Chapter 1

Cas sighed and took out his art history book, He’d been working on his Ph.D for a few years now, while working at the local animal shelter, spending his own money on dog food and occasionally sneaking a pet or two out when room was at a premium and their lives were in danger. Caring too much was part of being an omega.

He heard Michael walk in, look over his shoulder, and laugh. Cas gave him a dirty look, but his older brother just patted him on the head and walked away. His older brothers have their own apartments, but he and his sister still live at home. Cas is the youngest, the runt of the litter, and he’s heard himself referred to as a “mistake” by his father during an argument with his mother years ago. He’s no benefit to the pack.

While his family weren’t full-on bigots, it was tough being the only omega in a family full of alphas, a rare thing to begin with. His grandfather was an alpha, his father was an alpha, his three older brothers, Michael, Orion, and Zephyr, and his older sister, Hanael, were all alphas, and his mother, technically a beta, was right on the edge of being an alpha. Being a beta was the only thing that had allowed her to become pregnant so easily with five children in a row.

Alphas couldn’t impregnant other alphas very easily, though it could technically happen. His older sister Hanael used to lash out at him when she was younger rather than admit she was terrified she’d never become a mother. He knew she hated the fact that if he chose to become pregnant, it would be startling easy for him. Relationships weren’t always easy for female alphas. His family wasn’t evil to him, but no parent technically WANTED an omega child. A daughter could be tolerated since her marriage could rope a brand new fresh male alpha into the family. But a son?

Alphas were dominant and in charge of the world. Politicians, CEOS, owners, doctors, pretty much all alphas. They could impregnate anyone of any sex and were the doms in relationships.

“Normal” people who hadn’t changed much when everyone developed their second genders? Mostly betas. He used to fantasize he was a beta. His life would have been a lot easier. They were about 80% of the population.

Omegas were at the bottom of the barrel—some people even just considered them a breeding class who shouldn’t be used as much else but housekeepers and sex slaves. But alphas craved them. The ideal relationship was between an alpha and their omega, one the provider, the other, the dependent. Omegas smell sweet, speak softly, are easily hurt, cry too much, and have been known to commit suicide if abandoned by their alpha or are just sick of waiting for one.

They have a very hard time taking care of themselves, have more estrogen in their bodies than any other class, and also gain weight very easily.

Castiel’s brothers could devour a cake and nothing; he looks at it and gains five pounds. At present, Cas is about 50 pounds overweight and teased nonstop. His parents literally take food off his plate, saying he’ll never attract an alpha if he’s too fat even though it’s well known healthy, fertile omegas are usually pleasantly plump.

“Got a friend coming over this weekend”, Hanael announces, grabbing a glass of orange juice over Cas’s head.

Good, he thinks, maybe she’ll be too busy with her friend to torment him.