As a rare, treasured, Omega male, you were raised with the knowledge that one day you would be mated to the highest bidder, to someone important, and as a result you were always taught the highest of society manners, used to soft fabrics on your skin, fine linen shirts and luxurious silk scarves, soft leather gloves and high quality woolen coats.
You only wanted to make a match with an Alpha who would take good care of you, regardless of his high standing in society.
When the first suitor came to your parents London home, you could feel the ton stirring with excitement. But he looked at you like a piece of meat. You couldn’t refuse though, it would be social suicide. You obligingly went to society balls with him, played cards, idly flittered about like a mindless little thing, like they expected you to be. Even though it made you want to rage against the confines of this pretty gilded cage. When you went to get air, the Alpha who was courting you joined you on the balcony, and his breath stank of alcohol. It was a little nauseating, and you’d not been left alone enough with drunk Alphas before.
When he tried to touch your neck, your neck- You startled away, hand pressed to your chest in shock, and he let out an annoyed growl. You stepped backwards, towards the glass doors, unable to face away from him lest he pounce when your back was turned, when he let out another growl, trying to command you to stay put.
The answering growl from right behind you had you nearly faint. The Alpha behind you was gentleman enough to avoid touching you as he moved in front of you, teeth bared at your former suitor.
“You do yourself and your family a disservice, Milford. Best you hurry on home and explain why you tried to violate an Omega’s personal and private space in the middle of dinner.” He snarled, voice loud enough to carry back into the room, where dukes and marquesses peered in keen interest out into the darkness of the night.
“I- Why I- This is all your fault! You should have let me have what is mine.” He snarled, pointing a finger at you, making you shy away, heat rising in your cheeks.
“Well I never.” “What a vile young man.” “Best he join the army, there’ll be not a family who would let him near their Omegas.”
The crowd were certainly disgusted with him, and the Alpha protecting you simply let out another deep growl, causing you to back up further into the room, where one of the Omega dowagers took your hand, guiding you into a more sheltered tea room where other Omegas fretted and primped and preened over the drama and romance of it all. You were shaken, carefully taking the tea that was offered to you.
After ten minutes, one of the younger Beta girls came hurrying into the room, eyes alight with excitement.
“You won’t believe it! Sir Milford was thrown out of the dinner by his grace the Duke of Donn! And now the Duke is coming back upstairs- we think he wants to speak with you!” She chirped, taking your hand with delight.
You blink, before realising that a duke was coming to see you. A startled noise leaves you as you quickly stand and make yourself presentable.
A gentle knock on the door had everyone whispering with excitement, yourself and the four other Omegas and three Beta girls all falling quiet as you opened the door to the Alpha.
“Forgive my impudence earlier, in coming to your rescue without your requesting it. I am Lord Sigtryggr, Duke of Donn, third cousin four times removed from the king. May I have the honour of knowing your name?”
Without even realising your brain had given your mouth permission to speak, you’d told him your name, and title. Being the son of a minor earl wasn’t the worst fate, but you knew you were hardly the highest ranking in his encounters. He bowed, all the same, and took your hand to kiss.
You felt a noise leave your throat, a soft little purr, and all the girls cooed, the Omega dowager making a noise in her throat akin to a laugh, and the duke straightened up.
“Mother, there is no need to laugh.” He scolded the dowager, who responded by shooting a glare his way. He couldn’t look away from you though, and you were sure that before the end of the season, he would be yours.