Sean made his way into the school, walking reluctantly down the hallway. The place felt more like a zoo than a school. People were running around or chatting and laughing in groups. Making his way up to his locker, Sean pushed his hood back to see better and turned the number dial around to unlock it. Opening his locker, he yanked off his earbuds and put everything that he wasn't allowed to have on him into the locker. Stashing his phone on the shelf, he started to remove the textbook for his first class but became quickly distracted as someone called out. "Mark?! What are you doing, man?" To his surprise, Mark walked over to him. Sean felt like a deer in the headlights. For years not a single Alpha or Beta had approached him. They didn't even talk to him unless it was something snarky or mean. Mark leaned his shoulder against the lockers, giving him a grin before speaking in a deeper voice than he remembered Mark having. "Hello, Sean." Sean exhaled the breath he'd been holding. Forcing himself to keep his eyes from looking at how tight Mark's clean white shirt was beneath his open red plaid sweater, he mumbled out. "If you've come to brag. Fuck off. If you're going to tell the Zetas that I challenged you... remember that I passed a Beta and would have passed you had no one interfered."

Sean yanked his book from the locker and grabbed the locker door to slam it, but Mark stopped it from closing. Leaning closer, Mark told him with a sudden warm smile. "I didn't come to brag. And I don't care that you challenged me." Sean narrowed his eyes on Mark, asking uneasily. "Then why did you?" Upon hearing laughter, Sean shot a glare over Mark's shoulder to the group of cackling Alphas and Betas that were watching them. Sean's defenses rose and his body tensed. What were they playing at? Was this a joke? Sean checked behind him to see if someone was sneaking up on him. Mark's voice drew his attention back when he told him calmly. "I wanted to tell you that I'm impressed. I've never seen an Omega run that fast." Sean rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath. "Ya... Well, how often do you run against Omegas that aren't losing on purpose? And besides... you aren't likely to again. Someone is likely going to tell a Zeta about it, who will then tell your father... and then I'll be chewed out for it." Sean opened the locker more to get Mark's hand off, then shut the locker before adding grimly. "Had my plan worked. I'd at least be able to tell the lead Alpha that I didn't just beat any Alpha... But his son to boot. Instead, I'm reduced to getting a pity compliment from you." One of the Alphas in the onlooking crowd, called out. "Mark, come on! There are better ways to waste your time!" The others laughed, prompting Sean to step around Mark and snap out. "Go stick your dick in a vacuum cleaner, Thomas!"

When the others laughed, Thomas lurched forward to stand before Sean. Sean stood his ground, until Thomas unleashed a challenging growl. Sean whined in pain as he tried to resist the Beta's powerful influence. He was physically unable to fight him back. His submissive nature taking ahold of him and forcing him to submit to the Beta's dominating will. The more Thomas leaned over him, the lower Sean sank, until he was forced down to his knees. Fearing that Thomas would humiliate him by making him lay across the floor, Sean was going to start apologizing. Until Thomas was shoved back away from Sean. Instantly, the influence was lifted off Sean. Thomas shot back up to his feet to snarl at the person who had shoved him so aggressively. Mark braced himself for a fight, replying with a thunderous growl of his own that gave Sean goosebumps. Sean knew that Alphas had a powerful influence, but he'd never been so close to one to feel it for himself. Thomas let out a sharp whine, dropping to his knees with instant regret. Unlike Omegas, the Betas could resist the influence of those ranked above them but that meant they'd fight. Thomas was a lot of things, but he wasn't dumb enough to challenge an Alpha. Let alone one like Mark. Mark's family had been the lead Alpha of the pack for generations.

His father had spent the last eight years training him to fight in preparation for his upcoming fight at this years Spring Equinox Festival. Any Beta that tried to challenge an Alpha for control of the pack had to have some balls of steel. In the history of the werewolf packs, no Beta had EVER led a pack. The Alphas were just too strong. Once Thomas had submitted to him, Mark relaxed and extended a hand out to Sean to ask in a nice voice. "Are you alright?" Sean didn't accept his hand. Climbing up onto his feet on his own, before telling him defensively as his wounded pride came back into his voice. "I'm fine. I didn't need your help." Sean shied away from Mark, expecting him to get mad. Mark dropped his hand, telling him nicely. "There is nothing wrong with accepting help." Sean hugged his textbook to his chest, his eyes rising to stare into Mark's as he retorted a bit darkly. "Says the Alpha that has NEVER needed help." The hallway fell into a stunned silence before Ethan jogged up to them from the crowd. Wrapping an arm around Sean's neck, Ethan chuckled out. "Isn't he just a riot? You'd think with a mouth like that, that he'd be a Beta." Sean felt the jab of Ethan's words and tugged away from his arm to storm off to class. Behind him, Mark called out his name, but Sean ignored him.

The bell rang out through the halls to signal them to be in class. Immediately, the groups broke off to run to their classes before they were late. Slipping into the classroom for Omega's his age, he dropped into his desk seat. The desks were set up in a 'U' shape that faced the chalkboard. Their teacher hadn't arrived yet, which wasn't uncommon for him. Since his mate was the Principal, he always lingered a bit too long in the teacher's lounge. No sooner had all the Omegas gotten into the classroom, they surrounded him and began to rush out with excitement and envy. "Oh, sweet Noctiluna! Mark spoke to you! He must like you!" Sean wished he still had his earbuds to block them out. Instead, he grabbed his hood and flipped it back up as he slumped deeper into his seat. Their voices only seemed to get louder though as they asked him. "Why did you shun him like that?! Don't you know how lucky you are?! He'll be lucky to talk to you again after the way you treated him!" Ethan scoffed loudly from across the room, snapping back pettily as he said aloud. "That's probably a good thing. Omegas like him, give the rest of us a bad name."

Sean grabbed his hood to pull it down over his face more until he was staring into the dark recesses of it. Though he refused to show it on the outside. On the inside, he was hurting. Having to bow to Thomas's influence cut him deep. He felt biologically programmed to fail. Realizing that Sean wasn't going to answer their questions, the Omegas slipped off to their seats to fall into the mindless chatter of how 'big' Mark had gotten since the last time they saw him. Some even started asking why Mark had come back after being away from everyone for so long. Sean knew. Since his mother was the current lead Alpha's second in command, he'd heard her mention it often. Pack leaders always passed on information and skills to their kids personally. Otherwise, they would be celebrities in school and wouldn't learn to be good leaders if fame clouded their judgement. It was fine to socialize and play as puppies, but as teens it was crucial to draw the line and mold them into future leaders and pack citizens. However, they were always reintroduced into school before the pack's puberty hit. This was almost a ploy to jump start the Heat in Betas and Omegas. Introducing a strong Alpha to get the others thinking about maturity and taking the position of the lead Alpha more seriously. His mother had said it separated the puppies from the big dogs. Sean scoffed his sneaker across the tile under his desk. Sean couldn't argue with the result so far. His mom had been right.

Mark did seem more mature and so different from the cocky Alphas he'd been forced to be around. He felt a little bad that he'd shut Mark out, but part of him felt like Mark had only sought him out because Omegas were known for being emotionally fragile. He cared only about winning his approval to be the next Alpha. Nothing more. His thoughts were interrupted when the teacher finally made his way into the room. Closing the door, the Zeta Omega gestured to the seats and stated out nicely. "Take your seats now and we'll begin the lesson." The Omegas excitedly rushed to their seats without complaint and with broad smiles on their faces. Sean was the only one that was unhappy to be here. The Teacher set his briefcase on his desk, then addressed everyone with a sweet charm to his voice. "Today's lesson will be your last. But it is the most important one you will receive. So, please pay attention." Sean sank lower in his seat until his long legs were passed his desk. He had been dreading this lesson all week. The Teacher picked up a piece of chalk and told them seriously. "Turn your textbook to page three-hundred and we'll go over Nesting habits and what to expect during your first Heat."

One of the Omega girls raised her hand and the Teacher pointed to her to let her speak. Biting her lip, the girl asked him shyly. "I heard the first time is painful... But a Beta told me that Supplements can take that away. So, should we do that, Mr. Alten?" Mr. Alten smiled to her, taking the opportunity to tell them all in a casual warning. "I'm glad you brought this up, Cristine. Your first Nesting will be uncomfortable, but it is very important to experience it. Your bodies are at the stage where you are ready to start breeding, but just like a switch... it needs to turn on to activate it. If you use a supplement to surpass it before your body has flipped that switch... You will only severely hurt yourself. To do that could result in you becoming infertile or having high risk complications in puppy-bearing. However, AFTER your first completed cycle of a Nesting period followed by your first Heat. THEN you could start to take supplements if you chose to in order to lessen your pain and control when you get pregnant." Mr. Alten looked at them all in turn, adding in a warm tone of voice. "Most take Supplements until the Spring Equinox Festival to keep from having more puppies than we can handle. But Supplements are not always one-hundred percent effective. There have been cases where unplanned puppies have been made. So, just be aware and cautious. Because if Lady Luna wants you to have a puppy... She will make it so."

Sean raised his hand and Mr. Alten signaled to him. Straightening up in his seat, Sean asked curiously. "And what if you don't want to have this... 'unplanned' puppy." The other Omegas looked at him like he'd said something crazy. Omegas were breeders and all about creating new life in the pack. To suggest what he was implying was appalling to them. Mr. Alten was the only Omega in the room that was unfazed by his question and answered promptly. "There are ways to stop that. In those cases, it stems from health issues if the Omega were to go into labor. I've never known an Omega to do that willingly... but the option is there and available." Sean felt a little relieved by that. Mr. Alten gave him a little nod of understanding, tapping his desk in passing with his fingers. Mr. Alten was a typical gentle and understanding Zeta Omega. Full of wisdom and empathy. He'd seen how much Sean had struggled with being an Omega and instead of fighting him on the issue... He just made it clear he was listening. Moving to the chalkboard, Mr. Alten began to write a list and he told them back on track. "Now, when it comes to your Nest. Most of you know that it is a safe place. A bed you go to in order to destress or find needed comfort. Only you are allowed to be in your Nest. This keeps the space comfortable and personalized to you and only Omegas do this."

Sean rolled his eyes. His parents had bought him a large cradle chair that was basically a round bowl like chair for him to curl up in. He had never touched it. It just sat unused in the corner of his room. He refused to put his scent on it in protest. Mr. Alten moved to unlock his briefcase and began removing items as he told them. "The reason Omegas do this is because unlike Alphas and Betas, our bodies need to rest when we are pregnant. Also, our Nesting time can be painful before a Heat. That's because our bodies are getting rid of old eggs and preparing fresh eggs internally to accept the seed of the person you plan to mate with during your Heat. Since this is your first Nesting period, your body doesn't have eggs. So, your body will start making them. Which is why the first Nest and Heat need to happen." Mr. Alten picked up a set of sheets and a stuffed toy to pass around, informing them coolly. "A way to destress and fight off the pain without supplements is to put things in your Nest that help your body think of other things. These are scented Nesting supplies that you can use. All have different scents that you might find calming and can be helpful to cuddle with." The Omegas all sniffed the sheet and toy with grins. Sean guessed their Nests already had these items. By the time Mr. Alten got to him, Sean turned away, refusing to sniff them. He could smell the damn things just fine and he wasn't interested in such fruity or flowery smelling things.

Mr. Alten watched him snort, then moved on to say without calling him out on it. "As I said. Some scents will not appeal to everyone, but you can find plenty that will. There are even some you can have customized to your liking." Sean smiled just a little under his hood. It was hard to hate Mr. Alten. He was just too nice. Setting the stuff down, Mr. Alten then informed them all more seriously again. "During your Nesting, you will want to stay in your Nest. You will be moody, and your scent will draw in Alphas and Betas that are interested in you. During this time, you will see Alphas and Betas get VERY territorial and aggressive with each other. DO NOT try to separate them. While you Nest, Alphas and Betas have Ruts. This means that they are showing you how good of protectors and mates they can be. If things get too aggressive, inform a Zeta Alpha or Beta. Or go to the lead Alpha to break them up. This is for your safety." Sean clenched his jaw in frustration. Mr. Alten then brought down the uneasy tension in the room to tell them. "Now, you can stop some of them fighting by asking an Alpha or Beta that you like if you can 'borrow' something with their scent to Nest with. You can have more than one item from different people but be warned that you will spark fighting among them. Otherwise, by Nesting with something that has their scent, you will have a much smoother transition into your first Heat."

Mr. Alten wrote a few things on the board, then told them calmly. "While normal scents help to calm you. Your first Nest and Heat is about prepping you to mate. So, Nesting with an Alpha or Beta's scent will actually help your bodies open channels better and get you in the mood your body WANTS to be in. Masturbating is recommended... just try not to destroy whatever the Alpha or Beta lets you borrow. Odds are they won't be mad... but they don't always give you things with the knowledge of what you plan to do with it. Ok?" The other Omegas giggled and blushed, but Sean just stayed neutral to it all. He could careless if the Alphas and Betas ripped each other apart. None of them were worthy of him after the way they'd been treating him the last few years. The last thing on his mind was submitting to one of them. Mr. Alten drew his thoughts back by adding in over the soft chatter. "I should add this for those of you that may find yourself pursued by a person you are not interested in." All eyes went to Sean, but Mr. Alten kept his eyes on everyone else as he continued. "While their influence can force you into submission if you try to challenge them. That same influence does NOT force you to mate with them. Heats are the one time of the week that the Omega has influence over a Rutting partner. That is not to say that they won't keep trying to convince you to mate... but your growls and whines will hold influence over them. If you don't feel safe, seek other Omegas or Zetas. There is comfort in numbers, and it can be overwhelming when you are not used to it."

Sean raised an eyebrow in concern. He'd never heard of anyone getting hurt or scared before. Mr. Alten cleared his throat, before telling them uneasily. "I'm bringing this up, because while fellow members of your pack will obey your wishes... The strays that will be at the Spring Equinox Festival may not." The Omegas gasped softly, and Sean pushed his hood back. Mr. Alten straightened himself up and told them in a comforting voice. "Every year, we do have a few Country and City strays come to celebrate with us. This is allowed because it opens up the gene pool of the packs... BUT I am cautioning you all because the City werewolves are NOTHING like us. They are wild compared to us and... quite frankly are not very civilized. You need to be nice... but you do not have to socialize with them beyond that." Sean's interest was piqued. He had not known about this. One of the guys nervously asked Mr. Atlen. "My dad warned me about them. Their beasts! When are these savages coming?" Mr. Atlen opened his mouth to answer, when the rumble of engines started to shake the windows of the classroom. Mr. Atlen looked at the windows, answering promptly. "That should be them. They'll be joining us for lunch." The Omegas scrambled to the windows in a rush and for the first time, Sean joined them.

Driving up the road and turning into the parking lot were at least twelve new werewolves around their age. All of them were riding on sleek shiny motorcycles and dressed in black leather jackets with torn jeans. The back of their leather jackets had the same patch with a snarling wolf head and crossed bones behind it. The words 'Junkyard Rogues' was written in bold white letters over and under the patch. While the other Omegas whined and cringed at the sight of them. Sean's heart raced as he watched them. He'd seen motorcycles in the movies, but no one in the Valley drove them. The vibrating roar of the engines sent tremors through him and the way these werewolves looked fascinated him. Parking their bikes and swing off them, they unleashed a group howl into the air. The other Omegas moved away from the window, but Sean lingered. There was something new and exciting about them. He couldn't wait to see for himself what they were like. To Be Continued...