Champ's POV

Jiggs and I are in anatomy class, and today's lesson is all about the Omega body.

It was the perfect topic—something I had been eager to learn more about. My body had started to change, an undeniable shift triggered by my Omega genes. I could feel it, inside and out.

Beside me, Jiggs was focused, diligently taking in every word from our instructor. That was just how he was—always hungry for knowledge, absorbing information like a sponge, especially if he finds it intriguing.

I, on the other hand, was surprised. No—shocked.

For the first time, I understood everything the instructor was saying. Every term, every lesson, every rule. It was all clicking into place.

When I was still a Beta, I never paid attention in class. Not once. I barely listened, let alone took notes. But now? Every word made sense.

The Guidebook for Omegas had been right—I would develop an insatiable thirst for learning.

As I continued to write down notes, I noticed Jiggs stealing glances at me. When I turned to him, I found him staring, his expression laced with confusion.

"What?" I asked.

"Am I seeing this right, Champ? You're actually paying attention to the lesson?"

I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "It's just a one-time thing. I'm in the mood to listen, okay? Now quit staring and take your own damn notes."

Jiggs didn't look convinced. In fact, his eyes grew even wider as he leaned over, peering at my notebook.

Then, without warning, he snatched it from my desk.

"Hey! Give it back!" I snapped, but he ignored me, flipping through my pages with a mix of shock and disbelief.

He looked from my notes to me. Back to my notes. Back to me. As if his brain was failing to process what he was seeing.

"What the hell, Jiggs?" I huffed.

"Did you actually write this?" he asked, pointing at my notes.

"Duh. You saw me writing it, didn't you?"

"But—this handwriting... This isn't yours!" Jiggs exclaimed, frantically flipping through the pages to compare my previous notes to my current ones.

And there it was—the undeniable proof.

My old handwriting was a chaotic mess, barely legible, like worms wriggling across the page. But now? My handwriting was neat. Precise. Readable.

Jiggs turned to me, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.

I panicked. Without thinking, I grabbed my pen and started deliberately messing up my handwriting, making it look as terrible as before.

I hadn't even realized it—my handwriting had changed. Even this was affected by my Omega transformation.

When I glanced at Jiggs again, he was still watching me like a hawk. I scowled.

"Mind your own business, will you? Or do you want to be our punching bag later at training with the Beta males?" I threatened.

Jiggs grinned. "No need, Master Champ, my almighty lord. I'll behave," he teased before turning back to his own notes.

I rolled my eyes and refocused on the lecture.

The instructor's voice echoed through the room.

"For Omegas, the most vulnerable part of their body—the one they must protect at all costs—is their neck."

I stiffened. My hand instinctively reached up, brushing against my skin.

My neck? Why?

"The Omega's neck is where an Alpha will mark them. Once bitten, the Alpha's scent, as well as a special chemical, will be embedded into the Omega's genes, binding them together permanently," the instructor continued." 

My breath hitched.

A chemical that only Alphas could produce?

"This substance—called Alpha Toxins—spreads through the Omega's body, signaling complete submission to the Alpha who marked them. From that moment on, an unbreakable link forms between them."

I gripped my pen tightly.

A link?

"When an Omega is distressed or in danger, their Alpha will sense it, no matter how far apart they are. Likewise, if an Omega experiences happiness, their Alpha will feel it too. The bond works both ways—an Omega can sense when their Alpha is in peril, overwhelmed with rage, or filled with joy."

A deep shiver ran down my spine.

So, once an Alpha marks and claims an Omega, they're practically under constant watch. There would be no escape from their Alpha's protection.

Strangely enough, I didn't find the idea as terrifying as I thought I would.

If anything... it was reassuring.

A sudden thought struck me, and before I could stop myself, my hand shot up.

"Instructor, is it true that an Omega can be claimed by more than one Alpha?"

The room fell silent.

All eyes turned toward me—including Jiggs, who gave me a sharp, questioning look.

The instructor, however, simply smiled. "That's an excellent question, Champ." Then, he nodded. "Yes, it is possible. An Omega can bear the mark of multiple Alphas. You can determine this by the number of bite marks on an Omega's neck. If the first Alpha who marked them isn't strong enough, a more powerful Alpha can challenge and claim them instead."

I frowned. "So... even after an Omega has been marked, the competition between Alphas doesn't end?"

"Exactly. Alphas will go to great lengths to protect what is theirs, which often results in violent battles—ones that frequently end in bloodshed."

I swallowed. That wasn't surprising, but it was disturbing.

Another question burned in my mind. "And during an Omega's heat cycle... even if one Alpha impregnates them, they can still be impregnated by others, as long as their libido remains active, right? If so, what's the maximum number of children an Omega can carry if such... an unfortunate event were to happen?"

Jiggs turned to me, his voice low. "Why do you know so much about this stuff, Champ?"

I ignored him, my attention locked on the instructor's response. But I could feel Jiggs watching me suspiciously.

The instructor exhaled. "To clarify for everyone—yes, Champ is correct. Even if an Alpha successfully impregnates their Omega, as long as the heat cycle continues, other Alphas can impregnate them as well. In such a tragic scenario, an Omega can carry up to four children at most. If the number exceeds five, the Omega's body will not survive. Their energy will be drained, their body unable to sustain the multiple lives feeding off their strength."

A chill ran down my spine.

So, if I ever had a child... it would only be one. No more than that.

Wait.

What the hell am I thinking?!

Having a child was not part of my plan. That would completely ruin my mission. If I became bound to an Alpha, I would never be free again.

"Any more questions, Champ?" the instructor asked.

I forced a smile. "None for now."

Jiggs nudged me. "Sorry for doubting you earlier, but now that I remember our mission—to rescue Omega females from cruel Alphas—your questions make sense."

I let out a silent breath of relief. Thank god.

"Yeah, hehe," I muttered.

"Or maybe... you just want to claim all the rescued Omega females for yourself?" Jiggs smirked.

I shot him a glare. "You're insane! I'm not some predatory Alpha like you think I am!"

Jiggs laughed as I shook my head, refocusing on the lesson.

"The moment an Omega mates with their Alpha, they will carry their child for five months," the instructor explained. "During this period, the fetus will develop inside the Omega's womb until it is ready for birth."

A realization struck me.

Wait.

I was an Omega male.

So... where exactly is this child supposed to come out from?

Surely not in my—

My stomach twisted.

There is no way. No way.

Was it seriously going to—?!

Oh god. I am going to give birth through my ass?

No. No, no, no. I refused to believe it!

Desperation clawed at me, but I hesitated to ask. If I did, everyone would probably think I had lost my mind—after all, Omega males weren't supposed to exist.

Except I do.

Maybe I should ask Uncle Henry instead. He'd have answers. He could examine me, and at the very least, I could check up on him while I was there.

Pushing the horrifying thought aside, I focused again on the instructor's words.

"While carrying their child, Omegas enter their most vulnerable state," he continued. "Their emotions fluctuate, their immune system weakens, and they become more susceptible to illness—because all their strength is being shared with their unborn child."

I nodded. That explained why Alphas were so overprotective during this time.

"To ensure their Omega's safety, Alphas will do everything in their power to keep them healthy. More importantly, Omegas need their Alpha's presence. When an Omega smells their Alpha's scent, they instinctively calm down. The Alpha's scent provides security, grounding them in reality."

That... didn't sound so bad.

As long as an Alpha truly cared for their Omega, that level of devotion is actually comforting.

What I couldn't stand is the idea of Alphas who only saw Omegas as breeding tools—ones who marked them solely out of lust.

The instructor continued. "By the fifth month, the Omega's chest will begin to swell as their body prepares to produce milk for their newborn."

I froze.

Wait.

What?!

My eyes darted to my chest. My hand shot up to touch it, sheer panic coursing through me.

Did that mean... my chest would grow too?!

No.

Absolutely not.

I could not, would not, imagine myself with—!

Ack!

Jiggs leaned in, chuckling. "What's up, Champ? Why'd you grab your chest all of a sudden? Haha! Don't worry, that only happens to Omegas. Besides, you're an Alpha, remember?"

I forced a tight-lipped smile, dying inside.

He had no idea.

No. Idea.

"And that's not all," the instructor added. "During pregnancy, Omegas also experience cravings—certain foods they must have, or specific objects they want nearby. But don't worry, Omegas. Your Alpha will provide everything you desire."

I smirked to myself.

Oh? So this is the one time Omegas actually got to order their Alphas around?

Good.

For once, Alphas wouldn't be the ones calling all the shots. If an Omega like me had to endure five months of suffering, least we deserve some special treatment!

The instructor smiled. "After birth, an Omega will nurse and care for their child for up to a year. However—this is where things change."

I narrowed my eyes. What did he mean?

"If the baby is female, she will remain with her Omega mother until adulthood. But if the baby is male... the Omega mother will only care for them for one year."

I held my breath.

"Once that year is over, the child will be handed over to their Alpha father, who will raise them from then on."

My entire body tensed.

That... that is why.

That is why I never knew my Omega mother.

I had no memories of her. I had never known her touch, her voice, or her warmth.

Because by the time I was old enough to remember, my Alpha father had already taken me away.

The instructor's voice softened. "This is the reality for most male children of Omegas. Many never know their Omega mothers—especially those who grow up to become Alphas. Only Beta males are allowed to stay or go back with their Omega mothers."

I glanced at Jiggs.

That was why he had been able to grow up with his Omega mother—because he had remained a Beta.

A hollow ache settled in my chest.

So that's how it was.

I clenched my fists under the desk.

Alphas always took everything, didn't they? Even the love of an Omega mother.

And I... I had never even been given the chance to choose.

"What happens to the Omega mother of an Alpha like me if I never return to her?" I suddenly asked. Maybe—just maybe—this could lead me to the answer I'd been searching for.

Where is my mother?

The instructor looked at me thoughtfully before responding. "Omega mothers remain in their own homes. They are still cared for by the Alpha who claimed them until the cycle of heat begins again."

That wasn't enough. It didn't explain my situation.

"But what if I don't even know where she is?" I pressed. "I don't know where her home is. My Alpha father never told me anything about her."

The instructor hesitated, his expression unreadable.

"I'm sorry, Champ. But if your father never mentioned her whereabouts... forgive me for saying this, but it's possible that your Omega mother is no longer alive."

Silence fell over the classroom.

Jiggs placed a hand on my arm, as if offering silent support.

But I wasn't shaken. I knew she was alive.

I could feel it.

I just didn't know where to find her.

(Bell ringing!)

The sudden chime of the bell signaled the end of class.

"Well, that's all for today," the instructor announced. "Next time, we'll be discussing Alphas. Thank you all for listening. Have a great afternoon."

With that, he gathered his materials and left.

Students stretched after the long lecture, their exhaustion evident. Even Jiggs let out a yawn, rubbing his eyes.

"So, what's the plan now, Champ?" he asked between yawns. "Should we start training Marsh, Daryl, Martin, and Gem? I need to tell them where to meet."

I took a deep breath before responding.

"Tell them there's no training today. I have somewhere to be. They should focus on their assignments if they have any, and if they have a quiz or an exam coming up, they should study."

Jiggs recoiled slightly, looking at me as if I had grown a second head.

"Wait. Are you serious? You want them to study?" He blinked. "Not recruit more members? Not intimidate weaker Betas? Not flaunt our Alpha clan's strength?"

I shot him a firm look. "You heard me. They need to study, get enough rest, and eat properly."

Jiggs snorted. "Damn. You sound just like my Omega mom. Haha! Fine, fine. I'll tell them. But where exactly are you going? Can I come? I'm free today, you know."

I shook my head. "You can't come. I'm heading to the most dangerous places I can find... to look for an Alpha to fight."

Jiggs instantly paled.

"R-right. Well. I did say I was going to study, eat well, and sleep early, didn't I? Maybe I'll even tuck Marsh and the others in for the night. I can also read bedtime stories for them!" He laughed nervously, making it obvious that he had absolutely no intention of joining me.

I smirked. "Good. Glad we understand each other."

With that, I grabbed my things, slung my bag over my shoulder, and walked out of the classroom, heading toward my next destination.

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