"Are you aware that the owner of this establishment is a beta? And yet you come here, acting superior and flirting with my partner?"
As footsteps approached, Lucas's jaw tightened as he spoke to the alpha standing in front of him. The veins on his neck stood out, and although his voice was calm on the surface, it carried a deep and simmering anger. His clenched fists showed how much effort he was making to not pounce on Raffael. He wasn't sweating, but his heart was pounding, his breathing heavy, and the rush of blood to his face made him flush with fury. His feet were firmly planted, facing Raffael directly, as an equal.
Lucas used his body to shield Andrea from the alpha's sight, making it clear he wouldn't tolerate any disrespect toward what mattered most to him. In the silence of the empty street, his firm voice echoed down the block. While many believed that a beta's voice lacked weight—due to the absence of pheromones or a so-called *"command voice"—this time, his voice held an authority that others often buried.
Andrea was visibly uncomfortable with Raffael's words, feeling a strange mix of guilt and shame for the impure thoughts that crossed his mind. To him, Lucas didn't seem like a beta—he looked like a powerful alpha. His body, his presence, made Andrea feel safe, and his "instincts" told him Lucas was the one.
Despite the calm expression on his face, Lucas's mind was filled with dark, violent thoughts about how to get rid of Raffael without going to prison—just to live in peace.
"Damn this alpha and his arrogance. Damn the day I met him. I'm tired of this shit—I just want to kill him, tear him apart, make him disappear, burn him alive."
"Damn this world where I can't live in peace. Why does he keep coming to my shop? Out of fifty others in this city, why here?"
"I just want a peaceful life. A life where I can breathe without being judged. Where I can exist like anyone else without paying the price for being who I am. Even the air in this country feels too heavy to breathe."
Raffael smiled widely, convinced he had full control of the situation. Without even realizing it, he began to release pheromones—sharp and oppressive, like thousands of needles directed straight at Lucas. The intensity was so strong that both Andrea and Raffael's omega companion tensed instantly.
Raffael tilted his head slightly to the left, his shoulders squared, hands buried in the pockets of his expensive suit. He smirked, trying to show the watching crowd who was really in control. His jaw was lifted with pride, convinced no one could challenge him. His goal was simple: to dominate the insolent beta.
"I had a feeling you were stupid," Lucas said coldly, "but now I'm sure. I'm immune to pheromones."
Like many alphas who ignored basic gender biology lessons, Raffael had forgotten that betas were naturally immune to pheromones. They could only sense their essence faintly—like a lingering perfume—if it was extremely strong or during rut, but otherwise, they remained unaffected.
He wanted to see Lucas broken—kneeling, begging for mercy. But before he could act, Lucas moved in front of Andrea again, this time turning his back to Raffael to block him completely. Raffael's lips twisted in frustration. His eyes opened wide, and his teeth ground together audibly. He didn't even notice that his own omega companion was now suffering from the same pheromones he was unleashing. He was too blinded by ego.
The tension grew. Children screamed. Parents shouted they were calling the police. Elderly bystanders hurled insults at the arrogant alpha. Raffael finally snapped out of his haze and realized the crowd was siding with Lucas. People demanded he leave, yelling that this wasn't the place for his drama. The mockery in their voices echoed in his ears.
"Get out," Lucas said with a calm smile. "I'm not the only one saying it. The neighbors agree."
At some point, during Raffael's arrogant trance, his omega companion had quietly moved to Lucas's side, seeking protection—his face now marked by fear and disappointment.
"LEAVE!" Lucas shouted firmly. "If I ever see you near my partner again, there will be consequences."
For the first time in his life, Raffael retreated—humiliated, surrounded by mockery and whispers. He had never experienced such a public, humiliating defeat.
Lucas turned to Lars, Raffael's omega companion.
"Are you okay?"
Andrea cut in harshly.
"If he's fine, then he can go."
Lucas, surprised by Andrea's sudden hostility, tried to ease the tension.
"Easy, Andrea. Lars—do you have someone who can pick you up? No rush."
Lucas temporarily closed the shop and led Andrea to the back room to talk.
"What's going on with you? He didn't do anything wrong."
"I just don't like how he looks at you. I want him gone."
"This isn't a game. He's affected too. Try to understand."
Andrea knew Lucas was right. Still, he hated seeing anyone else get close. He wanted Lucas to himself. More than anything, he wished Lucas wasn't just a beta—he wanted him to be untouchable by others.
When Lucas returned, Lars was calmer. He briefly explained his situation: born into wealth, promised to Raffael since childhood for marriage. He revealed Raffael's family—the powerful Llochers—were deeply influential in national politics and global weapons manufacturing.
Lucas felt a wave of anxiety. The danger was real. He immediately thought of Valentina, someone he could rely on for contacts or protection if things escalated. He accidentally said her name out loud.
Lars noticed and smiled.
"If anything happens, here's my card. I'll help you. You've been incredibly kind."
Lucas felt slightly embarrassed that Lars had heard his anxious rambling, but he appreciated the offer. In his years in marketing, he had learned: contacts meant survival. In a world as dark and hypocritical as his, it was better to live than be right.
"Oh—my ride is here," said Lars.
"Wait—take the chains with you. I want you to have them."
"No, please. Actually… would you like to have dinner sometime? I'd like to apologize properly and maybe introduce you to a few investors."
Lucas's eyes widened. Investors? He accepted instantly. He couldn't miss that chance. Of course, as a careful beta, he would never go alone. Always move in packs when ambush is possible. He handed Lars his number and smiled politely.
Andrea didn't say a word during their exchange. He refused to call Lars by name—especially not after hearing the dinner invitation. He understood that an investor could be a great opportunity for Lucas… but not if there was another omega around. He needed to go too. He needed to protect his man.
He knew those thoughts weren't right, but he couldn't stop them. And worst of all, they were getting stronger.
Andrea thought back to what he'd been feeling before Lucas had interrupted him. Maybe those old fables about castes and their changes… weren't so far from the truth.
His initial irritation had slowly evolved into a dark, consuming possessiveness. Deep down, he began to wish that Lucas belonged to another caste—so that no one else could ever take him away.
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Glossary
Command Voice: An instinctive ability some alphas have to influence or dominate others through a pheromone-charged verbal command.
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ALPHAS – "THE KINGS"
Alphas are considered the pinnacle of the social hierarchy. They are strong, dominant, and believed to be born to lead.
Physical Traits: They are usually tall, muscular, and imposing. Their eyes can turn red when entering rut or releasing pheromones.
Pheromones: Their scent is intense and aphrodisiacal, only perceptible when they choose to release it or during rut.
Reproduction: Both male and female alphas have penises, which means either can impregnate their partners, regardless of gender. Additionally, both can become pregnant.
Gestation: Although alphas can have children, their bodies aren't as adapted to pregnancy as omegas', and the experience varies depending on sex. Male alphas rarely become pregnant, and when they do, it's considered high-risk. They can typically have only one or two children in their lifetime, and births must be performed via C-section, as they lack a natural birth canal. Female alphas, on the other hand, do have a reproductive canal and can give birth naturally unless complications arise.
Menstruation: Like other castes, alphas do not menstruate. If no pregnancy occurs, the body reabsorbs the unused elements, causing no bleeding or discomfort.
Rut: Occurs every 4 months and lasts for 3 days. During this time, their desire spikes along with a primal need to mark territory and seek physical contact. While they remain conscious, their bodies feel overwhelmed—anxiety rises, self-control frays, and everything becomes unbearably intense. Unless they take medication, they must engage in intimacy to release the pressure; otherwise, they can become physically and emotionally overloaded. Symptoms include insomnia, irritability, aggression, headaches, tremors, and muscle tension. Though they can usually control their pheromones and eye changes, during rut these signs often slip out involuntarily. Many responsible alphas choose to isolate themselves during these days—not because they have full control, but to avoid hurting others when instinct takes over.
Psychology: They are competitive, territorial, and struggle with failure. They want to lead in all things, and when they can't, they may become intense or emotionally volatile. Few manage their impulses well.
Marking: Alphas can mark omegas, creating a bond that is—supposedly—unbreakable. However, breaking it is possible and leaves both parties with physical and emotional scars.
Social Beliefs: There's a common belief in dominant and recessive alphas.
Pheromone Points: They have six main pheromone-emission points: neck, chest, wrists, armpits, feet, and genitals.
Partners and Status: Some alphas believe they should have multiple partners because "their biology drives them to reproduce more."
Recessives: Recessive alphas are said to have beta blood mixed in. Though still considered alphas, they don't stand out as much—showing less strength, weaker pheromones, or difficulty marking. Society accepts them... but only when convenient.