That night, Alex curled up in the corner of her bed, trying to sort out the whirlwind of emotions. Undoubtably the alphas were out celebrating their good luck. Crowley had probably secured some percent of the money, 'Lucifer is probably just glad to be rid of me," Alex thought bitterly. And Gabriel - Alex wasn't sure how he was probably feeling. She wanted to feel that someone was sympathizing with her, but she knew it unlikely. She unsuccessfully tried to hold back tears.

...

Her night was plagued with nightmares. Sometime early in the morning she gave up sleeping, and ended up sitting against the wall, wrapped in her thin blankets.

...

The next morning, Peter was there knocking at her door. He walked in, unsurprised by the blanket-cocooned beta.

"What do you want?" Alex growled, looking up at him through half-opened eyes.

The man clicked his tongue disapprovingly. "Is that how you talk to an alpha?" he asked, voice losing some of the friendliness it had held the day before.

"You're not my alpha," Alex hissed, pulling the blankets tighter around her.

"You don't have an alpha. And most likely you never will."

Alex buried her head in her knees, blocking him out.

"Does it hurt that your alpha doesn't want you?"

Alex choked out a 'yes.'

"Why does it hurt?"

Alex didn't know why she answered. "I need him," she whispered.

"Why do you need him?"

"I need him," Alex repeated.

The betaologist tried again. "How do you need him?"

Alex kept her head buried. "I need him to claim me," she whimpered. "He doesn't want me." She finally raised her head. "What am I doing wrong? Why doesn't he want me?" Peter began to respond, but Alex cut him off. "He gave me away! For what? Money?" A tear slipped down her cheek. "He said if I was a beta he wouldn't get rid of me. He promised!" Her voice cracked, and she returned her head to her knees.

Peter just sighed. "Dr. Milligan said we're moving you to a new building. It's an observation lab connected to the beta museum. Which is perfect." He walked over to her. "You're going to be something of a celebrity. And you'll be closer to the Novak Breeding Farm. I expect that place will become pretty popular as well -"

Alex cut him off by throwing off her blankets. "Let's just go," she growled. She let him lead.

...

She was put into the back of an armored truck. It sped off, sending Alex stumbling against the doors. She angrily kicked at the metal walls, emotions bubbling through her. She slumped against the wall, refusing to cry. She wanted to, but she wouldn't. Not now.

...

They arrived at the new building two hours later. She caught a quick glance of the glistening steel walls as she was unloaded and hurriedly led through a back door. She was led down several hallways by two unfamiliar alphas. They stopped by a set of double doors. Alex looked around, unsure of what was to happen next.

"Ah. Alex." Dr. Milligan approached, and the two other alphas stepped back. Alex hesitated, unsure, but when Dr. Milligan motioned her forward, Alex simply obeyed.

Dr. Milligan gave her a simplified tour, showing off the multiple labs and offices. Then he led her down a hall and into a large room. "This is your new house."

Alex raised an eyebrow. The 'house' was essentially a large box in the middle of the room; the outer walls were glass, letting whoever was inside see out into the large room - and letting the outsiders see in. Dr. Milligan led her over, unlocking the front door. It appeared to consist of four main rooms; to her right was was a bedroom; counterclockwise from there, a living room, a dining room, and - to Alex's surprise - another bedroom, this one obviously meant for a young child.

The doctor, seeing her confusion as she entered the second bedroom, explained, "This way you'll be able to care for your child without having to move to a new place."

Alex just snorted. In the center of the four rooms was a smaller one. Alex opened the door and looked inside. It was an enclosed bathroom. "At least I'll have some privacy," she muttered.

Dr. Milligan laughed. "There are shutters that can be lowered for privacy during the night and for other sessions. And if you need any of us, there is a phone in the dining room with our numbers. Meals will be brought in three times a day." He walked over to one of the walls in the master bedroom. There were three switches. "This one controls the lights," he said, pointing to the far left one. "The middle one does this." He flicked it down, and the glass walls quickly faded into solidness.

"They can still see me, can't they?" Alex said flatly.

"Yes, but it does offer the illusion of privacy. And this last one controls the sound. For example, if you want to hear what someone's saying, you just flip the switch."

"Can they hear me?"

"Only if you want them to." Dr. Milligan took her back into the dining room. There was a door in the glass to her left, and he pointed to it. "That leads to your outside. There's a pool and several trees. There's also a trampoline."

"Hm. Cool. How long did it take to build this?"

"Several years. This is where the last few betas lived when they were trying to save the rank. Unfortunately, those betas didn't have the strong beta DNA you do. That's why we're convinced this time it will work."

Alex shifted uncomfortably. "Great."

"Yes. And don't worry; the entire place has been redecorated with new furniture and accessories. Everything is state of the art." He looked down at his watch. "I have to go. I have a press meeting in ten minutes." He left.

Alex heard the door lock behind him. She sighed and opened the door that led outside. It took her down a small hallway and, finally, to the outside. She frowned. It was a large, semicircular area enclosed by a tall concrete wall. There was a railing on top, telling Alex there was most likely a way for people to get up there. However, there was nice pool and a trampoline. She climbed up on it, testing it out. It was really bouncy. She had never been on one before.

She climbed off, examining the trees. One looked good for climbing, and Alex cautiously tested it. It seemed sturdy, and there was a thick branch where Alex could comfortably lean against the trunk. The best part was she could see out, but the foliage was so thick Alex knew it was near impossible for others to see in.

...

She sat there for a while, lost in her own thoughts. Eventually she got down and walked back into her 'house.' She sat down and flicked on the tv. Finding nothing interesting, she scrolled through several channels then stopped, eyebrow cocked in interest.

It was Dr. Milligan. ". . . remarkable," he was saying. "Over two centuries after the last beta died, and we have managed to find her. And she's stronger than those last betas, more pure. While they had a SBL of only fifty or so per cent, she had a SBL of over 95%."

He finished, and there was a rush of voices. One rose about the rest. "Now that you have her, what are your plans?"

"What are our plants for Alex?" Dr. Milligan repeated. "Well, we hope that there are more betas. We hope to find a suitable mate with an SBL of 70% percent or higher. That way we can be quite confident that their offspring will be a strong beta."

"How will you find them?"

"Well, I hope we won't have to sort through all the omegas."

A low chuckle spread through the crowd.

Dr. Milligan continued. "We ask that people help us by suggesting certain omegas with certain traits. For example, they would have been very difficult to break. They'll show much less submissiveness towards other alphas, but eager to please their alpha. And they may or may not show aggressiveness towards other omegas belonging to his alpha. Also look for alphas with-"

Alex turned off the tv. She didn't want some guy as her mate. She didn't want to revive the beta rank. And she didn't want to be here.

She went back outside and hid in her tree.

...

The sun was setting when someone past below her. "Alex?"

Alex hook her knees around a low branch and hung down. "What."

Dr. Milligan turned. "There you are."

Alex righted herself and dropped to the ground. "I saw you on tv."

"Hm. Did you like it?"

Alex shrugged, and changed the topic. "I'm hungry."

Dr. Milligan changed the topic back. "The museum will be reopening tomorrow. You're going to be very popular the next few weeks."

"Wonderful." Alex walked back to the house.

Dr. Milligan followed. "Lucifer said he'd be here for the reopening."

That stopped Alex in her tracks.

"He's become something of a celebrity within the past few hours."

"I'm sure. He owns the only existing beta, after all."

Dr. Milligan grunted in agreement. "I don't think you understand how important you really are."

"Save it," Alex growled.

"I'm being serious. You're -"

"I'm being treated like an animal!" Alex snapped. "I'm not something that can be poked and prodded and put on display!"

"I'm sorry you feel that way. But you're not an alpha; you don't get a say."

Alex stomped into her bedroom. She heard Dr. Milligan leave, and she snorted in anger. There was a large wardrobe, and Alex tossed the doors open, looking for new clothes. It was filled with her clothes from the Novak Omega Breeding Co., as well as new items. She pulled out a pair of faded jeans and a black Hell Hazers II t-shirt before retiring to the bathroom to change.

When she walked back into the dining room she found a large salad - presumably her dinner. She ate silently, trying to fully experience her last few hours of privacy. Afterwards, she watched a several hours of tv before reluctantly retiring to bed.

...

She was awaken by a tap on the glass. Startled, she jumped, falling out of bed. she looked up to see Gabriel, laughing his head off.

Alex got up and flicked on the third switch. His laughter filled her ears. She crossed her arms. "Not funny, Gabriel."

"It's just a little funny. And you can call me Gabe." He rapped on the glass. "How do you like it in there?"

"I hate it." Alex sat down on the bed, ignoring Gabriel's sympathetic gaze. "Who gave them the right to put me on display?"

Gabriel shrugged. "I guess Luce did." He looked around at the glass cage. "Hang on." He walked away. A few seconds later he reappeared through the door. "It's not that bad."

Alex let out a noncommittal grunt. "Wait 'till there's people staring at you all day."

Gabriel sat down beside her. "I think you'll be just fine." He placed a hand over her knee. "If you ever want to talk, just give me a call, okay?" He handed her a folded piece of paper. Then he kissed her once before pulling back. Alex narrowed her eyes in confusion. He kissed her again, and Alex kissed him back.

After a few seconds he stopped. "I have to go," he whispered against her lips. "We're opening soon." He stood up and left.

Alex watched him go.

...

Less than an hour later, there were footsteps. Alex looked up from the couch. Dr. Milligan was there, leading a large crew of cameramen and citizens. Alex flicked on the sound, wandering over to them. "Doctor." She dipped her head.

"Alex." Dr. Milligan returned her gesture.

Cameras flashed, and Alex screwed up her eyes. Glancing off to her right, she froze with shock. Lucifer stood there, his blonde hair mussed up attractively, and Lauren. Lauren was around his waist. Lucifer met her gaze, and let out a smirk. Then he kissed Lauren. Hard.

Alex completely lost it. She launched herself at the glass, punching and kicking. Lucifer whispered something in Lauren's ear, and they approached. Alex stepped back rigidly as they walked up to the glass, her eyes blazing. Lauren tripped and fell to the ground, too scared to get back up. Alex knelt down in front of her. "You listen to me," she growled. "If you so much as touch my alpha again, I will personally find a way out and murder you, do you understand?"

Lauren was physically shaking. Lucifer stepped in front of her, face contorted in anger. "Leave. Her. Alone."

Alex stepped backwards, uncertainty flashing through her eyes. The entire room was silent, the crowd hanging on every word that was said.

Lucifer stood up, leading Lauren away. Alex watched them go, hurt in her eyes.

"And this is the reason we wish to find her a mate as soon as possible," Dr. Milligan explained.

"Is she like this with all omegas?"

"No. Only Lucifer's. She sees him as her alpha - we don't know why - and she sees his omegas as threats."

Alex had had enough. She walked over to the wall and turned off the sound.

...

The morning slowly past. People flooded through. Alex waved at the friendlier ones, and completely ignored the others. She mostly watched tv or paced.

...

Sometime after lunch, she decided to go for a swim. Not seeing any swimsuits in the wardrobe, she opted for a thin t-shirt and basketball shorts. Then she went outside.

People had already crowded the observation wall above her. Alex tested the water; it was cool, but felt good with the hot sun. She circled around to the deep end and dove in. It was fun.

She swam for a while, getting out and jumping back in, when an idea struck her. She dragged the trampoline across the grass and up next to the pool. She climbed on and began to jump. Once, twice, each time flying higher. Then, on the next bounce, she jumped towards the pool. She turned upside down, her hands slicing perfectly through the water. She surfaced, blinking away the water. People were cheering, and Alex rolled her eyes, letting a small smile escape her lips. Stupid alphas.

...

A week past. Then a month. People kept steadily flowing through. Lucifer didn't come back, and Alex felt like a little piece of her died every day her was gone. Every night she watched the news. There were several stories about her and betas, and, surprisingly, about the progress of finding her a suitable mate.

Then, one night, Dr. Milligan was on the screen. What he announced both shocked and terrified Alex. They had found a male omega that was over the 70% SBL marker. Apparently he was the first and only omega that tested past 10%. Then, Dr. Milligan said they would be introducing this beta to Alex tomorrow morning.

Alex immediately turned off the tv, tossing the remote across the room. Then she ran. She threw open the door and ran outside, climbing into her tree. There she curled up, letting the tears flow freely. She didn't want this. She hated this.

She cried.

...

The cold drove her inside. She curled up in her bed, and her sleep was plagued with nightmares. Of Crowley, of tortured omegas, of Lucifer, and of a tall, dark stranger chasing her through the woods.