He had decided to skip university the next day, mainly because his mother had convinced him to move up the appointment. Leo refused to call, but his mother, who apparently had certain hidden superpowers, had told him to call and inform them of the imminent pregnancy and they would move up the appointment immediately. Incredibly, that's what happened.

He was very nervous, however, it comforted him to know his mother was by his side. The clinic constituted a complex of new and luxurious buildings. Now he understood what his mother meant—it was really exclusive.

The young receptionist indicated where to go—it was in the pheromonal psychodynamics area, and he wondered why that technicality sounded so familiar. When they reached the sector, a sign placed on one of the boards caught his attention:

Our specialized Re-Bonding team led by Dr. Roth is conducting research on a little-known phenomenon called:

Personality Dissociation during Rut.

We seek cases presenting symptoms such as:

Radical behavioral or personality changes.

Strange or unknown attitudes to their usual character

Total amnesia of the episode by the alpha

Affective or sexual bonds they later deny having formed.

Your experience can help us better understand this phenomenon. In-person consultation or anonymous online form submission.

And naturally the doctor he had an appointment with was Roth. Leo didn't believe in coincidences—he should ask Lenny if he had mentioned anything about his case when booking the appointment, though it seemed ridiculous to ask something like that, it didn't go with his character. They sat in silence. Leo looked at the sign sideways and wondered if it wasn't worth sending the online form—there was a QR code on one side. He dismissed the idea immediately. Actually, he preferred the consultation—he had several doubts about it, however he didn't want to go with his mother. Maybe he could ask Lenny to see if he could accompany him.

A voice called him—it was his turn.

The office was modern and had enough space to accommodate four people. To one side it had an examination table next to which was a small table, where there was a small screen, along with various other instruments. The doctor, a man of small stature, white hair and glasses, received him warmly.

Leo felt relaxed, as if all the tension he had in his body had disappeared by magic. The doctor grabbed all the papers Leila brought and after introducing himself, first accompanied him to the examination table to perform the ultrasound. His mother sat to one side and held his hand—she had noticed how Leo trembled slightly. Dr. Roth didn't elaborate on details—he performed the ultrasound efficiently and quickly. Most of the time Leo kept his gaze away from the screen—after all, it was all black and white and little could be recognized.

When he finished, he helped him remove the gel he had previously spread on his abdomen to slide the reader, and gave him candy, like someone rewarding a child. It was a minimal gesture but made the dark-haired boy smile. Both he and his mother sat in front of the desk. The doctor adjusted his glasses before beginning to speak. His tone of voice was serious and kind at the same time:

"The fetus is fine—it's approximately 10 weeks. Honestly, I didn't expect to see a healthy fetus with development according to weeks of gestation." He frowned and adjusted his glasses again. "After analyzing the information regarding the innovative medication you sent me by email, the chances of suffering a spontaneous abortion were quite high—you were lucky to suspend taking it just in time." He smiled at them. Leo returned the smile with a conflicted expression.

The doctor added:

"Mr. Candem, due to your situation, I prefer not to focus much on the pregnancy—I want you to take time to think about it, analyze it, and come to terms with it. If you have any questions regarding the topic, you can ask now. Otherwise, I propose we make another appointment focused on the pregnancy within a week."

Leo nodded, grateful.

"Now let's move to your case—I'm surprised. One rarely encounters cases as particular as yours, and I'd like to know if you would allow me to keep an anonymous record of your case for future research. In this record all data is recorded—the only thing we don't mention is personal data like birth date, names and surnames, etc."

Leo nodded. The doctor thanked him and handed him a form to fill out and sign regarding registration rights and information disclosure for scientific purposes.

Next, Dr. Roth asked him some routine questions, made a comparison of the blood tests they had done both at his hospital and the other one, as well as previous ones they had performed during adolescence that his mother had brought.

"Based on the analyses, there's only one plausible explanation for the constant low pheromone level from so early." He paused and delicately asked: "Do you remember any situation that could have led to being marked, especially during the first years of high school?"

Leo paled while shaking his head. With a trembling voice he asked:

"Am I marked?"

The doctor looked at him, and when responding it was clear he was being cautious.

"Very possibly. Whether you're marked or not can be usually verified with a quick examination, however now we're trying to understand your case and what factors could have nullified your heat cycles. Medication alone doesn't achieve that effect."

"But how?"

"It's very likely it was involuntary, spontaneous. There are cases—very few but yours wouldn't be the first. Do you have any ultra-dominant alpha in your close circle?"

Leo's expression needed no words.

"I see. Ultra-dominant alphas usually have a much earlier awakening, tend to have greater sensitivity to omegas, and usually identify their mate much faster than a non-dominant alpha."

His mother intervened, her voice denoting nervousness:

"But for the mark to be effective, it has to be done during the heat cycle in the omega's case, and that never happened."

Dr. Roth responded:

"Generally it's as you say, however there's a window of time in subgender awakening that usually coincides with puberty, where pheromones are unstable, can reach peaks at times that resemble a cycle, and hours later be almost nonexistent. And during that period, an ultra-dominant alpha wouldn't even need the bite—he could mark him with a pheromone bath that has a level similar to rut."

"But doctor, it's a set of exceptions converging at one point—it's like winning the lottery."

"Exactly, you've said it. Very unlikely, but as you see, it's not impossible. Statistics are based on real data. I always tell my patients that 99% is very high, but 1% exists, and it falls to someone, otherwise it wouldn't exist."

Leo hid his face in his hands—his head was spinning.

"I must also clarify something: for the mark to be possible outside the heat cycle, there has to be acceptance by the other party—an unconscious part accepts the union. Mr. Candem, at what stage of your adolescence did you meet the ultra-dominant alpha?"

"We've known each other since we were 11."

"It possibly happened spontaneously—it usually happens in close bonds where the ultra-dominant alpha awakens first and stimulates the mate. If you hadn't been taking the medication, you would have noticed the pheromone peaks, and these would have been immediately identified as omega cycle peaks."

This time it was Leila who spoke:

"Does that mean the alpha was also marked in adolescence?"

"That's more difficult—for marking you need a strong pheromone discharge. Mr. Candem's pheromones have been extremely weak—they wouldn't be sufficient to mark him."

Leo looked up:

"Where is the mark made on the alpha?"

"On the jugular—it's the most effective bite, no margin for error."

"Oh no..." he let slip quietly. "Can it be removed?"

He noticed his mother's intense gaze, but looked the doctor in the eyes—he didn't want to divert attention.

"I won't lie to you—it's extremely difficult." He paused. "There are no non-consensual marks on ultra-dominant alphas. Many spend their lives without forming such a bond because they find it extremely complicated to get an 'acceptable' partner. And I don't know if you already know this, but if your partner is ultra-dominant, that means you're at the dominant level."

"He's not my partner."

The doctor looked at him without understanding. He was going to say something, and Leo murmured:

"I think he suffers from rut personality dissociation."

The consultation that should have lasted a maximum of one hour extended to two hours. Plans to keep the secret of rut dissociation took an unexpected turn when he decided to speak openly about the topic and expose all the doubts he had. He had kept the details to himself because after all it was his mother, and he didn't want to talk about rut details with his mother. However, at the end of the consultation, the doctor, for whom he had become his favorite patient, had even given his private phone number to his mother so she could make any consultation at any time. During the extensive interview about dissociation, the doctor had noted everything. The conclusion had been that very possibly during the second rut, Leo had had his first heat cycle, which was then reduced first by knotting, and second by medication.

Upon leaving the hospital, the first thing his mother said was:

"Rut dissociation? What else are alphas going to invent?"

Leo looked at her amused—it was comforting to see her angry. He felt he needed someone to get angry for him, because he couldn't. Every time he thought about those two occasions and that his alpha was in another dimension, it filled him with great sadness.

His mother invited him to eat, but Leo excused himself—he preferred to return home, he was extremely tired. They said goodbye and on the way he sent a message to Lenny to see if they could meet. Lenny, who seemed to live glued to his phone, responded immediately and they met near the university. He looked around—he didn't want to see Jared at that moment, he didn't know how he would react.

They took advantage to sit in a more distant café—it didn't have all the sophisticated drinks of the other place, but he felt more comfortable.

"Hey," Lenny greeted him from the entrance. He went to the bar to order an iced coffee with chocolate. When they gave him the drink, he went to where Leo was already sitting drinking his iced tea.

"Lenny!"

"What an event that you skip classes." commented the beta amused.

Leo smiled at him, changing his expression to a mischievous one:

"Do you have a sponsor?"

Lenny simulated a look loaded with resentment before responding:

"Revenge is cruel."

Leo laughed.

"Yes, I have one," he added, while taking a seat, amused by the chat.

Leo looked at him amazed.

"But it's not 'that' type of sponsor. There are no sexual favors." He paused to take a sip of his drink. "My mother already covered that quota for at least the next three generations." He said winking at him.

Leo went from amazement to uncertainty.

"I still can't tell you who it is, Leo, but as soon as I can, I will. We have a business agreement—let's say we both pursue the same end and decided to join forces. My sponsor is involved in the clinic's management group."

Leo let out an exclamation of admiration.

"By the way, did they tell you anything about your subgender?" Lenny asked.

Leo's voice sounded a bit strange:

"I'm omega, apparently dominant."

Lenny set down his drink slowly—his gaze was indecipherable as if being crossed by a cluster of contradictory emotions. Leo held his gaze. His friend let out a sigh as if resigned to his own indecision.

"Look, it's hard to surprise me..."

Leo let out a quiet giggle full of something that showed through as sadness.

"Lately I'm surprising a lot of people, even myself."

He hid his face in his hands. He didn't want to cry, though for some weeks it had been extremely complicated to contain what he felt. Lenny's warm hand touched his wrist, caressing his arm delicately.

"I don't know what to do," Leo whispered with a broken voice.

"What are the options? Sorry, life taught me to be solution-oriented—it's not that I'm insensitive."

Leo raised his face to face him with a smile:

"I'm the same."

"What shit then! And we can't tell North anything because he's still in 'Introduction to Empathy' and... it's not easy..."

Leo started laughing. The young beta smiled at him affectionately and then, becoming serious, said:

"We're two guys who solve problems, so let's start: Is dropping out an option?"

"I don't want to qui—"

Lenny's hand interrupted him—it was a gesture that settled the matter.

"That's it, we continue with Law, Leo. Count on me for whatever!"

"Even for babysitting?"

Lenny, who was taking a good sip of his drink, choked and had a strong coughing fit. Leo got up worried and handed him some napkins.

"Are you okay?" he asked questioningly.

"NO! Of course not. Give a warning, damn it Leo—I almost died,"

Leo sat back down, and seeing his red face started laughing.

Lenny asked him, evidently worried:

"Are you going to have it then?"

Seeing the dark-haired guy nod, he continued:

"I don't recommend you stay here to have it—if you enter the Rickdorf family's radar, you're screwed."

Leo added in a low tone:

"He told me last time that the parents are in meetings with a foreign family—if I'm lucky he'll go abroad."

"And if he doesn't go abroad, you leave. Those people are seriously heavy. Or you can stay if his family achieves an official engagement before it's born..." Lenny interrupted himself and remained thinking for a while, then looked at him with evident anxiety. "You marked him, didn't you?"

Leo hesitated:

"It seems so, but I didn't know—I never imagined the bite could be effective. I want to die."

Lenny looked at him with evident coldness:

"His fault, but that's another matter. Leo, you'll still have to leave. The bond between dominants is super strong and establishes a connection that borders on paranormal. For the moment, rut dissociation will protect you, but I don't know how it will be at the time of giving birth..." Lenny stopped thoughtfully and looked at his friend again with incredulous eyes.

"I can't believe you're omega—the height, the physical build... Are you...?"

Leo interrupted him:

"Yes, I'm sure. There's a 10-week fetus growing inside me that confirms that, against all odds, I have a normative and perfectly functioning uterus."

"It's fucking crazy," was all Lenny could comment.

And the dark-haired young guy nodded—indeed, that was the best way to summarize everything that was happening to him.