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CAMDEN

With the last of my things crammed into the back of my black 1967 Chevy Impala, I carefully close the back door.

My hand grasps the handle of the driver’s door, but I pause, chewing on my bottom lip as I take a nervous glance over at the house of horrors. The house that caused me nothing but pain and misery my whole life. That’s forced me into a box, afraid to be who I truly was because if I did, I’d be putting myself on the chopping block.

I parked my car down by the road last night when I told my father I was going to get some last minute things before heading to Crown Well the next day. I didn’t want him to hear me when I left, letting me slip away in the early morning while everyone is fast asleep.

The sun is just starting to rise and I know that any moment now, my dad’s going to be waking up. If I want to get away without having to deal with him, I have to go now.

With one last look, I open the door and slip inside.

The rev of the engine sends shivers down my spine as a small smile finds its way onto my lips.

I pull away and gun it, sending me speeding down the dead street.

The further away I get, the more the suffocating pressure on my chest eases. It’s not until I know I’m a good distance away before I can finally breathe.

Unable to stand the quiet, I switch on the radio. Life Is A Highway by Tom Cochrane blasts through the speakers. I let out a laugh, shaking my head as I roll my windows down all the way.

A rush of excitement from my new found freedom fills me and I can’t help but scream along to the song as the cool morning breeze blows through my freshly dyed pink hair.

The drive to Crown Well isn’t long. Maybe half an hour away.

Pulling into the student parking lot, I turn the engine off and reach over to the passenger’s seat, grabbing the information packet.

My father thinks I’m here to get a degree in business– and yes, that’s the plan– though I won’t be using it for the intentions he has.

He wants me to take over the family business some day. It’s why he’s allowing me this chance to leave home and come to Crown Well.

What he doesn’t know is that within the next four years, I plan on finding a way out. A way to leave that house, that family, and never return again.

I don’t want to take his place some day. I don’t want to be the leader of a corrupt crew filled with men with no morals. Men who do unspeakable things with sleazy smiles on their faces.

Men who would hurt me, maybe even kill me if they found out what I really was.

The thought has me grabbing my backpack and pulling it onto the seat next to me. Unzipping the front pocket, I wrap my hand around the bottle of pills and pull them out.

Popping the cap, I look inside and sigh. Half gone. Grabbing one, I pop it in my mouth and wince as I swallow it dry. I fucking hate taking pills dry, but it’s better than the piss warm can of coke sitting in the cup holder.

I’m going to need to find a job and soon. I only have a few hundred, and then I’m screwed. I worked a few odd jobs around the compound to earn money, but it’s not much. My dad is big on me doing it for free because he thinks that it’s part of being a member of the crew. I will never be one of them. I’d rather die.

Only thing is, what I have left needs to pay for my food. And even though these suppressants are cheap knock offs, they’re still pretty pricey.

Putting the cap back on, I place it back in my bag and take another look at my information.

It’s orientation week and classes don’t start until next Monday. As I look through the list of things going on this week, I quickly toss it to the side. I don’t plan on going to any of them.

I’m here to work, get an education, and maybe make a friend or two if the opportunity presents itself. College clubs and other events aren’t really something I’m interested in.

Looking at the schedule, I see that I’m still pretty early. Freshman guides don’t start for another two hours.

Sighing, I tuck the papers into my backpack, grab it, and decide to go for a walk to pass the time.

The campus is pretty dead, and I’m not surprised seeing how my car was the only one in the parking lot. I pull up google maps on my phone and find the nearest coffee shop. Thankfully it’s here on campus and open.

I’m about ten minutes into the walk when I start to regret wearing my black denim jacket as the sun beats down on me. The cool morning is quickly warming up.

My GPS leads me to this cute little coffee shop that is smack dab in the middle of campus. Perfect placement on their part.

The bell rings as I pull the door open and the smell of coffee hits me. I bite the inside of my cheek to smother the groan threatening to slip out. I’m sensitive to certain scents and coffee is one of them. Not necessarily in a bad way, unless having your cock go rock hard in your pants counts as bad. So I guess in my case, yeah, it does.

Awkwardly, I look around the room and bring my backpack around to the front of me. God, this is so fucked up.

My best friend Tilly from high school said that if I presented as an omega instead of a beta, that my scent match would have been some sort of coffee form if it got me that hard.

She didn’t know. No one knows the truth of what I really am. They think I’m a beta, something safe and acceptable to my dad. And that's exactly how I plan on keeping it.

“Hello,” a young girl with a bright friendly smile greets me. “What can I get for you today?” She’s a beta, I can tell by her mild scent.

I smile back. “Coffee, three cream and four sugars.”

She nods, tells me my total and starts on my order.

“Like it sweet, do you?” a husky voice chuckles from behind me. I look over my shoulder and do a double take. He’s older, taller and really good looking. Like nerdy hot with black rimmed glasses and curly brown hair. And he’s doing nothing to help the state of my arousal right now.

God Camden, really? Right now, here in the coffee shop, for a man who just said a few words to you?

Unfortunately one of the side effects of the suppressants is being easily aroused. Like when a hot guy is grinning down at you.

I just really pray these pills are doing their job right now, otherwise I’m in big shit.

“Ah, yeah,” my cheeks heat as I swallow hard. His scent hits my nose and my brows furrow. Omega.

“I like sweet things too,” he winks.

“Sir, that’s going to be three ninety five.” The girl says, gaining my attention.

“Shit, sorry.” I rush to search through my bag to find my wallet.

“I got this, Emma.” the man behind me says. “And add a caramel frappuccino to the order.”

“Oh, you don’t need to.” I tell him but he just waves me off.

“It’s my good deed of the day.”

“Thanks.” I sigh. I don’t like taking handouts. But I’m not about to argue with the man for doing something nice. And as bad as it makes me feel, saving anything I can right now will help me in the long run.

“No problem, Professor Kennedy.” The girl takes the twenty dollar bill in the man's outstretched hand.

Wait, did she just say professor? Oh fuck. I’m getting all aroused by possibly one of my teachers. An omega teacher at that. Not that my dick cares if a guy is alpha, beta, or an omega. Any hot guy seems to do the trick.

That's another issue I’ve had to deal with. Try being gay and living with nothing but men. Men who if they knew my sexual orientation could put my life at risk.

Two things my dad hates: gays and male omegas. I just so happen to be both. I’ve heard too many drunk conversations about his dislike for them.

Sadly, a lot of people in his line of work feel the same way. It’s why I’ve had to put on a fake smile and act like pussy was the best thing on the planet.

“You're a professor?” I ask.

He chuckles and nods. “Yup.”

“You don’t look like one.” I let my eyes roam over his body. Damn, he’s got some muscles on him.

“I hope you mean that in a good way?” He raises an amused brow.

“I mean, yes? You look young and like an omega.”

“That I am,” he nods his head. “Two things I’m proud of. Being one of the few omega professors and the fact that I could make my dream job come true at a young age.”

“I think it’s pretty good.” I nod, giving him a small smile.

“So do I.” He grins.

“Here’s your coffee, sir.” The girl gets my attention and hands me my coffee.

“Ah, thanks for this.” I hold up the coffee.

“No problem at all. Have a good first day. Make sure to stay out of trouble,” he chuckles, grabbing his drink and heading out of the shop.

I watch him go. Admiring the way he stands tall and proud like he doesn’t have a care in the world.

I want that. To be free, to be who I am. I’m not ashamed of being an omega, I’m hiding it for my own safety. I want to be out, to be proud.

But as long as I’m under my dad’s thumb, no one can know I like men and no one can know I’m an omega.

With my coffee in hand, I spend the next little while sipping it as I explore the campus.

I’m back at the front of the main building in time to meet with the student guide. The campus is slowly filling up with people, alive with chatter and excited energy.

Gripping my backpack straps nervously, I look around. I can’t help but wonder. Are people looking at me? Can they tell what I really am?

Closing my eyes, I shake my head. No, Camden, they can’t. Your pills work, no one back home knew what you were. Relax.

“Hello everyone!” a booming upbeat voice sounds, drawing my attention. A tall guy in what looks to be a football jacket stands on top of the edge of the water fountain. He runs a hand through his wavy blond hair and gives the crowd a charming smile. If I had to guess, based on his size, he’s an alpha. “My name is Jamie and I am a student guide today. Maybe I’m yours,” he wiggles his brows and a few people chuckle. “So, listen up. If you hear your name being called, come stand next to me. Then we can get this show on the road.”

There’s a few other guides calling out names. I try to pay attention for my name being called. Eventually I do, and I turn to see Jamie looking out at the crowd. “Do we have a Camden?”

“Ah, I’m Camden,” I step up. The guy looks at me and grins.

“Finally, a guy.”

My brows furrow, confused at what he means. Then I see the group of people standing next to me. All women, all betas.

“You got something against women?” I ask, raising a brow.

“Nope, think they’re amazing.” he chuckles. “But, I have no idea how to talk to them.”

I look him up and down. This man is the definition of a football god, I find it hard to believe he can’t talk to a woman. “Really?” I can’t help but ask.

“Hey,” he chuckles. “Don’t let the looks deceive you. You see a football player and think ‘that guy must get a lot of pussy’.”

“Well, yeah,” I can’t help but smile.

“And my teammates would agree with you on that one. But, pussy isn’t what I’m looking for if you know what I mean.” he gives me a devilish grin as he looks me up and down.

He’s gay. Well shit. “My bad for assuming.”

“No problem, man,” he wraps his arm around me and I go stiff. He’s close, too close. What if he can smell me. I’m never this close to anyone.

But, he doesn’t say anything, just looks at the group of girls. “Alright everyone.” Jamie says. “Let the tour begin!”

By the time we’re done, I know where every one of my classes will be held, where the cafeteria is, and all the good shops on campus.

“Final stop, the dorms.”

Jamie tells us that the housing is split up in three different little compounds with multiple sets of dorm buildings in each.

Alphas, betas, and omegas. “Lucky you.” Jamie tells me as we enter into the beta housing area.

“How so?” I ask him as we walk side by side. I’ve come to find out Jamie is a talker. He’s pretty funny and nice. I thought I’d feel a little intimidated around him because he’s an alpha, but I’ve been pretty at ease. I like the guy. And also surprisingly, I have no desire for him in that way at all.

“Betas have a free pass in any dorm. Well, if they’re with a friend who lives there. Alphas and omegas aren't allowed to enter each other's spaces, for safety reasons. But, we are allowed here, in the beta housing. It’s like neutral ground.”

I nod my head, a feeling of guilt hitting me. I shouldn’t be here. I shouldn’t be walking into the dorm building. This isn’t my space.

I’m an omega. I should be in one of their dorms.

But they can’t know that. No one can. And no one will.

I need to relax and stop overthinking. If this is how it’s going to be, me freaking out over every little thing, I don't know how the next four years are going to go.

“Here we are.” Jamie says as we stand in the lobby of the Harvest dorm building. “You should already know your room numbers. If you don’t, please come ask me. I can find out for you. I’ll leave you all to get moved in and settled. There’s a big cookout tonight where we all met up this morning. There will be free food and a chance to mingle with other students.”

The girls all thank Jamie and head in different directions. I stand there and think. Do I check out my room first, or do I go grab my things?

“Hey. What's your name again?” Jamie intercepts my thoughts.

“Camden.” I reply.

“Well, Camden. Got any plans tonight?” he asks, giving me a playful smile. I don’t think he’s hitting on me. Is he? I wouldn’t fucking know. I have no experience to go by.

“Not really. As fun as that cookout sounds, it’s not really my thing.”

He snorts a laugh. “Not mine either. I hate them. Too formal and shit. If you want a more low key, relaxed way to meet some people, there's a party tonight.”

Part of me wants to say no thank you. I could say I’m not a party person, but I haven’t really been to one. Not a real one anyways. Not one that doesn’t consist of drunk men fucking omegas out in the open like a damn whore house.

Jamie seems nice enough. And if I stay in tonight, I’m only going to spend it overthinking my life.

Maybe a few drinks to forget might be good. It’s not like it’s going to take me long to set up my room. I only came with about five boxes and a few suitcases.

“Sure.” I smile. “That sounds nice.”

“Awesome.” he grins. “Here’s my phone, put your number in. I’ll text you the address.”

I take his phone and put in my details then hand it back. He quickly sends me a text with the address and I add him to my phone.

“Thanks for the tour.” I tell him.

“Not usually my thing, but I was helping out a friend. Wasn’t so bad.” he chuckles. “See you later, Camden.”

After Jamie leaves, I choose to head up to my floor. There's a mix of male only, female only and coed dorms. When filling out the housing paperwork I picked that I didn’t have a preference. Honestly, I was hoping to be in coed. With the way these meds affect me, being around less men is for the better.

I’m on the second floor, so I don’t bother with the elevator right now and take the stairs. When I get to my room, I throw it open and almost let out a cry of relief when I see there’s only one bed. I don’t have to share. I don’t have a roommate.

A part of me settles, like it knows I’ll have my own space to just be me. To just relax and not worry if someone is going to see my pills. I won’t have to sneak away to take care of myself in fear that someone might smell my slick. It’s perfect and all mine.

The room is tiny too and that's another relief. I can make a nest. A fucking nest. God, I could cry right now.

I’ve never been able to have a nest before. No one understands how hard it is to be an omega and not have that safe place. The meds might make the world think I’m a beta, but it doesn’t change who I am or how I feel inside.

Closing my eyes, I squeeze them shut, forcing the tears back. Taking in a shuddering breath, I smile at the room. For the first time, I feel like maybe everything will be okay.

* * *

Parking my car, I start to feel a little anxious over the amount of cars around me. Jamie made it seem like it was going to be some little party, but it looks like half the school could be here.

The party isn’t being held at a dorm, but a house on the edge of campus. It’s a good size and is currently over filled with people.

Music blasts through the house as I step through the front door. It’s not that I’m not used to a house full of drunk people, I’ve lived my whole life being around that.

It’s that I didn’t enjoy the people back home. Here, it’s not so bad. People seem nice, normal? I mean, they’re not a crew of sick dangerous men so I call it a win.

Best part is, everyone’s scents mix together so I don’t need to worry tonight. But, I did take an extra suppressant just in case.

“Cam the man!” Someone shouts and I look over to see Jamie. He gives me a massive grin as he makes his way over. “Glad to see you came.”

“Thanks for the invite.”

“What are you drinking? We got it all.” Jamie wraps his arm around my shoulder and leads me through the crowd to the kitchen. I try not to breathe him in too much. While I’m not overly affected by his scent, he’s still an alpha. To me, he smells a little bitter. But he’s a nice guy and I don’t wanna be rude.

“Rum and coke?” I suggest.

“Coming right up.” I watch as Jamie makes the drink, chuckling when he fumbles a bit. I think he’s already had a few drinks himself. I don’t judge because my plan is headed that way myself. If I have to sleep in my car, I’ll do it. I’ve done it before.

Jamie makes me the drink and hands it to me. “Thanks.” I chuckle as he licks the drops he spilled off his hand.

“Come on man.” he grabs a beer from a bucket of ice. “It’s hot as fuck in here. Let’s go out back.”

I follow Jamie to the back of the house and into the yard where a bunch of people are sitting around a fire.

“Take a seat, my man.” Jamie points to a chair.

I laugh and sit.

“Everyone, meet Camden, my new bestie.” Everyone around us says hey and I wave back, feeling a little nervous being put on the spot.

But it doesn’t last long because Jamie starts talking about something that happened last year and everyone gets invested in the story.

“How you doing man?” Jamie asks a little while later, taking a seat next to me.

“Not bad. Nice music, good company. Thanks for getting me another drink.”

“What are friends for.” he winks, then takes a swig of his beer. Friends. Is that what we are? He seems pretty insistent on that. I’m not sure why Jamie is being so nice to me and why he’s chosen me to be his friend, but I’m not getting any ill intentions from him, so I’m not going to worry about it.

Jamie starts talking to me about football and I find myself actually interested in it. It looks boring on TV but the more he goes into detail, the more I find myself wanting to go to one of his games, which he invites me to his first one in a few weeks.

“Fuck.” Jamie grumbles as he looks out over the fire.

“What?” I ask, looking in the direction. “What's wrong?”

“I was hoping they wouldn’t show up.” he sighs, sinking deeper into the chair.

“Who?”

“Look Cam. Whatever you do, stay away from them.” he shoots me a look, brows furrowed. “They’re not good people.”

“Who?” I ask, starting to panic.

“Them.” he looks out into the distance again, nodding his head. I follow his gaze and I see what he’s referring to. “The tall one with the jacket matching mine, that’s Brooks. Running back.”

My heart starts to race just the smallest bit as I take him in. He’s tall, over six feet. Arms thick, brown hair, and a smile that looks too damn charming to be safe.

“And the one next to him, the blond one. That’s Henley. He’s a beta. He might come off as a normal dude but he’s in a pack and a relationship with Brooks and River, so how sane can he be?”

An openly gay pack. That’s not something you see everyday.

“River?” I ask, but as soon as the name leaves my mouth, I see him coming out of the shadows, stepping next to the one called Henley. He’s tall, a little shorter than Brooks. Shaggy black hair, and every inch of visible skin is covered in tattoos.

My cock twitches and I swallow down the lump in my throat. As if he can feel my eyes on him, River looks my way.

It’s like time stops and I forget to breathe.

“You okay man?” Jamie snaps me out of what ever the fuck that was.

“Yeah.” I let out a shaky laugh, trying not to make it obvious my breathing is off. “So, why do I have to stay away from them?”

“Not good people. They run this school, this fucking town.” he sighs. “They’re a part of a crew, it’s not really a secret. But trust me, it's not worth getting on their radar.”

My stomach drops at the mention of a crew. Doesn’t matter what crew, all of them around here are usually connected in some way, even if it’s just to do business with one another. I thought I was free, I thought I’d have a sense of some sort of normality.

“Jamie. What crew are they in?” I ask anyway.

“The Devil’s Reapers. They’re the sons of a few of the members. Although River’s dad is the head of the whole thing.”

My breathing picks up as I try really hard not to freak the fuck out. Of course the sons of my father’s biggest rivals would attend the one place I needed to escape.

“I gotta go.” I tell Jamie, standing on shaky legs. I need to go. I need to get back to the dorms and lock myself behind closed doors so I can fucking breathe and figure what the hell I’m going to do.

“Cam, wait.” Jamie calls out, but I take off through the back yard. They’re not by the door anymore, so I take the chance to slip into the house. Needing to get out of here, I avoid the crowd and try to find another way out.

I’m not paying attention, lost in my own mind and panic, when I crash into someone.

“Shit. Sorry man.” Hands on my shoulders steady me. My eyes flick up and I bite back a whimper as I look into bright blue eyes. Henley. He gives me a small grin. “Where you off in such a rush?”