[ Calix ]

The long marble table gleamed under the chandelier, with plates of roasted lamb, spiced potatoes and bowls of honeyed vegetables.

The Oakes family dinners were never quiet, the youngest Julian chattered about his day with the hounds, their sister Kara informing their parents about her studies with a smile, and their mother laughed softly as she listened to each of them.

Calix sat between his siblings, pretending to listen. He usually liked the dinners, they were the only time when their home felt like a family instead of a political pack house. But he didn’t like the tension tonight, there was a weight in the air his siblings didn’t seem to notice. His father had been too quiet and his mother a little bit too chatty. Something was weird.

“Calix,” Lord Oakes began at last. His voice was calm, “Well...You see...There is something we must speak of. A matter that, well... concerns the pack’s future- and yours too of course, well...”

Calix’s fork clattered against his plate. “You’re rambling father, that never means anything good.”

Kara looked around the table with a frowning glance, Julian didn’t seem to notice the change in the air, their mother reached across the table, laying her hand gently over Calix’s fist. “Just listen first, sweetheart.”

Lord Oakes cleared his throat. “The Davenloch Pack has approached us. Their heir, Emrys is... well, do not explode, just... I’ll just say it as is; They propose a union, well, a marriage, to tie our packs together. They have asked for you, Calix. It’s nothing uncommon; it’s the easiest way to form an alliance and strengthen our packs for the future.”

The words struck like cold iron. For a moment, Calix simply stared at his father, then let out a harsh laugh. “You can’t be serious.”

Julian blinked at him, wide-eyed. “They… they want brother?”
“They only have one son, Kara is already engaged and Julian is a Beta, so it was agreed that Calix was the more... suitable choice.
“That’s really funny,” Calix chuckled. “You’re usually bad at jokes but this is hilarious, really.”

His father’s expression hardened. “It's not a joke son. You are the eldest son of the Oakes Pack. You carry the weight of our pack and-”

“I’m an Omega,” Calix cut in. The laughter left him like it was never there. Somewhere deep inside his heart he hoped his father was just joking, but his mind knew better.

“That’s what this is about, isn’t it? It’s convenient. An Omega to tame, to parade and bind to their perfect heir. The other packs don't have Omegas as the eldest, unlike me.. I’m a trophy for a perfect Alpha heir, no? You’re selling me off because I’m an inconvenience to you.”

Calix wasn’t holding back. He knew this was coming, being the eldest and an Omega, it was expected he would eventually have to marry a suitable Alpha. He just hoped it would be his own choice.

But he was wrong.

“Calix,” his mother said softly, sorrow written in her face, she was an Omega like him, so she always knew first whenever his scent flared up. “It isn’t like that my sweetheart.”

“Isn’t it?” He could feel his anger rise in his throat. “You’re just going to nod and tell me this is best for us? For the pack? Do I even get a say? Am I even allowed to refuse?”

Kara put down her spoon. “This isn't right, father,” she said firmly.
Julian bobbed his head quickly, “Yes! If brother doesn’t want it, then- then he shouldn’t be forced.”

Calix’s chest tightened. He wanted to stay angry, but his sibling's loyalty caught him off guard. And his mother’s hand still rested over his, warm and grounding.

“You’re not an inconvenience,” she whispered. “Not to us. Never my sweet boy.”

Calix swallowed hard, forcing back the prickle in his eyes. “Fine. But if this Emrys wants me, then he should prove he deserves me. I won’t just walk into some ceremony and bow my head. If I’m expected to marry him, I want to see who he is for myself first. I know he goes to Blackridge Academy; I want to attend too, that’s my condition.”

His father frowned. “Calix, you know the Academy does not accept Omegas-”

“I’ll go as Julian,” Calix interrupted. He shot a glance at his younger brother, who blinked in surprise. “No one will question it. I’ll take suppressants, I’ll pretend to be him, no one knows Juli better than me, and I’ll see what kind of Alpha this Emrys really is. Not what his parent might have told you about him.”

“Calix tha-” his mother began, alarm in her voice.

“It’s my only condition,” Calix repeated, a stubborn fire blazing in his eyes. “I’ll decide then. Not before. If you expect me to agree for the sake of our future, I should be allowed this one single condition.”

For a long moment, silence stretched. The only sound was the faint crackle of the hearth.

Then Lord Oakes inclined his head. “I raised you to be smart and loyal son, you aren’t just an Omega, you are my son. I trust you. I will allow it this once.”
His mother squeezed his hand; her scent wrapped around him with love and worry. “Just… try not to lose your temper, my sweetheart.”

Calix turned his gaze to the window, the night sky beyond it was dark.

He would look Emrys Davenloch in the eye and decide, whether a future with him would be a blessing or a curse.

...

The stone gates of Blackridge Academy alone looked like a fortress against the morning sky. Gray towers were built high above the mountain ridge, resembling an old, abandoned castle.

The Academy had been built as a bastion for heirs and Betas destined to serve them. It was built upon old traditions and beliefs.

Omegas are considered “too fragile” and “too distracting” for the rigorous environment. Calix was none of those, but alas, he was still an Omega. He adjusted the strap of the satchel on his shoulder, his fingers trembling faintly despite his steady step.

The scent-blockers he had been taking for the past few days still made him a little dizzy, and the patches on his scent glands where itching. It was unusual, Calix was proud if his scent, like fresh green tea, it was not something he tried to hide. Though his parents always told him he smelled a little too bitter.

To anyone at the Academy, he was Julian Oakes, youngest Beta son of the Oakes Pack.

Well, except the headmaster, she was old friends with his father, so he was only allowed to attend if he stayed quiet, like a shadow behind great Alphas.

But Calix would not cower behind them if fear.

He kept his chin lifted as he crossed the threshold, refusing to be intimidated. The main hall was filled with students, their voices sharp with laughter and gossip. As he walked past, the conversations dipped, replaced by sidelong glances.

“Who’s that?” one voice muttered.
“The Oakes youngest, isn’t he?”
“Late start. Figures.”

Calix ignored them, his boots clicking against the polished floor.

But the uneasiness he was feeling since waking up grew heavier with each step. Everyone already had their cliques, their alliances. The Academy was a wolf den, and he had walked in by himself, wearing the wrong skin.

Good, he thought, jaw tightening. Better they underestimate me. Let them look down, I’ll climb over their backs if I must.

He forced his feet to carry him toward the registrar’s desk, collected his schedule, and followed the directions to his dormitory. The halls were colder there, lined with banners of each pack. Davenloch crimson hung high, bold and commanding.
His own family’s banner was lower, the Oaks Pack did not have many Alphas in their linage, his father was one of the only few.

When he entered the dormitory wing, he could hear voices drift from a corner just beyond the staircase. He might have passed by if the words hadn’t caught his attention.

“Pathetic, isn’t it? Sending their youngest Beta to Blackridge while the oldest his playing at home.” The speaker’s voice was mocking.

Calix froze, his heart jolting.

Another voice chuckled. “Their eldest son’s an Omega, like seriously, even if he isn’t allowed to attend, hiding him away so no one must see their shame, it’s pathetic. ” Laughter erupted.

He could imagine the sickening intensity of their pheromones even if he couldn’t smell any right now.

Calix’s chest clenched, his fury rising but it was a different kind of fury. He had never felt this much contempt as he did right now. He wanted to storm in, to bare his teeth and show them exactly who they were mocking. But he couldn’t, not like this, not as “Julian.”

So instead, he straightened, forcing his shoulders back. Let them laugh. Let them sneer, he thought.

They didn’t know him. Their words sank sharp into his chest, a reminder of how Alphas saw him: weak and less than them.

He had never hated Alphas more.
And he would show them that he was no one’s weakness.

To be continued...