Part 3b

Stiles' knew that the Beta beautician clutching his arms in her claw-like hands would leave bruises on his delicate white skin; it was not so good to be an already marked Omega meeting a potential Alpha mate. Still, Stiles' Omega disposition meant that he let himself be herded where the three Beta fashion professionals made him. He really did want to look the best that he could to attract a mate.

The Omega was led into a chamber off the main shop's exhibit area that contained an ornate, full and bubbling unscented bath to clean his skin of any artificial smells and leave only his natural scent behind to entice a mate through pheromone chemistry and to expose his fertile hormones that every would exude in the presence of an unmated Alpha.

"Melissa, what's supposed to happen today?" Stiles asked tentatively as no one had told him what to expect, probably as not to aggravate his 'fragile Omega nerves'. He sat opposite his mother as the Betas pottered around them, preparing all they would need to ready him for the ceremony.

"Well, as your father and l have never attended a matchmaking ceremony, l can only tell you what the Matchmaker's assistant told us when we signed you up for this year's mating candidates." Melissa explained as she tried to remember all that she was told in an effort to prepare her son for the coming evening as best she could. "First you'll be interviewed by the Matchmaker herself, and she'll ask you questions to best match you with someone. When all the Omegas have completed their interviews, there's a huge bonfire for them and their family so that the Omega's can make friends with other Omega's their own age in the city; this celebration lasts all night." The Beta took a breath as she drew her son to lean against her side so that he could breathe in her comforting familial scent as she detailed his immediate future. "The next morning the Alphas that were chosen to bond arrive to take their Omegas to where they've prepared their Den, to their home or to one of the Denning establishments, and consummate the bonding contract and finalise the mating." Thanking his mother for her willingness to answer his questions, as Stiles knew a lot of mothers didn't and would rather their progeny pure from knowing their fate, the Omega remained silent to ponder this information as the Beta women urged him to enter the bath.

Gently taking off his omega-fashion clothing that consisted of a loose shirt and pants with a tight belt to cinch the waist, the young man slowly climbed into the scolding bath water and prepared himself to be scrubbed, rubbed down, dressed up and represented like the China dolls from antiquity. Though modern Omegas had advanced fairly far in fashion and freedom to wear mostly what they wanted, the Omega's style of clothing had always incorporated three things; an enunciated waist to show-off birthing hips, modest coverings to protect against other Alphas and their wandering hands, and gentle colours to reflect their gentle and caring nature. This was always the method for Omegas to find an Alpha, to be presented at their most physically desirable rather than through actual intellectual conversation. Stiles had always reserved himself for a life of silence, if he ever got a mate considering he was the lankiest and plain looking Omega in the city.

"You're not the worst Omega l have seen in all of my years of transforming pups like you, but we'll turn you into the most enviable Omega out there." The first Beta tried to calm him as she grabbed an exfoliating sponge to remove any dirt or undesirable scent from his otherwise pale and unblemished skin. "Trust me, l know what l'm doing and l'll try my best to make sure that you get the man you deserve."

Melissa looked on as was required for propriety, as an Omega should never be left alone with anyone that wasn't immediate family, and thought about Stiles' future and the trials ahead for the young man. Her son always knew how to get into trouble, was always ready for an adventure and to make new friends; this could all be taken away from him tomorrow when he would be introduced to his new mate. She only hoped that her mate's status and respectability meant that the chosen Alpha would treat Stiles correctly in fear of retaliation from his father. Even the laws that had changed drastically to stop the barbaric treatment of mated Omegas, Melissa knew that there was still a great deal more that needed to change to ensure them a completely full and happy life.

"Don't worry honey, when we're through with you any Alpha will gladly fight a challenger for your honour." The second Beta women was a more provocative looking middle-aged lady, as some Beta's chose to be to compete with the Omega's in desirability since a Beta's progeny were almost never Alphas, and Stiles' was physically repulsed by the amount of artificial Omega scent she had coated her clothes with. A desperate Alpha might have been fooled by the smell, but Omega's knew each other instinctually in order to group together in times of crisis, and Stiles' was almost insulted by this woman's attempts to be more like him.

"But remember dearie, all that we do here to change your outside, it's what you do inside that also matters to a respectable Alpha. You need to be silent, comforting, intuitive to your Alphas needs, but above all you need to be fertile." The third, and most kind looking, Beta advised him as she worked behind a screen presumably arranging his outfit to put on him when he got out of the bath. Stiles knew that the ladies' words were right but he could never imagine ever living up to those expectations. How was one meant to will or teach themselves to be fertile, that's not something that he had control over.

Walking over to comfort the obviously distressed Omega, Melissa tried to comfort him the best she could by appealing to his obedient and wanting-to-please nature. "As an Omega it is your natural ability to bear Alphas to protect Beacon Hills, and Omegas to breed more Alphas."

Feeling that his body knew what it was made to do, Stiles calmed and was ready to leave the comforting temperature of the bath to get ready for the challenge that lay ahead in finding a suitable mate. Before he left though, he made sure that his Omega braid was clean and neat, as it was only himself and his mate that was allowed to touch the lock of hair; it was the Alpha's prerogative that the Omega did not cut the hair at mating to signify their years together, but was cut only in events of miscarriage or the Alpha dying.

The three Betas took their time in arranging the layers of clothing perfectly, for an Omega always had to be dressed perfectly, making sure that his waist was cinched to accentuate his birthing hips and that the back of his neck was exposed to entice an Alpha's mating bite.

"No Alpha in their right mind could say no to your mating contract." Said the excited second Beta as she stealthily adjusted the back of his collar to show more of his delicate throat, which was highlighted even more by the white makeup that she been applied there.

"Not yet!" Melissa exclaimed as she rummaged through the bag that contained some precious mating heirlooms that had been given to Omegas in her and her husband's family for generations. "I brought with me some different gifts for you to take with you from your ancestors to bring you luck."

"I only wish to moderately improve our family tree, mother." Stiles said as he hugged his mother tightly trying to convey his thanks in ways that words couldn't suffice.

Stiles couldn't believe that she and his father would be willing to part with these valuable on the off chance that he scored a mate at the matchmaking interview today. He knew that they really believed in his potential for success in furthering the family tree.

Looking through the different items, Stiles wanted to choose particular items that had some sort of meaning or connection for himself and his parents, for he knew each item stood for a particular Omega virtue or mating blessing. The particular item or items that he chose could affect his mating bond and be then passed to any Omega pupped that he birthed. Not wanting to choose any items with colours that would clash with the purple of his fertility belt or the Alpha red of his outer coat that had floor length bell sleeves, Stiles carefully considered his options.

Included in the pile of priceless objects, and the first object that he chose, was an Omega's mating circlet which he knew once belonged to his great grandmother on his father's side; though he could buy a new one of his liking if he wanted to, this particular crown was important to Stiles as his great grandmother had chosen a female Alpha, a rarity these days, and only adopt orphaned pups to raise as their own. The next item that the male chose was a slightly frayed purple ribbon embroidered with silver thread that would be tucked beneath the plain purple fabric that restrained his waist and would be revealed only when he met his mate the following day. Adorned on the shiny ribbon where scenes of two wolves frolicking in silver woods that progressed along the length with the phases of the moon. The last item that Stiles chose was a delicate looking pendant that had thin silver wire shaped in a triskele and centred with a pale blue gem, which was rumoured to aid an Omega's fertility and to ensure long and enjoyable breeding sessions.

Showing his selections to his mother, Stiles bowed his head as Melissa with the other Beta's assistance, adjusted the crown under his curls, being careful to avoid his braid. The pendant Stiles carefully stuck down the centre of his waist cloth to rest against his stomach, a sign for desired fertility. Wearing the crown out of the shop with the pendant and ribbon tucked away into his waist band for his future mate to discover, Stiles knew that he was ready to meet his destiny.

Stiles walked along the small and narrow back streets of Beacon Hill until he reached Main Road. Already there was a crowd lining the sidewalk as Omegas walked in a single file in the middle of the road towards the area that contained the official buildings of the territory. This included mainly the Main Bank, Omega Clinic and Welfare, Omega Registration Office and of course the offices of the Matchmaker and her assistances. The Omega quickly said goodbye to his mother and joined the procession of dolled Omegas.

As the party walked along the streets to the offices of the Matchmaker, Stiles muttered silent prayers under his breathe to his guardians for protection, guidance and prosperity. "Keep my father standing tall."

Unknown to Stiles, his mother and father were sending similar prayers to their ancestors for the success of their only son. "Please watch over Stiles, for he is as good as any Omega. Please make him ready to face his future."

Part 4

Finally arriving at the Matchmaker's, the group of gathered Omega's sorted themselves into precise rows and, using the ground mats provided, assumed the traditional pose of a formal meeting between an Omega and someone of higher rank; sitting on their knees with their legs to their left and their hands carefully folded in front of their knees. This posture of being bent over and stretched over the legs was at first hard to maintain but having learnt the position from a very young age, most Omegas could successfully hold the position for very long hours without being sore. This position left the Omega's neck bare, their eyes down and their folded hands empty of any secrets. Except for when pregnant, most strangers would first encounter an Omega in this situation.

The Matchmaker appeared from the ornate front doors onto the balcony and observed the gathered Omegas before her. Cora Hale personally knew Sheriff Stilinski and immediately spotted the Omega that looked remarkably like his father. Not knowing if an Omega resembling and Alpha bode well for Stiles, she decided to get on with the next part of the ceremony. "Good Hale to you, Omegas of Beacon Hills. I welcome you to your future and hope you send your pups to me too. First, Adrian Goldberg."

Stiles watched as a gaudy looking Omega stood gracelessly and walked slowly up towards the young Alpha Matchmaker. All the Omegas here knew that this was Cora Hale's, daughter of Her Supreme Alpha Lydia Martin's favourite General Talia Hale, first year as appointed Matchmaker and had learnt how to please her so that she would give them a favoured match. In previous years, this technique of knowing the Matchmaker's specific like to make a chosen match had been used, but it was not uncommon for some Matchmakers to accept bribes and favours for agreeing to pair an Omega with the family's chosen Alpha. Beacon Hills had not yet known or tried this technique with the notoriously headstrong and respected Beta.

As the young Omega waited, he looked around and studied his rivals to ascertain their likelihood of taking away his chances of a good Alpha. Most of the Omega's present for mating were dressed similarly and didn't stand out from the crown much, but there was definitely some hard competition. Not allowed to delve too far into his criticism of his competitors, and realising he had zoned out for quite some time, Stiles was called by one of the Matchmaker's pretty Omega assistance to follow her to his long awaited meeting.

Rising gracefully because he knew he was being judged and assessed by not only the assistant but also the crowd and other gathered Omega, Stiles made sure that his sweeping sleeves were not under his feet and glided up the sweeping staircase and entered the Matchmaker's office for the first, and hopefully, last time.

"Good Hale, Omega Stilinski." Matchmaker Hale greeted from her Indian-style seated position on the other side of the low table that was situated in the centre of the otherwise bare room.

"Good Hale, Alpha Matchmaker Hale." Stiles recited perfectly calm, keeping his face blank and not allowing his nervousness to show except in the trembling of his hands that were thankfully hidden from sight in his long sleeves.

Waiting for permission from the Alpha to sit on the plush Omega cushion in front of him, the Omega kept his eye line on Cora's face but diverting from looking directly into her eye's, because that could be considered a challenge. Finally the Alpha roughly gestured her hand at the seat after studying the patiently waiting Omega in front of her. Sitting demurely in the previous position that he had held outside, Stiles again waited for the other person to talk before he righted his back and relaxed minutely.

"Here l have the basic details. Age, lineage, weight, height, behaviour analysis and student marks from the Omega School of Propriety. What l don't have are your preferences in an Alpha. The Alphas have given me their wants in an Omega, so now l want yours." Cora Hale listed as she roughly but not aggressively addressed the Omega with respect. Though she was new at her job, no one could fault her for doing it wrong or misguidedly.

Stiles tentatively opened his mouth to answer the Alpha but not wanting to be tricked into speaking without permission, he quickly raised his covered hand and disguised his opened mouth as a cough by modestly covering his mouth as he was taught.

"You may speak." Matchmaker Hale said to her guest.

"I suppose caring, able to provide and honourable, Alpha." Stiles immediately said having recited the answer to this question a million times.

Nodding her head, Cora Hale was slightly disappointment in the answer that she had heard from every other Omega she had interviewed. She had at least thought that the son of the Sheriff of Beacon Hills would have been different."

"And a conversationalist. I don't want myself or my children to be ignored and kept only for show." Alpha Hale was surprised that Stiles had continued, even more surprised in his daring answer for traditional and proper Alpha's were not known for this particular attribute.

"I'll see what l can do." Dismissing the Omega, Alpha Cora Hale knew that he had a lot of work to do to suit this unusual Omega with astonishing Pure Omega potential.

Chapter notes:

What a Pure Omega? Who will Stiles be chosen to mate with? Find out next time! If you want a faster update, you have to comment encouragement.

The embroidered ribbon is a Native American tradition that I've adapted to embroidered cloth because l wanted to have the scene of wolves on it. Native American ones normally are made out of material and include block patterns, not intricate detail like l'm imagining.

The crown is similar to the look of Indian brides where they wear dangly jewellery in their hair, but this one is tamer colours (just silver) and is focused around the forehead and ears, rather than from the forehead and hanging atop the eyes. Imagine something delicate that an elf from 'The Lord of the Rings' would wear. I was also toying with the idea that Omegas had the pointed ears too but went with the braid instead.