It wasn't the first time someone had made that kind of proposition to him, but this time felt different. Lucas could sense the intention wasn't just to have a good time. There was something deeper. He felt the weight of answering—a response that might change everything—but he followed his heart and was grateful it was Andrea who took the first step.
"If I say yes… what's the plan?" Lucas asked.
Andrea thought it wasn't worth being selfish or possessive with someone like him. Lucas was a blank page—sincere, direct. In his answers, Andrea had found everything he'd been searching for. He could trust him. After going through rut together, maybe it would be the right time to finally make it official… to confess his love, to lose himself in this.
He made himself a promise. After so many failures—because someone in their thirties has to fall face-first into heartbreak more than once to find the right one—he truly wanted to try again. Despite the fear of getting hurt, that beta, with his simplicity, his care, his eyes, had shown Andrea more in a month than many had in years: that maybe he didn't need anyone else but him.
It's strange how the human mind, when left unchecked, tends to swing to extremes: it either completely changes when things go wrong or becomes blind, paralyzed by the fear of losing something it believes is perfect.
Just after Lucas gave his answer, Andrea froze when he stepped aside to make a phone call. Curious, he followed—and realized Lucas was talking to his best friend. But what unsettled him was the favor he was asking her. Andrea had imagined being the perfect partner for that meeting… but maybe, just maybe, his love still wasn't a priority.
For a moment, Andrea thought life had handed him a path: one he'd have to either correct, grow with, or completely erase. And with that came more doubts:Was that the real question? Was it immaturity? Jealousy?Or was it genuine love—an instinctive desire to protect what he felt was his?
"Miss, we're calling to inform you that your number has won a prize. All you have to do is deposit 1,000 francs...""Oh, really? Hold on—I'm calling the police right now. Don't hang up."
Andrea felt something unfamiliar rise in his chest. It wasn't jealousy… it was something more primal.
He looked at Lucas laughing hard on the phone, and it wasn't the laughter that hurt—it was his gaze. That look.
He didn't understand their friendship. They were too close. In all his years living in Italy, Andrea had never had friends like that. Valentina seemed kind, calm, talkative… but around Lucas, she became someone else. Like a teenager pulling harmless pranks.
Even with Bastián, he wasn't that playful. What was stranger was that both Lucas and his cousin came from a country others considered warm and friendly—but Andrea knew that wasn't always the case, especially if you were from the north or the south.
He watched Lucas end the call and was about to mention he wanted to join him at the investors' meeting, but Lucas spoke first:
"Babe, Valentina's with Bastián. Want to go over to their place for dinner?"
Andrea couldn't say no to that face. He didn't want to. Besides, Lucas had stayed to spend time with him, and they'd already agreed to go through rut together. The only thing left was deciding when and where.
"Alright. But let's bring something—we can't show up empty-handed."
They stopped at the store for a bottle of wine and headed to the bus station. Since they might drink, they left the motorcycle behind.
There were still many things Andrea didn't understand about the country—little details that differed from his own. Like newsstands, for example: here, they all belonged to one company. Back home, you could find dozens of brands. He noticed Lucas was tense—gritting his teeth, the veins in his forehead bulging. His beautiful smile had vanished.
Though Andrea didn't speak German, Switzerland had four official languages, so he could always find information in Italian. He saw the name of the newspaper and searched for it online.
The front page, full color, read:"HATRED AGAINST OUR SUPERIORITY"An alpha, approximately 25 years old, was found dead in his apartment after breaking up with a beta.
A much smaller article—barely 80 words—reported the death of a beta. It stated that his head had been found in a shoebox, while the rest of the body was still missing. Authorities labeled it a gang-related execution.The headline: "Revenge Among Criminals."
When Lucas approached from behind, Andrea instinctively locked his phone—as if he'd done something wrong. He felt guilty, though he hadn't done anything. He felt ashamed.He thought, though he didn't want to, that maybe… maybe they were criminals.After all, the media wouldn't lie about something like that. Right?
"It's always the same... they call us criminals," Lucas said.
"Well, maybe he was one. I don't think—" Andrea started.
Lucas cut him off, calling him to board the approaching bus. It only came every thirty minutes. Andrea let the topic go. He didn't push it. But he didn't forget either.
As the bus rolled forward, Andrea noticed it was nearly empty. It was five in the afternoon. A calm area, full of greenery, farmers walking cows. In the distance, Lake Greifensee sparkled. In the reflection of the window, he saw the face of the person he liked.
Lucas had heard everything Andrea said about the murdered beta. He felt disappointed, but told himself Andrea, not being from here, couldn't fully understand what that meant.
Their hands were intertwined. The air conditioning kept them comfortable. For a moment, their thoughts, their fears, their frustrations… disappeared. They just looked at each other.
Lucas often listened to music on public transport. It helped him stay calm in the face of rude stares. He didn't think of himself as a model, but he knew he drew attention.
When they arrived, they hurried toward Valentina's house. The heat was unbearable.
"Ma'am, I've arrived with the prize I promised over the phone," Lucas joked."Shut up, idiot!" Valentina replied, smacking him playfully on the forehead.
Her house was medium-sized, like Lucas's, but with a lake view. Andrea felt at peace there. He even forgot to talk to Bastián, who was staying with other friends. Like any good partner, his eyes were only on Lucas.
"How are things going?" Andrea asked.
"Why do you ask? Did Lucas or Valentina say something?" Bastián replied.
"Why so defensive?" Andrea asked.
Bastián could be prickly when it came to his personal life. Even though they were close, Andrea noticed that when it came to Valentina, he got extra guarded. He didn't think there was anything odd going on—he just assumed it was protective instinct. He let it go and went to find Lucas. It was getting late, and buses would soon stop running.
When the wind shifts and the weather changes, the breeze from the lake carries strange sounds—animal cries, laughter, pain, and fear.
Andrea saw Valentina hugging Lucas—and Lucas hugging her back. He couldn't see their faces, but to him, it looked like more than friendship. She wrapped her arms around his waist. He stroked her hair, her back, gently tucked strands from her face with a tenderness that wasn't casual.
He couldn't hear what they were saying. But that laughter… that laugh you only give someone you truly love. The one where your eyes close, your mouth opens, and your voice goes soft.
Andrea couldn't take it.
After sleeping together, planning rut, calling each other affectionate names… how could he witness this?
Friends didn't hug like that. Didn't look at each other like that.And Lucas had told him he didn't like women.
Then, a question crossed his mind:"If I cover Lucas in my pheromones… will he change?"
He cut the thought off. Buried it deep.But the adrenaline was already there. Anxiety clouded his reason.
Without thinking, he approached them, separated them, and slapped Valentina with all his strength.
She fell to the ground, hitting her head, and burst into tears.
"VALENTINA!" Lucas shouted.
"I KNOW YOU TWO HAVE SOMETHING! YOU'RE MINE!" Andrea screamed.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
OMEGAS
Heat / RutHeat is a cyclical biological state unique to omegas, during which their fertility reaches its peak. Although they can become pregnant at other times, this is their most fertile period, and therefore, the most likely for conception. It's accompanied by a sharp hormonal surge that heightens sexual desire and creates an intense need for physical contact. While not an illness, it is an intense phase that affects both the body and emotions—and can have serious consequences if not properly managed.
It occurs every three months and lasts for four days. During this time, even though they remain conscious, their body takes control: desire spikes, and a near-instinctive urge for physical release or contact emerges.It isn't painful in itself, but if the tension isn't released—even through masturbation as a temporary relief—they can become physically unwell. Common symptoms include fever, fatigue, insomnia, tremors, irritability, and headaches.If they don't at least take their medication or go too long without releasing their heat, their pheromones become stronger and harder to control, often leaking unintentionally. This is usually accompanied by other visible signs like changes in voice tone, scent, and a growing sense of desperation.Some responsible omegas learn to manage it with medication, support from a partner, or by isolating themselves during those days. Others, due to carelessness or irresponsibility, end up overloading their system and putting others at risk by entering a state that can easily spiral out of control.