#original you

All the omegas were dressed in sheer, sleeveless tunics. The thin white fabrics with low V-neck cuts exposed their unmarked necks and ended above the knees. A strip of fabric pinched the loose fabric at their waist, showing off their figures. No other clothing, jewelry, or shoes adorned their bodies. The omegas were kept as bare and simple as possible while decently clothed.

 Shuffling his feet, Mich followed the line as they were led to a new room. Bare walls and minimal furniture - which they were not permitted to sit -  made up the room. Slowly over the next hour, the omegas were escorted out the room.

 Mich was next, based on the number bracelet on his wrist. The bracelet had all this basic information and bar code. The code once scanned gave more information. Mich briefly wondered was his profile read.

 Reluctantly, Mich followed the auction house employee out the room. They silently stalked through the hallways that changed from bare white walls to heavily decorated walls filled with decorations and paintings that reminded him of faraway historical buildings, like an old castle or famous church.

 He stepped into the glass cage once prompted to, turning around to see the glass door shut and the electric panel locking with a beep. The employee left. Looking around Mich recognized other omegas in his group, all in similar glass cages. Some were on platforms and different sizes. Mich was satisfied with his cage, it was a decent size and place deep into this particular room. Being too close to the doors meant being overlooked.

 With nothing to do but wait Mich sat down. He had no idea when the auction began or when patrons would enter. Why would he know? He's an omega, he doesn't need to know any of that information.

 He pulled his legs to his chest and wrapped his arms around this knees. He fiddled with his bracelet nervously, tracing his finger over the raised letters and numbers of the basic info. Deep black ink make up the bar code, his nerves barely able to feel the printed on it.

 Before he knew it he was dozing off and awoken to the loud booming voice over an intercom.

 "Welcome, wolves, to the Eastern Omega Auction House of Shelfer City. We are wonderfully grateful for you presence. Free roaming begins in thirty minutes and the auction at 9 pm. Feel free the explore the establishment and preview the lovely omegas in our house. Once again, free roaming begins in thirty minutes and the auction at 9 pm. Thank you for choosing the Eastern Omega Auction House of Shelf City. Enjoy your night."

 Mich swallowed deep in his throat. Anxiety began to creep up on him, flooding over him and giving him goosebumps. This was it. This was his first chance to find a pack.

 Thirty minutes spent over thinking and suddenly there were wolves walking around in the large decorated room. Mich stood hastily and watched. There were so many wolves in this one room alone and he had no idea how big the auction house was. There could be hundreds of other omegas.

 "Come over here sweetie, let me get a good look at your face." A beta. Mich stepped closer to the glass. The beta walked around, eyes sharp and critical, examining his entire body before stalking away.

 That repeated numerous times, too many times for Mich to remember. He walked around his enclosure, shyly watching the people around him, and offering his bracelet to be scanned when told to.

 Then the intercom came on again, this time asking patrons to move to the auction room.  All the omegas were gathered and brought to a waiting room.

 The atmosphere was odd. Some omegas were stiff and others fully relaxed. There were omegas sitting on the ground, the sofas, and couches. Some were slumped completely limp and unmoving.

 A cup was pushed into his hands and pill in his palm. Mich swallowed them both down dutifully, handing back the paper cup.

 He took a seat on an empty sofa chair. He gradually relaxed, shoulders falling and no longer playing with his bracelet. He noted the drink or pill must've been some sort of drug to calm them down before they were brought out.

 That's what he thought at least. Mich didn't expected the fall asleep until he found himself waking up. The world moved around him in a flurry of motion. His eyes were still unfocused as he tried to take in his surroundings. He was being wheeled. He curled into himself feeling vulnerable. His movements were slow and sluggish. The noises and sounds around him were muffled, like there was cloth stuffed into his ears.

 Suddenly his eyes were assaulted with bright lights. They were so strong Mich could feel the warmth coming from them.

 Then there were hand on him, manhandling him into an upright sitting position. Mich moaned weakly, his head throbbed and vision swam. Nausea swept over him as he was forced to sit up. The auctioneer began talking but Mich couldn't follow along. He was still completely disoriented from whatever drug he was given.

 The hands holding him up left and he nearly keeled over. Slumped and heavily leaning on his hands, Mich grimaced. His head ached, pounding the inside of his scull. The auctioneer continue talking, then shouting as people began to bid on him.

 "Sold! To number 274."

 Mich whimpered as he was wheeled, presumably off the stage. He was still nauseous. His gut rolled uncomfortably and he risked gagging. He held it back. It would be unsightly for him as an omega to show such a behaviour, no matter how queasy he felt.

 "This is him. Omega Michael Stenly." A man's voice, Mich recognized. He attempted to lift his head but was met with more nausea.

 A groan left his lips. He heard a chuckle and he slumped on the ground, pillowing his aching head on his arms.

 "Oh he's just adorable. He'll do so well in our pack; just look at him!" Another man's voice, this time slightly deeper much more excited.

 "My Second will collect Omega Michael tomorrow with payment. Have him ready," said the first man. Mich couldn't help but shiver. The voice held so much authority and power behind it, but it wasn't unkind.

 Mich was being wheeled away again so the duo must have left.

 That was it. That was his first auction and he's been adopted. Mich couldn't be more happy, he was going to be joining a pack right away.

—

So Elias found himself with the boy curled up in his lap in the car again. Elias casually chatted quietly with Josh while the boy made small, little snuffling sounds against Elias’s neck from underneath this protective towel.

Their agency owned an entire condo building just five minutes from HQ and their team members were each given a unit to use as they pleased. Elias lived both in the dorms and in his personal apartment. Elias figured it would be more convenient to stay at the dorms with the boy to minimize travel time and have more check-ins on the boy.

Nudging the door shut with his foot, Elias kicked off his shoes and sat on the couch. The boy was still sleeping. Elias sat down on the couch and gently shook the boy. With a wide yawn the small boy woke and pulled away from Elias’s neck.

“Hey there bud, you gotta let go now,” Elias said gently pulling the boy’s thin arms from his neck. Surprisingly, the boy didn’t resist and allowed his arms to fall by his side.

With some slight coaxing, Elias gradually removed the boy from his lap and on the couch.

After a moment Elias left into his kitchen to prepare food for himself and his new roommate. Keeping a ear out for any sounds from the boy, Elias quickly made chicken noodle soup with rice added.

Carrying two bowls of warm chicken noodle-rice soup back into his living room, Elias found the boy laying on this side on the couch. A soft smile crossed his face as he placed the bowls down on the coffee table. The boy was sprawled on his side, cheek flat against the seat cushion. His lean hands ran offer the fabric.

Elias quickly realized the boy was feeling the cushion. The boy likely had never felt something so soft before. He gazed ahead with glossy eyes and his hand dragged over the cushion aimlessly.

Taking a seat next to the couch, Elias carefully ran his fingers through the boy’s hair. They boy’s eyes flickered to him and he gave a wide, dopey smile. It was like feeling the soft couch cushions was the best thing to ever happen to him.

And it probably was.

Elias decided to stay put, sitting next to the boy while combing through his hair. The boy was all soft smiles and happy sighs. Elias couldn’t help the wave of sadness that flooded through him like a broken dam. This poor, neglected, and abused omega was finding so much happiness from a simple couch. A damn couch cushion was the best thing the boy ever experienced.

Before long the boy was dozing off again. Eyelids gradually slipping shut as his breath evened out. Elias woke the boy once again; it was time to eat.

It took a few tries, but after a few spoonfuls the boy was quickly drinking down the soup. Between spoons the boy waited with his mouth open, eyes wide in anticipation and excitement. Elias could barely feed him fast enough and soon, the bowl was empty.

Following a meal was nap time again. Elias carried the boy to his bed and tucked him in, watching as the omega happily burrowed into the meek bed. Listening to the boys happy little noises and purrs made his wolf howl. He hands itched to pull the omega close and hold him tight, to protect him. The boy quickly settled in and Elias tucked the comforter around the boy’s body. Elias stayed while the boy drifted off into a comfortable peaceful slumber, his soft purrs and snores filled up the silence.

Eventually Elias left after some time watching the boy sleep as his growling stomach reminding him of the need to eat. His bowl of soup had long become cold but Elias ate it anyway. He couldn’t be bothered to heat it up. He quickly finished off his meal and began to write a report.

Slumped on his couch with his laptop he typed away, documenting everything that had happened. It would likely be useful to track the boy’s rehabilitation progress and behaviour. If anything, it would act like a diary. Elias made to write down absolutely everything. From the hospital, to feeling the cushions, eagerly eating his meal, and snuggling in bed. Elias made sure not to write too much about the boy’s happy noises and purrs; he didn’t want to seem weird or anything.

Writing continued until the late evening. Elias stopped as his stomach just began to grumble.

Time to make dinner.

---

Pulling his arm back to simply curve around Baran's arm, Nick pulled his tired leader along to their suite.

Inside the suite was grand and pristine. More than enough space for the two of them and decorated in a way that showed nothing but prestige and wealth. The balcony overlooked the hotel's outdoor pool and bar lounge. A single queen sized bed occupied the center of the bedroom and a large TV to accompany it. The bathroom was equally pristine. Sleek off white granite made up the floor and counter top. The shower, a glass stall and the bath large enough to fit two adults.

Baran collected Nick's hastily tossed bag and placed it to the side along with his. Nick was already sprawled over the bed spread out like a starfish.

"Doll, your shoes," Baran noted. The omega hadn't removed his shoes yet.

Nick simply gave a groan flicking his foot out. Baran snorted and took the hint. Kneeling by the bed he carefully removed the studded heels from Nick's feet and placed them aside. Each foot got a quick massage earning a loud and exaggerated moan making Baran laugh softly.

Baran crawled into bed beside his omega who curled up against him, nearly laying completely on top of him. Baran took it without a blink of the eye. Nick was an exceptionally tactile and affectionate wolf. Being snuggled to death like a body pillow was no rare occurrence in the Bustling Boars pack. Nick made himself comfortable around Baran, using the alpha's shoulder as his pillow.

"Nap, then food," was all Nick said before he was asleep. Baran dragged his fingers through Nick's hair knowing he loved it and gently caressed his shoulders and back to lull him into a quick nap.

Baran stayed wide awake while his omega napped. Too many thoughts ran through his mind. Would they find any good omega? Would they find the right omega? How would the others react if they returned without a new member? How sad would Nick be?

Before he knew it Nick was waking. One big yawn and a long stretch later, Nick was sitting up and ruffling his hair. Eyes puffy and lips in a pout, Nick laid back down smothering his face into a fluffy pillow.

"Come on, up. Let's go get food before the auction." It took some probing and extra caresses to convince Nick to get up, but they were soon out the door.

Nick was dressed in a simple white romper with vertical stripes. The low cute along the front and back showed off his body and the thin straps further exposed his neck. He wore a pair of low matching white, studded heels. On his hands were thoroughly decorated with dainty white gold jewelry and a special red braided bracelet. A gift from Baran when he first joined the pack. Nick has never since removed it once.

Baran dressed to match his omega. An equally sleek white suite with black trim. His shirt was a slightly beige with vertical stripes. A bright red belt along his waist and a red jeweled ring on his thumb. On his feet, plain, black leather shoes.

Before leaving Nick made sure to unbutton Baran's dress shirt to make him look more casual.

A quick late lunch in one of the hotels restaurants and they were driving to the auction house.

Omega auctions were held on the daily and wolves traveled the country - even the world - in search of the right omega. Baran and Nick had been to countless auctions over the past few months but each time they returned home empty-handed. They were becoming desperate.

They began their search in the top floor where there were less patrons, most started on the third floor where it began. But Nick liked to take his time viewing the omegas so starting on the top floor meant less people around.

Two floors down Nick heaved a heavy sigh. So far no omega had caught his eye and none for Baran either.

"Let's keep going," Baran said placing a comforting hand on Nick's waist. "There's lots more to explore."

The next few floors showed more promise. They used the tablet provided by the house to scan the bracelets of a few omegas, keeping some bookmarked. But none really caught their eye.

Too shy. Too confident. Too cocky. Not interested. Too desperate. Too small. Too big. Just not the right demeanor.

By the time they reached the third floor - the last floor for free roaming - Nick was mentally exhausted. Already he had discredited the omegas on the floor too dispirited from the evening's lack of success. Baran did his best to comfort the sulking omega, but not amount of soft kisses or gentle caresses was able to lift his mood. They stalked the third floor with limited interest and scanned bracelets as they went along.

Then, they saw him. A young male omega with black hair and shorter than average height.

He caught both their attention. Bara gripped Nick's arm tightly, holding him back from running over. A share look and they were calmly walking over to the omega. He was quite nervous, they could tell. He was playing with the metal bracelet absentmindedly and shuffling from foot to foot. The constant fidgeting and darting eyes were a clear indication of his nervousness.

He made eye contact with them and immediately looked away.

Nick pulled Baran along approaching the raven omega's cage. Without looking at them, he raised his wrist allowing them to scan the barcode, which Nick did.

They walked away pretending to be uninterested, but lurked around the edge of the room. They spend the next half hour observing the omega. Watching him nervously shuffle his feet and walk around his cage giving others better looks of his body.

"He's the one," Nick stated. It was obvious, but he felt the need to say it out loud.

Baran simply nodded and pulled Nick into his arms. They found their omega. Nick gave a content sighed and leaned into Baran's chest. They were getting another omega.

When the time came, they moved to the appropriate  auditorium where the auction where the particular raven would be auctioned off.

Seating in lush sofa couches they relaxed themselves and reviewed their tablet. Nick deleted all the bookmarked omegas, leaving only one.

Michael Stenly was his name. Only seventeen years old and attending his first auction. He was from an omega school out of province. Nick briefly glanced through the raven's transcript, not actually caring for this grades or instructor notes. Nick knew he was the one.

Several hours later and butts numb from sitting the entire time, the duo made their way backstage.

Nick nearly cooed out loud upon seeing the raven. He looked so small and meek on the trolley.

"This is him," Baran whispered to himself. "Omega Michael Stenly."

Nick rested his head on Baran shoulder, hands clenching his arm. He was perfect.

"Oh he's just adorable. He'll do so well in our pack; just look at him!" Nick exclaimed excitedly shaking Baran's arm.

They stared at the omega who lay crumbled and unmoving. Small whimpers and groans left his open mouth.

Nick barely heard anything Baran said to the employees. He watched the poor omega curl up. As an omega could empathize with how the raven felt. The drugs given made them feel absolutely terrible. But it was an effective way to showcase an omega's body and submissiveness.

They left the auction house with a jump to their steps. They were absolutely ecstatic but kept their excitement hidden. They didn't want others to know about their success.

They were a large dominant pack and many eyes watched them. Word would get out that they had a new omega but they didn't want to seem as desperate and excited as they truly were.

It was only once they were in their car did they break out in teary smiles and genuine laughs.

"We have to call Elijah!" Nick shouted shoving Baran his phone.

The First Mate answered on the fist ring.

"Hey Eli."

"Babe?" Nick could hear the nervousness and concealed hope.

"We found him. We found an omega," Baran said closing his eyes, voice smooth and calm.

----

"This is Baran, you never know what will happen," Elijah replied.

"I'll be fine."

"He'll be fine."

Elijah sighed. "Just make sure you have everything one more time, okay?"

"Yeah I'll check again," Baran replied. He grabbed his keys and went into the garage to check his bags.

"You baby him too much."

"I baby you all too much. You're no different Abel." The man in question scoffed but didn't deny it.

"Yeah, yeah."

"Go get Nick would you. They should leave soon if they want to arrive before midnight."

The man in question came storming down the stairs, designer duffle bag in hand.

"I'm here!" Nick shouted coming to a halt in front of Elijah.

"Hurry on then, Baran is waiting for you in the car. Pick a good omega for us."

"We will! See you in a few days." Then Nick was out the door, the heavy mudroom door slamming shut behind him.

Elijah and Abel shared a sigh. Nick was a bundle of energy. Bright smiles and pure, uncontrolled energy.

"Let's finish preparing the house, shall we?"

Abel snorted. "Like you haven't finished everything yourself already."

"Hush, now. There's always something left to do. Go bring all the spare pillows would you?"

"Oh, you just want to do all the work." Abel rolled his eyes in faux exasperation as Elijah drew him into a tug.

"Why of course! I have such a strong and capable pack mate. Hurry along."

With one last eye roll, Abel turned and left to do as instructed.

The Bustling Boars packed live in a large mansion on the outskirts of the city. Too many square metres to count and dozens of rooms, the pack lived a very comfortable house. Each member had their own room, there were entertainment rooms, heat and rut rooms, and spare rooms.

Abel was on his way to a spare room, where all the extra bedding was kept. Their omega, Nick, loved soft bedding, pillows, and comforters, so they had a room filled with spare items.

Armful of pillows and a blanket dragging on the floor between his feet, Abel entered the newly converted room. What was once a spare room was transformed into a livable space for their upcoming second omega.

The pack has been searching for a second omega to bring into the pack for a few months now. Baran and Nick were attending another auction in hopes of finding a suitable omega. For months they have been preparing the new omega's room hoping that one day someone will live in it.

Abel threw the pillows carelessly on the bed and the blanket too. If this omega was anything like Nick, they would enjoy organizing the bed. If not, Nick would definitely help.

"Isaac! Jay! Come help me with the room!" Abel shouted exiting the room. On cue the beta and alpha were by his side entering the spare room to bring out more blankets and sheets.

With a sufficient pile on the bed, Isaac and Jay returned to their tasks and Abel found himself in the kitchen.

Elijah and Abel were the packs two best cooks, completely comfortable with cooking any sort of dish and easily cooking up a meal with random leftover ingredients. Jay was fairly good at cooking. Isaac had only a handful of experience in front of the stove but he was willing to help and learn. Meanwhile Baran and Nick were absolute disasters. The leader and omega had little to no cooking experience and every attempt to help ended with them being booted out of the kitchen after a mess of sorts was created. Those two just didn't help with cooking anymore.

Together the duo cooked up a variety of dishes. Like every other auction day, the pack prepared the room and cooked an abundant amount of food. So far they had no luck finding the right omega and each auction day the pack was left disheartened.

Ignoring the bad thoughts Elijah and Abel finished up the last of dishes and laid them out on the table. Elijah and Nick wouldn't be joining them for this lunch or dinner so the leftovers would be served tomorrow and the day after for the entire pack and the possible new omega.

The mansion carried an air of eagerness and excitement as did every auction day. They were all excited for the prospect of a new pack member. Lunch went by in a flash as they chatted and ate.

Jay would be leaving soon to return to work and Isaac as well. Elijah and Abel had taken the whole day off from work, leaving their operations in the hands of their SICs as they prepared the mansion.

As lunch came to an end, Isaac and Jay returned to work which left the large mansion to just Abel and Elijah to do some last minute cleaning and preparation.

Which is exactly what they did. Normally the pack had a cleaning service to tidy up the mansion twice a week, but with a potential new omega joining them, they couldn't help but be a little anxious. And cleaning was one way to keep themselves busy while they waiting for that fated phone call.

That fated phone call arrived minutes before midnight.

The sound of Elijah's ringtone echoing in the living room and the beta jumping over the couch to pick up. Abel was by his side in seconds, eyes wide and straining his ears to hear anything being said on the other side.

"Babe?" Elijah's voice gave a tremble, full of nervousness.

"We found him. We found an omega," came Baran's smooth voice over the phone.

"You-you found an omega," Elijah repeated eyes wide and not quite understanding the words he said back.

"Yeah, we found one, babe. We found our omega. He's coming home tomorrow."

"Tomorrow…"

"What's he saying?" Abel impatiently asked.

"They found an omega, Abel. We're getting another member."

Abel stared back at Elijah, both their eyes wide with wonder and shock. They were really welcoming another omega this time.

"He's arriving tomorrow." Abel pulled Elijah into a tight hug.

"I'm gonna tell Jay, he's bringing our omega home." Then the call disconnected leaving Elijah and Abel holding each other tightly, trying to fight back tears of happiness.

"I can't believe it, we're getting another omega." Abel's voice was muffled, face buried in Elijah's large chest.

"Come, come! We must finish preparing!"

"Yeah…"

-----