Imprint

ACT I - Part I

Imprint
ɪmˈprɪnt
verb
1. Make an impression or mark on.
2. Fix firmly in someone's mind.

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Author's Note: thank you for reading my novel! I hope you enjoy the story :3

This story will contain themes of mental health like suicidal thoughts, self hatred, depression and anxiety. I will flag any portions that get heavier than that.

Please be advised! This work is set in the Omegaverse. It is a BL and will contain HEAVY and SPICY smut throughout. If that's not your cup of tea, you don't have to stay. But if it is... welcome and enjoy! ♡~Jo

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ACT I

In the year 20XX, the race once known as the 'perfect breed' has begun to decline. A species once consisting entirely of dominant Alphas and Omegas, has started to fade away and become recessive as the traits of their ancestors are lost. The numbers of Betas continue to rise every year.

As odd as it sounds, the rhythmic spinning sound of the rowing machine is so soothing to me. Maybe it's something to do with the repetitive motions and routines - all that I know by heart - that allow me to clear my mind. Even though I'm sweating profusely and can feel muscles burn, I can finally feel comfortable in my own skin. I can actually let myself relax as I focus on a workout. It's as if my life doesn't feel so bleak and mundane, even if it's just for an hour.

Outside of a workout... well... let's just say the life of a single omega isn't all that fun. Thank god I'm recessive. It's definitely harder on dominant omegas - a dying breed nowadays - with their stronger heat cycles and more intense pheromones. Personally, though I'm almost 26, I have only gone into a true heat one time. Normally, an omega should regularly go into heat about once a month starting at the age of 12-13.

Along with a heat cycle, omegas should also produce pheromones from the scent glands in their necks, wrists, and inner thighs. These pheromones are very important to attracting alphas, as they are almost a form of communication tied to emotions. They allow omegas to find a mate or repel those they don't want.

Similar to my lack of a heat cycle, I also don't produce pheromones. Because of this... I'm practically a beta. Well, a beta who can detect scents. It means I can smell if someone is an alpha or not - same with omegas - and tell some of their emotions if they don't hide it. In all, even I sometimes forget that I'm technically an omega unless I get horny.

With my condition, I fit in with my family quite well. My father is a beta and my mother a recessive omega. My two older sisters and younger brother are all betas. You could say it runs in the family. My mother has weak heat cycles, being recessive in all, but still takes suppressants and heat blockers in order to get through. Medications I don't have to worry about taking.

I stop rowing. That's enough for today. I've been here for almost three hours, and it's time to get to work. Grabbing my towel, I stand up and mop sweat off my face. As I do, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and pause to subtly see what my gains are. I frown.

Not as good as I'd like. Even though I'm here everyday for hours at a time, I never seem to get to the muscled look I want. Perhaps that comes from being an omega. Even without the muscles, I look almost alpha-like. At almost six foot, my broad shoulders and angled face appear wolfish compared to the usual feminine cutesy omegas everyone is used to.