Allen slid the shirt over his head, a small whine coming from the bed behind him filling his ears. He turned, taking in the blond Omega wrapped in cheap motel sheets. A fake pout graced his soft features, light green eyes sparkling mischievously.

     "What?" Allen tried to keep the annoyance out of his tone. He was hoping the man wouldn't wake up.

     "Leaving so soon, Al?" He asked in a sultry voice, allowing the sheets to fall away as he stood up. Despite his irritation with his new nickname, his eyes trailed down the man's body, noting the bite marks on his neck and the fingertip bruises on his hips with some satisfaction.

     "Yes, I have plans." He muttered out gruffly as the blond approached. This was why he didn't like sleeping with Omegas. They got attached too easily.

     The man leaned and placed a kiss on Allen's jaw with a sigh. "Text me again, okay? Don't forget, my name is Shane."

     "Of course." He lied quickly, knowing full well he'd forget about this Omega's existence in a few days.

     This seemed to satisfy the man though, and he let the Alpha continue getting dressed. Once he'd left the hotel parking lot, he allowed himself to think about this brunch with his parents. Surely they wanted something from him, but what? He was already in college studying what they wanted. What more could they possibly want?

      He pulled up to the designated restaurant feeling only a little underdressed in his university hoodie, jeans, and Nikes.

     The hostess looked him over skeptically when he stepped inside, but smiled professionally. "Do you have a reservation sir?"

     "Yeah, Perez." He gave his last name and her eyes widened considerably.

     "Ah, yes. Right this way, sir. Your parents have only just arrived." She lead him towards a secluded area of the restaurant, past the groups of housewives who had nothing better to do than get drunk on Mimosas at ten in the morning and gossip.

    "Son." His parents smiled as he approached their table. The hostess set a menu at his seat before disappearing to her post. Allen kissed his mother on the cheek before sitting down. "How's school going?"

     "Fine." Allen muttered as he looked over the menu. He was slightly hung over so the idea of food was a little unappealing, but he knew it would make his headache go away. "I'm attending all my classes and keeping my GPA up."

     "Good." His father nodded approvingly, but his eyes landed on the hickey on Allen's neck and he quickly frowned. "Not partying too much, I hope?"

    "Not much." He promised, which was a lie. Fortunately their server showed up so Allen was spared from the scolding he was about to get. Once they'd ordered he decided to change the subject. "So why am I here?"

     "Can't we just spend time with our son?" His mother asked with mock sadness. His mother would never pay him any attention unless it benefited her.

     "Not unless you two want something. What is it?" He sat back in his seat, sipping his water.

     "Well, we got a letter for you in the mail recently, considering that our address is still your official residence." His mother had a sickly sweet smile on her face as she reached into her hand bag. She pulled out a thick, cream colored envelope with an official seal on it. "The Palace has sent out a letter to every available person nationawide. Our new, Omegan King is randomly picking a handful of people to court and one will become his mate." Her eyes held a triumphant gleam as she said that. There was no doubt in his mind that she was already picturing the Royal lifestyle.

     Her words made him frown deeply. He was not looking for a mate. And he certainly was not looking for one that was an Omega. Not to mention the guy was royalty. He was likely a high maintenance, spoiled asshole who'd never been told no in his life. However, he knew that flat out refusing would not do him any good.

     "And if I refuse?" He sighed out. This was immediately going to be a losing battle.

     "We'll cut off your funds." She threatened, knowing full well it was something that Allen couldn't go without. "It's just a survey, honey. Who knows if you'll even get drawn?"

     That was true. He supposed it would be more trouble than it's worth to argue about this. In the end, he agreed to enter himself into the drawing.

    Later the next day when he went to fill out his application, he found it to be more invasive than needed for this all the be random. Why would they need to know who his parents were and what they did? Then, when he went to turn it in to his area's official office they even took a picture of him. It was all too skeptical.

     Weeks past, and he forgot about the whole thing. Well, except for the fact it was plastered all over the media and no one would stop talking about it. He'd pretty much forgotten that he'd entered in it himself.

      Nearly two months later, Allen found himself in front of the TV in his dorm room, with his roommate, Kyle, for a program from the Palace. Though it wasn't mandatory to watch, even the homeless flocked appliance stores to get a glimpse at those who'd be chosen tonight.

      "Man, imagine if one of us gets picked?" Kyle had a grin on his face at the thought. "I bet they got some really good food."

     Allen rolled his eyes. Leave it to Kyle to be thinking about food above anything else. Soon, King Scott was on the television. He was young, only about twenty, but the bags under his green eyes were unmistakable despite the makeup used in an attempt to hide them. The throne that used to be his father's seemed to swallow him up, and despite the golden crown nestled in his black curls, he looked like a little kid playing King.

     Allen couldn't help but scoff, hardly hearing as the Omega began the announcement. "He looks ridiculous. I can't believe we have such a weak ruler."

    Kyle shrugged. "Nah, bro. King John wouldn't have left us with him if he wasn't up for it."

    A lot of people loved the late King of Othebia. He had always had some radical ideas about Omegan rights, but he was just and fair, so his citizens loved him.

    Allen shook his head. "I don't think so. Omegas were made for nothing but bree-"

   He was cut off by the sound of his first name coming from the television. "-Allen Perez."

   His eyes snapped up to the television, watching the King smile slightly as his picture floated acrosd the screen. A few more names were called, then the announcer started on the Betas then Omegas. Once the Television went black, his phone rang.