My Fake Omega, My True Destiny

Jasper knew he had to find that Omega.

Once the whole thing was over, he could pay him and make sure their paths never crossed again.

If this went on much longer, he was going to die.

His driver started calling people right away, trying to get the security footage from the Spirit Lounge.

It was two in the morning. Without Boutsen Group's influence, there was no chance anyone would give them access at this hour.

The doctor had told Jasper what was happening to him and warned him that medicine wouldn't help.

Jasper didn't ask for more details. Explanations had never interested him much; he wanted the problem dealt with and any threat removed.

Finding that Omega was all that mattered now.

It had been a month, and the bar was too dark for Jasper to have seen that Omega clearly. He met attractive Omegas all the time, and this one's face had slipped from his memory.

What he did remember was that the Omega was much taller than any Omega he had met before. He even had a vague memory of the Omega bending down to bite him.

How had one bite from an Omega done all this?

Still dazed, Jasper walked out of the hospital and got straight into the car.

His phone chimed, but checking it felt like too much effort. Heat ran through his fingers as he pulled at his collar and opened the top two buttons of his shirt. The pale blue fabric made him look younger, like a college student. Moonlight came through the car window and fell across his sharp profile and the hand at his open collar.

He stayed still in the back seat. His finely defined features made him look almost sculpted, and a light sheen of sweat took some of the coldness from his face. In the dim light, his lean frame looked a bit fragile, a sharp contrast to the commanding presence he normally carried.

No one would have called Jasper gentle. His features were sharp, and he kept people at a distance even when he smiled. There was something cool about him, like winter.

Omegas admired that aloof elegance, and his powerful family name drew plenty of them too.

He liked to have fun, but he didn't toy with Omegas. That Omega's fighting skill had impressed him, and that was why he had flirted with him.

He hadn't imagined that one impulsive encounter would leave him like this.

On the first occasion he'd flirted with an Omega, he'd managed to pick one who could put an Alpha into heat. Even now, Jasper had to admit he had remarkable taste.

Another chime brought his attention back to his phone. He shook his head and made himself focus on the screen.

Robert Lewis had messaged him. Robert was his father, if he wanted to put it politely. News that he was looking for the Omega had apparently reached his father already.

"Do you even know who you're trying to find? People are calling me about it already. Get home. Now."

Jasper's chest was so tight he could barely breathe, let alone answer.

The driver hurried back just then, opened the door, and got behind the wheel.

"Got the address, Mr. Lewis." He sounded excited, though a trace of hesitation remained underneath. He glanced into the back seat before making up his mind. A reprimand from Robert was better than letting Jasper come to harm. "Hang in there. I'm taking you to his place."

Jasper tried to speak, but nothing came out. This damned reaction had an Alpha like him hunting for an Omega at two in the morning.

People had always given way to him. Strength decided a person's standing, and Alphas held unquestioned authority. His family name gave him influence even among them. He'd grown up proud and pampered, with no reason to lower himself or ask anyone for help.

Most Alphas could make their own Omegas tremble with a single look. But now he was close to begging. He hated the thought, but he wanted to live.

The driver raced through the dark streets.

Jasper could feel how little control he had left over his emotions. His pheromones seemed to be pulling every string, and his body wanted the person who had marked him. Only that person's pheromones would help.

If he could get near that Omega and find some comfort, perhaps the turmoil inside him would settle. Another long delay, and he felt as though he might fall apart.

He was sure no Omega would turn him away. He was an S-Class Alpha, everything an Omega was supposed to want. Surely the one from the bar would want him too.

The streets grew quieter the farther they went. Dozens of miles from downtown, the driver finally stopped outside a house that had been converted into small rental rooms.

Jasper would never have come to a place like this under normal circumstances.

"First room inside, Mr. Lewis." The driver pointed toward the room nearest the entrance. "Knock nicely, please. We need his help, so apologize for showing up this late."

Jasper barely heard him. He caught only first room inside. Relief was so close now.

After all that heat, the thought of reaching it felt like finding water after two weeks alone in the desert.

He needed to get there.

His thoughts raced beyond his control as another fierce wave of heat went through him.

Jasper pushed the car door open and stumbled toward the room.

Years of neglect had left the entrance gate coated in rust. It smelled sharply of metal and creaked whenever the wind stirred it. The grime made his skin itch just to look at it.

He frowned and kept going, though every shaky step threatened to put him on the ground.

Courtesy had slipped his mind. So had the rule that an Alpha shouldn't frighten his own Omega. Except that wasn't right. This was temporary. He wouldn't call the person inside his Omega.

His pounding set off the sound-activated lights downstairs, then the ones on the second floor. Behind him, the rusty gate kept squealing and wearing on his nerves.

Knocking didn't feel like enough. He wanted to rip the gate off its hinges.

He hit it again, and the frame shook. His heart beat even faster than his fist struck the gate. It felt ready to burst out of his chest.

He pounded on it once more.

Several yards away, the driver kept his distance. Jasper had come to see an Omega, and it wouldn't be right to stand close by for what might happen next.

Still, watching Jasper batter the gate made the driver press a hand to his temple.

Jasper was barely aware of what he was doing. The driver could only let out a heavy sigh.

The last of Jasper's strength drained away as he kept knocking. Each blow grew weaker until it was almost gentle.

He didn't notice the gate opening.

His next weak knock met someone's chest.

Breathing hurt, and he struggled to raise his head. His fingers gripped the fabric under his hand as he tried to recall what the driver had said—he needed to be polite.

He could hardly make himself heard, but he managed to ask, "Could you give me some of your pheromones, please?"