic there is since I was a kid. Now, I’m going to bide my time.” Tobias finished off the last piece of food on his tray and gulped down the free soup. “Know thyself, know thy enemy; in a hundred battles, you will never be in peril.”
“Are you just bursting at the seams or what?”
“Don’t be ridiculous; do I look like someone who’s desperate?”
“You could give a master class in being desperate.” Gideon insisted earnestly, “The way you watch him is like a wolf eyeing a piece of meat… no, more like a dog staring at a bone.”
“You’re the dog here,” Tobias retorted with a laugh, but his gaze drifted across the room. In a distant corner, Edmund Ashwood sat gracefully nibbling on a bao, seemingly oblivious to the curious eyes around him.
Meanwhile, Edmund was grappling with his own difficult thoughts.
There was no doubt he was an omega. Every health check-up confirmed it. In their society, omegas were scarce; most married quickly after maturity, managing homes and raising children while depending on their alphas.
But that was not Edmund’s destiny. After years of hard work and study, he intended to achieve something greater than becoming a mere childbearing machine for a burly alpha. He was passionate about his career, and he was undeniably a talented engineer. But as time passed, the way others looked at him began to shift.
“You need to settle down,” his colleagues at the Scholar’s Guild urged him. “Omegas fear loneliness and need a strong alpha for protection.” Although Cornelius Ashwood respected his son’s career choices, he insisted on bringing up the issue repeatedly. Even their mother gently nudged him toward finding a partner, saying it’d be better… just in case of anything.
Just in case of what? Nobody dared say it aloud. Edmund knew full well. He was a solitary omega without an alpha, enduring his monthly estrous cycle only thanks to suppressants. At first, the medication worked wonders, but over time, he felt like his body had developed a kind of immunity. To keep the doses effective, he’d had to increase them, but what would happen when they ceased to work altogether? The thought sent chills down his spine.
What terrified him even more was the way alphas looked at him. They’d stare, and even when trying to strike up a conversation, their eyes would linger too long, fixating on his skin. Edmund wasn’t a soldier; he simply wore a uniform without the insignia.
He did his best to appear composed, but there was no escaping the eagerness of alphas—it felt like being stripped bare under an X-ray, brazenly exposed. The thought of someday having to form a permanent bond with someone like that, to bear their children…
It made him sick. Yet, the growing urgency of his estrous cycle reminded him he’d eventually need to find an alpha, whether he wanted to or not.
Waking from a long slumber, Edmund felt a haze cloud his mind.
His stomach churned, urging him to pour a glass of water. His limbs felt weak and trembled uncontrollably. A picture frame tumbled to the ground with a crash, and Cecilia Ashwood burst into the room like an arrow.
“Brother,” her eyes were reddened from lack of sleep, “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Edmund replied softly, straightening himself. “What about work?”
“With everything going on with you, I couldn't care less about the office politics,” Cecilia stated. “Just don’t be sad, at worst…”
“I’m not sad.”
“Big brother.”
“Honestly, I’m not lying to you.” He leaned on his sister, comforted by her familiar scent, “I always knew this day would come.”
He murmured in a daze, his voice barely audible. “There have always been issues with him.”
“Then it’s his fault,” Cecilia snapped, her anger boiling. “I just want to stuff him in a sack and toss him in the ocean to drown.”
Edmund shook his head. “No, it’s my fault… he cheated,” a tight feeling clenched around his stomach, causing him to choke back a wave of nausea. “I can’t blame him.”
“Big brother…”
“I’m serious, I’m not making excuses.” Edmund took shallow breaths. “I made a grave mistake, thinking I could just bear with it, like everyone else, and live a normal life.”
But marriage had shown him this truth—“Nothing goes as planned... this marriage should never have happened.”

Chapter 4

Tobias Fletcher was unlike any other Alpha that Edmund Ashwood had met, and that became immediately clear when they crossed paths for the first time.
"Hello," the young officer greeted, his crisp military uniform perfectly tailored, his bright eyes serious but warm as he raised his hand in a salute.
"You don’t have to—" Edmund started, taken aback, but Tobias smiled brightly and interrupted, "Please, Dr. Ashwood, have a seat!"
He thoughtfully pulled a chair out for Edmund at The Cozy Hearth, a quaint little café near the Scholar's Institute. It was two in the afternoon, and only a few patrons dotted the place. Edmund sat down stiffly on the wicker chair, nervously twisting his fingers together.
"Let me introduce myself properly. I'm Tobias Fletcher—‘Promise’ for ‘Tobias,’ ‘Sky’ for ‘Tian,’ and ‘Strange’ for ‘Qi.’ I know it's bold of me to ask you out, and I hope you don’t find it too odd," he said earnestly. "Can I get you something to drink?"
Edmund shook his head, but Tobias ordered Green Blossom Tea for him anyway—the drink favored by Omegas. Moments later, steaming cups were brought to their table, the aroma swirling around them, making Tobias's handsome features appear even softer.
"I..." Tobias hesitated, his cheeks tinged with a light blush. "I’ve never been with an Omega before. My superiors said..." He quickly glanced at Edmund before looking down again. "I hope you’re not upset."
"Not at all," Edmund replied, perhaps influenced by the fragrant tea, which helped ease his earlier tension. "I was informed by the Deputy Director."
The Deputy Director was a warm, middle-aged woman who wore her uniform with a calm confidence. "Yah, your personal life is something we’re very concerned about, especially a talented young man like you…" she said, her tone implying a matchmaking scheme.
Edmund had experienced a few of these setups and knew what was coming, so he nodded, "Thank you."
"This guy is good—already a major at a young age, and he has a bright future ahead of him. He’s ambitious and handsome too. He may not have your family background, but…” she hinted, “as you know, conditions like yours are quite rare."
At that moment, declining the meeting felt too dismissive. Though Edmund preferred solitude, he understood social obligations. Soon after, he received a cautious message from Tobias, inviting him for tea.
Just tea…
"My situation is pretty straightforward," Tobias explained, not noticing that Edmund seemed a bit lost in thought. "I may not seem worthy of you." He chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "I didn't concentrate much in college, so all I managed was an undergraduate degree. I will do better, because..." some thoughts went unvoiced, but Edmund understood the implication. He held a PhD, but hearing his parents’ hopeful expectations made it hard to bear. He forced a small smile and replied softly, "It's really nothing."
"I've already signed up for a part-time degree..."
"Really?" Edmund felt a jolt, his eyes widening. "You shouldn’t have—"
He didn’t want to burden others, especially under such unnecessary circumstances. Yet Tobias just smiled, his kindness disarming, "I want to improve too."
They talked about various topics after that. The young officer had a charming wit, showing none of the typical arrogance that most Alphas displayed with Omegas. Edmund knew it wasn’t intentional; it was merely their nature to assert themselves as Alphas in front of Omegas. Still, he found such behavior childish, akin to peacocks flaunting their colors insistently, urging attention with their fervent gazes.
"Did I upset you?" Tobias asked, breaking into his thoughts.
"Not at all," Edmund returned from his reverie, feeling guilty. "I’ve just been busy with work."
"Right, you started a new project, eh?" Tobias’s consideration was evident as he glanced at his watch. "We’ve been talking for an hour; you must be tired."
"I’m fine—really."
"You look tired—definitely exhausted," Tobias insisted, standing up. "Let me walk you back."
He accompanied Edmund to the Scholar's Institute, exchanging contact information. That night, Tobias texted to thank him for meeting and asked if they'd go for a walk that weekend. Edmund agreed.
And so began their relationship. Tobias treated him exceptionally well; Edmund noticed his immense patience. He never pressed on topics like "What career should an Omega pursue?" or "Once married, you must have kids,"—all those annoying societal expectations. Every day before calling, Tobias would send a quick text first to check if Edmund was available. His courtesy caught Edmund off guard while also stirring an insistent unease in him.
Soon enough, the time for mating heat arrived.
During that intense period, Edmund stayed curled up at home, trembling uncontrollably. The medications were barely effective; ever since he had started dating an Alpha, he felt increasingly overwhelmed.
A message pinged—"Hey, is this a bad time?"
"No," Edmund clenched his teeth, replying slowly, fingers sluggish from the distraction. "I'm at home."
After a long delay, Tobias finally responded cautiously, "Heat phase, huh?"
"Yeah."
This time, his reply took even longer, dragging on until it felt as though Edmund would faint from impatience. At last, his phone chimed anew.
"If it’s too much, I can help."
Help how? Drag me to bed? Two people lost to instinct, entangled without reason. The rawness of passion taking over everything...
No, that’s not what I want. As the feverish desire receded like a wave, Edmund grabbed a handful of pills, trying to steady his racing heart, replying, “Thanks. I’m used to handling things alone.”
Tobias didn’t press further. "Just take care of yourself then."

Chapter 5

Tobias Fletcher sat on the edge of his bed, anxiety gnawing at him as he fired off a dozen texts to Edmund Ashwood.
"I don't want to talk to your lawyer, I want to talk to you."
"Come outside."
"Could you at least respond?"
"You’re not having an affair, are you?"
After hitting send, Tobias felt a surge of disbelief. There was no way. Edmund was cold to nearly everyone, except for his parents and his younger brother. An affair? That didn’t seem like him at all, especially when he’d been so committed from the start...
Both he and Edmund were busy men. Tobias looked around his dimly lit room. October had arrived, and the air was beginning to chill. He traced back the timeline in his head— it seemed they hadn’t seen each other for quite a while. The only time was at the beginning of last month, when Edmund had briefly returned during his heat cycle. Their interactions had felt like mere formality: they ended up in bed, but Tobias had been distracted by a pressing task, and Edmund was emotionally spent. They exchanged maybe a dozen words, most of them pleasantries.
Is this what married life is supposed to be? Tobias clenched his fists. This was nothing like the dream marriage he’d envisioned over two years ago...
Edmund's personality wasn’t exactly what one would call warm. After only a few days of dating, Tobias had made his assessment. Distant, stiff, and often tedious to talk to. Edmund’s world revolved around his beloved laboratory— today he was impatiently awaiting the results of an experiment, while tomorrow a new batch of materials was supposed to arrive, hopefully yielding new data. Experiments dominated his life, but he did have one somewhat “adorable” hobby: collecting envelopes and bookmarks. Tobias had bought a colorful assortment online for less than a hundred bucks. The look on Edmund's pale face when he pulled them out on their date was priceless, “Oh, this…” His long fingers tenderly brushed over the little pieces of paper, and for a moment, the omega smiled. “Thank you.”
“Not a problem,” Tobias replied, though he found it hard to shake off his true thoughts as he observed Edmund’s suddenly shy demeanor.
“What’s the verdict— is it really boring?” Gideon Blackwood, his friend, asked slyly during lunch at a café. “Does he even let you hold hands?”
“Not a chance.” Tobias sighed. “His parents raised him right…”
“You’re just infatuated. He looks good, but in reality, he’s as dull as a rock.” Gideon rolled his eyes while twirling some pasta. “If you really want— find an attractive, understanding omega. They’re a dime a dozen.”
“But what about Edmund?” Tobias countered.
“Just break up with him.”
"I haven't even gotten that far,” Tobias huffed. “We haven’t even touched!”
“Yeah, well, if you really want to get close, you might want to wait until after the paperwork is signed.” Gideon advised. “Why search the ends of the earth when there's plenty of green grass all around? If you’re determined to find an omega, I’ll help you.”
“Thanks, but I think I’ll keep trying. Maybe he’s just shy. With more time...”
“Honestly, you should give up on that thought. Unless you two plan to announce a grand wedding, a guy like Edmund is the type who thinks marriage is forever…”
Gideon was adamant. He and Tobias had grown up together— their bond was as close as brothers. Tobias was a strong, dependable alpha, always with that amused smirk— he was the kind of guy that omegas and even betas chased after, practically lining up since they were teenagers. Tobias had always gone for the lively type, and Edmund couldn’t be more different.
But then, over two months later, a text came in that read, “Let’s get married tomorrow.” Gideon’s jaw dropped— he was stunned.
It was Tobias who had proposed.
Edmund was now enduring his third grueling heat, and this one was more intense, more chaotic. In a frenzied state, he had fallen down the stairs at home, resulting in a serious head injury that landed him in the ICU at St. Mercy’s Hospital.
When Tobias rushed to the hospital, he found that Edmund's condition was finally stable.
Edmund sat alone on the hospital bed, his eyes vacant, his face pale like grass shivering in the autumn wind.
“What happened?” Tobias typed, unable to enter, “Look up— I’m outside.”
Edmund glanced toward the glass in the door, and sure enough, there was his alpha, waving and smiling warmly.
“How did this happen? You’re hurt.”
“Can't remember.”
“Heat cycles can be a real challenge…” Tobias started to text but hesitated and deleted that thought instead. He could see Edmund gripping his phone, clearly waiting for his reply. The omega sat in a hospital gown, his frail frame hunched, exposing a delicate collarbone. A bandage wrapped around his head, and his cheeks bore scratches. He looked so fragile that Tobias felt a surge of emotion burst inside him. In that moment, he quickly typed out a message without overthinking.
“Let’s get married.”
Edmund stared at the text, frozen in silence.
Tobias, feeling a surge of courage, quickly sent another message, “I’ll take good care of you.”
Edmund’s thin body quivered slightly. He slowly raised his head, and the confusion in his eyes locked onto Tobias's gaze.

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