Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

The track is crowded, but no race, not yet.

It's a night-before, a sort of festival, a party. Ed would tell him to mingle, get to know his opponents, see if anyone is willing to show off enough to display a weakness or a tactic he can adjust and use as his own or probably avoid close-interaction. Get to know other teams in general, if there's someone friendly to hang out with later or simply a professional member he can gather info from. It's all about that, people drinking and gambling on whoever is going to win the next week's race, nothing too confident nor too frightened, just for the joy of it.

The seats are mostly for those who're cheering, or conversing quietly, wanting to have some private time. There are girls talking sweetly to competitors, those who had a special entry for knowing someone else around. Bras on display, crop tops, short shorts, tanned smooth skin, skinny bodies or too curvy, and too much make-up that will be ruined later, he knows that much, because whoever is turning their engine will try his best to land one of them, see who's getting the hottest in his bed tonight, who's getting a full group to cheer for him, and who's getting the biggest number at the end of the night. Not his piece of cake though.

"Might want to join in, mate!" Niall shouts from his side, the music blasting from each corner isn't that loud, not reaching them at all, a simple melody in the background that he can hear Niall clearly without shouting but as he turns his head towards his friend he sees him a bit tipsy, two girls laughing behind him as he raises his beer can, an amused smile on his lips. Of course, he's not the one who's spending the whole week training. Almost his entire life if he's being accurate.

Faint smell coming from the girls behind Niall indicates they're omegas. Sluts. Who is letting them out alone? He doesn't want to judge them based on their classification nor whatever reason they're here for, but they didn't show up for anything else, he knows that part very well. Betas like Niall can at least roam freely without someone poking at their backs.

"Think I'm good down here" He replies with a nod, a small smile playing on his lips as Niall shrugs and walks away with the girls. He turns his head again towards the open field, leaning back on the wall as he watches a new group entering, perhaps the last to arrive since it's after midnight. The group splits and only two remain.

There's a guy slightly taller than the other, more built, saying something to the other guy that he can't possibly here from his position while the latter seems bored but his eyes are sharp, cautious posture yet relaxed at the same time, hands in his jacket pockets as his eyes roam all over the place. He says something back to the taller guy making the latter frown, pout, probably pleading him for something. He shakes his head at the two, pushing himself off the wall once he takes the last sip of his drink. Not getting drunk for tonight, Ed would kill him if he did.

He's not even a few minutes in and he already hears someone shouting. "For fuck's sake, dude!" And another, "Back off before I cut off your balls!" Out of curiously, he turns to see the same people he saw earlier, those last arrivers, shoving at another group until some third party splits them up. "Pray I won't come for your ass later!" Again, another shout and he averts his gaze towards the two from the same group, standing away like it wasn't their team who's involved. He doesn't say anything, doesn't make assumptions, and turns to leave.

"That yours?" Someone asks from his side and he glances to see a green bike. No, he didn’t actually bring his tonight, just Niall's car to get home with later. It's a nice one though.

"No" He turns to his side, familiar figure stands in front of him, friendly brown eyes and short brown hair styled into a quiff. The person nods, eyes fixed on the bike before they return to him.

"Liam" Another voice calls, quiet but stern, a bit deep with an accent, a warning tone causing the said 'Liam' to turn around. He doesn't say much, not another word as their eyes meet, something dominating in them, he's another competitor, he is sure of it, another Alpha joining the race, because no other class joins really, omegas are too weak and betas are usually used as team members, managers, judges, mechanics, or whatever other job there is. They call it protection, but omegas can actually get some jobs done from his opinion, had met a few that are capable of so much more if given a chance. He reasons that this is not their field after all, some were taken down too easily from the beginning, and they're not really stopping anyone from entering if it wasn’t for the public opinion. A bit of a fucked up system that he's glad for one that he's on the top.

"Ah come on, man! Was just chatting this dude up!" Liam whines and the other guy's eyes glance over him once before rolling his eyes.

"I'm not chatting up this girl-wannabe" He blinks at the guy's statement.

"Excuse me?"

The guy scoffs, "Let's go" He directs it to Liam, totally ignoring him which irritates him. Who the hell does he think himself?

"Bossy as always" Liam mumbles as he walks towards the guy, ignoring him too like he didn't just try to start a conversation.

It's probably the night shadow that covers most of the guy's features and him being away too, because from a distance, he can't really tell that much other than the fact that he's an asshole. Another Alpha that thinks himself too superior over others. He doesn't reply though, doesn't counter in order not to start a fight. Listen and observe, you can beat their asses later. Humiliation in front of thousands in flesh and other millions on T.V is better. Ed would always tell him that, so he lets them go, watching their dark figures move in the open field.

///

"Harry, This is the one and only, Louis Tomlinson" Ed introduces him to Louis, someone he got to know for a while now, said he had to get to know the guy more in order for him to help them. He smiles politely as a man comes in view, a wide grin spread on his face as he greets them, short and small but toned body, ocean blue eyes and brown feathery hair. The type that is friendly but could still bite you hard if you crossed the line. A beta, genius in his field.

"Don’t normally get to work with a foreigner, but I'll make an exception for you" Louis's turns to him, "If it wasn't for Ed, you wouldn't be here" Harry nods at him as Louis turns again to Ed, "Really lucky for having this dude" He pats Ed's arms before turning on his heels and motioning them to follow him. The garage is big, organized, and Harry raises his brows slightly when one of the closed doors open as Louis presses a button and enters a code on the device. "Like to give my clients their privacy" He nods inside and they get in.

The garage, or shop, that Louis owns inside this place has a reception too, and he knows by now that each client is only allowed to come as individuals, group of one team in order not to see what other clients have. A smart move, getting Louis to have many clients who are ready to pay big checks for him to work his magic on their ride. But something about what he said earlier tells him that his clients aren't that many because if he snapped a finger, Harry is positive Louis could be very rich by now.

"The adjustment should give you a speed boost. You are on your own to try to match it. You could blow the whole thing up if you are not careful" Louis tells him as Harry low whistles at his bike, Louis' also given the appearance a bit modification as well, keeping the original design with the red paint and his number on the front in white. "If I'm honest, it's a beast ready to be unleashed" Louis smirks at his fine work, proud, and Harry owes Ed a big time for landing them a deal with Louis.

"You need to come and see for yourself" Harry tears his eyes away from the bike to look at Louis who shrugs.

"Can't make any promises. I'm a busy man"

Ed talks with Louis more as his bike is being transferred inside a truck. He waits for him outside once the truck is on its way when he spots a familiar figure. He knows Louis is pretty popular for his work and he isn’t surprised when Liam gets out of his car and starts walking towards him. He smiles, even waving at Harry who only raises his brows.

"Hey, mate" He nods at him before he's getting inside Louis' workshop and that's all that he gets from Liam, not even an apology, he should've expected that much. He turns to his side when he hears Ed's voice getting louder, and he should've expected what happens next too as another familiar voice shouts from behind him.

"Hey you! Old lady! Mind moving your car?"

One, he is not sure why he's getting this type of insults, never had in his life, but he's seriously pissed as he turns and glares at the other guy.

"The hell is wrong with you?!" In the sunlight, he can see clearly the person, black leather jacket, black jeans, black combat boots, black shirt, basically everything black, even his hair and the car he's standing behind its door as he gives Harry an impatient look. But his eyes for a change are shining amber. He's the one to talk, Harry is pretty sure he's putting some sort of make-up on his face, especially around his eyes.

"Oh, you again. Whatever, just move your ugly car out of the way. Seriously who parks like that?" He doesn't even think he's done anything wrong as he slips back into the car and waits, expecting Harry to do what he said.

"Don't bother" Ed waves a dismissive hand in front of him as he reaches to grab his wrist. "He's just another asshole that thinks he's on top of everyone"

"Two insults in a row" Harry shakes his head, "I'm not letting him get away with it" He pulls his hand from Ed's grip hearing him sigh loudly as he heads towards the car doing what the guy asked, or ordered rudely. He sees the guy's eyes following him until he's standing next to his door, hand hitting the car roughly. "You know, I think we should settle this. Get the fuck out of the car"

"Oh please, I'm not gonna beat a girl"

"I have no absolute problem in doing so from my side"

"Hey!" Harry doesn't tear his eyes away from the guy who is staring back with indifference, "Everything is alright?" Liam appears in front of him and he doesn't mind taking two down. But Ed has moved too, the car is now closer to the two's as he shouts at Harry to let it go.

"You'll be lying on the floor next to your bike when I get on that track. Mark my words" Harry walks away even though he wanted nothing but to beat that asshole into pulp. Later, he tells himself, and hears the guy snorting after him and sees Liam shaking his head before he's climbing in next to him.

///

The sun is out, the track is all his for the day, and he doesn't plan on wasting Ed's reservation. He does a few laps testing the new engine and the adjustment Louis made to his bike, falling a couple of times and almost landing a cut on his leg if it wasn’t for the outfit he's wearing. The race is yet to happen a week from now, and he knows he's got enough time to practice before then. He takes a break for a few minutes before continuing his training, his team checking his bike for any damages while he does so.

"Getting your ass on the road?" He turns his head to see Niall grinning at him. "Would suggest another track though" He nods his chin towards the track and Harry shrugs.

"It's not like the race is happening on the roads"

"Not the first one, no" Niall shakes his head. Harry knows though, each race has its own track, this one being so different it sets him on edge, trying out all possible tracks inside the country, still a national one, beginners, but he knows he can achieve higher. Practicing for the current moment, don't waste your time on something you're not reaching yet. Ed will always tell him that. "So how is it? The new engine?"

"Cool" Harry smirks, "A bit too fast compared to the previous one. Guess the tyres Louis put on is helping keeping the balance, but it's all on me to get it together" Niall nods. "Think Louis has clients here too?"

"Wouldn't matter" Niall shrugs, "It's about the rider's skill. Can be a disadvantage to be honest if they couldn't handle it" He fixes Harry with a concern look and the latter shakes his head.

"Don't worry mate. Just give me a couple more days and I'll be ready to go"

Niall nods again, watching Harry take another sip from his bottle of water and putting it down, waiting on his team to finish. "Was thinking we can take a time off. Get your mind to cool before the race, whatcha think?"

Harry chuckles but shakes his head, "Nah, mate. Need to get this to its top level before I get to cool down. Get the heat while at it" Niall smirks and wiggles his brows making Harry laugh again, "Fuck off! I was so not talking about that!"

"You're missing too many opportunities, man!" Niall whines, "When was the last time you even got off?" Harry shakes his head, a hint of laughter still remains on his lips. "There are too many who are ready to. You could be having a bird riding you while you ride your bike"

"I'll pass" Harry shrugs.

"Can't believe you" Niall sighs, "You remind me of that time in high-school-"

"Oh god" Harry groans.

"You were literally all over that dude, what's his name?"

Harry shakes his head, "Don't even remember, man. I was so drunk"

"Didn't stop you from breaking that poor guy. Couldn't ever have imagined you with a guy. An omega guy" Niall scrunches his face but Harry's face falls and he frowns.

"Omega males are not that bad. They're just …" He trails off, "It wasn't that bad"

Harry remembers that night, perhaps not the dude's face or his name, but he can remember half of the sex if he's being honest. It wasn't awful like everyone was expecting it to be, he thinks it was someone's dare? He can't even remember that too. But it's not their fault, the classification restricted them and he doesn't like it nor hate it, he's never had an omega male friend that close. While omega girls' scent can attract alphas, their heat definitely setting some on fire, he'd never met an omega male that has a scent that could attract him, not even in heat, and he wonders how do they manage their lives, being so forsaken from the society. He's not a cruel person, wouldn't make fun of them, and Niall reminding him of that night make him grimace. The past, he tells himself.

"Anyway, that's not why I came here for" Niall interrupts his thoughts, "You're free tonight?"

"Not sure. Why?"

"Will make sure you are" Niall grins, "I'll text you the time and place. Dress in black, wear a hoodie, and don’t come with your bike or any other ride really"

Harry furrows his brows, "The fuck are we doing?"

But Niall keeps his grin, "You'll see"

Harry already doesn't have a good feeling about it.

///

Niall makes him walk for ages until they reach the specific place. And from what Harry can see, it's an abandoned track. He still has zero idea what on earth they'll be doing in an abandoned track without his bike or his team. Niall shushes him all the way, and he isn’t slightly interested in any of this.

They get inside, and Harry can see that the track isn't in a bad condition really, not a very bad condition, just … can't be used, yeah, he can put it like that.

Niall doesn't let him go further and instead they climb to the top quietly, bending to cross between the broken seats and Harry wants nothing more than to snap at Niall for running a good chill night he'd have and dragging him to whatever this is. If Niall is up for some illegal drugs, he'll make sure his head won't be throbbing from just feeling high. Or worse, if he's meeting with some gangsters. Or maybe-

"They're here" Niall whispers to him, elbows him in his side to make him stop, and because the lights are mainly focused on the track –even if they were a few which makes the vision a lot worse than it is– they're not seen. Harry follows Niall's gaze and he squints his eyes at the two people standing next to their bikes. Training. "I've seen them twice already. Can't tell if it's the same, but I guess it would be since the last time he couldn't make it"

"Who's he?" Harry doesn't shift his gaze from the two, one is waiting next to his bike while the other turns his engine on, still in the faint light that Harry can't see clearly, and he can't hear anything from such distance too.

"See the dude that's starting? The one with the black bike is the only one who participates though"

"How do you know it's black?" Harry rolls his eyes because there's no way he can tell the color in such light.

"See the track?" Niall asks instead and Harry shifts his gaze this time to glance around. There are some obstacles? He can't see clearly, but one is reflecting the light on it and it seems metal of some sort. He's not sure but they seem like … Spike strips? Is the guy jumping with his bike or something? "They're modified" Niall tells him and he has to turn his head to look at him. "There are gaps enough to pass the tyres. One wrong move and he'll be flipping off that bike. I'm talking about real damage here, mate"

Harry furrows his brows. It's about timing, adjusting your speed, and clearing your vision. It's not that hard if you go slow, perhaps if the light was stronger he can pass them easily. So he returns his gaze to the two, one of them is putting his helmet on as the other pat his shoulder.

"Did you see it before?" Harry asks, "Him getting hurt?" Because it sounds fishy. Something isn't right.

But Niall doesn't give him an answer, staring at the two as they talk for a moment before the one on the bike leans forward, taking time in concentration, and Harry calculates the distance. If the engine he's using is a good one, he can reach a high speed by the time he reaches the first strip. If he's planning to.

"Here we go" Niall leans forwards too, biting on his bottom lip and staring intently at the rider. Harry might be intrigued to know what the guy would do.

Harry's eyes widen at his start, going full force from the beginning that Harry is sure he'll lose his balance on the track. It's not smooth and he wonders how he can keep the bike away from the cracks- unless he really knows the track by now that he's memorized every little crack to avoid. Still, Harry might be worried as he approaches the first strip that he is really going to fall, because at such speed, he won't be able to control the right angle in order to pass through the gaps.

But boy was he wrong. Harry's jaw drops as he passes the first one, going through the second, passing a detour as he goes through the third one, and even though the distance is decreasing by every strip he comes along, the gaps differentiating from opening on the left to the right, and the rider never decreased his speed so far, and by the next ones, the lights aren't focused on them at all and Harry literally stands when the rider only counts on his own headlamp, managing to still go through the small gap, and okay, Harry would say he's memorized them as well for him to be this good.

The rider reaches the last one and all that Harry can see is how fast the bike spins, too astonished as the rider jumps and watches his own bike getting further away from him, finally stopping and landing on the ground where the other guy reaches with his own bike.

He also watches as the first one takes off his helmet, throwing it angrily at the ground and yelling out of frustration.

"Last time he stopped before the final three. I really wonder who has his bike fixed this fast, or his bike is really trashed that he doesn't care. Or perhaps he changes it every time?" Niall shrugs, "But for the record, those stripes weren’t placed in the same order like last time. The other guy usually arrives earlier and arranges them before the guy with the black bike appears, so I wouldn't say what you're thinking of"

Harry turns to him and frowns, because he was actually thinking that the guy happens to own an incredible memory.

"And what does this has to do with anything?"

Niall turns to him and smirks, "These two are competing with you"

///

Harry is having his mind busy, going through that night in the abandoned track. It's impressive, he'd admit, but going back to watch won't make him better, and even though he wants so badly to know who those two are, his time doesn't really allow him to. Ed would kill him if he knew that he'd been sneaking out with Niall to watch some bloke circling a track. God, he'd be so displeased with him and would blame him for every little mistake he makes, even if it wasn't his actually, but Ed is the type to make guilt rush through your veins and he doesn't want that, not now.

And despite his training rounds in a decent track, he wonders how he would do in that cracked track, if he'd be able to cross those strips. He knows there are upcoming rounds outside, hitting all types of roads, but Ed would keep him focused on what he has next instead, everything has its own time, and Harry believes so, but he can't help wondering about the mysterious guy and how would he do in the race. He hopes he's not good, but he knows he is, and Harry needs to gather his thoughts together by his final lap as he comes to a stop, his team is taking his bike away to look for any damages he might have made.

"Good one, Harry. Treat yourself tonight, mate!" Ed grins at him.

Harry picks up his water bottle, "Was thinking I could stay for some more-"

"No you're not" Ed cuts him off sharply and Harry presses his lips shut. "You're not exhausting yourself. I don't want an injury or the slightest sign of you being tired, you hear me?"

"Yes" Harry replies calmly.

"You're too tense, H. Get a night off" Ed repeats and Harry sighs. It's another thing Ed won't let him do. Over-exercising isn’t allowed. And he knows it won't benefit him, not now, not when he has a race the next week, and he certainly doesn't want to see any damages caused by himself. So Ed's right. Having a night off seems like a good idea to pull out his frustration without exhausting his body, going at his own tempo.

And right on time, Niall appears from behind Ed with a grin on his face. "We're hitting it tonight, mate?" Harry shrugs. "Yes! Finally!" Niall hugs him briefly before he's dragging him outside the track and into his car.

"I think you should go like this. All sweaty and showing your scent. Drives girls crazy, man"

Harry laughs and shakes his head, "Don’t wanna ruin the suit, Ni"

"For fuck's sake" Niall mutters under his breath, "Just don't take forever, mate. I swear I'll leave you to go on your own"

Harry turns to him, an amused smirk on his face, "Sure. Like you weren't dreaming about having me with you" Because Niall is cute, but he's usually the charmer.

"Shut up" Niall groans. "Like you don't want to go with your best mate!"

///

The club is lively. They're not even seated yet and his scent is attracting many omega girls towards him, Niall is having fun too, grinding with a beta girl on the dance floor. There's a girl in his lap and another clinging to his arm, and all is good. Any thoughts of those mysterious riders are long gone as he keeps drinking, hands travelling across his body, and he knows he's having a good night. He ends up with two girls in a small room, and he's too buzzed to see clearly after three orgasms and too many alcohol drinks to count.

He finds Niall later, or Niall finds him, Ed picking up both and he doesn't even remember him being around with them but he's glad because neither is in a good state to drive back which he knows that Ed would give him a disapproving look in the morning when he's hangover and can't wake up properly until noon then he'll be good to ride.

They stop on their way for gas, and while Niall is asleep by now, he's not, and a certain scent catches his attention.

In a corner, there's a guy, an omega, and Harry knows from his strong scent that he's in heat. Poor guy. Whimpering quietly in the corner, trying his best not to attract anyone, not to attract alpha males specifically, and Harry feels sorry for him. If an alpha feels like he's bullying the poor guy tonight then it's not in the omega's favor at all. The scent is strong, yes, he can smell it from this far, but that's it. It doesn't make him lust for the guy, because that's how male omegas are. But he's not a mean person, and if he was in a good shape, he might've offered to take the poor omega home, keeping alphas' hands off him.

And alphas don't want him for him. But there are sick people who enjoy seeing male omegas in heat, because they're clingy and would beg for it but would be left afterwards with nothing at all, making them look pathetic than they already are.

Harry sighs, turning his head away and waiting for Ed to finish so they can drive away.

And then he hears it.

The laughs of alphas approaching the poor omega, and his vision is still somehow clear. Four. Four alphas circling the poor omega and enjoying their view, slick covering his pants, and Harry isn’t a fan of such thing, but he's pissed drunk, and Ed won't be able to handle them either, not even by trying to talk to them. Happened once, never again.

There are insults being thrown at the omega and Harry watches from his position inside the car, hearing the door opening and Ed moving inside.

"Drop it, mate. You can't do anything about it" Ed turns the engine on again, but it's not the only engine sound he can hear in this late hour of the night, and his head is automatically whipped towards the sound as Ed starts driving away.

A bike.

And Harry could swear it's the same black bike he'd seen in the abandoned track even though he couldn't see it clearly back then. But he stares, eyes going wide and lips parting as he watches the bike approaching the guys, speed never faltering until the alphas are actually aware of him going towards them, moving quickly and something sparks inside Harry's brain.

The way the rider moves with the same movement the alpha makes reminds him of that time in the track where he'd be focusing on the gaps, trying to angle the bike perfectly to go through, and yeah, alright, maybe Niall was right, maybe that guy is something else and Harry should be actually watching out for him, because the rider doesn't mind his bike hitting the alphas at all, but Harry sees it then, the way the bike moves and how the rider raises an arm, avoiding ramming the guy and instead dropping him with his elbow, the speed giving him an advantage, before he's spinning the bike swiftly, standing on the back tyre to drop the other two to the ground. The remaining one is still standing, anger clear on his face as he approaches the rider, and Harry curses Ed in his mind for driving away, because he can't see who he is when he takes his helmet off, throwing at the guy when he approaches him rather robustly and watching the rest trying to stand up with their injuries.

Harry can't hear of course, but the rider helps the omega to stand on his feet, taking his helmet and passing it to the omega behind him before hitting the road again, going in the other direction, and Harry can only blink after him in disappointment.

"I hate you" He mumbles, directed to Ed, but the latter doesn't hear him, continuing to drive until he reaches his building.

"You're good to get on your own?" Ed parks and turns to him and Harry nods. He can still walk, and the scene from a few minutes ago made his brain wake up. So he does, getting out of the car and waving at Ed when he drives away.

He can have a good sleep tonight, he thinks. Hoping that the mysterious rider won't appear on his dream. He prays that he doesn't. Maybe if he prayed hard enough he'll manage somehow to beat him in the race.

And now that he remembers that, it's not that long until he gets to know who he is, but the curiosity is killing him already. Could he win against him or would he be the end of Harry? He doesn't know. But Ed won't be pleased to hear such question. Don't underestimate yourself, you can do it if you're determined. But Harry wishes he'd try harder, harder than just be in a track. Harder than just passing those gaps. Could he do it?

He leaves the elevator, the hallway to his room coming in view, and for the second time, Harry can smell something so strong.

But it's not the same, and it gets him leaning back on a wall, because the scent is too strong and too intoxicating. He looks towards the room across from him. He doesn't know his neighbors this well, and he can't remember who is in there, but he knows for sure that this is a smell of an omega, not in heat, but damn does it smell better than he'd ever experienced, and he doesn’t mind achieving a forth orgasm right here and now if it wasn't pathetic, and he finds himself wondering just how good that omega would smell in heat.

It's a girl, Harry is sure of it, and he needs to know who. But there's another thought that comes to his mind because what if she's already taken?

He shakes his head and heads to his apartment instead. He is just going to sleep tonight.

///

It's here, and Harry is thrilled.

He's not up yet, but at least he gets to know who is in the competition. Perhaps the first people to go are the ones with the most pressure on, but as he glances around, they don't seem stressed at all, not all of them, because alphas like to show off and Harry knows he likes to too.

The first round is up, and he gets a glimpse of Liam on a green bike before he's wearing his helmet. There's a part of him that wants him to lose while the other is just indifferent. He tries to glance around him for his asshole friend, but even among his team, he's not present, and Harry wonders if he's even a participant. Maybe he's in the crowd, not that Harry cares, but he would like to smash his face.

"Take a good look" Ed says quietly from his side and Harry knows he has to watch, see who is good and who isn't.

"Nothing too interesting" Harry replies by the second lap, all is well, he sees the green bike leading, but no one is trying too hard to do something. Or perhaps Harry is just waiting for a certain black bike to appear for his interest to spark.

The fifth and final lap ends with Liam as the first and Harry glances up at the screen to see his timing.

Round 1 - 1^st Liam Payne.

The second group starts to prepare and Harry catches a glimpse of a smirking Louis not too far from him, and Ed doesn't say anything when he gets up to greet him.

"Your client?"

Louis turns his head to him and shrugs, "Can't really say"

"Is that a yes?"

"Would you like for your private info to leak too?" Louis counters, a teasing tone is on as he turns his head back to look at the track.

"Harry!" Niall shouts for him and Louis waves at him before he goes back again. "You'll need to watch this one, mate" He grins and Harry turns to look at the track too as he sits down next to Niall and Ed.

For the third time, he didn't get to see the black rider's face but he looks up to see the names of the people participating.

"You know someone?" Ed turns to him and Harry shrugs. He can't tell him that he and Niall stalked the guy with another one.

And for the first time today, Harry leans forward, eyes fixed on the guy's every movement. How he rolls his shoulders, how his hands grip the handles, how his body is relaxed yet focused, and Harry wants to move a little closer, he doesn’t want the big screen, he wants the actual thing.

The signal goes for the first lap and he sees the mysterious rider speeding up little by little until his speed is exceeding those who are in front of him, and Harry might not be all that surprised when he reaches the round corner without slowing down, vision clear in the sunlight, and he sees how his body almost touches the ground as his bike leans to it, startling some of the contestants next to him before he's up straight again, full speed on as he goes into the second lap, and Harry's eyes don’t leave him until he's finished, crowed in awe along with the competitors, and if Harry's being honest, he doesn’t know what he'd do when he faces him, but he's not an easy person too, and he'd probably go on full speed as well, control thrown away off the window.

"Sick" Niall mutters from his side, "He's not even making an effort" And he's right. It sounds too easy for the guy that Harry is sure he'll excel in an Enduro. He can even see him in an Endurance race all on his own.

Harry watches as the rider's head turns, still having his helmet on, and he glances over the same spot, seeing Louis, wearing a satisfied smirk on his face as he nods back at him. He's definitely one of his clients then.

The scores are up and he looks to find the name he's been waiting to see.

Round 2 - 1^st Zayn Malik.

And to connect the face with the name, he's just in time as he glances back, seeing Zayn with his team, taking off his helmet and pushing his hair back.

Fuck. The mysterious black rider is the same asshole that was with Liam. That means that he's also the same person that saved that omega, and he can't be nice and cruel at the same time, and there are two assumptions in his mind, either Zayn knew the omega and was a friend which is probably not the case at all, or he simply had bad blood with those alphas and decided to mess their play. Yeah, definitely the second one.

"Mate" Niall nudges him to gain his attention, but Harry squints his eyes at Zayn's team. There's a tall, muscular, black guy with his long hair braided talking to him, and he knows him from somewhere, he's just not sure where exactly.

"You're up next" Ed tells him, and he finally diverts his eyes away from Zayn. "I know he's cool and all, but you've got your own round, H. Get your ass off that bench"

Harry nods and reaches for his helmet.

"Harry" Niall says quietly from his side and Harry turns to him before he's putting his helmet on, "You're here to win a place in the race. You've got nothing to prove to him. Don't do anything rash"

Harry sighs, "I know"

"Come on!" Ed shouts at him and he nods at Niall, patting his shoulder before he's off towards Ed and on top of his bike. Zayn is good, he'll give him that, but he's not his opponent yet, and Harry needs to focus on winning his round before thinking about anything else.

He doesn’t allow his eyes to wander again towards Zayn's bench and instead, he keeps them on the track, waiting for the starting signal and hearing the sound of his engine being impatient just as him. And like Niall told him, or like Ed always tells him, he keeps his mind on one thing at a time, doesn't go on full speed and risking the chance of being flipped over. He does what he's used to, what he's been practicing on, finishes the first lap with someone still in front of him until he sees an opening, speeding up when he can and slowing down when it's necessary, managing to surpass the person by his second lap and keeps going until he finishes.

He hears the crowd cheering loudly, people knowing him from that night at the party, some don't but are just charmed as the camera zooms on him and he looks up at the score screen.

Round 3 – 1^st Harry styles.

He slowly drags his gaze back to Zayn's bench to find him already looking at him. Face emotionless and eyes hard. He's acknowledging Harry as a competitor, nothing more, nothing less, and Harry keeps a hard stare of his own before he's making a turn to his own bench, Niall and Ed cheering for him. He also sees Louis giving him a pleased nod.

///

There's no day off between the pervious and the next race. The first one was just to get the final number of competitors, and Harry feels thrilled as they walk in the open road as he had always loved this type of races.

He spots a familiar figure, and he knows that Ed is definitely giving him a disapproving look right now, and he knows that Niall would tell him to keep moving, but Harry isn't here for trouble, no, he won’t get himself disqualified now that he got his position, not after people knowing of his name. So he isn't here for trouble, not now, not outside the track.

While he could swear he'd seen this person before multiple times, his brain doesn't seem to determine where, but he stops, and in the small space underneath the bridge, he can see Zayn with his bike, and he has no idea why his team isn't working on the bike, but Zayn looks up at him from behind the smoke of the cigarette between his lips, smell so strong that Harry knows it's some illegal drugs, and he wonders if that what makes Zayn so calm in his racings. Combined with a heavy cologne, it makes his alpha scent close to nonexistent, and while most alphas like to show off their scent, Zayn doesn't seem to even try to, and Harry won't say it out loud, but he thinks Zayn's behavior alone marks his type. He's in all black again, and something seems odd about him with how the clothes wrap him up, but Harry won't make a comment on it, not now, he'll make sure Zayn is out of the competition first.

"Popping champagne tonight?" He smirks, "I'll be decent enough to allow you in"

Zayn's expression doesn't change, he just throws his cigarette away, and the black guy doesn’t say anything, expression neutral as well.

"Think I'll pass" Zayn pushes himself off the wall, "Not in the mood to go to my sister's prom"

For the third time, Harry wants to punch him in the face as his jaw clenches, "You know-"

"Save it" Zayn cuts him off, grabbing his helmet and putting it on as he gets on his bike, "Whatever you want to prove, prove it on the track"

Harry hears the engine going off and he groans. For once, he needs Zayn to stay a little while longer and retort with actions instead of disappearing right afterwards. He hates him but he's right, it's what Ed always tell him. Prove it on the track.

Niall approaches him with his hands in his pockets. "It's sunny, you're getting blind after half a mile" He smirks, "If that hot weather chick is correct, your second round will be a hell of a round with how wind is gonna blow you"

"Doubt it" Harry replies, "I'll finish before the required time"

"No, you won’t" Niall shakes his head as he comes to a stop in front of him, "You'll be all over that track trying to prove you’re the best" Harry shrugs with a smile, "Ed is gonna kill you if you do"

"He can't blame me if I won"

"You need to go back" Niall points behind him, "I think your first round is about to start"

Harry nods at him and they go back. He waits for the board to announce the names of the first round, and he hates how it puts everyone on edge, but as the twenty names get to their last and he's not included, he huffs a frustrated breath and slumps back on his bench. He sees Liam's name though among them. And he doesn’t know why, but he's glad that Zayn's name is also not in the first round, and his eyes glance to his bench to find him looking at Liam as he gets ready, and he knows both are friends or something.

"First dude that gets you all hyped up"

Harry turns to him, expecting an amused smile on Niall's face but he isn't looking at Harry nor at Zayn's bench. He's focused on the screen that shows the first round competitors. "He's got skills"

"Don't" Niall turns to him then, "You're unique in your own way. Just because he can do something you can't doesn't mean you have to do it. Bet there's a million thing he can't do that you can. It's not always about the race, Harry"

Harry exhales slowly, leaning to the side to bump his shoulder, "I'm not going to hurt myself, Ni"

"Not too much" Ed interrupts and Harry has to huff a laugh. "That lad likes to have a bruise somewhere on his body to prove he's been there" He shakes his head and takes a seat next to Niall, "There's no putting sense in his mind anymore. Your mom must be proud"

"Very, trust me" Harry replies and turns his gaze again towards Zayn, "I'm just focusing on my career"

"There's no career if there's no you" Ed mumbles.

"There's always a risk, Ed" Harry mumbles back.

"He's a softy" Niall whispers to him and he chuckles. Ed gives them a glare.

"Attention, Styles" Ed yells at them and they both know that the first round is starting and they need to pay attention. Getting the second round is good, he gets to know the road's turns and tricks, and because they're not yet started, he takes another glance at Zayn, and he knows why Ed and Niall are worried.

Perhaps he wanted to see Zayn on that track first, knowing too well that he does more than perfect with unexpected conditions, and he hates the guy, but he can't help but admire his skills, and he doesn't know which he'll focus on when he gets on the same round as Zayn.

"Think that Payne guy can do less than fifteen minutes?" Niall asks.

Harry's gaze returns to the screen, "I've seen better than him. Won't put too much hope on him winning the first nor the second place"

Niall leans in to whisper, "I still think he has something up his sleeves" He points with his chin and Harry follows his gaze to land on Louis who's focused on Liam for a little more than the other competitors.

"Another client?"

"What's the difference?" Ed interrupts them. "Your bike can do much better"

Harry sighs. Ed didn't say that he can do much better. A bike is nothing without its rider, but he knows what Ed is hinting at, and he stops himself from rolling his eyes. Ed is his friend more than his trainer, and he doesn't know why he and Niall worry too much. It's not his first race.

"I'll put my bet on Ron" Harry whispers to Niall, watching as Ron surpasses three riders and does a perfect turn, but his mind can't stop seeing that black bike never slowing down near corners, and for a second time, he knows too well why Ed and Niall are worrying he does something stupid.

"Four bucks this time? I already have the rest of my money on the second round. Look at the eleventh bench. Guess I can spare four bucks on this one"

Harry sees the eleventh bench, team consisting of more girls than guys and he laughs, punching Niall's shoulder lightly, "You wouldn't put your money on me? I'm offended"

"You wouldn't put your money on yourself" Ed speaks up and Harry bites on his lip.

"It's different. I'm determined"

"Good" Ed turns to him, "Three minutes, Styles. Up"

Harry nods, zipping up his suit and grabbing his helmet. His gaze stays on the screen until the riders arrive at the finish line. There's a moment when there's a reply in slow motion from above to show who got to the line before the other, and Harry's doubts are half correct as he sees Liam's name flashing in the second place. He's still in the next race, he's good, probably not what Harry has his eyes on, but he puts on his helmet as Ed pats his shoulder, telling him to stand by, and he moves his bike slowly until he's behind the starting line, competitors aligning next to him, and he closes his eyes for a second before they glance at a certain black bike and reopens them, focus fully on the road ahead of him. He got this. He can beat his ass.

There's a beta girl standing in her bra and jean shorts holding the flag, and he doesn't allow his gaze to shift from that black and white flag as it goes down, and he's pressing on the gas.

They're all very close for the first minute, then they start to form a distance as the second minute goes by, and Harry had seen the road, knows when to slow down at every corner and knows when to speed up, but as they come to the first one, the black bike surpasses him with too ease, and Harry wants to freeze his body, but he curses and slows down just like the rest of the riders, hitting the gas again once they pass the corner, and he's too glad that Louis' adjustments made his bike speed up faster than his old engine could, and a smirks stretches on his face as the black bike comes closer in his view, closer and closer until Harry is at the same distance, and he really wants to see Zayn's face right now as he sees the front of his bike progressing ahead of Zayn's, and there's another sharp turn that Zayn also doesn't slow down at it, but he's behind Harry, so it makes him in the same distance again when they pass the turn, and Harry almost wants to laugh at how Zayn's bike isn't faster than his despite his skills. Well, a bike can do much more than its rider.

Harry knows he can do less than fifteen minutes. He knows that this is the free part of the road that he can speed at freely, and he can't see the rest of the riders behind him anymore other than the black bike, and he honestly had expected Zayn to do something, but he's surprisingly keeping the same speed.

No, hold on.

Zayn is decreasing his speed, and Harry wants to slow down to see why, but he can't. He's going to win this on his own way, he doesn't need to know why Zayn is doing whatever he's doing, and probably his bike isn’t all that good, but Harry knows it might be damaged from his exotic training. Zayn himself might be damaged from the drugs and the exotic training, so Harry won't think about anything other than winning his round, getting his deserved position, move on to the next and the next until he's at the finals, until he's winning a gold cup and there're too many sponsors who are willing to pay him.

But Harry doesn't get to enjoy his daydream as he hears the sound of the engine go higher and closer, and he thinks that Zayn is out of his mind as they near another sharp corner, but he's next to him in the following second, and Harry knows he can do this round in fourteen minutes still, thirteen if he ignored Ed and Niall and went on full speed, and god would it be a record, but he doesn't accelerate on a sharp corner, he instead sees Zayn lowering his bike too close to the ground, and Harry knows he'll either get himself and his bike to roll down the road or he'll spin in circles until his suit is torn and his bike is no shape to even be fixed.

There's a sound of Zayn's breaks, smoke erupting from the tyres, and Harry almost misses the other bike approaching from behind him, going at full speed, and Harry knows it's stupidity, knows it might have been him instead, but the clueless rider is trying to surpass them both, trying to prove that he can do better than Zayn, that controlling the bike at such high speed is something too easy, and he knows it's the arrogance of an alpha, but he slows down, watching the other rider getting to the corner, too close to the ground, but he can't control it like Zayn.

Harry almost misses it.

It's the last turn at the track, and Harry might have pressed to get to a higher speed to pass them both, but he sees Zayn looking over his shoulder at the other rider, and he knows now the reason Zayn slowed down because there's a bike rolling in front of him now that he has to evade, and a bike separating him from Zayn means that the latter is good to go at full speed to pass the line before him.

Zayn isn't stupid. He knows his capabilities. He's aware of his surroundings. And Harry wants to scream as he passes the discarded bike, but he's not close, and it's not the bike. It's never the bike. It's always the rider. Harry hates Zayn, and he hates how he's focused more on what's in front of him to even notice there might be someone that stupid to try mimic Zayn.

He doesn't pick his head up to see the screen. He sees the other biker's team getting to him quickly to check his injuries. Ed and Niall are hurrying to him. But his gaze is focused on the black bike. Zayn removes his helmet and his expressionless face is on. He pushes his hair backwards as his team stays in its place like nothing major happened, like it's another easy win for Zayn.

Zayn doesn't even glance at him nor the board.

///

"Slow down, mate. It's just one loss" Niall tries with a concerned look on his face.

"Just one loss?!" Harry slams his glass on the counter, "I fucking gave him the chance of a lifetime to humiliate me!"

"It's not the end, Harry. You came in second. You're still in for tomorrow" Ed reminds him and Harry snaps his head towards him.

"Fucking wait till you're in the track. I should've crushed him when I got the chance" He mumbles, "You know, I could've won! I could've switched to a higher speed! I'm fucking responsible for my own!"

"You made a mistake. He had a better plan. It's not the end of the world" Ed replies sternly.

"You're a fucking piece of shit" Harry shakes his head and downs his next shot. Niall sighs by his side, a hand rubbing at his arm soothingly, and he knows both are trying to help, so he closes his eyes, lets his head rest between his arms for a moment before picking his head up to look at Ed. "Give me a track this evening"

"Absolutely not"

"Screw you" Harry pushes himself off the stool.

"You're not getting your bike tonight, Harry"

"Screw you" He repeats as he walks away.

"You're not having the car either!" Ed shouts after him and Harry raises his middle finger as he exits the club. Ed sighs and turns to Niall. "Can you make sure he doesn't get in trouble tonight? I want him healthy by tomorrow's race" Niall nods and hops off his stool to follow him.

He sees Harry outside, walking slowly and kicking whatever is at his feet. He hurries to him and slows down to fall in step with him.

"No bike, no car. He treats me like I'm a fucking teenager grounded by his dad because he left school"

"He wants you in one piece tomorrow"

"I want to win, Ni!" Harry turns to him, "I have to get my bike tonight" He stops and Niall sighs.

"Why? You're going to be stressed. You'll be tired tomorrow. And there's the possibility of you getting hurt or damaging your bike"

"He can't win the next round"

"Why are you so keen on him?" Niall furrows his brows, "You never got this down because of a competitor"

"He's …" Harry's shoulders slump and he looks away, "He's better, Ni. I can't surpass him while I'm like this"

"That never stopped you before" Niall shakes his head.

"He's the top class, Ni"

"Fuck that. Fuck him" Niall shrugs, "You're you, and you're the best. You don't need a track to prove to yourself that you can do the things that he can … He's just another hurdle to pass. You don't know his problems. Don’t lose your shit over someone who doesn't even respect you as an equal competitor" Harry looks back at him and Niall gets closer, "And … between you and me … I don't give a shit to what Ed says. Do what you see best inside that track" He picks a fist up, "As long as you're breathing, mate" He smiles and Harry smiles back, bumping his fist with Niall.

"I'm gonna get back home. Need to clear my mind for tonight"

"No shagging"

Harry laughs as he turns to leave. "Wasn't even on my mind, you little shit!"

Niall grins at him and watches him leave.

///

Harry groans loudly when he feels the bed dipping next to him and the covers are thrown away off him.

“Up! Up! Up!” Niall chants loudly and he has to bury his face into the pillows to avoid the sunlight from the opened window. “You’re going to be so pleased when you hear what I have for you!”

Harry turns to him and raises his brows, “Did you get a mate?”

“No, you idiot” Niall sighs, sitting next to him and grinning, “We got the whole day for training”

“What?” Harry sits up too, brows furrowing as he sees the smirk on Niall’s face.

“Two of the managers are in rut so they postponed the race to tomorrow, and Ed managed to get to the track you’re racing on. Well … Actually, everyone has access now, to make it up for the delay, you know, they don’t want to shed any light on the issue so ...” He shrugs, “I guess God accepted your prayers”

“Fuck” Harry smiles, “Fuck!” He throws a pillow at Niall and quickly goes to change his clothes. He trips on his way and falls on the ground making Niall laugh.

“Easy, mate! We want you in once peace!” Harry raises a hand that he’s okay.

///

Harry looks over the trees and grass and mud as his team looks over his bike before he goes. There’s a camera set on top of his helmet, and he has an ear set to talk to Ed for instructions. He has seen pictures of the track, seen a video of the route, and he knows there are other competitors here as well, but for now, Ed got him the track only for him. It’s a Hare scramble race. An off-road race with only one lap but very long length. He hopes he can accomplish an hour. Ed didn’t give him his bike last night because it was at Louis’ and he’s grateful for it. Louis’ made some great adjustments to the tyres.

“Ready champ?” Ed calls and he turns to him, putting on his helmet.

“Always”

Ed smiles and pats his shoulder. Niall gives him a thumbs up as he gets on his bike.

“We have the car, so if anything happens, we’ll be right there. Just don’t go off the track, you hear me?” Ed warns sternly.

“Why would I want to go off-track?” He glances at Niall who looks away and he rolls his eyes. Ed doesn’t tell him anything either.

“Just listen to me for once, god” Ed sighs, “Time is important. We don’t have all day. Memorize the route”

“Got it” Harry takes a deep breath and waits for Ed to count down. He hears the sound of his engine in his ears before he hears Ed’s voice coming through his ear-set asking for confirmation if he hears him. He rolls back his shoulders and hits the road.

There’re many puddles on the way, he sees the branches placed on the ground that might damage his tyres, and he counts the highs and lows on his way, calculating in his mind when exactly he needs to speed up and when he needs to slow down. One thing he’s sure of though, he’s getting dirty, the literal meaning. Mud is not leaving him nor his bike alone.

“Alright, hear me out, Haz” Ed starts, “The creek beds are part of the track, you cannot avoid it. It’s barely fitting for one bike, so you’ll need to take an advantage before you reach there. Disqualification is bright and clear if you injured an opponent. After what happened before, the judges are concerned about the riders”

“Reach first, got it” He just needs to speed up before he gets there. Jumping over the logs in front of him don’t seem like a good idea considering he’ll jump right into another deep puddle, and he wonders if he can go fast enough while he’s on the pasture area so his jump will avoid the puddle.

“And be careful of the ruts. Get down and you won’t get up” Ed continues, “You’ve seen the narrow trail on the video. The bike’s handlebars won’t fit. You’ll have to drift or lift up your front tyre”

Harry rolls his eyes, “I know what to do”

“Just don’t get too carried away. And I don’t need to remind you that everyone got their own style”

Harry sighs, he knows he’d talking about Zayn. “I know”

“Good. Now pay attention. You’re going on a high speed and you’re about to land butt first off that hill”

“I’m not- ugh!” He can’t see the hill to be honest, the trees are blocking his view.

“Be thankful it’s in the daylight. You’d be dead if it was at night”

“Thank you for your utmost trust in me!” Harry slows down slightly so he’s going down the hill smoothly. Another motorbike catches his attention outside the track and he glances towards the engine sound.

“Harry” Ed warns, “Focus on the god damn track! We don’t have the whole fucking day!”

“Fine, fine!” Harry turns his head again, “You don’t need to yell at me!”

///

Niall approaches him with a bottle of water with a smirk on his face. He’s done his laps. Three hours is what they had and it’s what they used efficiently. He knows the track by heart now. So he’s outside the track, a bit far away to give the next competitor a chance to train as well, he’s showered and had a quick snack, and feeling awesome.

“What’re you up to, Horan?”

“Do I need to be up to something?” Niall hands him the bottle, “Can’t I just be happy for my best mate to be out there smashing it?”

Harry bumps his shoulder, “Thanks, Ni”

“I’ll get my car, but if Ed ever heard out I took you somewhere …”

“He won’t” Harry winks at him, “Now, where are we going?”

“A surprise” Niall smirks, turning and walking away and Harry glances around before following him. “The main track is a training ground as for the moment. And I swear they’re getting paid hella good prices for it, but that’s not my issue. There are some who are training outside the area too” He looks at Harry over his shoulder.

“And you’re taking me to them, I suppose?”

Niall gets in the car, “Ever thought why they chose this place specifically?” Harry raises his brows and shrugs, “Because it’s decent. No animals, not too many snags. And you know … A place where cameras can reach from helicopters”

“So?”

“So …” Niall drives away, “You have a thick brain” Harry opens the water bottle and throws it on him. “You’re an ass!”

///

Sunset isn’t far, but the thick huge trees are blocking his view from the sun. Harry is sure as he gets out of the car and following Niall slowly, that they’re not allowed to be here.

“How many times do I ask you if we’re getting illegal drugs?”

“How many times do I tell you we’re not?” Niall rolls his eyes, “Don’t make me regret bringing you here!” He opens the trunk and Harry furrows his brows, “Come on, I’m not that stupid to get inside at this hour, but I know a good spot we can see from. Here, I would’ve brought us some spyglasses but …” He picks up something and smirks wider, “I borrowed a Flying Drone from a friend”

“Sick”

“Come on. We can’t go up with the car”

“Can’t we stay inside the car and maneuver that?” He points at the Flying Drone.

“We need a signal and a good source of light that goes unnoticed. You’re seriously dumb” Niall shakes his head and it earns him a slap on the back of his head.

They go up eventually, and Niall turns on the Drone, watching it fly downwards as Harry opens the laptop. “Fuck. I think this is illegal”

“Oh, I’ll show you illegal” Niall replies, maneuvering the Drone to go between the branches. Harry keeps his gaze on the screen, and the camera isn’t provided with sound, but he watches anyway.

“Bingo!” Niall yells, eyes filled with excitement as Harry squints his eyes on the screen. He sees two figures with bikes. One sitting next to it with a similar laptop, while the other is on the bike. As Niall gets a closer image, Harry isn’t surprised to see the same black bike that has been haunting his nightmares.

“Zayn is training here …” He mumbles.

“Liam was the biker you saw earlier. I followed him without Ed’s consent to be honest, but he was too focused on you to care about me. Then I found Zayn, training here on his own. I guess Liam is finished now. And no, Zayn is the only one who’s using this area it appears”

Harry groans loudly, “I’m not supposed to be watching that, Niall! If Ed ever found out-”

“He won’t. Cut the shit and thank me”

Harry sighs, leaning close to the screen as Zayn turns on his engine. Niall focuses on just following him around from above while Harry does his analysis. He’s going fast, he can see that, and he glances at Niall with narrowed eyes who in return, smirks.

“Hey, I knew what I’m using it for. I needed it to be as fast as possible. God knows this lad is hella fast”

And Harry agrees. Eyes widening as he sees Zayn jumping off a hill like he’s been trained to do so his entire life. Landing easily on the ground, the bike is bouncing but he’s very stable on it. He’s light. His bike isn’t as heavy either, Harry can swear on it, and the twists he takes in the narrow roads, how he ducks perfectly and takes unexpected turns. He already admitted Zayn is good. Zayn is better than him, he knows that fact.

He doesn’t return to Liam, surprisingly, and the laps he takes aren’t the same. Harry furrows his brows. “Is he lost?”

“Nah” Niall replies, “He knows what he’s doing”

“He’s not going in the same route”

“That’s because he doesn’t want to go in the same route” Niall replies simply, “He’s testing his abilities. Sees how far he can go … Watch that!”

Harry focuses on the screen again, and the area Zayn is entering is darker than before, the thickness of the branches making it impossible for the light to get in, if the sun is even up that is, and Harry has to squint through the screen to see his figure on the bike, and Niall gets closer. He fears that Zayn might notice the Drone. He’s not the type to be focused on one thing after all.

“The engine wound would cover the Drone’s” Niall replies for him and he nods slowly. “Don’t worry. I’m always prepared. There’s a night mode included” He presses a button and immediately, Harry can see much clearer. And Zayn ducks low to the ground, making a good drift near a hill and down the branches. Spinning a perfect angle before he sees the bike literally spinning in midair, his mouth going slack as Zayn avoids a log and lands on the ground again, his body lifting up from the bike to avoid the contact as the bike bounces, but he keeps his hands on the handlebars, his speed increasing as he lifts it up on the front tyre, and he had seen him once doing it, but Zayn flips again, and Harry watches him land on the ground and stopping, checking his watch to probably see his timing, and Harry knows he’s screwed, that he should probably surrender already, but he’s amazed. Zayn drives normally back to Liam, proving damn well that he knows his way around without his fucking headlights.

“He’s flawless, Ni” He whines, “Look at him! He’s the perfect rider I’ve even seen!”

“Hey!” Niall snaps, “I didn’t get you here so you can cry”

“What do you want me to do?” He turns to him.

“I’m letting you see this today instead of being shocked tomorrow. Prepare something. Use that head of yours!” He stands up, “Come on, we have to leave. Ed will notice we’re gone if we’re late”

///

“Eyes on the track, champ” Niall whispers from his side before jumping in front of him.

“Hey, Ni”

“Focus on the race, not the back of Zayn’s head” He steps closer, “Mate, you know what he’s capable of. You’ll use that to your advantage, not be a copycat”

“I know” He sighs. “Wish me luck”

“You need a miracle, but that’s not important”

“Wow, thanks, Ni” He mumbles.

“Listen to me. Nobody cares about who wins the first or the second round”

“I do”

Niall gives him an unimpressed look. “As I was saying” He clears his throat, “You just need to pass this round. Everyone remembers only the champion at the end of the tournament. So don’t go all out”

“I always go all out”

“Harry” Niall warns, “Ed will literally kill you” He glances over his shoulder, “Which, speaking of, you should be on your way”

“Did he get on the track?” Harry asks quickly.

“Yeah”

“Of course he would” He mumbles.

“You asked”

Niall pats his shoulder and walks past him. He glances around, and he sees Louis again who gives him a smirk and a thumbs up, wishing him good luck. Harry nods in return. Ed calls him and he turns to go to his bike. Staring at Zayn with his team isn’t going to benefit him much.

He breathes deeply, in and out as he puts on his helmet. And this time, Ed isn’t in his ear to tell him what to do, there’s no camera watching his every move but the one recording the entire race from above and those hanged on the trees along the way. He forces himself to look ahead. No more glances at Zayn.

The flag goes down and the engines roar as everyone takes off. Harry remembers the route, much like everyone around. And he won’t try to even see what the others have. It’s like he has one competitor, and even that isn’t that important right now. He needs to win. And to win, he needs to focus on himself before the others.

His bike is fast, Louis’ adjustments with the tyres are making it more adaptable to the hard, uneven surface. He doesn’t miss how everyone slows down except for three bikes, Zayn is one of them, jumping off the hill in a high speed and landing on the ground on both tyres while another stumbles and falls, the last losing his control on the bike and going off-track. Harry just wants to know what type of adjustment Zayn makes to his bike to be like that, but he doesn’t speed up, he continues on his way normally, and he is catching up in the even-ground area before the logs and the creek beds, and he knows he has to speed up if he wanted to go there first. It’s just one round and he doesn’t want to lose.

A flash of green covers his side view and he speeds up. The green bike also speeds up, and Harry isn’t in the perfect time to avoid a log so he takes a turn, making the green bike go ahead. Harry curses under his breath as the black bike rushes through the creek beds followed by the green bike, and he should’ve known. Zayn and Liam are friends, of course Liam would block his way for Zayn to go first. Not like he wasn’t going to be first. But Harry can’t lose his temper, he speeds up again, slowing down once he reaches the creek beds.

The narrow route is tricky, and probably, if the race wasn’t postponed and the riders weren’t given a chance to train through it, many would have failed to go through despite the short time each was given to train. And Harry didn’t get the chance to see how Zayn maneuvers through it, but god, to see him this close, in such a high speed, twisting his handlebars quickly and passing through efficiently, Harry might have stuttered in one twist or two.

But even though Liam is skilled, Harry manages to get past him. And while Zayn doesn’t seem to care about if Liam is following him or not, the latter seem to glance at Harry every now and then. Harry doesn’t care either. He just focuses on passing Zayn.

Zayn seems to notice him approaching, Harry can see his helmet moving to the side slightly as he glances in the mirror for a second before he looks ahead again. And maybe Harry should’ve known that Zayn is up to something, but he’s a natural, and the drift he makes as he speeds up at the end makes Harry’s hand itch to press at the breaks already, but thankfully, he doesn’t. He speeds up as well, and while he still has his theory on Zayn’s bike being extra light yet very enduring, it certainly doesn’t compare to his. Ed has paid lots of money to get him and his bike here, and he sees the ending line, but there’s space, too much space.

Harry comes second to Zayn. Again.

Ed isn’t the one who approaches him this time as he comes to a stop and removes his helmet. It’s Niall, wearing a smile on his face and Harry stares at Zayn for a moment as he takes off his helmet as well before turning to Niall.

“You’re not angry for the first time”

“What do you mean? Weren’t you the one who told me that as long as I stay in the tournament, I can still beat him for the championship?”

“That’s not what I said” Niall leans on the bike, and Harry gives him an impatient look. “You’re not angry …” He repeats, “You’re more like … Acknowledging the fact that he’s good. And not just in racing” He smirks, and this time, Harry gives him a confused look. “Come on, Harry. You’ve clearly grown an interest. His skills and attitude is one, but … You’re interested in something else”

“The hell are you talking about?” Harry scoffs.

“It’s not like you haven’t been with guys before”

“You’ve lost your mind” Harry laughs, “It was one time, one drunken mistake. With an omega” He shakes his head, “Besides, he’s …” He looks over at Zayn, “Just look at him. Arrogant, skillful, pretty-“

“You just called him pretty”

“Shut up” Harry glares at him, “He’s your typical alpha” He gets off the bike, “And I’m not taking an interest in him”

“Sure” Niall smiles as Ed approaches them.

“Tough luck. You came second. It’s still good”

“Yeah” Harry mumbles.

“Not what you imagined, huh?” Harry presses his lips tightly together and looks to his side, but not at Zayn’s team, he’s not going to. “Being the top student and the charming prince isn’t always present” He turns to Ed again, “You’re not young. It’s a big wild world. You’re not the only alpha around” He taps his chin up, “It’s not over. We’ll be training tomorrow, so be ready. No drinks, no girls” He looks over at Niall who raises both of his hands. Ed nods at them then turns to leave.

“Didn’t say no boys” Niall whispers from behind him and Harry rolls his eyes. He’s not interested in Zayn.

///

Harry sleeps well, better than he imagined, probably because Niall didn’t wake him up with cold water dropped on his face or shouting in his ears. Ed also hasn’t called him, and he frowns at his alarm clock when he sees it’s almost noon. There’s a message from Niall on his phone, and he quickly opens it.

-Ed says to meet him in the main track by night. You’re going to kiss the shit out of him ;)

Harry laughs at the text and flops back on his bed. If Ed is postponing his training and Niall is telling him this right now, he can’t wait to know what he had planned.

///

Once he enters the track, the empty seats by his side, the comfortable silence around him, and he spots Ed, Niall, his team, and Louis. Louis is the first who notices him and smirks at him while raising two fingers at him.

“What is this about?” He narrows his eyes at Ed around a smile and greets Louis.

“This is me spending lots of money on you” Ed replies.

“Sugar Daddy” Niall mouths at him and Harry shakes his head with a laugh.

“Excited?” Louis asks with the same smirk, probably noticing that Harry is already fidgeting.

“Very” He replies and Ed nods to the side where his team has been examining his bike. It’s his bike, but not quite, shining under the track’s light more than it usually does, and maybe Harry is imagining, but it looks modified. “Fuck” He whispers under his breath before turning to Ed, “Do I get to try it tonight?”

“Why else would I call you?”

“Sick” He replies, turning back to his bike and tracing his fingers on its surface.

“Careful” Ed comes to his side, “I don’t want you to get too overwhelmed” Harry nods at him. “C’mon … Get your suit on while Louis does a final check” Harry nods for a second time and turns towards the lockers.

When he’s back, Louis is setting on the bench with Niall while Ed stands next to his bike. He’s surprised that Ed is allowing Louis to watch him train since he’s also serving other clients who happen to be his opponents, but he puts his helmet on, and Ed gives him a thumbs up as he gets his bike going, hearing the strong roar of the engine, feeling the blood rushing into his veins like it’s the first time he’s trying a bike. He hears Niall cheering on him from the bench and he lifts his foot off the ground, surprised at the sudden speed of the small push.

“A real monster, innit?” Ed’s voice comes through his earset and he whistles. “Gonna be a real drag for the sharp corners. Luck is definitely on your side since it’s only round corners you’re facing in the next race”

“I’m up for a challenge” Harry replies as he speeds up around a corner, losing control and hitting the ground. He stays in his place for a minute, Ed comes to his view with a look of disapproval on his face.

“Sometimes, I think I made the wrong decision taking you in”

Harry sighs and closes his eyes. “I didn’t damage anything, right?”

“No, but you’re still an annoying little shit”

“Sorry” He mumbles an apology.

“How many times do I have to remind you that-”

“I’m my own self” Harry finishes for him. “I know, and I’m sorry. I just thought I’d give it a try”

“He is different” Ed tells him sternly and Harry has to avoid his gaze as he hears this lecture again, “You don’t know what kind of training he might have undergone”

“It makes him better” Harry mumbles and looks up at Ed, still giving him that look of disapproval.

“Until you’re out of my care, I’ll decide what you’ll do, Styles” Harry sits up and huffs a breath. “One more mistake and I’ll make Louis disassemble your bike!” He yells as he walks away and Harry stands to his feet with a frown, adjusting his helmet and pulling his bike back up. “And I mean it, Styles!” He yells at him again and Harry rolls his eyes. It’s still unfair how Zayn can go at top speed around the corners and he can’t.

“It means more points for me if I can master it!” He shouts back. “And I’m my own self! I get to decide what I do and don’t!”

Ed stops and turns to him. “You done?”

Harry doesn’t reply, getting back on his bike and hearing the engine roar again.

///

The seats are full today, and Harry feels like a complete asshole by the way he acted the past three days towards Ed. He’s a civilized adult, not an animal who lets his instincts take over, and even if Ed doesn’t show how much he’s affected by it, Harry knows he is. So he doesn’t look at the first contestant who gets in the track, just walks towards Ed and offers his apology.

“I’m sorry” Ed hums, not turning to him and Harry takes a deep breath, “I was not supposed to snap at you and order you around, that’s not me, you’re my trainer, and I really appreciate you helping me”

Ed does turn to him then, looking over him with a blank expression. “You’re damaging yourself not me”

“Ah, please” Niall pops in, a smile on his face to ease the tension, “The pros of being an alpha” He points at Harry’s body, “Not a single sore muscle, you lucky fucker” Harry laughs at him and shakes his head, “But … You did get what you want, eventually”

Harry glances at Ed when Niall says it, a worried expression on his face, but Ed smile and turns his head towards the track, “That, you did”

“I already said I’m sorry!” Harry whines, “Plus, it made me better, didn’t it?”

Ed isn’t looking at him when he replies, “It made you less of an asshole, more of an arrogant shit” He looks at him from the corner of his eyes, a serious gaze locking with him, “Get your arrogant ass on the bench” Harry opens his mouth to protest, a crease already forming between his brows, but he sighs when Niall tugs at his arm, closing his mouth and following Niall instead.

“He doesn’t have a short temper” He whispers to him, “Ed is a good guy”

“Of course you’re on his side” Harry mumbles.

“Where would have you been without him?” And that really shuts Harry up, reminding himself that he isn’t letting his inner alpha surface, he is not an animal, he’s a civilized adult. He should remind himself of that more often, that even if Ed is a beta, he’s still his trainer, his friend, and Niall is right. Ed was the one who dragged his arrogant ass to the top and he shouldn’t deny it.

“Would you also say that I was right?” He snaps back, because he knows this one is at least true. For once, taking control of what he does in his training should be allowed. He’s more aware of his opponents, his bike, his own abilities, and the feeling he gets on track. Ed didn’t try it, not once.

Niall hums, and Ed turns to them with an annoyed expression making Niall shrug. “Gotta give it to the guy. He made progress”

Ed huffs and shakes his head, “I’m never paying for your bike’s enhancements again”

“He will” Niall whispers to him.

“I said I’m sorry!”

“Your half assed apology?” Ed turns to them.

“You want me to run around this track naked or something to take it as an apology?”

Ed turns to the track again, “Oh … Here comes your favorite boy”

Harry rolls his eyes, almost saying that Zayn isn’t his ‘favorite boy’ but doesn’t, because Niall would only tease him more about it. But it does make him shut up and focus all of his attention on the black bike. He doesn’t look thrilled, never does, doesn’t even look like he has competition, and Harry doesn’t blame him for it, not when he’s been on a winning streak since the very beginning. He’s at too much ease when he puts on his helmet and gets on his bike, and Harry tries to keep his gaze from descending across his back, making a frown appear on his face. Since when he wanted to drag his gaze over Zayn’s body anyway?

The signal for Zayn to go is on, and he launches forward, his speed and agility are as good as always, and it gets Harry to lean forward on the bench. Niall nudges him with his elbow and Harry shoots him an annoyed glance. He does it again and it makes him groan, leaning back in his seat to glare at Niall who just smirks at him, nodding towards Ed, and Harry gives him a confused look before he’s turning to see the smirk on Ed’s face, and he’d probably missed something Zayn did, but Ed never looked at Zayn racing like that. It makes his heart pound faster as he drags his gaze back on the track. Zayn finishes, taking his helmet off and retreating to his bench. The crowd is cheering for him, the black biker who never loses, and if Harry wasn’t his opponent, he might have been one of them. His score is showed on the board with his face, the camera following him around, and Harry stares a little too much at the way he looks up at the board, a smirk on his face, eyelashes heavy and thick above his amber eyes as the commentator praises his score, a ‘record-breaking future champion’ that keeps Harry on edge.

“Ready?” Ed brings him out of his trance and Harry nods, getting on his feet and exhaling slowly through his mouth. He sometimes doesn’t know it it’s for the best or the worst that he gets to race after Zayn.

The track is his for the day, no one to startle him, no hurdles, just nothing. Him and his bike all alone. He remembers his fight with Ed every time he falls, his medical team checking for injuries, his bike back at Louis’ garage for fixing because he was reckless and didn’t listen to anyone but his own brain telling him to be himself. Ed’s smirk and Niall’s smile make him take a deep breath as he waits for the sign to switch to green so he can finally launch forward.

The track is familiar, and for the first time as he lowers his speed at the round corner, switching it to high again once he passes and hearing the engine sound ring in his ears above anything else, he doesn’t think of a black bike.

When he’s back at the finish line, hands reaching up to take off his helmet, he doesn’t look at the score board, hearing the crowd cheer loudly for him, he looks directly at Zayn, the confused wide eyes as he stares up at the board then fixes his glare on Harry, and Harry holds his place, still on his bike as Zayn approaches him for the first time, and it makes a smirk stretch on his lips when he stands in front of him, hazel orbs staring him down in utter hatred and anger, so Harry straightens up a bit, matching his level.

“Don’t be too happy about it, Styles. It’s just one round on you”

“Oh? Well, I have a feeling it won’t be just one”

“Please” He scoffs, “You had an empty track …” He glances at his bike, “And apparently a new toy”

“Hey!” Harry snaps at him, leaning forward again, “A bike and a biker are one. As long as you know how to control it”

But Harry knows, Zayn is irritated Harry got a higher score than him, he cut his winning streak, and he has a better ride that him, and Zayn won’t be approaching him if he didn’t care, if he knew he can win the next round, and it makes the smirk on Harry’s face grow. Zayn doesn’t reply to him, doesn’t congratulate him -of course- on his score. He just stares at him with a glare, and Harry can smell the smoke, the heavy cologne he’s wearing, and once he turns, Harry’s smirk almost falls, almost doesn’t notice the camera zooming on them, because he smells a faint omega scent on Zayn, and not just any omega, the same one he’s smelled on the hallway, his neighbor’s door, and Harry’s brain tries to remember who lives there but fails. It makes his stomach churn, and he isn’t sure why. Zayn is handsome, has this domination aura surrounding him, skillful, and surely he’s mated, apparently to this special omega. Harry forces his brain to work again on anything else other than Zayn and how he’s mated to an omega, but his brows furrow as Zayn comes to a stop on front of Louis, staring at him with something unreadable in his eyes before he’s turning on his heels and heading back to his team. Harry guesses everyone knows about Louis and he’s just pissed that Harry got the first-class-engine.

“Hey Styles!” Ed shouts at him, and he turns to see him grinning. “Drinks on me!”

///

He is not quite drunk when he takes two omega girls with him tonight, and he knows Niall will tease him about being a sex freak in the morning but he doesn’t care. He feels amazing, and he’ll do what he wants for tonight. The winning round makes his blood rush, and he doesn’t even feel tired at midnight when the girls leave.

There’s that scent again in the hallway, and even the girls notice, whispering to each other after glancing at his neighbor’s door. They wink at him when they reach the elevator and Harry smirks back, his mind quickly filling with his neighbor and the omega as soon as the elevator’s door close. He wants to do something stupid, like knocking on their door for any silly excuse, just to know who is she, why her scent was on Zayn, and if they were mated, how come he never sees Zayn here?

He sighs and decides against it, closing the door and heading to the bathroom for a hot shower.

It doesn’t stop his thoughts though, and he blames it on Niall for ever making the idea of him liking Zayn, another alpha, the one he despises most, and his competitor, pop up inside his head.

He flops on the bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling, a loose towel around his waist, his hair dripping on the pillow, and his fingers drum on his abdomen for a while until he takes a deep breath and closes his eyes. He is restless though, and as any other alpha, he’s intrigued by the omega scent in the hallway, so he allows his hand to travel lower, removing the towel and slowly grabbing his dick. He relaxes into the mattress, thinking of the two omegas he just had sex with, how good it felt, their smooth skin, their loud moans, hand teasing his length as he starts stroking himself, the scent of the unknown omega coming to him again making him bite his lips and speeds up a bit. He thinks of familiar big eyes, long eyelashes, hazel orbs, and he frowns, opening his eyes and staring up at the ceiling again, hand pausing on his dick. He is not thinking about Zayn while he masturbates to his mate. Shit. What the fuck is he doing?

He groans, looking down at his hard dick and groaning again. It’s not going to slide down again, he knows himself, so he continues stroking his dick, staring at it to not allow his mind to think about something else, someone else. And he curses under his breath as he speeds up again, blaming Niall for the hundred and one time, and he rests his head back, raven hair coming to his mind this time, and he doesn’t try to stop it, just lets his body have this since it feels so good.

He allows his mind to drift to Zayn, how he always has his body covered in thick black leather layers. How his beard look like and how it would feel against his jaw. His chest heaves with short breaths as he slides his thumb over the tip and feels the pre-cum dripping out, thinking of Zayn’s glaring eyes, his plump lips. Would he be looking at him? Would he drop to his knees in front of him? How would his lips feel stretched out and wet around him, and a moan escapes him as he brings his other hand to fondle his balls. But Zayn doesn’t seem the type to be on his knees, never the one surrendering, never the sub, and maybe Harry would be the one on his knees. He doesn’t mind one bit, the thought terrifying him, but he doesn’t let his brain process much of it, just keeps going, remembering the first encounter he had with Zayn, how he called him a girl, and in a crazy second as he squeezes his balls, maybe that’s to his advantage. If Zayn thinks he’s a girl, then maybe they can work, Zayn’s omega mate thrown away, Harry would make sure she’s thrown away.

“Fuck” He curses under his breath, imagining what would Zayn’s body look under those black layers, wishes he can lay him down on his bed. Or not, Zayn might be the one who lays him down, and Harry would be on his hands and knees for him. He trails a finger down, just above his crack, and he doesn’t know how it would feel, he’s never the one being penetrated, it’s an alien thought, an unfamiliar feeling, and he doesn’t know how he should do it exactly. Maybe Zayn would be his first.

He moans louder, spilling his load all over his hand and stomach, and his hands slide to his sides again, eyes opening slowly to stare down at himself. He can’t believe he just had a better orgasm thinking about being fucked by none other than a mated alpha who happens to be his opponent and also someone who hates him instead of actually having sex with two omegas not that long ago.

He doesn’t know what to do with that. Maybe he’s still drunk.

///

Harry wishes his head was dizzy with hangover, or there’s some omega sleeping in his bed that he forgot about. Just anything to prove last night didn’t happen. But he’s alone on his bed, there’s a towel with his dried cum on the floor, and his pillow is still wet from his hair that he didn’t dry properly, the edges are curling around his face, and he pushes them back, groaning as he stretches out his limbs, then getting up.

He busies himself with adjusting his hair, ruffling it like he always does so it falls at his sides. Pulling his skinnies on as he listens to Niall’s drunken voice note then Ed’s, telling him that he doesn’t have to wake up early today either, and that he’ll fill him up on the details during dinner, a special treat for his winning. He gets his boots next, the silver ones that Niall hates because they’re too shiny for daylight. Putting a printed blue shirt over his head and sliding his phone and wallet in his pockets before he gets his keys. He reckons that Niall is still asleep by now, and he smiles. He’s gonna throw some ice on his back to make him jump out of bed screaming. It’s so gonna make him laugh.

The hallway has some familiar faces, and he furrows his brows as he sees a tall black guy, squinting his eyes at his face. He knows him, he’s the one that was with Zayn before, the alpha in his team. But that’s not what he’s mostly focusing on. He sees a shorter guy with feathery brown hair, and he immediately recognizes him, the loud yelling coming from him afterwards definitely has him shocked as he pushes the black guy backwards. From his stumbling steps, Harry knows he’s drunk, so he steps forward to push the guy back when he tries to get to Louis.

“Hey!” He warns the guy before turning to Louis, “Is everything alright?”

“Just …” Louis sighs, the glare in his eyes fading away as he fiddles with the key in his hand.

“That’s my house you’re breaking into!” The black guy shouts, pushing Harry’s hand away.

“Just keep him away” Louis finishes as he puts the key into the lock and opening the door, and Harry looks at his back in confusion. Why is Louis breaking into his neighbor’s flat? How come it’s the first time he knows that one of Zayn’s team lives next door? And why the strong smell of that omega makes him stop thinking once Louis opens the door?

“Wait …” Harry tries to call after Louis, but he’s being ignored. The door isn’t closed though, and the guy tries to push past Harry into his apartment, which gives Harry another thought. What if he wasn’t living here? What is Louis’ relationship with the omega? Will someone tell him anything?

The guy huffs an irritated breath, drunkenly making his way into the apartment, making Louis turn.

“Sorry, Griff” Louis apologizes before he slams the door in his face, the latter falling to the ground in his dizzy state with a broken nose. God. What is Harry supposed to do?

Louis sighs, turning to get inside the house once more leaving the door open, and Harry glances between the two for a moment before he decides to leave the guy -Griff- on the ground tending to his broken nose, and go after Louis. At least he’s someone he knows, right?

The scent is getting stronger, and he thinks it’s what made him go inside in the first place. Just knowing who this omega is, how she looks like, if she’s indeed Zayn’s mate, if she deserves him- He should stop his thoughts there as he frowns to himself.

“Lou?”

Harry blinks at the soft sound, a familiar tone that makes him blink again as he takes the omega’s appearance, finally face to face, meeting them in flesh. A towel in their hand to dry their short black hair, falling softly on their face, the big hazel orbs, the small frame in just tight shorts, almost Louis’ height with similar body, only sharper and softer somehow. His brain is going through a million thought as he freezes in his place, their eyes meeting his and widening for some more, and Harry would be lying if he said his dick didn’t take interest, but he’s too shocked to actually adjust his pants to even try to hide his erection. It would be normal, and alpha and an omega, but it’s definitely not proper. However, a bright thought squeezes past all of his thoughts, throwing them aside as it taps repeatedly on his head, and all Harry can do is blink yet again at the figure standing in front of him, his mouth hanging open with wide eyes himself, the thought on his mind screaming at him over and over and over again. It’s the only fact that Harry’s brain is able to process right now.

Zayn isn’t an alpha.