Doctor Maynard Oulwitz shot down the long corridor of the hospital and down toward the long term Acute Care ward with a sense of purpose he hadn’t felt in a while. He knew that there was a chance that he was making a huge mistake, but the man couldn’t help but feel a sense of responsibility toward the sad little omega he’d left in the hospital room.

Since when had he become so attached to Azaki? Deep down he knew exactly what it was that caused him to go the extra mile for his patient, made him wonder constantly about the young man and his state of mind, what made him barrel down this hallway to ask yet another favor of one of his least favorite people on this earth.

He just wanted to see that boy happy.

As Maynard approached the large metal doors to the ward, he paused for only a second. Was he making a huge mistake by getting further indebted to his shithead cousin and his pack? Some part of him knew that the Alpha was a good person, but still the business that they got into made him uncomfortable.

‘It’s Alpha business, you’ll never understand because you’re a beta.’

Was it really Alpha business? He could understand that the five major packs were in constant war in both the business world and the underworld. The real issues was if he was really willing to put Azaki in the middle of all that? Though realistically it was unlikely that Azaki could ever be able to get a job where is isn’t in the middle of it in some way or another.

The world was run by packs of Alphas and those packs of Alphas were always competing to see who would be on top. Regardless of how Maynard felt about it, Azaki’s status put him at an elite level for employment. Which meant that he was always going to fall into the hands of a pack in some way or another. At least if it was Kai’s pack he knew the young Omega stood a chance. Kai wasn’t so bad. Sometimes.

Maynard let his thoughts distract him as he swung the door open a bit too quickly. Directly on the other side of said doors, Maynard was met with golden eyes and a towering figure in a suit. He nearly jumped out of his skin at the sudden face-to-face, but managed to stop himself with a calming breath and give the gigantic alpha a polite grin. “Hello again, Malakai.”

“Doc.” He replied, noticing the Doctor was feeling intimidated and taking a step back to accommodate the space that Maynard was now taking up. Kai crossed his arms over his chest and frowned while examining the the man standing before him. “Were you here to repay my kindness from earlier? Already? How kind of you.”

“Well…” Maynard’s eyes shot to the ground, losing a bit of his nerve, but there was no point in giving in now, he took a breath and locked eyes with the tall man again. “Not exactly, I’m-”

“Here to ask for another favor, then?” Malakai smirked and ran a hand through his jet back hair as if to confirm that it was, indeed, still slicked back. He then leaned casually against the wall behind him, the action causing his two also gigantic Alpha guards to relax with him. He continued jovially, “How very bold of you, after refusing my pack all the times we’d come to you for aid. That dormant of yours drop again? My pheromones aren’t cheap, you know.”

“Don’t start,” Maynard growled, “I’m an Omega Specialist, I’d be of no use to your pack of Prime Alphas masquerading as a company. And I have no further use of your pheromones.”

“Masquerading?” The Alpha mocked with a toothy grin, exposing his sharp canines to the beta while making a point to wrap his fingers under his chin in mock consideration, “I do believe that Forbes would differ in opinion a bit, considering my position in their thirty under thirty.”

“You are such a brat.” The doctor sighed and the Alpha laughed, the tension between the two starting to take on more of a playful tone. “Seriously though, Kai, I have to ask you about something.”

“Something about that omega you asked me to help?” He raised an eyebrow, his body language still a bit obstinate and mocking despite listening carefully to the doctors request.

“Yeah,” The doctor lowered his voice, “As his doctor, I cannot say much as to his health situation, but there is something about him I thought you’d find interesting.”

“Oh?”

“He’s the competitive coding national champion.” Maynard watched as Malakai’s eyes widened to the size of saucers and then the alpha struggled to keep his composure with a deep breath.

“Oh?” Malakai tried to stay nonchalant, but Maynard could see right through him. “What ever would that have to do with me?”

“It’s funny, I seem to recall someone throwing a fit about the fact that the champion never showed up to the awards dinner.” Maynard smiled, “Something about how he missed out on ‘the job offer of a lifetime and you needed a good hacker?”

“I-”

“I care a lot about that boy. And he’s completely depressed, thinking that no one would hire an Omega for the job, especially a dormant one.” Maynard studied the Alphas expression and continued with a light and mocking tone, “But one of Forbes thirty under thirty wouldn’t have a problem with that would he, Kai?”

“You want to put a dormant omega in our offices?” Kai would have laughed if the idea wasn’t so terrifying, “So he can go into a random heat and bring an entire pack of Primes down on himself?”

“He’s twenty six.”

Malakai almost choked on his air, “And he’s not registered as a conditional beta?”

“He produces pheromones normally but isn't releasing any.” The Doctor sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, “It’s complicated.”

“He sounds like an enigma.” Kai answered with a frown, “But, he is quite talented. Did you know he broke the record for hacking into-”

“I don’t want to hear it.” The Doctor raised a hand in Malakai’s direction. “I know he’d be useful to you. And despite how little we agree on your...life choices, I know you’d be able to accommodate the kid.”

“What about the danger?” His golden eyes caught the light and seemed to glow for a moment, which caused Maynard to take a step back at the expression on his face.

“I doubt there is any. I mean, you pumped that room full of some of the most potent Prime Alpha pheromones in the country, and no sign on a heat from the kid. At this point I think the only thing that possibly could trigger him is a true mate. And if that happened, the danger will be significantly less because the other Alphas wouldn’t be able to sense at after bonding... As long as one of my theories isn't correct.” He sighed, “But, yeah, don't worry about all that because Azaki won’t ever likely meet his true mate. He even takes the extra steps to never make eye contact with an Alpha.”

“So he won't even risk meeting his mate?”

“Nope.”

“Interesting.” Malakai smiled and motioned to the two Alpha guards that had given himself and the Doctor some space. “Guys, call Vic and get a contract drawn up, make sure to add a clause about no eye contact for the kid.”

“Sir.” The two responded in unison. Kai straightened his suit, and again, ran a hand through his dark hair to confirm that it was still in place.

“Well Doc, let’s go get me a hacker.”