Chapter 1: The escape

The air in the narrow hallway of their decaying Los Angeles bungalow smells mainly like cigarette smoke and strong whiskey. Below, in the living room, his father's slurred laughter reaches him.

"Finally getting rid of the useless Omega upstairs," his father snorts, clinking his glass with the guests like they're discussing a business merger. "That little shit has been nothing but a drain since his mother died. But tonight? He'll pay my debts in full."

Julian's stomach drops where he's pressed against the worn out wooden doors. He knows the men downstairs are not the usual low-life gamblers his father keeps company with. These voices carry the kind of danger that makes your hair stand on end.

He inches closer, careful not to let the old floorboards creak.

One of the strangers chuckles in a hoarse voice. "Enzo Moretti doesn't take refunds, you understand? Once the deal's done, your boy belongs to him forever."

Enzo Moretti--the name alone sends ice sliding down Julian's spine.

He has heard it being whispered in passing. The man owns one of the biggest Omega trades-- rumored to host several shadowed auctions and private clubs where desperate families sell their omegas.

Enzo is also rumored to be as ruthless as they come-- A dominant Alpha with unstable pheromones. They say his episodes turn him feral, that even his most loyal staffs refuse to enter his penthouse when the rut takes hold.

Omegas disappear when they go there, the kind of man who leaves bodies behind and walks away untouched because no one dares challenge him. And because of how extremely attractive he's rumored to be--people let their guard down around him, giving him an opening to strike.

Julian's hands tremble as he pictures it: working for an Alpha who tears Omegas apart for the fun of it. No choices, no escape. Just endless nights of being used until he's no longer wanted-- a virgin's worst nightmare.

His father's voice rises again, smug. "He's untouched, you know? Twenty and still sweet. That should sweeten the price. I told you I'd deliver."

He hears one of the men hum thoughtfully, "Untouched Omegas are rare in this city, especially male ones. Enzo's been looking for a new toy after the last one...broke." there's a long beat of silence, "But you say he's recessive? I don't know if Mr Enzo would want him-"

"But you say he gets easily triggered by harsh scents?" His father cuts in. "Then the boy's perfect! Sweet, tamed and no scent."

The man's deep voice rumbles in response, "Enzo doesn't like surprises, Ruiz. This Omega better be worth the debt forgiveness. Recessive or not, if he does anything that triggers the boss…"

"He won't." His father reassures them, like he's trying to bargain meat in the market. "I've broken him enough that he won't cause any trouble. You have my word."

The silence stretches uncomfortably,

"Fine. We'll take him-- have him prepared by morning."

They nod and clink glasses again, like the thought of them ruining his life is a sick joke.

Julian backs away slowly, bare feet trembling silent on the cold tiles, feeling bile rise up his throat.

Day break. They will come for him at day break. The clock on the wall reads 2:17 a.m. Dawn is still hours away, but he cannot risk waiting. If they come for him in the morning, it will be too late.

He slips into his tiny bedroom, the one with the cracked window overlooking the alley behind their house. The space is barely more than a closet: a narrow bed, a dresser with peeling paint.

Julian doesn't hesitate, he pries open a loose drawer, plucking the only thing of value he owns...his mother's necklace. A delicate silver chain with a small pendant--the last piece of her.

Next, he moves to his father's jacket hanging on the back of the door, the man is too drunk to notice anything tonight. He steals his money-- hundreds of his father's gambling cash and stuffs them into his hoodie jacket, grabs his only pair of decent sneakers, and pulls them on without socks. No bag. No clothes...nothing that could slow him down.

He pushes one blind of the window open, the screeching sound louder than before. Julian freezes, heart slamming rattling his ribs as he hears his father's heavy steps climbing up the stairs

He hauls himself out, dropping hard onto the alley concrete below, his ankle at the impact. "Shit!" he bites under his breath and shoves the window shut.

He limps down the narrow alley, avoiding the overflowing dumpsters that stink of rot, the cold, night air biting into his skin.

From a distance he hears the room to his door slam open, followed by his father shouting his name, and heavy footsteps.

They know he's gone.

"Shit, shit, shit." He mutters, his ankle already swelling as he drags the leg through the long alleyway.

Behind him the door to the house slams open, "Julian! You little bastard, get back here!"

Behind him he hears several other angry voices--they all know the deal is off if he disappears.

He cuts left onto a dimly lit side street lined with shuttered shops and parked cars.

"Please, help me." He whispers to one woman selling fruits. He's bought from her a few times.

The middle aged woman takes one look at him and sighs-- familiar with his father's ruthlessness.

"I'm sorry, but I can't." She slams the door against his face, leaving him in the freezing cold, completely at their mercy.

Down the street, he can see cars lining up, a few men knocking on several stalls, asking questions.

"I'm so fucked!?" Julian mutters, pulling the hoodie strings harder, but it's useless.

A black SUV door flies open behind him, and a large Alpha in a dark suit steps out, moving faster than someone his size should.

Julian tries to run but the man gains ground, grabbing him before he can even get a word out. He's thrown to the back of the car, a white cloth pressed against his nose.

The last thing he hears before everything turns black; "Forget tomorrow, we're taking him to Enzo tonight!"