the Omega's choice

1

Nunew loved the marketplace. It was one of the few places where he could blend into the crowd, losing himself in the sea of people who were too busy with their own lives to pay much attention to a lone Omega. The market was always bustling, filled with the sounds of vendors shouting their wares, the clink of coins, and the hum of lively conversation. It was chaotic, but in a way that Nunew found comforting.

He wandered through the narrow lanes, his fingers lightly brushing over the colorful fabrics displayed on one of the stalls. The vendor, an elderly woman with a kind smile, nodded at him. Nunew returned the gesture, his lips curving into a polite smile. He wasn’t here to buy anything specific; it was more about the experience, the freedom to roam without the weight of expectation that usually came with his status as an Omega.

In his world, Omegas were often protected, shielded, and sometimes even cloistered, especially those like him who were unbound. Most Omegas his age had long since been claimed by an Alpha, bound in a relationship that defined their roles and futures. But Nunew had always been different. He had chosen to remain free, resisting the pressure to settle down and allowing himself to explore life on his own terms.

As he moved through the marketplace, he noticed the occasional glance thrown his way. Some were curious, others admiring, but none were intrusive. It wasn’t uncommon for Alphas to take an interest in him—his reputation as an unclaimed Omega was well-known—but Nunew had learned to deflect that interest with practiced ease. He was careful, always maintaining a polite distance, and never lingering too long in one place.

Today was no different, or so he thought.

It wasn’t until he reached the fruit stall near the center of the market that something—or rather, someone—caught his attention. He had just picked up a ripe peach when he felt a presence beside him, an energy that was both commanding and calm. Nunew glanced to his left, and his heart gave a small, involuntary jolt.

Standing there, casually inspecting the fruit, was an Alpha unlike any he had encountered before. Tall, with broad shoulders and a confident stance, the Alpha had an air of quiet strength that drew attention without effort. His dark hair fell slightly into his eyes, which were sharp yet warm, holding a depth that intrigued Nunew immediately. There was no mistaking the powerful aura that surrounded him—this was an Alpha in every sense of the word.

“Good choice,” the Alpha said, his voice smooth and rich as he nodded toward the peach in Nunew’s hand. “The peaches here are always the best.”

Nunew blinked, momentarily taken aback by the Alpha’s easy familiarity. “Oh, um, thanks,” he replied, trying to keep his tone light. “I’ve always liked this stall.”

The Alpha smiled, a small but genuine expression that softened his features. “I can see why. It’s got a certain charm, doesn’t it?”

There was something about the way he spoke, so natural and unforced, that put Nunew at ease. Most Alphas he encountered were either overly aggressive in their interest or overly polite in a way that felt insincere. But this Alpha—Zee, as Nunew would soon learn—was different.

“I’m Zee,” the Alpha introduced himself, holding out his hand.

Nunew hesitated for the briefest moment, caught off guard by the directness. But then, almost without thinking, he placed his hand in Zee’s. The Alpha’s grip was firm but gentle, his touch warm. “Nunew,” he replied softly.

There was a pause as they shook hands, a moment that felt charged with something neither of them fully understood yet. When Zee released his hand, Nunew felt a strange sense of loss, as though something important had slipped through his fingers.