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George had a secret. A pretty big one at that. It’s something that he’d managed to hide from his new pack that he’d joined just after he turned 22, and it’s something he doesn’t plan on telling them at all.
Life in the pack was going well, he didn’t want to ruin it by slipping up and letting them find out his secret. Chris is a great pack alpha, despite the impression he gives off. His omega, Arthur Frederick, was the packs only omega and treated George and the others like they were his own. Regardless of being a beta, Arthur Hill was Chris’ second in command. Purely because, they just didn’t think Bach would know how to handle difficult situations. Yes he was an alpha, but honestly you wouldn’t think it if you didn’t know him.
Then there was George. The youngest pack member, who told everyone he was a beta when that’s definitely not the case. He still hadn’t presented.
He’s still a pup. At 23 years of age, he’s still not yet presented.
He hates it so much. Hates having to lie to his pack, hates having to wear scent blockers and he hates being so sensitive.
Pups are pretty difficult to handle. They’re always sleepy, hungry and get upset over the smallest little things. So George never wanted his pack to put up with that.
That’s why when he was asked, he told them he was a beta. They never questioned him, and that was enough.
He was now a beta.
It’s definitely a lot easier than it would’ve been if he admitted he was a pup. They’d baby him like crazy and he knows that. He ignores the thoughts in his head that it’s what he wants.
So after a full year of being in the pack and months of living together, he didn’t think his secret would suddenly get exposed.
“George! Wake up, we’re going to be late to the shoot” He wakes up to Chris banging on his bedroom door.
“I’m awake..” George mutters, lifting his hands up to rub his eyes.
“Kid, did you not hear me? We’re going to be late, get ready!” Chris opens the door, staring at the youngest pack member expectantly.
“I am! I’m just tired” George whines before he can stop himself, he’s already getting himself too worked up. He needs to take his suppressants.
“You can sleep in the car, but just get changed please” Chris offers, so the younger man nods and finally stands up.
Chris seems to accept that and closes the door, George lets out a sigh of relief and quickly grabs his scent blockers and his suppressants.
Luckily for him, they don’t take long to kick in. So by the time he’s dressed and made his way into the kitchen they’re already working.
“Are you feeling okay Georgie? You look ill” ArthurTV is the first one to speak, the omega quickly rushing over to fuss over the younger man.
“M fine, just tired” George huffs, but the omega is not having it and moves to find a thermometer.
“Arthur we don’t have time for that” Isaac rolls his eyes, grabbing his coat from the rack and putting it on.
“We’ll make time. If he’s not well then he isn’t going” Arthur responds, finally having found the thermometer in the drawer.
“What? I’m perfectly fine” George lies, admittedly he had realised when he swallowed the suppressants just how sore his throat was.
“Then you’ll let me double check your temperature” Arthur argues, he turns to look at the other three pack members who just gesture for him to accept it.
“Fine.. but i’m still going no matter what it says” George gives in, the omega just hums silently and takes his temperature.
“It’s a little high, but if you’re sure you feel well enough i won’t stop you from coming. You can just take some paracetamol” Arthur suggests, George quickly nods in acceptance.
“Right, we really need to leave now” Arthur Hill says as soon as George has taken the tablets, so the five quickly rush outside to their waiting car.
George does fall asleep in the car, his head on Chris’ shoulder as the alpha chats to the pack about the shoot.
“I really don’t think he’s fine, he’s definitely not well” Arthur says, the omega staring at their youngest member in worry.
“He’ll be alright, if he’s really struggling then i’m sure he’ll tell us” Chris tries to reassure him, but it still doesn’t stop his omega worrying.
“Buddy, wake up we’re here” George is gently shook awake by Isaac, the alpha leaning over him in a way that makes him flinch.
“You okay George?” Arthur Hill asks with a frown, he’s never seen the younger jump like that before.
“Yeah.. sorry, let’s go inside” George mumbles, quickly jumping up out of his seat. He doesn’t see the way his pack members look at each other with concern.
They seem to have just made it on time, the sidemen have clearly been waiting for them to arrive and have already set up.
They’re split into separate teams, George and Isaac on one and Chris, Arthur and Arthur on the other. There’s a few other youtubers in the room who he knows well enough, but he’s way too tired to say hello.
“George, George!” He’s snapped out of his trance by Isaac, who by the looks of it has been trying to get his attention for a while.
“Sorry, mate” The younger flushes, letting the Alpha lead him over to the table where Harry and Ethan are waiting for them.
“What’s up with your face? You look like a pup who’s been dragged out of his nest” Harry laughs, the younger just grumbles and takes a seat.
“He’s ill, but he won’t admit it” Isaac informs them, the ‘beta’ rolls his eyes and fiddles with his watch.
“Mate, if you’re not well you didn’t have to come you know” Ethan tells him, George just shrugs and looks away.
“Right, let’s get this quiz started!” Simon says into the mic, so thankfully for George their conversation is forgotten as they start to film.
He manages to act normal whilst they’re filming, trying not to draw any attention to himself. But he feels worse and worse as time goes on and by the time they’re ready to go, his face is flushed red and he can’t stop coughing.
“You need to get yourself home, mate” Ethan tells him, gesturing for Chris to come over and help him.
“Aw mate, we knew you were ill. Let’s get you home, buddy” Chris helps the younger stand up, George wobbles slightly but the alpha is quick to support him.
“Can anyone else smell a pup? It’s like.. a milk scent?” Harry suddenly asks, and the whole room goes silent.
George’s face drops. His scent blockers clearly aren’t working.
“Yeah, where is that coming from?” George stands still, trying not to react to the fact that everyone is searching for a pup who’s right in front of them.
It’s silent for a moment whilst they try to figure out where the scent is coming from, and then George suddenly sneezes. He flushes red as everyone looks at him.
“You better get him home” Simon tells them, George is quickly pulled out of the room before he gets a chance to say goodbye.
The car ride home is silent apart from George’s sneezing and sniffling, they help him inside and onto the couch where they all sit next to him.
“Weird.. i can still smell a pup” ArthurTV hums, glancing over at George in suspicion. George tries not to react, but he’s pretty sure Arthur is onto him.
“Never mind that, what about this one pretending not to be ill” Chris says, turning their attention to George who is sat sniffling.
“Sorry, i didn’t wanna let them down” George whines, groaning as he sneezes again.
“George Clarke, if you ever pull a stunt like that again you will be in huge trouble. I don’t care if you can’t make one video, your health is way more important” ArthurTV gives him a disappointed look which makes the younger whine involuntarily.
He’s upset his pack omega.
“M sorry, i won’t do it again i promise. Please don’t be mad at me” George sniffles, hiding his face in his arms. His eyes are welling up and he knows he won’t be able to stay calm for much longer.
They’re going to find out.
“Hey, i’m not mad at you. I’m just worried that’s all” Arthur coos, the younger doesn’t seem to hear him and continues to panic.
“M sorry.. i didn’t mean to” George’s voice cracks this time, clearly giving it away that he’s crying now.
“Aw Georgie, what’s all these tears for?” The omega forces the younger to look up at him, and the second he does something dawns on Arthur.
He doesn’t look like a beta anymore. He looks like a terrified pup.
“Why is that milk scent back again?!” Arthur Hill announces, George flinches and looks away from the Omega staring at him.
Arthur knows.
“You’re.. please tell me i’ve got it wrong George. Tell me you haven’t hid this from us for so long” Arthur pleads, the younger just stays silent and that’s enough for him.
“Got what wrong? What has he not told us?” Chris asks in confusion, seeing the devastated look on his omegas face.
“…You’re a pup, aren’t you?” It’s Isaac who suddenly speaks up, the realisation finally hitting him.
Chris and Arthur Hill seem to realise it now too, it all makes sense.
“Pup? What’s wrong?” Arthur suddenly interrupts them, they turn to George who is sat trembling and struggling to breathe.
“He’s having a panic attack” Arthur Hill says, the beta the quickest to realise it.
“George, it’s okay. Nobody’s mad at you i promise, you’re not in trouble. Breathe, pup” Chris tries to soothe, but the younger seems to be inconsolable.
“I-I’m sorry i l-lied. Please.. d-don’t get rid of me” George sobs, he hears the pack omega gasp in response.
“Georgie, we’re not going to get rid of you. That would never happen, if you want the truth i’m pretty sure Arthur has known for a while” Chris says, the pup turns to look at the pack omega in shock.
“I had suspicions.. i think i honestly just hoped you would be a pup because i wanted to have one of my own” Arthur admits, reaching a hand out to ruffle the youngers hair.
“You’re not mad you have to deal with a pup now?” George asks quietly, looking around at his pack a little uncertain.
“No, of course we aren’t. You being a pup doesn’t change how we view you, it just means we’re going to look out for you more than we have done” Isaac tells him, that seems to settle George’s worries and his breathing starts to return to normal.
“I’m sorry i lied to you all, i just thought you wouldn’t want me in the pack if i wasn’t already presented” George admits, lifting a hand up to wipe his eyes.
“How could you even think that? Silly pup you are” Arthur mutters, gently wiping one of the stray tears away on George’s cheek.
“He’s also a pup that needs to tell us when he isn’t well” Chris reminds them, the pup ducks his head in embarrassment as the others chuckle.
“Chris is right, you better not pull a stunt like that again or you’ll be in serious trouble pup” The Omega tells him, George huffs and nods in agreement.
“I promise, do we have any more blankets? I’m cold” George asks, he quickly realises it’s a mistake. Because suddenly his pack are up and rushing around the place.
“I’ll make him a tea!” Isaac rushes into the kitchen.
“I’ll go and find some blankets for him” Arthur Hill says, making a move to the cupboard in the hallway.
Chris doesn’t say anything but still disappears, he comes back a few seconds later with one of Arthur’s hoodies.
“Here pup, i’m sure Arthur won’t mind you wearing this” The pup looks over at Arthur a little warily, but the omega just nods so he accepts the hoodie.
He hesitantly pulls it over his head, with help from Arthur and Chris who have suddenly decided he can’t put a hoodie on by himself anymore.
“Found another blanket!” Arthur Hill appears with a huge grey blanket that should be enough to stop the pup getting cold.
“Thanks, Arthur” George smiles, the beta coos and ruffles the youngers hair. He gets a grumble in response, but he knows George isn’t that fussed by it.
“Here buddy, i even put honey in it for you” Isaac reappears with the tea, George is about to grab it but suddenly starts to sneeze again.
“That’s a serious cold you’ve got there, pup” Chris says, a little amused at the fact the younger is non stop sneezing.
“Don’t laugh at him, horrible. Here i’ll hold it for him just so it doesn’t get spilled anywhere” ArthurTV whacks Chris over the head before taking the mug into his own hands.
George eventually stops sneezing and lets out a low whimper, clearly feeling horrible and exhausted.
“Have some of that tea, pup. I think maybe you should have a little nap after you’ve had that” Chris suggests, the pup nods and lets Arthur give him the tea.
He’s barely drank half of it when his eyes start to flutter, he keeps jolting awake and seems to be struggling falling asleep. He lets out a frustrated whine as he eyes well up, he can’t even sleep now?!
“Shh, it’s okay pup don’t get upset” Arthur pulls the younger into his arms, George sniffles and nuzzles into the omega.
“I can sing you to sleep?” Arthur Hill offers, clearly a bit of a joke but the pup nods softly and stares at him expectantly.
“You’re not getting out of that one” Issac laughs, Arthur just rolls his eyes at the alpha and quickly thinks of a song he can sing.
He settles on somewhere only we know, it’s one of George’s favourite songs and it should settle him down.
As soon as he starts to sing, George visibly relaxes and leans further into the omega. Arthur starts to play with his hair which makes him involuntarily start to purr softly, he ignores the coos of his pack and lets his eyes flutter closed. He’s well away by the time Arthur has finished singing.
It’s silent for a few minutes after, the only noise being George’s little purrs which makes them all smile.
“Well.. looks like we have a pup huh?” Chris is the one who speaks up, he gets three nods in response and that’s that.
They might have a pup now, but nothing has changed.