Page 1 of Galaxy Between Us

Introduction

Arius

I’ve studied the stars my whole life. All I want is to work at Comet XI, the world’s largest space program. But as an Omega, reaching for the stars is nothing short of fantastical. If I want to work, my only option is to become a cleaner or an assistant, not an astronomer. My childhood friend Knox is the one whose dreams are taken seriously because he’s an Alpha. He could easily have a job in astronomy someday, and hopefully I’ll be right behind him.

Knox

I don’t want to step foot inside Comet XI without Ari. None of my Alpha friends share a passion for outer space. He’s the only one who gets it, and he’s insanely intelligent. If only the rest of the world could see that. They’re always trying to take Arius away from me and make him focus on his societal role as an Omega. Letting go of my closest childhood friend leaves a void in my heart that follows me for years. I have no choice but to move on and accept my place at Comet XI without him.

Tropes: Childhood friends to lovers, workplace scandals, elevator spice scene, amnesia, mpreg, nesting, lactating, knotting, heats, ruts, baby bump, a soft Alpha who cries, a sharp Omega who won’t back down, mating marks, telepathy, jealousy, an envious enemy, and an HEA.

Chapter I

Knox and I turn ten on the same day. Both Leos. But of course, the day is more about him than me. Being born an Alpha, he’s already won in life. He’s the biggest in our class, most popular in our friend group, and on top of that, he’s got brain and brawn.

I smile and clap along with everyone else as he blows out the candles on our cake which was the one part of this celebration that we both got to choose since we were equally drawn to it in the catalog. It’s shaped and decorated like the moon with a small fondant rocket on top preparing for take-off.

I stand next to Knox in my pointed birthday hat, smiling big for the cameras in front of us flashing vigorously. As an Omega, it would be impolite to seek attention and steal the spotlight. Even on my own birthday.

But I can’t be too upset. Presents are stacked high for us on my parents’ dining room table. Mom announces that we’ll finally get to open them once everyone has a slice of cake.

Bouncing impatiently, my eager eyes dart between the gifts and the cake, unsure which one I want to dive into more. As if reading my mind, Knox plucks the rocket from the cake with an evil grin and flies it right into my mouth, smothering me in deliciousness. Laughs and cheers ring out as we play-wrestle, swatting at one another with icing all over our hands, drowning in a swirl of chocolate and vanilla.

Marble cake! My favorite.

As the night goes on, everyone makes their way into the dining room, crowding around the two chairs Knox and I sit in. Most of the gifts were for him, some for the both of us to share. By the time we’ve ripped them open, there’s only one left with a tag addressed to me, and me only. Knox’s Omega mother brings the large box to me with a genuine smile, her dark hair and sympathetic brown eyes reflecting his.

I’m awestruck by the size of the gift as she places it in my lap, and my eyes barely peek above the top. The crafty scent of wrapping paper and the cardboard hidden beneath fills my nose.

“Knox has been saving up all his allowance for this,” she tells me.

I turn to him curiously, meeting his bright, happy expression. So kindhearted like the gentle giant he is. He’s usually terrible at keeping secrets, but I have no clue what it could be. I don’t have an allowance, otherwise I would’ve bought him a gift too. The only thing I’m able to offer him is to do his next few homework assignments. It’s not a bad bargain since I’ve been excelling in my studies.

Intelligence is the only reason I’m staying in school as an Omega. Regular Omegas only stay until about twelve or fourteen which is long enough to learn the basics before they’re separated from the Alphas and Betas and sent to Omega boarding school. Which is exactly what it sounds like. Where they go to learn how to be the perfect Omega for their future Alpha and a parent to their offspring.

Once they’re mature, meaning they’ve had their first heat within the four-year duration, the Omegas graduate and are either sent out into the real world or they pursue higher studies.

Regardless of what they wish to do in the future, Omega studies are a requirement. For those of us who are smart enough, we have the opportunity to continue another two to four years of school after our studies as long as we take blockers to ensure our heat doesn’t strike in the middle of class.

It allows us to potentially get a job someday. As a cook, a house maid, an assistant, a receptionist. Though the options are slim pickings, it’s better than being mated off to some Alpha and stuck in the thrilling life of a domestic housemate. I think I want kids someday, but I’d also like to live life for myself first.

Even though I’m set to graduate basic studies by twelve, I was shocked that my parents agreed to let me stay in school until fourteen before going off to boarding school. Knox made it clear to the adults that I was his best friend, and he wasn’t ready to see me go yet. We’re both seeking a higher education, so this was important for us.

I owe him big time for that. He gifted me a few more years of childhood, and on top of it all, this heavy, neatly wrapped box with galaxy-themed paper. I can’t imagine a universe without him.

Even so, not all Alphas are as caring and considerate as Knox.

“Come on, open it! I want to see what it is!” Chet whines, leaning against the sofa arm rest. He’s Knox’s other best friend and he hates me.

He’s also an Alpha just like most of Knox’s friends. They aren’t the nicest to me and yet I find it easier to hang out with them than the other Omegas in the neighborhood who are more interested in looks than books. Maybe I’m just a late bloomer but I don’t care for an Alpha’s attention on me. Most of them are big and mean.

Oblivious to Chet’s rudeness, Dad urges me on as well, positioning his camera with a smile.

“Go ahead. Open it up, Arius.”

I tear away at the paper to unveil the box. On the side of it, I see a zoomed in picture of the moon and I gasp. No way.

Flipping the box to its front, my eyes glaze over from the sight. It’s the exact same telescope model from the Everything in Space TV series Knox and I have been watching since…forever!