The Season of Camellias

CHAPTER 1

2002.

Sophia Montero, an Alpha female, and Hans Matisse, an Omega male, have been married for three years.

For the past two years, the couple had been trying to conceive without success. Hans, being a recessive Omega, had miscarried twice before. But on his third pregnancy, despite being plagued with complications, he gave birth to healthy twin sons.

The couple named them Milou, who was born first, and Saliou, who was born 43 minutes after his older brother.

Milou's first cry filled the room. He was only minutes old, but this tiny boy began to root almost immediately, mouth wide, his instincts strong. Meanwhile, Saliou met the world without so much as a snuffling.

The two were polar opposites from the very beginning. One was impulsive and reckless, the other shy and aloof.

Milou would always risk his life by his spontaneity – getting into all sorts of trouble, big and small. But Saliou was the more sensible one. He would often be reluctant to speak his mind, but he's always the one to get his older brother out of trouble.

But Saliou's proclivity for protecting his brother has stemmed from the fact Milou is a recessive Omega, just like their father.

There is some sort of prejudice towards recessive Omegas. That they are the most fragile in society, barely functioning once they reach puberty and go into heat.

And it's not entirely false.

A recessive Omega's estrus cycles are unpredictable. There's no telling when they'll go into heat, until you begin to smell that strong, sweet scent of pheromones that they often could not control themselves or even with a heat suppressor. This spells trouble for any unpaired Alpha, and even to Betas. Because oftentimes a recessive Omega would emit pheromones so strong, even a Beta would go into a pseudo-rut.

And then, the frail body. Saliou had heard stories about their father. It wouldn't come as a surprise if the same thing happens to Milou. A recessive Omega's body is often not fit for pregnancy and childbirth. Even when healthcare has improved and medicine has advanced over the years, there was still an exceptionally high mortality rate among recessive Omegas.

Recessives are often not allowed to take on full-time jobs. At best, they can work part-time on top of living off government-backed financial support. Only when they are bonded to an Alpha, will they be allowed to fully immerse into society.

But Saliou didn't want this kind of life for Milou. He loves and cares for his brother so much that he didn't want to see him become someone whose existence is merely to replenish the population. A babymaker.

He wanted Milou to become more than that. He wanted him to have big dreams, just like he does.

It's become second nature for Saliou to provide for Milou, even when the other doesn't ask for it. He would always stick up for his brother in front of others, even when he knew the other was wrong. But then later on, privately, he would let Milou know what he really thought and how he should've behaved, who he should apologize to, and how not to repeat the same mistake. Milou would listen to him because he would also listen to the other.

But Saliou, just like his name, would always be "generous" to a fault.

I love cats more, but Milou prefers dogs. It's okay, I'm not allergic to them anyway.

I want to go to an art school, but Milou will have a hard time adjusting without me. It's okay, a prep school for Omegas wouldn't be so bad.

It doesn't matter if Milou gets three and I have two. What's important is that he's happy.

He would always give way for the sake of his brother. He would always give in. He would always indulge. 

Despite having lived in an affluent neighborhood, Milou and Saliou have grown up completely in the dark about the extent of their family's wealth. Their parents seemed to have downplayed it, which later on they've learned to be thankful for, because they did not grow up to become spoiled brats.

The twins were the fifth-generation heirs in a now-prominent family. But their grandparents and the ones before them had originally belonged to a different social class. They were working-class people, employed in government and factories. But unlike their predecessors, Sophia Montero and Hans Matisse entered a transitioning market that offered better job opportunities. They started a family as the economy was expanding. And with the government's support schemes for families with Omegas, the couple was able to live comfortably without having to worry about finances.

Hans is a research historian, mostly working from home and supervising the twins as they grew up. Meanwhile, Sophia has been working as a biochemist at a top pharmaceutical company called Pharmalyticals Corporation, for almost ten years, well before she got married. Having two recessive Omegas in the family pushed Sophia into finding a "cure" to their erratic heat cycles. So when Pharmalyticals started a research project that aimed to discover and create a more potent heat suppressor for recessives, Sophia quickly took the plunge and became head of research.

This is how she had met one of the company's board members, Hector Dumont. A steadfast Alpha, Dumont is also a biochemist, and has allocated much of his company shares into medical research.

When two passionate researchers meet for the first time, they would usually tell each other about the research they're conducting and the interesting facts and findings they're producing. Strangely, this was not the case when Sophia met Hector. They found themselves talking not just about their research, but also about what was then, and still is today, their first love: family.

In the five years since their first meeting, Sophia and Hector have become firm friends, as have their families. So when Sophia got married and started her own family, the Dumonts were eager to help her move into a larger house and a more family-friendly neighborhood. That's when the Dumonts and the Matisses became amiable neighbors.

Wren Dumont, the youngest among the three Dumont brothers, was born a year after the Matisse twins. And just like most of the members of the family, he too is an Alpha. Wren and the twins had easily become playmates. They were friends from when they learned to walk and talk. 

For the Matisses, the thought of the children so close together, growing up as friends, was exciting especially when the Dumonts shared that excitement with them. The promise of one of the Omega twins marrying into an Alpha family soon then became one of the most highly anticipated moments for both families.

While many friendships would cool and drift away, the bond of Wren and the Matisse twins' friendship would only become stronger over time. And it was a friendship unlike any other.

At the young age of nine, Milou and Saliou manifested Imprinting towards the young Alpha, a rare and exceptional phenomenon that thrilled the elders. They had a special bond, and the twins became especially attached to Wren.

The young Alpha always had so many friends – popular at school without even trying. But unlike his brothers, Wren is an introvert to the point of being 'anti-social'. Not so easy to warm up to others and can be seen as cold and indifferent. But Wren can be especially warm and affectionate towards those whom he considers as close friends. And the only people who earned this special treatment were Milou and Saliou. So while some friends are for a reason and some for a season, his bond with the Omega twins are for life. They were inseparable.

The three spent most of their time with each other and while in their teens. While they did have other friends outside their tiny circle, they still refused to budge from each other. Perhaps this was the natural effect of an Omega's Imprinting. And Wren wouldn't want it any other way. Some are born as brothers, while others are made into the best of friends. And for Wren, the Omega twins are both.

But if Wren were to gauge his feelings, he seemed to have a special soft spot for the younger twin, Saliou...

2017.

It was summer between their ninth and tenth grades at Westbrook Heights Middle School, and Saliou was sitting at the bench waiting for Milou to finish his swimming lessons. Sensing that it was his only opportunity to be alone with Saliou, Wren gathered the courage to come up to him and confess his feelings to the other.

He seated himself on the edge of the bench, twisting his cap in his hands, cheeks flushed red as he began to stammer out his confession.

"Saliou, I think I have feelings for you. Actually... I think I'm falling in love with you. If I see you go out with another guy, my heart will be broken, and I don't think I can handle that." Wren said this almost breathlessly, as if he was running out of time. He expected to be received with a gale of ridicule or god forbid, evoke a look of utter disgust from the other.

But Saliou's initial shock was quickly replaced by a soft expression, his lips curving in a slight smile. He moved closer to Wren until their knees touched. Then he grabbed Wren's hand.

At first, Wren wasn't sure what was happening, and it confused him immensely. Saliou was so close to him that they could feel each other's breaths. But the feel of Saliou's hand in his felt right. It was perfect. He caressed his fingertips with his own.

Milou was nowhere in sight so this rare display of affection felt... necessary. Saliou held Wren even closer to him, taking in the natural and distinctive scent of his skin, which reminded him of cinnamon, notes of cedarwood, and a hint of citrus. It was calming and somehow sensual.

Hand still holding Wren's, Saliou leaned in to whisper in the other's ear. "I have feelings for you too," he admitted. Again he smiled faintly, then his expression turned glum as his eyes darted toward the pool where Milou was. "But... there's no way I can act on them. You know Milou likes you very much just as I do." He shrugged helplessly. "I don't want to hurt him."

Wren grunted with frustration. "But it's you I like. I mean I like Milou too, but it's not the kind of 'like' I feel towards you. I just... see him as a friend." He placed his hands over Saliou's arms and gave them a gentle tug. "Come on, you were always willing to give up anything – even the things you're fond of – just to please Milou. Did you actually think I didn't know that? It's about time you do something for your own personal happiness, Saliou."

Wren was right. Over the years, Saliou learned to be so in-tune with making Milou happy that he forgot to keep his own needs and emotions in check. But this time, he found something – someone – he just could not give up on.

For once, he wanted this for himself. His alone.

Saliou dropped his gaze and bit his bottom lip. "I don't want Milou to find out. At least not yet. Telling him now would only break his heart. I don't want that. I'd hate myself for it..."

"But delaying the inevitable won't make it any less painful," Wren argued. "I want us to date properly. No secrets. No hiding behind someone's back."

Saliou shook his head, avoiding the other's gaze. "That's my term, Wren," he replied resolutely. "If you don't agree with it, then let's just forget this conversation ever happened – "

"Saliou." Wren took on a firm, almost pleading tone when he said the other's name. "Please don't disregard my feelings just like that." He gave a sharp sigh which elaborated his frustration. And then, he took Saliou's hand in his again. "Alright. If that's what you want, then I'm fine with it. But sooner or later, you'll have to tell Milou about us."

Saliou hesitated, but held captive by the thrall of Wren's gaze, he nodded weakly. "Thank you for choosing me, Wren. You have no idea how happy I am right now," he said with a coy smile.

"What are you talking about?" Wren said, laughing softly. "It was never a competition between you and your brother. Besides, even if you reject me now, I'd still keep on trying until you learn to like me back." His palm cupped Saliou's cheek. "See? I must love you very much. I'm determined to win you over."

Saliou drew his face closer to the other's palm. "Just... promise me you won't tell Milou. Let me do it. I need to find the right time to tell him."

"You need to do it sooner than later, Saliou. The longer we hide it from Milou, the more it'll hurt him. It's understandable for him to get upset. But soon enough he'll get over it. Time heals all wounds, remember?"

"I know. Just... don't make any drastic moves. I'll tell him myself. And then..."

Wren raised an eyebrow, his thumb brushing over Saliou's cheek. "And then?"

Saliou drove his fingers through Wren's and pressed it lightly. He couldn't have escaped, even if he wanted to.

"And then, we'll see..."