ALPHA

Masking

Waking to sound of other omegas shouting and getting ready, I stretch and sit up to do the same.

Peter has already left the room so I strip from my night clothes and put on the same clothes from yesterday. It's gross, yes I know, but I don't want my scent to be prominent.

There's a knock at the door as I finish putting my shirt on so I go and answer the door.
It's Clint.

"Hey, kiddo," he smiles, "feeling okay?"

"Yeah," I shrug, "sorry about causing a commotion last night."

"Hey," he puts his hand on my shoulder, "you don't need to apologize. If you don't want your alpha, you don't want your alpha. You don't have to accept the bond."

I nod.

"Also just a side note," he scrunches his nose a bit, "you stink. How long has it been since you showered last?"

"A month," I admit sheepishly.

"Why don't you shower, and we'll scrounge up some clothes that'll help mask your scent?" He offers.

"Thanks." I smile at him.

"Bathroom's down the hall last door on the left."

I thank him again and head down the hall. It's not a very big bathroom, but it has what it needs.

I strip again and jump into the shower once it's warm enough.

I moan lightly as the warm runs over me, scrubbing away the filth from my body.

Once finished I get out of the shower and grab a towel from the small cabinet and start drying off. I look at myself in the mirror, at my body covered in scared, some of my own making, most from others.

I run my fingers over the cigarette burns, recalling bad memories.

I'm snap out of my thoughts as a knock sounds on the door.

I wrap myself in the towel and open the door.

Clint stands in the opening, clothes in hand.

"The jeans belong to an alpha friend of mine, the tee shirt belongs to the other Beta that lives here, the turtleneck belongs to Peter, the flannel is mine, and the boots, socks and undergarments belong to one of the other omegas," he explains holding up each article to show me.

"Thanks," I take the clothes with a smile before closing the door again to put them on.

I put on the undergarments then slip on the skinny jeans. They smell life an alpha, a female alpha. A strong one at that, too. I put the maroon turtleneck on, wrapping my collar into it like I did the other. It's a bit big but I don't mind. I pull the ACDC tee shirt over the turtle neck. Again, it's big. Then I pull the black and white flannel on, leaving it unbuttoned.

I pick up the boots and socks and walk back to Peter's room.

"Hi new girl!" Someone shouts as they run passed me, "Bye new girl!"

They dash down the stairs quickly before shouting again.

"Heading to the mall!"

I hear the door slam closed and find myself chuckling. I kinda like it here. It's like organized chaos.

I get into the room and go to my bag, setting the socks and boots down on my bed so I can take out my beanie. I set it next to me as I sit down to put on my footwear.

"Wow, can't even tell you're an omega."

I look up to see a beta leaning against the doorway. His scent is the one on my shirt.

"You must be the other Beta," I say as I get to my feet.

"Tony," he pushes off the door way, "sorry I didn't get to meet you last night, I had to take care of some stuff with Natasha. She's the Alpha of this omega house and a good friend of mine and Clint's."

All omega houses have one female Alpha and two Betas. It has to be a female Alpha since heats are much easier and safer to handle than ruts.

"It's fine," I shrug, "thanks for the shirt."

"No problem, Clint told me you needed help masking your scent so I offered," he smiles at me.

I smile back as I get to my feet.

"By the way," he continues, "we saw those Betas chasing you yesterday. What'd you do to piss them off?"

I pull the wallets I snatched from them out of my bag and show them to him with a smirk.

He laughs.

"So we got a little pick pocket," he ruffles my hair.

I'm a bit shocked.

No one has ever done that.

But I like it.

"Well just be careful with who you snag what from," he says a bit sternly, "don't need you getting into to much trouble before you leave."

"Noted," I nod.

"That is if you're planning to go out," he adds.

"I might," I shrug, "I do need to get some things."

"Well if you want I can go with you so those Betas can't come after you," he offers.

"I mean as long as you're good at running," his brow furrows, "I don't have any money."

He chuckles.

"I gotcha kid," how pulls out his wallet to show it to me, "as long as you don't steal it from that is."

"I won't," I laugh lightly.

"Woah," he goes a bit rigid.

"What?" My smile drops and he seems to relax.

"You might wanna be careful with your aura if you wanna hide," he says furrowing his brow.

"My aura? But I've never had a strong aura," I'm confused, "especially when I mask."

He thinks for a second before seeming to realize something.

"Barnes," he groans.

"Barns?" I raise a brow.

"The alpha from last night," He pinches the bridge of his nose, "once an omega meets their alpha, their aura becomes stronger until they either accept or reject the bond. It's like a built in tracker so alphas can find their omegas and try to sway their decision."

My jaw drops.

"Don't worry, as long as you don't get too excited or pissed off, you should be fine, plus I'll be with you," he gives me a small reassuring smile, "you claimed sanctuary, so as long as your in the house or with me, Clint or Natasha, you're safe. No one can touch you without your permission."

I wrap my arms around my midsection and give him a small nod.

Now that stupid alpha has a way to try and find me.
Just great.

"Ready to go?" Tony asks, bringing my attention back to him.

"Uh yeah," I grab my bag and beanie from the bed and head out the door.