章節 2: Medical Anomaly

"OUT OF MY WAY," all heads turned in Sun Valle Park as a flash of dirty blonde hair was seen dashing across campus, towards the small coffee shop on the other side, a string of curses trailing in his wake.

As he reached the shop he flung the door open, nearly tearing the little bell at the top off its hook. "I'm here," panted the small omega hunching over to catch his breath, "don't fire me."

"You're late. Again. Boy, this is the fifth time this month—" an elderly beta man with a bushy mustache and a beer belly said crossly.

The omega mustered up his best pity face, his thick glasses making his eyes wider, before pleading, "Come on Don, I'm sorry. My alarm didn't go off and—" he paused as he realized his mistake.

Crap.

"...you're lucky I like you boy, if it weren't for me you'd be sleeping on the streets." He sighed, exasperated.

"I love you!" Cried the omega as he flung himself at the old man.

"—hey what do you think you're doing?" He exclaimed. "Get off of me before I change my mind, you smug little runt." The omega quickly released him with his hands up in surrender, still beaming. "This is you're last chance, if you're late again I'll have to fire you. The missus is on my ass for giving you too much leeway. Now get to work. The tables aren't going to clean themselves and people need their coffee."

"Preach!" A fellow in a fedora rose his glass in agreement, half a scone stuffed in one cheek.

The young omega was lost in thought as he began his daily duties. On his way to the coffee shop he had caught a scent that he hadn't smelled since his youth. It brought him back to his most recent appointment with the OP (omega physician).

His last heat was at the age of fifteen. Now twenty years old, no one could figure out why it stopped. Some physicians speculated he had matured early, others believed he was faking it. The only thing they could all agree on was that he was a medical anomaly.

His current doctor didn't know what to think, that's why he liked her. She was a very factual woman, she didn't make assumptions like the other quacks. She kept him up to date with the most recent tests available to assess his situation and trusted that he was telling her the truth.

Of course like any omega would be, he was perfectly content with not having a heat. However, it had its draw backs. The lack of estrogen caused his bones to be more brittle, he was clumsier, and he bruised easier. Not to mention the mood swings. God he hated the mood swings.

A week ago he was prescribed estrogen supplements to help balance his hormones out, but he had yet to feel any noticeable effects.

"Noah. Noahhhh. Earth to Noah, anyone in there?" The omega was brought back to reality to someone knocking on his head.

He looked up to see a tall, lanky beta with messy brown hair staring down at him disapprovingly, his hands on his hips.

"You've been mopping that same spot for five minutes." He shook his head like a mother scolding her child.

"Ah c'mon, I just like the way it shows off my reflection. Don't I look pretty?" He pursed his lips and did an exaggerated pose.

"Gardner, get back to work or I'll skin ya!" Don shouted from the back supply room.

Noah squeaked and quickly resumed his mopping. "How does he do that?" He asked in exasperation. "I swear that man has eyes in the back of his head."

"Or," Lucas chuckled, "he simply knows you and your 'outstanding' work ethic."

"Did you just air quote 'outstanding'? I'll have you know that my work ethic is beyond outstanding. It's- it's- upstanding!" He started mopping faster to make a point.

"I don't think that means what you thin—"

"Shush, I'm concentrating." Noah's focus intensified as he became determined to prove him wrong.

He hadn't known Lucas long. When he first started working at the coffee shop a little over a year ago, Lucas was assigned to train him. They learned that they both attended Sun Valle University on the other side of the park and quickly bonded over their love for astronomy and bagels.

The day passed quickly and next thing Noah knew, it was closing time. "Who's turn is it to close?" He turned to Lucas.

"Mine, but if you wait a little longer I can walk you home."

"I'm perfectly capable of walking myself home." He said crossly.

Lucas sighed, "I know you are, but it's dangerous at night. You could get jumped."

"I'm not weak Lucas," he spat and stormed out the door.

Noah pulled up his hood and grumbled to himself as he walked back home, through the dark park. He knew Lucas was right, he was always right. That just made him more angry. He despised his weak omega body. Not only did it make him a target to Alphas and even some Betas, but he had to live with the stereotypes that came with it.

"Useless body," he mumbled as he ventured further into the park.

"Well I don't know about that. I can think of at least one use...."

Noah whipped his head around to see a tall figure leaning against a tree.

"Who's there?" He tried to keep his voice even, but failed.

Two more figures appeared at tree man's side as he walked into the light of the moon. "I'm the guy who's going to teach you just how useful that body of yours can be."

Fuck.