Into Dark Woods

by LWC

Chapter One

The job was straightforward – three months maternity leave coverage. Alpha PA required. Heather needed the money, fit the profile and needed to keep her head low - take the job, don't get too close, move on. It was a way of life she'd always lived and believed it allowed her some form of equality.

She was to stay in a movie-star level cabin -complete with pool and hot tub - tucked deep away in an expansive woodlands and a good few miles away from a very sleepy, small town. She was instructed to keep her distance from the boss - don't ask questions, be professional and very good money was hers. Perfect. She wouldn't get in the boss's face and he would leave her alone – it ticked all the boxes.

The agency said the boss was an Alpha and only worked with Alphas up close. Times were a-changing and laws were passed but some prejudices were just generational – just had to wait for the old-timers to take a trip to the graveyard before deep progress was made. Collaring Omegas had been illegal for 40 years, equal rights laws passed 30 years ago but some people didn't get the memo. There was always a legal loop somewhere that didn't benefit an underclass – Alphas could still request Alphas under certain circumstances and this was one of those situations. Being confined in a cabin with an Alpha may be fraught with difficulties for an Omega, whether on suppressants or not.

Of course, the years had brought changes, companies employed Omegas - there were now Omega doctors, lawyers, politicians, etc and there were those who whined they only got the jobs because of positive discrimination. Let them whine, let them hate the power changes – many due to the advancement of hormone blockers.

Over the last 20 years the rise of legal hormone suppressants hit the pharmacy counters and in the last ten years the right not to disclose suppressant use was allowed. The right not to disclose being Alpha, Beta or Omega was also passed but in many cases non-disclosure was seen as close to admitting Omega status as you could get. Not ticking the box was another way of confirming Omega. Of course, there were protests every which way over the last 40 years, rights for Omegas, Alphas demanding traditional Omegas – the right to find a true mate, Omegas demanding collars be returned – not much was heard from the Betas – they just got trundled along in the same middle-lane. Middle-lane? Who wanted that? She didn't.

Heather had been shovelling pills down her throat left, right and centre since she was twelve. One day she was a kid and the next she was making a decision that would affect the rest of her life. Staying with a friend's family, her secondary gender decided it was the time to enter the world and presented as an Omega. As fate would have it, the family were very political, educated, connected and explained to her about the world. Her path lay ahead of her – one kinda easier and one mostly fucking horrible. They told her that the truth was Omega females were still treated like shit but there was a way. So, a decision was made there and then at the age of twelve. Heather's rinse and repeat story went that while on holiday she presented as an Alpha and she had convinced everyone that this lie was indeed true. She was lucky that from that day her friend, Miranda and her family and supplied her with everything she needed or where to get what she needed to hide her Omega status.

Heather did not attempt to get Omega suppressants from any doctor (seeing as employers still had the right to access Omega medical records so what was the point of non-disclosure? Another bullshit loophole – don't tick the secondary gender box but we have the right to your medical records) but solely got them through her connections. As she was faking being an Alpha she also needed 'standard' Alpha pills, then more pills to give off an air of a rut from time to time and others to make her more aggressive when dealing with multiple Alphas so she didn't seem too meek. She did, however, get Alpha suppressant pills (for certain Alphas who didn't want to hurt their mates too much) from her doctor as part of her cover-up story – make her seem like a caring Alpha lover- cover all bases, leave a paper-trail.

However, the trouble with the rise of Alpha pills was the rise of the anti-Alpha pills brigade who created websites, forums and webinars on how to spot a fake Alpha. They also provided samples of the provided/sold pheromones so they could be recognised by angry Alphas and terrified Omegas. Luckily, Heather's friend, Miranda, was an actual Alpha and over the years provided Heather with an assortment of personal items – clothes, underwear, etc that had an authentic scent. They had come in useful when a bout of fake pheromone-outing hit an office she was in.

So, here Heather was now, years of covering, years of trying to keep her nose down and move on before anyone got too close to ask any questions or bust her. Was it illegal to hide your secondary gender? No. Was it a moral grey area in today's society – yes – once busted always busted (check your fake alpha websites).

Heather now sat nervously in an office in the far end of the 'cabin', writing up notes, dealing with spreadsheets and had little to no internet connection. She had been in the huge cabin for hours half a day and was glad to have the luxury of being as far away from her boss as she could be. She looked at the clock – two hours away from 7pm. Shit! She looked at her shirt and sniffed it. Would it pass?

Her new boss, Castiel Novak was a very powerful Alpha – an Alpha-Alpha. They were almost a breed apart from other Alphas and they knew it. Alphas were one thing – Heather had spent a lifetime being around them, avoiding them and also pretending to be one. Alpha-Alphas were something else entirely.

On meeting him and shaking his hand, the feeling was…she couldn't really describe it. Although dosed up to the eyeballs on pills and suppressants something leapt in her stomach. She had met one once, years ago in an office and got out of dodge before…before whatever – she didn't stick around long enough to find out.

Tall, dark messy hair, stubble – blue eyes that looked at you as if they could see right into your soul – his dominance and control exuded from every pore. She was trying to seem as casual, non-plussed as she could when he first looked in her eyes. That's when she knew he was an Alpha-Alpha. Shit! Shit! She prayed her panicked thought had not been betrayed in her face, body, scent…anything.

Could he tell? Could he tell fake Alphas? It felt like an eternity but it must have been seconds.

Alpha…The word almost drifted up from her spine to her mind. Alpha….

Heather's heart pounded.

What the fuck was that? She panicked. What the actual fuck was that?

Heather kept her eyes level, prayed she wasn't showing any signs of anything. Were her pupils dilating? If so, enough for a female Alpha meeting a very dominant male Alpha? Had she taken too many pills - was she not showing enough deference? Did he notice? Would he care?

Get a grip! Heather reprimanded herself. Too many pills! She told herself. You've taken too many fucking pills!

Heather tried to push her thoughts from her head and keep as focussed on the tall, dark-haired man in front of her. He just oozed Alpha – his entire presence was commanding.

Heather understood why he had requested an Alpha as a PA. How many Omegas would be presenting and begging to be knotted within 20 seconds? Heather chastised herself. Was that being judgmental? Yes, she was. She was ultimately judging herself.

A huge pang of self-doubt hit her in her stomach.

Are…am I inferior?

Would I be…presenting? She was double-guessing herself from one handshake. Are Omegas weak? Am I weak?

Heather inwardly sighed before another emotion flared up – this time anger and resentment at her predicament, all the while attempting to keep an outwardly calm and professional manner.

Heather kept firm eye contact, shook the man's hand and gave a fake relaxed smile.

"Mr. Novak, I'm Heather. I'm delighted to meet you."

"Castiel," said the man in a deep, gravelly voice. "Thank you for coming all this way." His eyes looked over her face, as if reading what was going on inside her mind. He paused for a moment, seeming as if he were momentarily confused.

"Not at all," said Heather, feeling his eyes on her and quickly releasing his hand from hers – more than aware that she could still feel the warmth of his hand on hers. For God's sake, keep it together…

"You're a writer, I understand," Heather said, trying to remain as professional as possible.

Castiel gave a slow smile as he looked searchingly into Heather's eyes – a look she felt right down to her feet.

Heather unconsciously licked her lips and clenched toes, trying to shake off the feeling that her body had sent there.

"I write the occasional book," said Castiel deeply. "On my time off."

"Oh," said Heather.

"One of your jobs will be to audio-type my notes," said Castiel. "Not too dull for you?"

Heather shook her head, perhaps a bit too enthusiastically.

"No," she said with a smile. "Audio-typing is just…fine." There was a pause for a moment when his eyes were still looking at her, assessing her. "I know how to type," she said…and inwardly cringed.

"Good," said Castiel softly. The softness had a timbre to it that she could feel in deep in her. What the fuck would his voice sound like to without the suppressants?

"Thursdays you will leave early for town and stay overnight. Thursdays are mine. I've made all the arrangements."

"Understood," said Heather.

"If you forget anything, do not return until Friday," warned Castiel.

"Of course," said Heather, feeling the seriousness of his words. What would his Alpha voice sound like? She wondered and almost kicked herself.-

"It is a dealbreaker. Do you understand?"

"Yes. Sir…I mean Mr. Novak…," Heather stumbled.

"Castiel," he said deeply.

"Yes, Castiel," Heather said as calmly as she could. "You will not see me on Thursdays."

"Good," said Castiel.

"Good," Heather said a bit too nervously back, she thought.

Castiel slowly smiled, as if amused.

"I have keys," blurted out Heather.

Castiel raised his eyebrows quizzically.

"I figured," said Castiel.

"The agency, " explained Heather.

"Yes," smiled Castiel slowly, his eyes glinting with humour. "I know."

"Of course," said Heather with a nervous smile. "Should I get started?"

Castiel put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a small digital recorder.

"The first two chapters are on there. Also, some other stuff. I'm sure you'll figure it out."

"Yes, sir," said Heather, taking the recorder from him. Their fingers touched momentarily and Heather felt her spine tingle.

"Castiel," corrected the dark-haired man. "Sir is not required. Only under very particular circumstances."

"Oh, will you let me know when?" Asked Heather, trying to sound calm and collected.

"You can be sure of it, " said Castiel huskily, his blue eyes looking darker. "But not today."

Heather paused for a moment before taking a breath and turning to leave.

"I shall get on with this," she said in a huskier voice than she meant to.

"Heather," said Castiel deeply.

Heather inhaled before turning around.

"Yes, Castiel?" She asked.

"I have a friend coming over for dinner this evening."

"Oh," said Heather.

"I'd like you to join us," Castiel said.

"Oh," said Heather again. "That…that would be lovely. Thank you." She knew she should've said no but what excuse could she possibly give? Sorry I'm binge-watching Netflix?

Heather felt her heart pound. She wasn't sure she'd be able to sit in his company for more than five minutes without having a meltdown.

"He's another Alpha like…us," said Castiel.

"Great," replied Heather. She'd never lied harder.

"Yes, his name's Dean," said Castiel. "He's an old friend – works in security."

"Ok," said Heather. Shit! Shit! Shit!

"I'm sure he'd love to meet you."

"Why's that?" Asked Heather, her heart pounding.

"I think he'll find you… interesting," said Castiel, smiling slowly.

"Me? No…just a regular…personal assistant. Not much to say," said Heather, feeling panic rise in her throat.

"I don't think that's true." Castiel said and Heather couldn't think of anything to say.

"Dinner at 7 in the kitchen," said Castiel, turning to leave to room. "Best room in the cabin."

"Great," said Heather, trying to force a smile. "Can't wait."

"I look forward to it," said Castiel huskily before he left the room.

Heather closed her eyes and exhaled. How the hell was she going to survive a dinner with two Alphas? And who was this Dean? She hoped he wouldn't be too perceptive and figure out her secret. Should she just cut her loses and run now?

Heather walked back to her bedroom and found one of her potent bottles of suppressants and dug out one of Miranda's shirts.

Fucking fuck! How bad can this get?

Heather looked again at the clock in the office – 6.55pm. She inhaled deeply and began to walk towards the kitchen. When she walked in she found herself looking into the greenest eyes she'd ever seen and they were looking at her with intense suspicion.

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