Ash first met Stephen during his sophomore year in high school. Stephen was an alpha and a very domineering one at that. At sixteen he was already six foot three inches and he was broad. He played on the varsity football team and naturally excelled academically. He was traditionally handsome, with a strong jawline and sharp nose, and he had dark auburn hair that he kept at a medium length. Stephen and Ash shared a few classes together including chemistry and world history and because they were both at the top of their class, they were often paired together for labs or projects. Ash was very reserved by this point, doing his best to keep to himself and not draw any unwanted attention. He always wore nondescript jeans and a hoodie even during the summer. Most of his peers assumed he was simply cold-natured, which is true, but the sleeves also hid his arms from view. Ash had a few friends here and there, but he never really trusted anyone after the camping trip. He was less hesitant to speak with betas or other omegas, but still had a lingering fear of betrayal or abandonment. Whenever anyone got too familiar, he would always find a way to distance himself and eventually break off the budding friendship. Unfortunately, Stephen didn’t take no for an answer and began to follow Ash around for his own amusement. 

After the incident at the lake, Ash became more withdrawn and built his walls even higher to ensure no one could take advantage of him again. He always had a deep love for reading, but now it was his only escape. The words came alive off the page and spun a world that was safe in which Ash could simply be an observer. He could listen to the tales the characters told and learn the lessons their sins and failures taught them, but Ash did not have to feel the pain or the humiliation it took them to grow. He did not have to suffer in order to learn, and most importantly he did not have to participate. Ash wasn’t sure when he truly cemented this philosophy on life, but by the time he started high school the notion of existing rather than living became his maxim. Yes, he would get up and go to school every day and he would complete all his assignments to the best of his ability, but he was now just going through the motions. There was no longer enjoyment in what he did, just stipulation. Oftentimes his peers would ask to borrow his homework or look over his book report, and Ash obliged because he had no reason to decline. He knew his peers had no interest in him personally and were utilizing his intellect, but if this was the only social interaction he was meant to have, so be it. As the bullying went from harassment to assault. Ash withdrew even further into himself refusing to talk to his family and only speaking when spoken to at school. 

His usual cold shoulder routine did nothing to deter the ignoramus alpha that for some reason decided to follow him around like a puppy. At first, Ash simply ignored Stephen’s existence, pretending not to care when their hands accidentally brushed in the hallways or when he would ask how Ash did on the latest test or quiz. The silent treatment went on for two months and Ash was truly baffled. Why hadn’t this guy given up yet? It was obvious he had no interest in becoming his friend. One week before midterms, Ash fell ill and was unable to make it to class. Every time he stood up, he became so dizzy he fell back down. His parents were out of town and Thea was nowhere to be seen. Worried he might do poorly on his exams, Ash decided three days off would be enough time to recover. He needed the best grades possible if he was to go to college and make something of himself. Despite his pounding head and shaking limbs, Ash made it to class that Thursday before testing began. First period didn’t exactly go smoothly, but he was able to somewhat comprehend the review and he wasn’t too worried considering it was British literature - one of his favorites. Getting from first to second period was certainly more difficult than he imagined. Ash was sweating bullets, and his legs were shaking carrying just his small body weight. Just as the late bell rang, Ash slipped into the classroom and practically fell into his seat, his chest heaving with exhaustion. “Ash? Dude are you okay?!” Stephen whisper-shouted next to him. Ash didn’t respond, just kept trying to catch his breath. “Really - you look super sick. Do you need to go home?” Stephen asked, his voice oddly laced with concern. “-m… fine…” Ash managed to huff out, despite it being the exact opposite of the truth. In actuality, Ash’s fever had spiked even higher and it was becoming more difficult to catch his breath. Other students had turned around to look at him, but Ash was unaware trying his best to focus his eyes on the board. His vision felt like it had abandoned ship and was instead riding the waves - whoever doesn’t sink to the bottom would be the winner. 

 Ash’s head had been aching for days now and he was certainly overheating, but now a new pain appeared. It was a sharp stabbing pain in his lower abdomen that was so sudden and intense he gasped, clutching his sides as tightly as he could. His breathing was completely ragged now, and unbeknown to Ash his pheromones were going haywire. The other students in the room had covered their noses, but the distinct smell of sage and grapefruit was everywhere. Ash didn’t know it, but he was going into heat. This wasn’t his first heat, obviously, since he was almost sixteen, but it was definitely the worst. The pain was excruciating and he was digging his nails so hard into his sides he began to bleed. “Ash - ASH!” Someone was shouting his name and shaking his shoulders, but he couldn’t see who. Everything was so blurry and all the smells were blending together. He tried to stand so he could leave, but his legs couldn’t support him and he collapsed. Luckily, strong arms wrapped around him and prevented him from falling. “Don’t worry,” a voice whispered close to his ear, “I’ll take you home.” Ash still didn’t know who was holding him, and the thought of some strange alpha taking advantage of him was enough to make him panic. He tried to struggle, but he was too weak and eventually the alpha placed his arms beneath Ash’s legs and behind his back before literally sweeping him off his feet. “Who the-!” Ash had time to think before another wave of pain hit him so hard he groaned. The alpha holding him had begun to walk and they were already out in the parking lot before Ash had some semblance of sanity back. “Who-“ he whispered quietly, still panting heavily trying to discern if this person was a friend or a threat. “Shh, it’s okay - I’m just going to take you home,” Stephen whispered. “It’s me - it’s Stephen,” he said in the calmest, most assuring voice he could. “Step- agh!” Ash tried to ask why, but the pain just kept intensifying and he was losing his ability to string proper thoughts together. Why was Stephen helping him? What could he possibly want out of this? Is he going to hurt me? Ash’s thoughts were spiraling and he was terrified that he wouldn’t be able to protect himself. He tried shoving his way out of Stephen’s arms again, but the alpha only held on tighter saying everything will be okay. By the time Ash was buckled into Stephen’s white BMW, he was too weak to struggle and was on the verge of tears, terrified of what might happen to him. Stephen closed the door gently and walked around to the driver’s side before sliding in. He placed his palm on Ash’s trembling cheek, gently wiping his start tears away. “It’s okay,” he said quietly, “I’m just going to take you home and get you some medicine. I live down the street so that’s why I know your address. I promise I won’t hurt you, I just want to help.” Ash wasn’t sure what to think and he wasn’t able to unbuckle himself with his poor coordination, but he turned his head away and closed his eyes tightly hoping no more tears would escape. Stephen sighed. “It’s okay,” he thought, “because one day you’ll be begging to be mine.” With that he swiftly left the parking lot and headed to Ash’s home, which was indeed just a few houses down from his family’s. Stephen did just as he said he would. He brought Ash home, tucked him into bed, and placed some medicine and water by his bedside before leaving and locking the door behind him. While he tucked Ash’s sleeping form in, he thought to himself: “sooner than you think, omega, you’re going to be mine.”