There’s safety in numbers, but far more safety in a dominant scent.
River is single, and won’t let it stop him enjoying his full social schedule - university is for making friends and memories! As an omega, however, he’s well aware that the city’s dangerous areas pose more of a risk to him than they do his friends. Especially his friends with partners who scent mark on them.
With little to lose, he starts researching alpha scent perfumes. Probably bogus, definitely overpriced, and boasting long restock wait times. But worth a try. Right before purchase, he manages to accidentally get a free trial of a real alpha’s scent… all over his throat.