PROLOGUE

“I’ve decided to get a job.” Leslie said as the plates in his husband’s hands dropped and broke into chunky pieces.

“What, what do you mean, getting a job? Who is going to take care of the house?” Ben asked as Leslie glared at his husband for an offensive statement against his secondary gender.

“Right, sorry. I’m used to having you home before I get home and when I married you, I promised to give you a comfortable life.” Ben said as he approached his husband before holding his slender hands.

Leslie’s eyes softened, but he knew they had to face the situation at hand. He needed to be useful to his partner and society.

“I know, but with the situation…” Leslie paused as his eyes met his husband’s eyes. “I know it’s tough for you, but if we keep waiting for you to get another job, we’ll be in more debt than we already are.”

“You know I’m trying my best.”

“Yes, and I love that about you, but it just isn’t enough, and now isn’t the time to satisfy our ego; it’s time to work together to achieve something.” Leslie explained as Ben exhaled.

“I don’t want you to get a job. What about if we ask…” Ben said, but Leslie interrupted him with a stern look.

“I refuse to receive help from him.” Leslie stated before he hugged himself.

“Okay. Give me one more month, I promise…”

“You have all the time, Ben, but I won’t wait. I applied for a job as an editor for a publishing house and I got the job. I didn’t tell you about it because I thought I wouldn’t get accepted since I don’t have any real-time experience, but graduating from my college as an honour student gives you some privileges.” Leslie said, and Ben frowned.

Ben withdrew his hand from Leslie’s hands as Leslie stood up and hugged Ben.

“Honey, me getting a job will not change the way I see you. I love you and I respect you, but I want to be someone you rely on in all aspects, including financially. I may be an omega, but before that, I’m a man and I’m also your lovely little husband.” Leslie charmed as Ben flustered before he placed his arms on Leslie’s shoulders and lowered his face.

“Do you think so?” Ben asked as he buried his hand inside the omega’s straight hair.

Leslie hummed before Ben kissed him gently before the kiss turned passionate.

Leslie slapped his cheeks in disbelief before he stared at the ceiling. He was finally here; Passion publishing house was one of the few publishing houses in the state that had highly recognised writers and artists that any reader was grateful for in their existence. 

The book that gave the company its popularity was the book the author he adored… Azrael Mitsuki Bethan wrote ‘Time loop’ which was adapted into a movie, comic, and any form of media.

Maybe I’ll get to see Azrael since I’m working here. Leslie thought as he blushed, trying to imagine the face of his favourite author.

“You must be Leslie Campbell.” An elderly voice dragged Leslie out of his colourful imagination as he stood up with a respectful bow and nodded.

“Yes. You must be Mr. Pemba, the editor-in-chief?” Leslie asked as the elder man laughed with his stomach round, breathing with each noise.

“Yes. I didn’t expect you to be so young and so beautiful.” Mr. Pemba said as Leslie flustered with embarrassment.

The compliment was something anyone who met him constantly told him. After all, he was a rare breed of a secondary gender… an albino.

Everything about the human species was always a fascinating topic, but nothing fascinated people more than the people born with albinism in their genes.

Alphas, betas, omegas, male, female, and animals - all had something in common. They were pale; it affected even the colour of their lashes and any hidden hair on their body if they had body hair.

The percentage of betas is eighty, with the alpha and omega ratio being equal if albinism was taken out from all the gender; It added up to one percentage, with omegas being the least of the gene.

Leslie was a beautiful omega, white and beautiful, with long straight lashes and pink lips. His eyes were a bold blue, cobalt, and gentle that it drew anyone to him. He had a boyish face, unlike most omegas that were androgynous, and approached three inches away from a six-footer.

“Thank you so much for the compliment, Mr. Pemba.” Leslie said as the old man laughed and tapped his shoulders lightly.

“You don’t need to thank me. Also, call me uncle Bob like everyone else. We only use that name with the clients.” Bob said cheerfully before Leslie nervously laughed.

“Okay sir, uncle Bob.” Leslie said with less conviction before someone came out from the office Bob came out from.

“Uncle Bob, I need…” A young lady paused the moment she saw me. “You must be the new employee… Leslie?”

“Yes.” Leslie responded as the blonde lady nodded.

“A pleasure to meet you. I’m Reina Perry but call me Reina; I’m the team leader of group C, which we have assigned you to. You’re already friendly with uncle Bob.” She said as she looked at Bob, who wrapped his arm around Leslie’s shoulders.

“I see potential in this one and a lot of luck. I get the feeling your author will be so lucky to have you.” Bob babbled proudly as Leslie laughed nervously before Reina smirked.

“Potential huh? He’ll need more luck than potential with the author management assigned to him.” Reina said as she handed me a brown envelope.

“What is this?” Leslie asked as Bob stood upright and placed his hands in the pockets of his slacks.

“I know today is your first day and usually I was supposed to get you acquainted with my team since we’ve been expecting you but the reason, we even asked for an editor is because the last one caused a lot of problems for our author.” Reina replied.

“What kind of problem?” Leslie asked with interest.

“Well, Rachel was always strange; we didn’t expect her to go that far. It’s not something I enjoy telling a new employee, but the best advice to you is not to dedicate your whole heart to your author and make things too easy.” Reina said as she placed her hand on her hip. “Creating a book isn’t easy but being the support to the book and its master isn’t easy either. This job is not a job for the purely soft-hearted.”

Reina walked towards the exit before she paused and turned back.

“Let’s meet your only author.” Reina said before Leslie nodded at Bob and followed Reina.

The ride to Leslie’s author made him nervous as he pondered what kind of person his author was. He stared at the envelope before he opened it and pulled the documents out.

No way. Leslie thought as he stared at Reina.

“Reina is my author by any chance… Azrael?” Leslie asked as his heart tripped, the thought of the possibility made him excited.

“Yeah. Don’t tell me you’re a hater?”

“No!” Leslie shouted, scaring Reina before he covered his face. “I mean, I love his works.”

Reina stared at him before she laughed and leaned back with a relaxed expression.

“That reminds me; what’s your secondary gender?” Reina asked. “I’m a beta.”

“Omega.” Leslie replied as Reina smirked.

“Interesting.” Reina said. “Yet management still selected you to be his editor.” 

There was no sign of hostility with her statement but Leslie couldn’t help feeling anxious by the excited expression on her face after making that statement.

Reina pulled her car over before Reina and Leslie stepped out.

The building was a large complex building with several private apartments. It didn’t look cheap, but it seemed comfortable and the environment was clean and serene.

“I didn’t think Azrael would stay with people. People barely know his private life and he has never made a public appearance even though he is so famous.” Leslie said as he stared at the building.

“Prepare to be amazed.” Reina said before they entered the elevator.

They stopped in front of Azrael’s apartment before Reina pressed the doorbell… No response. She sighed before she pressed it a couple times quickly before Leslie and she heard a voice behind them.

“You really should respect privacy, you hag.” Azrael’s deep voice warned Reina, who smirked and kept pressing the doorbell.

“If you didn’t keep me waiting, we would be inside already.” Reina responded as Azrael scoffed.

His eyes went to Leslie, who stared at him dumbfounded and confused.

I thought he never made an appearance because he lacked confidence in his looks, but I was wrong; his so handsome. Leslie thought as Reina studied his expression and smiled.

“By the way, I came here because the company found you a new editor. Isn’t he cute? Introduce yourself.” Reina said and pushed Leslie gently.

“I-It’s a p-pleasure to finally meet you. My name is…”

“An omega? How disgusting.” Azrael said with an unpleasant glare that drowned Leslie and his excitement.

Azrael walked past Leslie, shoving him gently before he unlocked his apartment with a card key and Reina approached Leslie.

“Why did he…”

“Azrael can be difficult. The reason he has not gone public is for this very reason. Azrael hates omegas, and he’s not afraid to voice it, especially to male omegas.” Reina said as Leslie’s shoulders slumped.

This wasn’t in the job description.