The only good thing about Madam Rococco was the journey from Ata to Yorik. She was the only client that regularly took him out of the dystopian slums of Ata and into the bright, smooth elite upper class of Yorik. It was an interesting scene to watch the dull buildings start to get more polished and pretty and white with pops of ostentatious gold filigree and pastels. The people morphed from dingy hobos and prostituting Omegas to beautiful family Omegas with their Alphas and loyal Betas by their sides. Big hair, big outfits, lavish makeup and all the pomp and circumstance anyone could handle. And wigs. Soooo many large curly, puffy, wigs of all colors.

"Sweet dove." Madam Rococco said, taking Argo from the window. "Come sit by me a moment, I would like to take a good look at you."

Argo obeyed and sat next to the older woman. She had to be in her late forties by now; Argo wasn't keeping count. Ever since Lord Drake put out an ad for him when he was ten, Madam Eradixa Rococco had religiously paid to take Argo out of Ata every three months and use him as an accessory to her opulence. She treated him more like a pet than a person, considering calming her rut took nothing more than him being near her. She was his first 'touching' client, but not in a sexual way.

So far, his rare pheromone distribution was so strong that even if there was an Alpha having a rut that was strong enough to need sexual desire, they would only get so far as biting the nape of Argo's neck to be calmed, the aggression and sexual tension eased so they wouldn't cause problems. Those type were only recently added to Argo's tier system, ever since he became of age. Before that, it was only those who needed his scent, or those like Madam Rococco, who needed to be close to him and have physical contact.

Argo didn't like Madam Rococco though because she was so much older than him and he always thought she smelled like old peppermints someone found in their pants pocket. She may have like the smell of him, but he hated the smell of her.

"I apologize for missing your outing a few months ago. Usually our quarterly outings are enough for me but I needed someone that could satisfy me in a different manner. I didn't want to spoil such a delicate thing like you." She said, touching his hair that was laying on his shoulder. "You've let your hair grow out."

"It's started to grow faster in the last couple of months. I need to get it cut."

Madam Rococco leaned forward and took a deep sniff of his hair.

"I like it like this. It adds to your charm."

"What will we be doing today, Madam?"

"Tonight I will be attending a fashion show hosted by the Johansson House."

"Johansson House?"

"Yes, they are the leading fashion designers in all of Yorik. If anyone asks what you're wearing, nine times out of ten you're going to say it's a Johansson. They are always on the cutting edge regarding colors and styles. I hear that this year the show is going to feature a new line that combines fabric with metal and jewels! But what I need you for, sweet dove, is they are having a contest with the other lord and ladies regarding who will be in the fashion show. They have their own beautiful line of Omegas that are just to die for, but I was invited to participate in having an Omega represent the Rococco House and of course I thought of you."

"Oh, how... thoughtful."

"Don't worry, sweet dove, no one is going to do anything to you. I already cleared everything with your employer and you will have a bodyguard at all times until the end of the show. Isn't this just so exciting?!" she said with a happy clap.

Argo nodded, not exactly happy to be forced into a fashion show, but it was better than sitting all day waiting for Madam Rococco to walk by to sniff and pet him. At least he'd have something to do.

*****************

They pulled up to House Rococco and someone opened the door, letting them out. The manor was bustling a little more than usual today, probably due to the fashion show. The front doors opened and it was if she was swarmed by bees as servants clamored around her, pushing Argo out of the way. He just scooted to the back to wait for his instructions.

"You'd think this fashion show was an event for royalty." Someone said next to him.

He looked over and recognized the insignia of House Drake woven into jacket of the person standing next to him. He looked up and was surprised he didn't see him in a powdered wig, but had his golden hair neatly pulled back in a ponytail. He guy looked down and Argo realized that he was around the same age as him, but his build made him seem older.

"Are you the bodyguard Madam Rococco was talking about?"

"Therrion Drake, at your service." He said, giving a small bow.

"Wow, I can't believe Lord Drake sent his son to watch over me. He must have been really mad at you." Argo said with a laugh.

"Why do you say that?"

"To make you watch over someone like me and attend this crazy fashion show thing? Did you mix his salt and sugar this morning or something?"

Therrion lifted an eyebrow at him. "How did you know?"

Argo stopped laughing. "I- I didn't. I mean... I had heard that that was a joke people played..."

Therrion laughed. "It's a joke, Argo."

"You know my name?"

"Why wouldn't I? I'm supposed to guard you, so I think I should know your name."

"That doesn't really mean anything. People come to me all the time to suppress their ruts and they don't know my name. If they don't know my name with something as important as that, why should you for something so trivial like this?"

Therrion was about to say something when Madam Rococco came up to them.

"Oh, good, you have met your bodyguard. Who knew there was so much to prepare for when one is going to enter and attend a fashion show? Theodore, be a dear and show my sweet dove to the backroom. He will be given a vogue lesson for the catwalk."

"It's Therrion and yes, ma'am." He said, rolling his steel gray eyes at her. "Come on, Argo."

"Wait!" she yelled dramatically.

She grabbed Argo's arm and pulled him to her, where she promptly put her nose in the nape of his neck and took a long, deep sniff. When she pulled away she looked like she was in a daze.

"Oh, I will never get over that sweet, sweet smell of yours. Nothing can make me feel like normal like you, Argo."

Therrion made a face at her and grabbed Argo to take him to the backroom.

*************************

As they walked to the backroom, Therrion had to ward off at least three other Alphas that had caught wind of Argo before they finally reached their destination. Having so many other people around actually frightened Argo and he made sure to hold onto Therrion's jacket to make sure he didn't get left behind. Argo's appointments involved only one or two people at a time and even when he came with Madam Rococco, there was usually minimal staff on hand. He didn't like all the people.

"Here you go. Delivered safe and sound."

"Y-you're not coming in with me?"

"I think it's just you and the trainer in there. I'll be out here, so no one will get in."

"But- but what if the trainer is an Alpha?"

Therrion made a face. "Why would they be an Alpha?"

"All rich people are Alphas."

"Not necessarily, although that is the majority, but they're most likely a Beta, which means that you'll be fine."

Argo tried to process that information. He knew about Betas but he had never really met one, considering he was only good for Alphas. He furrowed his brows a minute and looked at Therrion.

"Are... you a Beta?"

"I am."

"So that's why you aren't affected by me?"

"Uh... kind of. That's part of it for sure. Anyway, don't worry, I'll be right here and I won't let anything happen."

Argo nodded and opened the door, thinking how Therrion was the nicest bodyguard he had ever had. There were two guards that guarded the door where he performed his services and they were not nice. Well, they weren't mean either, but they probably wouldn't care if something happened to Argo or not. He liked this bodyguard and would sad when he had to go back.

++++++++++++++

madam rococco is like that aunt that you don't like who squeezes your cheeks and gives you those expired werthers butterscotch-es that you don't really want that come in the packets of nasty peppermints and cinnamon candies. but she's like... yeah... the person who annoys you the most is who she is lol.
and the world is based on the rococo era of france, the marie antoinette era. so yeah. the elite class is kind of like section 1 on hunger games.