Chapter Text
Professor Daniel Molloy adjusts his tie as he walks out of the confidential back-to-school staff meeting. The hellish august heat is humid, sweltering, and a million thoughts crowd his mind.
The small, private university he works at prides itself on the fair and ethical treatment of students from diverse backgrounds, vulnerable populations, and all designations. In an increasingly hostile and conservative political climate for those who present as omega, Rice University boasts protection, safety, respect, and equal educational opportunities.
It is something Daniel passionately and fervently believes in. He presented as an alpha when he was twelve years old, and never once felt the urge to force himself onto a partner. None of his colleagues have, either. Even in the midst of a rut he can control himself. He’s given speeches at omega equal rights rallies about the morals he holds in high regard. Not to mention the various lectures he’s given at conferences, human rights organizations, and universities.
With the new school year and fall semester about to start, the entire staff has been briefed on the new students who just enrolled, but especially the vulnerable young adults joining the school. Vulnerable being code for omega. It’s all a part of keeping them looked after and safe. Soon, the new students and their families will arrive for a special welcome that entails a speech from the university's President and light refreshments. Daniel is grateful it’s being held at the garden patio where there will be at least some shade from the blinding sun. The families will see for themselves all of the hard work and care that has been put into to protecting their loved ones.
He mulls over the twelve students joining them. Out of the twelve, ten are betas and two are omegas. Only one is the most endangered and rare type: male, and can be impregnated. Daniel tries not to let that fact tickle his brain. He’s heard and read about them, but he’s never met one before. He sighs, sips from his water bottle, and screws the lid back on.
Daniel is stupidly successful in every domain of his life except for the only one that matters most to him: creating and protecting a family. He craves the unconditional love that comes with a mate, and his instinct to provide for and defend has no outlet. Sure, there have been temporary omega and beta partners in his life. Lord knows he’s fucked plenty of omega women to find release, to take the edge off his ruts. But he wants a husband, not a wife. And a husband that could give him children? It’s something out of his wildest dreams. The chance of finding one is so statistically insignificant that Daniel never considered it a possibility.
And now there is one walking through his university's front gates.
Daniel takes out his phone and logs into his school email. He looks over the confidential documents about the incoming students sent from the school administration. In the last year, a national federal registry to keep track of all omegas had been created. The numerous sex trafficking rings, breeding brothels, and other nefarious groups justified the United States government creating the registry. Plenty of rich bastards buy omegas and walk around like they just happened to meet the most beautiful creature by chance. Typical Alpha bullshit.
There was plenty of pushback against the registry by advocacy groups, and Daniel is uneasy about it himself. Lists tracking one type of demographic are seldom a good thing.
For now, the registry isn’t open to the public. Rice University gained access to their new student’s profiles for their own protection, and Daniel reads the profile he is most interested in.
File: Armand de Romanus
Place of birth: India.
Name at birth: Arun [unknown].
Birth parents: Unknown.
Date of birth: Estimated 9 May 2007.
Sex: Intersex-male.
Adopted: 20 June 2007.
Legal parents: Marius and Pandora de Romanus.
Legal name: Armand de Romanus.
Siblings: Riccardo de Romanus (adopted), Bianca de Romanus (adopted).
Designation: Omega.
Presented designation: 12 March 2020.
Current Status as of 2026: Unmated, Virgin.
Fertility: Fertile.
Confirmed fertility through testing: Yes
Breeding ability: Can carry a pregnancy to term. Birth through cesarean only.
Details: Male presenting. Born with a functioning penis, testicles, functioning uterus.
Identifies: Subject identifies as male.
Orientation: Homosexual.
On suppressants: Yes.
Subject requested sterilization treatment: Yes.
Request status: Delayed until the subject reaches 30 years of age.
Current age: 19.
Previous education: Homeschooling, private education.
Current Education: Enrolled at Rice University, majoring in theatre and creative arts.
It’s a disturbing amount of personal information. A violating amount. Omegas are regularly reduced to sexual playthings and incubators. They’re expected to become mindless and meek in the presence of an alpha. A ridiculous and harmful stereotype. Society should demand that alphas exercise self-control and restraint. To suggest otherwise has disturbing implications. Daniel’s nature is not to dominate and destroy. He refuses to accept the extremist essentialist doctrines when it comes to designations. Yet, something about the way Armand’s personal history is listed feels less like protection and more like a menu. Daniel closes the email. Cars are pulling into the school parking lot and he watches as families exit their cars.
A Ferrari Purosangue backs into a parking spot and three individuals emerge. Two are statuesque adults, one with shockingly bright blonde hair, the other with a long brown mane. The third is a young man with flowing dark hair. This is when Daniel’s world falls out from underneath him. His mind stutters and for a moment he can’t think straight. He can't think at all.
Armand is the possibly most beautiful man he has laid eyes upon. Daniel shakes his head and blinks to make sure he isn’t hallucinating, and yeah, his first impression is definitely right. Delicate bone structure, high cheekbones, beautiful features, and those long, dark ringlets framing his wide, soulful eyes. His body is lithe, but Daniel can see the slight muscles of his chest and arms beneath the black t-shirt. The suppressants don’t hide the sweet, delicious scent emitting from Armand either. They don’t suppress shit.
Daniel flushes red. He needs to get a grip. He’s a thirty-two year old man, not some pathetic teenager foaming at the mouth.
But Armand is so tiny. So small that it betrays his designation immediately. He cannot be more than 5’4 compared to Daniel’s 6’3. Easy to chase and hunt down. Terror seizes Daniel’s heart as soon as the monstrous thought races through his mind. A horrific, violent thought that cannot possibly, truly come from him. It has to be the toxic-alpha conditioning from society combined with Armand’s overwhelming scent. No, no, no, that’s still placing blame on Armand. Daniel shudders and silently berates himself.
The adoptive father, Marius, approaches him first. Pandora stands by Armand’s side, her expression stoic and unreadable. As quickly as Daniel could tell that Armand was an omega, he can clearly sense that Marius and Pandora are alphas. An exceptionally rare combination for life partners.
“Marius de Romanus,” Marius holds out his hand. His smile is tight and never reaches his eyes.
“Daniel Molloy, pleasure to meet you. I teach journalism.” He matches Marius’ strong grip and returns his penetrating stare. After a long moment, they part. Marius motions behind him.
“This is my partner, Pandora, and our son Armand.” Marius’ low voice hits Daniel square in his chest, reverberating to the very marrow of his bones. Blue eyes that could pass for ice follow Daniel’s every move.
“Wonderful to meet you, Mr. Molloy. Armand, be polite.” Pandora nudges the boy, and the second their eyes finally meet, it feels like lightning strikes Daniel, forever changing him, altering every fiber of his being. He's an alpha, and millions of years of evolution are hard to fight. Armand smiles. Of course it's a beautiful smile, like the rest of him.
“Hi.” Armand offers a small wave. “Um, nice to meet you, Mr. Molloy. I have one class with you this semester.” His round eyes are shining and dazed. His cheeks are tinged pink and dewy with perspiration. He gnaws on his bottom lip. Daniel can feel Armand. There’s no other way to put it. The need to push Armand’s mess of glossy curls away from the nape of his neck to expose his mating gland is strong.
Omega is nervous. Scared.
Pheromones saturate the air between them, thick and potent. It sends a spark of pleasure through Daniel. He feels an overwhelming need to protect Armand, to look out for his future. And he can. He can stop this fucking pathetic self flagellation pity party right now, to start with. He can stop lusting after a young man with his entire life ahead of him. Who clearly, from his file, wants freedom. As an alpha, Daniel will practice what he preaches.
“Please, call me Daniel. The administration here doesn't push hierarchies between students and staff when it comes to names.” A low vibration hums in Daniel’s chest, a rumbling purr so deep that he is sure Armand can feel it too, because it is only meant for him. The effect is instantaneous. Armand’s shoulders drop and his muscles relax. Daniel swallows a groan at how naturally submissive Armand is. The boy must feel it too, because he won’t stop stealing glances at Daniel and giving him quick, shy smiles.
Marius looks sharply between them, and then snaps his gaze at Pandora. Daniel clears his throat and straightens his shoulders.
“Should we head to the patio for refreshments?”
Marius’ grin is predatory. Daniel recognizes it. More alpha bullshit.
“Yes, thank you. That sounds lovely." Pandora interjects and loops her arm through Armand’s. Together, they head to the garden patio.