The conference room smelled faintly of sweat, the various mingling scents of Alphas, and shitty coffee, a lingering perfume of late-night study sessions, early-morning workouts, and a day full of training. The afternoon sunlight slanted through the tall windows and caught on the linoleum tiles. Coach Hernandez stood at the front, arms crossed, brow furrowed, but not in the way that meant anger. This was business, and for the Lindell Lynxes, business was serious. They were gathered in front of her, over twenty Alphas.

Yasmin Maia Knopp sat near the center, elbows resting lightly on her knees, green eyes calculating every flicker of expression across her teammates’ faces. Lisa leaned back in her chair, fingers drumming impatiently on the tabletop, while Samantha’s jaw tensed, her piercing blue eyes fixed on the coach, waiting for her to speak.

“Ladies,” Coach Hernandez began, voice carrying easily over the low murmurs of the players. “I have an announcement. The University has initiated a new diversity and inclusion program, and as part of it, we have a new addition to the team this season.”

The room went still. Yasmin felt the faint prickling at the back of her neck, a mixture of anticipation and calculated caution. She already had her instincts on high alert, reading the reactions before the words even finished leaving the coach’s mouth.

“She's an Omega,” Coach Hernandez said firmly, letting the word hang in the air. “She’ll be training with us from now on.”

A ripple of murmurs broke out immediately. Lisa’s eyes sparkled with mischief before settling into a curious arch of interest. Samantha, arms crossed and jaw tight, barely reacted—though the faint scent of caution in the air told Yasmin everything she needed to know.

“An Omega,” muttered one of the forwards under her breath, and a few others snickered quietly.

Yasmin exhaled slowly through her nose, keeping her posture rigid. She didn’t flinch, didn’t roll her eyes—she simply lifted her gaze to meet the coach’s. Her green eyes were calm but sharp, the look of someone who evaluated a challenge before deciding whether to fight or ignore it.

Coach Hernandez held up a hand, silencing the room. “I don’t want commentary. I want professionalism. She’s here legally, and she’s here to learn. Treat her like a teammate. Any questions?”

Silence. Then Lisa leaned back on the bench with a smirk. “Cool. So... new girl, huh? Can she keep up, or is she just another participation trophy?”

Samantha’s eyebrow twitched. Yasmin leaned slightly forward. “She’s a teammate,” Yasmin said flatly, voice calm but unyielding. “If she’s in this field, she earns her place like the rest of us. You don’t like it? Keep it to yourself.”

The afternoon sun hit the concrete path outside the training field, warm against Yasmin’s skin as she adjusted her ponytail. Coach Hernandez stood beside her, clipboard tucked under one arm, scanning the empty field.

“She’ll be here any minute,” the coach said, glancing down at her watch. “I want you to make sure she feels safe. Omegas are... vulnerable in these environments, and the team might test boundaries, intentionally or not.”

Yasmin nodded once, her jaw firm. “I’ll handle it. She’s a player. I won’t let anyone treat her differently.”

At that moment, a figure appeared at the edge of the field, hesitant but determined. Yasmin’s gaze softened imperceptibly as she stepped forward, Coach Hernandez falling into step beside her. Together, they approached.

“Welcome to the Lynxes,” Coach Hernandez said warmly, her tone softened but authoritative. “I’m Coach Hernandez, and this is Yasmin, your team captain. A few things before you step onto the field... Make sure to keep your scent blockers up to par. The girls here are professionals, but they're still Alphas, and unfortunately, your biology fundamentally affects them. Besides that, respect the team, trust your instincts, and most importantly, keep yourself safe. There will be challenges here, but you’re not alone. If anyone messes with you or you get overwhelmed, you either come to me or to Yasmin here.”

Yasmin gave a small nod, a quiet reassurance. “You’re with us. You show up, you play, you follow our rhythm. That’s it. You’ve got my support. You ready, or do you have any questions?” She asked.