WHAT IF

CHAPTER 12

The joy was short-lived. The next morning, as Babe and Charlie were savoring the memory of Babe's triumphant return to racing, they were abruptly met with news that shattered their happiness.

Charlie was the first to see the news. He was in the kitchen, preparing breakfast, when his phone buzzed with an urgent notification. As he read the message, his face paled. He rushed to the living room where Babe was stretching after a good night's sleep. "Babe," Charlie called, his voice trembling. "There's....."

Babe looked up, concern etching his features as he saw the worry in Charlie's eyes.

 "What happened?"

Charlie handed Babe his phone, the screen displaying a breaking news alert from an unknown article. Babe read the headline, his heart sinking.

"EXCLUSIVE: Top Racer's Hidden Trauma Revealed - From Alpha to Omega."

Babe's hands trembled as he read further. The article detailed the horrifying events of the past few months—his assault, the subsequent trauma, and his transition from Alpha to Omega. The most private and painful moments of his life were laid bare for everyone to see.

"How could this get out?" Babe whispered, a mix of fear and anger in his voice. "Who would do this?"

Charlie wrapped his arms around Babe, trying to offer comfort despite his own rising anxiety. 

"I don't know, Babe. But we need find out immediately."

As the news spread, their friends arrived one by one, each bearing the same expression of shock and concern. Alan, Jeff, North, and Sonic gathered in the living room, forming a protective circle around Babe and Charlie.

"This is a nightmare," North said, his voice grim. "How could someone leak this?"

"We need to find out who did this," Jeff added, his face serious. "This is a gross invasion of privacy. "Charlie nodded, feeling a mixture of dread and determination. "Only the doctors, you guys, and the police knew. This was supposed to be private."

In the days that followed, the news about Babe's transformation and the trauma he had endured spread rapidly across social media, sparking a wave of mixed reactions from netizens. The online community was abuzz with discussions, debates, and opinions, each post contributing to the cacophony of voices.

Some fans expressed their unwavering support, showering Babe with messages of love and encouragement. "Stay strong, Babe! We believe in you!" one tweet read, while another user posted, "Your strength and courage are inspiring. We're behind you 100%."

Others, however, were not as kind. Skeptics and critics questioned Babe's ability to continue racing at a high level. "How can an Omega compete with Alphas? This is going to be a disaster," one comment read. Another harshly stated, "He should just retire. There's no way he can be the same racer we knew."

The exposure also brought out trolls and insensitive comments, mocking Babe's new status as an Omega. "Guess he's not so special anymore," one post sneered. Charlie, monitoring the reactions, felt a surge of protectiveness and anger at the hurtful comments.

Amid the noise, some netizens took a more analytical approach, discussing the broader implications of the situation. "This exposes a lot about the prejudice in the racing world," one thoughtful thread began. "We need to support all racers, regardless of their secondary gender. Babe's experience could bring much-needed change."

Babe, while deeply affected by the reactions, tried to focus on the positive messages. He found solace in the overwhelming support from his true fans and the racing community who stood by him. Their words gave him the strength to face each day, reminding him that he wasn't alone in this battle.

Charlie, Alan, Jeff, North, and Sonic rallied around Babe, helping him navigate the storm of publicity and backlash. They worked together to control the narrative, sharing Babe's story in his own words through a heartfelt interview. Babe spoke openly about his struggles, the support he received, and his determination to continue racing.

During the interview, Babe's voice was steady and resolute as he addressed the audience. "Yes, I've faced significant challenges recently," he began, "but my passion for racing hasn't changed. The support from my friends, my team, and my fans has been incredible, and it has given me the strength to keep going."

He paused, looking directly into the camera. "Racing has always been my dream, and it's a dream I intend to keep pursuing. Only death can stop me from getting on that track. I'm an Omega now, but that doesn't define my abilities or my determination."

His words resonated deeply with many viewers. They saw not just a racer, but a person who had faced immense adversity and emerged stronger. The interview sparked a wave of support, with fans and fellow racers alike expressing their admiration for Babe's courage and tenacity.

The interview garnered a tremendous response, shifting the tide of public opinion. Many who had doubted Babe were moved by his honesty and resilience, while his supporters grew even more vocal in their encouragement.

In the following days, messages of support flooded social media. "Babe, you're an inspiration!" one comment read. "Keep fighting, we believe in you!" Another post said, "Your story has shown us all what true strength looks like. Thank you for sharing it with us."

Babe felt a renewed sense of purpose. With his friends by his side and a supportive community behind him, he was ready to face whatever came next. He continued training, pushing himself to new limits, and preparing for his return to the track. 

***

With the news confirmed, the next crucial step was to find out who had leaked the sensitive information. Charlie, Alan, Jeff, North, and Sonic took this matter seriously, understanding that the betrayal had come from within a tight circle. They needed to uncover the source to protect Babe and ensure such a breach wouldn't happen again.

The team decided to handle the investigation themselves, leveraging their connections and resources. Alan, who had experience in dealing with such issues in the corporate world, took the lead. He suggested they start by examining everyone who had access to Babe's medical records and personal information during his treatment and recovery.

"First, we need to list everyone who knew about Babe's situation," Alan said, gathering the group. "We need to be methodical and thorough."

They began their investigation by compiling a list of names, including hospital staff, close friends, and anyone else who had been privy to Babe's condition. They interviewed each person discreetly, trying to find any inconsistencies in their stories or signs of ulterior motives.

As they dug deeper, they also enlisted the help of a trusted private investigator, someone Alan had worked with in the past. The investigator, Sam, was known for her meticulous work and ability to uncover hidden truths.

Sam started by looking into the article itself, tracing the source of the leak through digital forensics. She analyzed email trails, phone records, and even social media activity. Her goal was to find any link between the leaked information and someone on their list.

After a few days of investigation, Sam called a meeting with the team. "I've found a lead," she said, her tone serious. "There's a suspicious email sent from an anonymous account to the journalist who wrote the article. It was sent from a device registered under someone called Dean,  could anyone of you be knowing who that is?" Sam revealed.

The revelation stunned the group. The had completely forgotten that he existed.