James Novak was a bad Omega.
Of course this is not to be confused with being a bad person or anything, he just wasn't what his village, or even his wants an Omega to be. Omegas were small, soft and dainty. They were pampered by their Alpha and continued the family by bearing children and raising them properly.
However James was none of what he was meant to be. He was an only child, which would have been fine if they were well off enough that he didn't need to help on the farm. Because of all the work he did and his unflattering height, he was toned, tanned and his hands and feet were rough and mostly dirty.
Aside from his unseemly body, he never felt the natural urge to step back and allow Alpha's to take charge and would often get his foot stamped on my his mother, Naomi, for (accidently) back chatting or staring too long at Alphas in the village or from neighbouring ones.
He was a clumsy bumbling fool in comparison to the beautiful and elegant house Omegas that were his age.
James didn't find much interest in the topic of Mating and his future Alpha when other Omegas came to visit him, or on the rare occasion he was invited to lunch in town
His father was not young and they needed him where he was no-matter what his mother believed.
However it was cut, James wasn't good at being an Omega, and even worse, he never felt like he should be one. He felt disconnected from his secondary gender. He hated it, he wanted to be what his parents and everyone expected him to be, but that wasn't him at all.
James sat on his bed writing notes of proper etiquette on his arm, nearly as nervous as he was the day his mother informed him about his 'appointment' with the 'matchmaker'. James was an unmated Omega at 19 and this fact severely distressed his mother to no end.
She had left it up to James to find his own mate. Apparently though, going onto 20 unmated just could not happen, so he was being sent to Ms Abaddon an Alpha whose Mate had died 5 years ago.
She was terrifying and dedicated to putting Omega's in their 'proper place'. Of course he knew this was his proper duty, hopefully, if he Mated off well, he would pay for help for his family's farm
Charles, James' father walked past his room before walking back to stare at James with a resigned expression. "James" he called and the 19 year-old looked up blankly at him.
His father sighed and gestured to the clock "Jimmy, you are meant to be at your meeting already" he said with unhidden distress. James looked up to the clock and his eyes widened in horror.
His mother was definitely going to kill him for this.
He finished his notes and pulled down his sleeve, chuck looked at the sleeve and James shrugged and continued to move past his father with a "Bye" and fled out the door.
When James arrived in town he rode to where his mother was waiting for him. He got of the horse with a pant of "I'm here". He leaned over breathing heavily as Naomi looked over her son with 19 years worth of disappointment.
"James Novak how do you expect to be taken seriously when you can't even find a Mate, or turn up on time for your interview to get arranged." James looked down at his shoes not answering she gritted her teeth, pulling some twigs from his dark hair, fixing it so it was flat.
She and her sister, who unlike the Beta Naomi, was a Omega were the ones escorting him today. Anna looked over to Jamesand smiled encouragingly. HE managed a half smile before looking back down and following his mother as she rattled on.
"I'm sure Abaddon will be able to help you, you may be a tramp but even she can help you be worth something, maybe even get you a higher class Mate, now wouldn't that be nice?" She fantasized.
"Yes, mother" James replied even though she wasn't listening.
She continued to go one about how an Omega's worth only came from their Mate and how well they were able to breed and even his Aunt Anna glared at her , he found was one of those progressive Omegas. She even went into town without permission half the time. James had looked up to her for a long time, even if he did wish he could adhere to society.
When they got to Abbadon's home there was a small gathering of Omega's some were younger than him but he recognised a few people, his friend Hannah who was twitching nervously and another, Samandriel, James had had a crush on him before they had both presented.
They stood waiting until a small Omega came from the door smiling proudly as Abaddon commented that she knew her perfect Alpha and that she would arrange that Mateship. James frowned, and looked down as did all the others around him in respect to the elder Alpha.
"James Novak?" James looked up and called out his presence and the red headed woman glared down at him, "speaking out of turn, a terrible start already." James paled, he could feel his mother's disapproval radiating behind him "get in here Novak."
James looked behind him and followed the Alpha inside.
Once the door was closed she instantly started poking at him. "You're a little wide for an Omega" she sniped and felt his arms frowning at him as she did. James felt veryviolated right now but he kept silent with his head down. He must not mess this up.
"You are far too muscular, why would an Alpha was a thick Omega" She rubbed her temple." Only really delicate Omega's are able to properly produce Alpha pups" Abbadon told him and James struggled to keep his eyes down, respect her he chastised himself, think of father, do you want him hurt for the sake of pride? "Novak, tell me what is the proper way to address Alpha's other than your Mate?"
James swallowed and tried from memory "well, um, you don't speak unless you've been presented by your Alpha and" he pulled his sleeve slightly and continued from his notes "do not engage in physical contact unless it is a relative" Abaddon grabbed his arm and looked down at the notes.
She looked up sneering "you should have this down to instinct, Omega" he shook slightly looking up at her. He bent his head stepping away. Abaddon continued thankfully, and brought him over to where a pot of tea sat on a small warmer "Now serve the tea, a proper Omega would have no trouble and this would be a duty you will have when your Alpha has guests."
James nodded and poured the tea, still shaking from the fear of the Alpha. When he looked up there was ink on Abaddon's face, and a cricket had dropped from nowhere into the tea. Abaddon took the cup and moved to drink it.
James made a strangled sound "Um, sorry Ma'am but you don't-" She glared over at him and he cut himself off.
"Novak, you are an Omega, stay silent and respectful, no speaking unless spoken to" she snapped. He nodded placatingly but quickly grabbed the cup and her wrist, protesting. Then James Novak, the worst Omega, splashed hot tea in the Alpha's face. Steam rose from her reddening face and Abbadon roared at James. James felt his body instinctively lower itself and he bared his neck. Tears welled up in his eyes.
Abaddon launched herself up from the table and pulled him out by the ear, her makeup and the ink running down her face "you are a pathetic excuse for an Omega" she screeched and opened the door "Novak, you are never going to find a Mate" she snarled his his face "Not even the lowest of Alpha's would be able to put up with a defectedOmega." With her wise parting words she pushed him down the stairs announcing all other meetings would be postponed.
James laid on the ground, amongst his downtrodden pride and felt wetness streaming down his face and his eyes stung.
Anna came over to help him up but he really didn't have the strength to want to get up,the weight of a ton of bricks weighed him down. James had not been interested in having a Mate, only out of the necessity of looking after his family.
However there was a difference between being interested and being told that no one would ever want him. That he was defective. It was crushing, that along with the scent of his mother's disapproval and disappointment wafting over him.
Anna had walked with them back to the farm, talking softly to James about one days and maybes. His mother hadn't even spoken to him, not even looked in his direction, her rejection was crushing but not as bad as what he knew would come.