Commander: An Omegaverse novel

Chapter 2

Her alarm screamed at her in the dark room, too early for the winter sun to make its appearance. Anna groaned, rolling out of bed with a wince as her swollen joints protested the movement. It was a side effect of the Beta hormones, and the too cold apartment. Shivering, she wrapped the blanket around her and shuffled into the kitchen, turning the kettle on. Leaning against the counter she sighed deeply, swaying slightly as  her eyelids drooped. Her fatigue was growing each day, a bone weary feeling that ate away at her resolve. At some point, she would need to give into the Oppositions demand that she go into hiding, but she was going to hold out as long as she could, clutching onto her semblance of freedom desperately, like she was drowning and these were the last gulps of air she would ever have. No, it was better to be in pain than the alternative....

Taking the screaming kettle off the stove, she poured the water into a mug and dropped in a tea bag, putting only a splash of milk in. This was her breakfast, enough to warm her belly and trick it into thinking it had been fed. At least for an hour or two. Holding the steaming mug, she walked into the bathroom and shut the door with her foot, bracing and began to get ready for the day.

The sky was overcast as she headed out to work in the standard Beta secretary uniform of a grey wool skirt and blazer with a white collared shirt. Her scuffed heels clicked across the cobblestones as she briskly made her way down the street, avoiding the large potholes that were leftover from the war. Other Betas walked in the same direction, heading towards the business center. The war had given Oversight the ability to reshape the city, rebuilding bombed out buildings into quadrants. Everything had its place: work, school, living quarters, social services... The city was made for Betas only, with only a small number of Alpha soldiers and Oversight on hand to search for any missed persons of interest, and keep the rule of law. Even though the population was so repressed they would never act out. Any leaders who would be able to lead the resistance were long dead. At least that's what Oversight thought. 

Keeping her head down, Anna walked passed a group of soldiers, trying not to draw notice. She was so focused on them, that she failed to hear the bike approaching behind her. 
"Hey! Watch it!" The boy had yelled, darting around her, but managing to clip her shoulder, sending her careening to the ground. Her head slammed against the ground, she raised it slightly, seeing one of the soldiers boots approach her before everything went black.

"Miss... Miss.." The sound was coming from far away. Anna groaned, not wanting to wake from the dream she was having, everything around her was soft, warm, safe.
 "Miss. Are you alright?" The question came from a deep voice above her as something shook her. Anna's eyes sprang open as she looked around, trying to sit up quickly, only to feel her head spin.
"Woh, easy there... just take it slow." The soldier murmured. Anna felt his voice reverberate through her, the thought of seeking his comfort popped into her head as her instincts reared their head. She felt a wave of fear come over her at the thought. It could mean only one thing: the hormones weren't working as they should anymore. A shudder went through her as she fought to control her expression, forcing her face to go blank. She took a shaky breath, hoping that he didn't notice how his presence was affecting her. The large Alpha looked into her eyes with a sharp blue gaze before tilting her head to the side to look at the wound. She felt blood trickle down from her temple, a dull throbbing starting from the area.
"You need medical attention. Shall I call an ambulance?"
Anna shook her head furiously, if they took her to the hospital, she would be found out, and she would be snatched up so quick she wouldn't even have time to say 'freedom'.
Croaking out in a weak voice, she said "No, I'm quite alright thank you."
 His gaze narrowed, suspicion coming into his eyes. Her heart thundering, Anna thought quickly to come up with a plausible excuse.
"I need to get to work, I can't afford another sick day."
His gaze, still narrowed, roaming her face for any hint of a lie. But the Opposition had taught her well. The best lies were based in the truth. Her boss was part of the Opposition, so he wouldn't actually fire her, but the Alpha didn't need to know that. 
"I will go to the doctor after work, I have some pain killers in my pack until then."
The Alpha no longer seemed to be listening, watching the blood as it dripped down her temple with flared nostrils. His brow came down in a look of confusion, the hormones masking her scent, but not making it smell entirely Beta now that her blood was mixing into the air. The hormones were only meant to block her emitting scent, but could not change the scent underneath. His piercing gaze went to the Beta uniform she was wearing, then back to the blood. He reached out slowly to the cut, Anna sat frozen in place, her instincts taking control and telling her to submit to the Alpha's wishes, that this is what they wanted.
"We have a confirmed 70 in Delta Park, I repeat a confirmed 70 in Delta park"  The soldier paused at the crackle of the radio, looking as though he was debating taking the call. After a moment, his gaze hardened, and he stood, towering above her as he spoke into his radio.
"10-4 Unit EchoNovemberTwoZeroOneFive heading to the scene." He motioned his hand to the other soldiers, indicating they should move out.
"Take care of that cut." He said sharply, not looking down at her again as he ran after his team towards the park. That person's loss was Anna's salvation. 70% was unheard of in these times... if only the Alpha had known what had just slipped through his fingers.....Shaking as shock threatened to take over, the close call primed her flight instincts. Anna peeled herself off the sidewalk, holding the sleeve of her dress to her head as she slowly made her way forward again, blending into the crowd once more.