Ezra
We got home and everywhere was quiet.
Alden wasn't even here. He'd already been taken.
I hated the feeling sitting in my chest. First, I'd suddenly spawned into a world that I couldn't understand and from the way things were looking, there's no escape.
Then this guy who was apparently my step dad just got taken away and all because of what? My perfume?
I was starting to get really annoyed now. I tried looking for a clue or something that would help me escape from this nightmare but at every turn, it felt like this world was closing in on me more and more.
What was happening in my own world? I bet school was in session and I was still sleeping. It wasn't like I had a lot of friends that I could confidently say that one of them would come looking for me and violently shake my body so I can wake up.
When the door closed, I finally couldn't hold it in any longer.
"Okay, someone explain. Right now. What the hell is going on? Why is everyone acting so weird? Why did that prince guy talk like I was some felon? And what exactly is an omega? Because every time someone says it, I feel like they're calling me something offensive."
Lysandra let out a long breath and sat down at the dining table. She didn't look at me immediately. She stared at her hands.
I stayed standing.
My heart was pounding and my skin was still hot from… whatever that thing with the four brothers was. I didn't know how to calm down, and honestly, I didn't think I wanted to.
"Sit," Lysandra said finally.
"I'd rather stand," I muttered.
"Sit, Ezra."
Her voice sounded tired and I didn't want to further add to her stress. So I sat.
Lysandra rubbed her temples.
"This is going to be a lot to take in. Just listen first before asking questions."
"I'm not making any promises," I said.
She shot me a look, then inhaled deeply.
"You're in the land of Aethelgard," she began.
"This world has two main races—the elves and the beastfolk. Both have existed together for centuries. But elves rule. Always have been our rulers."
"Because… pointy ears equal monarchy?" I said.
She ignored me.
"Elves have the ability to shift into beast forms. Wolves, lions, panthers, hawks, different clans have different forms. But beastfolk cannot shift into elf form. They're born as they are. Because of that, elves hold higher authority across all of Aethelgard."
"Okay," I said slowly. "So elves are basically the upper class."
"Yes," she said. "Then there are hybrids, people who are part-elf and part-beastfolk. They're extremely rare. Most hybrids are banished to the Forgotten Land because they're considered unstable. They don't fit the structure of either race. However, there are few anomalies accepted in Aethelgard."
"So they're discriminated against."
"Yes."
"And the Forgotten Land is…?"
"A place no one returns from," Maerin said softly.
Fantastic. So fantastic.
Lysandra continued.
"As for social ranking… alphas sit at the top. They're stronger, faster, and often born into ruling families. Omegas come next, but only because of one reason, which is childbearing."
I blinked. "You mean…"
"Yes," she said. "Their entire purpose in this society is to give birth. They don't have strong abilities or combat power. They don't hold titles. Their role is… biological."
I stared at her. "That's insane."
"I didn't design the system," she replied.
"And betas?" I asked.
"Lowest class," she said.
"They are physically weaker than both alphas and omegas. They have no special abilities. Some families like ours, have high-ranking positions, so our betas are treated with respect, but outside of that? They hold little to no value in Aethelgard."
I leaned back in the chair. "So I'm in a world where people treat you based on your biology."
"Yes."
"So you're basically saying that I am a baby factory?"
Lysandra winced. "That's… a crude way to say it, but yes."
I groaned and covered my face with both hands. "This is the worst isekai storyline ever."
"Ise—what?" she asked.
"Never mind."
She continued.
"You were supposed to stay a beta. It would've protected you. But you awakened as an omega in the middle of a royal event and in front of the four royal alphas. And the king."
"Awakened," I repeated after her. "You keep mentioning that like it's some type of puberty."
"In a way, it is. It's when your body decides your actual rank. But omegas usually awaken when they're young. Your awakening was late. Very late."
"So I'm like… a late bloomer?"
"In the most dangerous way possible, yes."
"Okay. Continue."
"You asked earlier why you were unconscious and what happened to you."
"Yeah?"
"You fell into an elf trap."
"I fell into what?"
"An elf trap," she repeated.
"They're old magic patterns that react to certain bloodlines. They're not supposed to be active anymore, but… somehow you triggered one when you were training with dad and collapsed instantly. You didn't wake up for weeks."
"And that… turned me into an omega?"
"We don't know," she said.
"But whatever it did, it changed something or rather triggered something. And when you awakened at the gala, your pheromones drew in the royal alphas."
"My pheromones drew in the royal guards? How does that even…"
I waved it away.
"Never mind. Keep going."
She took another breath.
"You asked why you have to go to the royal house. It's because every major family owes the royal bloodline a debt. For generations, the royal house has protected our lands from the monsters in the Forgotten Land. They kept our borders safe. They funded our defenses. They allowed us to keep our estates."
"And because of that," Maerin added softly, "every family with an omega must give one to the crown."
I suddenly felt nauseous.
"You're saying this like it's so normal."
"It is normal," Lysandra said. "This has been the law for centuries."
"Well it's not normal to me."
"We know. Because you lost your memory."
Her voice softened.
"But Alden is imprisoned because of you. They took him because they can. And if we don't return you to the royal house within three days… he'll lose everything. Matter of fact we'll all lose everything. The royal house is brutal and uncaring when trying to met out punishment and trust me when I say—none of us will be able to resist them."
I stared at her in disbelief.
"Why are they so desperate? Also why me specifically?"
She turned her face away momentarily.
"Omegas are born weak in this age," she said.
"Their bodies aren't strong enough to carry elf alpha heirs. No family has been able to produce a stable heir for years. But you, Ezra, your presenting wasn't normal. Your scent, your body, the way the alphas responded… Everything about you is different. They literally felt your womb come alive in that moment."
"So I'm what? Premium livestock?"
"Don't say it like that,"she said.
"But that's exactly how it sounds."
The silence grew.
Finally, she said quietly, "You owe them your life, Ezra. Our entire family owes them. The alphas have protected us for years. This is the first thing they've ever asked for in return."
"So I'm supposed to just go live with them?"
Her voice didn't shake when she answered.
"It's the only way to save Alden."
I stood up so fast the sudden movement made her jolt.
"I'm sorry," I said, backing away, "but I can't. I'm not doing that. I don't even understand this whole thing or where the fuck I am. I don't even understand myself right now. I can't just walk into some royal house and become their omega or whatever you called it. I can't."
Lysandra looked at me like she was about to cry.
"Ezra… if you don't, Alden will die."
I low-key felt bad for the man.
But even then, the words came out the same.
"I'm sorry. I really am. But I can't."