Chapter Text
Sometimes you're not entirely sure how you managed to get away with it, but a very weak scent and a small bribe to an old friend that happened to be a military doctor made possible the change in your medical records. You didn't join out of some patriotic feeling, but because at the time that seemed the fastest way for you to get out of that home. And you've done a great job to keep up appearances until now, do your job, don't linger with anyone and take the supressants religiously.
All was well until Laswell decided your transfer to the tf 141, a task force made entirely out of alphas known for being reliant on each other and absolutely refusing to work alongside omegas. You suppose it makes sense given Ghost's history and the few attempts of other omegas to join them forcefully by trying to trigger a rut in the hopes of getting marked. Their disdain was understandable, but you weren't exactly in a position to say "No". Sure, the risks were greater, but the increased payment would help you finally retire, having your own place away from your family and maybe taking a desk job. It wasn't a permanent transfer anyway, you just had to make it a year alongside the most observant and heavily trained alphas around and then go on your merry way.
The first meeting was a bit awkward, even Johnny's smile couldn't hide the tension underneath. They didn't want you there, but were willing to put up with you for the time being. Lucky for them, you don't plan to stick around longer than that. The five of you fall into some kind of routine, getting acquianted with each other's habits. If they notice you going out of your way not to spend more time than absolutely necessary around them, they don't comment on it. And things work out like that just fine until one mission you and Ghost get separated from the rest and it's up to you to carry the barely conscious bleeding alpha out of the collpasing building. It's fine, you were trained for situations like this, but when you are out and safe and about to lay him down, Ghost takes you by surprise when his head falls on your shoulder and starts nuzzling against your barely concealed scent gland under the ripped collar.
Your body freezes as you feel him take a long inhale, eyes wide and his arm clinging to you as he finally loses consciouness from the blood loss just as the others are coming towards you. Thankfully the situation is an urgent one given Ghost's condition and the rescued hostages so they shouldn't pay too much attention to the distressed smell on you. Unbeknowst to you captain Price and Gaz share a look between them as if trying to confirm something. The first moment there isn't a pair of eyes pointed in your direction, you down almost half the bottle of supressants in one go. That was a close call, if Ghost says something after he wakes up you'll try to play it off as him hallucinating from the blood loss.
Your fears turn out to have been for nothing, Ghost wakes up and you don't get called to Price's office and court martialed, but things change a little after that. At first it's hard to pinpoint what's happening, Johnny and Kyle were always the friendliest out of the group, but now it increased tenfold: from making small talk to insisting you work out and then eat together in the mess hall as bonding activities to them sharing their food with you. You have to physically restrain Soap from piling anymore food on your already overflowing plate and when an accident with the laundry destroys your clothes Gaz is more than happy to lend you some of his shirts. He insists you don't have to worry about washing before returning them, something about him needing to use a particular detergent to avoid allergic reactions.
Even Price joins in, a hand on your shoulder, a pat on the back, as he absolutely insists you come with them to the pub. You have to spend time with the pack, after all. You want to argue that your place is temporary, but the look he throws your way makes the refusal freeze on the tip of your tongue. And Ghost, he seems to linger just outside your peripheral vision, a silent presence just out of reach. Maybe that's his weird way of showing his gratitude for saving his life, but still the predatory undertone in his smell is unmistakable. It takes a lot of self-control on your part to still your body from reacting. You fear that even the smallest shudder might give you away, it's almost like a waiting game between the two of you to see who's gonna drop the act first.
You try wearing perfume on the days before your heat when fearing that your scent will come out despite the supressants, but the wrinkling of Ghost's nose as he looks at you like you've insulted his entire bloodline and a lecture from Price about military regulations makes you stop. It's fine, when your heat finally comes you get a hotel room off base and a few days later play it off as being sick and not wanting to be contagioous to Johnny's torrent of questions of where were you and why didn't you answer your phone. Your next heat was gonna be right after the contract with the 141 would be over so you were in the clear.
Except for the fact that they are now more clingier than ever. Johnny took to the habit of scenting you, nails digging into your palms in the effort of not squirming, betas aren't affected by an alpha's smell after all. Price lightly scolded him, telling Soap to stop doing that in the mess hall, which resulted in him just inviting himself into your room and doing it there. No matter how many times or how many locks you would put on the door, someone (you have the inkling feeling is Ghost breaking in) is already there. Whether is Soap sketching or Gaz reading, even Ghost got to cleaning his guns there. You tried complaining to Price about it, but he said that it was nice that the guys were finally opening up and he started mandatory movie nights which meant spending 2 hours squished between two of the guys (usually Soap and Ghost) trying very hard to not be aware of the heat of their bodies.
The week before your contract with the 141 is up somehow your heat comes early completely unexpected, no pre-heat symptoms or anything, just this awful feverish feeling that creeps on you during morning drills. You run past your teamates towards your room, knees buckling by the time you get to your closet searching frantically for the bottle of supressants. Throwing things haphazardly just as the first wave hits you, missing the sound of the door opening and several pairs of boots coming in. Only the clattering sound of a bottle of pills being shaken makes you sharply turn around. There is Ghost playing with the bottle in his hands almost tauntingly, you throw yourself towards him trying to take it back, but he simply lifts it higher. You are about to curse him out until a hand gently grabs your chin turning you towards them:
"Poor little omega, looking so helpless and desperate. Always so eager to run away from what's good for you."
The initial worry from Price's voice gets replaced by an irritated note on the last part like he's scolding a stubborn child. You want to argue with him, to tell them to leave, but as if sensing your intentions his scent takes a sharper tone. Normally you would be able to resist, pretend the dissatisfied note that burns your nostrils doesn't affect you at all, but without the supressants you find your instincts starting to take over. Being in a small space surrounded by pheromones of four alphas makes your head start spinning and is only thanks to Kyle that you don't end up faceplanting on the floor as the strenght leaves your body. He takes you in his arms, carrying you out, you think that maybe he might have taken pity on you until he brings you to Price private quarters. Right in the middle of the room you recognize a nest made out of scented blankets and their clothes. Their combined smells sends another shiver down your spine as he puts you down inside it.
You should run, bite and scratch your way out of here, if only your body would listen to you. Ghost's figure blocks the only exit as he locks the door multiple times.
"I think Ghost might have put too big of a dose of that pheromone enhancement. We told him to slow feed it to you, but the big guy got impatient. Look at you, can't even stand on your legs."
Johnny's words are maybe meant to be comforting, but you don't miss the satisfied smirk on his face, like the state you are in right now is just a happy accident. Ghost remains silent, his gaze locked on your trembling form as if he could see under the layers of clothing.
"You know? We were a little hurt that you kept this little secret from us for so long." says Gaz.
"That's right, there should be no secrets within our pack, but it's fine, we are gonna make sure you properly learn that."
Captain Price's final words seem to serve as some kind of signal because as soon as he finishes speaking there are four bodies closing in around the nest blocking any way you would try running through.