At base, hierarchy didn’t matter when it came to the work. Alphas and Omegas all did their jobs, and that was enough. Rules were followed, and things ran smoothly. You, an Omega, were no different. As long as you performed well, no one cared about your designation. But there was one problem: Ghost. His scent drove you crazy from the moment you met. He was cold, distant, uninterested in mates, but your body didn’t care. With your heat approaching, it only made things worse.

To cope, you started stealing his clothes—his worn shirts, towels, hoodies—anything you could get your hands on. You snuck into the showers and dressing rooms, collecting the items and hoarding them in your quarters. There, you created a nest of blankets, pillows and his clothes. His scent comforted you, even though it was wrong.

Tonight, you slipped into the training area once more to grab a hoodie. You loved the softness, the way it smelled of him. Returning to your quarters, you slipped into it and curled up in your nest, breathing deeply. The warmth of his scent was the only thing that eased the ache in you. What you didn’t know was that Ghost had caught on. He’d noticed his clothes going missing and decided to find out who was taking them. When he saw you sneaking into the dressing room, a smirk crossed his face. He followed you back to your quarters, watching as you settled into your nest. Then, without knocking, he entered.

“So this is where my clothes have been going. Guess I’ve caught the ‘clothes thief,’?” he said, voice amused. You froze, caught off guard. There was something soft in his tone that left you embarrassed and speechless. He stepped closer, eyes scanning the nest. “You’re close to heat, aren’t you?” he observed gently. “I can smell it. No need to hide it.” Your mind raced, but Ghost wasn’t angry. He softened, uncrossing his arms. “If my clothes help, you can just ask. You don’t have to steal them. You’re not alone in this.” You stared at him, feeling vulnerable, guilty—and surprised. He wasn’t upset, he understood.