Chapter Text
The Threepakhul Family was undisputedly powerful and indisputably rich. That the first born son was an omega many considered a true tragedy but the tragedy was that it made him a target.
Many figured he would be bartered in some mating deal to tie another pack in, but it never happened. The boy was kept shut in, and few ever saw the outrageous personality that emerged from a lifetime of spoiling and boredom.
The second son was the hoped for Alpha and was raised as an heir would be, pampered but tempered with the knowledge that the responsibility would come to his shoulders.
The third son was no less pampered, but felt few ties to the family and fewer responsibilities. He enjoyed the comforts of his station, and learned what was required, but when it became clear his brother would be taking the reins he gracefully stepped aside and struck out on his own.
Being an Orphaned Omega was difficult but not impossible. The uncle was his Alpha on paper, and that was enough to keep the authorities from stepping in, but any who saw the dynamic in action would know that the small pack with two omegas and an absentee alpha was vulnerable. Vulnerable things don’t stand still in this world. Porsche learned early to fake deference and learn true defense. His fighting was fierce, his hustle even better. He knew school was the ticket into getting out of their situation, but he couldn’t stand the classroom. He thought about seeking out a powerful Alpha, but people can be shit bags and letting an unknown untested alpha near Chay wasn’t an option. Having to deal with Arthee was bad enough, and he wasn’t malicious just incompetent.
Porsche hustled jobs, his main money making was done at Yoks where he worked shifts as a bartender. He knew how to flirt, how to be the perfect idea of what somebody wanted. But tips were hardly enough to keep the creditors from coming around.
The cost of keeping an omega safe could be large. Omegas did best in private schools, where the staff would make sure they were not harassed. They needed homes that were secure against casual intrusion. They were allowed to work any job they pleased, but few workplaces would stop the casual harassment that was passed off as courting. Generally the costs would be spread out over a pack a dozen or so people that would come together to live and play and bond as family. Arthee as Alpha was supposed to provide this stability, but a known liar and cheat could not attract anyone to live with them. So it was just the three of them, in a house that was far too empty.
Chay was kept as safe as possible, his private school was the one expense that kept Porsche focused on the next pay check. Chay was almost ready for university, the step up would give him real opportunity not only for work that could support him safely, but it would let him meet potential mates that could bring him into a real pack that had enough clout to be safe. Porsche was hoping someday his brother would be successful in his chosen profession, but also that he would find a mate that would let him be truly safe.
***
When Kinn Stumbled into the alley, exhausted and pursued he was a mess of scents, mostly blood and gunpowder and adrenaline. Porsche fought off thugs on the daily adventures of his life, and clearly this gorgeous man was being targeted. It had happened before, when Omegas were cornered nearby. He usually made a friend, and friends were the only thing that kept his world running smoothly.
Porsche didn’t stop to check gender, he simply stepped in and took down the shit heads. His fighting had always been the strongest when he was defending someone else, it gave him a focus, someone to keep safe. He took the four of them down, but when more arrived at the mouth of the alley he decided fleeing was best. He drags the guy through the bar and out to the front where his bike was parked. He settled in on the bike and his passenger fit very nicely behind him.
Off they went, into the night. The air was warm and sweet, just the beginning of summer, and the ride was fast. Porsche didn't dare stop until they were miles away, in a completely different part of the city. His stranger was tucked into his body, nuzzling sweetly and a little handsy, not that Porsche minded, the stranger was handsome and if he wanted to thank him sweetly Porsche wasn’t going to say no. Omegas were often sweet with each other, it was sometimes the safest way to satisfy their bodies urges without dragging in the politics and temperaments of an alpha.
When Porsche judged that they were far enough away with no signs of following he pulled the bike over and tucked them into an alley. This part of town was slightly more upscale, but it would be safest to not be seen.
The stranger got off the bike and Porsche followed, assuming a conversation about where they needed to go would be easiest when standing still. Porsche suddenly had the man all over him, hands roaming his body, lips and gentle teeth following. The stranger must be near his heat to be so desperate, but Porsche didn’t catch heat scent, too much blood, too much gunpowder. Porsche enjoyed the sensations, his scent reacting with arousal, he let his hands roam as well, the stranger was incredibly well built, solid muscle under soft smooth skin. Porsche was just about to pull him in for a kiss when he scented Alpha.
“Hold on, it's not safe here. We are still out in the open. Where do you need to be?”
“My people will find me soon,” He flashed a watch that looked expensive enough to have a tracker. His hands never stopped teasing Porsche. “Fuck you are so pretty, I cant believe you are an omega, you smell so good.”
“Easy there, you’re pretty too, but I can't even smell you, you are so covered in…” It seemed rude to bring up what he obviously was just running from, “you are still coming down from the chase, too worked up, and if your pack finds you midfuck they are likely to shoot me first and ask questions later.”
That stilled his hands, “yes of course, can’t risk that.” He stepped back. His suit was a rumpled mess, he was speckled in blood, and his hair was escaping the tie he had it in. He was clearly from a well off pack, but was having a hell of a day. “What is your name?”
“Porsche”
“Kinn”
“Nice to meet you Kinn, how did you get caught out?”
The screeching of tires heralded a sports car that quickly stopped right at the mouth of the alley. Kinn smiled as a young man stepped out. He was not as built as Kinn but the family resemblance was unmistakable. He walked like an alpha, a pissed off alpha, and Porsche instinctually took a step back.
“Don’t let my brother scare you, he won't touch you when I am here.”
Porsche knew some omegas were the darlings of their packs, but controlling an alphas temper, even one related to you, was a crap shoot at best.
“Kim,” Kinn’s deep voice rang out, it wasn’t an omega voice, it had the tone of authority. More cars started arriving and Kinn walked to the mouth of the alley to head them off. He also walked like an Alpha, his scent becoming stronger as people stepped out of the cars.
Porsche felt like a fucking idiot, how could he mistake Kinn for an omega, sure I couldn’t smell properly, but fuck that wasn’t an excuse. More people were pouring out of the cars and Porsche needed to get the fuck out of here right now. He got back on his bike and looked at the alley. This one lets out on the other side. Off he went, leaving his stranger, no his Kinn in the safety of his people.
***
A fucking Alpha, I can’t believe he was a fucking alpha. And I just let him touch me, let him run his hands all over me, fuck you would think I was in heat with how stupid I was. Fuck I hate guns, gunpowder always fucks up my nose. Why didn’t I catch on when we were on the bike, he was all over my neck, just drinking in my scent. But he didn’t say anything either, he should have introduced himself as soon as we got off the bike. That's courtesy, but he just let me treat him like an omega. Fuck this is going to be trouble. He knows my name, but just my name, not like you can find someone in this city with just a name.
Time to go home and get clean.
Porsche went home, it was late enough that Chay should be in bed, he was going to be finishing up his senior year and exams were coming soon. Porsche had faith, Chay was smart, way smarter than Porsche, he would make it in college, and he was cute, there was no way they wouldn’t get approached by some suitable family about bringing him in. Chay deserved that, a nice stable pack, an Alpha that knew what they were doing, and then once he was settled Porsche could just relax for a little bit. Just not have to worry about keeping him safe. But first Porsche had to figure out how to pay for it all. He looked at the house, it was his one asset, the only thing that had survived from his parents' deaths. His father had just bought it, was just starting the pack of their own when the car accident took their lives and most of Porsche's memories. It was hard not to be bitter about it, if only fate hadn’t intervened they would have had a strong pack to fall back on, even if the accident took their parents. Instead all they had was Arthee, who was ruled by his glands and his need to be right. He lost money almost as fast as Porsche could make it, and more than once Porsche had thought about leaving, but keeping Chay safe was only possible if he was here.
So he stays, and works day and night, anything to get the next baht. He enjoys a long hot shower, and does his best to not think about the stranger as he jerks himself off.
The next day he debates about going to Yoks or not, the stranger could easily figure out where he worked if he only thought through it. But the need for money wins. His shift goes about normal, and his take in tips is very good. The next few nights are the same, but there is this feeling of uneasiness, a hesitation, a waiting. He feels like he is being watched, and not in the way he likes. He tries to shake the feeling, throwing himself into his job each night, ramping the atmosphere up higher and higher. By the weekend the bar feels like it is just about to burst into a bloodbath or an orgy, and no one can tell which way it will turn. The booze flows like water, and the money follows. The bar has had its best week yet, good enough that Yok wonders if they should stay open on Tuesday their traditional day off, but the look of sheer exhaustion on half her employees convinces her that everyone needs a rest. Porsche hides most of the money he takes in. A rainy day fund stashed under some stones in the garden.
***
Porsche POV
The next week is slightly more sedate, the bar is still packed, but the frenzy has died down. Sometimes business is like this, some people blame it on the moon, or the weather, or just the mood of the people, whatever it is I don’t question it. Early in the evening on Wednesday A happy omega walks in. I can smell him a mile away, he has the look of deep satisfaction, and the scent that follows is meltingly good. The guy is about my age, and not bad looking, in a cute nonthreatening way. He is dressed in a black suit, as are the two betas that follow him at a safe distance. He has protection so I don’t worry about the two Alphas that are sitting at the end of the bar. Everyone's attention follows him as he approaches the bar, a shy smile on his face.
“Hello there, what can I do for you?”
“Are you Porsche?”
He doesn’t look like a threat, he doesn’t smell like a threat. And I don’t think Arthee has any new debts I need to worry about. “Who is asking?”
“An admirer recommended you to my employer, and we would like to have a conversation.”
Oh fuck, another pimp, and one smart enough to send his honey pot on a recruiting mission. “No thank you, I like my job, and am not in need of another.”
He looks at me, his sunshine scent, goes just a little cooler, more spring breeze than full summer. “I could pay you for your time,” He sets a stack of cash on the bar, a thin neat stack of large bills. Its not quite obscene, but it is real close. “We can take a table here, and I promise we will be done before the rush is here.” The stack is close to what I made last week, and this is by far the politest proposition. Most of the time the Alpha swaggers in, makes a fool of himself, makes promises no one can keep, stinking of lies the whole time. They usually get aggressive fast, and it feels amazing to wipe the floor with them before throwing them out.
This one is dangerous, and he still smells of sunshine, in a scent so blissful that I would have assumed it were manufactured if not for its earlier shift from summer to spring. Fuck it I need the money, and talking has never hurt me before. I take the stack and slide it into my pocket, and tilt my head to an empty table, “I will be right with you.”
I let Yok know I am taking a break, and that she needs to man the bar, she gives me a look that lets me know she has my back. I pour myself a glass full of mixers, and walk over to the table.
“You guys want anything?” I ask mostly to keep this as normal feeling as possible. They all shake their heads no but sunshine smiles, and turns back to smelling like summer, “So what do I call you?”
“I am Pete,” Sunshine replies. His companions look at each other before shrugging and coughing up “Green” and “Bright”
I laugh a little, and Bright’s face frowns, and sunshine shifts to something cold but still sweet, like an autumn rain.
“No offense, I am not laughing at your name, it's just, this guy, Pete, he smells like sunshine, and your name is Bright, I couldn’t help it.” I am already rubbing my face to ease my embarrassment.
“Hey its ok” Pete says, a little more warmth peaking into his face. He reaches into his jacket and pulls out a thick envelope and sets it on the table. “I work for a family, as a companion for their eldest son, an Omega that is very sheltered. His father keeps him very protected, and as a result he doesn’t get out much and is in need of companions. There are generally about six of us, we have our own wing of the house, and are pampered like house guests. Contracts run in 1 year, 3 year, and 5 year increments.”
“That's a lot of words to say a rich family has an omega harem.”
Pete shakes his head, “why do they never believe me?”
Because its a fucking pipe dream, the only reason a “family” collects Omegas is to serve a very rich and powerful Alpha, and with someone that rich and powerful, when you displease them you just disappear.
Pete tries again, “I know it sounds odd, but it is a big pack, 128 people, that run a business and live in a tower in Pathumwan district. The eldest son of the founder is an Omega, and we have 3 floors to ourselves, and another 3 that are common areas with no Alphas. Tankhun, the Son, is demanding, a high energy person who keeps us busy, but happy. The official title is body guard, but as he is a shut in, we are essentially paid companions. If you have ever lived in a den, it is similar to that.”
A den, that's another fucking pipe dream, a group of Omegas forming a pack of their own. To be honest, that's the real dream for my parents house, a pack of my own, with enough omegas to have clout and protection and to spend the days working together and the nights being sweet with one another.
“Sounds too good, like this is the sort of shit traffickers use to get the young ones, I am too old for this shit, it isn’t going to work on me.”
Pete is now the one rubbing his face, the extra movement kicking up a sweet lemon tone in his scent.
“Honest truth, it is exhausting work, and we have been a man down for a few months, so we are even more exhausted than usual. But I have been with the family for 5 years, and I can’t imagine living anywhere else. I see one alpha once a week when he checks in with his brother, and I swear I have never been happier. There is no sex work, no harassment. We play way too many video games, make terrible art, and dress in the finest fashions just to amuse ourselves. I came from a nothing little fishing village, with a shitty pack and way too many politics. I am not shitting you when I say this is the sweetest fucking life imaginable.” His scent drenches back to summer sunshine and that more than any of the words makes me think that for just one moment this might be real.
“So what is the catch?”
He looks hopeful,” The hardest adjustment for most people is staying in. We don’t go out, really ever. We don’t get days off. The family is nuts about security, like insane. The founders wife was kidnapped, and since then the place is locked up tighter than a drum. About half of the 128 people that live in the tower are security. You will be required to pass physical tests, and weapons training, and basic combat. There has never been an attack on the house, but they are ready for one if it ever does come.”
“So why all the security?”
He tapped the envelope, “Look this over, if it’s appealing, give us a call and I will fill in all of the details.