New beginning

Primo, like any other omega, has a nest as well.

In interviews, he avoids talking too much about which brand of pillows and blankets he uses despite the countless companies lining up to sponsor him. There's no big reason for this, he simply feels that it's too personal to reveal the content of his safe space, even to his fans. Hence, aside from his family, no one knows what his nest looks like. It's the one thing he's most secretive of.

So, imagine Kaiden's surprise when he finds himself regularly being pulled to take a nap in Primo's nest.

Primo's nest is as luxurious as Kaiden imagined it to be, filled with imported sheets and customized pillows. Fairy lights curl around the bedpost, illuminating the bed with soft, gentle light. When it comes to gifts, Primo puts some of the presents he receives from his fans along with the scented items from his parents.

That's how Kaiden discovers that Primo isn't being courted by any alpha, or to be more precise—he hasn't accepted any alpha's courting gift.

Truthfully, it isn't strange for omegas to invite other omegas to their nest, especially if they see each other as pack mates. However, Kaiden is uncertain whether he'll ever get used to seeing Primo's somnolent appearance.

The celebrity is still as dazzling when he's in dreamland as he is on screen, drowsy eyes not diminishing one bit of his beauty, if only it isn't for the bags of snacks he refuses to let go.

Yes, the darling of all brings packs of chips to his bed and cuddles them to sleep. He doesn't eat them, no, saying that it's a bother to clean the crumbs off his nest. Primo simply hoards them as if he's a dragon and the snacks are gold.

Kaiden can't help but laugh whenever he hears the crinkling of wrappers—like right now when he's rolling off the bed.

Even though he's careful, the other Omega stirs awake because of the movement (and the noise).

"Where are you going?" Primo asks with his eyes still closed, voice languid from being disturb in his sleep.

Kaiden wears slippers,—especially prepared for him—while saying, "I've got the closing shift today."

Primo says nothing but hum in assent, offering his wrist to Kaiden in a silent request to exchange scents. The younger Omega obliges, rubbing their wrists together.

This has become their routine after Kaiden came home that day from the police station. The older Omega took one whiff of the anguish emanating from Kaiden before dragging him to his nest and heavily scenting him in comforting pheromones.

Kaiden smiles at the not too long ago memory, grateful that Primo didn't pry even though he must've been dying to know.

Once Primo's sweet cinnamon scent is clinging to his skin, Kaiden whispers a soft goodbye and leaves.

Closing the door to Primo's bedroom, Kaiden doesn't hear the mint green-haired Omega's repetitive muttering of 'strawberry milk.'

--

Primo's scent isn't the only recent addition to Kaiden's skin.

As an unmated Omega, the alpha boss and owner of Unpoisoned Apple offers to scent him (or any of the employees) as protection from unwanted advances. Of course, Kaiden takes her up on this offer. He only wants to work in peace, not constantly ward off customers who can't take 'no' for an answer, so the first thing he does after clocking in is present his other wrist to be scented.

Caoli, without fail, asks for his consent before doing so.

Kaiden tries not to grumble, but in front of Caoli's gentle presence, he knows he can act a little spoiled.

"Yes, boss," he complains, "we've been doing this for 3 weeks now. Can you stop asking me every day?"

Normally, Kaiden will never take this tone with his superior, but Primo's snarky attitude is rubbing off on him.

Caoli, a short woman with soft curves and a softer smile, chuckles good-naturedly, proceeding to heavily smear her scent on him without a word. Like this, it's easy to forget that she's an alpha. She's not huge or aggressive, but judging from the way she encompasses Kaiden with the scent of a warm cup of cocoa on a rainy day, she's equally as protective as they make out alphas to be.

"You're good to go," she says after she's done rubbing her scent not only on his wrist but also up and down his arms and his neck. "If pervs still bother you after this—"

"—call you or Mick. I know," he finishes the spiel for her. Mick, Caoli's beta husband, does a better job of kicking out unruly customers than the rest of the part-timers. It's an amusing sight to see, especially since Mick does so with as much energy as a firecracker.

"Good." She smiles at him, genuinely happy at the progress of his self-confidence. "Now go and rake in some money."

Her jovial attitude infects him, Kaiden's smile just as bright as hers when he leaves for the counter.

There's not a lot of customers in the cafe during the early afternoon, mostly college students trying to pass time or insomniacs needing their fix for the day. Kaiden prefers it this way, slow and relaxed, knowing it won't last long till the next wave of rush orders.

Still, he takes his time wiping the counter, checking the cash register, and grinding the beans. It's ironic to think that he adapted fast to working at a coffee shop because of Heath's insistence on having the /perfect/ cup of coffee every morning, but he chooses not to dwell on it.

Here, the year he spent inside the Lin Manor feels so long ago, despite only a month or so passing since the contract ended. It's a good thing, he tells himself, it's better to move on.

The bell by the door chimes, signaling a customer walking in, and Kaiden puts on his best customer service smile.

"Welcome to Unpoisoned Apple!" He greets the customer who is clearly in disguise—donning a mask, a black cap, and sunglasses. "What can I get for you today?"

Topaz eyes peek past the dark glasses, assessing the new part-timer. "I'm here for Cao. Is she in?"

"Our boss is in the back," Kaiden replies as the man takes off his cap, fluffing the silver hair to a delicate mess. "Do you want me to call her for you?"

"No. I know where it is," is the only warning Kaiden receives before the silver-haired man walks to the cafe back room with ease and familiarity.

The sudden events shock Kaiden, gluing him to the floor. Who is that? He's not going to get in trouble for letting a stranger in, is he?

However, before his worries get to his head, he hears Caoli shouting, "Vivien Mu Hen! I swear to The Goddesses if you don't put me down I'll chop your head off!"

The threat is dampened by the loud laughter that follows, the rambunctious sound making the tension in Kaiden's body leave.

Oh, Kaiden sighs in relief, it seems that they know each other. Thank goodness for that because he doesn't want to lose this job when his new life is only just beginning.