Chapter Text
Agatha Harkness was Salem University's best professor, her designation be damned. Sure, she technically was an omega, but with the help of modern science (scent blockers and suppressants), she’d successfully managed never to have a heat after her initial presentation, and now, at forty-three, she took great pleasure in knowing that the threat of a heat popping up would soon be something she’d never even have to worry about.
It hadn’t been easy—once or twice, she’d meet an alpha and could almost understand why omegas would choose to bind themselves to someone else. Hell, she’d nearly fallen into the trap herself, but if Agatha’s fucking disaster of a childhood had taught her anything, it’s that freedom is the only thing that matters. You can’t possibly ever be happy with someone else in charge of you, and this is why Agatha chose not to date alphas and tried her damn best to avoid them under any circumstances.
So, when Agatha’s new TA for the semester walks in, reeking of an admittedly delightful petrichor and warm vanilla scent, Agatha immediately shoots her face into the crook of her arm and uses her other arm to point dramatically to the exit.
The TA doesn’t move. Instead, she just blinks, staring at Agatha with her big dumb round eyes and her stupid beautiful alpha face. “Dr. Harkness, are you alright?” She asks, and god fucking damnit, her voice is sexy too.
“Come back when you have scent blockers and suppressants, you fucking maniac.” Agatha spits. There is frankly no way that Agatha could be so in tune with the TA’s scent of it was being suppressed. This ansshole alpha was just raw dogging life with their scent out for all to smell. Inconsiderate privileged hippie alpha. An omega could never just ‘choose’ not to take suppressants in a professional environment.
The alpha blanches. “I’m so sorry. I always wear my patch, and I take the annual suppressant shot. I just got it done last week.” The alpha’s eyes grow wide, and Agatha sees blood rushing to her cheeks.
“I think, maybe…” The alpha pauses and shifts her weight from one leg to the other, “Did you forget to take yours? It smells like you forgot yours.” The alpha blushes and starts to slowly back out of the room.
Agatha almost laughs out loud. She pulls down her turtleneck and shows the TA her scent patch.
“This is fucking great,” Agatha mutters. “Okay. I’m assuming you know what this means.” Agatha scowls.
The TA visibly swallows. “We’re overriding suppressants. Um, we should probably get to know one another, and eventually y’know…mate?” She stutters out.
Christ, how did they let such an imbecile into this fucking institution?
Agatha snorts. “No, dumbass. You have to find a new class to TA.”
The TA shakes her head no, and Agatha gets another whiff of her scent, this time stronger. She feels something pulse in her lower belly, and an excitement starts between her thighs. Fuck.
“You have to leave.” Agatha growls.
The TA looks like she’s in physical pain at that.
“We can’t be in the same room. How can I teach a class if you’re there?” Agatha demands.
“I chose Salem State because of you. I was hoping you’d be my thesis advisor. I’m not dropping your class. You’re brilliant, and your research reads like a crime novel. I came here for you, Dr. Harkness. Please, I’m sure we can figure something out.” The alphas' pleading almost makes Agatha want to wrap them in a warm, comforting hug.
Why should Agatha let the alpha be sad when she can help? Her wolf uselessly supplies. She could give the alpha everything anyone could ever want. An intellectual partnership, companionship, a nest, a home, pups.”
“SHUT UP,” Agatha grinds out.
“Sorry?” The TA asks weakly.
“Not you.” Agatha sighs. “What’s your name, TA?”
The TA scrunches her nose. “Didn’t you fill out my hiring paperwork?”
“You think I do that myself?”
“I’m Rio Vidal. I just finished up at UT Austin. I had a full ride and I finished top of my class. I’m researching early American witchcraft, just like you.” She says proudly.
“Thanks for the CV, but please leave.”
The TA ignores her. “Your work has really inspired me. Please, don’t let something as silly as a designation prevent me from pursuing my scholastic dreams. Surely you understand that.” The alpha begs softly, and Agatha sees that she practically has the girl's heart resting in the palm of her hand.
Agatha may be a bitch, but she’s not a monster. She reaches out for the alpha’s-Rio’s-hand and feels her body thrum with warmth at the contact. Her breath hitches and she can feel her nipples hardening, she pulls her hand away and looks up at Rio, who seems equally effected, pupils blown out wide, and mouth slightly agape. The adorable gap in her teeth just noticable.
“Just because” Agatha waved her hand indiscriminately between them, “our biology has decided that we should do something does not mean that we should actually do it.” Agatha can practically hear her wolf starting to cry. “You’ll find someone more suited to you, Rio.” She says gently. “I’m too old to be your mate. You’re a smart, beautiful young alpha, someone else will come, I promise.” Agatha says, and stupidly feels tears pooling at the edge of her eyes.
Rio’s bright red and is also crying a bit, “I wasn’t expecting to be broken up with today.”
Agatha rolls her eyes. “For it to be a breakup up you’d have to know me for longer than five minutes.”
Rio gives a watery laugh. ‘I’m actually a long-time admirer of your work, Dr. Harkness.”
Agatha sighs, knowing that she is about to do something profoundly stupid. “You can livestream into my classes and TA for me, okay?”
“Will you be my advisor?” Rio rushes out. “After today, you’ll never have to see me in person again.” She offers, but Agatha can tell it’s the last thing the alpha actually wants.
Agatha bites down on her lip, considering. The smart thing would be to say no. Quit her job, run away, and move to California to start a new life far, far away from this alpha.
“Fine. But just your advisor, nothing more, okay?”
Rio’s grin lights up the whole room. “Can I hug you?” She asks, happiness practically vibrating off of her skin.
“No! Out!”