What is Omegaverse:
Society is divided into Alphas, Omegas, and Betas.Alphas are considered leaders, with enhanced physical traits and notable social advantages. They also emit scents that tend to attract Omegas. They move through the social advantage they usually have and mostly hold the most important positions.Betas make up the majority of the population, do not emit or sense adverse scents. They are ordinary citizens who can occupy a wide variety of roles.Omegas have the ability to bear children, regardless of their sex; an Omega's body is prepared for pregnancy. They are also considered second-class citizens, except those born into noble families, who are usually used as bargaining chips or for politically advantageous marriages. Omegas emit pheromones that can attract Alphas.
Heat: Normally, every three months an Omega goes into heat. This cycle begins around fifteen to eighteen years old. The body prepares for mating and bearing children. The cycle lasts from one to three days.
Rut: Alphas often enter a state of sexual urgency similar to heat, but more uncontrollable. The period lasts from one to three days, but the cycle happens roughly every five months.
Soulmates: Alphas and Omegas who have an enormous compatibility and attraction, almost supernatural. They are rare and hard to find. You can spend your entire life without meeting your destined mate.
The Beginning.
I couldn't breathe. It felt as if every part of me was being crushed, pressed by invisible walls. Nothing made sense. I could hear a man's voice calling my name from afar, trying to hold my hand. Suddenly, water embraced me. The cold was unbearable. I thought I would die the moment my head hit the smooth stone. I fought with all my strength until my lungs filled with the salty liquid of the deep sea. Memories slowly slipped away. They were like footprints in the sand, washed away by the open ocean, while the scent of saltwater filled my nostrils. And yet, an image surfaced in my mind—someone trying to hold my hand, a face I couldn't recognize.
I opened my eyes suddenly. My chest burned as I expelled a large amount of water. It was cold, and my head throbbed with pain. I could feel blood mixing with the cold sea water. Intense gazes fixed on me. My primal instinct was to grab the sword lying next to me and point it at the others. Fear gripped my heart, throbbing painfully.
— You're just an omega. — The statement, followed by laughter, stung. Their approach made me react quickly, slashing the arm of one who tried to close in. I didn't know what to say or how to defend myself. Still, I understood I was in danger. Alphas surrounded me, hungry on that ship.
— He knows how to wield a sword. — One commented. My vision blurred; I knew I was about to faint, but closing my eyes meant the end. I had to defend myself. Alarms rang in my head like thunderous bells.
I couldn't remember anything. The feeling was suffocating, and all I saw was danger.
— Enough. — The voice I heard was commanding yet calm. All eyes turned to the man descending the ship's stairs, gripping the railing firmly. — I didn't raise bullies on this ship. Let the boy breathe, damn it. What are you thinking?
— But he's an omega. — The boldest replied, as if unafraid of death.
— And you'll be a neutered alpha if you touch him. He's barely fifteen. — The captain said again. The man was much older, with a thick, dark beard. The gaze of someone who had seen death many times and never flinched. He smelled of rum and sweat. I couldn't hold the gaze of my savior any longer. So exhausted and hurt, I simply collapsed onto the wet wooden floor.
The next hours were a blur. I knew a doctor was near me. A woman shouted at some people around, cursing and trying to help. My worst wound was on my head—a deep, torn, and sunken cut. They had to shave my hair and then stitch it up. I drank something bitter, which I later learned was alcohol—the only way to dull the pain. My lungs burned at times, but overall, I think I fared well. I slept for four days, waking only a few times. I heard voices before slipping back into darkness.
I awoke with the rocking of the ship. I was in a room where the smell of salt air mingled with wood and a hint of rum. There was a window beside me, revealing a vast ocean. I sat up slowly, aching but alive. The pain in my head was gone, though a bandage covered the wound. A woman came to see me but left quickly, slamming the door shut. I tried to understand what was happening. Then the door opened again.
The old man who had saved me appeared. He wore clothes like a classic pirate from children's stories. I blinked several times, trying to decide if this was a kidnapping, but... did my life matter?
I knew I was an omega, understood that much, but I couldn't recall events from my life—details about where I came from, only general knowledge of the world, the fact that I knew how to read and write, and that we lived under a monarchy. Social structures floated through my mind, but no matter how hard I tried, I didn't know what I had been through, who my family or friends were, how I was raised, or where I belonged.
— You caused quite a commotion, boy. A lost omega in the ocean? Easier to find a mermaid. — He sat in an old chair, dropping his heavy frame with a sigh while drinking from a bottle that looked questionable but smelled strong. — Who the hell are you?
— I don't know. — Even my voice sounded strange, hoarse and painful. Maybe I'd been silent for too long. — I only remember falling into the sea... and opening my eyes on your ship. — I didn't know what would happen to me, and I was scared.
— Ah, boy. — The old man shook his head. — I'll leave you at the next port. You're trouble.
— No. — How could I stay in an unknown place? — I won't survive alone. You said I'm an omega. I don't remember anything.
— And judging by your clothes, not just any omega. — He said angrily. — Noble or not, you can't stay on my ship.
— And where do you plan to leave me? — Fear threatened to burst me. I didn't even know my name or who I was. Only pain and fear of the unknown. — You saved me; you have a responsibility. Do you know what will happen if you abandon me like this? I… can't. You have to help me.
We both knew what awaited me—a life sold or forgotten in any city the old man left me. My throat was dry with fear. I wasn't ready to be discarded or lost. I had no family or friends. As bad as it was, the ship was my chance to survive.
— Okay, boy. You'll stay, but don't be a burden. Learn to defend yourself and fight, learn the work of others, and don't cause trouble. Understand? — The man stood impatiently. — And you will call me Captain Baltazar.
— Understood. — I hadn't realized how nervous I was until I was allowed to stay on the ship. I would do anything for a safe space.
— And since you need a name, you can be called Darcy. — I just made a face when I heard that.
— Why Darcy? — I asked genuinely, though I knew I wasn't in a position to object.
— It was my dog's name. — With that, he left me alone. Better than nothing.
The doctor, Geany, also an alpha, came to give me something to eat. She didn't seem pleased to have an omega patient, and I almost apologized for that, but honestly, I didn't want to be there either. Maybe I wasn't to blame — or maybe I was. There was no way to know.
— Hard to believe the captain really accepted you on the crew. — She tossed me a small wooden box as she sat in an old chair that looked like it had stood for many years. — Take one a day. They're suppressants. You must be around fifteen, which means you could go into heat at any moment, and that would be dangerous here.
— Thank you. — I said, staring at the box. But I didn't take long to start eating. It was something like porridge, but tasted like cardboard. Still, I ate it as if it were the finest food in the seven kingdoms.
— At least it's not fresh. — Geany gave a disdainful smile. — Once you can walk...
Before she could finish, a man appeared. Unlike Geany, who looked to be in her forties with tired eyes and curly red hair, the young man who entered couldn't have been older than twenty, and his energy was enviable.
— Thanks for interrupting, Bob. — The doctor said bitterly.
— Oh, my bad. — He smiled, scratching the back of his neck. Bob had a deep scar on his cheek, brown eyes, a close-shaved head, and skin sunburned, covered with tattoos and scars.
— Forget it. Bob will take care of you. He's a beta, so it shouldn't be too hard. He'll teach you what you need to know. Learn to handle a sword too… But you'll have to convince one of our scouts to teach you that. — She said, then left as well.
Bob didn't look very happy.
— Just don't get in my way, okay? I'm going to be a great swordsman and I don't want some whiny kid trailing me around the ship. — Bob made an unmistakable grimace. I couldn't help but laugh at the situation. Somehow, I wasn't bothered by his words — it was strangely comforting to have a healthy rivalry.
— Alright, I'll do my best, Bob. — I blinked a few times and went back to finish my soup.
When I was alone, I stood up and felt my legs weak, but I managed to finally go out. It was night, and the lights didn't cover the entire space. I felt an unsettling sensation as I looked at the vast darkness around us. There was no island or land in sight. Just the immense ocean spreading out endlessly.
Some alphas were drinking and playing dice. I approached timidly. My insecurity showed in the way I walked, but I tried to keep my gaze steady.
— Looks like the omega woke up. — I quickly recognized the man with the bandaged arm.
— Sorry about your arm. — I tried to be polite.
— Don't apologize. You were just defending yourself, kid. — The voice belonged to an alpha woman with short hair, probably the same age as the doctor, covered in tattoos and wearing an eye patch. What stood out most was the sword she kept by her side.
I felt I should both respect and fear her.
— Want to play? — One of the men offered, and the others laughed mockingly as if it were the funniest joke in the world.
— Cut the crap. The kid doesn't even remember his own name and you want to take money from him? — The woman said, irritated again.
— Come on, Olma, it must've sucked being bedridden for almost a week. And if he doesn't have money, he can do chores. — The guy shrugged.
— I'll play! — I said quickly. I wanted to get involved positively with everyone, and maybe playing could give me some advantage in this place. I knew I could be discarded at any moment. I understood that. Even if I didn't remember my life or what I was, I still had some worldly knowledge that hadn't vanished.
The pirates exchanged knowing glances as they made room for me. Olma just sighed, like she was tired.
— It's simple. Everyone has four dice, and you just need to guess the approximate number of sides facing up. For example, "there are three fives on the table," and if no one challenges you, the turn passes to the next who must raise the bet. Someone will doubt the bastard and have to prove that there are that many sides facing up. — The pirate explained patiently, a smug smile on his face.
— Got it. — It was math. There were six of us, so the number variations were broad, but still limited by four dice in each player's hand. Assuming no one cheated, I could win.
— How about the first bet is cleaning the pantry? Starting easy. — The same pirate explained and invited me to the game, his cynical smile lingering. He was thin, looked like he never bathed, his skin marked by the sun, and carried the weight of age in his shoulders, besides having the cold eyes of someone who'd probably committed a massacre. His name was Tim, "Serpent Head." And I didn't want to know why his nickname sounded like that.
— Fine by me. — Everyone was betting money, but for me? Cleaning and physical labor.
I needed to understand the game, but it seemed simple and didn't rely solely on luck, which worked in my favor somehow. I think those playing seriously believed I was dumb or had some cognitive issue; they didn't expect me to go so far and adapt so well. Actually, progressing in the game made me wonder if, at some point in my life, I had been good at mental games and mathematical reasoning.
— Looks like the little prince is good at this. — Tim laughed, noticing some coins in front of me. But honestly, I wanted something different. I looked at Olma, who seemed much more relaxed now that she realized I might survive even among the wild dogs ready to tear me apart at the slightest mistake. The most I managed was scrubbing the deck, but that would be done anyway, since Geany was quite clear about my duties. It wasn't coins I wanted...
— I can... bet everything and all the cleaning you want, but if I win, can Olma train me? — I looked at her sword once more. The alpha looked incredulous, and everyone started laughing. I hadn't actually won yet, but I hadn't lost miserably either, as everyone had hoped.
— How bold, just arrived and already want to make such a risky bet? — Olma laughed but was clearly annoyed.
— I know if I asked, you wouldn't accept. — And the way she looked at me said it was true.
— You're an omega, you should just go to the kitchen and wash dishes, kid. — She wasn't interested in being cooperative.
— … I can do that and still wield a sword. — I said quickly, though I was almost certain I had never washed a dish in my life. My hands had some calluses, but they were probably from sword training.
— Okay, then, cheeky kid. — Olma said with disdain. — If I win, you'll be my personal servant and do whatever crap I order. Are you willing to accept that?
— Yes! — I felt confident.
The other pirates who weren't playing began to gather around. I could win. Just count the dice accurately and hope for some luck.
I did well in the first rounds, and everyone seemed to start betting on who would win.When it was down to just the two of us, I was sure there was at most one five on the table, based on my own hand. And she knew she couldn't bet higher than that. Yet, she did. It was at that moment I was certain I had won.
But when we revealed our dice, there were two fives showing on her side. Impossible.
— You cheated! — When I tried to grab the dice, Olma snatched them so fast it seemed they'd never been on the table.
— So what, kid? — The woman smiled knowingly, and my face burned red with anger. I could feel the heat of my cheek from the sting of what was happening as everyone laughed.
— That's not fair. — My voice barely carried.
— Ha! Fair? Welcome to a pirate ship, kid. — She threw a mop at me. I caught it against my chest. — Start cleaning, little slave.
I felt crushed. But I wasn't going to give up. Amid the laughter and glances, I gripped the mop handle tightly against my chest and thought that soon I would earn respect and my place on the ship. It was the only way to survive. I had nothing left but my will and those people. I could quit and try life at a port, but I knew it would be even harder if I did. From that moment, my life as a pirate would begin.
To be continued...