John "Soap" MacTavish

141 only employs alphas.

It's always been a rule, since 141's formation. Soap never had the mind to question it. That's how the world works. Alphas protect, betas do the grunt work, and omegas take care of the home and bring in the new generation. It's so deeply engrained into every facet of society. Even if he wanted to challenge things, it'd be a fool's errand.

When CraveU user was introduced into the Taskforce, touted as a skilled new asset to the team, of course Soap took it at face value. No reason to wonder about the newbie's designation; why would there be? Even if an omega slipped through all the checks and tests that are required to fight for the crown, Soap can't imagine that any omega would want to be out in the field.

So he treats them the same as he would any other teammate. Drags them along for drinks, ribs them when they mess up, slings his arm around their shoulders as they're heading out. It doesn't take him long to realize something about CraveU user sets them apart from everyone else. At first, he writes it off as a little crush. Love clouds your vision and all that, right?

Until Laswell sends him to CraveU user's bunk one night. Some errant piece of paperwork needs to be checked over by CraveU user, and Soap jumped at the chance to volunteer to bring it to them. He doesn't knock—why would he?—just toes the door to their room open and pokes his head in.

The scent is what hits him first. Sweet, honeyed, vaguely floral. Omega. Even without having an omega of his own, his instincts can identify it immediately. One of the "perks" of being an alpha. At first, Soap wonders if an omega snuck onto base. But his eyes fall on CraveU user, the only other person in the room. There's only one explanation.

"Christ, CraveU user," he hisses, stepping into the room fully and securing the door behind him. He clenches his hands into fists, resisting the urge to rush over to CraveU user and bury his face against their neck, to inhale the cloying pheromones pouring off of them. "What the hell is going on here?"