I'll be uploading a chapter every two days...or whenever.

Enjoy!

The research building loomed before me, its white coloured walls glinting softly in the Evening sun. Along with several others, I stood in the backyard, awaiting the Head scientist who had a matter to address.

A cool wind blew and drifted through the trees encircling the building, its whistling cutting through the quiet, yet tense atmosphere.

Finally, the Head scientist, Arnold Palmer emerged from within the building, with a swarm of suited men surrounding him in a defensive formation.

The Beta elder mounted the podium up ahead, the heels of his shoes clicking as they hit the concrete surface. Each click was crisp and resonating, demanding authority, as though he had already begun his speech.

"Omegas....." He started, his baritone voice sharp with condescension. The breath of every specimen lined in the audience hitched at the word and the intensity of the contempt it carried.

"As you all know, the time for the fertility tests has arrived and I'm certain you are well aware of the conditions listed in the contracts you signed." The man paused, ensuring the weight of his words linger in the quiet tension-filled air and it did.

"Should you be tested negative for fertility, you will be enslaved and squeezed of every penny this institution has ever spent on your development," he threatened, with an edge of finality in his voice.

An uncomfortable silence reigned in the air as the man gazed at the assemblage of Omegas, his eyes tinged with an unrefined disdain.

"That's all! You may go in," Arnold broke the silence and walked off the podium, disappearing into the building along with the many suited men.

"Damn," Kyle sighed profoundly, as he gripped my shoulder. The 17-year-old panted slightly, visibly shaken with fear.

His reaction was predictable as the Head scientist was someone intimidating in nature. Save for my perfectionist demeanor, I would have been a quivering mess as well.

"No curse words, Kyle," I reminded and slid my arm around his waist, and we began our stroll to the sleeping quarter.

"Whatever! I'm here against my will. I might as well curse to relieve some stress," the boy countered.

I smiled helplessly. The Omega had not changed one bit since he arrived at the Vivarium. Infamous for his unrefinedness and violent behavior, Kyle was every scientist's nightmare.

The Omega would refuse treatment and throw meaningless tantrums that would often have him mercilessly beaten and sometimes, starved for days.

It took quite a while to tame him, but it was successful. Though his vulgar way of speaking remained unchanged, like an indispensable quality.

We strolled past the "Heat Chamber" which was a large room enclosed by glass-paned walls. Inside were Omegas who were in their heats, constantly undergoing experiments, with various machines connected to their persons.

The room hummed with activity as scientists moved about, while the incessant beeping of machines pierced the air, grating and relentless.

Only the recessive Omegas frequented the room during their heats as the purpose of the experiments performed on their bodies was to make them average, or rarely, dominant, like Kyle and I were.

We soon arrived at the sleeping quarter. The tall metal front doors to the bungalow swung open, revealing the large all-white interior. Several bunk beds lined the room, each bed with a number etched on its bedstead.

Every Omega had a number assigned to them and the scientists referred to them as their respective number. '01' was my tag, but I was christened Ariel Moore at birth by my mother who, like me, was also a specimen at the institution.

I dragged Kyle to his bed, while he whined about the cruel treatment he was receiving in the vivarium.

"I want to leave," he finally cried.

"If you are found to be fertile, you'll be able to leave. After birthing an Alpha's child of course." I laid him on his bed and covered him with a blanket.

"But, for now, stop causing trouble."

"How come you're so chill about conceiving and delivering some Alpha's baby?" Kyle asked, shooting upright.

"I'm not chill. I just know what my duty as an Omega is," I corrected, as I sat gently at the edge of his bed.

"And this duty is," the boy dragged his words, his light brown eyes fixated on my face, tinged with feigned curiosity.

"It is.......satisfying an Alpha and giving birth to his child." I shrugged my shoulders and smiled softly, unfazed by his frustrated reaction to my reply.

"Ugh, you're insufferable," he groaned, as he plopped on his bed.

I chuckled at his behaviour and teasingly poked his sides. The Omega giggled, squirming helplessly while I tickled him.

"Stop!" He managed to say amidst the uncontrollable laughter, with an adorable slur.

"Get some rest." I finally patted his hands and rose up to my feet, walking towards my bed.

As I settled into the furniture, Kyle's words rang through my head, and I let out a low mocking chuckle at the foolish answer I had given him.

"Satisfy an Alpha and birth his child," I mumbled, sliding the blanket over my body.

That was the last thing I wanted to do.

But, I knew better than anyone the consequences of seeking freedom and the futility of resistance. The world outside the walls of the institution was not ours to reside in, let alone dream to.

It was a rule etched in my being since childhood. We Omegas were brought to life for the sole purpose of satisfying the desires of Alphas and bearing their children.

We were objects of their gratification.

As cruel as that sounded, all I could wrap my mind around was that I had a purpose in life, regardless of its fairness.

So, rather than fighting foolishly for the freedom I so craved, I resigned to my fate, prioritizing survival.

The large digital wall-mounted clock soon hit 8PM and the loud sound of bells rang across the room signalling 'bedtime'.

Despite the number of thoughts racing in my head, my heavy eyelids closed and I drifted off to sleep, my tiredness a product of the countless examinations I had taken earlier that day.

...Thank you for reading! ...

...Enjoy!...

The anticipated day of the fertility test soon arrived, awaking a sense of anxiousness in the specimens. The sleeping quarter bustled with the frantic pacing of several and the silent mumbling of prayers.

Their desperation filled the air, amplifying the fear brewing in me, my frail heart ramming my ribcages frantically as a result.

My eyes darted restlessly around the room, as the sense of apprehension i felt grew, threatening to overwhelm me. Beads of sweat covered my forehead, despite the coldness of the room.

It was my first time taking the test and the mere prospect of failing awoke a sense of dread in me.

I was well aware of the fate of Omegas who failed the fertility tests and this knowledge intensified my anxiety, leaving my hands clammy and my stomach in knots.

"Isn't it better if we tested negative?" Kyle wondered aloud, sitting upright on his bed, with his legs folded beneath him.

"No, dear, It's not," I sighed in a melancholic tone. My empathetic gaze lingered on the boy's face as he stared curiously at me.

No matter how hard I tried, I could not picture the expression that would cross his face if he did not pass the test.

"You'll be pimped out."

"You weren't listening, were you?" I muttered jokingly, despite the tension.

"I was..." Kyle mumbled.

"I just.....what if I don't pass the test?" The words dripped out of his mouth, amongst slight sniffles, every one edged with pure fear.

I felt a vein in my heart rupture as I stared at his glossy eyes, my thoughts focused on how he gritted his teeth in a futile attempt to hold back his tears.

The salty water betrayed him as it poured out of his eyes and trickled effortlessly down his fair cheeks.

"You'll be fine," I assured, even when I knew I could not guarantee his safety.

Haha, who the hell was I to make such empty promises when my situation was no different from his?

My arms wrapped around him, in a warm embrace. His trembling petite frame slumped against me, as I comforted him, my hand gently patting his back.

Just then, the crisp click of the front doors rang through the room and all the attention of the Omegas shifted to the source.

The tall metal frames swung open with an imposing force and many men on uniforms spilled in.

"Exit immediately and march to Merlin hall in a double line," a man who seemed to be the leader ordered, his voice sharp and filled with authority.

We all scurried off to the center of the room and formed a double line as instructed, walking slowly through the doors.

Kyle's hand trembled as it gripped mine, drenched in cold sweat. His fear seemed to course through the skin of his palm into mine, as a sudden wave of nervousness washed over me, threatening to drown me.

I sighed deeply, as I put up my facade of composure and bravery, the fragile wall barely holding up.

"You'll be fine," I whispered, assuringly, gripping his hands tightly as a seal of my empty promise.

I lied again.

Merlin hall was the largest hall in the institution and it was mostly used to carry out mass experiments such as determinations of the caste of recent arrivers e.t.c.

We soon arrived at the hall. My eyes locked onto the numerous beds lining the room. Each bed had a scientist standing next to it.

We were arranged into our respective beds and the examination quickly commenced.

The head scientist and a few men watched the process through a large glass paned window of a room overlooking us.

The test took 10 minutes and we were stationed in a room, each of us awaiting the result that would decide our fate.

"Now, I'll be calling the numbers of the specimens who passed the test," a male voice announced over the speakers and the room grew uncomfortably restive.

"If you hear your number, proceed to Avery hall. Should you leave this room without hearing your numeral designation, you will be punished."

"Omega 90, Omega 32, Omega 12, Omega 56, Omega 71, Omega 54, Omega 37, Omega 45........." My heart raced, as the numbers went on and on.

My ears were intently fixed on the sound of the man's voice, leaving no room for mishearing, the act almost seeming fruitless as the loud thumping of my heart filled my head, tuning out every other sound.

".....Omega 76..." Kyle's number was called and a wave of relief washed over me.

Though this meant that I might never see him again if he got selected by an Alpha, I was happy to know he would not be exploited.

"........Omega 87, Omega 34, Omega 22, Omega 15, Omega 48...." My number was yet to be called.

Sheens of cold sweat streamed down my face as I grew breathless. My dazed eyes scanned through the elated crowd of Omegas whose number had been called.

"Good luck!" Kyle mouthed as he strolled out of the room, grinning ear to ear. The optimistic expression he wore seemed to calm my nerves a bit, as my trembling hands stabled.

"Thanks!"

More than five minutes had passed and room had almost been cleared out. It also seemed like the list was reaching its end.

I stood hopelessly, my eyes glued to my bare feet, preparing to resign to my wretched fate once again.

".......And finally Omega 01." The words echoed through the room.

Without hesitation, I took to my heels and sprinted out of the hall, squealing quietly, with a wide grin playing on my lips.

Part of my heart ached when I took a final glance at the specimens who tested negative. The glum expression on their faces stirred up a profound sadness within me.

But the happiness of testing positive outweighed the sorrow that nested in my heart.

The large metal doors to Avery hall swung open, revealing an all white interior. The ceramic floor of the hall felt icy beneath my bare feet as I stepped cautiously along it.

The cold air in the room caressed my body, awaking the goosebumps on my skin. My eyes squinted as the bright ceiling light rested on them.

The Avery hall was the second largest hall and it had a sole purpose in the institution. This was were the selection of Omegas would take place.

"Ariel," Kyle's rang across the room and I instinctively turned my head.

We were arranged on a wide platform like contestants in a competition, overlooking the assemblage of monied men and women, Alpha men and women.

The chill air grew tense as each Alpha picked out their desired Omega and purchased them without hesitation.

I stood, my head raised firmly. I thought about praying, but I had no idea what to pray for.

It was never my wish to be selected by an Alpha, however, the thought of spending yet another minute in the vivarium was aversive.

"I'll take that one," a deep male voice said and the room fell awkwardly silent.

"Which one, sir?" One of the merchants asked, with a polite, yet nervous smile plastered on his face.

"That one," the Alpha Elder said, his baritone voice firm, almost predatory, with no specifications of the Omega he wanted.

He merely folded his arms and crossed his legs, slumping against the back of his chair, with a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, the act a show of his irresistible confidence.

A nervous chuckle escaped the merchant's mouth at the man's words. It was evident that he had no idea which Omega the Alpha was referring to and that he was not willing to offend the man by inquiring once again.

"The fair-skinned one with blue eyes."

His words cut through the restive air, with a fearful authority, sending shivers through my body, tearing away my facade of composure, in its dreadful wake.

"I..I have blue eyes," I stuttered subconsciously, the words more of a realization than an information.

...Thank you for reading!...

...Enjoy!...

The air outside the vivarium was certainly different. The cool breeze blew strongly through the barren trees in the field, with a familiar whistle, sweeping along dried leaves and dust.

The field was wide and endless, with no road in sight.

Walking across it, I just could not help but wonder how far we were from civilization and how the vivarium felt like a planet on its own.

The afternoon sun ruled the clear sky, its rays touching everything below with an unforgiving hotness.

A hotness that constantly reminded me that what was before my eyes was not a figment of my delusions, that I was finally out of the research building.

Just then, a hearty laugh-the best I'd had in years-escaped my mouth, a small, yet significant celebration of my fleeting freedom.

"I think this one's nuts," one of the purchaser's workers said, gesturing towards me, and his friends chuckled.

"Too bad, he's a cute one," another replied, evidently disappointed.

I stayed quiet, listening subconsciously to their conversation, whilst hoping we'd get to our destination faster. The scorching sun was getting increasingly unbearable.

"Think the boss gon' let us have some fun with him before impregnating him?"

My breath hitched at the question, every hair on my body standing with a frightening alertness. I felt my heart thumped frantically, as I grew anxious.

For the first time that day, I prayed.

"Nah, he's special. Don't even think about it."

And my prayer was immediately answered.

The topic of the conversation quickly took a different turn towards politics and I secretly heaved a sigh of relief.

A black luxurious looking car soon came into sight, packed by the side of an unpaved road, its tinted windows glinting in the sun.

Like a baggage, I was bundled into the backseat, sandwiched by two of the men.

The vehicle violently roared to life and drove off, in a cloud of dust.

The drive to our destination was smooth and peaceful. Contradicting my expectations, almost few to no words were exchanged in the car.

The drive went on for hours, with occasional stops at petrol stations for bathroom breaks and meals, though, I had nothing to eat.

For the first time in 16 years, I saw a minute part of the world outside - a vacuous filling station that was also secluded in a remote part of the country.

Before long, we began driving through cities, places that were different from what I remembered, or rather, the little I remembered.

Places that hinted at humans' advancement in technology, with little to no building that was not riddled with tech equipments.

Our last break was at a cozy restaurant. Its glass doors, compared to the large metal ones of the vivarium, swung open automatically, as we approached it.

My widened eyes and flinched body failed to hide my amusement as the workers burst into laughter at my reaction.

If it wasn't for the immense anxiousness I was feeling, I would have chuckled as well. For the first time during the journey, I felt slightly at ease.

The interior was a beautiful blend of retro and vogue, with people encircling tables, chatting and laughing. It was a relaxing atmosphere.

We occupied a table and an attendant took our orders. Very quickly, the meals were served and I was given a bowl of boiled flour strings and chicken meat or 'Chicken noodle soup' as the men called it.

I moaned as I wolfed down the richly seasoned meal, which, compared to the bland and 'nutritious' meals I was fed at the institution, was in all ways, better.

"Slow down, will ya?" One of the men- Armin-said with a slightly amused chuckle.

"If you were in his shoes, you would have done more than this. Who knows how little he was fed there?!" Brian-another man-replied, fiddling his meal with a spoon as he stared down at it.

His words were edged with care, though he tried to hide it.

During the drive, I got to know the names of all the four workers, Brian, Adhiraj, Armin and Miguel, and bits of their personalities.

Brian was evidently the oldest of the four men, with gray slicked back hair and thick moustache. He was also nice and wise, compared to other three.

Evidence of his kindness was how he stopped the men from potentially assaulting me in the field earlier.

Though it might have been him being wise, I could not help but think he was being kind.

"Right."

"Hey, what was it like at the facility?" Armin questioned, his curious eyes fixated on me, along with the others' and Brian's cursive, yet inquisitive glance.

I remained quiet, as one of the crucial rules I was ordered to follow in the vivarium was to never tell anyone about the activities that took place in it.

"Hmm?" Armin probed.

"Uh..uh I.." the words dripped out of my mouth in pathetic stutters, my face flushed from nervousness and my hands clammy.

"Stop, it's time to move." Brian came to my rescue once again. The three men, as instructed stood to their feet and we all exited the restaurant.

And after what seemed like an eternity, we arrived at our destination - a modern house in a rather quiet part of the city.

It seemed like the owner resided in it, with the intention of cutting themself away from the world.

They liked being alone-this was the first fact I knew about the Alpha whose child I would be carrying.

...Thank you for reading!...