Jaden grew up believing that men should never cry. His father was also serious on that matter. As a child, his father would punish him as long as there was even a drop of tear involved. Be it out of happiness, sadness or anger, it was not allowed.
Hence even Rylan was in a daze when he saw his best friend crying. He wasn't even sure on what to do.
"Rylan, I don't what's wrong with me. My strength... It's gone," Jaden spoke, "I was beaten up by girls you know," He suddenly smiled, "Maybe this is what you have always warned me about."
For a while Rylan wasn't sure what to do and only silently watched his best friend crying. He was never good with stuff like this. But after a while, he couldn't stay still and walked to his friend.
He remembered that he had cried after waking up from a dream once and his aunt had hugged him, hence he also slowly hugged Jaden. He rubbed his back just as his aunt did and hoped he wasn't wrong.
The hug made Jaden cry harder but he still hugged back tightly so Rylan didn't let go.
However, maybe because of the heavy emotions, Jaden was releasing more and more pheromones. Rylan had to hold his breath.
Jaden, not knowing what his friend was going through, cried for a while before he finally pulled away. Rylan quickly moved away and released the breath he was holding.
Then the two were quiet.
It was awkward.
Too awkward.
Jaden couldn't believe himself. He actually cried! And that too in his best friend's arms! What kind of humiliation was this?
After a while, Rylan cleared his throat, "So... Who did this to you."
Jaden's voice was hoarse, "It was my fault, don't worry about it."
"Okay."
Again, silence.
"About these changes," Rylam started, "I know where they are from."
Jaden raised his head, desperation slightly showing in his eyes.
"Um... You won't believe me but supernatural people exist," Rylan spoke but Jaden just stared at him. "It's true Jaden."
"So supernatural beings are weak?" Jaden asked feeling pained. Here he was in a serious situation but his best friend was telling him nonsense.
Rylan realized his thoughts and took a deep breath,which he regretted due to the omega pheromones. He couldn't handle them anymore and stood fast, went to the window he had opened earlier and took a breath of fresh air.
This was going to be harder than he thought. He took a piece of cloth and wrapped it around his head to block his nose and headed back. Jaden was now staring at him as if he was an alien from Mars.
"Have you ever read novels on werewolves?"
Jaden burst out laughing, "Are you trying to make me laugh Rylan? Do you want me to believe I'm a werewolf? You're really funny."
Convincing Elliot was easier.
"No, you're not," Rylan was annoyed, "I am. But we have secondary genders, alphas, betas and omegas. You're still human but you now have a secondary gender too. You're an omega." He explained everything in one breath and looked at the person who had stopped laughing. Good, he now believed it.
However, Jaden burst out laughing again. But when he saw the serious expression of Rylan, he stopped laughing. But he still didn't believe it.
"Rylan, you can't just come and tell me unbelievable stuff and expect me to believe it. We're not in a movie."
"Okay, I'll show you." Rylan sighed. Jaden felt his heart stop, this was getting interesting. A part of him wondered if it were true, or if he even wanted it to be true. Maybe that's why he didn't want to believe it, as far as he read, omegas were just weak. Sure, some authors would try to make them stronger but in the end they were at the bottom of the chain, they were the weakest. He didn't want that. But he felt it was the truth and tried to erase it.
Rylan blinked twice and his eyes turned pitch black. Not just the pupil, his whole eyeballs turned black. Jaden's body shook, feeling the pressure coming from his best friend.
"You, are you an alpha?" Jaden whispered through the pressure.
"No, alphas' eyes turn red," Rylan's eyes turned back to normal. "Betas' don't have change. Omegas' turn blue."
"Then you...?" Jaden asked.
"Everyone knows I'm an omega. Just know I'm that for now."
Jaden wanted to ask more, but he was struggling with the known, why would he struggle to understand the unknown? Besides, he felt it was dangerous to know what his best friend was.
"Am I going to just get weaker everyday?" Jaden asked.
"Actually, omegas can be strong too. Some might even be as strong as alphas, in terms of physical strength."
"Then why am I becoming weaker? All those years of practice, did they mean nothing?!"
"I don't know why it's happening either Jaden," Rylan sighed, "You know, you're not the best person."
"Are you saying this is a punishment?"
"I don't know, it might be."
Jaden clenched his fists and saw his future crack before him. It would only be a matter of time before everyone knew he was now weak. Then he wouldn't be able to show his face.
.....
"Where are you?" Wade asked his brother in worry. Three days ago, when he arrived, he found out that his brother had yet again disappeared. He thought Julian would be back but he was gone for three days!
"What? Is your father angry that he couldn't even control an omega who's even his son?" Julian laughed.
"Julian," Wade sighed, "Just tell me where you are, I won't tell anyone."
"Are you worried about me because I'm an omega?"
"What? No. I'm worried because you're my little brother. "
"But you stay out all the time."
"You've been gone for three days!"
"Don't worry about me, I'm fine."
"But-"
"I'm not coming back soon, bye."
"Julian-" But he had already hang up. Wade was so angry that he threw his phone against the wall. All these days he couldn't get through to his brother and when he finally did, it was useless!
Well, at least he knew Julian wasn't in danger.
"I swear some day this family will kill me, " He mumbled, "Now where will I find this brat?"