Off Limits
[ Description: You were to put it bluntly off limits. An associate sent from a Law Firm over in England to show good faith. Assigned under the supervision of Jessica Pearson to learn the ins and out of Pearson Hardman.
As an unmated beta away from your pack, Jessica quickly put out an off limits memo. Harvey and Mike thought nothing of it until you arrived, and in typical man and alpha nature. The more they hear they can’t, the more they want to. ]
Pairing: Alpha Harvey Specter x Female Beta Reader x Alpha Mike Ross
Note: I honestly don’t know with this one, I was in the midst of writing another piece and this entered my head and refuses to leave. So, I’m going to share it with you lovely readers!
Will be posted on this tumblr account and my AO3 account: thewriters64 NOWHERE else.
Masterlist — > https://www.tumblr.com/eizousposts/814811204951425024/hello-and-welcome-masterlist
Next part — > to be determined!
Warnings: No use of y/n / reader is female / reader is in her late twenties–early thirties / reader is BRITISH, you have an accent in this / a/b/o dynamics / non-traditional alpha/alpha dynamic / non-traditional alpha/beta dynamics / age gaps / scenting / hints of sexual tension, you have to really squint / readers clothing are described / readers body is semi-explained / mentions of male pregnancy / additional warnings may be added!
Word count: 3.3k
Continue Below!
You were what society called an: Alpha-Leaning-Beta. More commonly known as: Beta-A. You presented as a beta, except you exhibit more alpha-like traits.
If you were being honest about your situation... you enjoyed being a beta, especially living in today's society. You view it as a blessing in disguise, even if you did have more alpha-like traits, your biology was still diluted compared to those of a fully presented alpha.
You didn't suffer from a rut or heat every four months, you weren't burden by the constant stench of all the different scents from everyone around you. You were to put it blatantly nose-blind, like a majority of betas.
Your counterpart, bless her didn't cower or feel the need to fight, every time a random alpha used their pheromones or alpha voice to get their way. Alpha's didn't impress you much, they were just a bunch of pheromone controlled knot-heads who walked around with a stick up their ass.
You were in a sense relatively free from the pressure of societal norms and really any expected behavior, that was shoved down the throats of alphas and omegas. Beta's just had it easier, of course you were expected to be the neutral one in any pack-like-situation.
You could do that. You did do that, and you were good at it. If you were ever to be integrated into a pack, which tended to be a lot of work for the alpha or alphas of the pack or soon to be pack to do. Earning a betas approval took an abundance of time and patience, most alphas gave up within the six month mark.
They just couldn't give up control... especially to a beta who leans more alpha-like, it was amusing to watch them try though.
You were the product of an oma who came from a long line of omegas, all the males in his family were omegas. Your sire is a woman who was the product of two alphas, an extremely rare and almost nonexistent phenomenon.
It shouldn't have happened at all, biologically it wasn't possible, and yet nine and a half months later your sire popped out. You kept this part of your lineage a secret, not because you were ashamed, no you taught to embrace it.
It just wasn't anyone's business, and you've had more than enough poking and prodding from doctors, and the repetitive questions from people around you.
Due to the circumstances of your lineage, it's the reason why you were an alpha-leaning-beta. It was also the reason why your scent was significantly stronger than that of a normal beta. Nowhere close to the potent, overbearing scent of the other two counterparts. At least you didn't think so... you've never been told.
As a result of this though you were prescribed high-end pharmaceutical scent patches, that pretty much muted your scent completely. Along with being forced to have the annual mandatory hormone injection, this shot was primarily for alphas. It is meant to help regulate scents and dull the urge to fight every other alpha they lay their eyes on.
The only true downside you found of your condition was your larger scent glands. Typical beta anatomy had four small, button sized glands, one on either wrist and the mating glands below either ear.
You had eight... like an alphas anatomy. One on either ankle on the inside, one on either upper thigh close to your pubic bone. One on either wrist where your pulse was, and of course the mating glands, right below your ears.
You loathed them, they were ugly in your eyes and always sent the wrong impression when someone saw them. Your sire and you had gotten into many arguments about them, she wanted you to be proud, to parade around like a damn peacock. Well, that’s not what she said but that’s how you took it.
You wanted to hide them, cover them as much as possible and wear scent patches pretty much twenty-four seven. At one point you had tried to pull out the glands on your ankles and pubic bone, that ended exactly how you thought it would.
A visit to the A&E (Accident and Emergency department) pain medication, and cuffs over all of your scent glands for a whole year. Followed by more arguing, and a few scraps between you and your sire.
It got to the point your poor oma had to use his omega voice and pheromones to subdue both of you, he hated doing that. Then, the silent treatment. Your oma was quite good at that… a whole week of being quite good at that.
You wish you could say you grew out of that but you didn’t, you no longer scrapped because of your oma commanding it. Omega voice is nothing to turn your back on, it’s just as, if not more dominating than an alpha voice. Especially in a bonded pair.
You did however argue every time it is brought up in a conversation, having a sire born from two alphas just makes the stubbornness tenfold.
It was one reason why as soon as you graduated secondary school you were gone, living in a Flat and studying pre-law. You went home during holiday of course, you were still apart of your family pack, and would be until an alpha earned your approval.
Years went by. You graduated number two in your class, fought your way up from the "mailroom" of the London Law Firm you worked at. Earned a promotion, multiple promotions actually, and eventually landed yourself as senior associate under one of the name-partners.
The news that you were being transferred to the states, to Pearson Hardman in Manhattan was both expected and unexpected. Your boss had warned you that if a merger were to work, both Firms would send one of their best associates to the other.
It was an act of good faith, a sign that both Firms were serious about the merger and that by doing this it would be successful. You didn’t quite know how to feel about the transfer, you’ve been to the states before, anywhere your boss went you went.
Your sire and oma were more open about their displeasure of the assignment, you were an only child. Their only pup. Which meant their protective instincts were focused strictly on you.
Que another argument with your sire, and consoling your sobbing oma, who refused to let you go and had to be gently pried off you by your sire at the airport.
You were officially assigned under the supervision and mentorship of Jessica Pearson as her new associate. You’ve met Jessica before, multiple times actually, and had grown to have a certain level of respect towards the alpha.
You flew out two weeks before your actual start date, Jessica had wanted you to become accustomed to your new den, and the surrounding territory. She wanted you comfortable, seeing as this assignment was currently indefinite.
——
When Harvey Specter and Mike Ross heard of the merger with a London office, they thought nothing of it. Nor did they acknowledge when Jessica told them that the Firms would be trading associates to secure the merger.
They skimmed the file folder of the new associate that Jessica had given to them, cocked an eyebrow when there was no profile picture of you. Which is out of protocol. Something Jessica did deliberately, but neither of the alphas made a big fuss over it.
To either make matters better or worse however one sees it, both, Mike and Harvey saw you just days before you started at the Firm.
Mike had noticed you amidst the blur of his morning commute to work, too cold to ride his bike so public transportation it was. You stood out like a quiet oasis amongst the normal flow of New Yorkers, occupying a small, quiet corner of a bench a bit behind where he stood.
Insulated from the trains roar by the white wires of your headphones, you held an old paperback with profound tenderness, gently turning the yellow pages. A book Mike had no doubt you cherished deeply, from the way you mouthed the words and subconsciously pulled it closer to your person when a stranger grew too close.
As if feeling his piercing gaze, your eyes flicker up and away from the words on the page. Catching his gaze for a fraction of a second before the train jolted to a stop, the doors hissing open. A wall of commuters surged between you, and by the time the crowd dispersed into the station you were gone.
If Mike felt a small inkling of disappointment he immediately pushed it down, shoving his hands in his coat pockets as he steps off the train.
—
Harvey, actually sees you on the same day a few hours later, at a cute little family owned sandwich shop tucked away in a quiet corner of the bustling city that was Manhattan.
When he walked in all he saw was your back, hair cascading down your shoulders in subtle waves. You stood a bit out of line, more than likely waiting on your order.
From what he could see which wasn’t much, he assumed that you were cute. Not jaw dropping, you were not going to be in the caliber of women and men that he “dates” he had a feeling.
Besides… Harvey Specter? He “dates” celebrities and runway models, he still had some of the more memorable ones phone numbers saved in his phone.
When the line shifted, Harvey found himself standing only a few feet away from you. He casually angles his head for a better look, catching a clear view of your face. He was far from disappointed, you were more than just cute. Again, not jaw dropping but you exceeded anything he assumed.
His eyes flickered up and down, allowing himself to take in your clothing. You were dressed better than half the associates at the Firm, you dressed better than Mike. Even after Harvey bought him better suits.
Every detail of your look was expensive, it commanded attention and Harvey was impressed at the craftsmanship of the piece.
You wore sleek black trousers, a pristine white button-up, a deep, rich burgundy tie that provided a bold pop of color. Over it all was a sharply, tailored black vest that cinched your waist to create a striking silhouette. Draped across your elbow was a matching, equally high-end black trench coat.
Before a single word could leave Harveys’s mouth, the familiar voice of the owners son boomed from over the counter. “Oi, pretty girl!” He was leaning forward against the counter, brandishing a tightly wrapped sandwich.
Harvey frowns at the boisterous interruption, watching as you perk up. Turning your head left to right before shyly pointing towards yourself.
Yeah, definitely cute. Harvey thinks to himself, forcing his eyes away from you.
"Yes! You. Come on now, pretty girl. You're holding up my customers." The shopkeeper calls out flashing a wide grin, waving your sandwich on order to emphasize his point.
You blink, your momentary surprise melting away and you strode forward confidently. Drawing Harvey’s eyes back towards your back, watching as you gently lift the sandwich out of the shopkeepers waiting hand.
“Thank you.” You offered, just loud enough for the shopkeepers, and unknowingly Harvey’s American ears. The soft British accent that coated the words made the simple pleasantry sound elegant.
Harvey tensed, it could just be a coincidence. Many people come from all over the world to visit New York. Especially Manhattan, and with no picture in the profile Harvey truly no way of knowing, unless he could get Jessica to show him.
You made a swift exit through the side door of the shop, quick enough that Harvey’s eyes couldn’t keep up. Struggling to see more of your features, only catching a fleeting angle of your face as you disappeared into the busy streets.
——
Somehow, by some miracle you managed to miss Harvey and Mike for the first week of working for Jessica. Truly it was remarkable, especially seeing as Harvey was a name-partner and Mike was always with him.
Within that first week though you were quickly “adopted” by Donna, the fiery alpha and your beta counterparts clicked instantaneously. Which led to Donna introducing you to Rachel, the pretty omega paralegal.
Their duo quickly became a trio, and when your schedules matched up, you three always slipped away from the office for lunch or left at the same time to hang out after work.
Halfway through your second week is when you were beginning to be noticed around the Firm, especially by the lower associates who were still in the “mailroom” you were given your own office, thank god.
The day you officially met Harvey and Mike actually started in the morning, unknowingly to you. You stood in front of Donna’s desk, back turned to Harvey’s office as you talked and exchanged a few files.
Harvey who sat at his desk tore his eyes away from the paperwork in front of him, just in time to see your head tilt back. A genuine, melodic laugh escaped you, all while Donna sat in her chair with that familiar smug smirk on her face looking entirely too pleased with herself.
Harvey stood up, smoothly guiding his arms through the sleeves of his suit jacket and striding towards the office door. Only to stop dead in his tracks, his eyes locked onto the empty space where you had stood just moments before.
You were quick. He made a mental note, a flicker of curiosity sparking in his chest.
Harvey stepped through the glass door and walked up to Donna’s desk, claiming the exact spot where you once stood. He discreetly breathed in, trying-and-failing to catch a lingering hint of your scent.
“Donna, who was that?” He asked, adjusting the collar of his suit.
“Who was who?" The redhead deflected, barely glancing away from her screen.
"Donna." Harvey drawls out, slowly arching one of his eyebrows.
"Harvey." Donna glances up, holding his gaze with her own and offering no further reaction.
“Just answer the question." He pressed his lips into a flat line, letting his arms go slack at his sides.
"What question?" The same smug smirk she had on her face a few minutes ago returns, and she rests her chin on her knuckles.
"Donna." He lets out a low, warning growl. His alpha counterpart bristled and pinned his ears.
Donna let out a quiet sigh, her smirk dropping as she threw her eyes upwards. "She's Jessica's new associate. You know, the one who was transferred from the London merger."
Harvey opened his mouth to reply, but Donna raised a hand, silencing him. "You would know if you read the email Jessica sent out."
"I did read it." He bit back instantly.
"Mhm,” She nods once. “So you also saw the off limits memo in it?"
"Of course." Harvey tilts his chin up.
"Uh huh, and was that written in the middle or end? I seem to have forgotten..." Donna trails off, flashing him her signature, arrogant smirk she always wore when she knew she had won.
“It was a separate email,” Mike interrupted, suddenly materializing beside Harvey. “It went out to every alpha in the building.”
Donna narrows her eyes at Mike before snapping her attention back towards Harvey. “You’re lucky.”
—
It was the end of the work day when you finally met the two alphas, Jessica had requested a few files and reports for a client be brought to her office before you left.
Which was what you were currently doing, walking down the emptying hall, trailing a silent, magnetic confidence that commanded the space and effortlessly drew the eyes of those that were left.
The door to Jessica’s office was open, allowing you slip in with the files in hand. You were met with back of Louis, the short man was amusing to you.
Emotional, yes. Though, efficient. Someone you could grow to respect in the time to come. Though… he was not earning himself any brownie points, as he stood flaring his arms around. Ranting to your new boss about, well… you apparently.
Jessica had spotted you as soon as you slid into the office, a binder in hand, standing directly behind Louis. Waiting.
“Louis.” Jessica clears her throat, her eyes dart to you then to him, you watch as she does this a few times and Louis slowly drops his arms.
“She’s behind me, isn’t she?” He asked, already turning his head before Jessica could answer.
His breath caught in his throat and he jumped in surprise as his heart spiked. Meeting your gaze with his own, he realized just how little distance separated you.
“I…I should go.” He ducked his chin to his chest, practically bolting towards the door. Your gaze tracked his every movement, following his retreating figure until he completed disappeared from view.
You almost smiled. The corner of your lip hitched upwards for a heartbeat, before snapping back into your usual, guarded line.
Completely ignoring the two figures on Jessica’s sofa who witnessed the whole thing, you stepped deeper into her office. You held out the binder full of the requested paperwork, your eyes avoiding their direction.
“The files you requested.” You spoke with the unmistakable lilt of London, meeting Jessica’s amused gaze.
“Thank you–“ Jessica says your first name, nodding once before grabbing the binder from your outstretched hand.
“Will that be all for tonight? Or do you need me for anything else?” You inquire, refusing to break eye contact with the alpha.
“Actually, there is one more thing.” She turns to set the binder on her desk, motioning you towards the two figures on the couch.
“It’s come to my attention, that I have yet to properly introduce you to our other name-partner.” She explains, standing partially in between you and the two men. “This is Harvey Specter, and his associate Mike Ross.”
“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” Harvey stands, buttoning his suit jacket, before holding his hand out for you to shake. Mike followed suit.
You swept your gaze over him, entirely unbothered, and despite your obvious lack of awe. You took his hand and gave it a firm shake, out of formalities and respect for Jessica.
“It is good to meet you as well, Mr. Specter.” You spoke with a neutral, strictly professional courtesy, giving away nothing else.
Dropping his hand you turned towards his associate, holding your hand out for him to shake. Watching him blink in surprise, as if caught off guard by your sudden motion.
“It’s…uh, yeah it’s good to put a face to the name.” He takes your hand offering a clumsy, endearing little shake that betrayed what he was really feeling.
You don’t respond to his comment, dropping his hand just as quick as you grabbed it. Turning your attention back to Jessica, waiting for her permission to leave.
She nods at you once more and without a second glance towards the two men, you turn on your heels. With long, confident strides you vanished out of the office and down the hall.
“She always that int–“
“Don’t even think about it.” Jessica cuts him off, any amusement that was on her face had disappeared.
“I didn’t say anything.” Harvey smirks, clearly entertained by her reaction.
“She is off limits, Harvey.” Jessica steps closer to him, and for a split second her eyes went entirely glossy-black. Her counterpart taking control for a moment in order to push her point across even more.
“Touchy. Touchy.” Harvey threw his hands up in mock surrender.
“Harvey!”
Note: so… what do you guys think? Do you like it? Do you want a possible mini-series? Please let me know!