"No, no, no, it's left-right, left-right, step, turn, walk, walk, sashay, turn, vogue, vogue, vogue and pose."

Argo just stared at the trainer and blinked in complete confusion. Why did this man look like he was being attacked by hornets while he was walking? And why did he walk like he was squashing cockroaches? Why did everything he did have to do with bugs? The man rolled his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Honey, you have to work with me here."

"I-I'm sorry, I just... I've never done this sort of thing."

The Beta looked at Argo for a moment, taking in his physique and unique features.

"I find it hard to believe that you of all people have never been on a catwalk."

"I'm um... I live in Ata, actually."

The Beta watched him for a moment, crossing one arm and putting his elbow on it to cup his chin. He clicked his tongue and pointed at Argo.

"Can you just do a little walk for me? Like, from here to the window and back. Natural."

Argo nodded and walked slowly from his current position to the window and back. The Beta nodded and then stood beside him.

"Okay, here's how we'll do this. I'm going to walk next to you and then I'm going to add little things in. You follow my lead until we get you where we need you to be, okay?"

"Mn." He said, ready to focus.

He really wanted to get this right but he felt so ridiculous watching the Beta doing all those crazy things. But if he didn't do a somewhat decent job then Madam Rococco could get mad at him and then it would trickle down to Lord Drake and Argo didn't want that to happen. He watched his instructor carefully and finally was able to at least walk like he meant it.

"Good enough, I guess. Now, what I want you to do is improvise."

"Improvise?"

"Yes, like this."

The instructor walked to the window and then started walking back like it was a catwalk but then did some hand movements and poses and a few exaggerated walks and then at the end put his hands on his hips, looking down his nose at Argo.

"Your turn."

Argo did the same thing but felt ridiculous and ended his walk with a similar stance. The Beta clapped and then someone else clapped. Argo jumped in surprise and then crossed his arms, looking away.

"Impressive, impressive... Go." The man said, waving the Beta away.

The Beta gave a small bow and left the room. Argo tried to make himself look as small as possible as the hulking man walked up to him and just stood in front of Argo. It was silent for a moment.

"Are you not going to say hello?"

Argo looked up as Lord Kembling Drake looked down on him with the ferocity of a wolf hunting down its prey. Argo pulled his arms apart and to his sides, giving a stiff bow.

"L-Lord Drake."

"I feel like I haven't seen you in ages." He reached up, making Argo flinch, and grabbed a hold of his hair. "I see you haven't been taking care of yourself."

"I- I have."

"Then why is your hair so long? You look unkempt." He said, flicking the silver strands from his hand.

"I'm sorry. Um... a few of the clients liked it though so..."

"Hmm... I heard you had an interesting visitor earlier today; a Mr. Johansson?"

"Yes."

"I also heard he ran out of the room. What did you do?"

"Nothing! I swear... I think he was sick or something."

"Sick or something?" he said, lifting a black and red eyebrow. "What makes you say that?"

"Well, um, he was about to bite my neck and then he kind of grunted and the next thing I know he's on the floor curled up. He looked like he was in pain. I warned him about the payment system but he just said to keep the money and then he left."

"Hmm."

"I swear that's what happened."

Lord Drake smiled and moved Argo's hair off of his shoulder. "I believe you."

Argo didn't really think he did but as long as he wasn't going to get mad at him, he didn't really care. Lord Drake looked at him for a moment and then suddenly slapped him across the face. Argo yelped in surprise and pain, putting his hand on his cheek.

"I don't believe you asked me if you could keep your hair long and I don't believe you asked me if it was alright for a client to leave without receiving the services he paid for. Are you trying to undermine me?"

"N-no! Not at all!"

"Then what gives you the right to go behind my back and make decisions for yourself?"

"I was just... I was trying to keep the client happy... like you said... A lot of them liked my hair and Mr. Johansson ran out before I could offer anything else! I just..."

"I will say this to you now and I don't ever want to have to repeat it again: you work for me, not your clients. Decisions are mine to make and only mine. As soon as your hair started to get long, you should have asked if you should have it cut. As soon as the Johansson boy left, you should have immediately called me to see what could be done. You do not make decisions for Alphas, understand?" Argo nodded swiftly. "I told you that you have a very important job to do and that's to make sure that the ruts of the Alphas that come to you are suppressed. Your pheromones are a blessing and you are helping them. Taking things into your own hands could mess up that balance. You don't want Alphas to start taking advantage of everyone because you messed up, do you?" Argo shook his head. "No, of course not." Lord Drake turned away, walking back. "You look just like that heathen of a father with your hair like that."

He left, slamming the door closed as Argo trembled, sinking to his knees. He knew he was important and he tried to take his role in society seriously, but even he knew that there were things beyond his control. He was just trying to do what was asked of him...

"Argo? Argo, what's wrong?"

Argo looked up, finding Therrion looked at him in worry.

"Nothing... um... I just..."

Therrion reached up and touched his red cheek.

"Did he hit you?"

"Um... well, it... I deserved it."

"Deserved it?" he asked with a frown.

"I didn't do what I was supposed to do and it could have come back on Lord Drake so... um..."

"Argo, no one deserves to be hit like this."

"No, no, I'm fine, really!" he said, trying to move the conversation away from Lord Drake. "He's right and I have important things to do and I shouldn't just take it upon myself and-"

Therrion grabbed Argo's gesturing hands and made him look at him.

"Stop. It's not okay. It doesn't matter if he owns you or what, hitting you like that is not okay."

Argo pulled his hands away from Therrion. "Don't worry about it. I made a mistake and now I understand."

Therrion watched him, his anger starting to boil. Watching Argo try to excuse the hitting and the blame was pitiful and angering. But Argo wasn't going to believe it and there was nothing Therrion could do to make him.

"Fine then... Are you done, then?"

"I guess so."

"I'll take you to Madam Rococco and see what she will do with you."

Argo nodded and followed Therrion out the door.

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

"What in God's name?!" Madam Rococco yelled, seeing the red splotchy remnant of the slap. "Who did this to you?"

"It was an accident, Madam." Therrion said, stepping slightly in front of Argo before he could say anything. "We were bombarded on the way here by a few visiting Alphas."

"Ungrateful hounds!" she yelled. "My poor, sweet dove! Can I get some ice?!"

A servant left as she led Argo over to a small chair. The servant came back with a small tray of ice and a rag. Madam Rococco put the ice in the rag and then put it up to Argo's cheek.

"There, there, sweet dove. Just keep this one there and it should be clear by tonight." Madam Rococco looked at Therrion. "I thought you were supposed to be his bodyguard, Theodore?"

"It's Therrion and yes, I am, but as you know, Argo is special and I am just a Beta. I'm not as strong as Alphas, female or male." He said matter-of-factly.

Argo wished he was like Therrion. He was so bold and knew exactly what he meant when he talked. Argo felt like he never got to say what he meant and even if he did, it wouldn't be taken seriously. Therrion was a Beta, but people listened to him. Maybe it was because he was Lord Drake's son?

"This is horrid. I wish I knew who those bumbling Alphas were so that I could give them a piece of my mind! Well, we'll need to leave for the Johansson House in about an hour, so I'll let you rest up a bit, sweet dove. Keep that icepack on your cheek and you," she said, pointing at Therrion. "Make sure that no Alphas get near him!"

"Yes, ma'am."

She left and Therrion sat in the chair next to Argo.

"I don't envy you at all, Argo. How can you stand that woman? She's so eccentric and overdramatic... and melodramatic. All the dramatics."

"Well... she's nicer than all the others. I don't really like being a pet, but she never lets anyone hurt me and she is the only client that lets me get out of Ata. And she doesn't require much regarding her rut. Just being next to her and letting her pet me keeps her in line."

"Do people hurt you when they are rutting?"

"No. So far, everyone's been quite um... tender? I guess... None of the Alphas were allowed to bite me until I came of age though, so that's something a little new. I don't... I don't really like the feeling when they bite me but if I'm helping them, then I don't mind."

Therrion made a face. "You do know that biting is something a little more intimate than just being near you or petting you, right? It's... it's sensual."

"Sensual?" he asked, turning his head.

Therrion sighed. "Maybe this isn't the time and place..."

"Am I doing something wrong? I don't want to make things worse for the Alphas."

"You're not... well... I mean..." Therrion sighed again. "Look, it's just that you shouldn't believe what everyone tells you. Not everything an Alpha says is right, you know."

"I don't understand."

"If you don't then I don't think you ever will. Look, just remember that if you don't feel comfortable, it might be because it's not right. Just because an Alpha is happy doesn't mean it's okay to do stuff that makes you uncomfortable."

"But if an Alpha is happy, they won't hurt anyone, right?" he asked, genuinely concerned. "If I can make an Alpha suppress their rut and keep unsuspecting Omegas safe, then it's that right?"

"Hard to tackle that logic..." Therrion said, feeling like he lost a battle. "I guess I don't really understand because I'm a Beta, so the pheromones don't bother me either way. I don't understand the urge of a rut or the helplessness of a heat."

"A heat?"

"Yeah..."

Argo was about to say something when Madam Rococco came back and said that they were leaving now due to fittings and pulled Argo along. Therrion got up quickly, running after them as he tried to process the fact that Argo didn't know what a heat was.

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

Argo was put in some crazy, flashy clothing and was waiting for the show to start as he watched all the pretty Omegas walk around to get ready. He only need to get his shoes on before walking the runway, but it was nice to be around others like him. The air was buzzing with sweet, lifting scents that made him feel comforted.

"Yeah, that's him."

"He's beautiful."

"But those pheromones. He'll overpower us."

"Look at that physique."

"And that bone structure."

"He looks like a porcelain doll."

"I hope House Sycamore doesn't get a whiff and hope to take him. I've been working on them for years!"

Argo tried to ignore the whispers but it was getting a little uncomfortable.

"Do you not know how to whisper incoherently?" someone hissed. "I swear, you act like the guy isn't even here to hear you."

Argo looked up as a young woman with fiery red hair pulled up in a messy curly bun walked through the models and plopped down next to Argo.

"Sorry about all that, little guy. These Omegas act like they weren't taught any manners."

"Oh, um..."

"Name's Sloane." She said, holding out her hand. Argo shook it. "And you must be Argo."

"How come everyone knows my name?"

"You're rare and unique and every elite Alpha has heard of you in one way or another and that means that us working-Omega also know about you too. Besides, how can anyone forget the odd ducks that were your parents. Two Omegas wanting each other? We-ird."

"Oh..."

"Don't be so shy, kid." She said, nudging him in the shoulder. "Take pride in your uniqueness. By the way, who are you representing tonight?"

"Madam Rococco."

"Oh, that dingy old bat. At least she picked a good one. I think with your pheromones alone you'll win the fashion show. Honestly surprised they didn't put you in a dress. You're lithe enough for it."

"They said something about my features making the clothing stand out more... or something..."

"Hmm, you do have interesting features. They will fit right in with the theme tonight."

"Madam Rococco said that House Johansson was mixing metal into cloth or something..."

"Yup, the shiny threads you see throughout all the clothing here is actually thinly stretched metal that was woven with the cloth. All the buttons and various metal bits are precious metals and the stones are gems. You want opulence, then House Johansson has you covered. This collection will most likely sell out by the end of the week."

"You all must be very busy then."

"Hmm?"

"If the collection sells out by the end of the week then... don't you have to make a new collection?"

Sloane smiled. "You're definitely not from around here. You're an Atalite, aren't you?"

"Um... yes, I reside in Ata."

"Odd."

"Sloane!"

Sloane turned as another young woman was racing towards her. The Omegas quickly got out of her way and Argo stood up, her scent overpowering the room.

"Sloane, I can't find him anywhere!" she said, looking at the Omega with wide aquamarine eyes. "What am I supposed to tell my parents?!"

"You... could ask him." She said, pointing to Argo. "Wasn't he supposed to be with him last?"

Argo was confused as the woman stared at him. She look in his appearance and then pointed at him.

"You! Stray went to see you earlier today. Where is he? Did you do something to him?"

"No, ma'am, I swear I didn't. Um... Mr. Johansson did come to see me but he left way before this."

"Did he seem off to you? Like, was he acting weird?"

"He just seemed a little ill."

"Ill?"

"Lady Kayde? Lady Kayde, your parents are looking for you." Someone called in the room.

The girl made a face and looked between Argo and Sloane.

"We will discuss this after the fashion show, I guess. I need to know more. It looks like you were the last person to see him, Argo. If anything has happened to him..."

"Lady Kayde!"

She left, the Omegas parting again to clear a path.

"You're lucky she didn't shake you to death." Sloane said. "Those pheromones are no joke." She looked at him again. "Was Lord Stray really with you earlier?"

"Yes."

"Odd; what for?"

"What everyone who comes to me for: to suppress his rut."

Sloane turned her head a little but the director of the show called for their attention since they were about to start. Everyone got in line, with Argo in the back.

"Psst! Argo! Argo!" Argo looked over and saw Therrion. "Hey, you need to take these."

"What is it?" he asked.

"Suppressors."

"Why... would I need these?"

"Look, the crowd is mostly Alphas and who knows how many of them could possibly be having a small rut at the moment. Everyone's different. That being said, since you release so much pheromones, they could try to come after you. This will keep your levels from overloading the audience. Remember, we're trying to protect, right? Do good things?"

"And... suppressing my pheromones will help?"

"Yes."

"Okay... I trust you, Therrion."

He nodded and grabbed the pills. He swallowed them with some water and got back in line, waiting for his turn. Therrion's so nice! he thought.

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

lil argo is so innocent and gullible. and yes, he doesn't know what a heat is but that will be explained as to why.