The Long Lost Omega: A Contemporary Reverse Harem Novella, page 5
Chapter 7
Safira
Nothing was making any sense. After stumbling upon the mysterious diner that I’d been convinced existed only in my dreams, I had just seen the man I’d been fixated on for years. I had half-hoped that he would be there, sitting among the other guys, somehow reappearing after vanishing without a trace. And then, there he was.
I knew it was him, even though he was an adult now. The mischievous, dark-haired boy had become a man - a ridiculously tall man, with an MMA fighter build. His dark hair was styled and not the wild dark mess of hair he had as a child. But his eyes were still as striking as ever, emerald green and sharp, and his face had grown so gorgeous that he looked like a model. Even more strange, he’d recognized me instantly. He’d almost barreled through several people to get to me, so easily that they could have been made of paper. But everyone was speaking in these terms that made no sense to me - words like omega, heat, and alpha.
They’d taken me to a hospital I didn’t recognize. That made even less sense. Weatherby was small enough that I should have known where I was immediately. The nurses tried to check me out for memory loss, but when they asked where I was from, a few of them seemed to understand what I was going through. It became even more bizarre when a police officer stepped into the room and started asking me questions.
“Let me guess, you’re from Weatherby, aren't you?” he asked with a resigned look. I nodded, happy that something was finally making sense. The officer sighed, then spoke into his radio. “I need all hands on deck. We have another Weatherby situation.” I frowned at the term; I hadn’t done anything wrong.
“Hey, what’s going on?” I asked as the nurses came in and out of the room. One woman stepped up beside the officer and looked at me with a welcoming smile.
“Safira, I’m Dr. Calloway. I think I may know what you are going through. We had another case like yours a few years back.” She sounded sympathetic, but I just wanted to find out what happened to Tony.
“What? I’m fine! I feel way better.” It was true - my fever was subsiding. Surely the sweet smell coming from me was because of something I ate. The doctor sat down on the edge of my bed.
“It might be a lot to take in right now, but we believe you may have traveled somehow from your hometown, or home world, into ours. The rules are a bit different here.” I stared at her like she had two heads.
“I’m sorry, what?” I exclaimed. She glanced at the officer.
“From what we can gather, some people are crossing into our world from another one. You are from a place that is similar enough to ours in so many ways, so similar that you probably didn’t notice at first. We can’t make sense of it either.” She said as she walked around the room.
“The primary difference, from what we are told, is that where you are from there aren’t designations. Here, we have people who fall into three categories that they go through during puberty. You happen to be having a presentation as an omega. It will affect your body, especially your hormones and your need for companionship. You will go through a process every several months that will be painful without the help of sexual companions.” She spoke matter-of-factly, as if this was all supposed to make sense.
“What process?” I asked, unsure of what she was talking about.
“It’s called a heat. Your body has already started changing to present as an omega, and we will educate you more on that shortly. For now, we have given you suppressants to subdue most of the effects. But eventually you will have a several day process where you will be highly aroused, vulnerable, and want to hide yourself somewhere safe. It is also common to desire the companionship of one of the other primary designations, called alphas. One or more can help you by giving you sexual pleasure to make the pain go away. You will be highly submissive to alphas during this time, which is something you need to be cautious about, but it is also much healthier to have them assist you with this process. Which is why we normally want to help omegas find a pack for their heat.” She finished and I leaned back, letting out a long breath.
“So let me get this right. I’m in a parallel world, where my body is changing, and everyone’s primary concern is getting a bunch of people to help me through a horny phase?” I raised an eyebrow at her and she glanced at the nurse in the room. “Is this some kind of elaborate joke?” I exclaimed, looking around for cameras in case I was on some reality show. The doctor kept looking at the nurse and officer, who shrugged at her.
“It might make more sense if you hear from someone else who went through the same thing. I’ll see if I can get you in touch with her. In the meantime, the nurses will explain what is going on, and why you’re in the omega wing.” Dr Calloway stated. Her words made no sense, but it was hard to pay attention when my mind was stuck on seeing Tony for the first time in so many years. I couldn't believe how grown up he looked. And he’d tried to protect me as if he cared about me. Something inside me was keening for him. It had been ages since anyone had expressed the level of concern that the random strangers, and Tony, demonstrated for me today.
Several hours later, I’d been given an extensive education on this new city called Haven that I’d somehow appeared in, and how society supposedly worked here. It all sounded so bizarre. They explained the three types of designation to me, and with my luck I was turning into the rarest designation. They went on to explain that the fragrance emanating from me, along with my fever and my cramps, meant I was going through a sudden hormonal change and would soon have very unique needs, which included a heat. I almost didn’t believe any of it, except that I was starting to notice other people’s scents as well. It was as if my sense of smell was getting stronger by the minute. And I was feeling overly excited at seeing my long-lost friend. I’d felt a wetness in my undergarments on the way to the hospital after I’d hugged him - it made the air grow even sweeter. I didn’t mention it to anyone, but the doctor and nurses somehow knew and told me that I’d start doing that anytime I was aroused. It all sounded so unreal, like the fan fiction I used to read when I was younger.
But when I reflected on the past, something started to click. I distinctly remembered that the town looked different from the lookout point in the forest the first time I met Tony, Jax, and Kaden. No one could ever confirm the existence of the plane or the large creek that I knew I had seen. And the diner, which I’d sat in myself, was supposedly a figment of my wild imagination. Now, ever since I woke up in the forest, I recognized things I hadn’t seen since that day so many years ago. I prepared myself for the possibility that it might be true; I could be in an entirely different place, not in my own world. While this new environment seemed familiar, there were clearly some significant differences.
The doctor suggested I speak with someone who had come from the same place as I did and also ended up here. She believed this person could help clarify things for me. Her name was Piper, and she had arrived in Haven after emerging from the forest, claiming to be from Weatherby, just like I had. Once they reached her, they handed the phone.
“Hello?” I asked, sitting up in my hospital bed. I knew I had to sound skeptical, but as it turned out, Piper was very understanding.
“Hi, I’m Piper. I’m sure you have a lot of questions. I know how that feels.” Her voice was kind and friendly, so I decided to listen and give her a chance to explain.
She went on to tell me that yes, we were in a different place - a different world, as it turns out. Supposedly the forest had some type of pathway between the two worlds and every so often people could pass through under the right circumstances. She had come here by accident and her body changed, adapting to this world as she became an ‘omega.’ In her experience, the biological changes and societal rules were difficult at first and she resisted them. But she ended up finding a pack of men and now had an amazing life compared to what she left behind. Although I found it hard to process, it added up. I must have accidentally crossed here as a child, then again this second time.
Piper went on to tell me more about how her experience was, what I should expect, and how different life was here. “So, I ended up with my pack, and things have worked out better than I’d ever dreamed.” She said, “But it’s not for everyone. If you want to return to our world, there’s an easy way to do so. Go back to where you first woke up, wear something metal, and think about home. Really imagine it and have the desire to go back. You should wake up back at the campsite near Weatherby.” I was still stuck on the whole pack concept. She had relationships with several men, and they all lived together, which had my imagination running wild.
“Thanks for talking to me, Piper. This is a lot to take in.” I said, still not quite sure how any of this was real. But if it was, I knew one thing for sure. I was staying here. Even if Piper told me how to go home, there was no way I’d choose to go back to Weatherby now. I didn't care what kind of weird world this was, but I knew the guys who had never left my mind were here. And the social worker told me I was going to get housing until I was on my feet. This was many times better than returning to Lisa and Ralph’s passive aggressive torture.
“Any time! Feel free to reach out to me. I know what you’ve been through.” She said, and we ended the call. I handed the phone to one of the nurses.
“So, how are you feeling? I’m sure it's a lot to take in.” The kind nurse said as I stretched out in bed.
“Yes, it’s a lot, and I want to learn more about how my body is being affected. But right now I need to contact someone I saw earlier.” I quipped as she looked at me with concern.
“Safira, you wouldn't know anyone from this world. We’ve been through this before, any contact information you have for people won’t work since they aren’t here.” In her mind, I was new here. But I knew I’d been in this world before. “And also, we need to get you to the Omega House so you can get situated. You’re still young enough that your first heat won’t be too bad, but the staff at the house will want to start working on helping you find an alpha to get you through it.” She went on to explain how important it was to find a pack through a registry, but I barely listened. Now that I knew Tony was here, maybe the others were too. And I could finally get some answers.
“Can I get some time to myself?” I finally asked, and the nurse nodded as she got up to leave.
“Press the button if you need anything. You’ll stay here overnight, then someone from Omega Social Services will come to collect you once you’re cleared to leave.” She shut the door, and I quickly picked the phone back up again. I dialed the number that was practically seared into my brain after all these years, my heart beating fast as I waited.
It rang.
Before, it had always been disconnected. But the number that the boys had told me to call back then was ringing now. After a few agonizing seconds, someone answered.
Chapter 8
Jax
Someone was calling the house phone. We’d set it up to always be transferred to our cells, but since I was home I checked the caller ID and saw that it was the local hospital. The very same place that Tony said they’d taken Safira. The three of us realized it at the same time, and I grabbed the phone, quickly lifting it to my ear as my heart started racing.
“This is Jax.” I said, waiting to hear why the hospital had called.
“Jax?” A soft voice said my name, and I felt a shiver run through my body and a longing that filled every part of me. It was her.
“Safira?” I could barely breathe. “How did you get this number?” I asked, my mind already racing with plans on how we could meet with her.
“I remembered it.” Was all she said. I was never more grateful that we’d kept this number all these years.
“I can’t believe it.” I whispered. “I’m so glad you called. Tony said he saw you earlier. Are you ok?” I asked, my words coming out fast.
“I’m fine, I don’t think they want me to make calls though, so I’ll have to be quick. They are taking me to a place called the Omega House tomorrow. I want to see you; all of you. I can’t believe you’re real.” Her voice cracked at the end. She’d remembered our number. Maybe she’d been looking for us just as much as we’d been looking for her.
“We’ll find you, Safira. I promise. What happened?” I had so much to ask her. But right now, all I could think about was how sweet her voice was. I wanted to find her, scoop her up, and bring her back here to spoil her and keep her with me and my pack, forever.
“Okay, I know this sounds crazy, but I’m from a town called Weatherby. Apparently, I’m from a different world, and stumbled into it the first time I met you. But I’m back now. I know it sounds unbelievable. But I think we can figure it out together.” Together. I wanted that more than anything. “Jax, they are coming to check on me. I have to hang up. I’ll talk to you soon, okay?” Her voice was so hopeful and vulnerable.
“We’re here for you, Safira. I’ll see you soon.” I said, before I heard voices in her room as the phone call ended. Kaden and Tony were watching me, waiting in anticipation. “She’s at the hospital, but they’re taking her to the Omega House.” I said with a frown. That was a place where they sent omegas without means. It was basically a state-run boarding house. We wouldn’t be able to see her there. Alphas were banned from the premises unless they were officially courting an omega, and we were not registered. I frowned. She deserved to be somewhere nicer than a state-run holding center.
“She’s real! I told you!” Tony said, pumping his fist in the air. Not that any of us doubted it after smelling her perfume on him. My body ached to smell her up close. I was already craving her in a way I’d never craved anyone or anything before.
“So, not to rain on our parade, but we have to tell the fathers about this.” Kaden said as he crossed his arms.
The fathers were what we called the collective men who formed each of the packs of our families. Kaden had three, Tony had two, and I had four. They had all come together when they were younger, each of them owning a small company. After they’d merged their businesses, growing in size, Tony, Kaden and I ended up hanging out all the time by default. When it was clear that the three of us would form a pack, the fathers grew even closer, knowing we’d be a large extended family someday. It posed a problem. They were almost all alphas, and very used to getting their way. So they tended to be very authoritative and hard on us, to ‘make us strong’, in their words. Arranging for us to get an omega and grow the business was an easy decision for them to make.
But I already knew once we saw Safira, we’d have to change our plans. Illiana wasn’t our match, but she was now expecting a pack. She was also changing her whole life for us. It wasn’t going to be fair to her if we went through with a bonding bite knowing we were so affected by a different omega.
“Don’t worry. We can make things right. First, we need to find out what happened to Safira all these years. She said she comes from a different world.” I said as I scratched my chin. It sounded bizarre. “She might be suffering some sort of delusion. We need to find out if she’s all right.” I pondered as I paced. We’d get her all the help she needed if that was the case.
“Hey, didn’t Pack Archer meet a girl who supposedly appeared out of thin air? It was a big deal at the time. Maybe something similar happened with Safira.” Tony chimed in.
“Yeah, I heard about that. I didn’t believe it at the time, but maybe there’s more to it than we know. Either way, we’ll have to-” My words were cut short as the door swung open. Speak of the devil. Three of our fathers strode in, dressed in their business suits as always, and commanding all the attention as their alpha presence filled up the room and competed with ours.
“Hi boys, glad you’re all here.” Mark, one of Kaden’s fathers, said as he came to a halt in front of us. “We were in the neighborhood and thought we’d stop by and check in on the new room.” He walked around, assessing our space. The fathers were highly critical of us, always wanting us to follow their advice and do things their way. It often became a point of contention when we disagreed. There was nothing quite as tense as a room full of alphas and their competing egos. He smiled, seemingly satisfied with how our house looked. “We need to make sure everything goes smoothly for the next few months. Omegas are very particular about cleanliness. How’s the room coming along?” He strode toward the stairs, not waiting for an answer. The others followed as my mind raced.
“Mark, can we speak about this? As a pack, we believe this deal is being rushed. Especially since we’ve barely spoken to Illiana.” I started saying, but the three of them stopped on the stairs and faced us.
“Rushed? We’ve been working with Horizon Industries for over two years trying to find ways to benefit one another!” Edson, one of Tony’s fathers, said. “You know the girl well enough. She’s a good omega, and you’ll learn to get along. Trust us. When I met Tony’s mother, we bonded with her after only a few months.” He said before they growled in agreement and headed toward the room. I grit my teeth and followed them, while Kaden and Tony exchanged looks with me. The fathers were bullheaded. It made any disagreement with them a constant struggle.
They walked into the room that was supposed to be for Illiana when she moved in. “This is nice. She’ll like the privacy and the large bathroom. Ask her if she has any preferences for design style and get it sorted soon.” Mark said as they assessed the room.
“Father, listen. We don’t know if the bond is necessarily the best way to go about this. Illiana is a virtual stranger to us.” Kaden started to say, but the three of them bristled and Edson’s eyes narrowed as he turned to us.
“She’s agreed to this deal, just as you have! Now stop this nonsense. You just have cold feet. Once she’s here you’ll make it work. An omega will help the three of you remain clear headed, and soon enough you’ll have a family to motivate you.” I felt myself start to growl in opposition to his orders, but stopped myself. It was not the time to start an argument. “Now, get the room finished. We have a lot to do before then. And stop acting like betas!” Edson barked as they strode back downstairs, leaving as quickly as they arrived.
