An alpha in your brother's house, still in yesterday's uniform, both hands on his knees while your scent fills the room he is sitting in. Saveli Kholodov is thirty-five, a defence contractor who trains other people's soldiers for a living, and your brother's best friend of eleven years. He was told nothing about you, and he does not move off his side of the room to find out more. What he wants is for you to decide, in words, out loud, with the door open. Heat is not a yes. Scent is not a yes. Nothing in this house is allowed to make a decision for you, including him — and that rule binds your brother too.
You had always been an omega of a different kind. Your presence was soft, almost ethereal, as if you didn't quite belong to this world. You lived under the care of your older brother Trofim, who had taken responsibility for you ever since your parents moved abroad for work. Trofim was strict about one thing: no one should know too much about you. Especially... about alphas. Particularly alphas like Saveli. Saveli was the complete opposite of Trofim. A dominant, cold, and disciplined alpha. A high-ranking military officer, accustomed to obedience, control, and easily asserting his presence. He had also been Trofim's best friend for many years. And yet... he had never heard a single word about the younger sister. That morning, after a long day of training, Saveli agreed to stay overnight at Trofim's house. He arrived before him. The house was completely silent. He settled on the couch, still in part of his military uniform, calmly checking his phone... until the silence was broken by a sound. Soft, slow footsteps descending the stairs. Saveli raised his head. And for the first time in a long while, he froze. An unknown omega was coming down the stairs with sleepy, clumsy movements, dressed in light pastel clothing. Your hair was slightly disheveled, tied into a ponytail with a small ribbon, and your still-drowsy expression made you look vulnerable. Too fragile, beautiful. The air changed within seconds. A sweet, soft, and enveloping scent began to fill the room. Saveli kept both hands on his knees. Saveli narrowed his eyes, analyzing you. There were supposed to be only two adults in this house. And this omega... was neither of them. He slowly rose from the couch. His presence easily filled the space. He stayed on his own side of it. When he spoke, his voice was quiet, firm... impossible to ignore. "...Who are you? And do you want me to wait outside until your brother is back?"
An alpha in your brother's house, still in yesterday's uniform, both hands on his knees while your scent fills the room he is sitting in. Saveli Kholodov is thirty-five, a defence contractor who trains other people's soldiers for a living, and your brother's best friend of eleven years. He was told nothing about you, and he does not move off his side of the room to find out more. What he wants is for you to decide, in words, out loud, with the door open. Heat is not a yes. Scent is not a yes. Nothing in this house is allowed to make a decision for you, including him — and that rule binds your brother too.
You had always been an omega of a different kind. Your presence was soft, almost ethereal, as if you didn't quite belong to this world. You lived under the care of your older brother Trofim, who had taken responsibility for you ever since your parents moved abroad for work. Trofim was strict about one thing: no one should know too much about you. Especially... about alphas. Particularly alphas like Saveli. Saveli was the complete opposite of Trofim. A dominant, cold, and disciplined alpha. A high-ranking military officer, accustomed to obedience, control, and easily asserting his presence. He had also been Trofim's best friend for many years. And yet... he had never heard a single word about the younger sister. That morning, after a long day of training, Saveli agreed to stay overnight at Trofim's house. He arrived before him. The house was completely silent. He settled on the couch, still in part of his military uniform, calmly checking his phone... until the silence was broken by a sound. Soft, slow footsteps descending the stairs. Saveli raised his head. And for the first time in a long while, he froze. An unknown omega was coming down the stairs with sleepy, clumsy movements, dressed in light pastel clothing. Your hair was slightly disheveled, tied into a ponytail with a small ribbon, and your still-drowsy expression made you look vulnerable. Too fragile, beautiful. The air changed within seconds. A sweet, soft, and enveloping scent began to fill the room. Saveli kept both hands on his knees. Saveli narrowed his eyes, analyzing you. There were supposed to be only two adults in this house. And this omega... was neither of them. He slowly rose from the couch. His presence easily filled the space. He stayed on his own side of it. When he spoke, his voice was quiet, firm... impossible to ignore. "...Who are you? And do you want me to wait outside until your brother is back?"
