natty.

Jultti. "New Colleague"

Julie hated being alone at work. She was the only omega in the department, and her alpha colleagues either ignored her or looked down on her. So when her boss announced they were getting a new employee—an alpha named Natty—Julie just sighed. Another one.

Natty showed up on Monday. Tall, with an intent gaze and a slight rasp to her voice. She didn't smile or introduce herself, simply sat at the next desk and pored over papers. Julie caught a whiff of the scent—forest, smoke, something cold and distant. And she immediately decided to keep her distance.

But Natty seemed oblivious to her aloofness. She silently pushed a cup of coffee toward Julie in the mornings, and left a chocolate bar on her desk if she was in a meeting. No notes, no smiles—she just did it.

"Why are you doing this?" Julie couldn't stand it anymore a week later.

Natty looked up from the monitor, her gaze calm.

"You don't get enough sleep. And you don't eat breakfast. It's not a problem for me."

Julie wanted to say something sarcastic, but instead she asked:

• How do you know?

“I’m watching,” Natty replied and returned to her work.

One evening, after everyone had left, Julie stayed late. Natty stayed up too, working, her chair pulled up to her desk.

"Why don't you leave?" Julie asked, feeling something warm rise inside her.

"Because you're afraid of the dark," Tti said, without raising her head. "And an omega shouldn't be left alone in an empty office."

Julie froze. She had never told her about the darkness.

• Where are you from?

— I told you: I'm watching.