Summary: Omega tries to settle into her new life by finding a job.
A/N: Reader is described as big & tall, is female. No other descriptors used.
Warnings: Allusions to surgery, human trafficking, kidnapping, Blood, Panic attack, PTSD flashbacks. Please let me know if I missed any!
Part 7 -- Part 9
Series Masterlist
The garage Curtis runs is close enough for you to walk to. Most of the places in the compound are, making you wonder at the need for a mechanic. But when Sam leads you inside, all of the tractors and farming equipment give you a better understanding.
"I...I didn't realize this was a farming community," you comment aloud.
"We don't have much in ways of economy around here," Sam starts. "Sure, we've got deals with the federal government, but growing our own food, making our own stuff? It really helps us when Steve's negotiating for resources we really do need."
"But we can only do so much if we ain't got the parts," a handsome, shirtless man with brown hair and bright blue eyes comments. You shyly look away and he adds, "ain't no need to be shy around me, pretty lady."
"Hal," Sam gives a warning look.
"Alright, alright. I'll go get a shirt," Hal rolls his eyes before giving you a wink. "Ain't often we get a pretty lady around the garage."
"Probably because you scare them all away," Sam sighs.
"That reminds me, if you see Sarah tell her I'm available on Friday," Hal smirks before running off.
Sam scowls at the mention of his sister and you try not to flinch. He must pickup on your distress because he smiles at you.
"We play but he's actually a good match for my sister," he explains. "He's got a good heart and he'll be a great dad for her boys."
"Not to mention they're both shameless flirts." Curtis' familiar voice gets your attention.
You can't fight the urge to immediately turn your attention to him. You swear you used to be able to play it cool around crushes but these new instincts, this inner animal, keeps taking control at the most embarrassing times.
Thankfully, if he notices, Curtis doesn't mention it. He just smiles at you and Sam.
"I heard you're wanting to help us get our paperwork organized?" he asks you.
You keep your head down, unable to look him in the eyes as you remember thoughts of him getting you through your last heat.
"If...if that's okay," you mumble. You swear you could kick yourself for how much you want Curtis' approval. Where is all of this coming from?
"Definitely won't be a problem," Curtis reassures you. You think you hear the hint of an alpha purr in his tone and heat rushes to your face. "It'll be nice to have someone to talk to besides Hal and Mace. Let me show you where the office is."
The next week is one of the best you've had in a long while. You're getting out of your temporary home. You're building a routine. You're feeling useful.
Sure the office was a mess and it turned out no one had done inventory in forever, but it was something you could dive into. It gave your brain other things to do besides remember the pain. Maybe you didn't even need to go to those support meetings Sam had told you about. You were doing great!
Grace calls your name and waves excitedly at you as she and Jefferson enter the shop.
"Oh hello!" You greet. "What brings the two of you here?"
"We're going on a picnic lunch with Dad," she giggles, bouncing on her toes. "It's a Friday tradition!"
"And we've got something for you," Jefferson adds. He reaches into the picnic basket and pulls out the most adorable stuffed bunny you've ever seen.
"Nat said you were interested in a stuffed animal for the nightmares," he explains. "And as the resident fabric worker in this community, it fell to me to make you one. Grace suggested the bunny as it's one of her own favorites."
"It's perfect," you sniffle as you hug the bunny tight. "Thank you so much! I don't...how can I--"
"No repayment necessary," he assures. "It took me quite some time to get used to the whole 'community' side of things, too. But I'm sincere in not asking favors for gifts."
"Thank you," you blubber.
"I know I'm not the warmest person,"he continues. "But you've been nothing but polite, even kind, to my little fam--pack. My little pack. Not to mention, there is a kind of kinship that comes from...not quite shared trauma but you get what I'm going for?"
You nod.
"Well, Grace, let's go get Dad for--"
He's cut off by a loud, pained shout coming from the garage. The three of you rush to see what's going on and you see Mace gripping his hand in a fist. Curtis and Hal are already at his side and you hear Curtis order Hal to get the first aid kit.
Mace opens his hand and, when you see the blood, the walls start closing in. You're back on the table, under the knife. Kemp's voice is in your head, giving orders, willfully ignorant of your pain.
So much pain. So much blood. You're strapped down, unable to move, unable to scream. You think you hear other voices, someone calling your name, but all you know is Kemp, his cruel, cold smile, and the pain.
Your hand feels something soft. That can't be right. You squeeze. It is soft. But that can't be. Not here. Right?
There's a gentle caress of your cheek. Your confusion grows. There's no gentleness from Kemp. Ever. So why do you feel that touch?
"I'm going to hold you," you hear a deep but familiar voice say before you're gently, but firmly, wrapped in a pair of arms.
You feel a vibration you've never experienced before. Unknown sensations should make you panic but this one...this one feels soothing on an instinctual level. Like the animal side of your brain you're constantly at odds with has found some common ground for the both of you.
When you're finally able to breathe, you smell spices, tea, hearty comfort foods. You squeeze your hand, the softness is still there. The bad memories start to fade, replaced by concerned faces.
"That's it," one of the faces coos. Jefferson. You know him. "Come back to us. You're not there anymore. No one's going to hurt you."
"Keep squeezing the bunny," another face pleads. Grace.
She's clearly distressed. You need to help. She says she needs you to squeeze so you do. The softness of the bunny plushie is further evidence for Jefferson's words. You're not there anymore. You're here, with them.
Looking down you see the familiar arms of Curtis. The vibrations seem to be coming from him. That must be what an Alpha purr is.
"I'm sorry," you gasp as the vibrations ease up.
"Nothing to be sorry for," Curtis reassures.
"You're feeling better?" Grace asks, hope written all over her face.
"Yeah just..."
"Drained?" Jefferson suggests. You nod. "We should get you back to your place for some rest."
But I'm all alone there, you think.
"And, with your permission, we'll watch over you," Curtis adds. Jefferson and Grace nod in agreement.
You swear you could collapse all over again, from relief this time. Maybe you do still need to go to that support group.
Summary: Omega's first heat since being rescued brings up feeligns and questions.
A/N: Reader is described as big & tall, is female. No other descriptors used.
Warnings: Allusions to surgery, human trafficking, kidnapping, Implied smut. Please let me know if I missed any!
Part 6 -- Part 8
Series Masterlist
Soon after the Solstice Celebration your heat kicked in. Thankfully you were already planning on staying inside to recover from your first real outing in so long. Nat had recognized your symptoms in her last visit and made sure to restock your little apartment with everything you'd need as well as a refresher course on how to take care of yourself. Bottles of water and lots of fruit to help with hydration. High calorie protein bars packed with vitamins and minerals to give you something easy and quick to eat. Bath bombs with scents meant to soothe and formulas meant to ease the pains.
It was worlds apart from the heats you endured back at the lab. Your heats were used to break you. Need water? Beg for it. Need something for the pain? Work for it. No mercy, no reprieve without debasing yourself in some way. You shut down so much of yourself to do what you needed to survive. Though there were certainly times you'd have preferred death, but Kemp wouldn't give you that. No. You were a project, an investment, for a rich client.
Who ended up not wanting you. Who told you all your suffering was a mistake on his part. Who never apologized and, instead, pushed you to breaking. Your only solace was knowing that Steve and Natasha had torn into him for it.
Well, another solace was knowing not all Alphas are like that. You'd seen that first hand when you followed up with Curtis and his pack the day after the Solstice, bringing some homemade food as a thanks to all of them for the dance lessons.
Your thoughts drift back to Curtis, his patience and steadiness, his scent. Then your thoughts go to how he takes care of his little pack. How he treats Grace likes she's his own. How he helps steady Jefferson when he gets overwhelmed.
And Jefferson! So caring and doting of a father he is. How he didn't let his kidnapping and surgeries kill his capacity for love. A fellow survivor, like yourself. Whose scent was a delightful mess that pulled you in.
The scents! You remember how comforting it was when your scents mingled only to be interrupted by an especially sharp cramp from your heat.
Your hand moves down your torso as your mind thinks about Jefferson's pink, kissable lips on your nipples. You play with your pearl as you think about how Curtis' hands would feel against your skin. Part of you feels like you should be ashamed to pleasure yourself to thoughts of them, of potential new friends, but you couldn't stop. Some animalistic part of your brain was in charge now and you didn't really want to fight it.
When your heat finally passes you signal Natasha by opening up your blinds. You're exhausted in a lot of ways and, since you don't have your own pack yet, she's agreed to come in and help you clean out your little apartment, cook up a big meal, and restock your kitchen. There's also a calendar so you can start actually tracking your heats.
When you first laid eyes on the calendar you'd burst into tears. You lost so much time. You'd lost family, friends, everything. They all thought you were dead and, honestly, you might as well be for how long you've been gone, how different you've been made to be. It was something you'd hoped you could talk about with other survivors. Sam had said you weren't the only one and Jefferson had confirmed it.
There's a knock at your door and you quietly call for the person to come in. Sure enough, as promised, it's Nat, ready to help you out. She has a tin of homemade cookies
"These are from Grace," she smiles. "She knows you weren't feeling well, so she wanted you to have these."
Your face suddenly feels warm as you remember your salacious thoughts about her dads. You look away, embarrassed.
"Did Curtis and Jefferson help you through your heat?" You can hear the smile in her voice.
"I um..."
Nat stands in front of you and tilts your head to look at her. "It's ok. We're very sex positive around here, especially those of us born into the life. We saw how you three reacted to each other, saw how good you were with Grace. It wouldn't surprise me if Curtis and Jefferson had some thoughts about you. From the sounds, and scent, of things, you three belong together."
"Four," you mumble. "Grace is part of the pack, yes?"
"Yes, yes she is. And nothing will change that."
"Good. Jefferson was quick to tell me how hard he worked to get her accepted."
"There are a lot of factors that go into deciding if someone from the outside should be let in," Nat explains. "We have to consider things like, what if she was doing well in her normal life? What if she accepted Jefferson as dead? What if the people who took him were watching her?"
"I...I hadn't thought about all of that," you confess.
"Not many do. It's one of the biggest struggles with being in charge. But, now that she's in, she's in forever."
"Does Jefferson know that?"
"He has problems believing it, and it's not too surprising. People like yourself, people that didn't grow up with packs, sometimes have problems with it. Sure, you lose someone you have the emotional pain but with a pack? If anything happened to Grace the reaction would be visceral, especially for her dads, likely you too."
"That is incredibly different," you ponder.
"So, yeah, don't worry about your attraction to Curtis and Jefferson. It won't hurt Grace, though I'm guessing Jefferson will need to see it to believe it."
"How did he end up with Curtis?"
"I'll let them be the ones to tell you that."
"I...I'm not sure I'm ready to just...to just jump into being theirs," you confess.
"And that's okay," Nat reassures. "You've been through some serious trauma, endured so much more than anyone should. It's not gonna heal up overnight and no one expects you to be in tip-top shape right away. Especially not Curtis and Jefferson. Curtis has experience helping us with integrating new people and rescues while Jefferson has been through similar body horror as yourself. Similar, not the same, of course. From what I know of them, they'll let you take the lead."
"I'd...I know I'm still...I'm not very..."
"Take a breath."
You do as instructed and finally say what you've been thinking. "I want to be useful on my own, not just as a...a mate."
Nat smiles at that. "That's definitely another difference between naturals and rescues. Your usefulness, your productivity, are not a measure of your worth. Because we're a community, we can take care of each other, including those that are unable to help themselves. Especially those ones, actually."
"I don't...don't fully understand, but I'll try to."
"And in the meantime, Sam and I will make sure you get the closest thing we have to a 'job' around here."
"Thank you, Nat. I...I'm hopeful having something to do besides sit around will be helpful for me."
"Do you think you'd be okay working with Curtis? He's our main mechanic, working with a few others, but they're not the best at staying organized, keeping fully stocked of common parts, etc."
"Um..." you hesitate, breath hitching at the thought of being close to Curtis again. "I could try?"
"I'll start asking around. Once you're feeling fully recovered, that is. For now, big breakfast!"
Summary: Your life is no longer yours. You've been forced into becoming a different species of human. Bought and paid for, what can you do but follow orders and obey your Alpha?
Warnings: Allusions to surgery, human trafficking, kidnapping; Angst; Depression; Suicidal thoughts. Let me know if I missed any!
A/N: Reader is described as big & tall, is female. No other descriptors used.
A/N2: This series is revived thanks to @the-slumberparty's December Daze Challenge. The prompt: Sharing New Traditions.
Word Count: ~1.7k
Part 5 -- Part 7
Series Masterlist
It's taken about a week but you tell Natasha you think you're ready to meet some other people. She promises to start with just one person, Sam, her Beta and the Community Manager. While Steve and Nat could work well with small groups, Sam could work with just about any size group and had the ability to coordinate packs and keep the community running, if not thriving. Nat's pretty sure it's part of why the three of them make for such a good pack together, they compliment each other's strengths and make up for their short comings.
"You're actually arriving at a good time," Sam tells you. "We're getting ready for our Solstice Celebration. It'll be a good way to introduce you to the community."
"Won't that be a little overwhelming?" Nat asks on your behalf.
"If she were a part of the celebration, sure." Sam turns to you, "the majority of the community will be dancing and singing in celebration of the days getting longer. But, if you're okay with it, we'll have you with the kids who are still learning the steps and the words."
You nod, not bothered at all by being put with the kids. It's been forever since you've interacted with any and, even before the operation, you enjoyed taking care of them.
"With everyone's focus on the celebration, it should be easier on you," Sam continues. "You'll be meeting a lot of people, yes, but you won't have everyone's attention."
Nat nods in her understanding, "good play, Sam."
Sam winks at her and she smiles. Even if you didn't know they were mates their behavior would have given it away. They're actually very sweet together.
"Will I need to wear anything specific? Do I need to cook? What all is expected of me?" You mentally start going through your meager possessions trying to think of what might be appropriate.
"Maybe in the old days," Sam tells you. "But we've adapted to the times, and not just for the sake of those who weren't born into this life." You give him a puzzled look and he explains, "it seems like ever since humans found out people like us exist they've been trying to figure us out, experimenting on us, and the like. Nat, Steve and Bucky, who you'll meet later, were all natural born like myself but they got operated on 'for science' or other such bullshit." He squeezes Nat's hand as she snuggles against him.
"And then there are cases, like you, where some of our own, in a misguided attempt to save our species, have made others to be like us. Usually they result in betas, but you're existence is evidence that they're getting better at controlling designations."
You face drops a little as you absentmindedly start rubbing on the scars on your neck. Two mating glands forced into your neck and two scent glands forced into your wrists. All of them pumping you full of unknown hormones that caused changes that even more surgeries helped make permanent.
Your thoughts are interrupted by two pairs of arms holding you tight. "Sorry about that," Sam hurriedly apologizes. "I didn't mean to spark the bad memories. Just wanted to let you know you're not alone while giving you some answers for what to expect."
"I understand," you nod.
Nat interjects, "I'm still willing to hit him if you want me to."
That makes you laugh, and they let go of you as they continue talking about the Solstice Event.
Sure enough, your presence at the Solstice Event is met with great acclaim, but it's in bits and pieces as everyone is busy with preparations. The only person who doesn't leave you alone is a little girl named Grace. She's excited she's not the oldest person sticking around the kids.
"I'm already 11," she tells you. "If Papa had been able to bring me here sooner, maybe I'd be with the other middle-schoolers."
"Why isn't your Papa here learning as well?"
"He was accepted into the packs several years ago. It's only recently that he was able to bring me in."
"I wonder why that is," you muse.
"It's because I'm an outsider," Grace grumbles. "Papa was taken when I was little. Apparently he was like you, and they hurt him. But he ended up here! And he met Curtis, my new Dad! So now I have two parents again! But Papa says he had to fight to get me here because I'm...I'm not..." You interrupt Grace with a big hug and she seems to settle down. "Are...are you purring?" She gasps.
The realization startles you. You didn't even know you could do that! Yet you both know that's what you were doing.
"I'm...I'm sorry," you stammer. "I didn't realize I was doing it."
"That's amazing!" Grace counters. "I didn't know I could be affected by it! Dad's Alpha purrs sometimes help against nightmares but they're nothing compared to what you did!"
Heat rushes to your face. "I'm not sure what I did was appropriate, though," you whisper. "I don't want to mess up social conventions or something."
"Let's get Ms. Nat, then!" Grace runs off before you can catch her.
Taking Nat and Sam's earlier warnings into consideration you do your best to keep your emotions under control. You don't want to throw off the celebration or get more unwanted attention because you're distressed. You go through some of the breathing techniques Nat helped you learn.
"I couldn't find Nat so I brought Papa instead," Grace declares, interrupting your thoughts.
The first thing you notice about Grace's Papa is his deep blue eyes that have a tinge of wildness to them. His smile is polite, but also genuine, you see where Grace gets hers from. He's wearing a scarf around his neck, reminding you of Grace's mention of his past being similar to your own. You wonder if you could ask him where he gets his from.
He holds out his hand, "I'm Jefferson, Grace's father."
You take his hand in yours, giving him your name. "Nice to meet you." That's when his scent hits you. It's like you opened up a tea and spice cupboard, a little chaotic but very pleasant. You have to fight the urge to go for a deeper scent.
Jefferson seems to pick up on your reaction and he immediately releases your hand. He takes a moment to steady himself before coughing, "so Grace tells me your purring helped her calm down?"
"Oh, yes," you admit, embarrassment burning your cheeks. "We...neither of us knew if it was okay for me to do that or not. I don't want to disrupt things, even out of ignorance."
"It's absolutely okay," Jefferson assures. "If there's anything I've learned in the years since..." he touches his scarf before shaking his head. "If there's one thing I've learned since...joining this community, it's that taking care of each other is always allowed. You were taking care of my little girl. Thank you for that."
You breath a sigh of relief, calm taking you over. Jefferson's eyes widen a little as he takes in your scent. "I think I can tell why Grace was able to relax so much with you. You're a very...sweet person."
You smile shyly, "thank you."
"Papa, can you stay with us? You can be the one to each us the dance moves, right?"
Jefferson laughs, "I suppose in the spirit of the Solstice, of sharing new traditions, I could ask Curtis to teach you."
"Oh, even better!" Grace runs off, you assume to go find Curtis.
As soon as she's out of sight, Jefferson turns to you, his expression serious. "I had to work for a very long time to get them to find Grace and get her away from her adoptive parents. Had to beg, plead, damn near put a gun to someone's head to get her back in my life. Do be careful with her."
"Of...of course. I...I'd never...I wouldn't..." you stammer, caught off guard by his sudden change.
He smiles again, "just being careful. She's my life and you're a stranger."
"Of course," you nod.
When Grace returns she's got a giant of a man in tow. His bright blue eyes are shining with happiness as lets her lead him around. He gives Jefferson a little kiss as a greeting, his smile never wavering, until he caught your scent.
"You're the new Omega," he says, eyebrows raised. He turns to Grace, "and you're telling me she helped you where I couldn't?" Grace nods, smile wide.
He holds out his hand, "I'm Curtis. It would be an honor to teach you and Grace. I'll go ask Sarah if it would be okay for me to take over the tutorials."
"Th--thank you, Curtis." When you take his hand to introduce yourself your hit by his scent as well. It's the scent of a walking into a warm house on a cold day. Combined with Jefferson's, you feel like you're wrapped up in a warm blanket, drinking hot tea as it snows outside. It's the most comforting combination you've ever felt.
You quickly back away, head full of unwanted thoughts. "I'm...I'm not sure I should be out here."
"Are you okay? What's wrong?" Grace is quick to grab your hand and try to pull you in for a hug. "Are you sure you can't stay and learn with me?"
"Um..." you look from her to her parents, both men are looking at you with knowing expressions.
"It'll be okay," Curtis soothes, rubbing Jefferson's cheek. "We'll just make sure you've got plenty of space for fresh air, okay?"
"You sure?" Jefferson whispers to him.
Curtis nods. "We'll let her have some space as she learns. Grace can be her primary teacher."
Grace hops up and down, "yes, please!" She turns back to you. "Please?"
You smile a little, "I don't know how anyone could say 'no' to that face."
Hi! I've got a background question for Unwanted. I know Jefferson unfortunately has a similar background to reader, but what about Curtis? Did he grow up in this community?
Curtis is a natural born alpha. Maybe not from this community specifically, there are occasional "trades" to help genetic diversity.
I am planning on going more into how he and Jefferson got together but it ultimately boils down to Jefferson needing, and thriving under, Curtis's steady nature. Jefferson was so mentally scattered after his ordeal that not everyone had the patience for him. Especially with how it affected his scent. It gave a lot of potential caretakers headaches.
