The alpha who had extended a hand to me, pulling me from the cold linoleum, was Zach. I knew him, barely. He was in my Advanced Biology class, a quiet presence in the back row, his notes always meticulously organized. We'd never exchanged more than a fleeting glance, certainly never spoken. So, as his warm, steady hand grasped mine, a single, bewildering question echoed in the chaotic aftermath of Maximus's assault: Why now? Why help me, when no one else ever dared? It was an unexpected kindness, a bewildering anomaly in the brutal landscape of Zavallier Academy.
With Zach's gentle assistance, I managed to stand, my legs still trembling, my entire body screaming in protest. A dull ache radiated from my shoulder where I'd hit the lockers, and my head felt light, a persistent throb behind my eyes. "Th-thank you," I mumbled, my voice rough and stuttering, barely audible, my eyes fixed firmly on the scuffed linoleum floor. It was a habit I'd developed over time—never look an Alpha in the eyes, unless they explicitly told you to. It was safer that way. Less attention. Less risk. A deep-seated instinct, honed by years of trying to be invisible.
"Are you okay? That was... pretty rough," Zach asked, his voice soft, genuinely concerned, lacking the condescension I usually expected. He didn't press, just waited, his hand still lightly on my arm, a grounding weight.
I nodded, still avoiding his gaze, my throat tight. "Y-yeah. Fine. Just… just a little shaken." I tried to sound casual, dismissive, but my voice wavered, betraying the raw terror still clinging to me. My body felt weak, pathetic.
"He's a real piece of work, isn't he?" Zach continued, his tone low, almost conspiratorial, as if we shared some secret understanding of the school's unspoken rules. "Maximus, I mean. He just... he goes too far. Always. I don't know why he picks on you so much, Jules. It's messed up."
My stomach clenched. He didn't know the why. No one did, except my mom. But he saw it, saw me, being picked on. I just nodded again, my focus on not offending him, not drawing any more attention to myself. I simply wanted to disappear. The silence stretched for a moment, thick with my discomfort, and Zach seemed to pick up on it, his gaze thoughtful. He understood my need for space, for an escape.
"Alright. Well, just… be careful, okay?" he said, his concern still evident in his eyes. He squeezed my arm lightly, a brief, reassuring gesture, before letting go. "See you in Bio."
"Y-yeah. See you," I managed, my voice still reedy, my eyes glued to the floor.
He gave a slight, awkward nod, then turned and walked away, disappearing into the now almost-empty hallway. I watched his retreating back until he vanished from my sight, a fleeting flicker of unexpected kindness swallowed by the vast, indifferent school. Then, alone once more, I finally started walking towards my afternoon class, every step sending a jolt of pain up my spine, a dull ache radiating from my shoulder. I was limping, my body protesting the harsh treatment Maximus had inflicted on me. The physical pain was a mirror to the ache in my soul, a constant reminder of my helplessness.
---
My afternoon classes went by in a blur of pain and apprehension. The discomfort in my body was a constant, dull throb, but the greater pain was the humiliation, the lingering fear that Maximus's words would somehow manifest into an even darker reality. He didn't know my secret, I reassured myself. He couldn't know. Yet his words, so precisely aimed at my deepest vulnerabilities, felt like a constant threat, a chilling promise of future torment. In my last class, I waited patiently in my seat, head down, pretending to review notes, doodling aimlessly in my sketchbook. I watched as students gathered their things, their laughter and chatter filling the room, and then slowly trickled out, one by one. It was my practiced ritual, my way of ensuring I wouldn't run into Maximus in the hallway, of giving myself a safer, emptier path home. After a few more minutes, when the silence was truly settled, and the only sound was the distant murmur of the next class beginning, I finally stood up and ventured out, knowing the hallways would be largely clear.
I thought that Hailey might already be on her way towards the cafe. With that comforting thought in mind, a small, hopeful flicker, I picked up my pace, a slight limp still in my stride, but a renewed sense of purpose driving me forward. The anticipation of seeing her, of being in her easy company, was a small beacon in the gloom.
After some time, I finally arrived at "The Daily Grind," the new cafe Hailey had been talking about. It was a small, cozy place, filled with the warm, rich scent of coffee and baked goods, a comforting aroma that immediately eased some of my tension. Through the large front window, I could immediately see Hailey sitting at a table near the back, a few drinks and snacks already laid out in front of her. As usual, her head was bent over her phone, absorbed in something on the screen, a faint glow illuminating her face.
"Hailey!" I called out softly, my voice a little hoarse from disuse, as I approached the table.
Her head snapped up instantly, her face brightening as she saw me. A wide, genuine smile stretched across her face, chasing away the shadows of the day. "Jules! There you are! I just ordered your usual iced chocolate, I figured you'd want something sweet after a long day," she said, her smile warm and welcoming as she quickly closed her phone and tucked it into her pocket, giving me her full, undivided attention.
I slid into the seat opposite her, already feeling a little lighter, the persistent ache in my shoulder fading into the background. "You always know just what I need," I murmured, a genuine smile finally touching my lips, feeling the simple joy of being understood.
"Of course! Now, spill! How was your afternoon? Mine was… well, Professor Anya made us do a pop-up debate on ethical dilemmas, and I swear, half the class just started shouting at each other! It was chaos, but kind of fun, actually. I almost got hit by a flying paper airplane, no joke!" she practically bounced in her seat, her enthusiasm infectious.
"Oh, and then in art, Mr. Chang finally showed us how to use the clay wheel, and it was so much harder than it looks! My pot looked more like a lopsided alien spaceship than anything else. I tried so hard, but it just kept wobbling! But hey, it's all about the journey, right? You should try it sometime, Jules, I bet you'd be amazing at it with your steady hands!"
I listened, my initial tension slowly unwinding, melting away under the warmth of her presence. Hailey's stories were always so vivid, so full of life, bursting with color and energy. She had a way of making even mundane events sound exciting, and her boundless energy was contagious.
I just nodded, chuckling at her animated descriptions, feeling the usual anxieties of the school day slowly recede. She asked about my classes, but I kept my answers short, vague, never mentioning the fear, never mentioning Maximus. I just wanted to bask in this quiet, normal joy, this bubble of shared comfort.
"So, what about you? Anything interesting happen?" she prompted, taking a sip of her own passionfruit iced tea. "Did you manage to survive Professor Henderson's history ramblings? Did anyone actually listen to his lecture on the Battle of Waterloo for the fifth time?"
"It was... fine. My English class was actually pretty good. We analyzed some classic poetry, a bit of Wordsworth," I offered, trying to contribute, though my mind always felt so much slower than hers, less inclined to spontaneous outpouring. "And the math lesson was… math. You know."
Hailey giggled, a bright, melodic sound. "See? You do have interesting things to say! You just keep them to yourself! But I don't mind. I like listening to you. It's calming, actually. You know, you have this way of making everything feel a bit more peaceful, like a quiet stream in a noisy forest." She reached across the table and squeezed my hand lightly, her touch warm and reassuring, sending a jolt of comfort through me. "It balances me out, all my chaos. We're a perfect pair, aren't we?"
We talked for what felt like hours, drifting from school to movies to silly hypotheticals about what superpowers we'd choose if we could. I sipped my iced chocolate slowly, savoring the rich, sweet taste—chocolate was my favorite, and she always remembered. The cool, refreshing sweetness was a small luxury. The comfortable silence that occasionally settled between us wasn't awkward; it was simply a shared space of contentment, a quiet understanding that transcended words. I loved these moments with Hailey, moments where I could almost forget who I was, what I was, and just be.
Then, after one of those comfortable pauses, filled only by the gentle hum of the cafe and the clinking of ice in our glasses, Hailey looked at me, her expression suddenly bright with a new excitement, which made me look at her, a little surprised, a tiny alarm bell ringing softly in the back of my mind.
"Oh! I almost forgot the most exciting news!" she exclaimed, leaning forward slightly, her eyes wide with uncontainable joy. "So, Sarah's Alpha classmate, the one from the drama club, Leo? He's throwing a massive pool party tomorrow night! Like, a huge one! Everyone's invited, even people from other schools! It's going to be epic! Apparently, his family has this insane estate with an Olympic-sized pool and an outdoor cinema screen that comes out of the ground! You have to come, Jules! Please! It'll be so much fun. It's a chance to just relax, hang out, no stress, no teachers, just good music and good vibes! Think of all the food! And the clear water! It'll be perfect!"
My heart, which had been light moments before, suddenly sank, plummeting to my stomach with a sickening lurch. A pool party. A loud place. Full of people. So many people. Alphas. Betas. So many scents, so many eyes. The thought sent a shiver down my spine. I felt an immediate, overwhelming wave of claustrophobia.
I always preferred silence and the familiar comfort of my room, the hushed sanctuary of my sketches, rather than going to a loud place full of unknown faces and unpredictable energies. I'd already declined countless parties Hailey had tried to persuade me to attend, each time concocting a flimsy excuse. The risk of exposure, of simply existing too loudly, felt immense, especially after Maximus's terrifying outburst earlier today. The thought of being in such a chaotic, unpredictable environment made my skin crawl.
I hesitated, searching for the right words, for a gentle way to say no without crushing her enthusiasm, without disappointing her again. "I... I don't know, Hailey. Parties aren't really my thing, you know? It's just... a lot. All those people..." I trailed off, trying to gauge her reaction.
Her bright smile faltered, just for a moment, and I could see the disappointment flicker in her eyes, a shadow dimming her usual sparkle. She knew. She always knew what my "I'll think about it" really meant. The hope drained from her posture, her shoulders slumping a fraction.
"Yeah, I guess," she said, brushing it off quickly, forcing her smile back into place with a resilience that always amazed me. "But seriously, think about it, okay? It really would be fun. You don't have to stay long, just an hour! Anyway! You'll never guess what I saw on my way here..." And just like that, she returned to her cheerful chatter, filling the space with her usual vibrant stories, pulling me along with her infectious energy, trying to dispel the fleeting awkwardness.
We had pretty much a lot of fun, despite my lingering internal anxieties, and eventually the sky went dark outside the cafe windows, painting the evening in hues of deep blue and purple. The warm glow of the cafe lights felt like a cozy haven. We finally called it a day, exchanging last goodbyes and plans for tomorrow's classes. Hailey gave me a final, comforting hug, squeezing me tight, her scent a sweet, familiar anchor. "See you tomorrow, Jules! Don't forget to text me about the party! Even if you don't go, just tell me you thought about it!" she called out, already walking briskly in the opposite direction from my house, a wave and a bright smile fading into the twilight.
The walk home wasn't that long, and I enjoyed the silence and being alone after such a tiring and emotionally draining day at school. The cool evening air was a welcome balm against my heated skin, and the quiet suburban streets felt safe, peaceful. The thought of my bed, of my sketchbook, was a comforting lure. I was halfway towards our house, humming a tune Hailey had played for me, when a sudden, jarring sensation ripped through me.
My pheromones suddenly spiked.
It wasn't a subtle release; it was a powerful, almost violent eruption, a wave of sweet, cloying Omega scent that exploded from me, flooding the immediate area with a suffocating intensity. My body flushed with an unfamiliar, internal heat, a dizzying surge of instinct overwhelming me, making my head spin. Panic seized me, cold and absolute, far more potent than any fear I'd felt from Maximus. No, no, no! This can't be happening! Not here! Not now! I was confused, disoriented, my mind reeling. Why suddenly? Why here, on the open street? I fumbled frantically in my bag, my fingers clumsy with terror, until I located the small, emergency bottle of suppressants my mom always made sure I carried. I yanked it open, my hands shaking so violently I spilled a few precious pills onto the sidewalk in my haste, but quickly scooped up what I could and swallowed them dry, forcing them down my constricted throat, choking on the bitterness.
Just like that, the overwhelming surge receded, my pheromones retracting, the intense scent fading, leaving behind only the terrifying ghost of its presence, a faint, lingering sweetness in the air. I thought everything was over, that I had narrowly escaped catastrophe, that the pills had worked their magic. But then I looked around.
The street, which had been peacefully quiet moments before, was no longer deserted. Lights flickered on in neighboring houses, one by one, like eyes opening in the darkness. Doors opened cautiously, and people were stepping out onto their porches, onto their front lawns, looking around, sniffing the air, their expressions a mixture of curiosity, confusion, and something else—an undeniable alertness, a primal draw. Even Betas were sniffing, their eyes scanning, their heads tilted, drawn by the lingering scent, trying to pinpoint its source.
My scent had managed to attract that much range, that much attention. My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic, terrified beat. I was exposed. The raw, primal fear that I had carefully suppressed for years erupted within me, colder and more potent than anything I'd ever felt. My secret, the very core of my identity, had just been revealed to the entire neighborhood.
I quickly walked, almost ran, towards our house, trying to appear nonchalant, trying to not draw any more attention to myself, desperately hoping I could vanish into the shadows. I kept my head down, my breath coming in ragged gasps, my entire body rigid with fear. The few lingering traces of my surge still clung to the air, a terrifying reminder of my vulnerability.
When I finally arrived home, I practically threw myself inside, slamming the door shut behind me with a loud thud, leaning against it, panting, my chest heaving. The sound echoed through the quiet house, causing Mom to emerge from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dish towel, her brow furrowed with immediate worry.
"Jules? Honey, what happened? Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost!" she exclaimed, rushing towards me, her kind eyes wide with alarm, immediately sensing the distress rolling off me.
"Mom... my pheromones," I choked out, the words tumbling out in a panicked rush, my voice barely coherent. "They... they spiked. Out there. On the street. I took my pills, but... but everyone came out. Even Betas were sniffing the air. I think... I think they smelled it. All of them." My voice cracked on the last words, the sheer terror of it overwhelming me.
Mom's face, already creased with concern, went ashen. Her hand flew to her mouth, her eyes widening in utter terror, reflecting my own fear tenfold. "Oh, Jules. No. No, not here. Not now." Never had she expected that this was going to happen, not in this quiet town, not after all our precautions, all our years of careful hiding. The harsh, undeniable reality of it crashed down on us both, a shared nightmare.
I was now very nervous, a cold dread settling deep in my bones. I didn't want everyone to know that I was an Omega. They'll bully me more, they'll make my life a living hell, it will only get worse. The thought of Maximus discovering my secret, of the general student body learning it, of being hunted and ostracized, was enough to make me want to curl up and vanish forever. But I didn't tell her that part, not the full extent of my fears, not the bullying. I didn't want her to get more worried than she already was, didn't want to add to the burden I already felt I placed on her.
Mom looked at me, her eyes filled with a complicated mix of desperate hope and utter devastation. The next thing she said made me freeze, the words chilling me to the bone, colder than any fear I'd ever known.
"Jules," she whispered, her voice trembling, laced with an undeniable, terrifying certainty, "you're probably going to be in heat soon."
My breath hitched. Heat. The word was a death knell, a terrifying pronouncement of an unavoidable truth, a biological imperative that would strip away all my carefully constructed defenses. Tears, hot and uncontrollable, welled in my eyes and spilled down my cheeks, blurring her worried face. I didn't know what to do, how to face that, how to live through it. My carefully guarded secret, my very existence, felt like it was crumbling around me, my life spiraling out of my control. But then, Mom pulled me into a tight embrace, holding me close, stroking my hair, her own body trembling slightly.
"It's okay, my brave boy," she murmured into my hair, her voice thick with emotion, her scent a comforting anchor in the storm of my fear. "It's okay. We'll go seek help. I know someone. Someone we can trust. We'll get through this, I promise you. We'll find a way."