The Forbidden Omega

Chapter One: A New Client

I gently crack the last egg I need for the latest batch of Victoria Sandwiches, which happened to be one of the more popular items on my menu, here at Aiden Collins' Sugar n' Spice. I keep a weather eye on the door, though I don't truly expect anyone to suddenly burst in. Wednesday afternoons were typically the slowest times of the week, a useful time for replenishing odds and ends I'm running low on.

This bakery is, without a doubt, my dream, though my inner wolf longs for a gentler presence to ease the loneliness. I still haven't found my Omega, not even at twenty seven years old. My six foot five inch frame is undoubtedly too large for most Omega's to actually desire, but there is an underlying issue with my Alpha alignment on top of my physical form.

I'm gay. I prefer masculinity in my partners, which has led to my wolf, my inner self, turning up his nose at nearly every Omega he sees, even if they are male. Of course, he also turns up his nose at the small number of betas, and the solitary Alpha I have chosen in a time of real desperation for physical affection.

I've never truly met a Wolf that has both the tall, muscled frame that appeals to my sexuality, nor the alignment that my inner self craves. It seems that I might truly never find a mate, unless an act of the gods interferes in my life. I might never have a warm body to comfort me in my ruts, or a loving mate to raise a litter with.

The thought makes me want to howl to the moon, begging the Mother for answers to why I was created to be this way. Yet I know the goddess never gives out explanations without a sacrifice.

I sigh, turning on the pale mint stand mixer sitting on my work bench, starting to form the base of the small cakes, filled with jam and topped with cream, for the nearly empty display in the front. It never seemed a chore, running this small bakery, and I enjoyed my life.

The young beta I hired to deliver the orders to various restaurants in our decently sized town I was able to count as a close friend. And he could possibly work his way up to Apprentice Baker when he graduates his last year of high school. He has a certain knack on the few times I've had to rush a project, and nimble hands perfect for decorating cakes.

And I have half a dozen siblings scattered over all of Greater Coventry, a few even take the time to visit, stopping in from time to time. Cora, especially, out of the seven of us, is the sister who helps us all keep in contact. She's expecting another litter, small as she's a Beta, and I feel the tingling excitement of the latest additions bring a gentle grin to my face.

Yet, with all I had going for me, I still longed for an Omega, the beautiful male I have not met so far in this life.

Now, gay Alphas aren't really all that unusual, not generally the norm, but certainly not unheard of in modern society. Neither are gay members of the other alignments, both Beta and Omega. My bakery actually is known for the impressive cakes I craft for many of the gay marriages in this city. My cakes' rainbow colors are always prominent in the design, as they match the colors of the pride flag for Wolves like us. I always put as much effort into each special cake as if it was the creation I would one day share with my true mate.

If I ever can find him.

Just as I place the divided pans of whipped batter into the piping hot oven, the small bell over my door chimes, alerting me to an unexpected arrival. I dust my flour covered hands off on my canvas apron, exiting the warm kitchen into the cooler temperatures of the main store, looking curiously for the new customer. I nearly run into the front counter, as I spy a truly striking man looking at the loaves of freshly baked bread near my pride flag in the window.

My wolf pricks up his metaphorical ears in interest as I stare unashamedly at the spectacle before me. He was tall, either a middling tall Alpha, or an extremely tall Beta, and had honey gold hair that softly waved as it cascaded about his ears. As he meandered through the display cases, he faces my way, and I truly feel a budding interest, seeing his perfectly freckled face and strong jaw.

There was little chance that this gorgeous Wolf was an Omega. Next to none in my opinion.

Yet, as one of the gentle fans cycling the air in the room blows his scent in my direction, I run into the best surprise of my life. His mouthwatering scent of lavender and hibiscus seemed to make my inner wolf brush off his disinterest in love and reexamine this new prospect before me. He begins to whine, pushing his desires to the forefront of my being, begging for another whiff of that scent that was floral, yet also had a distinct undertone of pure, masculine musk that drove us insane.

"Hello, there," I call, as he starts to make his way to the cakes and pies section of the bakery. I keep my tone light and informal, as friendly as I could be without seeming to be overly aggressive. I hoped to not scare him off with my mannerisms. "What can I help you with, sir?" I ask as he looks up, a pleasant expression of interest lighting his eyes as he approaches me.

When he finally stands before me, looking at the single serve pies before me in the display case, I nearly lose myself in his silvery gray eyes, like the lavender leaves he smelled so strongly of. I force my gaze to the stack of orders I needed to fill by Friday, and away from the enchanting Omega with the tantalizing scent.

My wolf is howling inside my ribcage, rattling the chain I had bolted around his neck, and begging for a taste of the Omega's plush pink lips. A single word reverberates through my mind, my whole body vibrating with the ringing truth of the statement. Mate.