He and She
When Nari woke up, the room was bathed in moonlight. The sky was clear, not a cloud in sight. The moon looked majestic surrounded by constellations. But the girl's gaze was fixed on him. He was sleeping in the chair opposite her. So carefree and serene. In the moonlight, his hair appeared silver, and the masculine features of his face seemed even more defined. "Handsome..." flashed through the girl’s mind once again. As if sensing her gaze upon him, Alpha opened his eyes.
- Are you awake? - he asked sleepily, - how are you? Do you want something to drink? I made...
He jumped up and moments later returned with a glass of water in which floated a few slices of lemon.
- Did Di suggest this?
- Yes. She and her brother brought you here. You seemed to be conscious at that time.
- I don’t remember... - Nari rubbed her temples, - how I got home... not a clue. They carried me, I guess. Did you have dinner? Hm... most likely not. I’ll cook something now.
- No need, I prepared food while you were sleeping.
- Oh, in that case... let me go get it!
- Do you think it's wise to use life energy on me right now?
- Why not? You’re not completely healed yet, I promised to help you.
The young man leaned forward and touched her scratched cheek with his palm. Taken by surprise, Nari flinched but pressed against the back of the sofa. Alpha was too close, so close she could feel his faint scent of mint and ozone.
- First, you should heal yourself.
- I can’t heal myself, only others.
- Don’t lie to me, - Alpha's voice became quiet and low, - you’re afraid you won’t have enough energy to heal someone else. That’s why you’re not healing yourself.
- That’s not true...
- It is, - Noah looked her straight in the eyes, - you’re constantly trying to improve your healing skills for others. But you don't even try to develop your own regeneration.
- You’re wrong, - the girl looked away, - yes, okay, I can heal myself. But I don’t see the point in it. It’s not that serious an injury. A scratch.
Noah sighed and placed the first-aid kit on the table.
- Somehow, I knew you would say that. Let me at least clean it. Don’t move, please.
He poured antiseptic onto a piece of bandage and leaned closer to the girl again. This time, Nari didn’t pull away. She let him tend to her wound, hoping that in the dim light of the room, the flush on her face wouldn’t be visible. Interestingly, Noah was also thinking exactly that. Although his expression was serious and focused, a blush was surfacing on his cheeks.
- Does it hurt? - he asked while packing the kit, - will you have dinner? I’ll heat it up.
- No, thank you... - she said, - you must be tired of sitting with me.
- It’s not like that, - Noah shook his head, - especially since you’ve done much more for me.
- I just returned the favor.
Alpha’s gaze became somewhat disappointed, like a puppy hoping for a piece of meat but getting porridge instead.
- Noah?
- Yes?
- Why did you, the dominant Alpha, join Sigma? They seem to be fighting for omega rights.
- Hmmm... does it matter if you’re an Alpha or Omega when it comes to justice?
- I don’t think so, - Nari said thoughtfully, - but... nothing happens for no reason.
- Well, you’re right about that, - Noah sighed, - I just think I had no other choice. It’s a long story... and not interesting at all.
- I’m in no hurry, - Nari sat on the edge of the sofa, - and I’m... really curious.
- We’re taught from childhood that Alphas are the top of the food chain. Strong and resilient, with incredible combat skills. Not lacking in intellect or beauty, and, hell, incredibly successful. But there’s a catch. You know that female Alphas are mostly infertile? They say it’s the price for the gifts and luck that Alphas are born with. That’s why there are farms where omegas become surrogate mothers for Alphas. Not the best fate, but not the worst either. There’s a chance to live a bit longer than in the Arena. Sometimes, if you please the Alpha who chose you – you can live in comfort and safety. But the price is your body, which gets turned into an incubator. You will give birth until your master decides it’s enough or until your body’s resources allow it. And then, the Alpha will treat you however he wishes. You’ll either live comfortably or be tossed away like trash – it’s a lottery.
- Oh, yes... - Nari murmured, - the life of an Omega is just a festival!
- Omegas are merely resources. That’s what most Alphas think. My mother was different. She was a kind and sensitive woman who thought more about others than herself. She believed that if not for Omegas – this world would have long been doomed and those Alphas who don’t understand this are complete fools. Omegas, who give their life energy to their calling, the Tree – are heroes. So why should we treat them as slaves?
- And how did such a woman manage to marry Cypher Adelson?
- No one asked her opinion. My mother’s family is a clan of recessive Alphas. They are almost at the bottom of the hierarchy among the Katoria Alphas. Their roar is weak and does not mutate into abilities. But my mom was still special. She could give birth. When the Adelson clan found out about this, they decided to acquire her at any cost. So, the Hokai clan basically sold her to Cypher. Literally. For money and a seat on the board of directors of the corporation.
- An Alpha treated like an omega? That’s something new.
- Father never loved her. But he could have treated her better. If it weren’t for me.
Nari stared at the young man in surprise.
- When I was born, father eagerly awaited my sixth birthday. To find out my secondary gender. And when the test confirmed that I was a dominant Alpha – there was a celebration at the estate. Less than a year later, I awakened my roar. And three months after that, it mutated. Into a non-combat ability.
- Is that even possible?
- Apparently it is. My roar mutated into mimicry, camouflage. So, those betas didn’t recognize me. I can create any illusion and make people see what I need them to see. It’s a strong ability but not combat-related. It quickly became known in social circles. My father was mocked. An heir with a roar that sounded like an Omega's call.