Chapter Text
Sir Michael Wheeler, born and raised in the kingdom of Montclair, was already given a duty before his first cry in the living world.
The Wheelers was a known family — consisting of an Omega Father and an Alpha Mother with two girls and one boy as their children. Their lineage was well known for its knightly duties to the royal family — their loyalty to protect and serve already proven unshakable through wars and time. However, his Father, Theodric Wheeler — garnered more traction the moment he pledged duty to be captain of the guard while being an omega. Omegas weren’t subdued despite them being the lowest in the hierarchy, they were cared for and given equal amounts of opportunities and respect, but it was not always that they would choose a job so combative and physical. Theodric’s late Father was a reason for his stubbornness — years under his care made him give no care of his secondary identity and what he wanted to do in life. When his day of presentation came, he was not scared that he wouldn’t follow the steps of his Father. Even after he was designated as an omega. Theodric made it known to his Father that this would not stop him, not after years of practice and training. In return, his late Father was most proud of his brave son.
Therefore, Theodric made sure his children, regardless of their identity, were to live with the world in the palm of their hands. He wanted to set an example with the peculiarity of his work and identity. He wanted his children to choose what their heart desires without the shackles of biology and societal expectations.
Michael Wheeler, born on the first of April, was Theodric and Karen’s second child. He grew up to be very adventurous with a curious mind and a kind heart. He loved what the outside world offered to him and enjoyed every little bit of nature. His favorite days were the ones where he would ride a horse with his Father and explore the vast land. The only way Michael were to be content at the safety of his home is if the little Wheeler had a book on his hand or if his older sister, Nancy, and younger sister, Holly, was involved in the persuasion.
Michael was no stranger to the royal family — in fact, some of his younger days were filled with playing with the youngest son of the Byers, William. Michael kept the young prince company and spent most of his childhood growing up with William beside him. A best friend. A confidant. They found comfort and joy together in their friendship and grew up to be very close with each other.
“Father said that when I grow up, I will be beside you to protect you. How delightful is that?” Young Michael enthusiastically brings up to William as he holds his shield and sword while William pretends to be a ferocious dragon.
“It would mean that we will be together a lot more. I like that.” William giggles as he starts to move in hopes of Michael not catching him as they play.
Theodric made it known to Michael about his future duty to the young prince — how he was to learn to bear a proper sword and shield and the right conduct to serve the prince all in due time. Michael has taken his Father’s words seriously and had let it be known to everyone, since then, about his duty to William. He took care of the little Byers in any way he could — made sure he was always joyous and smiling. Whenever he cried, Michael tried his hardest to get the reason for it, making sure whoever or whatever it was were to be punished in his own childish way. Their dynamic as kids became a reflection of the imminent future they each held.
It was not hard for Michael to naturally create a genuine curiosity with his Father’s position at the castle. He adored seeing the duality of his Father, how different he was in the comfort of their home and when he was at the castle. How his scent, despite being soft and gentle, seemed to know when to let sharpness in even with scent dampeners. Gone would be the softness Michael would see in his Father’s eyes when he would see him talk with his men or any royal member. Therefore, Michael gladly expressed his willingness to follow his Father in knighthood and let his Father mold him into the greatest he could be.
As he grew older, Michael became a tall and handsome young man. A face for young ladies to swoon over as they watch him train swordsmanship with the rest of his Father’s men. Despite having no royal titles, he was known to be a famous candidate for marriage that reached the farthest of kingdoms. It flattered him and his family well, but Michael heeded no care for any proposition regarding a binding romantic relationship.
Turning eighteen was a special age for any child. A day marked with a scent and designation for a young person. A deciding factor. Michael was always assured by his parents that no matter what it meant for him, their love would be unconditional. That it wouldn’t change how they would see him. That his Father wouldn’t forbid him to join the knighthood if he was any other than an alpha. That whatever it was that would designate him, it wouldn’t change what he had to offer in life. Michael held onto the words of his parents like prayer. His secondary identity was something he did not dwell on much — he was lucky enough to see how his parents continued to live a fulfilling life despite the implications of it.
Being an Alpha felt right if he were to be a knight, but his Father was a living proof that it did not matter too much; and that was more than enough assurance for Michael. Their parents have drilled them to remember until their death that roles were not tied to their secondary identity — to see their capabilities over something that was natural to their biology. It was why the first cry of Nancy’s presentation was not laced of fear and burden, why her scent felt natural and not lined with a stench of dread or terror — rather, she cried as an instinctive reaction to the overwhelming sensation it gave that was soothed by the care of her parents. To others this may be different, when secondary identity still has a societal connotation — presenting was a make or break to the family, even if all were given equal rights and protection. Somehow, omegas still manage to take the brunt of being the lowest of all.
The harmony of cool and misty irises with dewy and sweet violets softened by powdery note violates the house as the sun peaked during the afternoon. It was warm and sunny yet the new scent permeated like the damp and coolness after a rain while violets and irises bloomed with their floral scent. Michael’s cry could be heard breaking the quietness and his parents rushed to aid the boy. The slick he could feel rushing down his thighs for the first time was palpable evidence too. He was definitely, irrevocably, undeniably an omega.
The news reached far and wide in the land of Montclair. Surely, the Wheelers is a family you cannot miss. Two Omegas, both wielded to knighthood — how strange and intriguing. And yet, the Wheelers have not faltered one step to their duty. Their family was the best of what knighthood in Montclair could ever have. Whether their secondary identity was an invitation for others to challenge or be scared of, Theodric could not care. They could pry off his armour and sword, but the skills and greatness other envy could only be held by a Wheeler.