THE ALPHA'S HIDDEN OMEGA

Chapter 1: The Interview Lucas stood outside Blackwood Tower in Lagos, his palms sweating despite the AC from the lobby. The glass building was 40 floors high, reflecting the hot sun. His heart was beating like a drum. He quickly opened his small backpack and checked. Yes. Suppressant pills were there, and the Beta scent patch was on his neck. He had taken two pills this morning. He whispered to himself, "I must smell like a Beta today. No mistakes. This is my last chance." In this world, life was not fair. Alphas are the bosses, they own companies and give orders. Betas are the workers, they are seen as normal and hardworking. But Omegas... especially male Omegas like Lucas, are looked down on. People say male Omegas are just breeding machines, too emotional, too weak to work in a serious office. They go into heat and cause trouble. Lucas is 22. He graduated first-class in Business Administration from UNILAG. But for six months, no company hired him once they saw his medical report said Omega. So he made a hard decision. He would lie. He bought strong suppressants from the black market and Beta pheromone patches. He would hide who he is. Today is his interview for Personal Secretary to the CEO of Blackwood Group. The receptionist called his name. Lucas took a deep breath and entered the big office. Bryan Blackwood was sitting behind a black marble desk. He is 28, tall, broad shoulders, wearing a perfect black suit. His eyes are cold grey, his hair is black and neat. He smells like cedar wood and a coming storm, even from far, so strong and Alpha that Lucas's knees almost became weak. This is a top Alpha. Bryan didn't even look at Lucas's CV. He leaned back and said in a deep cold voice, "I don't hire Omegas. They are distracting, emotional, and useless during their heat. Are you an Omega?" Lucas's heart jumped to his throat. His scent patch felt hot. He forced a smile and said, "No sir. I'm 100% Beta, sir. My report is there. I'm a Beta." Bryan stood up slowly. He is even taller up close, maybe 6'3". He walked around Lucas slowly, his eyes scanning him from head to toe. He stopped behind Lucas and sniffed the air slightly. Lucas held his breath. He could feel his suppressant wearing off already. The room was too hot, and Bryan's Alpha scent was making him feel strange, hot in his neck and dizzy. Bryan leaned a little closer, his voice low, "You smell... strange. Sweet. Not like a Beta. Betas don't smell sweet." Lucas's hands were shaking. He lied again quickly, "It's... it's new soap, sir. Strawberry soap. My sister bought it." There was a long, terrible silence. Lucas thought he would be chased out. Then Bryan walked back to his desk and sat down. "You are hired," Bryan said. "You start now. Your desk is outside my office. Don't disappoint me, Lucas. I hate disappointment." Lucas couldn't believe it. He was hired! "Thank you, sir! Thank you!" He almost bowed and rushed out of the office to the bathroom. Inside the bathroom, he locked the door and smiled in the mirror. He got the job! He, a male Omega, got a job at the biggest company in Lagos! But then his smile faded. He looked in the mirror - his eyes were glossy and wet, his lips were red, his neck was flushed pink. His body was sweating. The Beta patch on his neck was falling off. Oh no. His heat was starting. Two weeks early. His suppressant had failed because he was too nervous and because of Bryan's strong Alpha scent. He could feel his own sweet Omega scent leaking out now, vanilla and honey. He could hear his own heartbeat loudly. And he was still inside the Alpha's building, just a few meters away from the most dangerous Alpha CEO. He tried to open the bathroom window, but it was locked. Then, the door opened behind him.