Chapter Text
Donghyuck stared defiantly past the crowd, eyes locked on the gilded paneling of the back wall, jaw clenched. The clamor of excitement in the grandly decorated auction hall was nauseating. He’d watched many of these auctions before, he knew how it went, there were rarely any surprises. The masses of alphas and betas (mostly alphas, mostly men) would sit primly, respectfully in their wooden seats as the omegas of legal age lined up on stage.
Suits pressed, shoes shined, hair slicked back, the elegant audience would get a chance to inspect and assess the young men on stage. So coiffed, so proper, but their eyes always gave them away. Excited, hungry, destructive.
He wouldn’t look at a single one of them, he told himself before being led to the stage, he wouldn’t give any of them the satisfaction, wouldn’t let any of them look through his eyes into his vulnerable insides.
He couldn’t let them know how scared he was. He would look fierce, untameable, teeming with rage and fury. An omega not worth the fight, the risk. An omega that won’t part their legs on command, won’t willingly open themselves up to be defiled by men with deep pockets and shallow hearts, won’t let themselves be taken by bloodlust, without any tenderness, care, or affection. Donghyuck would make himself unattractive to the drooling men with little numbered paddles, he wouldn’t be the submissive and soft hole they wanted him to be.
Maybe no one would bid, he’d be able to return to the compound, help raise the young pups and give them the same sacred love he’d received by unclaimed omegas growing up.
Ever since he was labeled an omega, he had been dreading his day on the auction block. And he had been waiting a while. While many presented fully at 14, 15, 16, he didn’t have his first heat until 21. Donghyuck always claimed he’d subdued it by sheer willpower, but nobody believed him. They were all late bloomers this year. He was the youngest among them.
Long ago they’d been able to find surefire ways of predicting how a child would present. It was still a mystery to Donghyuck, no matter how many times he discussed the subject with his fellow omegas in their compound. Everyone had a different tell. Old women with wrinkled claws gripped his jaw tight and stared deep into his eyes when he was 10 years old and knew on sight how he would develop. He remembers crying as he was dragged away from his family by the old witches, into a sleek black van, driven to a high-security compound in the countryside.
He was taken care of, yes, given nutritious food and comfortable shelter, even love from teachers and caretakers, but he was never allowed to forget why he was there.
Omegas were only put on the auction block if they were certified, beyond a shadow of a doubt, virgins. Untouched by any alpha or beta, kept pure and ripe for the taking. A little omega on omega action in the compound was expected, but not given any real weight by the outside.
So they were locked away, their virtues saved for the bidding wars.
Donghyuck sniffed the air, but couldn’t pick up anything, unsurprisingly. The alphas were required to take scent blockers before entering to the auction hall, or else the combative, competitive scents would be too overwhelming for everyone involved. This was a civilized affair.
Donghyuck scoffed internally. Civilized. Right. Omegas sold to the highest bidder, a tradition going back centuries, this was what society deemed respectable and civilized.
But with male omegas being an anomaly, an unlucky draw in the genetic lottery, there were never too many to join together and raise a fuss. Die martyrs, sure. Become a catalyst to any real change? No. But Donghyuck was still glad he presented as an omega now versus when this auction first began, dirt floors and thatched roofs, blood and violence.
What do you do with omegas that cannot be bred, cannot bear children, cannot “contribute” to society based on their second gender? History sent shudders down his spine.
And so he stood under warm stage lights, alongside two other omegas he knew and knew well, in front of a hungry pack of wolves.
— — — — — — —
Mark shifted on his feet in the back of the loud auction hall. Even though he hadn’t arrived late, he decided to stand back and size up the crowd. He fiddled with his watch, checked the time even though he had checked it only fifteen seconds ago. The white, numbered paddle weighed heavy in his palm. He tapped it against his thigh.
He was a vibrating ball of energy. He always got a rush on auction days, it was like a special holiday for men with his tastes, and there were many men with his tastes.
Mark loved auction day, his annual allowance from his father burning a hole in his pocket. Money was certainly no issue, he could afford an omega every year if he wanted, but that’s not what made this so thrilling. It was waiting for the right omega to take the stage, if they’d take the stage, that made his blood rush.
There were never many to choose from, only a handful every year, and since he turned 19 and was allowed to bid, he’d been waiting, craving the moment he set his sights on one of them and knew.
A few had caught his eye, sure, but they never pulled him in the way he wanted them to. His mother said he was a romantic, but that was a generous interpretation. He was picky, a perfectionist in everything he did.
When he was eight years old his great-aunt had inspected his hands, turning them over and tracing the lines on his palms, and announced with conviction that he would grow up to be a formidable alpha.
And she was right.
The money helped his image and power, but even without it Mark knew he could command a room, be a sound leader, a protector and advisor. He was cunning in everything he did, even with his warm smile and gentle eyes. In every room he stepped foot in, he commanded respect and devotion.
But beneath, so very close under his skin, he knew what he truly was.
A predator.
A covetous wolf who desired desperately to possess, to consume, to devour. Over time his desires had just gotten more warped and frustrating. He’d lain with omegas, male and female, in the past. Many, in fact. For fun, for experience, for relief. But his inner alpha was growing restless. No matter how many times his knot locked in a slick, warm hole, it wasn’t enough. His friends would pass around their omega mates at parties, but he couldn’t claim them. He needed to own, to control, completely. And his vision of him taking control of that one omega had become increasingly…disrespectful.
In everything he did, he was respectful. But in this? No. He didn’t want an omega that would submit to him on sight, give him everything he asked for, play the part of the meek and weak. He wanted one that would need to be broken in, to be molded entirely to his desires, one that would burn hot in his hands, succumb to him unwillingly, so overtaken by their nature that they’d begin to crave him as much as he craved them. Sink his teeth in, take them by force so many times that they’d eventually start begging for it.
So, Mark was expecting a lot from this auction. He was getting older, his parents would only put up with his stalling to find a mate for so long. The youngest son, there was no pressure for him to mate to secure the bloodline. He had the pleasure of mating for, well, pleasure.
Tonight needed to be the night. He needed an omega of his own, to own.
The lights in the hall flicked once, twice, signaling that the auction was going to begin. Stragglers filed in from the lobby and took their seats in the back rows. Mark joined them. He spun the paddle between his palms as he thought over his bidding strategy and scanned the room for familiar faces.
Of course, there were the same greedy men that came every year, buying up as many virginal omegas as they could, too wealthy and selfish to consider sitting out even one year. They’d have their fun with their toys and toss them aside once they were bored. It was shameful. Those discarded omegas wouldn’t live the life of luxury they thought they’d secured, oh no. Turned to the streets at a moment’s notice, they’d have to sell themselves again to survive, but it wouldn’t be as respectable as the auction house.
The crowd grew quiet as the host of the event stepped to the stage, an elderly omega woman who had been running things here for decades. Dripping with precious gems, the gray-haired woman smiled at the crowd knowingly as she took her spot at the podium.
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. It is my distinct pleasure to welcome you to our annual event celebrating the rare male omegas that have presented within our great nation this year. I recognize many of your faces, and we are so honored to have you all in attendance tonight. For your pleasure, we have three very lovely, very virtuous young men coming to the stage that I think, no, I know will catch your eye.”
Gentle laughter rumbled through the room. Mark bounced his leg anxiously.
“Ladies and gentlemen, our first of the night.”
Black-clad security led a young man to the stage. Like every year, the omegas were to be dressed to accentuate their charming points, swaddled in silks to look soft and alluring. Showing a little, but not too much. Enough to tempt and tantalize. The dressings really weren’t important, that was all an act of respectability.
The woman went on to detail his personality points, his measurements. Mark tuned her out. He was beautiful. Slight, small-framed, striking features, hands clasped behind his back as he looked at his feet with deference.
Hmm. Strong maybe. He was textbook male omega, competition for him would no doubt be fierce. He could easily see himself wrapping a hand around this one’s throat as he bred him. A little cold looking maybe, but cold wasn’t a bad thing.
Not bad, not bad at all.
The second man was brought onto the stage. Another set of striking features, more angular, sharp jawline and brows. Slight and small-framed again, stone-faced. Enticing, for sure.
Another strong maybe. Mark would have to reserve judgment until he got a closer look, he couldn’t care less about the auctioneer’s selling points, fake heights and weights, anything to drive the starting price up.
Finally, the last omega to be auctioned off was lined up next to the other two.
Once the omega lifted his head to burn holes into the back wall with his angry eyes, Mark felt his heart stutter in his chest. Shaggy brown hair, long legs, pouty lips, golden skin…but most importantly, fire. While the others looked resigned to their fate on the auction block, he exuded nothing but contempt.
Mark had a white knuckle grip on the paddle. He was too far away from the stage, why had he sat so close to the back? He needed to see him properly.
“I hope you are all quite excited. I wasn’t exaggerating when I said we had a fabulous selection this year, was I?” The animated crowd chattered amongst themselves. She hadn’t been lying. This was the strongest selection in years. “Now, as you all know, we will invite each row to come and take a closer look, starting with row one.”
Mark let out a quiet groan and rubbed his face with one hand. He was in the 15th row, this would take forever.
And so he watched, on the edge of his seat, tense, while the attendees leisurely walked across the stage to evaluate the young men. No touching was allowed, but some would get close, too close. Security would have to put a hand out and force them a few inches back.
If the omegas were distressed by the alphas’ disregard for their space, they didn’t show it. They stood like statues, even the angry one at the end. Mark had missed his name, had missed all of their names. Not that it mattered, their names were all “new” anyways, given to them once they presented.
Despite not even being able to get a proper look at the final omega or drink in his scent, he found himself tensing up every time a potential bidder paused a second too long in front of the omega. His competition. He hated that they were able to see him before he did.
After what felt like hours, it was his row’s turn to file onstage.
After mounting the small set of stairs up onto the wooden stage, he shuffled slowly behind the rest of his row. Everyone was taking their time ooh-ing and ah-ing over the first two, not yet reaching the omega at the end. And it was well deserved, they were even more lovely up close. But Mark politely pushed through to where a few alphas were sizing up the final omega.
Just as Mark expected, he was even more gorgeous up close.
“What’s this one’s name again?” Mark urgently asked security, eyes not leaving the omega.
“Haechan, sir.”
“Haechan,” Mark rolled the name over in his mouth. A pretty name for a pretty boy.
The boy omega was glowing. Long eyelashes fanned his cheeks, a handful of moles scattered his face. His silk shirt and pants drew attention to his small, tapered waist. And his lips, oh his lips. Full, pink, adorable.
Mark rolled his shoulders back. This was it. Haechan was the one, the one he had been waiting for all these years. To force into submission, to bend to his will. Beautiful, fiery Haechan.
The alpha elbowed the other gawkers out of the way and stepped in front of the boy. They made some disgruntled noises, but he ignored them.
“Haechan?”
The omega’s ears perked up at that, despite his now unwavering attention to floorboards.
“You’ll be coming home with me tonight.”
Haechan raised his eyes to meet Mark’s smug expression. A smirk played on the alpha’s lips. Slowly, Haechan mirrored it. His eyes sparkled, they fucking sparkled.
Mark’s smile grew at the omega’s apparent playfulness. But it dropped suddenly when he was hit in the face with a glob of spit.
The omega looked smug, smirk still in place, eyes dancing.
A few attendees nearby gasped, and the other omegas whipped their heads in their direction. Mark blinked furiously and pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket to wipe the spit off his cheek, waving away security and the concerned auctioneer whispering apologies and chastising Haechan.
“You have no idea how easy you have it, you ingrate. You’re lucky I can’t lay a finger on you right now,” the auctioneer hissed at Haechan before putting on her best customer service voice. “I’m sorry sir, I promise he’s properly trained.”
Mark gave a dismissing nod and she rushed over to distract the line of alphas waiting their turn to see the sun kissed boy. Somehow only a scant few had noticed what had happened.
It was better this way. Mark didn’t have to worry about defending his pride.
Not that he needed to defend anything. He was fine. The omega wanted to play a little game? Fine.
Mark calmly returned his handkerchief back to his pocket. He fixed his stare back on Haechan’s face, stoic this time, impassive. A bit cold, a bit cruel.
The omega was biting back a grin, holding in a laugh.
He wouldn’t be laughing later.
“This doesn’t change anything, omega. Not a single thing. In an hour or so you will belong to me.” Mark’s cold eyes looked him up and down. “I won’t let anyone else take you from me.”
— — — — — — —
By the time the attendees had looked them all over, inspected their faces and bodies with cruel eyes that mapped and measured, Haechan was trembling. Fatigue, anxiety, but mostly anger, fucking anger at these stupid alphas that were ready to put a price on him like some sort of livestock.
Anger at one alpha in particular. The one with cutting cheekbones and broad shoulders and the fucking nerve.
The omegas were eventually led offstage to rest before the auction began, and once they reached their waiting room (Their holding pen, Haechan thought scornfully) he collapsed in the first available chair.
“Donghyuck, what the fuck! That was so stupid, I can’t believe you did that!” Renjun whispered urgently, towering over Haechan who had sunk low in his seat. He was pissed. “Do you realize what you’ve done? Nobody who saw that is going to try for you, you screwed yourself! Any good alpha that saw you spit on another alpha, an alpha, definitely won’t choose you, and what are you going—”
“Don’t…don’t you dare chastise me right now, Renjun. You know I can’t stand this. You know how much I don’t want to be here right now,” he groaned, tipping his head back and hiding his face with his hands.
Renjun was right. He didn’t want to admit it aloud, or really to himself, but he was right. It was an impulsive decision, egged on by that stupid, smug alpha. And now he had screwed himself out of any chance at getting an actually okay alpha.
God, he felt like crying right now.
“None of us want to be here right now, Donghyuck,” Xiaojun huffed. He dropped into another plush armchair and closed his eyes.
They waited in anxious silence as the audience apparently resettled and planned their course of attack. After all the years together at the compound, all the time spent in friendship, cultivating joy where they could find it, they couldn’t find words to comfort each other ahead of what was going to happen. There was nothing to say, really. Tonight was likely the last night they’d ever be in the same room.
Renjun perched on the arm of Donghyuck’s armchair and inspected his nails. He was first up. His eyes were distant and far away.
Dragging himself out of his own misery, Donghyuck rested a palm on the man’s slim leg and gave a comforting squeeze.
“I’m sure you’ll end up with a good alpha, Renjun. You’re so beautiful. They don’t deserve you, but if they have to have you I hope you end up somewhere you deserve.” He said it quietly, willing his words to manifest for his best friend. He couldn’t meet his eyes, so he rested his head against his side and sighed.
“Thanks, Donghyuck. I’m going to miss you. You idiot.” Renjun laughed. Donghyuck ignored how watery it sounded.
And so Renjun went first, whisked away by security, managing to squeeze the other omegas’ hands as a quick goodbye before he left.
Donghyuck couldn’t help but bring his thumb to his lips, chewing on his cuticle as he anxiously bided his time in the back room. The betting was fierce. Predictable. He didn’t end up with one of the old geezers, much to Donghyuck’s relief. Some young alpha with too many teeth and stars in his eyes would be bringing him home. Best case scenario.
After Renjun was Xiaojun. Donghyuck wasn’t able to watch, too many nerves, too much thought about what was going to happen when he took the stage next. He prayed that Xiaojun was half as lucky as his best friend as he tried not to hyperventilate, the loneliness of the room creeping in on him.
Pull yourself together, Donghyuck! He chastised himself. No weakness. Keep it together.
He heard smattering applause. And then it was his turn.
When the bulky handler came in to take him out, Haechan swung and smashed his fist into the man’s jaw.
There’s no way in hell he’d go out without a fight.
— — — — — — —
Even though the first two omegas had been spoken for, the majority of the crowd stuck around to see the final round of bidding. Whispers of what had taken place during the viewing had spread like wildfire. To many it was a disqualifier, but to some it was pure entertainment, and to others like Mark it was…enticing.
The omega was led onto the stage, this time with his hands tied behind his back. Security, sporting a blooming bruise on their jaw, gave him a small push towards the center that had Haechan tripping over his feet and sending dark glares over his shoulder.
Fiery, indeed.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the final omega of the evening. Now, I know this one is a firecracker, but with a muzzle I think he’ll do just fine.” The auctioneer laughed airily into the microphone, ignoring Haechan’s venomous scowl.
Polite laughter echoed through the hall, but the tension was thick. This was going to be a spectacle.
“Now, based on Haechan’s virtue, beauty, and measurements, we will start the bidding at $500,000. And, of course, at an “as is” basis.”
Paddles shot up across the room.
“$500,000…$600,000, $700,000, good thank you.”
Mark hadn’t even raised his paddle. He shook his head, this moved so much faster when you were in it. Haechan stood on the stage with his head bowed and eyes squeezed shut.
“Do I hear $800,000? $800,000, yes, now $850,000… $900,000.” The omega’s voice counted quickly, eyes following the ebb and flow of paddles without missing a beat. There was a reason she had been the auctioneer for decades. No one could match her speed.
Mark realized the man to bid $900,000 was one of the nasty, wasteful octogenarians. Mark grit his teeth and raised his paddle.
“$1,000,000 to the young man in the back. Do I hear one million one?”
The old man leisurely raised his paddle.
“One million one to one of our favorite returning customers. How about one million two?”
Mark shot his paddle up at the same time as another young alpha in the front.
“One million two, one million three…give me one million four.”
The old man raised his paddle again. Mark’s heart thumped painfully hard in his chest. He would not lose.
“One million five,” The auctioneer acknowledged Mark’s bid with a small smile. She must be pleased that the young omega’s disrespect wasn’t actually bad for her business.
In a flurry of numbers, paddle raising, glares across the hall, Mark hadn’t even realized he had won until the large hands of the alphas surrounding him were clapping him on the back and shoulders in congratulations.
The auctioneer slammed her gavel on the podium, “Final bid for $4,000,000 sold to the young man in the back. Congratulations, son. Please come up to the stage once the night ends”
A crooked grin broke across Mark’s face as he thanked the men around him for their well wishes. His eyes darted to the omega on stage, his omega . His large siren eyes met his in understanding. Mark hadn’t been lying. He’d been warned. Now he’d be going home with the alpha he disrespected in front of so many. And he looked shaken at the thought.
Perfect.
As the crowd filed out and Mark waved off many “Congratulations” and “Lucky bastard”s, he met the auctioneer up the steps.
“As the representative of this historic auction house, we just wanted to thank you again for seeing past this one’s temper,” The old omega had chilling eyes. She squeezed his arm. “Now, as a special thanks, I’d like to give you these…”
She pressed a small cloth bag into Mark’s hands.
“You’ll find that he will calm down significantly with these. In fact, it will put him right to sleep.”
Mark’s eyebrows shot up as he grasped what she was insinuating. She chuckled as recognition fluttered across his features.
“Use them wisely, and enjoy yourself. He’ll adapt soon enough. We’ll be sending him by car to your residence and will have him prepared for you tonight. If you’d like him to be relaxed before you arrive, just let me know and we can take care of it.”
Mark watched as the handlers guided Haechan backstage once more. The omega couldn’t seem to help but to look over his shoulder at the alpha as he left with shaking eyes.
Mark closed his eyes and smiled to himself before pocketing the small bag and nodding to the auctioneer.
“You know what, I think I’ll take you up on that.”
The woman smiled knowingly and patted his arm. “I’ll see that it happens. Now go off, celebrate, and have a nice night.”
Mark gave her a small bow before descending the stairs and exiting the auction hall. It would take some time before valet could bring his car. He headed towards one of the small bars in the lobby and sat down, ordered a glass of scotch.
He had patience. He could wait.
And when he got home?
Excitement sent a shiver down his spine. When he got home, he’d have someone waiting for him.
— — — — — — —
Donghyuck’s vision was all out of focus as he was passed from handler to handler, escorted to a black van behind the auction hall, handed a bottle of water, and started being driven to… God knows where.
The auction was a blur. He refused to open his eyes for most of it. It was only when the bidding got heated near the end and he needed to know who would be taking him into their possession.
And of course, of course, it had to be him.
The idea shook him, unsettled him to his core. This was not good. Almost worst case scenario, barring one of those disgusting old men puffy with age and wealth. At least he was saved from that fate.
But he didn’t know what to expect from this.
He leaned his head against the window and sighed. The weight of the day creeped into his body as exhaustion. He unscrewed the cap of the water bottle, it was already loose, and downed half of it in one go.
Donghyuck didn’t bother trying to see where they were taking him, where the young alpha, his new owner, lived. He didn’t recognize any of the lit city streets anyway, he’d never been to the capital as an adult. He remembers living on the east side of the city as a child, but that was ages ago.
With another heavy sigh, he finished the rest of the water bottle and tossed it at his feet. His head swam, the signage on the streets became illegible. He felt warm, a bit numb. His toes tingled.
God, today sucked.
Crossing his arms, Donghyuck snuggled himself against the door and window, and felt himself drift into sleep.
He had in and out flashes of consciousness as the car eventually slowed to a stop, strong arms carrying him, the crunch of gravel, the hollow sounds of steps on wooden stairs. He weakly protested with heavy eyes as he was undressed and redressed in clothes fuzzy and soft. His head was laid on a fluffy pillow, his body embraced by warm sheets. He melted back into a deep slumber of unconsciousness.
— — — — — — —
When Mark pulled up to his estate he tossed the car keys to his personal valet and jogged up the marble steps to the entrance. He had inherited his grandfather’s grounds after his passing a few years ago and finally felt like he had made it his. A blend of antique furnishings and modern art. The motivation to create the perfect residence that was imbued with his own personal tastes was driven by the idea of bringing his mate into it. And tonight…tonight. He took no time to appraise the interior tonight, to ensure everything was ready for him and his new toy, his patience was running short.
Mark loosened his tie as he tried not to run up the stairs to his bedroom, where he expected the omega would be lying in wait. Blissful, unaware, and asleep.
Finally, reaching the bedroom, he cracked open the door to find exactly that.
Haechan, on his back, swaddled by the bedding, mouth slightly parted in deep sleep. His chest moved with his deep, slow breaths. Mark gulped. Laid out like this he looked angelic, beautiful…innocent.
“Haechan?” Mark asked the room at a normal volume. “Can you hear me?” The omega’s eyebrows twitched and he huffed out a sigh, but he didn’t rouse. Mark pursed his lips to stop the smile threatening to break free. Just as promised, Haechan was totally out.
The lights were low, the bedside lamp shining golden on the sleeping boy, making his skin look warm and soft. It made Mark want to sink his teeth into it.
The alpha closed the door quietly behind him. He threw the tie onto the ground as he toed his shoes off and padded towards the large bed. Standing beside it, he loomed over the sleeping figure for a solid two minutes, just drinking the sight in.
He looked so tame, so gentle now. Nothing like earlier tonight. No fire, no cutting glares and vengeful posturing. Just a young boy, hair spread out on the pillow, his willowy body there for the taking.
But Mark wouldn’t be doing that tonight. No, no, that would be too easy and in no way satisfying to him. Haechan was sedated out of his mind, and he wasn’t that kind of alpha, not really.
He just wanted the chance to inspect Haechan, memorize the lines of his face and the curves of his form as he slept totally unguarded.
Stretching out like a python measuring its prey, Mark gently laid himself on the bed beside the boy. He propped himself up on his elbow, on his side, and closely watched the gentle rise and fall of his chest.
Being this close, Mark could begin to pick up on the quiet release of omega pheromones. Everyone had taken scent blockers earlier that night, obviously, but it had been so many hours they must have started to wear off. Mark closed his eyes to breathe his unique, ambrosial scent in. Even at the low levels Haechan was exuding, they were inebriating.
Mark slowly reached a hand out to stroke Haechan’s cheek, speckled with moles. He ran a thumb over his full lips. Mark thought he had been exaggerating his pout on stage but no, they were just like that. He ran his fingers through the omega’s dark hair and pushed it back off his forehead. Gorgeous. The boy leaned into his touch with a pitchy sound of content. Mark let out a small, disbelieving scoff at the movement. The Haechan he’d seen, that he’d interacted with, would never. But here he was, being so sweet.
“So pretty,” Mark whispered fondly, smiling at Haechan’s slack face. “My omega.”