Chapter 9
Safira
A few nights ago, I was spending my birthday alone and depressed. Now, I had crossed into a world where everyone was acting like I was some type of celebrity. The omega social worker was supposed to take me to a group home with other people who also had my rare biological presentation, but at the last minute she was notified that I’d had an anonymous fund set up for me to stay in a private villa in a gated community exclusively for omegas. She escorted me over and explained how things worked while I looked out the window of the taxi, marveling at how different this city looked.
We pulled up to a beautiful area, where a guard checked my social worker’s credentials before letting us enter through the gates. When we stopped at a gorgeous two story townhome, I was shocked. “This is where I’m staying?” I blurted out, unsure of whether I was dreaming.
“Yes, it’s very nice, isn’t it? All the surrounding townhomes are exclusively for omegas. There are training courses at the clubhouse in the center of this community. Most of the other people here are from very well-off families. Of course, you will still have to abide by the rules. Alphas are forbidden to enter, and you must check in and out when leaving for your protection. When you are all settled, we will get you a profile set up and you can start looking through the registry.” She chattered away as she walked me inside the new home and handed me a key.
“Hold on. You’re saying certain people aren't allowed in here, but at the same time you are so eager to get me to date. Why?” I asked, watching as she unpacked a duffel bag.
“You will need to learn a lot about what it means to be an omega. Most people have learned about designations since childhood, so you need to catch up. Your body will go through a heat, as you are aware.” I nodded along while she put out several items, which I understood to be basic donated clothing, on the couch for me. “This heat will make you crave and seek out an alpha, or several. They will help you through it, and it will relieve the excruciating pain. But you will want to make sure you pick someone off of a registry or an alpha surrogate. There are many unscrupulous alphas out there who can take advantage of an omega’s hormonal urges and inherent weakness.” She went on as I listened, somewhat baffled. “As you will learn, alphas are also heavily influenced by hormones. Many of them are good people and can control their instincts. But because they are strong and can be aggressive, they are not allowed anywhere near unbonded omegas unless they are registered and in the process of a courtship.” She finished her explanation and looked at me. I was starting to understand, but this was so wild to hear. I needed to learn more about all this bonding stuff too.
“You could opt to go through heat alone, but that’s rare and I believe you might regret it. At that point you might run to the first available alpha for help. That’s why we want to make sure to find you a good match instead of having you be at the mercy of a stranger. I highly recommend that you attend the classes offered in this community. Also, stay within the gates. The other girl from Weatherby had to learn the hard way how dangerous alphas can be around an omega. And above all else, take your suppressants! They will keep your perfume in check and protect you.” She finished unpacking the supplies I’d been given, then turned to head out. “I’ll check on you every day until you get matched with an alpha or a pack. Reach out if you have any questions. The guards and other omegas here are also a good resource. Good luck!” She said before heading out to the waiting taxi.
I stood there in the new place, which was nicer than any apartment I’d ever seen. It was already furnished and had small toiletries in the bathroom. Sitting down on the couch, I sorted through the supplies I’d been given. There was a basic cell phone with numbers for emergency services and the social worker. I also had a set of clothes for the week, pajamas, and books about designations. This was like a dream; it was everything I’d wanted for myself just a week ago. How was any of this real?
I’d tried to run away from my old life, and today I was in a world where I was living better than I could have imagined. I sat down on the couch, my head spinning as I reached for the pamphlets the hospital sent with me. The social worker was right. The pamphlets confirmed that along with these hormonal changes in my body, I’d also need to find “alphas”, another type of designation, to basically have sex with me and care for me during these heat sessions. The doctor said I might have one soon, but that my body was changing fast enough that I could handle it. I didn’t know what they meant by that. But I was sure of one thing. If omegas were attracted to alphas, then I was certain Tony was one.
“Alphas are generally taller and more muscular than the average person. They are also highly sensitive to omega pheromones. It is important to note that both alphas and omegas can be driven by their hormones and act in ways they cannot always control.” I read the pamphlet, aware that I had some learning to catch up on. I couldn’t imagine losing my control and begging for sex, but the hospital staff claimed that was a normal response. I’d normally laugh at their assertion, except for the fact that every time I thought about Tony, I started feeling warm and the sweet smell would arise from my skin again.
I knew the moment I had embraced Tony that my body was reacting to him in a way I’d never felt before, for anyone. And I needed to see him soon. One thing Piper told me during our phone conversation was that people in this world were very controlling over omegas, and that we had to follow certain rules for our own safety. But she also told me she had escaped several times through one of the gates in the back of the Omega House compound to see the men who later became her pack. If this world wanted me to find some boyfriends, well, I already had at least one contender in mind. I picked up the cell phone that they’d given me. It was a brand and style I hadn’t heard of before, but it was easy enough to figure out how to use it.
I was shocked when Jax answered the first call I made from the hospital. Ever since that day in the woods, I’d memorized that number. It never worked. I’d tried calling it every few months, hoping they would pick up. Every time my cousins frustrated me or made me cry, I’d stay up late to use the house phone and dial the number, wishing that someday it might not be disconnected. And here, in this world, Jax had answered.
So that meant two of them were around at least. My mind flashed back to something they'd said back when I met them about how they were going to be a pack someday. I never understood what they meant back then, but now it all made sense. I didn’t have time to ask about Kaden when I’d called, but I hoped with all my might that I could reconnect with him as well.
I dialed the number again, relieved that I could finally talk without people overhearing me. The first ring barely started before someone picked up.
“Safira?” It was Tony.
“Yes! It’s me!” I said excitedly. I didn’t know why I was so overjoyed to find three people I'd met once so long ago. But a feeling deep inside me told me they were important.
“Are you at the hospital? How are you?” he asked, his voice brimming with excitement.
“No, I’m at a rental in a private community. I’m all right now. I can’t believe I saw you.” I was speaking so quickly that I hardly gave him time to answer. It was as if I was afraid they’d disappear again, and I had to get my words out as quickly as possible. “I’m so glad this number works. I’ve called it so many times before and it never went through.” I admitted, playing with the end of my t-shirt as I looked down. I felt shy suddenly, like I was that young girl again, amazed and unsure of myself as three cute boys spent all day taking such good care of me.
“We waited for your call. We always wondered what happened to you.” He sounded so relieved.
"Can I see you? Can you come pick me up? I need to find out more about this world. I don’t really understand the designation thing much. They tell me I’m an omega.” I said, wondering how I could piece together the past and the present along with everything that was happening.
“You don’t know about designations?” He sounded concerned. “Safira, we aren’t allowed to see you unless we are on the pack registry.” He said with some caution. I remembered that the social worker said something about that.
“Well, I can come to you. Can we meet somewhere?” I asked, not understanding why it was such a big deal.
“We can, it's just… it might be risky to do so if you are just starting to present. Your scent might attract people. We want to be careful with you. Are you on suppressants?” Tony was asking about the pills the hospital had given me. They wanted me to stay on them for a few weeks.
“Yes. Is that a problem?” I asked, looking at the pill bottle.
“No, you should keep taking them. It makes things much safer.” His words still didn’t make sense, but I didn’t care.
“When can you see me?” I asked, eager to see them now that I knew they were real, and hadn’t forgotten about me.
“You name the time.” He was serious.
“Today. I can meet you anywhere near where I live.” I replied, giving him the name of the community I was at. He quickly found a bookstore nearby and agreed to meet there. “One more thing, are you still friends with Kaden?” I asked, hopeful that I’d see all of them again.
“Of course. He’s in our pack, just like we always said.” Tony answered proudly. I still was fuzzy on the significance of that, but I didn’t care. I was going to see my friends again.