Chapter Text
Alec, the eldest of the Lightwood children had been formed to be the perfect alpha. An alpha was supposed to protect those younger and weaker than them. Of course, the young boy had no objections to learning the ways of his parents. Alec did everything in his power to learn and conform to his parents wishes.
The Clave had many rules. All of which Alec always followed as best he could. If he wanted to please his father, it was only obvious that was the way to do it. There were a few rules Alec never agreed with that the Clave had enforced. Their tendency to look down on omegas was one that Alec never understood. They always appeared keen on making it so omegas wouldn't be out during battle-- instead kept safe. Their extreme hostility towards male omegas obvious to all supernatural creatures. Still, Alec never questioned authority-- it was his job just to follow orders.
It was when Alec got a few years older that he realized something was very wrong with him. From time to time, Alec always had his eyes on people he shouldn't. The archer knew it was bad to think of an alpha male in such ways. Shoving those feelings deep down, he ignores those thoughts. He managed to avoid such ideas until he was eleven years old. When he turned 11, Jace came to live wth him.
After having such a traumatic experience happen to him, Jace had presented earlier than a normal male would-- his alpha pheromones releasing a trace distress every time Alec meets him. The elder of the two tries to comfort the other boy-- growing attached to the young alpha in ways he knew the Clave would punish him for-- his parents would abandon him for sure. He was supposed to become a strong independent alpha-- one does not look at the same-gender that way. He remembers the Clave rules, doing what he always did-- he shoved those feelings so far away he ignores them-- this time having a much harder time keeping them deep inside his head.
It was simple. He was going to be a perfect alpha-- like his parents wanted him to be.
~
Alec had been feeling strange all day. His skin felt hot against any touches he received, making him shift in discomfort. Managing to get through the day, he trains and goes on a mission-- returning home just in time for dinner.
"You smell funny," Jace mentions nonchalantly, twirling a seraph blade in between his fingers. "Like-- flowers. Did you find some of your mom's perfume?" He questions sarcastically, raising an eyebrow at the other boy.
Alec scoffs, pushing against Jace's shoulder with annoyance. "As if. Probably has to do with the mission I did." He responds back, looking not too worried about the words thrown at him. He had taken down a female vampire who was feeding on mundanes after all. The Vampire in question had reeked of perfume making the young boy think nothing of it.
Jace gives Alec a deadpanned expression, shaking his head at the rebuttal. "Okay fine-- I bet you actual went on a date. Who was it? That blond girl? I saw her hitting on you." The younger teases, eyes gleaming with humor as he probes Alec.
"I didn't-- Why would I--." Alec cuts himself off, glancing around worriedly. Jace hadn't ever been interested in hearing about his non-existent love life. Being sixteen, it was obvious that he would start to date. The elder never enjoying the thought of taking out a little beta female out for a date. The thought giving him a taste of disgust.
A raised eyebrow is thrown at Alec, "So you did go on a date?" Jace questions lip curving into a grin. "Who was it? It has to be someone from the Institute right?" He asks eyes gleaming with humor at the other's apparent distress.
"I said I didn't!" Alec snaps-- suddenly feeling sick along with his raised temperature. The other boy never did notice his glances of craving he had. Yet-- the words that Jace has spoken made his chest constrict in pain.
Jace jumps at the sharp tone Alec had used, furrowing his eyebrows together in deep thought. "Okay fine-- I won't ask. But don't blame me if Izzy and I trail after you in the next few days." Jace tries to put it off as a joke, guilt forming in Alec's gut.
Shifting on his feet, Alec lets out a low sigh, "Sorry-- it has been a long day. I am going to head to bed." He mutters under his breath, moving swiftly to his room, not understanding what was going on with him today. It wasn't as if he should take out his anger on Jace-- he hadn't done anything.
~
Alec felt sweaty and hot. His entire body was reacting against itself-- making the young boy bury his face further into his pillow. He didn't like it. He felt like he was on fire-- wanting something-- anything to quench the heat burning inside of him.
Taking a deep breath, Alec attempt to get his body back under control. What had caused such a strange reaction? His entire day was routine. Get up, train, do as the Clave requests. Rinse and repeat.
He may have snapped at Jace-- but that didn't mean anything. Alpha's argued all the time as grown-ups. He had seen his father do it on more than one occasion. His body stiffens as his mind begins to trail.
The bowman realizes he was sixteen-- the normal age for someone to present themselves. The ways of becoming an alpha had been explained on numerous occasions. But this-- this was the opposite of what they explained. He vaguely remembers learning about omegas and what their presentation had been like.
Suddenly it was as if everything in his head was falling into place. The strange sensation coursing through him, the constant feeling of attraction to the alphas around him-- he wasn't the alpha his parents planned him to be.
He was a male omega. The Clave was going to think of him as the lowest class there was.
The idea strikes the teen with horror as he jumps up out of bed-- practically tripping in his blankets as he does. He could always do a test at the doctors-- but then he would have to tell his parents.
His Parents.
They wouldn't take to kindly to the new development-- all his training would go down the drain. The Clave would lock him up, keeping him from missions. The strict rules on omegas would completely ruin every training he had gone through. He couldn't-- wouldn't drop the only thing that brings him joy.
An idea begins to form in the young omega's mind-- a way to keep his position. He could get suppressants and a beta cover. It would hide his heats and keep his omega identity a secret. No one but him would know. Without thinking he pushes his door open, quickly glancing around the halls making sure no one was there. As quiet as a mouse, the boy takes steps to the stairs as he had been trained to.
Another few steps and he manages to get to the door, pushing it open with a small sound of relief leaving him as it squeaks open.
"Alec...? What are you doing up?" A soft feminine voice questions, the sleepy expression on Izzy's face showing a hint of worry.
Alec freezes, turning sharply to his younger sister. "I-Isabelle, you need to head back to sleep." His words sounding harsh and cold to his own ears, flinching at the tone he had used. "I mean, everything is fine. I just-- I got a call is all." He can't stop his hands from trembling in fear of the younger finding out what was happening.
Isabelle blinks away her drowsy expression, concern morphing in her eyes. "Alec, what's wrong?" She asks before the smell finally hits her. "Alec--," She states, her tone changing to shock and understanding. "Where are you going?" For being 14, Isabelle caught on quickly.
"I-- I can't be like this." Alec finally states, taking in deep breaths to try and keep himself calm. His heart thrums against his chest as anxiety fills him. "There is a drug store a few blocks away they have-- I can make it look like--." He stops himself, trying to keep the shame from appearing on his face.
Isabelle studies the elder with a sympathetic expression-- Alec hated it. "I am coming with you." The fourteen-year-old states, already turning to grab her shoes. The bowman was about to oppose the idea only to clamp his mouth shut at Isabelle's withering glare. "If you are going to go through with this, I want to make sure you get a safe product. You will probably just grab the first one you see."
Humiliation forms on Alec's face, eyes glancing to the floor as he waits patiently for Isabelle to finish getting clothes and shoes on. Isabelle bounds up next to the teen, grasping his hand and pulling him out the open door. "I don't like it." She finally says as they begin their trek. "But you... I don't want to see you unhappy."
Alec stays silent, keeping his eyes on the ground-- unable to meet the other's eyes. He wonders if it is due to his new development or shame for his own decision. His skin still feeling hot discomfort, making him believe it is probably both. "It will be better this way. I can still... keep Jace and you safe without having the Clave breathing down my back. If I make it seem like I am a beta..." He trails, "You know how they treat omegas." He whispers softly, "Being a male omega is considered even worse."
Isabelle's hand tightens on Alec's, appearing to take in the words. "They wouldn't do that to you, Alec-- I wouldn't let them," She states as they enter the store her tone showing that she wasn't lying. "If I become an alpha-- I will protect you from them. I don't care what they think."
"Thank you..." Alec murmurs. "But I won't be telling anyone. You have to promise me-- you won't either."
Isabelle pauses, turning to face Alec completely. "What about Jace...?" She questions, Alec finally looking up to her.
"Especially not Jace." He couldn't imagine the look of horror on Jace's face when he found out about Alec. The idea pained the elder so much, he clenches his hands-- expression shifting to agony. "I don't you or anyone treating me differently."
"I just want one thing and I'll agree," The young girl picks up one of the boxes and starts reading the description, "Be safe about this." She sounds disappointed, but won't disagrees with the elder.
All Alec could do was a nod.