Aoto

“Happy birthday again, Ao. You’re officially eighteen,” Kenzo exclaims, patting me on the back.

“You’ve grown into a handsome, smart young man,” Junko praises, grinning. “I’m proud to be your childhood friend.”

“Finally, the three of us are eighteen!” I throw my hands in the air, celebrating that I’m no longer the “child” of the group.

“And by this time next year, we’ll be university students, probably pulling our hair out of desperation and despair.” Kenzo laughs, then fake-cries dramatically.

Junko teases, “Don’t worry. I’m sure your ghost friends will help you.”

Kenzo shivers, scowling. “Shut up. Don’t even joke about that.”

Smiling, I add, “It’s crazy. In a few months, we’ll be graduating high school. Time flew by, didn’t it? Feels like just yesterday we were in preschool.”

Junko throws an arm around my shoulders and leans in, asking with a suggestive tone, “Hey, has your heat come yet?”

I sigh, shaking my head, “Nope.”

“But isn’t that a good thing? Since you’re a Recessive Omega, you can’t smell Alphas’ pheromones, and you don’t emit your own.”

I immediately glare at her, irritated. “Since when is being an Omega a good thing? Recessive or not, people still see me as some ‘breeding object’ at school. Easy for you to say, since you and Kenzo are Betas.”

“Jeez, calm down. I didn’t mean to upset you,” she scoffs, pulling her arm away.

Feeling guilty for snapping, I reply, “Sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. And no, I haven’t been in heat yet, which is honestly a relief—I don’t know what I’d do if it happened.”

“What about your suppressants?” Kenzo chimes in.

“I got some from the hospital, but the doctor said to only use them if I really can’t control it, since it could impact...fertility.”

He looks surprised. “Do you want to have kids?”

“Yeah, I do. Even if I hate being an Omega, I wouldn’t mind having kids someday with a handsome Beta,” I say, rubbing my belly.

“A handsome Beta? Are you talking about me? Was that a confession?” He grins, his lips curving into a smug smile.

“Yeah, you wish,” Junko sneers, shoving him away from me.

“Hey, let’s go to karaoke and sing our lungs out,” Kenzo suggests, hopping in place to keep warm. “It’s freezing out here, and I need shelter immediately.” He sneezes, his nose and cheeks flushed red from the frosty air.

“Yeah. Instead of standing in front of the restaurant, we should go inside somewhere before we catch a cold,” Junko agrees, pulling her scarf tighter. “Why did you have to be born in January? If you’d been born in August, we could celebrate at the beach every year,” she grumbles, as if it’s my fault.

“Actually, I need to go home because my brother just got back from university to celebrate the rest of my birthday,” I say, reading a text from Sota about his arrival.

“Do you want us to walk you home?” they ask at the same time.

“Thanks, but that’s okay.”

Kenzo’s expression turns concerned. “What if your heat hits out of nowhere and an Alpha shows up?”

“That won’t happen. I can’t smell pheromones, remember? I’ll be fine. It’s only a twenty-minute walk to the station, and honestly, I feel like enjoying the cold night air.” I take a deep breath, relishing the icy air filling my lungs—I love winter.

“If you’re sure…” Kenzo hesitates. “But promise you’ll call me or Junko if anything happens, okay?”

I smile and nod. “I promise.”

“Just don’t forget,” Junko adds, “you’re a really pretty guy. There are people who’d prey on you at first sight, no matter their gender.”

Rolling my eyes, I retort, “Tch. I’m not pretty.”

Her expression turns serious. “Uh… yeah, you are. You’re the prettiest guy in our school. You didn’t know?”

Kenzo jumps in, “Yeah, it’s true. You’re petite; you have a small, delicate face, and your skin is so smooth. Your hair’s like silk. You’re gentle, smart, and friendly, plus your singing and dancing skills… You could be an idol if you wanted. You’ve got the talent and the looks.”

With my cheeks lightly blushing, I grumble, “Whatever. I’m going home.” I wave goodbye and turn around, weaving through the crowd on the snowy sidewalks.

Even though it’s snowing and close to nine p.m. on a Friday, people are everywhere. Some are heading home from work, and others are out blowing off steam after a long week. Some mutter curses about the cold, whereas others seem to relish it.

A pair of boys catch my eye—one is wearing a black choker, marking him as an Omega and likely protecting his neck from unwanted Alpha bites. His partner beside him looks clearly like an Alpha, probably his.

I find myself touching the back of my neck absentmindedly. 

Maybe I should buy a choker for myself… My life would be over if some random Alpha bit me, claiming me as theirs. Why did I have to be an Omega? Why couldn’t I be an Alpha like my dad or brother? Why?

“Aoto?”

My name rings out behind me, making me turn to see who called me.

“It’s really you.”

I freeze as the Dominant Alpha who stole my heart when I was twelve comes rushing toward me, that breathtaking smile lighting up his face.

“Yu-jun,” I murmur, eyes wide with shock.

Yu-jun Yoon—the heir to the Yoon conglomerate and my brother’s ex. They dated for three years but broke up after Yu-jun lost control during a rut and ended up with an Omega from school. It shattered my brother, and he ended things despite their obvious love for each other. Afterward, Yu-jun left for Korea, but now, here he is in front of me. I haven’t seen him since I was fifteen.

“Wow, how have you been? You’re all grown up. What happened to that little brat who used to hide in his bedroom whenever I visited?” Yu-jun laughs, stopping just in front of me.

I used to hide because I was in love with you and couldn’t stand seeing you with my brother, you clueless Alpha.

My heart pounds wildly, but I manage a smile, keeping my voice steady as I say, “Hi, Yu-jun. I’ve been good. How about you?”

“I’ve been great,” he responds, his hands stuffed in his pockets.

I take in the man I’ve longed for all these years—his eyes seem even brighter, his jawline sharper, his lips fuller. He has three earrings in his left ear now, his hair’s still blond but a bit longer, and he’s taller and more muscular. Somehow, he’s even more attractive, and that makes him all the more dangerous.

“Are you ogling me?” he teases, tilting his head with a widening smile. “Go ahead, ogle away. I won’t stop you.” He winks, rekindling the fire in my chest.

I clear my throat, doing my best to hold on to my composure. “Anyway, when did you get back from Korea? What brings you to Japan?”

“I’ve transferred to a university here because my father wants me to start working at the main company to prepare to succeed him in the future,” he explains, “I’m starting as a second-year since I took a gap year in Korea to travel with my older sister.”

“So, you’re back to stay?” The question slips out before I can stop it.

He chuckles. “Yes, I’m back to stay in Japan. Speaking of university, you’re enrolling this year, right?”

“Yep.”

“And if I’m twenty, then that makes you...eighteen?”

What’s with the interrogation?

“Yep.”

I stare at him expectantly, hoping he’ll remember that today is my birthday, as he used to celebrate it with my family when he was with my brother. But after a few seconds of silence, I hang my head, sighing. The white puff of my breath fades away slowly as I force a smile, looking back up at him.

Yu-jun shifts on his feet, hesitating as though gathering the courage to ask, “How’s your brother?”

I flinch, reluctantly accepting the reality that he’s still hung up on Sota. “My brother is fine. He’s studying hard to become a doctor.”

“Oh, so he’s enrolled in medicine?”

“Yep.” I nod.

His face breaks into a wide smile as he comments, “So he’s following his dream of becoming a doctor. I’m relieved he hasn’t given up on it.”

I flinch again, his words hitting hard. “Yep,” I mumble, feeling that familiar ache in my chest.

“And you? Which course are you going for?”

“Me?” My eyebrows shoot up.

“Yeah, you, Aoto.” He chuckles. “Why are you so surprised?”

I’m surprised because I didn’t think you’d even care about my life.

“Arts,” I snort, “if I pass the exams.”

“Arts? That’s an interesting choice.”

“I’ve always loved singing and dancing, so choosing arts just feels natural.”

“You’re really the opposite of your brother, huh? He’s so—”

As irritation and jealousy take the best of me due to him mentioning my brother again, I cut him off, “I’m tired of hearing how amazing my brother is and I’m not. You don’t have to emphasize what I already know.”

Yu-jun looks taken aback, stammering, “I-I didn’t mean to—”

“It’s fine. I need to go home now.” I turn and start to walk away.

“Aoto, wait.” He reaches out, catching my arm. “I didn’t mean to imply that your brother is better than you. You’re different people.” He runs his free hand through his hair, looking frustrated. “I’m sorry if I upset you.”

My heart thumps as my anger fades.

Why am I still so weak when it comes to Yu-jun?

Suddenly, a soothing scent of lemon and lavender surrounds me, soft and warm. I inhale deeply, finding it strangely intoxicating—and then I realize I’m flushed and… aroused.

Shit. I’m hard and wet*.

“Aoto? Are you all right? Your face is red,” Yu-jun remarks, pressing a hand to my forehead. “You don’t feel hot, but you look… Should I take you home? My driver is parked nearby.”

I struggle to steady my breath. “No...but thanks for offering.”

I clutch onto my chest and bend down a little in an attempt to breathe normally and calm down my racing heart. My entire body trembles as pure lust takes possession of it, making my lower body part hurt from wanting pleasure so much. 

“A-Are you in heat?” I hear Yu-jun ask.

I glance up, and my lustful gaze locks onto his flabbergasted one, my flushed face and irregular breathing confirming his suspicion. 

Is this heat? Am I in heat for the first time in my life? Why is this happening now? What has triggered it?

The smell of lemon and lavender intensifies while Yu-jun flinches, his breathing and expression mirroring mine. “What is this chocolate smell?” he mumbles, leaning in and sniffing my neck. “Are these your pheromones? Do your pheromones smell like chocolate?” His eyes darken; so does the smile creeping up his face.

“I don’t know. I’ve never been in heat before and have never emitted pheromones because I’m a Recessive Omega,” I gasp, finding it nearly impossible to stay upright and not touch myself to relieve the pain and desire. 

I’m craving for an Alpha. I want an Alpha. I need an Alpha—now.

“My Alpha pheromones must have triggered your heat,” explains Yu-jun, wrapping his arms around me and helping me walk. 

“Your Alpha pheromones? But I’ve never smelled other people’s pheromones either, regardless of their secondary genders.” By this point, I’m struggling to keep my mind straight and within reason. My Omega instincts are speaking louder and louder.

“Can you smell a lemon and lavender scent?”

I nod affirmatively.

“These are my pheromones,” he clarifies, struggling to breathe, speak, and walk himself.

Before I know it, I find myself sitting in the back seat of a luxurious car with Yu-jun beside me—it's the last thing I consciously register before I fully succumb to my Omega heat, desperate for an Alpha's pheromones and embrace.

* * *

*Note: Male Omegas get wet where the sun doesn’t shine when they get aroused.