Chapter Text
Almost all your life you pretended to be someone you weren't. You're an omega, but pretend to be a beta. All because of your parents, who tried to protect you in this way. You never fully understood their intentions. You thought they were just ashamed, after all, you were the only one of your siblings who was different. They were betas, you ...omega. You were often sent on vacation to your grandparents. They accepted you for who you really were. You could be yourself. You took off your mask and didn't care about anything. The only thing you didn't like was having to wear a collar when you grew up... it was uncomfortable and embarrassing. According to you, the life of an omega wasn't that bad at all, you weren't ashamed of it, but you also didn't have much courage to defy your parents.
You don't know what tempted you, old stories from your grandfather, the desire to do something spontaneous or maybe a meeting with soldiers at school. You decided to join the army. Not as an omega, but as a beta. Omegas were very welcome, mainly because they were placed in packs where there were only alphas. Their task was to deepen the group's bonds, make it more stable and calm. Omegas were to ensure that no conflicts arise in the group. Of course, this was information presented by the army. You've heard many rumors about omegas in the military, and all of them were that they were just alphas playthings.
That wasn't the only reason you signed up as a beta. In all your documents you were listed as a beta, not an omega. If this ever came to light, you could get in trouble and so would your parents. Joining the military was risky, but you wanted to do it. You might have looked like a little beta. You had muscles, but they were lean. And you didn't worry about your scent. You had a certificate (fake) that confirmed that you suffered from a disease that prevented you from emitting any scent. Many people were surprised, but fortunately no one asked questions. In fact, you were taking suppressors, otherwise everyone would have easily concluded that you were omega.
You have been serving in the army for quite a few years now. You have distinguished yourself many times. One of your most important achievements was discovering a traitor in your team, whom you tricked into recording him confessing everything. One time you were separated from your group and spent an entire week behind enemy lines. You managed to save many people from captivity. Another time you jumped into a burning apartment and pulled a baby out. One time you were forced to help a field medic. He saw potential in you and took you under his wing. Thanks to the skills you acquired, you saved many lives and your achievements were noticed.
A lot of people speculated that you would be transferred to another unit. Even such offers were made to you, but the places you would have to go to were far from any civilization. Even if you wanted to, couldn't risk it like that. Your reason for refusal was always that you didn't want to be away from your family. But actually the reason was different. You couldn't go somewhere without getting suppressants or pills to stop your heat. You didn't want to meet any alpha either. Your current team was all betas and that was fine to you.
*
You were lying on your bed and reading an email from your parents. Your sibling has had a baby, another beta in the family. They also sent photos of the baby with a text saying they can't wait for you to come home to meet him. You sent them short congratulations and thanks for the package of your favorite books. You also assured them that everything was fine with you.
The door to the room opened suddenly and your friend and roommate, Sam, ran inside. He was very excited, you could sense it by the smell.... well, and by the look on his face. He was grinning.
'You stole food again?' you asked him politely. You put your laptop on the desk and went back to bed. You were exhausted, had been preparing all day for the mission that starts in two days.
'No... I mean, yes, but that's not the point' he said so quickly that you barely managed to understand his words. 'Four alphas have just arrived at our base'
'alphas?' you were surprised. A single alpha rarely arrived at your base. These were usually people looking for new recruits for special units. For the first time, four appeared at once. For some reason you didn't like it. It was suspicious. 'do you know why they are here?'
'You're overestimating me. I only saw them for a few seconds as they greeted the captain . They looked like they knew each other quite well. Maybe they are help for our mission?
'Maybe' You whispered, not very convincingly. You had a feeling this wasn't the reason. Your mission was not so difficult as to ask anyone for support. They could have sent one small group, but you weren't going to argue. They probably could have not told you something and the risk could have been much greater. 'I'm already falling asleep,' you yawned loudly. 'my parents sent more books' - you pointed to the books lying under your desk.
'And there are... you know,' he smiled wickedly
'They are, but I won't tell you which ones'
'Come on... okay, sleep then'
'Good...night'
'Yhy..'
You fell asleep quickly, but you didn't enjoy your sleep for long. You heard a knock. Before you could react, the door opened and strangers entered. Suddenly, the light turned on and blinded you for a moment. You thought it was one of your many friends who couldn't sleep and was bored. You grabbed the pillow, eager to throw it, but when your vision returned, you quickly let go of it.
You and Sam stood at attention. The captain and an unknown alpha entered your room. Its scent was strong, stuffy, like cigar smoke. The alpha studied you for a few seconds before focusing on Sam and staying there.
'This one?' The pride in his voice made you a little embarrassed. You hoped it wasn't noticeable. Artisto... a stupid nickname you got by accident when you drew cartoons on Sam's plaster. That nickname had nothing to do with you, you're as much an artist as a cow is a ballerina.
'That skinny one?'
'Maybe looks innocent, but there's no denying they skill.'
'We'll find out' He said in a not very pleasant tone. He walked over to you, his gaze sending shivers down your spine. He looked at you like he was trying to spot every imperfection. For a moment, you felt like he was trying to smell your scent. You felt very uncomfortable about it. 'You have to report to the training room at six. Let's see what you're made of.' He waited a moment for your reaction. 'Is that clear!?!'
'Aye sir!'
The captain and alpha left your room without a word. With your heart pounding, you sat up on your bed. You didn't like this situation. Why would they test you? If this is another attempt to recruit you to some other unit... no, it's not that. They should inform you about this possibility at the beginning. You'll find out what they want in less than five hours.
'Lucky' said Sam laying down on the bed.
'Will you switch?
'I'd like to. Do you know who it was? You denied with a nod, though your friend couldn't see it.
'No.'
'Captain John Price from Task Force 141. Do you know what stories there are about them?' he asked excitedly.
'I know' You said weakly. You knew these stories and you didn't like them.
^
Several minutes earlier. Captain's office.
'I think your presence will only make things worse' The Captain crossed his arms over his chest.
'Don't worry, we've got the situation under control' Price reassured him with a pleasant smile. 'If he feels threatened, he will start making stupid mistakes, and even without that he will be found within two or three days. I hope it will crack and come out easily. I would like to go back to my base
'Do you need anything?'
'Soldier' The captain looked at him a bit surprised. Price gasped in disbelief at having to explain this. 'We have to keep up some appearances. Let him be stressed, but also let him think that we are not here for him. That's why we'll pretend we're here to recruit someone. Do you have a good candidate?
'I see...' The captain pulled out a briefcase and handed it to the alpha. 'This one will fit perfectly.' Price began to look through the file of the person callsign Artisto.
'With such achievements, they should have been transferred to another unit a long time ago. What else they doing here?'
'They don't want to move. I think they'll be wasting away here, but I can't reach them. Maybe you'll make it'
Price closed the briefcase. It was a bit suspicious for him. People usually begged to be transferred to other, better units. The whole thing stunk to him from a mile away.
'I'd love to see him,' The captain nodded and stood up from his seat. They went out into the corridor and quickly moved forward.
'I heard that you finally managed to get an omega for your pack'.
'You change the subject quickly'.
'I could go on, but I don't know if it's appropriate to talk about such things here at the moment.' Price gasped.
'Yes, we managed to get the omega... and after five days we said goodbye to it.'
'fast'
'She create confusion. Just as we were delighted with her on the first day, on the second day she started testing what she could afford. She wanted action. For some reason she didn't like Soap and tried to tell us that he hit her.'
'He?'
'Even if I was charmed by her, I wouldn't believe it. He would rather cut off his own hand than raise a hand against an omega. That's why we had to get rid of her from our pack.
'Maybe at the next one it will work out'
I don't want to keep looking. If they assign us one I won't have any option not to accept it, but personally I'm not going to look for one. Is it here?'
'Yeah'
The captain knocked on the door and then went inside. Price followed him. He looked at the two betas who weren't very happy with the wake up call. One of them grabbed a pillow and was getting ready to throw it when he saw who was standing in front of him.
Price smiled. He liked this reaction. He liked the beta's face, angry at first, then confused. He didn't expect beta to be so charming.
He immediately got himself under control.... took another look at the skinny beta, something about them was suspicious.