Chapter Text
Alpha meets Omega.
It’s the age old story, romantic and beautiful and… this time it was not.
Janus stood awkwardly in the omega shelter, unsure if he should take off his coat or if they intended this to be quick enough he wouldn’t need to.
He’d filled out the application online, proud of his knowledge of omegas when he was given the certificate that declared him to be capable of taking in any omega up to an F-8.
Nominally for the safety of the shelter’s omegas, though it seemed more to be sure they wouldn’t be returned or abandoned, they were classified in two categories. A-F detailed the omega’s physical desirability, with more rare fur colors, beauty, and high fertility ranking higher. 1-10 ranked the omega’s behavioral desirability, usually with more demure and timid omegas ranking higher.
To be allowed to take an omega considered less desirable, an alpha had to prove via written test that they knew more about managing omegas and dealing with common idiosyncrasies.
Janus had been hoping to be allowed to take a ‘less desirable’ omega. He’d tried just dating, but… it seemed no omega fine enough to run in the same circles as him was willing to look over his scars. He hoped that if he took in one from a shelter that was less likely to be taken, perhaps two undesirables would fit together. At least enough to make do.
He’d hoped for a bit of romance. A meeting of eyes, a spark of something within them, a brief moment of a delightful scent, a shy smile.
This was not that.
Alpha meets Omega.
Virgil had always known it would never happen like that. From the time he was born, and dropped off at a shelter rather than being raised as a part of a family. From the time he’d presented, and had caused people around him to gag with his scent. From the time he’d failed the fertility test with a hormonal imbalance.
He wasn’t even pretty. He’d aged past the tiny, gangly stage that many alphas wanted to snatch up. He gained weight more easily due to his hormonal issues, and couldn’t maintain the smallness expected of omegas. His fur was a blotchy tortoiseshell, common and messy looking.
He tried his best to at least behave well, but would startle at unexpected movements, and hiss when threatened. Virgil had nothing going for him.
So when a staff member entered the room looking for him, saying to get ready for an alpha, he knew it couldn’t go well.
His last assessment had set him at F-6. The only alphas willing to take him would be looking for an omega to break to their will, or one to breed. Only they’d be warned that he would struggle to bear pups. So that only left one option.
His fears were confirmed when the staff gripped his arms tightly, and an unexpected prick on the back of his neck filled his brain with fog. It was so bad they had to drug him? He was so screwed.
The omega swayed between two beta staff members, clearly under the influence of something.
Janus held back the grimace. This was a truly awful first impression. And it was about to get worse.
“We’ve had too many problems with omegas abandoned when they’ve been chosen at ranks beyond D or 6,” a staff member told Janus. “So now we have a government mandated policy that before giving them away the alpha must make a claiming bite. The sedation is to make that easier while you still don’t know each other.”
Janus hesitated, very nearly turning and leaving altogether. But his father’s words echoed in his ears. Just get a mate. Any mate. Take an omega and fill your place in society. You’ve fucked up enough, the least you can do is not embarrass the family further.
It was only a claiming mark. Not a mate bond. Not yet.
Janus approached the omega. His eyes drifted over Janus, clearly not really seeing him. A sharp scent of licorice met Janus’s nostrils, surprising him. He’d never heard of an omega with a scent similar to licorice.
The omega was wearing the uniform of the shelter, but also had on a dark, tattered hoodie. His hair was a dark brown, with faded purple bangs. His ears were flicking around, unsure of what to focus on, showing off their dark speckled color. One ear had a small light patch at the tip, catching Janus’s attention. How had an omega like this ever gotten ranked as an F? Perhaps, like Janus, there were defects hidden under his clothing.
Janus pushed comfort through his scent, letting it fill the air between them. The omega went even more slack, the hands gripping his arms the only way he was still upright.
Janus hid another grimace at this misstep, and leaned in to the omega’s neck, biting down over his scent gland. Sharp, bittersweet licorice filled his mouth and nose, and he dimly heard the weak hiss from the omega. He wrapped his arms around him, taking much of his weight. The omega confusedly, weakly, bit back at Janus’s shoulder, struggling slightly against the hold.
Janus gathered the omega into his arms, murmuring an apology quiet enough that the staff wouldn’t hear.
“I’d like to take him home now. Is there any more paperwork I need to fill out? Does he have a bag?”
The lead staff member smiled politely. “No, you’ve done everything. Omegas in the shelter don’t own personal possessions, everything is communal.”
Janus nodded curtly. “Does he have a name?”
“Not yet. He came to us as an infant and we don’t know his birth name. As his alpha you’re more than welcome to give him one. Just be sure to update your head of household identification with the DMV once you’ve done so.”
Janus hid another grimace. “Thank you, you’ve been very helpful.”
“Of course. Please feel free to return if you ever wish to expand your family!”
Janus nodded distractedly, more focused on carrying the om— his new pa— on getting the man home.