It started when he was 14. His first heat. He didn't know what it was, when it began. He couldn't make sense of it. He looked like an Alpha, talked like an Alpha, came from a family of Alphas—he was an Alpha. He had to be. Because his father expected it. No, demanded it. So he did everything he could to fight back the feeling. 

That day, his father found him, shivering and moaning on the bathroom floor, writhing in discomfort. It was the first time he ever reached out to his father in desperate need of comfort. 

And Raphael Bruin had never looked more disgusted in his life. 

***

The skyscraper that housed the offices of Bruin Enterprises was in the center of the city, surrounded by a handful of mom and pop shops, and a number of chains. Callum found the whole thing stuffy and boring, but at least the odd shops and curiosities added a little personality to the hustle and bustle of the streets. Besides, right across from the office was Callum's favorite place in the world: a little shop called Nebula Cafe. 

It would be the perfect place to unwind, if only the owner's son didn't hate him so much. 

It was for the best, as Callum always reminded himself. Their feud dated back to grade school—if only Callum knew the origins. There was just something Adrian Wild found rather distasteful about Callum, for whatever reason. Callum didn't spend his time thinking about it too much. It bothered him, sure, but it wasn't like he could make a pass at Adrian. In fact, Callum couldn't make a pass at anyone. Not without his father's approval. 

But it didn't mean Callum couldn't go, every so often, to ogle at the things he couldn't have, and imagine the life he wished for. 

It helped that many of the employees of Bruin Enterprises crossed the city streets to Nebula Cafe at all hours of the day. It kept the shop busy, but it meant Callum had to stay on his game. He had to play the part of Future CEO, even in front of Adrian—even if he didn't want to. It was a blessing in disguise. His father would kill him if he slipped up even a little, even just for a moment. And Callum had never met an Alpha that made him want to slip up more than Adrian Wild.

It was one of those days. It was getting close to the end of the month, which was never a fun time for Callum. His father was breathing down his neck more than ever, and he had to be extra diligent with his meds. The last thing he needed was to falter at work, or walking around, or—God forbid—in Nebula Cafe, surrounded by his coworkers. 

Lunch time had finally rolled around, and the cafe was even busier than usual. Fridays tended to be like that, as everyone in the office decided to have lunch out. Adrian and Winter were running around the shop as usual. God, Adrian looked good in that apron, too. And he was running around, busy tending to the shop—which meant he wasn't keeping a handle on hiding. Most people didn't notice his subtle scent, but Callum did. 

He always noticed. 

Callum could sense the sweet, summery pheromones from across the cafe. It was like sunshine that could be bottled and sold in one of those high-end perfume shops. Callum could get drunk off of it. He wished he could surround himself in it, revel in the feeling. 

Too bad Adrian hated him. 

"You're spacey today." Beck's voice suddenly cut through the chatter. Beckham Caddel, future CMO of Bruin Enterprises, was the definition of a true Alpha—all sleek muscles and husky voice and piercing eyes. His spiked, deep brown hair framed blue irises that sparkled with bright curiosity. He was, Callum thought, the kind of Alpha Raphael wished Callum had been. 

But you don't always get what you wish for. 

Callum leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs and picking up his coffee mug to take a sip. He huffed. "It’s a busy time of year, Caddel. We're in crunch time." 

Courtney let out a laugh, flipping her long, bleached hair over her shoulder. "That's so you, Callum. Thinking about work even on your off time. We're having lunch! Loosen up a little." She waved her hand dismissively as she picked up her sugar bomb of a coffee and brought it to ruby red lips to take a sip. Grey, calculating eyes leveled on his, and he would have faltered under the intensity of an Alpha’s stare—if he hadn't spent his whole life forcing himself to stand tall under them. 

Callum glared at her and his best friend, who were apparently determined to be distractions. "This is a lunch meeting. Or do I need to remind you both that we're here to work?" 

Beck crossed his arms over his chest. "You're the one who is dozing off," he whined. "You're too serious, anyway. We're ahead on all our projects, and our teams have this shit handled. This meeting is just a formality." 

"Well, I'm glad you can afford to slack off." Callum shot him a sharp glare, and Beck shrank under it. 

"Callum, relax. We're meeting all our quotas, our teams are working hard, and we've done all the paperwork. That's our meeting." Courtney sipped at her drink and pulled her hair over her other shoulder. Courtney Hart, future CFO of Bruin Enterprises, AKA—Callum was pretty sure—the woman Raphael was dead set on forcing him to marry, was a beautiful, Alpha woman with a strong bloodline. And that was exactly what Raphael wanted. 

To make up for Callum's weakness.

Callum clicked his tongue. "Fine. But I'm not picking up the slack if either of you drops the ball. I've got my own job to worry about." 

Beck laughed and grabbed Callum by the shoulders, rolling him around a little like he could shake Callum out of his perpetual bad mood. "Please, dude, as if you have to worry. You're the hot, eligible, Alpha son of the CEO of the world's tech giant. Your life is like a fairy tale. You've got your future on lock." 

And all the strings that come with it, Callum thought weakly to himself. But there were a lot of things he couldn't say—even to his best and closest friend. 

Callum's expression only turned more sour, but that was something both Beck and Courtney were quite used to. "You make my life sound way more glamorous than it actually is." 

"As if it isn't glamorous." Courtney shook her head, her necklaces and various bracelets and dangling earrings jangling with her movements. "We just need to find you some cute little Omega to take your frustrations out on. You could stand to unwind a little." 

Yeah, right. As if that would solve any of his problems. "I doubt a relationship is what I need right now, given my father is determined to marry me off before I'm 35." 

"Then you've got two good years in you!" Beck let out a loud, boisterous laugh. "Make the most of it, man. I am." Beck's eyes lingered on the counter, where the cute Omega barista, Winter, was diligently at work preparing coffee. Beck smirked a little, just watching, and Callum looked away. 

He wished it were that simple. 

"Um, excuse me," honeysuckle-coated words drifted from behind where Callum was seated. All three of them turned their attention to the man who had spoken—none other than Adrian Wild. Callum had been so distracted by the lunch "meeting" that he hadn't noticed Adrian slip away from the counter to their booth in the corner. 

Callum froze up, having Adrian so close. He was still giving off that same, subtle little scent. Too soft for anyone other than an Omega to notice. Pheromones mixed with sweat. Callum gulped. 

"Something we can help you with, Barista Man?" Beck asked, meaning no harm by it. That was just how he communicated—but Adrian always seemed a little put off by it, even when they were kids. 

Adrian's expression faltered only for a moment. It was milliseconds before he had on a customer service smile dripping with social obligation, but Callum noticed. "Actually, yes. We've just had a few complaints."  Adrian's eyes lingered on Callum, and he wrinkled his nose like he smelled something rancid. "It's just that—the three of you together put off an awfully strong scent." 

That was enough to make both Beck and Courtney pause and then erupt with laughter. Callum sighed, not even bothering to calm either of them down, because it was a pointless endeavor. 

"Three Alphas in a room will do that, Beta Boy. Not that you would understand." Courtney flicked her wrist at him. 

Adrian was not a Beta; he just kept his pheromones under lock and key most of the time, and he never corrected anyone about it. It was enough that Alphas like Beck and Courtney would probably never notice, but not enough that Callum missed it. And if anyone could understand wanting to keep some things private, it was Callum. If Adrian, who looked every bit the part of an average Beta, didn't want to correct people that he was an Alpha, then, well, who was Callum to call him out? 

Adrian turned his icy, lifeless smile to her. "Well, out of kindness to the other customers, I would prefer if you three could keep a lid on it? Especially your friend, here." Adrian locked eyes with Callum, as if making a point. 

But there was nothing Callum could do about the synthetic pheromones his father forced him to tote around daily. They emitted an awful, lifeless smell—it bothered Callum all day long. But they were the only thing selling his whole Alpha charade, and he had to cover up his real scent to prevent anyone from figuring him out.

It was practical, but Adrian didn't need to know that. Callum could understand why it would bother people. It was lousy company, even to him. His hand wrapped tightly around his wrist watch, which was rigged with the synthetic pheromones, and for a moment he wished he could just—take it off. 

But he was a Bruin, and his reality was different from the rest of the world's. 

So, being faced with the knowledge that there was nothing he could do, he turned his back on Adrian and let out a sigh. He didn't grace Adrian with an answer because he didn't have one. 

Courtney rolled her eyes. "Please, the most eligible Alpha bachelor in our city is here in your shop, drinking your coffee and eating your food. You should be jumping for joy."

"Courtney," Callum warned. 

"What? I'm just saying, we bring good business." She flipped her hair over her shoulder again. 

Beck looked between the group, quickly getting the sense that this was headed toward making a scene. He held up his hands in mock surrender. "Come on, guys, no need to get up in arms. We could all stand to keep a lower profile." 

"Speak for yourself, Caddel." Courtney inspected her nails like the whole conversation bored her. 

"Just—don't bother the other customers," Adrian said in a strained voice. "I am trying to run a business here. Can't have all my customers scared away." 

Callum finally stood, slapping some bills on the table to pay for their food, plus a rather hefty tip. "Let's go." 

"What? Callum! We still have half our lunch break left!" Courtney instantly protested. 

"Well, I'm finished here. You two knock yourself out." Callum turned on his heels, staring down Adrian with as stoic an expression as he could handle. The closer he got, the more he could sense the subtle gaps in Adrian's facade. Still, he faced Adrian down like he couldn't tell, and like the scent didn't make him crazy. "Adrian." He nodded his head in a stiff, swift little greeting. 

Adrian smiled a thin, tight smile. "Always a pleasure, Mr. Bruin." 

Once Callum was out of the building, he was flanked by both Beck and Courtney. Courtney still looked rather bored with the whole ordeal, while Beck was watching Callum carefully. Callum chose to pretend not to notice. 

The three "Alphas" of Bruin Enterprises walked back to the office, returning to their work under the watchful eyes of those pulling the strings. Traces of his father's influence existed everywhere, even in Callum's personal office. It made him feel suffocated, like he didn't have anywhere where he could just exist as himself—his true self, not the self his father carefully curated to show the world. 

Callum knew his reality. Still, though, he couldn't help but hope that one day he would be able to "cut loose," like his friends suggested. That one day he could show his true colors. That he could find a partner he had a chance of liking. 

Callum knew his reality. 

But, at heart, he still liked to dream.