Now I'm strong and I won't kneel/Except to thank who's watching over me

[fromfryingpantofire]

It had been a very long day so far. For Sam, that day mostly meant waiting, fidgeting with the present in his hands.

More than a few of the others had watched him as they waited, wondering what he was doing here and, more than once, Sam had found himself wondering the same. The Novaks were a family with a lot of wealth and a lot of connections, political and otherwise. He'd done his research. The family was full of Alphas and Betas, insinuated into massive companies and running more than a few of their own. They were old money and old power and most of those who had come to court were the same.

Not Sam. Certainly, the Winchesters were an old family, but they weren't wealthy by a long shot. They were involved in law enforcement, which wasn't exactly a rich occupation to begin with. Sam was going to law school, but his interest wasn't in making money but in helping people and putting away those who abused their positions and their power. But, long ago, John Winchester had made a promise to the Novak family because Mary Campbell had mated him rather than Michael Novak. That one of his children would be offered as a mate to the Novaks should there be a compatible one. It had been a sop, meant to quiet tensions between the families but nobody had thought much of it. Dean had been a Beta and Sam had been an Alpha and that seemed that.

Until the Novaks threw an Omega. Not unheard of, but rare. And, suddenly, Sam seemed to be the one Winchester with a chance, small enough though it might be.

He started when he heard his name called, pulling himself to his full height with the present clutched in his hands. He followed Zachariah Novak trying to ignore the feeling of unworthiness. He was an Alpha from a good line. There was no reason, other than money, to think he didn't have a chance here.

Comments

[fromfryingpantofire]

There's a very slight shift in Sam's demeanor when Zachariah speaks up. Sam may be the only Alpha in the family since his father's death, but he's used to the posturing. He casts a glance to Zachariah, then turns his body so that he is very obviously paying attention to Castiel and not the other man.

If Zachariah wants to get into it with him, he can. But Sam is here for one reason and he's going to pay attention to Castiel instead.

"We did, yes. Her Alpha father was planning to market her off to the highest bidder. My brother and I were only too happy to be responsible for bringing him in and making certain the girl was all right." Sam smiles and shrugs. "Everybody deserves a chance to marry who they want to."

[freetobe]

Market her off to the highest bidder. Yes, Castiel can somewhat relate to that idea, given that it's precisely what Zachariah is currently attempting to do to him. So he just nods, lets the words linger in the air.

There's a small smile playing along his lips. A chance to marry who he wants. It begs consideration. His family expects something specific of him, but Sam's words are... intriguing.

"Do you want to marry me, then?"

[fromfryingpantofire]

"No."

It's bluntly said, but not unkindly, as Sam holds Castiel's eyes. "It's not that I don't think you're attractive, because you are. But a marriage should be built on more than that. Right now, I don't even know you. I'd like a chance to, because if nothing else, I think that we could be friends. But that's all I'm looking for at the moment. A chance to get to know you and for you to get to know me."

[freetobe]

Zachariah scoffs. "You're wasting all of our time, Mr. Winchester. Our schedule isn't wide open just for anyone to disrespect this family and..."

Castiel interrupts him. He will regret it later, but for now, he offers Sam his hand - to shake, not to scent. Like equals. Like an omega and alpha who are not prospective marriage partners, but potential friends. No sex, no attraction, not marriage in question. It's insane because Sam is one of his official suitors - but he likes what Sam has to say, likes that Sam sees him as a person and not just a breeding option. "I look forward to getting to know you, Sam Winchester."

[fromfryingpantofire]

It's the best that Sam could hope for. Because, really, he did like Castiel. And, if nothing else, wanting to become his friend might not be the best path to mating, but Sam's more concerned that Castiel makes a good and happy match rather than being railroaded into something he doesn't want.

Which is something Zachariah should be thinking on more, honestly. Omegas who aren't happy or at least content with their situation don't have children, after all.

He smiles widely, though, and takes Castiel's hand, covering it with both of his own in a display of warmth. "I look forward to getting to know you better as well, Castiel."

[freetobe]

It's a flaw in logic that sadly bleeds through many conservative clans - that an Omega should be happy or at least content with what its family chooses, with fulfilling the role they were born for, breeding future generations and being good mates for their alphas.

And when the omegas fall barren, they are blamed for that circumstance.

To be treated with respect, to be treated like a person and not just future breeding stock....

Castiel feels like he will be in trouble with Sam. Still, he lightly squeezes Sam's palm and lets the man envelop his hand with gladness.

"There will be dinner in a little while. It's customary for suitors to attend, though you're not obligated and can feel free to spend the remaining evening at home if you'd prefer."

It's Zachariah's way of subtly suggesting Sam leave.

[fromfryingpantofire]

Sam turns his gaze on Zachariah, very obviously uncowed. It would take a better Beta (read: Dean) than him to make Sam stand down.

Then he smiled, still not having taken his hands away from Castiel. "You misunderstand," he said after a moment. "After all, when it comes to these sorts of things, what someone 'wants' is very different from what happens, is it not? While I may not, currently, want to marry Castiel, I'm not ruling out the possibility that that will change later on. So I think I would rather stay."

He paused, then turned back to Castiel. "As long as you're happy with that, of course."

[freetobe]

"Of course, Sam. I wouldn't have it any other way."

Just as subtle, but a clear sign that Castiel disagrees with his uncle's handling of the issue. Feeling like breeding stock being auctioned off is bad enough - so he'll see that he at least keeps some pleasant company throughout all of this.

"I would very much like to see you at dinner. We've elected to have it at a round table, so no one is actually seated away from me."

And therefore, no one will feel slighted. Sitting to Castiel's left and right will be his uncle and oldest cousin, and in a half circle around the other side of the table all suitors. Castiel will be under close scrutiny through the entire evening. Privacy looks different... but at least this way, no suitor can be left out either.

[fromfryingpantofire]

With luck, Sam's seated next to the cousin. Sitting next to Zachariah might end up with a knife in Sam's side.

Still, Sam gives Castiel the wide, dimpled smile again as he nods and steps back. "Then I'll go ahead and leave so you can get ready. It's been a long afternoon for you and I've no doubt that you're hungry by now."

And it's obvious to anybody who seems him that Castiel needs to move.

[freetobe]

Castiel smiles and nods, and lets Sam shake his head again as they take their leave of one another right now. Zachariah berates him the entire time until dinner, but at least Castiel can move, stretch his legs, use the bathroom, drink some water to hydrate again.

It won't be long until one of these men out there - or the one female - gets to have him, take him home, knot him, breed him like a bitch. He'll spend his life being paraded around during the day, especially once pregnant, and spreading his legs for his alpha during the night, birthing another clan strong alpha or beta children.

Castiel knows what's expected of him. He doesn't like it, but ever since he's proven to be nothing more than an omega, he has known.

Sam sits a little to his right, only one chair down from Castiel's cousin, next to the female alpha called Meg. Castiel is tired, but tries to keep appearing dignified while the suitors talk to his uncle and cousin, hoping to impress the ones offering Castiel up. He's not sure he still has an appetite.

[fromfryingpantofire]

Supper is a strange affair, knowing that all of these others are here for the same reason he is. Or...mostly the same reason. They are all here to court Castiel, after all, but one look shows that the others aren't really here for Castiel. The conversation at the table only bears that out.

And while Sam answers his fair share of questions, he keeps an eye on Castiel, watching the young man flagging. It's been a long day for him and, honestly, he's being talked around, not talked to.

When a break happens in the conversations, Sam takes a moment to clear his throat. "So. Castiel. I didn't get a chance to ask earlier, but are you studying anything?"

[freetobe]

For a moment, it's silent in the room, and Castiel doesn't understand why. Then he looks up from his food, and realizes that he's being talked to.

That... is new, honestly. Color rises to his cheeks, and he straightens up now that everyone stares at either Sam - who broke protocol so severely - and Castiel, who needs a moment to gather his wits after letting his mind wander far away.

"I... no, Sam. I'm an omega."

As if that's all the explanation one would need for why he doesn't study anything.

And in Zachariah's world, it is. Some of the suitors chuckle, finding Sam's question laughable. Zachariah feigns a polite smile, when really it's just condescending.

"Castiel knows what's proper. He will tend the house and rear the children."

[fromfryingpantofire]

Protocol needed to be broken sometimes. That was the only way it would change.

Sam raises an eyebrow. "My university actually has a really good program for Omegas," he says after a moment. "I know a lot of them go in for teaching and the nursing program, but there's a couple in my law classes. Mated and unmated," he replies, keeping his voice calm and level. Because every word of it is true.

[freetobe]

Castiel looks almost crestfallen, but doesn't dare say a word as Zachariah barks a laugh.

"And right there we have one of the reason this nation of ours is in decline. How can you breed your omega properly if you send them off to school or worse, work."

And Castiel thinks, he likes literature, he likes business, he likes to use his head. Shame that all anyone here is interested in is his body, of course. His womb, more precisely.

He wonders if Sam would grow to want that, that. Want to mate Castiel and knot him, get him heavy with child after child.

He doesn't know if he can do that for anyone here at the table, despite his orders from Zachariah. Doesn't know if he'll ever be happy enough with his role that he'll want to limit himself to it.

"Isn't that dangerous for unclaimed omegas?" he asks, because... because it interests him.

[fromfryingpantofire]

"I know. It's a surprise, people thinking that Omegas are basically human."

It's mildly said, but there's censure behind it. Sam doesn't like Zachariah and sometimes he has trouble not showing that.

He turns his attention back to Castiel. "It can be. I mean, unfortunately, no place is perfect and you're going to get asshole Alphas and Betas anywhere." Especially the kind that thought it wasn't proper for an Omega to get an education. "The university has a code of conduct that we all sign when we arrive and agree to adhere to. And the Omegas at the school have a really good support system so that they can keep up with their schooling even if they end up pregnant. I hear the child care facilities are first rate as well."

[freetobe]

One of the other alphas now turns to Sam, obviously perplexed. His name is Inias. He's young, but influential - and too influenced by his hard-lining mother. "Excuse me, but you say... if they end up pregnant, as if that's not an inevitable and desirable state."

Castiel looks from Inias to Sam. He can't pretend that he's not interested in this, that he's not hanging on Sam's every word.

A university where omegas are accepted, desired, protected... it sounds mad, to him.

It sounds... too good to be true.

Another alpha suitor, an older man named Crowley, snorts. "Nonsense. Alphas lead. Betas work. Omegas are bred. That's the way of it, boy." He's had three omegas, Castiel knows this. Childless unions. The first had an accident. The other two turned out to have... illnesses.

Zachariah likes him - his money, his influence. Castiel knows that union would mean certain death if he can't produce children for the man - the creature.

[fromfryingpantofire]

"It's not the desired state if you're unmated," Sam points out, not unkindly. Inais is younger than Sam, after all. "Think of the things you hear about Omegas who have had a child after an unfortunate heat where their birth control didn't work or they got caught out. It can be very difficult for them to find an Alpha that's willing to take on the child of another.

"On the other hand, pregnancy is difficult on Omegas. Especially males, who have no choice but to go through surgery to have their children." Did nobody take basic biology any more?

Sam glances to Crowley, eying the man up. He knows as much about the man as Castiel. Possibly more, honestly, because Winchester Investigations had been looking into him for a while. Dean hates the man almost as much as he hates Zachariah. "My mother, God rest her soul, would have taken that attitude out of your hide," he says after a moment. "My father was a Marine and one of the strongest Alphas I've ever known, and he treated my mother as a partner, not a trophy to be won and shown off. Our business wouldn't be where it is today without her. Nor would my father have lived so long after her death had it not been for my stepmother. Omegas provide balance to a family. Both parents are a child's first educator, so it's always bothered me, this idea that Omegas shouldn't be just as well educated as their Alpha. Do we really think that an entire fourth of our population isn't worth it because they have children?" He raises an eyebrow, looking at the others. "If so, I know a couple of Beta women that would love to educate you otherwise."

[freetobe]

"It's ridiculous," another Alpha pipes up, while Crowley ponders his scotch and Inias looks like Sam has actually given him food for thought. "They go into heat. If they prance around in public like that, they're basically just asking to be claimed. Sluts, all of them, if you ask me. An omegas place is at home with the kids. I work in the office all day, I expect my omega to be there with dinner, heavy with child, when I get home."

Zachariah nods in approval.

Castiel, meanwhile, looks at Sam in contemplation. As if he doesn't quite know what to make of all this. But there's a spark in his eyes, a certain interest. He still sits stiffly and eats little - but he does speak up again. "You wouldn't want that, Sam? To come home to warm dinner and a pregnant omega mate - you'd accept a childless omega bent over books?"

[fromfryingpantofire]

"And an Alpha doesn't have to have any control at all of themselves. They're just lead by their knots when the pheromones hit them, right?" Sam stared down the Alpha in question. "An Alpha doesn't have to take advantage of an Omega in heat. Any more than an Omega has to bend over for an Alpha in rut. If we're supposed to be leaders, we need to be better than that. If you can keep control of yourself not to attack the nearest Omega when you're in rut, you can control yourself not to attack one in heat, either."

His jaw clenches for a moment before Sam sits back, closing his eyes to take a long breath. The anger would do him no good. Once he was certain of his control, he turns back to Castiel. "I want children," he says, picking up his water. "But not at the expense of what my mate would like, too." His lips quirked up slightly at the corners. "Though I suppose I should find a mate who can cook. I'm pretty hopeless at it."

[freetobe]

Zachariah smirks at that. "Oh, but you and your mate aren't the only ones involved in most marriage contracts, dear boy. Castiel's union comes with a guarantee of fertility, and a requirement of impregnation within the first year. After all, we're not marrying him off just to provide a happy marriage."

Murmuring starts up along the table. This is news to all suitors - and it gets them all more interested again. It seems the Novak clan is trying to tackle the problem of unhappy, and barren omega unions - by putting even more pressure on the omegas to perform and stay happy and healthy. It's good for them - a contract that guarantees them offspring from this marriage within the first year.

Castiel pokes at his food. He smiles sadly at Sam. "I can make a decent sandwich."

[fromfryingpantofire]

Sam stares at Zachariah flatly, clearly unimpressed. "Of course. Because that's useful. The chances of a pregnancy in the first year of a mating is only about ten percent because the chances don't go up until cycles sync up. So the chances are that you're already setting any union up for failure."

And considering the final say had to be Castiel's, it means he's setting the young Omega up for failure. Which will, in turn, only make it more difficult for him to have children.

He still dredges up a smile for Castiel, though. "I'm more of a salad man, myself."

[freetobe]

"Why, Mr. Winchester. It seems you have no faith in the prize at all. Or your own virility." Crowley smirks though. If they're lucky, this will prompt the Winchester pup to drop out of the race, and they can all go back to regular business tomorrow.

Castiel knows all this. He's been tested, proven fertile, then promptly threatened. His family expects him to breed, and fast. Not for a happy, healthy marriage, not for the sake of his own wellbeing, but so they don't lose status. They rarely produce omegas - so the moment they have one, it has to be the best, most fertile, most obedient little bitch on the market.

He nods, slightly, looking just a tad crestfallen. "I see." He has no idea how to make a salad.

[fromfryingpantofire]

"It's simple biology, not anything about virility," he replies. "Omegas don't react well to stress and duress. It sets their cycle completely off kilter. That's why you rarely see children from an unhappy mating." He doesn't actually look to Crowley, but he is the one with the greatest number of former mates. The rest of them are looking for their first.

The look in Castiel's face, though, makes him wish he hadn't spoken about meals at all. "That's okay. I'm sure that my brother would love to have somebody to teach. He likes to cook to unwind from the business."

[freetobe]

"The omega's fault, naturally. There's no need to be overly caught up on being unhappy when you have an alpha to provide for you." Yeah. That would be Zachariah agreeing with Crowley.

Castiel is young. He's grown up with this kind of talk and way of thinking poisoning his mind. But when his eyes meet Sam's, one thing becomes very obvious - while he doesn't truly know better yet, he has the potential to. There's a spark of curiosity in his eyes, a wish to explore the world Sam sketches out.

[fromfryingpantofire]

Which is the important thing.

It's underhanded and Sam knows it. He really would have been quite happy just being Castiel's friend, even with what Gabriel had sketched out to him about his family. Seeing it in person, though? Sam wants to get Castiel out of here. Somewhere safer, where he can be himself and not try to live up to these ideals that will only end up with him unhappy or, at worst, dead at the hands of a Alpha who just doesn't give a shit.

Perhaps, he hopes, he can do both. Only time will tell. For now, though, he's willing to glare at Zachariah but settle back, the the rest of the room wash over him. And never take his eyes from Castiel, even though they can't have a conversation at the moment.