Chapter Text
This isn’t the dark ages.
The mystery behind the social dynamics of wolves has been explained away by science.
Thirty years ago, wolves were still widely regarded as mythical creatures. But with the species stepping into the light to live amongst humans, scientific advancements were rapidly made to understand wolf biology.
To ease the fear and bigotry of humans. Naturally.
Doctors developed ways to test pups in vitro to determine sub-genders with an accuracy rate of up to 96%. Much like tests conducted for human genetic conditions. These tests were meant to give parents an insight into their future… a means to raise their children “in a healthy and proper manner.”
To teach their children how to be “the best versions of themselves,” or so the government says. It also was a means of keeping track of wolves broken down into populations of each sub-gender.
But no one really talks about that publicly.
“Teach an alpha to be a good, strong alpha who protects their omega.” Natural leaders, athletes and soldiers.
“Teach a beta to be a kind, helpful beta who works hard to improve society.” Usually along the lines of social work and wolf/human relations.
“Teach an omega to be a gentle, nurturing omega.” Natural caregivers like teachers and healthcare workers.
However, an unexpected outcome from this medical breakthrough was the perpetuation of gender and sub-gender stereotypes to the point of obsession in wolf communities. What started as a way to make integration easier, turned into a means of population control. Some expecting parents even going as far as to arrange future mates for their unborn pups based on the sub-gender genetic test results and pedigree of the pup and family.
Parents practically grooming children to believe one specific thing, to behave in one specific way with one specific wolf.
Be a strong little alpha.
Be a sweet little beta.
Be an obedient little omega.
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"I know you’ll be a wonderful alpha for Seonghwa. Look at you, already taking such good care of him,” Hongjoong’s alpha father says as Hongjoong takes the shivering omega’s hand into his own. Hongjoong is just as scared as the other little boy seems to be… but he's the alpha here. He has to be brave for his omega.
“You must be sure to look after him, Hongjoong. As Seonghwa's alpha, it's your job to protect him from harm… to always keep him safe and happy. Forever,” Seonghwa’s omega father says sternly.
“Yes, Mr. Park. I will,” eight-year-old Hongjoong replies with a deep, stiff bow as he stands in the living room of the Park family home. He was just introduced to his mate… his omega, Park Seonghwa. They recognize each other from school but have never actually spoken. Seonghwa was always rather shy and quiet in his classes while Hongjoong was the social butterfly. Seonghwa looks so scared and uncomfortable. Hongjoong’s little alpha heart swells, wanting nothing more than to protect, protect, protect. To make him feel safe. To make him feel comfortable. To make him feel cared for… and eventually feel loved. Just like he’s been taught by his alpha father and omega mother.
“I promise.”
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8 years later. Seonghwa is 17. Hongjoong is 16.
“Hi Mr. Park! Is Seonghwa ready?” Hongjoong smiles as he walks up the front porch steps, ready to drive Seonghwa to school. It’s the midpoint of their junior year of high school and Hongjoong recently passed his driver’s test. He doesn’t have his own car yet, so every morning he walks to Seonghwa’s house and drives the older’s car to school. Seonghwa has his own license but likes it better when his alpha chauffeurs him around.
And Hongjoong likes making his omega happy.
He tries to step inside, like he does every morning, but Seonghwa’s omega father blocks his way with a pained, anxious look on his face. Or is that sadness? It's not a reaction Hongjoong has ever gotten before to his presence.
“Is everything ok? Did Seonghwa oversleep again?” Hongjoong asks, taking a small step back, gripping the straps of his overstuffed backpack. He finally remembered to bring Seonghwa his favorite snacks to eat on the way to school. Anything to make his omega smile.
“Oh Hongjoong, honey. Come sit with me for a minute,” he says as he directs the teenager to the porch swing. Firmly closing the front door behind him.
Hongjoong has a sinking feeling that starts in his throat and settles in the pit of his stomach. Mr. Park looks so serious as they sit on the swing, taking a few moments to collect himself before speaking.
Hongjoong is too nervous to do anything but stare at his own feet.
“I'll start off by saying everything is going to be ok. Seonghwa is OK…”
That does not make Hongjoong feel any better.
“What's wrong with Seonghwa?” Hongjoong asks in a small voice, shoulders curling in on himself. Shrinking under the elder omega’s gaze.
“Nothing is wrong with him, sweetie,” Mr. Park breathes. “It’s just that… Seonghwa has presented.”
He immediately feels relieved.
Seonghwa has presented!
That’s exciting, right?
Oh... no, it's really not.
This means he has to go through his first heat all alone! It must be why his father seems so concerned.
Poor Seonghwa.
Hongjoong hasn’t presented yet. He really hoped that he would present first… First ruts aren’t as painful as first heats (or so they say). And if Hongjoong hasn’t presented as an alpha, he isn’t able to physically care for Seonghwa the way an alpha is meant to. An omega going through heat all alone must be so painful and scary. Hongjoong wants nothing more than to help him… protect him… keep him safe…
Like he has been groomed to do his whole life.
“He must be so scared,” Hongjoong sighs, palms instantly sweaty in his lap. “Can I see him?”
“I don't think that’s a good idea.”
“... what? Why not? I haven’t presented yet so you don’t have to worry about me… um, you know… I’d never, ever hurt him, Mr. Park,” Hongjoong blurts out. He didn’t expect to be denied access to his newly presented omega.
“Honey, I know you wouldn’t. That’s why I always knew you’d be a wonderful mate for an omega someday,” Mr. Park starts, followed by a deep breath.
Something isn’t right.
“Hongjoong, Seonghwa has presented as an alpha.”
…. What? … that can’t be true…
Hongjoong's vision constricts into a tiny pinpoint of the front porch. Tunnel vision threatening to take over his entire world. Blood rushes through his ears, drowning out the sounds of the surrounding lively neighborhood. Seonghwa is… an alpha? That can't be right. Seonghwa is an omega… his omega. They did the tests. They’re going to be mates. They’re going to spend their lives together. They've… they've made plans. They love each other. They're going to graduate, alpha and omega- together. Go to college, mate, have pups, and spend their lives together.
So what does this mean?
What does Hongjoong need to do?
Can he even… Is he allowed to mate another alpha?
“I don't understand,” Hongjoong finally whispers.
“I’m sorry, sweet boy,” Mr. Park whispers back, wrapping Hongjoong tightly in his arms. “No one saw this coming. Even the doctor was surprised. But the tests… there is always a margin of error. Seonghwa showed no signs of becoming an alpha. Even his pre-rut was more congruent with heat symptoms… I’m so sorry, son, but it seems the two of you are meant to only be pack mates.”
“B-but… I love him, Mr. Park. He’s my omega. I have to see him,” Hongjoong says as he springs from the wooden swing, tears flooding his vision. A broken cry slipping past his lips as the world starts to spin inside his head. Chest constricting tighter with every frantic heartbeat.
“No. I’m so sorry, sweetheart, but Seonghwa is in rut. Until we understand how it affects him, he shouldn’t be around another alpha that’s not blood related,” Seonghwa’s father says into the young man’s hair after standing to pull Hongjoong back into his arms. “We wouldn’t want him to feel threatened and lash out.”
He’s trying his best to comfort Hongjoong… but nothing will make this better.
Seonghwa is in rut.
Hongjoong feels the wetness drip off his chin only after Mr. Park wipes away his tears.
This isn’t fair. Seonghwa is supposed to be his.
His mate for life.
…well, not anymore.
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Hongjoong doesn’t go to school that day. He runs straight home, to his omega mothers surprise, bursting through the front door in hysterics.
He spends the day between sobbing in her arms and face down in the toilet. Crying so hard he makes himself sick. Pressing his face to the cold tile of the bathroom floor between the painful clenching and unclenching of his stomach.
“W-we can still be together, right? Seonghwa and me?” Hongjoong cries. “It’s not impossible… for two alphas to love each other. Right, mom?”
He will never forget the burning sting of his cheek after his mother smacks him across the face hard. A look of horrified disgust spreading across her usually gentle face. Horror followed by an anger that took him aback as she explained (ie: screamed) that two alphas trying to mate is an abomination.
A disgusting abomination.
A violation against nature itself.
“I don’t ever want to hear that filth from your mouth ever again, Kim Hongjoong!"
“I’m sorry!" Hongjoong shivers from the floor. The smack landing so hard it knocked his feet out from under him. "I-I didn’t know… I’m sorry, momma.”
He's never been more hurt and afraid in his whole life. Afraid of the world outside. Afraid of his mother. Afraid of himself and his own feelings.
That was the day that Hongjoong learned the reality of the world.
That was the day that Hongjoong learned he was not free to love just anyone. He could only love, only mate… someone acceptable.
An omega.
Sub-gender means everything.
That was the day that Hongjoong internalized his feelings for Seonghwa… someone he was made to accept and fall in love with for the majority of his life… another alpha… He must push those feeling deep, deep, deep down and never think or speak of them again- despite the fact that they were never, ever going to go away.
They were ingrained into his soul.
He knew in his heart that Seonghwa was the one for him.
His mate.
He could feel it.
His wolf could feel it… howling in anguish in his mind, rattling his heart around in his ribcage. Distraught and trying to fight its way to Seonghwa.
That was the day that Hongjoong forced himself to accept that he would be alone forever. But so long as Seonghwa was his pack, he would learn to live with it.
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5 years later: Senior year at University. Seonghwa is 22. Hongjoong is 21.
Kim Hongjoong and Park Seonghwa.
The epitome of Alpha.
The two have been best friends since the day they were introduced. After Seonghwa’s unexpected presentation, it took some time, but they became the closest, most inseparable of pack mates. Swearing to stay together even after mating omegas in the future. A prerequisite for the pair to even consider an omega as a partner would be if the other approves.
Let alone someone as a mate.
Pack approval means everything.
It's essential.
Not that either of them could be tied down with something as trivial as a girl/boyfriend.
As a pair, the two rule the school. Both alphas and omegas want to know them, be close with them. Hell, be associated with them in any way.
Seonghwa is the most well-known alpha on campus. He is predicted to graduate Valedictorian with a degree in Fashion Design. Seonghwa is known for mixing traditionally strong, alpha silhouettes with traditionally soft, omega fabrics and colors. And vice versa… blurring the lines between genders and looking smoking hot while doing it. Both masculine and feminine. Both alpha and omega. With his portfolio, Seonghwa already lined up a post-graduation job with a major fashion magazine as a stylist while simultaneously receiving a stipend to work on his own sub-gender-neutral clothing line. It was major news when the word spread. Aside from being wildly successful and absolutely stunning, Seonghwa is also known for being “The Stud of Campus.” Omega’s number one choice to spend their heats with… saying his warm cedar scent with hints of lavender is extremely comforting during that time. Not to mention his other… skills. If the omega in question piques his interest, Seonghwa will agree to be their alpha for the days required to care for them. But only for that time. No longer. No repeats. One heat and that’s it. His only real stipulation being a refusal to assist during a first heat. It’s too unpredictable. And an alpha can tell if it’s the first or not. He has the pick of the litter, so to speak. And not a single omega has ever been anything but thoroughly satisfied.
Hongjoong is at the top of his Music Engineering program. He runs the most popular show on their university radio station and has a rather impressive following as an underground rapper. Not just at university, but across the entire country. Sold out shows at every club and venue he has time to travel to. He writes and produces all his own music with multiple entertainment companies publicly trying to recruit him. Rumor has it that he is already signed to a major record label but wants to graduate before releasing his first official studio album. Hongjoong is known as the hot, strong, silent type. Omega’s throw themselves at his feet. Even a few alphas have tried to submit to him. But the thing about Hongjoong is… no one knows of a single person he has taken back to his bed. Not a single person has come forward saying they’ve spent even one night with him. Contrary to his best friend, Hongjoong is called “The Unobtainable Alpha.” And it’s not that he is stuck up or snooty. No, Hongjoong is kind and respectful to everyone he meets. People (alpha, beta, and omega) love him. Hongjoong is simply very picky. And no one knows his preferences. No one knows what he likes or is attracted to. Tall? Short? Thick? Thin? Soft? Dark? He has never given so much as a hint. As far as anyone knows, not a single omega or beta on campus has struck his fancy… though many have tried, thinking they could be the one. They speculate that he only dates older or celebrities. He’s way too cool for these young, college omegas.
Seonghwa presented as an alpha at 17. That is no secret.
What is a closely guarded secret is that…Hongjoong has still yet to present at all.
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As a university requirement, students must take mild suppressants outside of their regular heat/rut cycles. (Much like certain vaccinations are required at human universities.) The suppressants aren't strong enough to affect their health… but are just strong enough to dull scents so the campus isn’t overrun with young, horny, fertile wolves.
No one knows from scent alone that Hongjoong is unpresented. The only people that know are Hongjoong’s family, Seonghwa, and Seonghwa’s fathers.
Never once has Hongjoong publicly declared himself as an alpha. Everyone simply assumes his sub-gender from his mannerisms and his test results. The way he carries himself and interacts with the world around him screams alpha. Also by the way “The Stud of Campus” defers back to Hongjoong’s word and opinion. It’s not an act of submission per se, but there is definitely a level of respect.
Hongjoong’s confidence.
His masculinity.
His dominant sex appeal.
People assume that he and Seonghwa are simply the closest of Pack Alphas.
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“It will happen when it’s supposed to happen,” Seonghwa assures Hongjoong while they are alone in their shared apartment. “Everyone is different. Maybe you’re presenting late because you’re meant to be an Alpha Prime!”
Hongjoong laughs at the idea of being a rare Alpha Prime. It’s not completely unheard of… and all documented Alpha Primes, allegedly, had late presentations. Or so they say. But who really knows. He doesn’t know any Alpha Primes. Hell, no one he knows has even met one.
Hongjoong acts like it doesn’t bother him. Like he is confident and comfortable with the fact that he hasn’t officially presented as an alpha.
He tested as an alpha.
He’s an alpha.
But Seonghwa tested as an omega and look at him now.
Late at night, alone in his room… he lets himself worry. He lets himself worry about his future and his health. Maybe there is something wrong with him? Is he sick and not know it? Is some mystery condition keeping him from presenting? Is he the first ever human born of wolf parents?
Hongjoong shakes that ridiculous thought out of his head.
Impossible.
Or... maybe he really is an Alpha Prime.