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It had been another resort to Cas, no different than the ones he had been to with Michael and Lucifer. It never occurred to him that Dean had never been to a place like this. He hadn’t realized how much awe the omega was in until he heard him gasp at the sight of a pool. Those wide green eyes stared at it the whole time Cas parked. The excitement only grew once they were out of the car. Dean even stood on the tips of his toes to get a better look at the pool. It was fun, seeing how excited the other man was. At one point, Dean grabbed Cas’s arm and pointed at it. Cas felt his heart melting into a pile of goo. It was scary at times, how easily the omega could bring out these feelings. Cas would worry about that later. Right now, he wanted to enjoy his time with Dean.
Dean’s excitement only grew the second they stepped inside. Once again, to Cas, it had been another resort. However, Dean was taking in the whole place, looking at it as if it was something amazing. Then Dean's eyes zeroed in on the door leading to the inside pool. Cas never realized just how much he took places like this for granted. When Lucifer had dragged him out of the office for a “business trip”, they would spend a few nights at some resort with a front view of the beach. Lucifer would take a few hours to schmooze some client and then they would spend the rest of their trip drinking and seeing what the town had to offer. It had been just another small little getaway with his brother. The time with his brother had been fun, but the places had not been anything special. Cas gulped, thinking of Lucifer left a bitter taste in his mouth. It was hard at times, even with the proof Cas had seen, to picture the life of the party brother as the same one who had kidnapped and raped Kelly.
Dean reined himself in long enough for Cas to fill out the form. The second they were inside the elevator, the omega couldn’t contain himself any longer. Dean started going on about the indoor pool and asking Cas if he thought they could visit it before they left. Everything in the alpha wanted to tell Dean they could, because he wanted to make the omega happy. However, there was an uneasy feeling in Cas’s gut. It had nothing to do with the chance of Ruby catching him here. Everything in Cas wanted to grab Dean and get the man far away from this place. But they had to stay, for Kelly. So he had to let Dean mingle with the rest of the omegas and hope it all went well. Cas simply told him he didn’t think they would have time. Dean was ready to try to talk him into it when they saw another couple walking towards them.
An alpha man and an omega woman, who bowed her head as soon as she noticed them. Dean stared at the woman with his brows drawing together. He had forgotten what they talked about in the motel. Not like Cas would care, even if they were a real couple. He would never expect Dean to be anyone but himself. The alpha ahead of them took Dean’s refusal to bow his head as a sign of disrespect and he glared at them. Cas glared right back; he didn’t give a damn if the man thought less of him for not forcing his omega to bow. So if he dared say anything to Dean, Cas would show him how alpha he could be. As they drew closer, Dean greeted the other couple. The omega grew more confused when neither of them acknowledged him. Once they parted, both the alpha and the omega broke out into fits of giggles. When Cas looked over his shoulder, they were looking back at them as well, whispering to one another and laughing.
“What was that all about?” Dean was looking at him for answers and guilt filled Cas. He didn’t want to pressure Dean into doing anything he was uncomfortable with. But if he didn’t follow etiquette, the other omegas were going to eat him alive. Cas didn’t know how to talk to Dean about this. The omega frowned. “I messed up, didn’t I?”
Cas sighed. “It doesn’t matter… It’s just… Dumb expectations.”
Cas stopped walking when Dean stopped as well. “C’mon man, I need to know, I gotta fit in. I wasn’t raised like you, so I might need you to remind me from time to time.”
Cas tugged his scarf up. “Okay, umm… Did you see the woman? How her head was bowed down?”
Cas watched Dean’s cheeks pinkened and the omega started to rub the back of his neck. “Ah shit, that’s right… Sorry Cas, I didn’t mean to embarrass you or anything.”
Cas’s eyes grew wide. “No! No, no! You’re not embarrassing me! Do you think I care about what these people think? There’s a reason why I didn’t get along with a lot of my peers. If you don’t want to follow these rules, I couldn’t care less, I promise.”
“Nah, I’m not Dean Winchester right now. I’m Proper Dean Winchester!” Dean smiled wide and winked at him. Cas couldn’t help but huff a laugh at the other man. They went back to their pool debate, lasting long enough for Cas to push the card key in and pull the handle when he got a little green light. “Besides, if we get lucky, we won’t have to take their classes. Maybe we’ll run into Lilith before-”
The omega gasped, his bag dropping next to his feet. Dean slowly stepped into the room, his eyes huge as he took it all in. Cas shifted nervously on his feet, waiting for Dean to say something, anything. He was aware his friend had never been to a place like this before. Dean had told him of all the no-name motels he and his family had stayed at before. Cas thought this room was a step up from most of the resorts he had stayed in. The TV was bigger and there was a deck with a view of the pool. He thought Dean would have liked that, but what if his friend was expecting something more luxurious and he was let down by what they were given? What if it was the bed? There was only one bed in the room, but it was large enough that he and Dean could sleep on it without being close.
Of course, Cas had originally planned on sleeping on a couch, but there wasn’t one. Maybe he could fix up a place to sleep on the floor so Dean didn’t have to feel awkward about this situation? Cas was just about to share his idea when Dean darted past him and poked his head into the bathroom. It made Cas’s inner alpha nervous, he wanted the omega to like the room he would be spending the night in. Dean walked to the center of the room, his eyes darting to the bed then to the TV then to the fridge, and back to the bed. Dean slightly flinched when Cas put his hand on his shoulder.
“Dean? Are you okay?” Cas asked, preparing to hear the omega’s disappointment.
Somehow, Dean’s eyes grew wider, “Are you kidding me? How could I not be okay? I mean look!” Dean waved his hand around the room. “Dude, this is freaking cool as shit! This is the best room I have ever stayed in ever!”
Cas wanted to chuckle, but caught himself. He felt his chest puff up, his inner alpha proud. A small voice in the back of his mind was scolding him, but Cas pushed it aside. He didn’t care because even though they were undercover, Dean liked the room. Of course, his friend worried and didn’t want Cas to think he was taking advantage of him. Dean promised he would pay Cas back and he seemed so embarrassed when he said he would have to make payments. The alpha couldn’t have that and quickly reassured Dean that he didn’t need to. To squash the guilt, Cas admitted he used his Sandover card to pay for the room.
It worked, a smile broke out across Dean’s face. “Get out! They didn’t cut you off yet?”
Another wave of pride washed over Cas when he saw the joy back in his friend’s eyes. “Doesn’t seem so, I’m guessing they’re hoping I’ll come to my senses and return.”
“Hell yeah! Thank you, Sandover!” Dean flopped onto the bed and looked like he was in heaven. Cas let himself admire the bliss on the omega’s face for just a second, then turned to grab the bags. He didn’t get very far when Dean spoke again. “Cas, try out this bed.”
It wouldn’t have been the first time he laid in bed with Dean. They were smooshed together in a twin-sized bed while they listened to music and watched Star Wars together. It might as well never have happened. Just like before, Cas’s mind felt like it had come to a screeching halt. Dean was just wanting him to feel how comfortable the bed was. Just like how he wanted to watch a movie together. This is what Dean’s friendship looked like, but it didn’t stop the fluttering in Cas’s stomach when he was offered closeness. When Cas finally got his head back on straight he walked over to the bed and carefully took a seat next to Dean. Cas felt himself gasping, the bed was so much more comfortable than the hard thing they slept on last night.
“Awesome, right?” Dean asked.
“Very awesome,” Cas replied before he fell backwards, his head landing next to Dean’s.
Happy. Cas felt happy when he let down the walls and just enjoyed small moments like this with Dean. He promised himself he could see Dean just as a friend. Promised that he would keep himself in line, but it was hard to keep his feelings in check. Dean was so easy to fall for and if Cas was smart, he would distance himself. This was only going to end in heartbreak for him. But the thought of not being around Dean was like a punch in the gut. Cas didn’t want to keep himself away from the omega, broken heart be damned. It wasn’t a question if it would happen, but when. Dean would only ever see him as a friend. If he was still in Dean’s life after all this, he would see Dean date others. Cas knew it would hurt, but he would take it. He’d rather have Dean as a close friend for the rest of his life than not have him in his life at all. With the thought settled, Cas was able to let the what-ifs of the future fade and just enjoy the here and now.
***
It wasn’t even one o’clock and there were already people gathered in the lobby. Omegas on one side and alphas on the other; all of them gathered closely in their groups and chatted away. Cas tried to ease the nausea rolling in his stomach. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Dean. The omega assured him that just like his father, he could work undercover and Cas didn’t doubt that. It was just that… Dean sometimes poked fun at Cas’s upbringing and sometimes the alpha didn’t think the other man truly understood what it was like. That his old views came from these people. That they believed in old-fashioned views, even omegas. He worried that Dean wasn’t prepared for how harshly those who held those views would treat outsiders. He worried that the omegas in the class would tear Dean to shreds. However, as Dean looked on at the group, the omega didn’t seem phased. Perhaps baffled there were so many omegas here, but not worried. Once again Cas found himself in conflict. At the same time he believed in Dean and worried about him. At least this was the class for the un-mated and Cas didn’t have to worry about Dean stepping into the lion's den just yet.
When Lilith and Ruby appeared, the lobby fell silent. Cas felt like he had been sucker punched in the gut. He hadn’t seen Ruby since college and an awful feeling filled Cas just seeing her again. Then, he saw her, the omega he had never met, yet it still felt like staring at a ghost all the same. The sundress, the long wavy blonde hair… From where he stood, she looked just like Kelly. Lucifer had gone out of his way to make the best copy of Lilith as he could.
Dean watched with disgust on his face as Ruby dismissed Lilith before the two walked away with their groups. Going opposite directions of the lobby, Lilith going to the left, and Ruby going to the right, they led their flock to the classes and programming the younger generation with ideals fought hard to break free from.
“What the fuck was that?” Dean spat.
“It’s uh… Well, see, this isn’t something that’s normally done outside one’s home. See, when the alpha is home, the omega is serving tea or whatever, they can’t leave until the alpha allows it. Not normally done unless there are guests or pups in the house, because it’s a sign of respect. It also teaches the pups who’s the head of the household.”
Dean looked disgusted at him now. “And that never struck you as odd?”
Cas felt his body grow hot as shame filled his every being. “It was just… Normal… I had seen it all my life growing up, but I’ve never been in a serious relationship with an omega before so I never had to worry about it myself. Then I had Jack and well… I didn’t truly worry about it, because I knew no matter how he presented, I would never send him to those schools.”
“Thank goodness for that, those schools sound like a freakin’ cult. So if it’s something that’s not normally done in public then part of their lessons never actually stays in the classroom, huh?”
“No, if they want to showcase a traditional alpha-omega relationship they’re going to-”
“Castiel?!” The alpha’s heart sank at the all-too-familiar voice. He turned around, hoping against all hope it wasn’t who he thought it belonged to. The alpha was older and dressed a lot differently, but no doubt about it. “K-Ketch?!”
The relentless jeers, the beatings, and the scared omega all by the hands of Ketch and his friends came flooding back to Cas. He wanted nothing more than a hole to open up beneath his feet and swallow him whole.
The other alpha barked out a laugh, almost not believing what he was seeing himself. “Bloody hell! It is you!
Ketch wasn’t supposed to be here, he was supposed to be back in Britain! He wasn’t supposed to be here to open up old wounds. Ketch was yamming on about what he had been up to, but the words were going in one ear and out the other. Cas couldn’t focus as his mind begged the universe for Ketch to not bring up Ruby. Cas didn’t tell Dean about his past with Ruby because there wasn’t a need to. There was no reason for Cas to attend the classes when it was Lilith they needed to get close to. He didn’t want to tell Dean about Ruby. He didn’t want to dig up his past when it was best deeply forgotten. The conversation came to an abrupt halt when Dean awkwardly shuffled a step behind Cas. The alpha and Ketch watched Dean bow his head. Cas’s eyes slowly left Dean and studied Ketch, who was giving the omega a funny look. Cas glared at his old classmate. When Ketch noticed, he brought his fist to his mouth and cleared his throat.
“How long has it been? I feel like I haven’t seen you and Ruby in ages.”
Cas felt himself go tense. Even if he couldn’t see Dean’s facial expression, he couldn’t imagine the omega was pleased with him. He had kept a vital piece of information from Dean. “Since graduation…” He muttered.
“Shit, thirteen years, that’s crazy. It seemed like we were dumbass kids just yesterday.” The other alpha chuckled before his eyes lingered over Dean. “So who is this? Rumor has it you married a beta.”
Cas’s stomach twisted, Ketch had moved back to his home months before Cas had met Crowley. Realistically, the alpha knew his peers would know of his marriage. It was a dark stain on the Novak name. One that was gleefully spread through these circles. Still, it was a dreadful thought that anyone from the gang talked about Cas after school. “Um, I uh, did, but it didn’t work out. This is Dean, my Omega-to be. Dean, this is Arthur Ketch.”
Cas gritted his teeth when Dean looked up, met Ketch’s eyes, and extended out his hand. Cas was used to the cruelty of his peers, Dean was not. “Nice to meet you.”
Ketch’s eyes grew wide as he looked at the gesture. Cas could tell the other alpha was not used to an omega addressing him so boldly. It was telling, Ketch never experienced how the world lived outside his stuffy community. To be fair, neither had Cas and he probably never would have if Crowley didn’t quite literally drag Dean into his life. Dean’s brows furrowed before the man realized what he had done and Cas watched his cheeks turn pink. The alpha was prepared to say his goodbyes so Dean didn’t have to be subjected to scrutiny when Ketch grabbed Dean’s hand and gave him a firm shake as he laughed.
“I like him! He’s funny! It’s sure as hell hard to find an omega with a decent sense of humor.” Dean dropped his head back down the second Ketch let go. Cas could tell his friend was embarrassed.
“He didn’t attend the kind of schools we did,” Cas tried, hoping Ketch would get the subtle hint to not pick on Dean. It seemed to work from the look of understanding dawning on the other alpha’s face.
“Ah, well, that makes sense why you brought him here. Don’t worry, I heard that Lilith was the best. No question, she can help whip him up to top shape.” Cas tried not to bristle at Ketch’s words. They were undercover and they needed to play along. “Even if he’s a little old I’m sure he’ll learn. But if you’re wanting someone to sire strong pups, you’d probably want to look into someone younger.”
Ketch gave him a small smirk, the alpha was baiting Cas. He knew this, but it didn’t stop the anger from rising. “You should keep your opinions about my Omega to yourself.”
Ketch threw his hands up, acting as if he meant no harm. “Hey,q I get it! He is still attractive for his age!” Cas didn’t try to stop the growl rumbling from his throat. A small ping of pride swirled in his chest when Ketch blinked in surprise. It was short-lived when a smile broke out across his face. “Look at you! I don’t think I’ve ever seen you act this much as an alpha before, good for you! Oh, by the way, this is my Omega, Bela.”
Bela lifted her head, just slightly so Cas could see her face, but wouldn’t look him directly in the eyes. A gesture Cas was far too familiar with and something he thought he had left behind once he started to work for his family. Naomi might believe in these old costumes, but she could never get away with enforcing them at Sandover. “Hello, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“It’s lovely to meet you too and now if you don’t mind we have to-”
“Are you attending Ruby’s class?” Ketch asked, trying to sink his claws into his old favorite chew toy.
Is he asking because he’s taking the classes or is he trying to insinuate that I need them? It didn’t matter, Cas wasn’t going. “No.”
“I wasn’t either, the wife and I were just here for a getaway. However, I was hoping to run into Ruby and now that you’re here I think we should totally do it! Ruby would get a kick out of it.”
“No, thank you,” Cas replied more forcefully.
“Come on! We haven’t seen each other for ages and it would be nice to have half the band together.”
Many snide comments rolled on the tip of Cas’s tongue, but he swallowed them down. “I hope you and Ruby have a good time catching up. Bela, it was lovely meeting you.”
Cas’s arm snaked around Dean’s waist and he led them away from Ketch. The only thing on Cas’s mind was to get Dean away from that asshole. He didn’t care how many years passed, didn’t care if they were in a supposedly safe space, he didn’t trust the alpha anywhere near Dean. He had completely forgotten about the Ruby thing until the doors closed and they were alone again. Dean whirled around where he was facing Cas and spat out: “The hell man? You knew Ruby and didn’t tell me?”
Cas knew Dean would be upset with him. Still, he was taken aback by his tone. It had been a while since the other man spoke to him like that. Cas’s first instinct was to get defensive and tell Dean it wasn’t any of his business. He took a breath and took a moment to cool down. This was on him, not Dean. “I didn’t think it mattered,” he mumbled.
“Of course it mattered! If you told me you guys were friends, you could have just called her. Then you wouldn’t have to pay an arm and leg for one room and I…” Dean waved at himself, snaring at the fact he was wearing a cardigan and a tie. “Wouldn’t have to dress like a dork.”
Cas knew Dean didn’t like the look and it wasn’t his style, but the alpha didn’t think he looked bad. “Dean, you look good, stop worrying and I didn’t pay for the room, Sandover did.” Dean scoffed and somehow Cas knew that scoff was about the outfit. Not the correction of the payment. “You do, but that’s besides-” The doors opened and Cas looked around the hall, making sure no one was around before he continued. “The point is- Ruby and I aren’t friends.”
The look on Dean’s face told Cas he didn’t believe him. “British doucechecanoe sure thought so and also fuck him! I don’t look old! I’m only twenty-six!”
“Don’t listen to Ketch, people like him have obscure views. As far as the whole friend thing, he was stretching the truth… We weren’t friends and I’d fear to leave you around Ketch or anyone from that group.” The young, terrified omega flashed through his mind. Cas would tear Ketch apart if he did that to Dean.
Dean was quiet as he fished out his key card. “Shit, that bad?”
“Yes,” Cas replied, closing the door behind them. “He might have calmed down since high school, but I don’t trust him, not one bit.”
Dean grinned. “Well, if for some reason he tries anything, I’ll just kick him in the balls.”
“Good,” Cas smiled, he liked this Dean, not the one he tried to be back in the lobby. “You don’t have to put yourself through this if you don’t want to.”
“What?” Dean asked, raising a brow.
“You don’t have to act like the other omegas here, you’re not from their world and it’s okay.”
It earned Cas an eye roll and an exaggerated huff. “Look, I know I slipped up a couple of times, but this is my first major undercover gig. I got to play the part to pull it off and now I’ve seen how other omegas act, I know what I’m supposed to do. Besides, it’s for a good cause! It’s for Kelly!”
Cas was unsure how well their plan was going to work. He didn’t have a lot of faith that Lilith would help them out. Still, he owed it to Kelly to try and even though he didn’t trust the people around him, he trusted Dean. “For Kelly.”
***
Cas leaned against the wall. Right next to him was the small and very deserted gift shop. He watched intently as Dean mingled with the other omegas. He couldn’t tell how it was going based on the back of Dean’s head, but from the look of the youngest-looking omega there, it wasn’t going well. However, the older omega was striking up a conversation with Dean. He had a smug smile, but that was pretty on par with these kinds of groups. Dean has this, you need to stop doubting him. Still, it was hard not to be nervous when he saw Bela waiting with the group. He highly doubted Bela would mention him. Even if she did, Cas highly doubted that Lilith would remember him. He had only met her a handful of times when he would hang out with Lucifer. Usually, when his brother approached her, she left very quickly.
The lobby grew quiet as Lilith and Ruby entered the room. Cas opened up a pamphlet and ducked his head, only glancing up when he heard Ruby dismiss Lilith. Cas watched the groups start to walk away, but Dean paused and glanced over his shoulder. He looked nervous, so Cas smiled at him and gave him a thumbs up, letting the omega know he believed in him. Dean smiled back, gave Cas a small nod, and hurried to join the group. The alpha gasped when he felt a hand on his shoulder, shoving him forward.
“Come on Castiel! This is our chance! We can sneak in without getting caught,” Ketch whispered as he tried to drag Cas.
Cas planted his feet and put his whole body weight into the spot, making Ketch almost trip. “I told you, I’m not going.”
“You have to! Ruby is going to get a kick out of seeing the new and improved Castiel!”
Cas shrugged Ketch’s hand off him and started towards the elevator. “Have fun catching up with Ruby.”
“Cassie! Come oooooon! Ruby is never going to believe me when I tell her that you’re mating an omega!” Ketch shouted back, causing Cas to freeze.
He slowly turned to face the smirking man behind him. “Ketch…” He said carefully. “You can’t tell her I’m here.”
There was a gleam in Ketch’s eyes. “Not only will I tell her, but I’ll have her drag you out of your room.”
Cas stood frozen, unsure what to do in this situation. Dean had agreed it would be best if Ruby didn’t know he was here. Ketch was going to mention him, no matter what, and there was a good chance he would be kicked out. Cas mauled on his options before sighing, then stomped over towards Ketch, who seemed delighted. It was the lesser of two evils. If Ruby told him to get the hell out, well, hopefully, she wouldn’t know who he was with. It would give Dean more time to get Lilith alone.
“You know, I gave you a hard time about Dan-” Ketch might be trying to get under Cas’s skin, but he bit his tongue. On the off chance his old peer truly got Dean’s name mixed up, Cas wanted him to believe it. “But I was just teasing. Now, Ruby, I don’t know if you know this or not, but she mated an omega eight years older than her.”
Cas didn’t bother to ask why it mattered. He unfortunately knew why it mattered to Ketch. So, he settled for an easy “Okay.”
Ketch patted him on the shoulder. “Just saying, you got Ruby beat in the love department at least.”
He followed Ketch down the hall. Both of them followed the chatter and laughter. Ruby’s group wasn’t as big as Lilith's, Cas only saw a few alphas piling up for Ruby’s class, so he guessed most wanted their mates to attend the classes while they hung around the bar. Cas had done his best to treat this as some unfavorable chore, nothing more than an annoyance, but once he heard Ruby’s voice from the other side of the door he felt sick. Ketch winked at Cas before throwing the door open.
“...I know most of this time will be-Hey! What the- Ketch?!” Ruby’s surprised voice called out, making Ketch chuckle. Cas took a deep breath before stepping into the classroom. Ruby’s smile dropped the second she saw him. Her eyes doubled in size. It would be almost comical if it wasn’t Ruby. “Castiel?”
Ketch threw his arm over Cas’s shoulder and pulled him close. “Right? I could hardly believe it myself.”
Ruby’s eyes narrowed. “What are you doing here?”
“Bela and I are taking a vacation to celebrate my quarterly numbers. I thought while we were out around these parts we’d-”
“No, not you!” Ruby gestured at Cas. “What are you doing here? I mean, I know my classes are the best, but not even I can help you. Go run along to your beta husband.” Ruby smirked as the other alphas started whispering to each other. One gave Cas a look of disdain.
The grin on Ketch’s face stretched further. “Actually, our pal here has gone full alpha! Ditched the beta and got himself an omega!”
Ruby's eyebrows shot up. “What?”
“Umm… It didn’t exactly happen-” Cas tried, but Ketch spoke over him.
“He’s finally one of us!” Ketch shouted. “Sure, he’s mating an omega from some blue-collar family, but he brought his mate here! To learn how to be a real omega! So proud of you, Cassie!”
Ruby smirked. “Is that so? I guess we’ll see. Take a seat and let’s get this class started.”
The other alphas were snickering at him, so Cas took a seat next to Ketch. He wasn’t expected to stay and now he had no idea what Ruby would have to teach them. “Everyone, this is my good friend Ketch. And this is… Castiel.”
Ketch smacked Cas’s shoulder. “Good ol’ Castiel.”
An awful grin stretched out across Ruby’s lips. “You guys want to learn how to be a better alpha? Listen carefully. Whatever Castiel would do, do the opposite.”
The class erupted in a fit of laughter and Cas groaned. He knew exactly where this was going. He prepared for a long, painful trip down memory lane. Ketch and Ruby left no stone unturned. They brought up everything. How Cas was whipped for not standing tall and straight. The time someone tripped him in the mess hall and Cas fell into his tray of food. The times Cas would get lost in his head and the teachers would call him out.
“...and of course, he never wanted to shower with the rest of us. So me and the guys waited until he was alone in the shower. We took his gym clothes and Ishim picked open his locker! We had his uniform too! Cassie had to walk through the halls with nothing but a towel!” Ketch laughed, wiping away tears. They had been laughing at him for half an hour now. For the most part, Cas had done a good job ignoring them. Now, he was seconds away from getting up and leaving.
“Oh! Oh!” Ruby patted her leg. “Remember Nora!”
Ketch gasped. “Nora!”
“Who’s Nora?” The alpha with long dark hair asked.
Ruby shook her head. “Okay, you’re going to get a kick out of this. So this is still back in high school. We wanted to mess with Castiel. So we talked Nora into writing him a love letter asking him to meet her under the bleachers.”
“But didn’t you guys go to an all-alpha school?” An older man with balding hair asked.
“We did! We didn’t think Castiel would be that messed up, but he showed up!” Ruby snickered.
“Messed up? You think it’s messed up to like someone of the same-subgender?” Cas asked, but Ruby didn’t have to answer. Her class quickly agreed it was. “I think it’s more messed up how we’re trained to treat our omegas.”
Ruby narrowed her eyes. “So the great Castiel Novak has some wisdom to depart? Fine, let’s do this. Let’s get this class started. Today, we’re going to mainly focus on how to keep our omegas in line.”
The balding alpha snorted. “Our omega parents got smacked around whenever they got mouthy. It was a method that worked and our omega parents turned out fine. The world is too damn soft nowadays.”
To Cas’s surprise, he saw the corner of Ruby’s mouth twitch. He knew that quirk, her lips would twitch whenever he and her were paired for projects. Does she not buy into that mindset? It couldn’t be, Cas had seen how she treated the omegas in town when they were teens. She delighted in beating the shit out of that one omega.
The twitch of her lip formed into a cruel smirk. “Exactly what I’m talking about. I can understand why you needed my class. Whenever I hear, “back in the day”, I want to roll my eyes so hard I see my skull. Listen, if you gotta hit your partner to make you feel like a big strong Alpha then you’re already failing. Now I’m not saying that you can’t punish your omega when they step out of line, because an unruly omega says a lot about you as an Alpha. However, it’s more telling about one’s Alphahood when they resort to caveman, “we gotta hit our omegas and pups.” Shows no critical thinking.”
The balding alpha slumped his shoulders. Cas, himself, looked at Ruby in disbelief. It had to be for public image. There was no way she believed what she was preaching. Seeming satisfied putting the alpha in his place, Ruby went on, “Cassie,” she called out, startling Cas. “Say your omega wanted to go out of town with his? Her?”
Cas cleared his throat. “His.”
“Say your omega wanted to go out of town with some of his friends, just for a few days. You tell him no, but instead of respecting your word, he tries to argue with you. What do you do?”
Cas blinked a few times, “I… I don’t understand, why wouldn’t I let him go see his friends?”
Ruby rolled her eyes. “Does it matter? Maybe you don’t want your omega to get too crazy without you near. Maybe you don’t want him to go because you won’t be there to protect him. Maybe you don’t like leftovers and you need him home to prepare dinner for you. Hell, maybe you just wanted to say no because you can. The details don’t matter, what would you do?”
Cas’s mind went blank, he was taught what to do back in high school, but the suggestions were always so harsh. “If there was a valid reason why I didn’t want him to go, well… I suppose I would have a conversation with him. Give him my reasoning and see if we could come up with a compromise.”
Ruby crossed her arms. “And say that you two couldn’t reach one and he threatened to go anyways. What do you do?”
Cas’s mouth twisted. “Then I guess he would be going.” He knew it was the wrong answer. The others laughed at him, but he didn’t care. Didn’t care that Ruby was shaking her head, smiling at him like he was some kind of joke.
“Yeah, you really do need my classes. You’re rusty, I mean, have you never been with an omega before this one?”
“That’s right,” Cas quickly replied. It wasn’t true, he and Dean weren’t together. He had slept with an omega, once, when he was eighteen. They didn’t have to know that. Sure the class laughed at him, calling him names, but it was worth it to see the shock on Ruby’s face.
When the other alpha regained her senses, she huffed out a laugh. "Okay fine, that’s what you would do, but then what? Show your weakness? Have your omega not take you seriously and walk all over you?"
"And what pray tell would you do?" Cas asked dryly.
"I would threaten to cut off my omega's credit cards. What's the point of going out if she can't splurge? Then I would make her earn her way back to her allowance. Not all at once, don't want to make the punishment a slap on the wrist.” Ruby glanced around, daring any alpha to disagree with her. Cas had to give it to her, she bled pack Alpha. Though he knew what she was capable of. When no one uttered a disagreement, she continued. “People who aren’t alphas are blessed and I know, I know. They and a few of you guys probably think I’m full of shit, but it’s true. Being an alpha is to continually walk on a tightrope. From the moment you present to the day you die, eyes are on you. If you punish your omega too harshly and they leave you, that reflects on you as an alpha. If they walk all over you, people will question your status.”
“So… What is your suggestion? I hear you, about making them work for their allowance, but what if they get mad and that causes them to act out further? How do we not push too hard but still assert dominance?” The Alpha with the long dark hair asked.
Ruby smacked her hands together. “Excellent question! Castiel! Say you cut off your omega’s allowance and instead of righting their wrongs, they fight you further. What would you do without physically punishing them?”
“My omega doesn’t have an allowance, he earns his own money. He works on cars,” Cas answered proudly. However, some alphas looked appalled while others, like Ruby, looked taken aback.
“For the love of-Castiel! Just… Just answer the question as if you were a real Alpha who didn’t make his mate work. What would you do?” Ruby asked, her voice sounded just as even as it had before. However, Cas could see it in her eyes and from the twitch of her lip. She was getting frustrated at him, which only made him smile.
“I would buy my mate his favorite meal and beer. Then I would apologize and see if we couldn’t find common ground.”
“His omega drinks beer?” One of the classmates whispered to the other.
“Probably thinks he’s an alpha.” The other one chuckled.
“I mean, he was married to a beta, of course, he’s attracted to an omega who acts like an alpha!” The dark-haired woman snided before cutting her eyes at Cas.
Ketch bumped his shoulder into Cas’s. “Not gonna lie, not an omega I would mate, but he sounds fun as hell.”
Cas was just about to tell Ketch he’d better stay away from Dean when Ruby cleared her throat. “If any of you ever find yourself in this situation, you let your omegas know that no one wants seconds. You remind them that they have it good and if they were to leave, no one in this society would take them. It doesn’t matter how young and breedable they are. Alphas want omegas who haven’t been claimed by another. If they say there is another alpha interested, you show them stories and testimonies of omegas who have left. The alphas who told them they would make a better mate never took them in. If they are mated by another alpha, it’s always by alphas from a lower class. They can kiss this lifestyle goodbye.”
Cas wanted to cringe as he heard approval and agreement from the other alphas. Ruby went around the class, asking each alpha why they were there. Unsurprisingly, most were here for their omegas rather than themselves. How they were talking back instead of just going along with what they were told. Another Alpha complained that her omega didn’t seem on board with having another pup. Another Alpha was complaining that his omega daughter wouldn’t mate with the Alpha he picked out for her. Complained that she would rather focus on her career at the art gallery than get mated. Each time Ruby would ask Cas for his opinion.
“Omegas aren’t slaves, they don’t have to do everything they’re told.” Cas told the first alpha to which Ruby scoffed at him.
“Plan a getaway, to their favorite romantic place, but tell them it comes with strings. If they don’t earn it the trip will be canceled.” Ruby offered instead.
“It takes two to create a pup, but she’s the one who has to carry it. Talk to her, and see if you guys could come up with a compromise. Maybe she would be willing to foster a pup with you.” Cas struggled with that one, but it was the best he could come up with. He wasn’t equipped to give this kind of advice. He almost suggested therapy as well, but he feared what kind of therapist this Alpha would seek out.
“Remind her how happy she was when she had her other pups. Bring back those memories of when she had her pups and plant the seeds. That will help remind her what her purpose is. Be subtle about it though. She’ll be more open to having another pup if she believes it was her idea.” Ruby countered.
By the third one, Cas was tired of Ruby poking fun at him. “You’re the teacher, why do you keep asking me?” He snapped, making Ruby laugh.
“This is an easy one, since she works at the art galleries you own, cut back her responsibilities. She’s attached to the place so cutting her hours back will keep her hooked enough to keep the love going and make her miss it. However, she’ll cut her losses if you threaten to fire her altogether. While she’s there, remind her that a good Alpha isn’t going to want to mate anyone above the age of twenty-four. If she wants to continue working in these galleries she’s going to need an Alpha with a well-paying job to help support her.”
“That’s horrible advice.” Cas didn’t mean to say that out loud, but the words came tumbling out before he could stop them.
He received nasty looks from the other Alphas while Ketch stifled a laugh. Ruby didn’t seem offended. Rather, she seemed to enjoy the rise she was getting out of him. “You didn’t have much to offer. If you don’t like my advice, why did you take my class?”
“Oh, he didn’t want to take your class. Our Cassie wanted to drop his omega off for Lilith’s class before doing his own thing. Our boy is finally a real Alpha.” Ketch winked at Cas.
Ruby huffed a laugh. “Good thing! You’re such a hopeless cause.”
“I don’t need your class, there’s nothing wrong with me,” Cas calmly said, but all he got was a room full of laughter.
Ruby fringed a smile, but Cas could see the sneer it was. “That’s the problem with you Cassie, you always thought you were better than the rest of us. All high and mighty, just like your family. The Novaks think their shit doesn’t smell, but you all are nothing but a bunch of freaks!”
“I think it’s best to take my leave,” Cas said, gracefully standing up. His hand was just over the door knob handle when Ruby spat:“That’s it! Leave with your tail tuck between your legs!”
The words meant nothing to Cas, but what Ruby uttered next made him freeze up, “Go and fuck up your poor omega further! The poor thing doesn’t stand a chance!”
Ruby’s smile widened as Cas slowly turned back around. “There is nothing wrong with my omega, he can restore cars no one else can and he enjoys it. He loves drinking beer and his music is kind of loud and I’m pretty sure no one could beat his love of pie. He’s kind, brave, and way too forgiving. He’s the kind of guy to go out of his way to help his friends in their time of need. He’s got the biggest heart, but he can fight and he knows his way around a gun. I’m glad because he wouldn’t be intimidated by someone who likes to beat on omegas, someone like you.”
The smile from Ruby’s face slipped. “What-”
Cas took a step closer. “You may deem me helpless, but your teachings are flawed. Especially when you don’t follow them yourself.” Ruby stared at the entire class, a look of horror on her face as the others whispered.
“What is he talking about?” The balding Alpha asked.
“Let’s reminisce again, shall we? We were sixteen, and Ruby, Ketch and a few of their friends cornered some poor omega. Young kid. They tormented him. Ruby had no problem beating that kid.”
“I-no, that doesn’t-” Ruby started, but Ketched snorted.
"You totally did! You roughed that poor kid up until he agreed to eat trash! It was funny!"
"Out!" Ruby growled and Ketch waved as Cas. "The both of you!"
“Call me whatever you want, but at least I never…” The words died, he could no longer say he never hurt an omega like she had. It didn’t matter that he had done everything in his power to right his wrongs. It didn’t matter that Dean had forgiven him. The fact was he had done it, he had stooped down to Ruby’s level. “I’m proud that my omega can defend himself from alphas like you,” he said instead, before walking out and slamming the door behind him.
Cas was shaking as he stormed down the hall. He didn’t have to stick around and be Ruby’s punching bag, but he supposed old habits die hard. It was over now and no matter what happened down the road, he would leave this life behind. There was a moment of peace before the half-hour came crashing down on him. Cas froze where he stood as he felt his body grow cold. He was supposed to be undercover, he was supposed to pretend he fit in with the other alphas. He had thrown all of it out the window just to get under Ruby’s skin. Guilt ate him away, Dean was trying so hard to fit in and Cas had disrespected him by acting like a fool.
Cas pulled out his phone, checked the time, and saw he had at least another twenty minutes before Lilith’s class was out. I need air… Cas walked around the parking lot but his fresh air was heavy with salt. The weather was muggy and the sun beat down on him. When Cas returned to the lobby he closed his eyes and enjoyed the air conditioning. By the time he made it back, the classes had already let out. Omegas and alphas were seeking out their significant others. Cas looked around the groups but he didn't find Dean. Maybe he was hanging back in the classroom. Maybe he had done it! Maybe he managed to get Lilith to agree to talk to him!
Cas hung around and watched as couples conversed with others. Ketch and Bela hang around for a bit, talking to another couple, laughing away. From the way they all turned in his direction, Cas could assume he was the butt of the joke. Cas ignored them as he continued waiting for Dean, hoping all was going well for the omega. Slowly the crowd dwindled and the lobby was growing quiet when Ketch yelled out:
“Lilith! Ruby!”
Cas’s head snapped their direction and he watched Ruby and Lilith talking with Ketch and Bela. But if Lilith was here… Where is Dean? Dread coiled in Cas’s stomach and his mind began buzzing. No, no, no, no! I should have never left him alone! If someone decided to mess with Dean because they believed he was an easy target, Cas would never forgive himself. His heart pounded in his chest as his shaking hands dug into his pocket. His chest hurt as the phone rang. Each ring was another wave of pain throughout his body.
“Sup?” Dean’s voice happily greeted him. Too happy, this was the tone the omega took when he wasn’t okay but didn’t want others to know.
Cas could feel his anxiety rising. “Dean? Where are you? Are you okay? I don’t see you in the lobby?”
“Don’t get yourself into a panic, I’m in the room, so get your butt up here. I have things to tell you.”
Cas could feel the tension pool out of him and he hadn’t realized he had been holding his breath. “I’ll be right up,” he told Dean.
Cas was on the elevator and to their room in seconds flat. When he returned, Dean had changed into a Led Zepplin t-shirt. The omega smiled at him, but there was something about it that seemed forced. “Hey man, where were you?”
The question punched Cas in the stomach. His mind spun for an excuse while also screaming at him not to lie. “Umm… I went for a walk,” Cas offered lamely and by the look on Dean’s face, the omega didn’t believe him.
For whatever reason Dean didn’t call him out on it. Instead, he gave Cas a real attempt at a smile. “So guess who’s got a one-on-one meeting with Lilith?”
Cas felt his mouth drop open. “How did you manage that?”
“I got my ways.” Dean winked. “I’m gonna meet her at seven and then I’m going to bring up Lucifer.”
Warmth spread in his chest and he was touched that Dean was doing this for him. “I knew you could do it!” Putting Michael behind bars felt like an uphill battle, but with Dean’s help, it didn’t seem impossible. Cas’s words left Dean beaming, the scent of apples and cinnamon filled the room. Cas’s alpha felt proud at making the omega happy. Even if Cas could never have the relationship he wanted with Dean, he would never stop trying to make the omega happy.