**Toneri**
If you want to hide something, put it in plain sight. This phrase perfectly described Sigma's base, which was located right beneath the roots of the World Tree. Once, there was a bunker that was supposed to protect humanity from the nebula. But the World Tree created a barrier, Elestra began to develop, and very quickly everyone forgot about the bunker. It was situated so deep that it resembled lost catacombs, which weren't even marked on the map.
Descending through the underground tunnel, Noah walked alongside a dirty, stinking underground stream. Iris's words still echoed in his head. "You will only have one chance." Lost in his thoughts, Noah barely dodged a blow. A metal wire whizzed past his head. Jumping aside, the alpha prepared for a fight. But instantly his fervor waned.
– Damn! Did you decide to kill me?! – he cursed.
– And what are you doing lurking around like a stray?! – the girl appeared from around the corner, – didn't you feel my growl, ignored the sensors! Not like you, Noah!
– Lost in thought… – the young man mumbled, – and what are you doing here?
– I… um… – the girl hesitated, – just patrolling the tunnels. Besides! I should be asking! Where have you been all this time?! What’s that smell on you?! And these injuries! Where did they come from?!
– I met up with a friend from the Yomiya clan, – Noah shrugged, – don't shout like that. Is Toneri around? I need to talk to him!
– Where else would he be, – the girl nodded, – let's go. Say, have you been to the ghetto? You smell like omega.
– Yeah, I met with Iris.
– The smell doesn't belong to Iris. You’re soaked in it. It’s like… I thought you wouldn’t care right now.
– I don’t understand what you’re talking about, Mai, – the young man looked away.
– But Noah!…
– I got injured. Iris and another omega saved me. She’s been treating me all this time. What do you dislike? You talk as if I was out fooling around!
– And isn’t that so?
– That omega is our target! – Noah’s voice turned hard, – if something doesn’t sit well with you, you can handle this issue yourself.
He passed the girl and walked ahead. Mai lingered slightly, watching his back.
– You smell like you wanted to mark her, – she whispered.
***
– Ha, look who’s back! It’s our guardian! – greeted Noah the beta guard at the entrance of the bunker, – where have you been?
– I had an unforgettable tour of the western ghetto, – the boy smiled sideways.
– We were starting to worry that you might not come back, – the guard said thoughtfully, – Mayden has been fussing with Toneri for the last two days. She insisted on getting permission to go look for you.
– Gater, – the girl hissed, – was that necessary?!
– Sorry, sorry, Mai, – the guard laughed, – didn’t think it was a secret. Considering you did run off to look for him today. But as I see, you didn’t go far.
– Are you serious? – Noah turned to her, – there aren’t many capable Alphas left in Sigma.
– All the more reason! Losing the only dominant Alpha is unacceptable! – the girl shot back.
– Well, you both have a point, – suddenly a quiet, gentle voice was heard, – but you both have disobeyed me.
Noah turned around. Toneri was walking towards the gate, flanked by two more betas. This dominant Omega looked like a flower that bloomed in the depths of hell, even here, in the yellow light of the underground base. He always emitted a bright, sweet aroma. To Noah, it seemed overly intense. Next to Toneri, he always felt tense, as if waiting for an attack. It was never calm around him. Sigma's leader could easily be mistaken for a woman. He was short, had delicate facial features, fluffy eyelashes, and thin lips. His long lavender hair was braided, and he had cunning gray eyes. And a soft, velvety voice that made everyone who heard it tremble with delight.
– Noah, – he addressed the young man, – you’ve been delayed.
– There were reasons, – Noah replied and perhaps for the first time, he didn’t feel anxious in the presence of the leader, – I was just heading to you. Can we talk?
– I’ll always make time for you, – Toneri said thoughtfully, eyeing him, – follow me.
Upon entering Toneri's room, Noah involuntarily tensed. He always felt trapped here. The Omega walked around the room and sank into his chair. His eyes glinted ominously.
– Noah, – he savored the name, – I don’t see 13-22.
– I couldn’t convince her.
– You wasted so much time for nothing, – the Omega shook his head, – you have never let me down, my dear. What happened?
– Actually, it's what I wanted to talk about, – Noah began, – I wouldn’t want to involve Nari in this.
– Nari? – Toneri raised an eyebrow, – how sweet. Why all of a sudden?
– Sigma has enough strength to eliminate the ruling clan without her calling, – the young man stated, – her regeneration isn’t that important, I believe. Besides, she is very naive, a convinced pacifist. I think…
– Noah, my boy, – Toneri sweetly whispered, – I didn’t ask you to think. I ordered to bring one omega. One specific omega.
– Tch… – Noah clenched his fists, – leader. I certainly respect you. But aren’t you forgetting something sometimes?
– Do you think so? – the Omega smiled.
– There are many omegas in those ghettos. Find yourself another one, – the boy cut off, – or else!..
– What? What else?
– Find another dominant who can do it for you, – Noah waved him off, – you must have forgotten that I decided to side with you. And I will be with you as long as our goals align. I recognize you as a leader, but don’t forget, I can snap your fragile neck in one move.
– Noah! – Mai tried to cut him off, but Toneri raised his hand, silencing her.
– And I keep wondering what changed in you, – he said, – did this omega affect you so much?
– Think whatever you want. I won’t let you use Nari.
– Well then, – Toneri rose from his chair, his scent growing sharper, – let me explain something. Perhaps, after listening to me, you'll change your mind, Noah Adelson. Did you know that Inaria 13-22 is a unique, exceptional specimen? There are no analogues to her call.
– Regeneration is not that rare.
– Ehh no. Call 13-22 is not regeneration. She can restructure living organisms at the molecular level.
– That’s not possible! – Mai interjected, – if such a call really existed, Alphas wouldn't allow an omega like her to live! Its very existence is dangerous for Alphas!
– Oh, you’re clever, Mayden. That’s why I love you, – Toneri smiled darkly, – why are you looking at me so angrily, Noah? Surely you’ve realized?
– If she can restructure living organisms… doesn’t that mean she can restructure alpha and omega genes?
– You got it. She can literally turn an alpha into an omega and vice versa. Perhaps she hasn’t realized it herself yet, but according to the reports from Yomiya, which we received from our spy, her call is relentlessly mutating and constantly improving. The truth is, she’s probably unable to utilize it fully. But she can learn. That’s why I need her. Sigma needs her.