Uninvited Guests

"So, I messaged Andrea yesterday."

"Why?""Apparently, he might know an alpha lawyer."

"Lucas, why are you dragging strangers into my problem? I never gave you permission."

"Valentina, can you stop being so damn stubborn?"

"I'm not being stubborn. I just don't want people meddling in my business."

Valentina could be incredibly proud when she wanted to.Maybe Lucas was right—but that didn't give him the right to involve others.People they barely knew, who could vanish at any moment—or worse, people who saw them as nothing more than a passing curiosity from the very beginning.

She knew she'd need help, especially if she decided to go up against the agency.But that didn't mean opening her door to just anyone.Call her paranoid, if you want—but she refused to become someone else's casual story.

"Let's change the subject. Don't play dumb—tell me what happened with Bastián."

"Nothing. NOTHING happened! We just kissed. That's it."

"FOR TWO DAYS STRAIGHT?!"

"Sorry, Mr. One-Million-Dollar Smile—not all of us are bedroom rockstars."

"Idiot."

"Moron."

"Die."

"Let's die together."

They spent the whole afternoon at Lucas's workshop, a small garage in Uster, a middle-class neighborhood mostly made up of betas, though other castes lived there too.Valentina helped organize boxes—jackets, helmets, tires… everything.

Lucas had been dreaming of this forever.And she wanted to see him shine.

After years of social pressure, the Caste Quota Law had been enacted, requiring companies to hire at least 20% beta employees.Supposedly, it was to "balance economic contribution across castes."But everyone knew respect can't be forced by law.

Valentina hesitated to reach out to her former vendors.She was afraid of being rejected—or charged more.She had always kept things professional, never getting too "friendly" with anyone, fearing prejudice.But this time, she took the risk.

She called Becerra—known as "Lucky" to his friends—a highly sought-after alpha photographer.To her surprise, he agreed happily.In exchange, he asked for a couple of helmets and accessories from the shop.

"Amiga," he said, like he always did.That one word made Valentina smile.

"Done. We're going to his studio on Saturday. So we need to get everything ready," she told Lucas.

That night, as she was getting ready for bed, she received an unexpected email.

From: Lorenzo GallottiSubject: Meeting Proposal

Hello Valentina,

How are you?

The reason I'm writing is to request a meeting.There are a few things I'd like to propose now that you're no longer at the agency.I'd prefer to discuss them in person.

If you feel uncomfortable, you can bring someone with you.

Date: Friday 23Place: Sablier – Rooftop Restaurant & BarTime: 8:00 p.m.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,Lorenzo Gallotti

Valentina froze.A meeting? Tomorrow?She'd just had a week worthy of a suspense film… and now this?

She called Lucas immediately.

"Come with me. Please."

"No way. I'm not going to some rich-people rooftop bar."

"Lucas… you owe me. For all the times you ditched me for one of your hookups."

She didn't want to go.She was walking toward the station when Lucas grabbed her by the arm to stop her.Her stomach churned, her legs shook, anxiety was overflowing.She knew Lucas would be by her side, but that didn't erase the fear of sitting down to talk with someone she'd only ever exchanged emails with—barely even spoken to—in nearly eight years at the agency.

The place was stunning.Hanging lights, modern art, wide open spaces, floral furniture—Everything screamed exclusivity.

She searched for Lorenzo, who'd said he'd be near the bar on the first floor.

Valentina wasn't unpleasant to look at.She stood 1.70 meters tall, with fair skin, dark brown eyes, and jet-black hair.She had hips, a narrow waist, and strong legs.She'd practiced martial arts since childhood—her father, a retired beta police officer, had raised her to defend herself.

"Valentina, over here," Lorenzo said, raising his hand.

He was a tall omega, over 1.80, with shoulder-length blonde hair and an androgynous face—always dressed fashionably.But he wasn't alone.There was another man with him, shorter, with whom he seemed to share more than just work.

That was frowned upon.Omega-omega relationships. Male beta couples.Anything that strayed from the script was condemned.

"I'll be direct," Lorenzo said." "I'm opening an agency with my partner. I want to work with you. You'd start freelance, but if this grows, we could team up."

Valentina couldn't believe it.Of all the things she'd imagined—this hadn't even made the Top 100.

But just as her heart began to beat with a bit of hope… they appeared.

Erick. Raffael. And two guests.

The restaurant fell silent.

Raffael walked up to their table without asking.

"Oh, Lorenzo… I didn't know you and Valentina were so close."

"Always the gentleman, Raffael," Lorenzo replied firmly." "I didn't know you and Erick frequented places so… public."

Erick just nodded in silence.Watching.

One of Raffael's guests wouldn't stop staring at Lucas.And Lucas?He winked.

"What's your name?" the man asked.

"You're cute. I don't think I've seen you before. Are you an alpha?"

"I'm a beta. Name's Lucas," he said without lowering his gaze.

"Shame. With that smile, I figured you were something more."

The man reached out to touch him.

Valentina placed her hand over his.

"Please don't make him uncomfortable. Thank you."

Silence.

Raffael stared at her with a mix of mockery and surprise—then returned to his table with Erick.

"Lorenzo… with all due respect, I can't stay in this place," she said.

"You're right. Do you know anywhere quieter?"

As they were leaving, Valentina felt a sharp slap on her butt. A man had just spanked her.

Hard. On purpose.

She turned around and slapped him across the face—without thinking.

The man stood up, furious.

But Lucas was faster.

He grabbed him by the neck and slammed him into a chair.

"Apologize. Or I'll break your neck."

The man—an alpha—released pheromones like a weapon.The air turned heavy. Disgusting.

"Pheromones?" Lucas smiled."I can smell your shit, but it doesn't work on me. I'm beta."

Valentina held Lucas back.Some customers had already fled because of the stench.Lorenzo and his partner had also moved away—visibly affected by the intensity and hate behind the pheromones.

But suddenly, the alpha stopped emitting them.

A new scent filled the room—intense sandalwood.They couldn't quite place it, but they knew: it was pheromones.Strong enough to be noticed.

The man pissed himself in fear.And Lucas took the opportunity to punch him.

Raffael stepped in from behind.

"You're welcome," he said, as if he'd done something.

"We didn't ask for your help," Valentina shot back.

"You're way too arrogant for a beta. You should know your place."

"That's enough," she said. "Thanks, but we can handle it ourselves."

"You weren't this rude back at the office."

"The office is one thing… this is another."

Erick never moved from his table.Not a gesture.Not a word.

But as Valentina crossed the exit door…she felt his gaze burning into her back.

Outside, Lorenzo and his partner were already waiting—recovered.

"What the hell was that? Did Erick say anything to you?"

"Nothing. He just kept eating like none of this mattered."

Valentina adjusted her coat.

"Maybe I won't go back to that office," she whispered.

Lucas looked at her—half proud, half worried.

"Does that scare you?"

"No," she said, taking a deep breath.

"I think what scares me… is that I'm finally not scared."

Life had just handed her an opportunity on a silver platter—and with it, anxiety served as the appetizer.

______________________________________________________________________________________

OMEGAS – "THE PRINCES"

Omegas are seen as the "jewel" of society, but they are also expected to meet certain behavioral standards.

Physical Traits: Often perceived as delicate, but they can be tall, imposing, and even stronger than some alphas.

Pheromones: They emit sweet scents, either voluntarily or during heat.Their eyes turn blue when releasing pheromones or while in heat.

Reproduction: Both male and female omegas can become pregnant.Male omegas can impregnate any gender, though with lower probability. Their fertility peaks during heat.Female omegas cannot impregnate anyone.

Menstruation:Like the other castes, omegas do not menstruate.If pregnancy doesn't occur, the body reabsorbs the uterine lining.There is no bleeding.

Heat Cycle: Occurs every 3 months and lasts 4 days.During that time, although they remain conscious, their body takes over.They feel an intense need for physical contact or release.It doesn't hurt, but if they don't relieve the heat—even through masturbation—they can get sick: fever, fatigue, irritability, or headaches are common.Some omegas learn to manage it, but many don't take it seriously, which overloads their system.

Psychology: Ambitious, strategic, and driven.They have a natural instinct to stand out, but can also become possessive when things don't go their way.

Bonding (Marking): An alpha can mark them, creating a bond they cannot break on their own.

Social Beliefs: There's a widespread belief in dominant and recessive omegas.Recessive omegas are said to have lower genetic purity.

Pheromones & Scent Points: Like alphas, they have six pheromone emission points: neck, chest, wrists, armpits, feet, and genitals.

Flexibility: Physically more flexible than alphas or betas.

Recessives: It's rumored that recessive omegas are mixed with betas, causing their biology to react differently than a "pure" omega.Some have weaker pheromones, milder heat cycles, or in rare cases, may be infertile.Though they often go unnoticed, those who don't respond strongly to alpha marks are sometimes labeled as "defective."