After a long day at school, Chris finally returned home. The small, one-bedroom unit he had lived in with his mom ever since he could remember felt even quieter than usual.
"Mom, I'm home!" he called out, kicking off his shoes at the door.
No response.
"Mom?" Chris called again, his voice echoing through the empty space. He sighed, heading to the kitchen. His stomach growled—it had been a long day, and he hadn't eaten anything since breakfast.
Opening the fridge, he found a note taped to the door. He pulled it off and unfolded it.
Chris honey, I went out tonight with your Uncle Frank. He had a party to attend and didn't have anyone to accompany him, so I volunteered. I won't be home before 2 a.m., so don't wait up for me. I left a sandwich in the fridge for you along with some orange juice. Love, Mom.
Chris chuckled, folding the note and slipping it into his pocket. "Hah, Mom, you're such a bad liar," he muttered under his breath.
Chris had known for a while that his mom had taken on a 3rd job just so he could afford to cover rent and pay for his school expenses. But will not tell him as he did not want him to worry about him. That is the type of person Peter was always taking on all the burden just so he could give Chris a better life. Despite him being on a scholarship, most of his school expenses such as —books, uniforms, supplies were not covered by it. His mom worked tirelessly to make sure he had everything he needed.
Tomorrow, I'll start looking for a part-time job, Chris decided as he grabbed the sandwich and orange juice from the fridge.
Getting a job as an Omega wasn't easy. Most companies and small businesses didn't want the hassle of accommodating Omegas, with their suppressant needs and monthly heat leaves. But Chris didn't care. Even if he had to lie on his application like saying he was a beta, he was determined to help his mom.
Speaking of jobs… how did Mom even manage to get a third one? Chris's thoughts darkened. He hated the idea of his mom working in unsafe conditions. The harsh reality was that many Omegas, struggling to survive, were forced into the sex industry—prostitution, stripping, and other exploitative jobs.
Chris shook his head. "No way. Mom would never do something like that. He has too much pride and too many values."
Peter had always taught Chris to aim high and work hard, despite society's constant belittling of Omegas, he raised him always telling him to get a good education so one day he will have better opportunities in life. Still, the thought lingered in the back of his mind.
Chris finished his sandwich and sat back, thinking about his day. School wasn't something he hated, but it didn't excite him either. The thought of going to school, getting a job, and working himself to the bone for 30 years until retirement felt dull and uninspiring. He rather do more thrilling things like getting into fights and meeting new sorts of people while traveling the world. That is why he always admired his uncle Frank.
He admired his Uncle Frank for living a different kind of life. Frank had dropped out of school at 17, opened his own bar, and ran a local motorcycle gang. He lived without societal rules or expectations. Chris envied that freedom.
"Speaking of Alphas… what the hell is wrong with that one?" Chris mumbled, thinking back to Henry and his ridiculous note from earlier that day. Sure, Chris knew he was attractive—not as much as his mom, but enough to catch the eye of a few Alphas.
Few alphas had approached him in hopes that they could get in between his legs but Chris had been quick to put them in their place. Most alphas, especially the ones at the school he went to were total ashholes. They thought they were high and mighty and everyone, especially omegas, should bow to them and worship the ground they walked on.
But Henry? Henry was a special kind of asshole. He and his friends were the worst of the Alphas at school, constantly picking on anyone they deemed beneath them. And Jaekyung? Don't even get him started. The way he looked at Omegas, like they were pests, disgusted Chris. The incident where he had almost beaten that poor Omega to death still lingered in Chris's mind. 'I wonder what happened to that Omega,' Chris thought to himself. Though he didn't know the Omega personally, he felt that Omegas should stand in solidarity and support each other. Since society didn't care about them, they needed to band together and protect one another.
"I better stay clear of him. Alphas only bring trouble," he muttered.
Feeling exhausted, Chris cleaned up and crawled into bed. Just as he was drifting off to sleep, a loud knock at the door jolted him awake.
His eyes shot open, and he sat up, anger visible on his face.
Who the hell would be knocking at this hour?
"I'm coming!" Chris yelled, stumbling out of bed and grabbing a shirt. The knocking grew louder and more insistent.
"Alright, alright! I said I'm coming!" he shouted, fumbling with the buttons of his shirt as he approached the door.
Throwing it open, he started to say, "Didn't I say—"
his lips curved into a frown when he saw who was standing there.