Chapter Text
The low lights of the small bar bathed the burly man in shadows and bright colors from the flickering neon lights. His boots thudded heavy across the concrete flooring, sticky with remnants of spilt beers and other fluids he didn’t want to think too hard about. It was a little hole in the wall, not the worst bar he’d ever set foot in…but certainly not the best either. The quality wasn’t really something he worried too much about, the only standards he had as far bars went was did they have booze, and if yes that was a good bar in his eyes. He didn’t much care about the beauty aspects of the place. He knew he damned sure wasn’t too easy on the eyes in this moment, so who was he to judge the little bar?
Axton eased himself down onto one of the barstools, body heavy as he rested his elbows on the old bar, dented and warped with age. The place had seen better days, but then again…so had he. He ran a big hand through his short cropped, sandy locks, expelling a long, slow breath through his teeth as he did so. It had been a trying day, and to him this shitty little bar that smelled like feet and stale food was a godsend. His green eyes flicked up to the barkeep, holding up a thick finger to summon him over.
The barkeep stopped dead in his tracks, pausing as he wiped a freshly washed glass clean, his eyes sweeping across toward the big man sitting idle at his bar. His eyes were sharp and scrutinizing as he slowly made his way toward Axton, a deep frown set in his worn face. Axton groaned. The look on the older man’s face said it all. This was not going to be easy.
The barkeep set the clean glass down hard, hand still curled around the cylindrical object.
Dark brown, beady little eyes met with vibrant green, the barkeeps mouth but a hard line across his aged face.
“We don’t serve your kind here.” The barkeep snarled just loud enough for Axton to hear over the drone of the jukebox in the corner.
Axton bristled at the nasty word as it washed over him.
His kind.
He grits his teeth up as he swallowed the syllables down. It burned like cheap whiskey and it made his stomach churn.
“I don’t want any trouble. I just want a beer. C’mon man don’t do this to me.” Axton breathed trying to beat back his anger and keep his tone even as he spoke.
The barkeep stood his ground, face unmoving, eyes still searing holes through the big man across the bar.
“I don’t believe I stuttered. I don’t serve your kind. You need to leave. We don’t have room for animals here.” The barkeep snarled.
Axton felt anger bubble up from his deepest depths, white hot and sickening. He curled his fists together on the bar and breathed in through his nose.
Keep it together, he reminded himself feebly.
He could not let his anger get the better of him here. He just had to keep a level head.
“I’m a paying customer. I just want one drink.” Axton hissed lowly rapping his fingers on the hard surface of the bar.
“I don’t care if you’re a paying customer. You’re a goddamned liability. Now get out before I call the cops, tell em you’re causing trouble.” The barkeep snapped.
With that Axton stood, grabbed the clean glass from the counter and hurled it across the room. The small thing slammed into the nearest wall, shattered loudly and fell to the floor in glittering shards. The barkeep backed up against the bar, his eyes wide and fearful as Axton stood idle, breath coming in short, shallow pants.
“Fuck you.” Axton snarled before taking his leave, knowing he had absolutely overstayed his welcome.
The small door slammed behind his turned back as he shoved his palms into his pockets and crossed over the empty street. He knew it was best to put as much distance between him and the bar as possible, with his luck the barkeep actually would call the cops or something…and he was not going to spend the night in a cold cell. Not again.
Axton’s boots crunched the dirty sidewalk as he went, off into the night in what direction he wasn’t sure of. He just needed to get away, far away, he didn’t really care where his feet took him. He felt his throat clench and his stomach twist into uncomfortable knots. The barkeep’s words hummed in his head like angry wasps, stinging and flitting and driving him mad.
His kind.
Refused service because of what he was.
It wasn’t the first time this had happened, and he knew it wasn’t going to be the last, but that didn’t stop it from eating away at him.
All because he was an Alpha.
Axton clenched his teeth at the word. Shunned and looked down upon for simply being what he was genetically designed to be.
The world had gone mad, that was all there was to it. There had been a time, years ago where Alphas ran this country, Alphas were looked upon as higher beings, people of class. But oh how the times had changed. It was the influx of young Alphas several years back, a boom in the Alpha population, and a lack of moral. The Alphas were brought up ruthless, and the world suffered for it. Murders happened, Omegas in heat were being attacked and killed. Instincts intermixed with right and wrong and all the waters became muddied. People got scared. Alphas became a terrifying entity, something dangerous, something to be cast out on the street. And that was the way the world was now. All because of some disgusting animals that couldn’t control themselves.
Axton cursed and kicked a trashcan over with a loud clatter.
Here he was fighting overseas for a country that didn’t give two shits about him. All they saw was ‘Alpha’ and not an actual being with feelings. He was risking his life for a country in which he couldn’t even get a goddamned beer. Wonderful, he thought viciously.
He hated feeling like this.
So worthless…and all for reasons beyond his control. What a welcome home present this was.
The young man stared out the bus window with nervous eyes, watching the lamp lights flick by as they passed. He tried to fixate his attention on the world outside, trying in vain to focus on anything…but the warmth spreading through his limbs like wildfire. Rhys closed his eyes tightly, trying to keep his breathing even, his hands clutched over his kneecaps, his knuckles white as porcelain. This could not be happening.
But it was.
And he knew why. Because he’d been stupid. Because he’d been careless. The past month he’d been so consumed in his major presentation for work he had shoved all else to the wayside. He hadn’t been eating properly, he’d been working late hours, but worst of all he’d forgotten completely to even take this month’s round of suppressors. Rhys grimaced darkly. That was not something you just forget about. But he had. He had indeed. In the whirlwind between work and everything else, his heat had been the farthest thing from his thoughts…but now, now it was a very real, very frightening reality.
Rhys felt the hot flames of his heat burn through his veins, a hiss of a breath coming between his barely parted lips. He could feel his temperature rising, his collar flushing with warmth, his clothes suddenly feeling uncomfortably sticky as they hung off his being. He’d worked late, as usual, and he knew it was well past midnight. He hadn’t been tracking his heat, being so used to his suppressors doing that for him. He hadn’t had a natural heat in years, honestly he’d tried to force those memories right out of his brain. The gripping chills, the constant arousal, being out of his mind with such a strong primal need it rendered him absolutely useless. He didn’t want to go through that ever again. Masturbating furiously, heavy with heat and insanity, dehydration running rampant through his wrecked body.
He’d never wanted to be faced with all of that again…yet here he was.
Rhys cursed himself pitifully and screwed his eyes shut.
He just needed to get home. He needed to eat and he needed to shower. He needed to just hunker down and prepare to ride out the five days of hell he knew were to come. This was just that start. Coming into heat in public, outside of the safety of his home this was possibly one of the worst things that could happen to him.
He was vulnerable, and frightened.
An Omega in heat, alone, was a target.
He knew that all too well.
Rhys swallowed thickly as the bus came to a halt at his stop. He grabbed his briefcase and his overcoat and slunk down the aisle carefully. He stepped through the doors and peered out at the dark streets. It was just a few blocks to his neighborhood. He’d be ok. He could make it.
The bus doors hissed shut and the groaning vehicle rumbled off down the street.
Rhys stood idle in the light of the bus stop, grimace settled heavy over his thin features. He had to go, and he had to go now.
Every step he took felt unsteady, his legs wobbly and heavy. He could feel a bead of sweat running down the back of his neck, down into the collar of his dress shirt. It was the middle of the night and yet his body felt like it was under the baking heat of the hottest hour of the day. He felt so weak suddenly, body feeling faded, mind beginning to go with it.
He shook his head in vain, trying to clear his head, trying to quicken his pace. Every shadow felt like it was following him. Every tree branch swaying in the wind was cause for alarm. A cat darted out across the silent street and Rhys nearly jumped out of his skin with a loud yelp. Rhys leaned against the brick wall beside him, clutching his chest as he breathed out raggedly. It was just a stupid cat.
Rhys sighed out in relief and pinched at the bridge of his nose. He just felt like he couldn’t seem to catch his breath. He was melting from the inside out and god he hated this feeling. He just wanted his bed, the warmth of a shower, food. He wanted his home, and all the familiar scents that went with it. Rhys ran a shaky hand through his perfectly styled amber locks and made to push onward. The faster he got home, the better.
Suddenly there’s a low whistle just across the street.
Rhys freezes dead in his tracks.
His wide eyes dart toward the direction of the sound and he can feel his heart in his throat.
“Oh man sweetie, I can smell you from here, having a little trouble huh?” Comes a low voice from the shadows.
Rhys stays only long enough to see a tall man step forth from the guts of the shadowed alleyway. He’s tall, but built, glittering blue eyes shimmering in the dark like lost jewels. But he isn’t alone. As he steps forward, so do two other men, one slightly shorter than the rest, still riddled with muscle, one average height with eyes so dark Rhys swears they are ebony. Rhys can scent them from across the street, a dark, dangerous scent that bowls him over like a freight train and swims through his every nerve.
A coalition.
Young, strong Alphas were known to form coalitions together, normally two or three Alphas with one that served as the sort of ring leader. A coalition of Alphas was a very dangerous being, one Alpha was bad enough…three was cause for serious concern.
Rhys turns quickly and continues walking. Don’t look backward, he instructs himself quickly. Rhys can feel his pulse thundering against the taut flesh of his throat, fear coursing through his body wildly.
“Where you goin’ pretty boy!? Oh, don’t be scared we just wanna help you out sweet thing.” The tallest man hollers after Rhys.
Rhys ignores the commentary and walks faster, his breathing rapid and his heart beating wildly against his ribcage.
Run. He thinks suddenly.
His body reacts before he can really think twice about it and he starts off running as fast as his long legs will carry him. He can hear the slap of shoes behind him, heavy breathing, the vivid scent of the pack of Alphas getting closer…then a big palm curls tight around his wrist and rips him backward. Rhys loses his balance and crashes to the ground, his briefcase coming open and papers flying out over the deserted sidewalk. Rhys cries out and struggles against the hold, the Alpha’s touch sends fire through his veins and he hates his body for the ridiculous mixed signals he feels.
“Hey now, why you runnin pretty thing?” The blonde Alpha coos forcing Rhys’ hands behind his back and hauling him back to his feet.
Rhys kicks and struggles feebly, his body weak with his heat and his will to fight quickly fading as his body becomes a useless mess in the presence of the three Alphas. They smell mean, and hard, vicious creatures with bad intentions. Rhys feels his throat clench and he lets loose of a fearful cry, trying fruitlessly to get the Alpha to loosen his grip.
But his efforts are in vain as the Alpha’s fingers only grip tighter, painfully, ruthlessly. The Alpha dips his head in close to Rhys’ neck, nose pressed flush to the thrum of his pulse.
“God you smell sweet little rabbit, now tell me…what is a pretty little thing like you doing out so late and so…alone?” The blonde Alpha sneered viciously.
Rhys shook his head frantically and tried to fight back the tears forming in the corners of his eyes.
“P-Please j-just let me go.” Rhys squeaked out his voice shaky and cracked.
“Let you go? Let you go? Already? But baby we haven’t even gotten started. You’re a mess little rabbit, let us help you out with that.” The Alpha snarled.
Rhys could feel the warm breath of the dark eyed Alpha on the other side of his throat as he caged the young man in. He was a solid entity, deep and musky with the beginnings of rut and that fact threw Rhys even farther into panic.
He’d heard horror stories and news reports of Omegas in heat being cornered by groups of Alphas and being raped ruthlessly until their bodies had just given out. Some were beaten to death, some died of over exertion or dehydration, the ones that survived had it the worst. Doomed to relive the horrors of being brutally raped. Rhys felt a slow tear roll down his left cheek. He didn’t want to die. This was not how he wanted it all to end.
“N-No p-please, please stop…” Rhys begged as the tears came heavy, his body shaking with fever and fear.
“C’mon now little rabbit, don’t you act like you don’t want it. We’ll take good care of you, mmm and you’ll look so damned good hanging off my knot. I bet you’re a little knot-slut aren’t you sweetie?” The Alpha hissed grinning maliciously as the other two flanked Rhys’ sides, chuckling lowly.
They were wild with rut, eyes flickering in the lamplights from the empty streets, teeth glinting white terrifying. Rhys can feel the panic rising in his chest, his heat and his fear all swirling together in an uncomfortable mixture that leaves him utterly useless.
Rhys shakes his head frantically and cries out loudly, seeking help from an empty street. There won’t be any help coming, it’s just him, and the Alphas and he feels so helpless.
“Sh, Sh, Sh…oh little rabbit hush now, just relax.” The Alpha whispers dragging his tongue up Rhys’ neck, a low rumbling growl bubbling up from the depths of his chest.
Rhys can feel his cheeks flush red, his mouth coming open in a subtle oval. His body burns with the overwhelming scents of the Alphas mixed with impending danger. His body fights between utter terror and primal need and he feel utterly sick with himself.
Rhys bows and tries to pull weakly and this gets another low chuckle from the biggest Alpha.
“You’ve got fight. I like a fighter little rabbit.” The Alpha snarls before hauling Rhys up by his wrists and slamming him into the nearest wall.
Rhys feels his cheek scrape against raw brick and a loud yelp escapes his lips. The tears fall heavier, Rhys’ body deteriorating into frantic sobs that come in hard waves. He feels thick fingers carding through his hair and the Alpha’s lips behind his tender ear. The sensation sends cold chills down Rhys’ spine and he suddenly feels like he could vomit down his front.
He closes his eyes tightly, he just wants it all to be a bad dream and at any moment he will wake and the Alphas will be gone, everything will be gone and he will wake in his warm bed, safe and sound. Rhys hiccups softly and sobs into the red brick begging softly for mercy even when he knows none will come.
Axton saunters down the sidewalk slowly, mind wandering, feet carrying him as he goes. He basks in the warmth of the evening, the moon glinting down on him playfully, throwing pale light over the midnight covered world. The night is warm and the breeze is nice as it wisps around him gently. Axton stops to smell the air. The breeze comes carrying scents on the wind to his sensitive nostrils. The musk is heavy as it hits his nose. He’d know that scent anywhere.
Alphas in rut…and an Omega in heat.
Axton squints his eyes and growls. Something doesn’t smell right about this.
Axton rounds the corner, all his senses heightened and that is when he hears it. A low cry, begging, pleading, and laughter that is low and poisonous. Axton jogs toward the sound, eyes narrowed and teeth gritted together.
He comes on the scene cautiously, anger searing through him as he gets closer. Three Alphas surround a slender, young looking Omega, the biggest of the group having shoved the helpless man into the wall. Nothing about it looked consensual. Axton could hear the Omega sobbing and everything within him was suddenly in motion. Normally he was a man that kept to himself, never getting involved in the business of others. But this was his business. This was why Alphas had gotten such a bad name. Because of pigs like this who couldn’t control themselves around an Omega in heat. Driven mad with instinct and need they only served to please themselves.
“Hey! The fuck is going on here?” Axton bellowed approaching the men carefully.
The biggest Alpha turned, eyes narrowed, teeth snarled.
“None of your goddamned business hot shot. Fuck off.” The Alpha snapped curtly.
Axton growled lowly.
“Leave him be you no good son of a bitch.” Axton snarled back.
The other two Alphas growled at Axton darkly, beginning to stalk toward him slowly.
“What so you can have the pretty boy for yourself? We found him first, so get the fuck outta here before we have to teach you a lesson.” The bigger Alpha hissed still not letting loose of Rhys’ shivering form.
Axton cracked his knuckles.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn ya.” Axton grumbled lowly.
With that Axton was in motion, ducking the dark eyed Alpha’s first swing and connecting his fist with the other Alpha’s jaw. The Alpha staggered backward howling in pain, spitting blood down onto the sidewalk. The other Alpha lunged for Axton yelling out wildly. He got two solid hits on Axton before the burly man got loose from his fists line of fire. Axton slid to the side and grabbed the Alpha by the throat, choking him mercilessly. The Alpha struggled and writhed against the bigger arms around his windpipe, eyes fading, body finally going limp. Axton let the unconscious man slip from his limbs and darted to the last Alpha left. Axton grabbed him by his collar and hauled him off of Rhys. Axton wrestled the big Alpha to the ground, snarling and biting, teeth flashing and feral. Axton’s fist connected several times with the other man’s jaw before being rolled to the ground. The Alpha attempted to get his hands around Axton’s throat hissed and snarling wildly. Axton brought his knee up between the Alpha’s legs and the man yelped out in pain. With that Axton was back on him, pummeling his face mercilessly.
The Alpha’s head lolled back on the concrete uselessly, out cold, blood pouring from his lips and nostrils. Axton sat there for a moment, knuckles bloody, body heaving. He breathed out and flexed his hands slowly, as if testing that everything was still in working order.
The thick man rose up off the bloody mess of a man and then for the first time his eyes met with the shivering Omega still leaning hard against the brick wall. The young male’s heterochromatic brown and blue eyes were wide and wet with tears, his body shaking, hiccupping sobs still bubbling up from his chest.
Poor kid, Axton thought frowning.
“Hey, you ok kid?” Axton questioned softly, taking a step toward the pitiful looking Omega.
Rhys shied away, scrambling off the wall and tripping backwards, hitting the ground hard. Axton frowned and cautiously made his way toward the young man. Rhys could smell the Alpha’s strong must. For all he knew this Alpha could be even worse than the others, sure he’d saved him but for what? So he could have Rhys all for himself?
Rhys covered his face and cried out lowly.
“Please don’t hurt me!” Rhys sobbed.
Axton felt his heart sink. The Alpha paused, not wanting to get any closer and freak the kid out any more than he already was.
“I’m not gunna hurt you. It’s alright.” Axton breathed trying to sound gentle.
Rhys dared to look at the Alpha, his eyes watery, lip still quivering. Axton reached out and gently wiped some blood from Omega’s scraped cheek.
“Got a little banged up there didn’t you? You better get some ice on that or it’s gunna swell up.” Axton tutted softly.
Rhys frowned timidly and nodded.
Axton’s thumb lingered on Rhys’ cheek for a moment and Axton could feel the deep curl of arousal bloom just beneath his skin. Axton cursed himself mentally and drew his hand back. God the kid’s scent was making it hard to fucking think. It had been a while since Axton had been this close to an Omega in heat, normally he tried to avoid this kind of thing, wanting nothing to do with losing his mind to primal instinct. In the military there was no room for that kind of crap. He had to be level headed at all times and this, this certainly was not a recipe for anything level headed.
“You…you live around here or what?” Axton grunted grabbing Rhys’ clammy palm and hauling the young man up onto his feet.
Rhys nodded feebly.
“Yeah…it’s…it’s just a couple of blocks from here…” Rhys stuttered.
“Look, lemme walk you home. I promise I won’t try anything or whatever, but seriously any Alpha in a ten mile radius is gunna smell you, what the hell were you thinking being out alone in your state!? That’s just stupid jeezus.” Axton snarled walking over to Rhys’ scattered briefcase and gathering the fluttering papers.
He stuffed the loose leaf papers back into the case gently and snapped it closed. Axton handed it back to the still frightened young man and Rhys curled his shaking fingers around the handle. He still didn’t fully trust the Alpha standing before him, but it was better than falling victim to another pack.
“I-I…came into it early…I just…thought I could get home ok…” Rhys stuttered softly eyes dropping to the floor.
Axton chewed his bottom lip and sighed. He was being harsh and he knew it, the poor kid was really shaken up…maybe he needed to go a little easier on him.
“Ok…well…let’s just get you home.” Axton sighed rubbing the back of his neck.
Rhys nodded feebly.