A/N: This is part 2 in a double update. Did you read chapter 1? You really should.

😉🐈‍⬛

POV: Luca Gray

I've been home for two months, and I am losing my mind.

I-Okay. I love my parents so, so much. Too fucking much, but I can't do this anymore. So. Many. Blind. Dates.

My parents have been adamant. I bet you are confused about why my parents are trying to hook me up with alphas. Most wolves find their mates at 16.

I turned 23 shortly before I graduated from college. In their eyes, there is no reason that a beautiful omega like me should not have found their mate. Well, Mom and Dad, first of all, this is not how that works. The mate bond is not about how hot or not you are.

Second, its proximity. I just haven't met my mate, or they are dead, or if I am really unlucky, they are younger than me or older. This is why they keep throwing whatever eligible alpha they can find at me. Hoping it triggers something.

As if that will work! They are also embarrassed. They are fucking ridiculous!

This, of course, is why I find myself staring at job boards, trying to pour my creative writing degree into one of these goddess-awful office positions. I've never been the type. I guess I did find the benefit of being an omega is that no one expected much career-wise from me, leaving me free to pursue the thing I love the most. Writing.

But as a writer, I have yet to be picked up by a publisher. Over the years, my fics and stories have had lots of popularity online, but it hasn't translated into a book deal. I keep considering self-publishing, but I also need funds to market, which I don't have because I am not allowed to work. And maybe a little less self-doubt?

So, between needing to run away from my overbearing parents and needing to give my writing a push, I find myself trying to find an income so that I can get a small studio apartment somewhere in this city to hide from them. Hell, maybe I can hide from whatever alpha I have. If I can pull this off, do I even need an alpha? I could be an independent omega. Not have to focus on mate bonds and relationships.

That sounds so much better.

My preference would be to just focus on my interests and the career I want. Not who I am supposed to be attached to for the rest of my life. Luckily, as an integrated pack, there is a lot more opportunity for an omega like me. I have access to the human city, not just the pack.

By the time my mother called me to get dressed for another outing that she had arranged, I had pulled several decent jobs so that I could fill out the application packets or pull together the portfolios. I gathered my hygiene caddy, towel, and robe and headed to the shower.

This outing should be fun. Ha.

This alpha was the son of an old friend of my father's family. Our pack isn't huge. We have less than 10,000 werewolves spread mainly throughout the North and East of the city. My dad's friend had two alpha children. A man older than me and another around my age. They also had a beta son and daughter. Twins. My little sister, a beta, was home for the weekend. Freshmen had to stay in campus housing but could have permission to travel or stay outside the dorm with the proper steps. So this weekend, she was home to witness my misfortune of another potential setup.

I'm pretty sure at this point, they hope I might just like one of these alphas and just choose them. It's uncommon, but it happens that people decide to select and mark someone. It gets messy, though. There is only one instance in our pack ever.

It was before my time, but all I know is that four lives were fucked. One who didn't even know. I wonder if that person ever figured out that their mate was gone. That's right, the other person who was a part of the chosen pairing ended up dying shortly after their partner met their mate. Apparently, their mate bond was strong, so they left their chosen mate despite the fact that they had marked each other. They also had just had a kid, too, but apparently, you can't fight a mate bond.

They should have fought harder if they were going to take a chosen mate. They should have planned.

The other person didn't keep their kid either after their partner died. Left the baby at the pack house and went rogue with their mate. The old Alpha found a new pack to take the baby so that the rumors wouldn't resurface one day and affect the kid.

It infuriates me.

As I got out of the shower, I started thinking about when I first came home and mentioned working. My parents were upset because no one would approve of them letting one of the precious pack omegas work. Which I think is just one of their weird hangups about me not finding my alpha, because if I had found my mate earlier, I'm sure it would be okay. Integrated packs rarely push some of the more archaic werewolf traditions, like the ones that either hold the belief that omegas were no more than sexual slaves or the packs that treated omegas like they were fragile.

I slathered shea butter over my russet brown skin, massaging it in till the skin was supple and the warm undertone was practically glowing.

I mean, in comparison to the rest of the pack, yes, we are weak. Just barely a little more strength than the humans. That, however, doesn't mean we are incapable. That doesn't mean that all we should do is stay home, keep house, and have babies. I mean, I want to stay home, but only because I've always wanted to be a writer. I'm so frustrated that my parents are pushing being a baby-making machine as my priority. Again, integrated pack.

Throwing on my fluffier than fluff robe, I started styling the mass of curls and waves crowning me. Wet, my hair was down my back, but by the time it dried, it would be at about my shoulders. With my curls defined with my hair butters and foams, I set to diffuse my curls to reduce the frizz. When that was done, I quickly threw on my outfit: a beige cropped top with a deep square neck and capped ruffle sleeves, a pair of wide-leg black linen trousers with a matching blazer.

I trudged back to my room, tidied, then threw on a handful of accessories to give myself a subtle pop, while still rocking my preferred understated look. Yeah, they couldn't complain that I didn't try.

The date itself was awful. My parents didn't leave me completely alone. They usually sit at another table. Today, both sets of parents stayed to observe my dinner with both of the alpha boys. Obviously, neither alpha was my mate, but that didn't stop the younger one from flirting or the older one from saying condescending remarks when I mentioned writing.

By the end of that date, I was over everything. In the car, my parents lamented the fact that another good alpha was passed up, especially one from a good family. I trudged into my room, flopping on my bed. I have to find a job and get out of here.
~
I was surprised.

Like shocked, Flabbers gasted. Sunday, after breakfast, I pushed through the applications for the jobs I selected. By Wednesday, I got an email back from a query about a Communications Assistant job with Paxton Public Relations. I don't have the actual experience, but while filling it out, I thought, what's the worst that can happen?

I wasn't expecting this with the way the job market has been. For my writing packet, I sent in some of my fiction character profiles and the two other items that they requested: a profile on a local business and a document of interview questions to ask the CEO. We had a phone interview that went well, and now I was headed to the PPR building for an in-person interview.

I took the bus today since I don't drive yet. I didn't want any arguments with my parents. Maybe once I get a job, I can also learn to drive and save up for a car.

I stepped off the bus at the stop right outside the sizable multistory concrete and glass building near the center of downtown. Looking around, I noticed that the landscape was not very green, but I guess you can only really expect grays and browns in the middle of the city. You'd think I'd have adjusted after being back in the town for so long. My university was very green, and I always spent a lot of time within the "gated community" with my friends, so the forest was always accessible.

I'm sweating as I walk through the front door. I slowly head towards the reception desk to the left, taking deep breaths. The public relations firm was housed on several floors of this building, taking up most of the space in the building, so I was told to see the receptionist situated at a large desk area in front of the first-floor meeting offices. The lady noted my appointment time and redirected me to the couches, telling me that someone would be with me shortly.

My last few days consisted of standing in front of my mirror, practicing interview questions in the confines of my room. Honestly, I am not a people person at all. I get really nervous when I try to talk, and sometimes it just turns into a bumbling, awkward mess.

I focus on distracting myself with my surroundings. The building was very modern. It looked elegant and luxurious, so I was already intimidated. My research said this firm caters to some of the wealthiest business owners in the city. This further confused me as to why they would be interested in me, but, hey, I'm kind of desperate.

"Mr. Luca Gray?" I heard a soft voice call my name. Looking up, I saw an older woman watching me curiously as I fidgeted. I immediately stopped to stand and clasped my hands behind my back.

No fidgeting.

'You are a powerful omega,' I try to remind myself.

"Yes, Ma'am!" I chirp and smile warmly at her. She nods quietly.

"Will you follow me, please, Sir. We are going up to the fourth floor. Our department head wanted to meet with you."

"Oh, okay. Thank you." I said faltering. Department head, not hiring manager. The internet said a larger company like this would have a hiring manager talk to me. Okay. Off script. It's fine. I'm not dying or anything. We quietly rode the elevator to the fourth floor. The lady took me through a set of doors that were propped open.

There was a bustling everywhere. Along the inner walls were offices, and then cubicles, tables, and a lounge area with printers were all set up across the open area. Screens were hung on the far back wall that showed different timetables and schedules. The walls were a hazy blue color, and the furniture was a mix of light wood, chrome, grey fabric, and black leather. There were all types of plants scattered about the room as well. Flowers, indoor trees in pots, and random plants I didn't know the names of. It kind of reminded me of the first floor of my university's library, but louder.

I kept pace with the lady who led me along the wall that was a giant window until we stopped at the door of a large office that seemed to span most of the wall next to the window.

"You are meeting with Mrs. Samira Patel. She is the Editor-in-Chief and Department chair for Paxton PRs magazine, Crestview Magazine." She knocked on the door and opened it. "Ma'am, I have Mr. Gray."

"Yes. Yes." I heard papers shuffling. "Send him in."

I walked in slowly, gathering every bit of confidence as I looked at the stern-faced human woman with a severe bun who was staring into the depths of my soul. I felt like I was going to die.

My little omega heart hammering against my sternum. But at a job interview, you can't show fear. Mrs. Patel began talking as soon as I sat in the chair in front of her.

"Mr. Gray, your writing style captivated me. I found myself distracted and googling your writing. If you can combine how you describe fictional characters with business, you could do really well here.

She passed, tapping her pen against the desk as she thought.

"So I want to offer you an opportunity. A field test." She paused briefly before continuing to speak. "We also work with the city. There is a big project coming up that involves a new tourism blog. It needs a dedicated person on it. I am willing to let you take your questions and go interview Eli Blackwood, then create an engaging profile.

I stopped breathing momentarily.

"Mr. Blackwood is popular. People have written about him, but no one knows him. If you want the job, I'll arrange the interview for you. Get me an engaging profile on him that shows us the real Eli Blackwood, and the job is yours. I think you can handle taking on a huge part of this blog project with its current team."

My stomach lurches. Holy shit. Taking a deep breath, I briefly let it pass that one, as an omega, I was doing whatever the fuck I wanted in this moment. I didn't even tell my parents I was doing any of this. Two, Eli Blackwood is my Pack Alpha. This is a total downer. He'll probably have questions. But could I afford to lose an opportunity where I am lucking out on getting a good and steady writing job?

No, not even if Alpha Blackwood would grill me.

"Yes, of course, I would love to take this opportunity," I replied.

Here is to hoping all goes well.

"Perfect!" She grinned, picking up her phone, "Let me call my assistant in, and she will go over the basics while I try to organize a time before we let you go for the day. You'll be on a team and one of three writers if you pull this off. You will have to take the lead on the blog because these writers have other responsibilities as well."

"Yes, Ma'am," I acknowledged her with my heart still beating wildly. "I appreciate this so much, Mrs. Patel." She nodded as she began to chat on the phone with her assistant, who came for me shortly while Mrs. Patel typed away on her keyboard, absorbed in her work. She picked up the phone again as I was leaving.

I followed the same lady out to the lounge area.

"Would you like a coffee or tea?" She said, pointing to an assortment in a clear box.

"Tea, please."

"You'll do fine, I'm sure, Mr. Gray. Once Mrs. Patel has talked to her contact, I will send you the confirmation via email. You will have the date, time, and location. You will need to have your questions available. I suggest that you audio record the interview and just focus on making everything natural and comfortable. You can take notes, but you don't want to get bogged down in writing the information."

"Oh, okay. Um, thank you for the advice." I said nervously. She nodded. She finished preparing my tea and handed it to me.

"I'll be back momentarily; I am going to grab you a spare recorder. A lot of us use our phones and a backup."

She walked away, and I sipped my tea quietly, watching the huge office and how the employees interacted. It seemed faster-paced than I expected. I was absorbed in my thoughts and didn't notice the lady come back again, so I jumped when she spoke.

"It's only pre-press week that gets very hectic. This time, it's a lot because the blog you may be working on is also being promoted. This was a big ask from the city, which is, of course, the firm's biggest client. Here you go. Mrs. Patel confirmed that you are good to go. I'll send you the confirmation within the hour. The meeting is on Monday at 1:00 PM. He has an on-site meeting at 2:00 PM, so do not dawdle."

Dread and a sick feeling tried to overtake me. I nodded stiffly. This was fucking real. Like real, real. I must have looked ill because the lady glanced at me and laughed softly.

"I've always been curious about your type. You'll be okay, kid." I stared at her, baffled.

"I know that you are one of a few, but my mate's sister is also an omega." She whispered. "She gets easily flustered and overwhelmed, as well. It's normal to feel stress at a job, but you'll be fine."

"I didn't know you were one of us," I questioned, looking her over, confused because I didn't sense anything in her.

"I am human mate. You never would have made it through these doors if she hadn't thought you could at least try. Besides, Blackwood is the Alpha; he isn't going to be rude to you. Have a good weekend, kid." She winked and went back to her desk outside of Mrs. Patel's office.

Since I was done with my tea, I grabbed the recorder and left the building. My mind wandered to our Alpha. I was younger when he ascended. His father let him take over on his 21st birthday as the old man was ready to retire. I was 14, so while all of the pack attended the event hosted in the gated community that housed most of the pack in the North of the city, I didn't really care. I was too busy being silly with my buddies. Every other time I saw him was just quick for monthly pack meetings and runs. I didn't really know anything about him, and I was in his pack.

At the last meeting, I noticed that he was objectively handsome with golden skin, hazel eyes, and muscles everywhere, as the protector of a pack should have to be able to defend us. Some of the people in my group of friends that I had reconnected with now that I am back in the city love to talk about the alpha's body and how they lived for a glimpse during pack runs.

Sounds creepy to me.

I think the thing I remember the most is that whenever he speaks, my anxiety about being around so many other wolves at one time kind of disappears. I'm a little anxious if you didn't notice. Sometimes it gets bad in crowds, but I usually can push it back, but at pack meetings, it's like everything scary melts away. I've never actually met the alpha in person, though. With almost 10,000 wolves, it's hard to get close. But that's okay, I always stay towards the back so I am not surrounded.

Stepping onto the bus, I felt my first real glimmer of excitement since I left college as I stepped into the weekend.

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Hey, Bubbles and Butterflies,

Okay, do we love or hate Luca?

If you have questions about asexuality, aromanticism, or mixed orientation relationships, drop a comment or find me on social media. I'll answer you back to the best of my ability. Please note that some of your questions may be answered on my socials as well. I won't use screen names if I post your question.

Early releases of the chapters will be on my Patreon. Right now, the first four chapters are up on Patreon, so that means I will be giving you all the first four chapters before this month is over. Check back next week for chapters 3 and 4. If you don't want to wait, there are several tiers to pick from. This story will have slower updates for now. Probably once per month after these initial chapters.