Chapter One

Kian’s POV

In this modern world, people now have secondary genders.

Alphas, the top of the food chain. Strong and most of the time, it is better not to underestimate them---no matter how nice one can be. They are categorized into two. Dominant Alphas and just simply Alphas. Their ruts occurred once in four months. During this time, they are extremely possessive and territorial. Especially dominant ones... They can be aggressive beyond compare. They can knot during sex when they are in a rut. And.. it has a higher chance to breed.

The second ones are the Betas. Neutral ones, but can still smell pheromones, although faint. They are most common of the population. They cannot mark or be marked by others. Female betas can get pregnant because of their primary gender, whilst male betas cannot.

And lastly, the omegas. Also had two categories: dominant ones and just simply omegas. Their heat occurs once every two months.

Traditional folks think they are merely puppets. The weakest link, the bottom of the food chain. That their only purpose in life are to obey the alphas and breed their children.

So annoying, right?

Thankfully, in this time and age, only a few had that mindset. Unfortunately, my father is one of them.

That is the very reason why I ran away from home. 

Although, I know that with his resources and connections, he can find me in a heartbeat. I’m just so lucky that he is currently too busy right now to act. I made sure to leave when he is swamped with work.

And besides, I have already secretly enrolled here at the University of Brookshire here at Westbrook City. I was deep in my thoughts when suddenly, my little brother called. I bit my lip and planned to not answer his call, but then he texted.

From: Kael

Answer. Or I’ll come back home.

I rolled my eyes and sighed. Seriously, no one would ever think I’m his older brother when he's being like this! He’s usually so nonchalant but when it comes to his siblings, he goes all out. Especially with me.

Kael called me again and this time, I immediately answered him. How could I even ignore him now with his.. uhh.. threats.

“What?” I asked calmly and I swear I could see him smirk as he asked me back. “Where are you? Father was livid. Texted me and probably Kaylee too.”

I groaned as he continued. “He said and I quote ‘That bastard ran away from home! Do you know where the fuck he is? If you or your sister knew and wouldn't tell me, I would cut off all your credit cards at once!’” Kael chuckles. “You are so smart for not telling us though, dad would instantly know based on our answers.”

“Yeah, well I figured you two are so bad at acting.” I teased and I could only imagine Kael rolling his eyes. “Kaylee is so much worse!”

As if by cue, Kaylee’s name flashed on my screen.

“I have to go Kael, you just summoned her.”

And this kid really had the audacity to laugh. “Hahaha! Good luck then.”

I took a long breath before answering our older sister’s call. She’s a dominant alpha but a different kind. She’s not your typical stoic and cold alpha since…

“KIAN BABYYYYY! WHERE ON EARTH ARE YOU? You didn't tell me you ran away from home! You should've called me! Wait… did the asshole beat you up again or something? Tell me baby, and I’ll come running back home and beat his ass up for you!”

Yeah. She’s like this. To both me and Kael. She dotes on us so much.

“I’m okay Kay. I just.. want a new environment.” I silently gulped. Since I’m lying through my teeth with not saying what really transpired before I left.

I could hear her typing in the background and flipping through some papers. She must be checking her notes right now. She is currently at another country studying to be a doctor, while Kael is also in another country different from hers studying business.. since they both might inherit the family’s company and other cherished holdings and assets. They’ve chosen different fields to complement one another.

I heard her sigh. "Just because you're a beta doesn't mean he gets to be so fucking annoying! I swear he should be grateful I'm not there or else!!!"

"Calm down Kaylee." I smiled and shook my head despite myself, because she still continues to rant and be annoyed with our father. This is why I love both my siblings. They are the only ones who love me in this family.. if one can call it that. But.. I consider both Kaylee and Kael my only family.

And despite myself, I bit my lip. Stopping myself from crying because.. even though I love my older sister and little brother to death, I haven't told them I'm an omega.

Just an ordinary omega though.. not even a dominant like Kael.

They didn't know because I was a late bloomer. I presented way too late. One can know their secondary gender as early as age eight and as late as twelve. But I only knew I was an omega last two years ago, when I was eighteen.

Now I am twenty. At a city hours and hours away from my hometown. So far that most people would take a plane to get here.

But not me.. because if I do, Father could track me within a week. So I traveled through the long route and it took me exactly two days to settle in this city, and I am not even at my school dorms yet.

I looked around the place. I need to remind myself that I am no longer at Lakeshore. I'm in a new room, in a new city. I am finally safe from him.

I couldn't tell my siblings or anyone what exactly happened to me. My father is too powerful and there's a small chance no one would even believe me. I know Kaylee and Kael would, but I'm just scared of what might happen to their relationship. Or worse, what father will do to them.

I sighed.. which is a totally bad move since I forgot for one second that I am still on a call with Kaylee.

"Why are we sighing?" I could imagine her tilting her head sideways in wonder. Then she gasped, "DID HE CUT YOUR CREDIT CARDS AGAIN?! TELL ME IF HE DID BECAUSE I WILL FUCKIN RIOT."

I chuckled. "Relax Kay. No, he didn't. I just got lost again. I’m currently in a shopping mall, and I forgot the directions that the old lady gave me to the bookstore.”

“Can you send me a pic or give the phone to someone? I can ask them for you, I know you get so shy asking for directions multiple times.” Kaylee said with a worried voice. If this were other people, they would be fooled. But not me. I know Kaylee is trying to gain bits of information about where I am.

She’s not just helping with directions… she’s actually secretly tracing my steps, piece by piece, building a map in her head so she knows I’m safe and where I am.

I smiled as my chest tightens, warm and aching all at once. She’s so careful. So clever, although I can see through her act. But she’s just so fiercely protective that it breaks my heart a little to lie to her.

“I know you would,” I say softly, shifting the bag on my shoulder, “..but I don’t want to trouble anyone. I’ll just… find a sign or something. I promise I’ll call you the moment I’m settled in, okay? I’ll even send you a photo of my food later.”

There’s a pause on the other end. I can practically hear her worrying her lip, weighing whether to push further. “You won’t forget?”

“I won’t forget.”

“And Kian?” Her voice drops, softer now, serious in that way that makes my breath catch. “If anything happens.. anything at all—you tell me. You don’t have to carry it alone. Me and Kael… we’re here. No matter what.”

My throat burns. If only you knew, I thought. 

If only you knew what I’m carrying.. But I will keep it for as long as I can to keep you guys from hurting..

“I know,” I whisper. “Thank you, Kaylee.”

“Always, baby. Now go, but be careful. And eat something decent, okay? Don’t just skip meals because you’re nervous. And you just promised me a photo!”

I smiled. “I will. Love you.”

“Love you too! So much.”

The call ends. I stand there for a moment, phone still in hand, surrounded by the hum of shoppers and bright storefronts. 

She’s trying so hard. Both of them. And I’m trying so hard to be worthy of it… to be the brother she thinks she knows, the Beta she’s spent her life protecting, instead of the secret I keep locked beneath my skin.

I touch the side of my neck, fingers brushing lightly over the scent gland that hasn’t formed yet, the scent I still hide with every breath. 

Ordinary Omega. 

Late bloomer.

Something our father wants to crush before he lets the world see. Something that might break everything Kaylee and Kael are building.

“Not yet,” I murmur to myself, tucking the phone away and straightening my shoulders. “One day. But not yet.”

I lift my head and start walking again, eyes scanning the overhead signs. I turned down a quieter corridor, away from the crowded main walkways, scanning directory signs until I spotted it: Page & Verse — Upper Level.

Relief softened my shoulders. I headed toward the escalator, slowing as I reached it. Then, my gaze drifted to the man in an aisle browsing some medical books.

I gasped, and held my breath. No way, he’s here? In this city?

“River..” I quietly whispered his name as I immediately turned around. Afraid that he’ll see or hear me, but that's impossible right? He can't possibly see me. I mean, he looks so focused with whatever he’s reading.

I slowly looked back and saw that he's gone. I breathed a sigh of relief until a warm, familiar voice sounded directly behind me. Low and close enough that it sent shivers all the way down my spine.

“Looking for me?”