Omegas’ Destined Alpha Collection 1

1

Nathan

“Move to a new city,” they said.

“You’ll find back your muse,” they said.

Fuck that.

I’ve been in this city for months and nothing has changed. I’m still in the same writing rut I’ve been in for over a year… I’d hoped that by now I’d be back to work, creating words, but every day gets more frustrating and I’m not seeing an end to it.

Getting away from the bad situation I was in was hard enough… I lived in that nightmare for way too long. But I couldn’t stay in my city anymore, I had to get away.

So I moved, I moved away as far as I could…

Luckily the college here could use a literature professor, so I guess my speciality is at least appreciated somewhere.

I came here at the start of the summer and now it’s already nearly fall. I saw the city empty as all the students left, and then fill again as the new semester started.

And although classes have been going well and the students and colleagues are nice… I feel like an empty husk, a lesser version of myself, when I can’t write. When the words just won’t come.

It’s not been for lack of trying.

I’m sitting at the table near the front window in my local coffee shop. A cup of coffee and my laptop in front of me, a blank new file open. But the page won’t fill, it will stay empty. As they have been for longer than I would like.

Every morning, when I get here, I open a new document, and when I leave, it’s still as empty as it was when I started. No progress at all.

A writer, sitting at a cafe to work, it feels so stereotypical. And that’s why I keep trying it, hoping that somewhere in my head the switch will flip back and I’ll finally be able to write again.

Although, I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to write for a living again. I think I may have just broken my brain with all the mess that went down.

My eyes keep being drawn outside, away from the page, before checking the time. The only reason —no, reasons— I keep coming here are about to pass by on the street.

My heart starts beating a little faster. Every morning, two Omegas pass by this cafe, they often have one or more children with them, and they seem so happy, always chatting.

The first time I saw them, I’d been sitting here, staring into nothingness, annoyed that this would be yet another failed morning. And then, right outside the window, these two Omegas walked by, talking animatedly and generally just looking like they were having a great day.

They walked so closely together, leaning into each other as they spoke, so close that I almost felt that it was too intimate to look at. But I couldn’t look away either. My eyes kept going to them.

The next morning, I saw them again, laughing, having fun. Probably on their way to work or something else.

And since then, it’s been the one thing I look forward to every morning, seeing them, watching them as they pass by the window.

It’s been the same for weeks now, I watch them as they pass by and then I try to return to my writing.

But not today, today I need something different.

On impulse, I close my file and then shut down the laptop. I put it in my bag and wait, staring out the window.

The two Omegas turn around the corner, walking, talking. Two young children with them, both of them being carried, looking content as they look around them.

I don’t think, I don’t give myself a chance to back out.

What I’ve been doing for months, doesn’t seem to work, so today it’s time for something else.

I get up and leave the coffee shop, watching the Omegas, staying on the other side of the street, but keeping my eyes on them. I follow them for a few minutes.

They turn another corner, and as I follow them, I see them slip into an alleyway between some buildings, disappearing behind the buildings that line this street.

I lost them. They’re out of sight.

They’re probably going into one of the buildings, there really is no other option. These small alleyways are used to bring supplies to the shops.

But do I dare to wait and see which one they went into?

Then, on my right, lights turn on behind large windows, giving me a peek inside, a cafe. It’s a cafe for parents and kids called ‘Away From Home’.

I’ve heard of the place. Some of my students enjoy studying there because the coffee is cheap and so is the internet. And, apparently, some of the Omegas like it there because it’s such a friendly place to be.

One of the Omegas I followed, the blond one, enters the cafe from the back. The eldest of the children running around his feet and he laughs as he starts turning on machines and moving tables and chairs around.

A few moments later, the Omega with dark curly hair comes in too, laughing at something that is being said, looking totally relaxed.

Then, something happens that I did not expect at all. The dark haired one leans in and gives the blond Omega a kiss.

Not on the cheek, not on the forehead, or anything innocent. No, an honest lovers’ kiss. It doesn’t take very long, but their feelings for each other are obvious.

They have no idea I saw them.

Something in my chest expands, filling with an emotion I don’t know if I can trust. Or if I should even feel it, seeing two Omegas kiss, two male Omegas.

As I’m trying to gather myself, the doors of the cafe open and the blond guy looks at me, smiling. “Sorry, we’re not open for another twenty minutes. If you’re in a hurry, you may want to find a different place to get coffee.”

He drags chairs outside and arranges them, forming places to sit. A little boy is trying to follow him, but the guy easily catches him, carrying him back inside.

“No, no. Not now. You’re staying inside while we’re all inside.” He eyes me for a moment and then closes a child gate in front of the door before he walks to the back.

I realise that the other guy is looking my way, his eyes guarded. I try to give him a reassuring smile.

Twenty minutes. They’ll open in twenty minutes.

I do the second impulsive thing for the day, and sit down in one of the chairs, grabbing a book from my bag and start to read.

The blond guy looks at me from the doorway for a moment as he’s carrying menus and things for the tables outside, before smiling and shaking his head a little.

“What? I’m not allowed to sit here, waiting?”

“I don’t think that’s against the rules, people just don’t usually do it. But go ahead. They’re there anyway.” He smiles, deftly placing the menus and other things he was holding on the tables, and goes back inside.

I don’t know what it is, but I really want to get to know these guys better. They’ve been pulling at my attention for weeks now and I’m here anyway.

And, of course, I saw something interesting just now…

Something I don’t think I was supposed to see, but now I can’t help but want to know more.

***

As I’m waiting, more people start to arrive, many of them with young children.

I’d heard of these cafes before, especially because people are encouraged to take their children with them and because it’s such a relaxing place for parents.

Though, I’d never been to one before now. Why would I? I don’t have kids, so there has never been a reason for me to check them out.

I stand up as the doors open again and people start filing in.

Many of them sit down at the tables in the front of the building, but some are going to the back where I guess there might be more tables.

The atmosphere is very cosy, the tables and chairs are all a little different in a way that makes it obvious that it’s been done on purpose and the layout is very open. The tables and seats are far enough apart for even twin strollers to pass between.

I go to a raised area in the middle of the cafe.

There’s a high table with high chairs surrounding it, set up with places where you can plug in laptops and charge phones. A perfect place for working on laptops or when you have a lot of books, without little kids being able to pull everything from the table as they pass by.

I put my bag on the table and sit down, making myself comfortable. I have a clear view of the counter where the Omega guys are working.

They run around, taking orders and bringing them to the different tables. It’s a little chaotic, especially with young kids running everywhere, but it soon calms down when everyone has their drinks.

Then the Omega with the dark hair looks at me, coming over. Now he’s closer, I can see that he’s probably the older one of the two and, from the way he moves and acts, he seems to have more experience working at a cafe.

“Hi. I’m pretty sure that I didn’t ask you what you wanted to drink yet. Do you have a card, or are you interested in one?” He leans on the table a little, a kind smile plastered on his face, making me very aware of his nearness.

“A card?” I blink, not fully understanding his question.

“Is this your first time visiting one of our cafes?” He keeps smiling.

“Ah, yes. I only recently moved to the area, I haven’t been to this cafe before.”

“Okay. Well, we have a customer card that basically works as a pre-paid card. It gets you drinks and free internet for ten half-days, either mornings or afternoons. Or you can just buy a drink, which also comes with free internet, but the card is much cheaper if you plan on coming here more often.” His eyes stay on me, going from friendly and polite to slightly curious.

“Oh. Hmm. I think I’d like just a drink this time.”

Sure, the guys are cute, easy to look at, but I’m not sure I’d actually be able to work here.

Not that I get much work done elsewhere either…

But let’s not turn this into more than it already has for now.

“Cool. Can do. What would you like to drink?” The Omega takes out a notepad.

“A coffee, black, large. Thank you.” Keeping it simple.

“Coming right up.” He smiles one last time, and then he goes back to the counter.

Along the way, he easily picks up the little boy who is running through the middle path, and carries him with him. It’s fun to watch them.

If you look at the Omegas even for a while, you can see the way they interact with each other, how close they are. They’re not simply friends, not family either. They’re lovers. No matter how hard they try to hide it, it’s obvious from where I’m sitting.

Or I might be biased because of what I saw before.

***

I’ve stayed at the cafe much longer than I expected. And curiously enough, I’ve actually written the start of a story.

Nothing serious, nothing on the book I should be working on for my publisher, but I’ve started writing a story for children. It’s not my first time, I’ve written stories for children before, but they don’t tend to bring in enough money to live off, unlike my adult work.

The cafe has gotten very quiet, it’s probably right before the lunch rush.

“Would you like a refill?” The blond guy comes over, holding a pot of coffee.

“I’d like that, thanks.” I move the empty cup in his direction.

He fills it, then he looks at my laptop, his eyes curious. “I hope I’m not a bother, but what are you working on? If I may ask?” His smile is soft and distracts me for a few moments.

“Sorry, I’m working on a story.”

“Ah, cool. Do you write a lot? You look so serious, sitting there, typing away.” He steps a little closer and something inside me wants to reach out to him, touch him.

“Sometimes.” I shrug. He doesn’t need to know about the writing block…

“That’s so cool.” He sounds excited, his eyes lighting up. “Can I read it?”

“Maybe when it’s finished.” I grin. “It’s not much of anything right now. I’m Nathan, by the way.”

“I’m Wes. Nice to meet you.” He smiles.

Then we watch as the other Omega rushes after the little girl that they brought with them. Catching her and she lets out a fit of giggles, all excited, and he hugs her tightly, also grinning. “Got you.”

Then some of the kids from customers swarm around him too, all wanting to be carried and hunted after.

I open my mouth, surprised by the words that slip out of me. “She doesn’t look like she’s his daughter.” The girl is a blond, the guy isn’t. The comment might be intrusive, but I can’t help myself wanting to know more about them.

“I would hope not.” Wes lets out a short laugh.

“Is she your niece?” The family relation between the two seems obvious.

Though Wes barely looks old enough to be out of college, so the daughter of an older sibling would make more sense. And the kiss from before means that he’s not interested in Alphas, right?

Wes raises his eyebrows and then lets out another laugh, this time less sure, less carefree. But before he can answer the other guy comes over, handing him the girl.

“Dada.” The little girl wraps her arms around Wes’ neck.

“Your daughter?” That’s a surprising twist.

“Yeah.” Wes colours a little.

“What? What about Mia?” The other guy looks at us both.

“Nothing,” Wes answers, rolling his eyes. “I’m gonna get this lady something to drink. Talk to you later, Nathan. I still want to read that story you’re writing.”

“After I finish writing it,” I promise him. It would give me a great excuse to talk to him again.

He nods as he walks off, smiling.

“On a first-name basis with our favourite barista?” The other guy eyes me, that guarded look in his eyes again.

I shrug. “Can’t help it, he’s cute.”

“I can’t stay behind, then.” He winks. “I’m Zeke.”

“Nathan.” I nod to him. “Hey, that girl, is she really his daughter?”

Zeke nods. “Yeah. The little boy I was carrying earlier is his son.” He looks after them, his eyes softening, protective.

“He doesn’t look old enough to have one kid, let alone two.” They’re both Wes’? I find it a little hard to believe.

Zeke’s eyes change a little, going darker. “Yeah…” Then he blinks, pulling up his smiling mask again. “If you need something to eat, or another drink, just wave for us.”

Like that, he’s turned back into the happy guy I saw before, and I wonder what went through his head before… What it was that saw.