No one understood it. There was a certain expectation when a son was born an alpha. He would grow to be tall, strong…often aggressive. They were the perfect natural born leaders of the pack. Joseph Rogers, an alpha himself, had been so proud that his wife Sarah had borne him an alpha for a son. That was, until the child started having problems. Steven Grant Rogers was a thin, sickly boy. His medical bills crippled the family of three, who were already struggling to get by at the height of the Great Depression.

Joseph was ashamed, bitter. The distraught Irish immigrant turned to alcoholism and abuse after the debt and humiliation became too much to bear. Who could ever expect a color blind, 90-pound asthmatic to take charge of a family one day? To do something great with his life? As far as Joseph was concerned, Steve was a pure waste of air.

When Joseph fell in combat in World War I, Steve had to step up as alpha male of the family early…a burden he couldn't withstand on his own as his mother—a nurse—came down with Tuberculosis. Thankfully, Steve's best friend Bucky, who was a beta (though compared to Steve he certainly didn't look it), took charge of the family's estate while Steve took care of Sarah.

"You would have been such a good omega." Everyone said that. Steve had been bullied and beaten his entire life, if not by his father then by his peers. He couldn't count how many times fellow alphas and even betas had taunted and battered him bloody. He was too sick and small to fight back, though he never did lose his spirits. Steve never backed off a fight, never ran. He was an alpha full of honor…full of kindness, and a certain justness. He just seemed to be trapped in an omega body…a curse that perhaps allowed him the compassion that so many other alphas lacked.

After his mother died and he moved in with Bucky the country was plunged into the heart of World War II. Steve volunteered for Project Rebirth, becoming the world's first and only super-soldier. He thought after that his luck would turn completely around—he was tall, muscular, able-bodied; he'd find the right partner. No one told him that partner would be a beta named Peggy Carter.

Betas were lucky bastards. They could only mate with each other and didn't experience heat cycles or imprinting. They were free to do whatever they wanted, unlike alpha and omegas. They got to be normal. Steve and Peggy fell in love hard, loving one another the way they'd loved nothing else before in the world.

Only problem was, every alpha had an omega soulmate somewhere out there…and a beta could never take that place. Steve didn't care; he'd suffer all the unsatisfied heat cycles in the world to be with Peggy…until he had to put the plane in the water. There was no other way; to keep the woman he loved safe he had to let her and everything he'd ever known go down in that ice with him. Ice that would encase the soldier for 70 whole years.

Peggy moved on with her life, met a nice beta and had pups of her own. She'd been successful, happy. That was all Steve could have hoped to find when he woke up that crisp morning in 2011…but she'd left him alone, partner-less as she lay frail and dying of old age in a hospital somewhere. The Avengers gave the captain something to live for, but my god…living without an omega was beginning to drive the soldier mad. He was a 95-year-old alpha virgin…how the hell did that even happen?

You on the other hand…you were another story altogether. You were an omega born to two beta parents with three all-beta siblings. You were the genetic abnormality, the odd one out. Lucy and Lily were your perfect beta sisters, twins. Most beta's had singleton births, where alpha/omega couples had high chances of multiples, so your parents had always favored the twins over you and your brother. Your brother's name was Wren, and while he was a beta like the rest of the family you were much closer to him than anyone else. He was closer to your age, only three years your senior, whereas Lily and Lucy were seven years older and had always done their own thing.

It was Wren you were out walking with that day. You had gone into heat earlier that morning and "ruined" Lily and Lucy's 26th birthday party when Lucy's alpha fiancé tried to force himself on you. Let's just say…you were pretty much disowned for sabotaging your sister's marriage, as if you'd chosen to be an omega or to be sexually assaulted. You were crying, nuzzling into your older brother's chest as he walked with a protective arm around you.

"I think it's time I got you out of here. You can come live with me and Ivy for a while." He said softly, drying your tears gently with the back of his hand. Ivy was Wren's long-time girlfriend, whom you liked well enough but didn't particularly want to live with. You shook your head.

"No thanks, Wren. I think I'm gonna see if I can crash at [Your best friend's name]'s for a while." Wren raised an eyebrow incredulously.

"Isn't she married, pregnant, and has a new step-kid? Sounds like she has her hands full already, Sis." You sigh, knowing how true it was. Your best friend was newly married to Scott Lang, AKA the Ant-Man. You couldn't describe in words how incredibly jealous you were.

"Yeah but there's gonna be a party at Avengers Tower and she and Scott invited me. Would you turn down an opportunity to meet Earth's Mightiest Heroes? Surely they won't mind if I sleep in their basement for a few days afterward, while I try to get my life together. I'd help out with Cassie." Wren hummed in resignation, kissing your temple as he pulled out his phone.

"Fine, call her now and wait here for me. I'll go back inside and pack you a bag…I know you don't wanna face mom and dad." You nod gratefully and dial [Your best friend's name]'s number, praying she's not too busy to pick you up.

"Hello?"

"Hi, how are you?" You breathe nervously into the receiver.

"I'm great, getting ready for the party, twins sitting on my bladder." She laughed. It was a sweet, chime of a laugh, it calmed you. Scott and [Your best friend's name] were both betas, having twins, Eli and Grace. You sincerely hoped they'd be closer to Cassie (an omega) than you were to your twin siblings. You took a deep breath and spilled your guts to your bestie, tears filling your eyes again as you relive every terrible moment.

"I don't understand what Lucy thought she was doing, marrying an alpha. Everyone knows they lose their minds when they catch our scents. He'd have cheated in a heart-beat, or worse, hurt someone else the way he tried to hurt me." You ranted, your blood boiling as you tried to keep a level head. [Your best friend's name] was nine months pregnant, you didn't want to upset her too deeply.

"Get your things. Scott and I will be there in 5." It was about that time that Wren walked out with a packed suitcase.

"I promise, I packed all I could, including that pretty pink number Grandpa gave you for your birthday. You should wear it to the party it looks lovely on you." You squeezed Wren as tightly as you could and he wished you luck as Scott pulled up in his van and got out to open your door. He looked dashing, dressed in a crisp all-black suit.

"Thanks for picking me up, Scotty." You say affectionately as you climbed into the backseat. You'd always liked Scott, he treated your best friend the way she deserved to be treated.

"No problem, we're just gonna drop Cassie off at her mom's for the night and while I'm inside [Your best friend's name] is gonna help you change." Great…you must be pressed for time. It was okay though, you'd been in a few school plays before, you knew how to quick change.

Scott and [your best friend's name] gave Cassie big kisses before Scott hopped out of the car with her securely in his arms and disappeared inside his ex's house. [Your best friend's name] got out of the car, unzipping your suitcase quickly. You were in awe…she looked so beautiful. Her curls cascaded gently down to her hips and she was wearing a gorgeous floor length black gown that hung tightly from her shoulders, her swollen belly nestled perfectly in the flowing fabric.

"Okay hurry, pink dress, white heels, let's go!" You didn't need to be told twice, stripping yourself of the clothing you'd worn to the birthday party and slipping into a pink cocktail dress decorated in small, white crystals. Once back in the car you pulled your hair into an up-do with a few curls framing your face, waiting patiently for Scott to return to the vehicle.

It was about a 30-minute drive from Brooklyn to Avengers Tower in Midtown, so by the time the car rolled to a stop you were incredibly anxious. Scott was the only member of the team you'd ever met…but he wasn't who you really wanted to fawn over. Your heart thumped erratically in your chest; you were about to meet your hero…Tony Stark!

Scott had your best friend by the hand and you grabbed on to her other one in an attempt to contain your excitement, practically tugging the couple into the building as your hunt for Iron Man began.

Tony, Tony, Tony…shit! You looked across the room, locked eyes with those gorgeous chocolate pools and…it hit you. He stunk. Tony Stark was an alpha alright, but not your alpha. How disappointing. You puffed your bottom lip out in a pout, your best friend laughing at you and rolling her eyes as she walking off to dance with her husband. Bummer.

You sulked off toward the bathroom, thinking your night was already ruined, when suddenly you were slammed by the most intoxicating scent in all the world. Stark might not have been your alpha…but yours was 100% in that room with you.

Apple…vanilla…lavender. You had to stifle a moan at the sweet smell as you snapped your head toward the direction of the fragrance.

Captain Rogers was walking around in circles trying to find that scent. It was heavenly…rose, ginger, and a hint of citrus. Bucky had a huge grin on his face, wrapping an arm around the soldier's shoulder.

"Someone has caught a whiff of their omega." Steve's heart leapt into his throat. His omega? Surely not…he missed that chance 75 years ago didn't he? The captain shook his head, opening his mouth to retort when he accidentally bumped right into you, spilling your martini on your dress.

"Oh, shit, I'm so sorry, miss—" He reached for you with a napkin, his blood running cold as your skin collided. That heat…that smell…

You thought you might faint. He smelled…not only was that mating scent coming from Captain America, but he could smell your heat you could see it in his eyes…and he was fighting it. That caught you off guard, you'd never met an alpha so gentlemanly in all your life. Steve was blushing, trying not to stare, apology after apology falling out of those sweet pink lips.

You wanted to kiss those lips…bite them…mark them. Steve didn't know what to do. He smelled both your heat and your natural mate scent…he knew you were the one meant to belong to him. But he couldn't just…claim you could he? What kind of person did that? He wanted to get to know you, date you.

"Ma'am…you look lovely, I'm so sorry I ruined your dress." His boyish smile disarmed you completely, nothing like you'd seen on TV. You turned redder than Agent Romanoff's hair.

"Oh no sir…I…I'm glad to have bumped into you." Your eyes raked down his body, admiring his pressed black waistcoat and slacks and his beautiful ocean blue eyes.

"So do you…"

"Fondue?" Bucky interjected, Steve's eyes widening as he stepped hard on the other soldier's foot, who doubled over laughing.

"Uh no, I was gonna ask the lady to dance." You laugh at his bashfulness and extend your hand to him, the touch of his skin against yours shooting straight to your bits. You cursed your heat, trying to ignore it as Steve pulled you against his chest and began to sway to the music.

Steve was fighting an erection, trying his hardest not to breathe you in as he began to ask you questions about yourself.

"Might I know the name of the woman I seemed destined to spill martini on?" He asked quietly, a small smile gracing your features; your heart fluttering at his words.

"My name is [your name]. You are Captain Rogers; I presume? I've heard a lot about you." Steve chuckled.

"Good things I hope."

"Wonderful things." You whisper dreamily against his chest, his hands tightening instinctively around your waist. He asked you about your family, your job, your dreams…and for a while you almost forgot the rest of the world existed. It was as if Steven Rogers was the only man that existed, the only important person in your whole universe.

As the song came to an end Rogers dipped you back, making the mistake of pressing an affectionate kiss to the crook of your neck. Your body went crazy, nerve endings on fire, pupils dilating…you couldn't stop the moan that escaped your lips…which went straight to Steve's crotch. You could feel his erection pressed against you and he groaned in embarrassment.

"I'm so—"

"Don't apologize." You cut him off, taking him by the hand and pulling him into the bathroom. You bolted the door and pushed the avenger against the wall, your fingers threading in his neat, blonde hair as you both attacked each other's lips.

"I-I'm sorry, I wish I could control it." You whimpered against his lips, realizing you had literally just met this man.

"I know, I know. Heat is a powerful thing…especially around one's mate. But we should stop…"

"Yeah, we should." You agree, letting him go and attempting to walk away. You to turn to leave but you feel glued to the floor, your body rigid as you hear the captain whisper "screw it" and turn you around in his arms, your legs wrapping instinctively around his waist.

His lips melted against your own, fitting like a puzzle piece. You'd never felt so drunk in all your life, your senses going haywire as you ground your hips into him. Steve growled. The sound was possessive, arousing. You needed him inside you that second.

"Please." You whispered into his ear, his eyes rolling to the back of his head as he used his massive hands to rip your dress straight off of you. You were impressed, slipping your tongue in the soldier's mouth as you feebly fumbled with the buttons on his waistcoat. Steve decided to help you out, ripping his own shirt and vest down the middle and kicking off his slacks while you quickly ridded yourself of your bra and underwear.

Steve couldn't keep his eyes off you, bowing your head in embarrassment as you felt his gaze on your most private areas. He shook his head and tilted your chin up to look at him.

"Don't…you're so beautiful." You crushed your lips back against his own, pushing his boxers down quickly to expose his bulging manhood. You'd never seen one before, you blush deeply.

"Are you sure you want this? I can try to stop…one more time. If we do this…I could…potentially…" You bit your lip hard.

"Knot me?" Steve nodded. Both your eyes were lidded, lust blown. You didn't know if you could fight it.

"What do we do?" You pant, fighting every urge to hop right on his dick. Steve took a deep breath, his body practically convulsing with need as he reached to caress your cheek. You could tell he needed it as much as you did.

"It's a risk…mating with me. If we mate you're stuck with a guy who's constantly out…avenging. You and any potential pups deserve better." You knew this admission was supposed to discourage you, but it only made you realize how selfless the captain really was. He was everything you'd ever dreamed of.

"I don't care. Any girl would be lucky to have someone that noble, or this sweet." The words were hardly out of your mouth before he planted a hard, passionate kiss on you. His eyes begged for permission, your fingers lacing together with his own reassuringly. You knew it was impulsive, but your body couldn't take it anymore and scents didn't lie…Steve was your mate.

"Do it." Steve kissed you once more, this time sweetly, chastely. A romantic distraction as he slid his rigid member inside of you. You cried out into his mouth, pained pleasure shooting through you as he stilled, waiting for the okay. You nod at him instantly, your heat begging to be satisfied. His cock was warm inside of you, the friction scorching your walls deliciously as he rolled his hips into you. You'd never felt anything like his touch, his scent becoming stronger with each thrust.

"Steve!" You moan, feeling an intense urge to bite into the soldier's skin. You scratch down his back instead, nearly coming undone as you feel him react, sinking his teeth into your shoulder and marking you hard. You expected pain that never came, a flood of pleasure shooting through you so intensely you orgasmed on the spot.

As you clamped our walls around Steve's dick he choked back a guttural scream, clearly trying to hold it together as his knot began to swell in you. You couldn't take it anymore, biting into his forearm as he sucked delicately on your neck. That seemed to push him over the edge, blowing his load deep down inside you, his knot becoming huge, rock hard.

You attack his lips, so many emotions washing over your body as he mates you. Everything you're feeling and everything he's feeling suddenly merge to become one, your heat lessening significantly. His tongue tolls lazily, lovingly in your mouth as he threads his fingers through your hair. When you pull away you nuzzle softly into his neck.

"My alpha." Steve couldn't help but grin at your soft admission, an endearing expression filling his features.

"I was starting to believe I didn't have an omega. I'd have never believed you were waiting for me 7 and a half decades into the future." You weren't sure what to say to that, but you figured you had to say something…that knot wouldn't go anywhere until Steve's sperm had worked its magic. The thought frightened you, but made you excited at the same time.

"I just can't believe our whole lives changed in one moment." Steve laughed gently.

"I don't think it's supposed to happen like this…but heat is a very special thing. My mom used to tell me that the moment it became right to settle down, I'd know it. She was right." You sigh dreamily and nod.

"That's romantic. I just always thought I'd know my mate before I had his pups." Steve took your hand at that, kissing each fingertip delicately.

"I know you're scared, but I promise I'll do right by you. You're my mate. I'm gonna take care of you the way you deserve, and if for whatever reason you decide I'm not worth it I'll go. I'll suffer that as best I can and pray it doesn't affect you or our children. I'll do anything as long as you let me see our pups, that's all I'd ask in return." You knew damn well being away from a mate for long was damn near impossible, but the fact that he even thought to sacrifice that for you touched your heart. You knew you'd landed one of the sweetest alpha's out there, you were gonna be okay. I mean hell…he was Captain America. What the hell had you done to garner such great karma? Whatever it was you were more than thankful.

You press your lips to his arm where you bit him softly. You'd just marked an Avenger…wow.

I think I'm the one with great karma, [your name]. You jump, realizing you'd just heard Steve respond to something you hadn't said aloud…in your head. His lips never moved, just smiled that lopsided smile you were already learning to love.

They always told me mated couples could do this…weird isn't it? He continued, seeming to study you as you sorted out your feelings. It was difficult now to distinguish your own from Steve's…something you were certain you'd have to learn. You were about to respond when there was a knock on the door.

"[Your name]? Are you in here?" Shit! It was [your best friend's name].

Quick, do you think your knot is soft enough now to slip out of me?

Let me try.

"[Your name]!"

"U-Uh yes, I'm in here! Sorry to worry you, stomach problems. I'll be out soon." You lie frantically, feeling Steve very carefully pull out, his knot having decreased in size to almost normal now.

"Honey you've been in there for 45 minutes. Do we need to take you home?" Her voice was laced with worry and you cursed under your breath, feeling guilty. Steve could feel it too, you knew he could, his grip on you tightening supportively.

I'll be honest with her. Besides, I want you to come with me tonight…if you don't mind. Excitement coursed through you instantly, eliciting a chuckle from your new mate.

I'd say you aren't objecting then? You didn't respond but you didn't have to, Steve knew. It was almost comforting to know that from now on you'd always have that understanding with another person. You didn't imagine you could fight much with a person you knew inside and out like this. It was a beautiful thing.

"Excuse us, ma'am. We didn't mean to alarm you; we were just finishing up." There was a dead silence behind the bathroom door and you knew. [Your best friend's name] was gonna kill you. You and Steve both scrambled for your clothes, though there wasn't much of yours you could piece back together. After you had your undergarments back on Steve gingerly helped you into his shirt, which was three times too big. You had to hold it closed from where the buttons were missing, but it would have to do. Steve slid inside his boxers and jeans, unlocking and opening the door carefully.

[Your best friend's name] was standing a few feet from the entrance, her eyes wide and her mouth hanging slightly ajar. She could smell the difference in our scents immediately, she knew Steve had happily claimed me as his mate.

"You…you and CAPTAIN ROGERS?" She yelled, causing you to flinch and rub the back of your neck nervously.

"Could you announce that any louder? I don't think the whole room quite heard you." You didn't mean to snark at her, but honestly you didn't know what else to say. Steve was turning red, his eyes glued to the floor, though he couldn't hide the beautiful smirk painted all over his face.

"[your name] you don't even know him…you…you…" She trailed off, her expression twisting into a look of pain. You reached out to lay a hand on her shoulder in concern, your eyebrows furrowing as your friend let out a small whimper.

"Ow…I'm fine I just…" You use your free hand to softly cup her bump, rubbing it in soothing circles as you forced [your best friend's name] to look at you.

"You don't look fine…is it the twins?" Steve shot off to go fetch Scott as you felt a large gush of water hit your feet.

"Uh…did you just—" Your best friend took a deep breath and looked up at you apologetically.

"Yeah my water just broke."